Lifestyle

The virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technology could simulate stressful situations and help people practice stress-relief strategies, a new study has revealed. Everyday situations can sometimes feel like big stressors, whether it`s delivering an important work presentation, attending a party full of strangers or confronting a partner. Talking to a friend or a therapist can…

Early-life exposure to small particle air pollution and outdoor artificial light at night could increase the risk of paediatric thyroid cancer, a new study led by researchers at Yale University in the US has suggested. The team found a “significant association” between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) and outdoor artificial light…

Every other week, we hear of people suffering from terminal diseases and that can often be difficult for many beyond the families to deal with, as they know of someone close who may have also suffered similarly.  Even as they stories come to light, there are others that give us hope as they are nothing…

After Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Christians all around India are set to celebrate Easter on April 20 to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  While embracing culture and tradition, no festival in India is complete without food, which brings not only people from the community but also people of other faiths together, to share…

Medical experts on Friday emphasised the critical link between dietary habits and liver health, saying that healthy changes today can cut liver disease risk by 50 per cent. Ahead of the World Liver Day which falls on April 19, healthcare experts said that food is medicine, as cases of liver diseases among both urban and…

As the Christian community across the country observe Holy Week in the coming days of April in preparation for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, it will conclude with Easter celebrations that will be a feast.  This year, Easter is being observed on April 20 across the world. While Mumbai`s many different communities including the Goan,…

Liver diseases like hepatitis, fatty liver and cirrhosis are increasingly being seen in young adults aged 23-35, especially those with Type 2 diabetes.  Every year, World Liver Day is observed on April 19 around the globe to raise awareness and promote liver health, as well as educate people about liver diseases, risk factors, and how…

Boosting awareness, early diagnosis, and improving access to care is crucial to fight haemophilia and other bleeding disorders in the country, said Union Minister JP Nadda on World Haemophilia Day on Thursday. World Haemophilia Day is observed every year on April 17 to raise awareness about bleeding disorders. The theme this year is: “Access for…

If you are having ice-cold feet and feel heaviness in the legs it may indicate the presence of varicose veins — swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins in legs or ankles, according to a study. Varicose veins are usually caused by impaired functioning of the deep or superficial veins, and the perforator veins (short veins that…

Rising temperatures may not only affect physical health, but could also increase the burden of mental and behavioural disorders (MBD) like schizophrenia and depression by almost 50 per cent by 2050, according to a new study.  The research led by the University of Adelaide highlights the urgent need to act now to protect mental health…

People suffering from chronic pain — or pain that lasts at least three months — may be up to four times more likely to experience depression, according to a study.  Almost 30 per cent of people worldwide suffer from a chronic pain condition such as low back pain and migraines, and one in three of…

People with a certain heart valve abnormality may be at an increased risk of developing severe heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias, according to a study on Tuesday.  Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden showed that the valve abnormality called Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias – a dangerous…

A new pill has shown promise against antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea – a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) -, according to a study published in the journal The Lancet.  Cases of drug-resistant gonorrhoea have been increasing rapidly in recent years. If not treated promptly, gonorrhoea can result in serious complications, especially for women, in whom it can…

A team of Canadian researchers has found plasticisers called phthalates, flame retardants, and other harmful chemicals in mattresses of babies and young children who are likely to breathe and absorb these while sleeping, increasing several health risks.  Researchers from the University of Toronto said these chemicals are linked to neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone…

Imbalance in the digestive system may disrupt brain signals and influence behavioural symptoms in children with autism, according to a study on Monday.  Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) demonstrated that gut metabolites impact the brain, and the brain, in turn, affects behaviour. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, adds to…

Dr. Divya Sistla, a U.S.-based endocrinologist originally from Telangana, has been awarded the esteemed title of Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) — one of the highest honours in the field of internal medicine.   This recognition celebrates her exceptional work in endocrinology, medical research, and education. Dr. Sistla, who completed her MBBS…

Eating bananas or broccoli, rich in potassium, may effectively help lower hypertension – affecting over 30 per cent of adults globally, according to a study. Hypertension or high blood pressure is the leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke and may also lead to other afflictions like chronic kidney disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeats,…

While blood sugar cases are significantly soaring worldwide, a lesser-known malnutrition-related form of diabetes — designated as Type-5 diabetes — is gaining global attention after decades.  Nearly 75 years after being first recorded, the condition that previously remained undefined was designated as Type- 5 diabetes at the recently held International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) World Diabetes…

More than three million children worldwide lost their lives in 2022 due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related infections, a new landmark study has revealed.  The study, presented today at ‘ESCMID Global 2025’ event in Vienna, Austria, underscores the urgent need for both regional and global strategies to control paediatric AMR, particularly in high-burden areas such as…

