Health

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) said on Saturday it has developed a unique brain-computer interface-based robotic hand exoskeleton that can help in stroke rehabilitation and redefine post-stroke therapy by accelerating recovery.  The robotic hand deploys a unique closed-loop control system that actively engages the patient’s brain during therapy. It integrates three essential components: a brain-computer interface that captures EEG signals from the brain’s motor cortex to assess the patient’s intent to move, a robotic hand exoskeleton that performs therapeutic hand movements, and software that synchronizes brain signals with the exoskeleton for real-time assist-as-required force feedback, according to a IITK statement. This synchronised approach ensures continuous engag...

Shifting to balanced diets is key to combat the alarming nutrition crisis, caused by unhealthy diets, in India, said health experts. According to the latest report of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), India is facing a health crisis, with 56.4 per cent of the total disease burden attributed to unhealthy dietary practices. Unhealthy eating habits, including the consumption of processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fats, have become alarmingly prevalent, with the proliferation of fast-food chains and the easy availability of packaged snacks. "India faces a unique and alarming nutrition crisis, with abdominal obesity being more prevalent than overall obesity. More than 50 per cent of the population suffers from diet-related disorders, incl...

Even as watching short videos or reels on social media platforms has become an integral part of the daily lives of young and middle-aged people, a new study shows that addiction to this can lead to high blood pressure. The study, conducted by researchers The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University in China, aimed to explore the correlation between the screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and essential hypertension among young and middle-aged people. The team analysed data of 4,318 young and middle-aged people who self-reported screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and also underwent medical examinations between January 2023 and September 2023. They found that longer screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime was associated with a higher hypertension...

Skincare expert Blossom Kochhar puts together recipes, hacks and DIYs on how to approach daily skincare routines by blending traditional Indian practices with science in her new book. "The Glow Getters Guide to Everyday Skincare" is aimed at guiding readers in achieving healthy skin through authentic, nature-based techniques. There are also a few pointers on how beauty is influenced by a balanced body, mind, and emotions. "Caring for your skin, hair, and body goes beyond mere beauty; it also has a significant impact on your health and emotions. Even the wise have said that we must look after our bodies, for this is where the divine resides," Kochhar writes in the book, published by Hay House. She says beauty is not just skin deep but holistic. "This quest for holistic beauty led me to...

Made-in-India surgical robotic system SSI Mantra has successfully performed two robotic cardiac surgery via telesurgery spanning a distance of 286 kilometres.  The surgeries were performed remotely by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava from Gurugram to Manipal Hospital Jaipur, using the SSI Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System. The Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting procedure conducted remotely was successfully completed in just 58 minutes. The surgery demonstrated exceptional precision with an incredibly low latency of just 35-40 milliseconds (1/20th of a second). This groundbreaking procedure was followed by another world-first, a robotic beating heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) -- a procedure known as one of the most complex cardiac surgical procedures. Thi...

Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, an infertility specialist, endoscopic surgeon and gynaecologist, was formally installed as the 63rd President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) during the 67th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AICOG 2025) at Jio World Convention Centre on Wednesday. “It is both an honour and a responsibility to lead an organisation as influential as FOGSI, which represents over 46,000 obstetricians and gynaecologists across 277 societies in India,” said Dr Tandulwadkar. Through this role, she aims to address critical challenges in women’s health and advance healthcare accessibility, education and preventive care across India. Key health challenges faced by women in India Some key challenges in women’s healthcare in the ...

Made-in-India surgical robotic system SSI Mantra has successfully performed two robotic cardiac surgery via telesurgery spanning a distance of 286 kilometres. The surgeries were performed remotely by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava from Gurugram to Manipal Hospital Jaipur, using the SSI Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System. The Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting procedure conducted remotely was successfully completed in just 58 minutes. The surgery demonstrated exceptional precision with an incredibly low latency of just 35-40 milliseconds (1/20th of a second). This groundbreaking procedure was followed by another world-first, a robotic beating heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) -- a procedure known as one of the most complex cardiac surgical procedures. This...

A team of doctors in Mumbai treated a 24-year-old engineering student who was suffering from multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the nervous system. For the patient, Sushant Chavan, every day felt like an uphill battle against an illness that left him bedridden, unable to walk, speak or even move. Modern medicine offered no solutions for the family. However, with help from Dr Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher and Founder of StemRx Hospital, and his team, Chavan was able to find relief from his condition. Carried into the hospital on his father’s back, he walked out on his feet after undergoing stem cell therapy. Previously, another patient saw improvement in health through cell-based treatment at the hospital. Eyam, a man from Nairobi who had been in a coma...

The arrival of a new year is often accompanied by a sense of optimism and renewed enthusiasm to make big changes to our lives. While many resolve to quit bad habits, get healthier, or learn new skills, these aspirational resolutions may overwhelm you. The temptation to undergo significant changes can backfire rapidly, resulting in inflated expectations, psychological distress, and even physical injury. The key to sustainable progress, however, remains adopting a more realistic approach. When it comes to tempting lofty goals, it becomes critical to remember that the most effective way to create meaningful change is through small, consistent steps. To help you switch to a sustainable path of progress this year, we’ve got two mental health experts to delve into why people fall into this extr...

While coffee offers several health benefits, the best time to drink the hot beverage is morning hours, claims a study on Wednesday.  The research, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that people who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from heart disease. They also have a lower overall mortality risk compared to people who drink coffee all day long. Researchers from Tulane University in the US showed morning coffee drinkers were 16 per cent less likely to die of any cause and 31 per cent less likely to die of cardiovascular disease. However, no reduction in risk was found for people who drink coffee all day, compared to non-coffee drinkers. “This is the first study testing coffee drinking timing patterns and health outcomes. Our findings indicate that it’s...