Category: Health And Wellness

People diagnosed with rare cancers more prone to suicides, PTSD: Research

Health And Wellness August 17, 2024 indica

A recent study of the psychological outcomes of over 57,470 patients with rare cancers showed that they have a higher risk of developing mental health issues compared to patients with common cancers. The systematic review and meta-analysis of these patient cases, led by Assistant Professor Valerie Yang, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and Joint Research Clinician and Group Leader at the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) indicate that patients with rare cancers are significantly more likely to develop anxiety and depression, and have higher incidence of suicides and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Rare cancers, defined as those affecting fewer than 6 out of 100,000 people per year, often pose unique diagnosis, treatment and research challenges. Because there is a low incidence of each type of rare cancer, there is often a lack of awareness among the public and medical professionals of these diseases, leading to delayed diagnoses and limited treatment options. Due to the lack of support and resources tailored to their specific condition, patients with rare cancers may experience isolation, which can negatively impact their mental health, stated an official news release.

Use of AI in Indian healthcare sector on the rise, to reach $1.6 billion by 2025: Report

Health And Wellness, Tech August 13, 2024 indica

Artificial intelligence (AI) in the Indian healthcare market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.6% and is estimated to reach $1.6 billion by 2025, a report showed Tuesday, August 13.

Expected to reach $650 billion by 2025, the overall healthcare sector in India grew at a CAGR of 22.5% between 2016 to 2022 and is diversifying in terms of products, services, and markets, according to the report by Nasscom and Kantar.

Penn State researchers’ mice study finds clues to Alzheimer’s, dementia

Health And Wellness August 12, 2024 indica

A new mice study may have found an association between an enzyme and memory loss in elderly people, a development that can someday pave the way for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The brain’s capacity to incorporate new information gets weaker with old age. Along with finding it difficult to remember new information, the elderly also find it hard to modify their memories when new details emerge.

Should screening and supplementation for Vitamin D be done?

Health And Wellness August 10, 2024August 12, 2024 indica

A recent change suggested by the Endocrine Society calls for stopping routine checks for Vitamin D and limiting Vitamin D supplementation beyond the recommended levels only to high-risk groups. These guidelines have recently been published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. These recommendations have sparked controversy in medical circles. Some support these guidelines while others oppose it.

Underprivileged neighborhood tied to increased ADHD symptoms in autistic children

Health And Wellness August 9, 2024 indica

Autistic children born in poor neighborhoods are more likely to exhibit heightened attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms than those from more resource-rich areas, according to a new study by UC Davis researchers.

This study at the University of California, Davis MIND Institute, marks the first exploration of how neighborhood factors impact ADHD symptoms in both autistic and non-autistic children. The findings could guide public policy changes aimed at improving health equity.

Researchers map out genetics of schizophrenia, find nearly 300 common genetic variants as significant risk factors

Health And Wellness August 4, 2024 indica

Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, and given that it runs in families, researchers are focusing on genetic testing and analyzes to pinpoint risk factors.

Recent genomic research has identified nearly 300 common genetic variants and over 20 rare variants as significant risk factors for schizophrenia.

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s treatment to get a boost after Indian scientists’ protein study

Health And Wellness August 2, 2024 indica

Scientists from the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have, in a new study, unraveled how protein molecules fold and unfold, paving the way to develop treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The team used a technique called covalent magnetic tweezers to observe how individual protein molecules fold and unfold under different conditions and interact with osmolytes.

Non-statin cholesterol-lowering drugs can lower liver cancer risk: Study

Health And Wellness July 29, 2024 indica

Certain non-statin cholesterol-lowering medications may reduce the risk of liver cancer, according to a recent study. The study, published online in the journal CANCER, suggests a potential protective effect of these medications, adding to existing evidence from past research on statins.

The study, led by the National Cancer Institute of the Maryland National Institute of Health, focussed on five types of non-statin cholesterol-lowering drugs: Cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids. These drugs are commonly prescribed to manage cholesterol and lipid levels, each operating through different mechanisms.

BRCA gene mutations pose breast cancer risk even among men: Research

Health And Wellness July 28, 2024 indica

It’s not only women, but men can also be at risk of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, typically associated with breast and ovarian cancers, according to research calling for increasing screening guidelines for males.

