A new study explains a possible reason why sometimes taking a nap break helps people perform better when they resume a task -- during sleep, short-term information related to the task at hand is converted into long-term, stronger memory, researchers found. The team, led by researchers from Harvard Medical School, US, monitored brain activity of 25 participants as they were learning a typing sequence, followed by taking a nap. During sleep, areas in the cortex -- brain's outermost layer that helps with higher-level functions such as memory -- that were active while the participants worked showed more rhythmic, repetitive patterns, indicating that information related to the task is being processed, the team found. The results, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, also show that an increased number of brain waves in these areas of the brain's cortex were related with an improved performance of the participants following the nap. "During sleep, cortical brain areas active during training had more rhythmic activity. Increased brain rhythms in these areas correlated with how much participants improved in the task after the nap," the authors wrote. Further, the researchers found that performance during learning was linked with an increased activity during sleep in brain regions known to help with executing a movement -- possibly representing the memory of the task. However, performance after a nap was linked to an increased activity during sleep in brain regions known to help with planning a movement, which the authors suggested may help improve functioning in future. "Brain rhythms occur everywhere in the brain during sleep. But the rhythms in these regions increase after learning, presumably to stabilise and enhance memory," author Dana Manoach, professor of psychology in the department of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 August,2025 06:14 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIDiabetes continually weakens the immune system, leading to poor health and a high risk of death among patients with tuberculosis (TB), said experts on Tuesday. The link between TB and diabetes -- two critical challenges to global health -- has long been established. TB and diabetes, both separately and combined, significantly affect individuals, communities, and healthcare systems worldwide. India's TB burden remains a major public health challenge, with 28 lakh TB cases -- accounting for 26 per cent, the highest globally in 2024. The country also reported an estimated 3.15 lakh TB-related deaths, accounting for 29 per cent of the deaths globally. The burden of diabetes is also consistently increasing in the country, with over 100 million people currently living with the disease. “Diabetes weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of TB. Diabetes further compromises the already weakened immune system of people who have TB, leading to poor blood sugar control, a higher likelihood of treatment failure, and an increased risk of death during TB treatment (when compared to those without diabetes),” Hemant D Shewade, senior medical scientist, at ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, told IANS. A recent paper, published in the journal PLOS One, led by Shewade and team, noted that people with TB and diabetes are two to three times more likely to remain culture-positive, four times more likely to experience a relapse after completing treatment, and five times more likely to die compared to those without diabetes. The TB treatment also complicates the management of glucose levels, thus diminishing the effectiveness of the disease management. Shewade highlighted the need to improve documentation of monitoring glycemic status among people with TB and diabetes, especially those notified by the national TB programme. Currently, under the programme guidelines, the management of diabetes is the same for those with TB and those without TB. But, “more evidence is needed on whether one should target strict glycemic control (HbA1C below 7 per cent) or glycemic control that is not strict (HbA1C below 8 per cent) is sufficient. More evidence is needed on whether insulin should be added for all people with TB-diabetes irrespective of the glycemic control status,” the senior scientist told IANS. In addition, the paper also suggested the capillary fasting blood glucose (cFBG) test to assess the glycemic status of a person with TB-DM. Further, studies have shown a 3.5-5.0-fold higher risk of TB in diabetes patients, which is especially high in those with type 1 diabetes. These patients also have high relapse rates after antitubercular drugs and high mortality in case of delayed diagnosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that patients with diabetes and a cough of more than two weeks need further evaluation for the possibility of TB. “There is limited information on the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients with Type-1-diabetes,” Dr. Urvashi Singh, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, told IANS. Recent research published in the journal Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine, led by Singh, along with Dr R. Goswami, and Dr. Randeep Guleria and Dr Abhilash Nair, assessed the prevalence of PTB in 151 patients with type-1-diabetes attending the outpatient clinic in a tertiary-care hospital. About 10.6 per cent of them showed sputum culture positivity; especially in