Tag: Health

For decades, medical science has viewed dementia as a slow-burning fire fuelled by genetics and lifestyle. However, a recent, compelling study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that more sudden events occurring externally may shape the timeline of cognitive decline. Specifically, cases of severe cystitis (bladder infections) and even tooth decay have been identified as accelerants...

Fundamental research is the ‘silent engine’ of modern medicine. Before a scientist can design a pill or a new therapeutic technology, they must first understand the biology of the disease, including what is defective in the diseased state. This is particularly true for rare genetic disorders, where the roadmap to a cure is often missing....

We are all aware of the fact that the use of plastics causes harm to our environment, and dangerously so. But not many people think about what happens when plastics enter our bodies. As far as gynaecological reproductive health is concerned, while the major emphasis continues to remain on genetics, hormonal imbalances, diet and exercise,...

The human body is highly adaptable. It continuously reconfigures and reorganises itself in direct response to the demands placed upon it. Its musculature is not a static structure, but a highly dynamic system that responds immediately to both activity and inactivity. When regular activity is removed, the human body does not simply stop or pause...

The 1912 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Alexis Carrel “in recognition of his work on vascular suturing and the transplantation of blood vessels and organs.” His work addressed a fundamental problem in early surgery, how to restore blood flow after injury or operation and helped make complex procedures like organ transplantation...

The SELECT trial, led by A. Michael Lincoff and published in The New England Journal of Medicine (2023), showed that once-weekly semaglutide reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher and pre-existing cardiovascular disease, but without diabetes. The trial enrolled 17,604 participants and tracked outcomes...

Climate change is emerging as a major public health threat in India, reshaping disease patterns, straining healthcare systems, and placing nearly 40% of districts at high risk from extreme weather events, according to a new report.  The report, Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience, by Dasra, a philanthropy fund organisation, highlights...

Two disorders caused by the dysfunction of the reproductive and endocrine system are PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and endometriosis. Both are deeply linked by genetics and how our body regulates certain biological signals. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder, that affects the reproductive system in women. It leads to irregular menstruation, higher levels...

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch of a mission in Ladakh to examine the physiological, psychological and operational dynamics of gaganyatris (astronauts) and ground teams functioning in a high-altitude environment. Scientific data generated on crew performance and human factors will contribute directly to the Gaganyaan programme and future long-duration missions. Known...

Certain kinds of mutations in gene TP53, which encodes the p53 tumour suppressor protein, often dubbed the ‘guardian of the genome’, could perhaps be making acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) one of the hardest cancers to treat, new research has found. The study, led by Caner Saygin, assistant professor at the University of Chicago Medicine, was recently...