A growing body of research emphasizes that BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, typically associated with breast and ovarian cancers in women, also pose significant cancer risks to men.

Bane of present times: Ultra-processed foods

Health And Wellness July 27, 2024July 27, 2024 indica

Ultra-processed foods are gaining in popularity all over the world, particularly in North America. Some estimates show the North American diet consists of more than half of the calories in the form of ultra-processed foods.  What are they?  Ultra-processed foods have been created to replace fresh meals through a series of industrial processes such as hydrolysis, hydrogenation, extrusion, molding, milling, frying, the addition of flavors, the supplementation of emulsifiers, and the add-on of coloring agents. Examples of these foods include soft drinks, energy drinks, flavored yogurts, chocolate, chips, ice cream, candy, sweetened cereals, packaged soups, ready-to-eat meals, different plant milk, meat substitutes, and many more products.

Cornell University researchers use ‘cloaked’ proteins to deliver cancer-killing therapeutics into cells

Health And Wellness, News July 22, 2024 indica

Researchers at Cornell University in New York have created a generalized method for “cloaking” proteins, which may allow for the recycling of materials like antibodies for biological research and therapeutic applications.

Lipid nanoparticles, which resemble tiny bubbles of fat, can trap the “cloaked” proteins. Because of their microscopic size, these bubbles secretly deliver their cargo into living cells, where the proteins unfold and begin to work as medicine. The generalizable technique could lead to the repurposing of thousands of commercial protein products, including antibodies, for biological research and therapeutic applications.

Advances in blood tests for bipolar disorder and depression

Health And Wellness, News July 16, 2024July 16, 2024 indica

Depression, which is characterized by sustained deep feelings of sadness and melancholy, and bipolar disorder which is marked by mood swings between extreme elation and severe depression are two distinct but serious causes of disability. Both require correct diagnosis and distinct treatments.  Bipolar illness usually starts in the early 20s but on average takes 8-10 years, often longer, for a correct diagnosis. Needless to say, this delay prolongs the agony of the patient and increases the negative sequelae for the patient and their families. Depression usually starts in adulthood but can occur at any age.

Heart diseases increasing at alarming rate among Indian youths: Cardiologists

Health And Wellness July 14, 2024 indica

Heart diseases are increasing at an alarming rate, with many young patients in their 20s and 30s succumbing to heart attacks in India. This trend is a huge concern for cardiologists, world-renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. H.K. Bali said Sunday, July 14.

Dr. Bali made the comment during a day-long academic program, CIIST360, organized by HEART Foundation to highlight the latest advances in the field of cardiology. Around 250 cardiologists and physicians from northern India attended the conference.

It is ok to be fat, says Indian-origin professor from University of Alabama

Health And Wellness July 8, 2024 indica

Prejudice against fat people is endemic in our society and public health initiatives aimed at reducing obesity have only worsened the problem, an Indian-origin academic said on Monday.

In her new book titled ‘Why It’s OK To Be Fat’, Rekha Nath, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alabama in the US, argued for a paradigm shift in how society approaches the topic of obesity.

Being wise about blood pressure management

Health And Wellness July 1, 2024July 1, 2024 indica

A recent review published by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) compared the updated blood pressure guidelines from the European Society of Hypertension (ESH). The chief difference between the criteria for the cutoff for hypertension in the US was ≥130/80 while in Europe was ≥140/90 mmHg. The guidelines in India are also akin to the European guidelines.  This has caused some confusion. The US criterion is more stringent than the European and Indian criteria and can be seen as classifying a larger number of people as being hypertensive and needing medication. With age blood pressure is likely to rise due to stiffening of the arteries and one can delay the starting of medication by following some steps.

As obesity surges across the globe, new study shows fathers’ consumption of fish oil supplements can prevent disorder in kids

Health And Wellness June 30, 2024 indica

Fathers who consume fish oil supplements can help reduce the risk of obesity among children, a new study in mice have found. The study by researchers at Syracuse University in the US suggests a simple dietary change, in the form of a fish oil supplement taken by fathers, to help address the rising health concern.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of young people aged 5 to 19, who are obese, has risen from 31 million in 1990 to 160 million in 2022. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and may also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.