those with a past history of PTB. “Thus, there is a high prevalence of PTB in patients with type 1 diabetes in India. They need to be actively screened for PTB by sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis to initiate early treatment and to prevent transmission in the community,” Singh said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 August,2025 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSCurd is delicious but more often than not many of us take its health benefits for granted. Made from milk, the dairy product has been consumed in India since a long time. While it was earlier eaten with traditional meals, its role in our lives has become even more important now, as we consume different kinds of food from outside. The fact that most people eat untimely meals today because of their irregular work timings means that even digestion is often a challenge among adults. It is not only the larger population who benefits from curd but also others who have health conditions. Sonal Chandalia, consultant nutritionist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, shares, "In our country, a large number of the population is lactose-intolerant. They are unable to digest large amount of milk and milk-based products and develop lot of gastro-intestinal discomfort. In fact, consuming plain, traditional curd and its products is the answer to the problem." Every year, Janmashtami is observed during this time of the year, followed by Gokulashtami, which is symbolised by dahi handi. An act that highlights the mischievous nature of Lord Krishna, and his love for butter and curd. While people consume many different types of curd and dishes made out of it during the year, it serves as a good time to remind ourselves how we can relish the dairy product in many different ways just like our 'makhan chor'. Even as we enjoy the flavours, the health benefits of curd are plenty, and one that people need to know about today more than ever before. Ahead of the festival, mid-day spoke to Fauziya Ansari, who is the dietitian at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Mumbai and Chandalia to highlight the health benefits of curd. They not only tell you about why it is important to have the dairy product but also help you with recipes to include it in your daily diet.What are the health benefits of eating curd?Ansari: It is a proven fact that curd is loaded with probiotics that help improve digestion and boost gut health. Moreover, it is also a good source of calcium and protein, which supports strong bones and muscles. Regular intake of curd will help boost immunity and reduce inflammation in the body.Chandalia: The traditional curd offers a health nutritional profile. It comprises of carbohydrate, protein, fat and water and contains various micro-nutrients. The carbohydrate (lactose) in curd is naturally fermented to make it easily digestible. It also contains whey and casein, both good sources of animal protein. The percentage/grams of saturated fat (cholesterol) content in curd is moderate but can vary depending on the milk it is set from. Additionally, curd is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B12. Not only does it offer nutritional benefits by supporting bone health and muscle protein, its role in maintaining gut health is paramount. Curd is a probiotic food containing the vast milieu of bacteria which is responsible for the healthy microbiome in the gut. |The composition of curd provides the necessary nutrients for the body. A daily serving of curd has health benefits including strong bones and teeth, improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, enhanced immunity, better hydration and skin health, weight management as well as heart health. What does curd contain that is good for the body?Ansari: According to various studies, curd contains probiotics, calcium, protein, and vitamins like B12 and riboflavin, which help to enhance well-being. These nutrients are known to ease digestion, strengthen bones, and boost immunity.Chandalia: The health benefits of consuming traditional plain curd as numerous. The dairy product has a unique chemical composition as it contains all three macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein and fat, and also micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, riboflavin and sodium. It is an ancient super-food with the required protein for maintaining body muscle-mass, as most vegetarians need to derive this greater bio-available, animal source of protein from it. Being easily digestible it helps prevent issues of bloating and constipation and maintains good-gut health. This translates into better immunity. It is also a natural source of moderate sodium, which is preferable over other processed salty options. The calcium and phosphorus content of curd helps preserve bone health and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis. Curd is prepared from skim milk it is ideal, as it provides the crucial nutrients minus the saturated fat (cholesterol). It plays a key role in weight management strategies as can be incorporated with meals and/or snacks. It also helps skin, hair health owing to the whey protein and water it contains. Additionally, the probiotic nature of curd gives a boost to the body’s general immunity and supports mental health as it provides the appropriate gut-microbiome which in-turn confers the correct environment for hormones, enzymes