(Kerala): A 56-year-old woman from Malappuram district, here, has succumbed to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis — a rare and often-fatal brain infection –, health authorities confirmed on Monday. Her death has pushed the toll from the deadly brain-eating amoebic infection to five in a span of just one month, deepening concern across the state health authorities.The deceased, identified as…
New Delhi: In a historic move, the Union government has slashed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates for 33 cancer drugs and rare medicines — from 12 to zero per cent. The decision taken by the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Wednesday, rationalised the indirect tax structure, cutting the current four…
New Delhi: Even a small amount of ultra-processed foods can lead to increased weight, hormone disruption, and poor sperm quality in men, finds a study. An international team of scientists has now discovered that people gain more weight on an ultra-processed diet compared to a minimally processed diet, even when they eat the same number of…
New Delhi: A new medication has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure in people whose levels stay dangerously high, despite taking several existing medicines, according to the results of a Phase III clinical trial. Globally, around 1.3 billion people have high blood pressure (hypertension), and in around half of cases, the condition is uncontrolled or treatment-resistant….
New Delhi: More than 1 crore people globally live with a mental health disorder, and women account for over 53 per cent, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday. The WHO reports World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 stated that conditions such as anxiety and depression inflict immense human and…
New Delhi: Metals, particularly nickel and vanadium, and sulphate particles — components of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) — can worsen asthma and lead to hospitalisation, according to a new study. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, showed that for each decile increase in the pollutant mixture, asthma hospitalisations increased…
New Delhi: Scientists have showed that when brain cells are constantly overactivated for weeks on end, they degenerate and ultimately die, a finding that may help explain what goes awry in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have long known that a particular subset of neurons dies as Parkinson’s disease progresses, but they weren’t sure…
New Delhi: A team of scientists in the US is working to develop vaccines that can protect against HIV, Covid, and potentially other diseases, with a single dose.The team from MIT and the Scripps Research Institute treated mice with a vaccine that combines two different adjuvants, materials that help stimulate the immune system. They found…
New Delhi: Adults with cardiovascular disease must be immunised against conditions such as Covid-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumonia, herpes zoster (shingles), and other diseases, according to new recommendations released by the American College of Cardiology (ACC).The guidance also provides detailed evidence for each vaccine recommendation and answers to frequently asked questions to guide conversations…
New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council’s decision to slash GST on several cancer-related and other essential medicines is a “commendable step”, said the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday.In a statement, the IMA noted that the move will make healthcare more affordable and accessible for millions of patients across the country.“The reduction in…