New research has revealed that Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium), a parasitic infection affecting millions globally, can trigger cancer-related gene activity in the cervical lining, with changes becoming even more pronounced after treatment.  Presented at the ‘ESCMID Global 2025’ in Austria, this pivotal study sheds new light on how this often-overlooked parasitic disease may contribute to…

Taking tirzepatide drug once a week may produce clinically meaningful and sustained weight loss for at least three years in adults with overweight or obesity who do not have diabetes, according to new research.  The findings also indicate that females and those without obesity-related complications may be more responsive to tirzepatide treatment, said researchers at…

Authorities in several countries of Central Europe are working to contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle populations that has caused widespread border closures and required the killing of thousands of animals. The outbreak was first detected on a cattle farm in northwestern Hungary in early March, and animals on three farms in neighbouring…

Adults with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) are likely to be at a 2.7-fold higher risk of death within one year, warned a study.  RSV-ARI refers to a group of illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — a common and highly contagious virus that primarily affects the respiratory tract.      The…

Israeli researchers have developed a new RNA-based blood test for detecting Parkinson`s disease long before symptoms emerge.  Parkinson`s is often diagnosed only after significant brain damage has occurred, when most relevant neurons are already lost, underscoring the need for early detection. The new method, detailed in the journal Nature Aging, measures specific RNA fragments in…

A team of US researchers has found a new drug delivery system that showed more efficacy and improved the treatment of a rare eye cancer that spreads to liver.  The multi-institutional study led by Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, US, found that percutaneous hepatic perfusion using a melphalan hepatic delivery system may help patients with…

Every year, World Parkinson’s Disease Day is observed on April 11 around the world to raise awareness about the progressive neurological disorder, that currently has no cure. While a lot more people know about the disease now than before, there is still a lot more research needed to be done to find a cure, apart…

Many parts of north India will get ready to celebrate Baisakhi on April 13 as India’s eastern states will revel in Poila Baisakh only a few days later on April 15. Both festivals celebrate the spring harvest festival and mark the New Year in the respective regions with culture with festivities but none of them…

Suffering from migraine headaches and body pain? Blame your poor oral health, according to a study on Wednesday. The study, which focussed on women, identified specific oral microbes correlated with certain pain conditions. It also suggested a potential relationship between the oral microbiome and the nervous system. The research examined associations between self-reported oral health,…

A baby girl has become the first in the UK to be born from a womb transplant, after her aunt donated her uterus to her mother, a London hospital said Tuesday. Amy was born on February 27 at the Queen Charlotte`s and Chelsea Hospital in London, two years after her mum, Grace Davidson, received a…

Every year, World Parkinson’s Disease Day is observed on April 11 around the globe to raise awareness about the progressive neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.  Parkinson’s Disease (PD) impacts movement, and while it mostly affects individuals over 60, early-onset cases can occur too but what are the causes, symptoms and the importance…

A team of UK researchers has found evidence on how “immunity debt,” caused by extended periods of restrictions during Covid-19 pandemic, is causing changes in global transmission patterns of flu. “Immunity debt” is a phenomenon where populations become more susceptible to infections after extended periods of reduced exposure. While the hypothesis was widely accepted, until…

A large study of 56·1 million pregnancies, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology on Tuesday, has reinforced the link between maternal diabetes and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Researchers from the Central South University in China conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 202 studies, involving 56,082,462…

While shift work is a known risk factor for cardiovascular events, a new study on Tuesday showed that eating only during the daytime may prevent the risks. Sleep timing has been a major area of focus, but researchers from Mass General Brigham, US, and the University of Southampton, UK, stated that food timing could be…

A study published on Monday revealed for the first time a causal link between chronic loneliness and early death among middle-aged Australian women. Researchers analysed two decades of data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women`s Health, involving over 57,000 participants. The findings after examining data from women aged between 48 and 55 show that…

In 2024, patients consulted doctors for lifestyle diseases an average of 4.1 times, seeing a rise from 3.4 in 2023. While the search highlights a growing trend, the search for hypertension, diabetes, cardiology and weight management were the top concerns for people in India in 2024. As people observed World Health Day on April 7,…

“What are we?” might just be the trickiest question to answer while dating. The pace at which couples have a clear answer can either be a game of patience or a race against time- it depends on who you ask. Indian dating app QuackQuack recently conducted a survey and the finding shows that while for…

Every year, World Health Day is observed on April 7 around the world. While maintaining health is important, a consumer`s awareness around food, health, and hygiene has also evolved over the past year.  Earlier, the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 had predicted a significant shift in consumer choices, with a growing focus on clean eating,…

Women often tend to face various health challenges during pregnancy, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. These issues can be prevented or managed with proper planning before pregnancy. While there are many ways that can be done, preconception counselling is one of the methods, and the need of the…