and body homeostasis. As a probiotic it also likely helps prevent vaginal yeast infections. Its nutrient composition makes it a healthful choice in pregnancy.How much curd can one eat during the day? Are there any side effects of eating too much curd?Ansari: Understand that anything done in excess is harmful to the body. Eating one bowl of curd in the morning or afternoon is okay. Going overboard can disrupt the gut’s delicate microbial balance and lead to bloating.Chandalia: The amount of curd that can be consumed per day is calculated under the total protein source to be consumed per day. Usually, two servings of plain skim curd (250 ml) maybe prescribed, which provides approximately 70 calories, 13 gm carbohydrates, 9gm protein and zero fat. The potential side-effects of high intake of curd, especially the full-fat version is, it may lead to calcium overload which limits iron and zinc absorption, high cholesterol levels which is undesirable as can result in coronary heart disease. Occasionally, might lead to increased mucus production and allergic reaction in individuals prone to respiratory complications and allergies.Who needs to avoid eating curd completely?Ansari: People with milk allergies, or frequent sinus issues should not have curd.Chandalia: Curd usually works well in most individuals as it has great health benefits. There are some medical conditions in which it may be completely avoided or consumed in a very small, prescribed quantity. It may be mildly restricted in conditions warranting protein restriction, such as most chronic or acute kidney disease and diabetes with kidney complications where a strict control of quality and quantity of protein intake, respiratory issues such as asthma, cough and colds. It is to completely be omitted in the condition of dairy allergies as even presence in microquantities in the food could trigger a severe immune reaction.What are the common misconceptions associated with curd?Ansari: It is believed by a large number of people that curd causes cold or should not be eaten at night, but it depends on individual tolerance. So, don’t just follow any post on social media blindly and panic. Another myth is that curd always leads to weight gain. However, this is not at all true. It can support weight loss if eaten in the quantity recommended by the expert.Chandalia: The common misconceptions associated with curd is that it tends to cause respiratory ailments such as cough, colds, and should not be consumed at night and in winters. It is indicated to contribute to weight gain and not to be recommended in diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. It is also misunderstood that people with lactose-intolerance should not consume curd as it is a milk product. None of this is entirely true. Ayurveda recommends curd intake only in the daytime and more in summer, a theory which may justifiably apply to certain individuals. Yet, in general it can be consumed even in the latter part of the day, if not sour. Secondly, lactose- intolerant individuals in fact can consume curd and its products such as buttermilk, raita, hung-curd, dip etc as they cannot process the lactose sugar naturally found in milk, but can digest curd as it is the fermented version containing lactic acid. As far as the metabolic lifestyle diseases go, skim curd is the option. It can be allowed in small servings as it provides the necessary first-class quality protein required by the body and yet keeping caloric intake in check.How can people include curd in their diet? Please suggest dish/recipe ideasAnsari: Add curd to raita, lassi, curd rice, smoothies, salad dressings. Try it with parathas or roti too.Chandalia: Plain curd is a very versatile food and can be included in the daily nutrition plan effectively. In fact, it is an extremely cooling food for the gut and popularly used in various dishes in summer. It can be positioned to be used in a recipe as an accompaniment, main meals or dessert. Skim plain curd has a greater benefit and can be used in recipes such as cucumber-carrot raita, spinach raita with the main meals; hung-curd capsicum, onion dip as a starter; oatmeal-curd smoothie for breakfast and moong-chana curd chaat as a snack. It is traditionally used in many regions of our country as a vegetable gravy with besan; and as a marinade for lean meat such as chicken or fish preparations. The commonest form of plain that we consume is buttermilk, lassi and along with rice, dalia and parathas in main meals. As a dessert, curd is used to make shrikhand, rabri and mishti-doi. It is an integral part of the Indian cuisine.
05 August,2025 04:33 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoChronic inflammation may be associated with an increased risk of frailty, social disadvantage, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study. The study, published in the journal Communications Medicine, looked at 74 inflammation-related proteins in blood samples from more than 2,000 women aged between 37 and 84 years and explored how inflammation was linked to frailty, area-level social deprivation, and CVD risk. The researchers identified 10 inflammatory proteins that were associated with both frailty and living in a deprived area. Of these, four proteins that are involved in cellular signaling, growth, and movement (TNFSF14, HGF, CDCP1, and CCL11) were also linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. "To