Health

In a world-first, Swiss scientists have developed 3D cell models using lip cells, an advance that can help develop new treatments for injuries and infections.  To date, models using lip cells -- which perform differently from other skin cells -- have not been available. “The lip is a very prominent feature of our face,” said Dr Martin Degen of the University of Bern in Switzerland. “Any defects in this tissue can be highly disfiguring. But until now, human lip cell models for developing treatments were lacking,” Degen added. To fill the gap, the scientists successfully immortalised donated lip cells. This enabled them to develop clinically relevant lip models in the lab, The team selected skin cells from tissue donated by two patients: one undergoing treatment for a lip laceration, an...

While the brain is commonly known to work for and store memories, a new study showed that other parts of the body can also store memory. The study, which appears in the journal Nature Communications, may pave a new way for treating memory-related afflictions. Nikolay V. Kukushkin, lead author from the New York University in the US stated that “other cells in the body can learn and form memories, too” The researchers found that similar to brain cells, the non-brain cells also turn on a "memory gene" -- in response to new information. Brain cells turn on the "memory gene" -- when they detect a pattern in the information and restructure their connections to form memories. Further, to monitor the memory and learning process in the non-brain cells, the team engineered these to make a glowin...

Amid a report on high lead levels found in turmeric sold in Asia, including India, doctors on Saturday warned that lead exposure through contaminated turmeric can impair kids’ cognitive functions, and raise heart disease, and stroke risk in adults. The study, published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, found that turmeric sold in India’s Patna; Pakistan’s Karachi and Peshawar; and Nepal had lead levels in turmeric exceeding 1,000 micrograms/gram. This is about 200 times more than the limit set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) -- 10 micrograms/gram. Researchers led by the University of Stanford in the US, along with those from India, found that turmeric sold in Guwahati and Chennai also exceeded the regulatory limit. “Turmeric, widely recognised ...

Exercising for five minutes per day could reduce blood pressure, a new research has found. The research, which was published by experts from an international academic collaboration led by the University of Sydney and University College London on Thursday, suggested that doing five minutes of physical activity, such as walking uphill or stair climbing every day may help to lower blood pressure. According to the study by the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep (ProPASS) Consortium, replacing sedentary behaviour with 20-27 minutes of exercise per day can result in a clinically meaningful reduction in blood pressure. "High blood pressure is one of the biggest health issues globally, but unlike some major causes of cardiovascular mortality there may be relatively accessible ways...

Neha Dhupia has shared that with her daughter Mehr she focusses on normalising menstruation and addressing it as a natural part of life. The actress said, as a mother to a girl and son Guriq, she is committed to fostering awareness and education for both of them. “I was fortunate to grow up in a household where open conversations were always welcome. It wasn`t a topic we discussed as a family in the living room with my dad and brother around, but I was raised in an educated, modern environment where my mother and I could have these conversations privately,” Neha said at the GoFloRun, which invites women to participate in a run to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and overall health. She added: “Today, as a mother, to a daughter and son both, I’m committed to fostering awareness and...

Metabolic risk factors such as hypertension, high blood sugar, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol are the major conditions that are linked to kidney problems, and worsen the risk of strokes in patients with kidney disease, said experts on Monday. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is independently known to exacerbate the risk of stroke. A recent study published in the European Heart Journal showed that people with kidney failure are many times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. They also have a higher risk of dying as a result, the study showed. “Patients with reduced glomerular filtration rates (indicating kidneys are not filtering waste properly) face a 40 per cent higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke. In addition, proteinuria (excess protein in the urine), a common feature o...

Amid continuing poor air quality in the national capital, doctors on Wednesday reported a rise in digestive issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).   Delhi-NCR`s air quality remained dangerously poor on Wednesday, nearing the `severe` category in several locations across the region. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi`s average air quality index (AQI) stood at 358 as of 7:30 a.m. The AQI surpassed 400, marking `severe` levels in areas like Bawana (412), Mundka (419), NSIT Dwarka (447), and Wazirpur (421). Air pollution is a known health risk that can lead to problems ranging from respiratory to cardiovascular to metabolic and even mental health. It is also a considerable threat to digestive health. “Long-term air poll...

Pregnancy can be accompanied with various health challenges in a woman’s life. One of these is the risk of arthritis, which can cause discomfort and pain. Arthritis causes pain and swelling in the joints, a condition that can be aggravated during pregnancy. This health challenge can present itself in different forms. In a conversation with mid-day.com, Dr. Vanitha Vaishnav, MBBS, MS, OBGYN (Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine), Apollo Cradle and Children’s Hospital, Bangalore, discusses the symptoms, effects and tips for managing arthritis during pregnancy. Symptoms of arthritis and its effect on pregnancy There are several signs that point towards arthritis. Dr. Vaishnav shares the following: Joint pain and stiffness: It`s common in affected areas, such as hands, knees, and hips, whic...

Driven by the rise in digital adoption, the enterprise-driven business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) mental health market in India is projected to reach approximately $3.9 billion by FY29, with demand expected to grow 1.7 times in the coming years, according to a new report.  Corporate and educational segments are leading this shift, recognising the critical role of mental health in productivity and educational success, according to the report from market research firm Redseer. “Currently, over 200 million people in India face mental health conditions, yet only 10-15 per cent seek professional help. The gap highlights the need for scalable, accessible solutions — a need that is being met with innovative, digital-first approaches,” said Jasbir Juneja from Redseer. To address the wide-r...

Love to wear sarees daily? Beware, draping it tightly may give you skin cancer, warned doctors in Bihar and Maharashtra on Wednesday.  After treating two women with this type of malignancy, doctors from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, and Madhubani Medical College and Hospital, in Bihar warned that tightly tied waist cord of the underskirt (petticoat) traditionally worn under a saree, particularly in rural parts of India, may cause continued friction linked to chronic inflammation, leading to skin ulceration, and in some cases, progress to skin cancer. The phenomenon has previously been described as “saree cancer,” but it is the tightness of the waist cord that’s to blame, the doctors pointed out in the study published in the BMJ Case Reports, and dubbed it as ‘petticoat canc...