better understand how frailty and deprivation contribute to heart disease, we took a data-driven approach, screening a large number of inflammatory proteins in the blood. By identifying overlapping biological markers linked to both social and health vulnerability, we were able to uncover a potential shared pathway between these risk factors," said Dr. Yu Lin, Research Associate in the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology at King's College London. One of the proteins, CDCP1, was found to be significantly associated with future heart disease events, such as narrowed or blocked arteries. These findings suggest that certain inflammatory proteins may act as a biological bridge connecting social inequality, ageing, and heart disease. Further, the team validated their findings in an independent group of women to ensure the results were consistent across different populations. "Frailty, social disadvantage, and heart disease often go hand in hand, but the biological mechanisms linking them are not yet fully understood. Our findings suggest that the stress of socioeconomic hardship may trigger harmful inflammation that damages health over time," said Dr. Cristina Menni, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Epidemiology at King's College London. "If confirmed, this could open up new ways to prevent disease, not only through medical treatments that reduce inflammation, but also through social policies that address health inequalities," she added. The proteins identified in the study may also serve as biomarkers to help clinicians identify individuals at greater risk of heart disease. The findings suggest that a dual approach to public health may offer an effective way of reducing CVD risk in vulnerable populations, by combining medical strategies that reduce inflammation with broader social policies that address inequality. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 August,2025 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFollowing a healthy diet to lose weight? Make sure it's minimally processed, suggests a study, which showed that reducing processing could help to sustain a healthy weight. In a first, researchers from the University College London (UCL) nutritionally matched minimally processed (MPF) and ultra-processed (UPF) diets. The results, published in the journal Nature Medicine, showed that participants lost twice as much weight eating minimally processed foods compared to ultra-processed foods. “The primary outcome of the trial was to assess percentage changes in weight, and on both diets, we saw a significant reduction, but the effect was nearly double on the minimally processed diet,” said Dr Samuel Dicken, first author of the study from the UCL Centre for Obesity Research. The trial split 55 adults into two groups. One group started with an eight-week diet of MPF, such as overnight oats or homemade spaghetti Bolognese. After a four-week ‘washout’ period during which participants went back to their normal diet, they switched to a diet of UPF, such as breakfast oat bars or a lasagne ready meal. The other group completed the diets in the opposite order. In total, 50 participants completed at least one diet. After eight weeks on each diet, both groups lost weight, likely as a result of the improved nutritional profile of what they were eating compared to their normal diet. However, this effect was higher (2.06 per cent reduction) on the MPF diet compared to the UPF diet (1.05 per cent reduction). The greater weight loss experienced on the MPF diet came from reductions in fat mass and total body water, with no change in muscle or fat-free mass, indicating a healthier body composition overall, explained the researchers. Further, there were also significantly greater improvements in the number of cravings and ability to resist them (craving control). On the MPF diet compared to the UPF diet, participants reported a two-fold greater improvement in overall craving control, a four-fold greater improvement in craving control for savoury food, and an almost two-fold greater improvement in resisting whichever food they most craved. The study "underlines the need to shift the policy focus away from individual responsibility and on to the environmental drivers of obesity, such as the influence of multinational food companies in shaping unhealthy food environments", said Professor Chris van Tulleken, from UCL Division of Infection and Immunity. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 August,2025 12:58 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSA team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has developed an underwater vibration sensor that enables automated and contactless voice recognition. Conducted in collaboration with researchers from Ohio State University, US, the novel sensor offers a promising alternative communication method for individuals with voice disabilities who are unable to use conventional voice-based systems. The research focused on the exhaled air through the mouth while speaking -- a basic physiological function. In cases where individuals cannot produce sound, attempting to speak generates airflow from their lungs. When this air flows over a water surface, it produces subtle waves. The underwater vibration sensor could detect these water waves and interpret speech signals without depending on audible voice, thus creating a new pathway for voice recognition, said the team, in the paper, published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. “It is one of the rare designs of material allowing the recognition of voice based on monitoring the water wave formed at the air/water interface because of exhaling air from the mouth. This approach is likely to provide a viable solution for communication with those individuals with partially or entirely damaged vocal cords,” said Prof. Uttam Manna, Department of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati. The new sensor is made from a conductive, chemically reactive porous sponge. When placed just below the air-water interface, it captures the tiny disturbances created by exhaled air and converts them into measurable electrical signals. The research team used Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) -- a type of deep learning model -- to accurately recognise these subtle signal patterns. This setup allows users to communicate with devices from a distance, without the need to generate sound. "On a lab scale, the working prototype costs Rs. 3,000," said the team, noting that they are exploring potential industry collaboration for bringing the technology from the lab to real-world use, which can reduce the cost. Other key features of the sensor include contactless communication for individuals with voice disabilities; AI-powered interpretation using CNNs; and hands-free control of smart devices. Beyond voice recognition, the sensor can also be utilised for exercise tracking and movement detection. In addition, its proven durability, remaining stable after extended underwater use, suggests potential applications in underwater sensing and communication. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 August,2025 12:54 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSThe brain might become the target of new type 1 diabetes treatments and pave a better way for insulin management, according to a study. Researchers had, over a decade ago, found that an acute complication of type 1 diabetes -- diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) -- can be resolved with the hormone leptin, even in the absence of insulin. In the analysis, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the team explained how leptin affects the brain and how it might be used in future therapeutics. DKA happens when the body is unable to make insulin and begins to break down fat for fuel. This can lead to a life-threatening buildup of sugar (glucose) and ketoacids in the blood. Doctors have typically administered insulin to address the complication. But evidence now shows that, when insulin is insufficient, the brain plays a key role in driving DKA, explained researchers from the University of Washington in the US When the pancreas can't make insulin, "the brain gets the message that the body is out of fuel, even if it's not. This information is being communicated in part by a low blood level of the hormone leptin," said Dr. Michael Schwartz, Professor of Medicine, at the University’s School of Medicine. Leptin helps the brain regulate appetite and body weight. Leptin is produced by your body's fat cells. The hormone is carried by the bloodstream into the brain, particularly an area called the hypothalamus. The study noted that controlling blood glucose with leptin could unlock new avenues of treatment for patients. Schwartz noted that insulin management is a substantial burden for patients and their families. "I think if you could treat type 1 diabetes without daily insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring, patients would say that is the greatest thing ever," he added. If the brain can be convinced that fuel stores are not depleted, or if specific brain neurons that trigger the production of glucose and ketones are turned off, the body stops the reaction that leads to severe hyperglycaemia and DKA. "This new framework challenges that conventional wisdom about insulin deficiency as the sole cause of diabetic ketoacidosis that has been widely accepted for decades," said Schwartz. "It shows that the brain plays a powerful role in the genesis of uncontrolled diabetes -- and may hold the key to new treatments." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 August,2025 10:26 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSCorneal blindness, once considered a condition largely confined to the elderly, is now emerging as a significant threat among teenagers and young adults across the country, health experts said on August 4. Corneal blindness, while serious, is a largely preventable cause of blindness. It occurs when the transparent front part of the eye, the cornea, becomes cloudy or scarred due to infections, trauma, or nutritional deficiencies. Corneal opacities are now the second leading cause of blindness in India, affecting tens of thousands annually. According to experts at the Indian Society of Cornea and Kerato-Refractive Surgeons’ (ISCKRS) three-day meet in New Delhi, India, records between 20,000 and 25,000 new cases of corneal blindness every year, and the number is growing. “A large number of fresh corneal blindness cases in India are now being seen in individuals under the age of 30 years. We are witnessing a dangerous shift. Young people are losing their vision due to entirely avoidable conditions,” said Prof. Rajesh Sinha, Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi. “Simple infections, untreated injuries, and lack of awareness are turning into permanent visual disabilities,” he added. At the event, the expert panel highlighted factors such as trauma-related injuries, particularly among youth engaged in agriculture, manual labour, or industrial work, behind this disturbing rise. These injuries often go untreated or are addressed with home remedies, leading to serious infections and scarring. Simultaneously, Vitamin A deficiency, still prevalent in many parts of the country, continues to cause severe corneal damage in children and adolescents. These issues are compounded by low awareness, lack of early diagnosis, and inadequate access to specialized eye care in rural and underserved regions, the experts said. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, we are still losing thousands of young eyes to entirely preventable causes. India must treat corneal blindness among youth as a public health emergency. A national strategy with strong community engagement is the need of the hour,” Dr. Ikeda Lal, senior consultant, cornea, cataract and refractory surgery at a leading hospital in the national capital. Lal further emphasised the importance of early detection and preventive care, particularly in rural and school-based health programs. “Even minor symptoms like redness, irritation, or blurred vision should never be ignored. By the time many patients arrive at tertiary centres, the damage is already irreversible,” she explained. She also advocated for tele-ophthalmology and mobile eye-care clinics to bridge the urban-rural divide in access to care. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 August,2025 10:14 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSAhead of the UN treaty on plastics, a new report in The Lancet journal on Monday has warned that plastic pollution is an underrecognised threat to the health of both humans and the planet, which must be addressed immediately. The report, led by a group of international experts, reviews the current evidence on how plastics -- including microplastics and plastic chemicals -- impact health. “Plastics are a grave, growing, and under-recognised danger to human and planetary health. Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually,” said corresponding author Prof Philip J Landrigan, from Boston College, US. The report discusses evidence that plastics endanger human health at every stage of their life cycle -- in production, use, and disposal. It showed that airborne emissions from plastic production include particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, as well as hazardous chemicals to which plastic workers can be exposed. The experts from the US, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia noted the lack of transparency around which chemicals are present in plastics, their production volumes, uses, and known or potential toxicity. “Many plastic chemicals are associated with multiple health effects at all stages of human life,” the experts said. Further, the report stated that microplastics have been reported in human tissues and body fluids, and, while further research is needed to understand the relationship with potential health impacts, a precautionary approach is warranted. An estimated 57 per cent of unmanaged plastic waste is burned in the open -- a major source of air pollution in low-and middle-income countries. Plastic waste can also provide a habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs and for the growth of microorganisms, potentially contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance, said the experts. They called for a greater focus on health impacts when considering plastic pollution. Notably, the report projected that, without changes, plastic production will almost triple between 2019 and 2060. Landrigan stated that while “continued worsening of plastics' harms is not inevitable,” it can be mitigated cost-effectively by evidence-based, transparently tracked, effectively implemented, and adequately financed laws and policies. To address plastics' harms globally, UN member states unanimously resolved in 2022 to develop a comprehensive, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, namely the Global Plastics Treaty, covering the full lifecycle of plastic. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Meanwhile, the experts also announced the launch of a new project to track the impact of plastics: the Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics. “The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics will identify and track a series of indicators that document the impacts of plastics and plastic chemicals on human health across all stages of the plastic life cycle. The first indicator report is expected in mid-2026,” Landrigan said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 August,2025 09:41 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSCorneal blindness, once considered a condition largely confined to the elderly, is now emerging as a significant threat among teenagers and young adults across the country, health experts said on Monday. Corneal blindness, while serious, is a largely preventable cause of blindness. It occurs when the transparent front part of the eye, the cornea, becomes cloudy or scarred due to infections, trauma, or nutritional deficiencies. Corneal opacities are now the second leading cause of blindness in India, affecting tens of thousands annually. According to experts at the Indian Society of Cornea and Kerato-Refractive Surgeons’ (ISCKRS) three-day meet in New Delhi, India, records between 20,000 and 25,000 new cases of corneal blindness every year, and the number is growing. “A large number of fresh corneal blindness cases in India are now being seen in individuals under the age of 30 years. We are witnessing a dangerous shift. Young people are losing their vision due to entirely avoidable conditions,” said Prof. Rajesh Sinha, Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi. “Simple infections, untreated injuries, and lack of awareness are turning into permanent visual disabilities,” he added. At the event, the expert panel highlighted factors such as trauma-related injuries, particularly among youth engaged in agriculture, manual labour, or industrial work, behind this disturbing rise. These injuries often go untreated or are addressed with home remedies, leading to serious infections and scarring. Simultaneously, Vitamin A deficiency, still prevalent in many parts of the country, continues to cause severe corneal damage in children and adolescents. These issues are compounded by low awareness, lack of early diagnosis, and inadequate access to specialized eye care in rural and underserved regions, the experts said. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, we are still losing thousands of young eyes to entirely preventable causes. India must treat corneal blindness among youth as a public health emergency. A national strategy with strong community engagement is the need of the hour,” Dr. Ikeda Lal, Senior Consultant, Cornea, Cataract and Refractory Surgery at a leading hospital in the national capital. Lal further emphasised the importance of early detection and preventive care, particularly in rural and school-based health programs. “Even minor symptoms like redness, irritation, or blurred vision should never be ignored. By the time many patients arrive at tertiary centres, the damage is already irreversible,” she explained. She also advocated for tele-ophthalmology and mobile eye-care clinics to bridge the urban-rural divide in access to care. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 August,2025 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSIn an inspiring medical miracle, doctors in Kolkata have saved a five-month-old baby boy from irreversible kidney damage with a unique surgery. The baby from Nabadwip in Nadia district recently underwent a successful laparoscopic pyeloplasty—a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery to correct a severe kidney blockage at Manipal Hospital in Mukundapur. The delicate procedure, performed by Dr Subhasis Saha, who is the consultant paediatric surgeon at the hospital, involved treating congenital hydronephrosis, a condition where the kidney becomes abnormally swollen due to urine buildup caused by an obstruction. Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure that removes this blockage at the junction where the kidney connects to the ureter, allowing urine to flow freely and preventing further kidney damage. The baby had been diagnosed with this condition during a prenatal scan. Such advanced procedures in infants remain rare across the country, making this case a significant milestone. The situation had caused a 20 per cent impairment in the functioning of his kidneys after five months of his birth. The child's mother, a homemaker, and father, a car driver, had been visiting different hospitals repeatedly but were told to wait until their son grew up, to perform the operation. It was only after nephrologist Dr Lalit Kumar Agarwal referred the case to Dr Saha, that the case made headway. The laparoscopic pyeloplasty was done on July 29 with only one 5mm and two 3mm cuts. The baby recovered well post-surgery and was discharged within 48 hours without any incision on the abdomen. Dr Saha explained, "Several kidney dilatations found in prenatal ultrasounds correct by themselves. But some are genuine obstructions that, if not treated, can seriously hamper kidney function. In the case of the child, there was definite blockage at the junction between the kidney and the ureter. Though adult laparoscopic pyeloplasty is prevalent now, infant laparoscopic pyeloplasty is done very infrequently, particularly in children younger than one year of age. While these procedures are routinely performed in other parts of the country, they remain relatively rare in Eastern India. However, we have been doing this successfully for years. In fact, since 2021, only in our hospital, we have had seven infants laparoscopic pyeloplasties and approximately 70 laparoscopic pyeloplasties in children aged 1–16 years since 2013. The benefits are evident less pain, quick recovery, no visible marks, and most importantly, timely kidney function preservation.” The child's father said, “We had been running from one hospital to another for months, and were even told a kidney transplant might be needed. When we came to Manipal Hospital and met Dr. Subhasis Saha, he explained everything clearly and reassured us. He said a small keyhole surgery could save my baby’s kidney. The operation went well, and my son is now recovering. I wish we had come here earlier. I am truly thankful to the doctor and the entire team at Manipal for giving my child a new life.”
04 August,2025 07:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT