Health

New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Medications such as liraglutide or semaglutide taken for weight loss also have the potential to reduce alcohol consumption by almost two-thirds, according to new research.Alcohol use disorder is a relapsing condition that accounts for 2.6 million deaths a year -- 4.7 per cent of all deaths globally. Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), therapies that aim to strengthen motivation to stop or reduce drinking, and medication can be very successful in the short term, however, 70 per cent of patients relapse within the first year. The study showed that Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues -- drugs developed to treat obesity -- likely curb alcohol cravings in the brain. Average alcohol intake decreased from 11.3 units/week to 4.3 units/week after fo...

New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) An international team of researchers found that a cholesterol-lowering drug may offer a more effective and convenient way to protect people at high risk of heart attack and stroke.The study led by researchers at Monash University in Australia tested a once-daily oral medication called Obicetrapib and found it significantly lowered both LDL or bad cholesterol and lipoprotein(a), [Lp(a)] -- two key contributors to cardiovascular disease.The findings marked an important step forward for patients who have struggled to reach their cholesterol targets with current therapies, said study lead Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash University's Victorian Heart Institute."We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don't get their cholesterol leve...

New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) India is witnessing a steady downward trend in maternal and child mortality towards the achievement of UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 targets, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Saturday.Citing Registrar General of India’s (RGI) recently launched Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021, the Ministry stated that there has been a significant reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR)."India's progress in reduction of maternal and child mortality indicators outpaces global averages,” the Ministry said."These sustained improvements are a result of strategic interventions and the unwavering commitment of the government," it added.While ...

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) Pregnant women with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have an increased risk of giving birth prematurely and the risk increase cannot be explained by obesity, according to a new study on Friday.It is estimated that as many as three out of ten people globally have MASLD, previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Common risk factors are metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.The disease has become increasingly common, including among women of reproductive age.Researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have now investigated the association between maternal MASLD and pregnancy and neonatal birth outcomes.Their findings, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, showed that women with MASLD ...

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The cumulative enrolments under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMBSY), -- an accident insurance scheme -- has surged by 443 per cent, since 2016, said the Union government on Friday, as the scheme marks a decade of launch.The scheme provides financial stability and affordable security in case of accidents and loss of lives at just Rs 20 per year.“Ensure financial stability for your loved ones with PM Suraksha Bima Yojana! Cumulative enrolments under PMSBY have risen by 443 per cent, from 9.40 Cr in March 2016 to 51.06 Cr in April 2025. Affordable security at just Rs 20 per year!” the Ministry of Finance said in a post on social media platform X.Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana has become a cornerston...

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) India is witnessing a significant uptick in the adoption of diagnostic radiology devices, with a major rise in accelerated adoption of AI-powered technologies and remote monitoring solutions, according to a report on Friday.The report by 1Lattice, a tech-enabled market intelligence firm, also attributed the growth to rising disease burden, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure.It revealed that India has registered 1.48 lakh radiology devices, with Maharashtra (20,590), Tamil Nadu (15,267), and Uttar Pradesh (12,236) leading the charge.These figures reflect a broader trend toward modernisation and digitisation of diagnostic services, even beyond urban centres.“Radiology is evolving from being a hospital-based specialty to a cornerstone of primary and prev...

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) A new study by researchers at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed a concerning rise in the incidence of several cancer types among individuals under age 50 in the country between 2010 and 2019.According to the findings, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, the incidence of 14 out of 33 analysed cancer types increased in at least one younger age group,” Xinhua news agency reported.Notably, common cancers such as female breast, colorectal, kidney, and uterine cancers saw marked increases, with some of these also rising among older adults."This study provides a starting point for understanding which cancers are increasing among individuals under age 50," said lead investigator Meredith Shiels, from NIH's National Cancer Institute."The causes o...

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Researchers from the Guru Gobind Singh College of Engineering and Research Centre in Maharashtra’s Nashik have developed a modular, flexible cattle cage to facilitate smooth cattle transport across the country.Traditionally, cattle are transported in open or ill-fitted goods carrier trucks with no proper loading mechanisms. This exposes them to high stress, injuries, and even fatal accidents.These outdated practices also create logistical headaches for farmers and transporters, all while violating basic animal welfare norms.“The cage can be adjusted to fit different vehicles, complete with a ramp that doubles as a door can help ease transport of cattle in villages, particularly take farm animals to the cattle market,” according to Prof. Sandip S. Patil, from the var...

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) India’s pharmaceutical market (IPM) continues its growth in April with 7.8 per cent year-on-year (yoy) in revenue, according to a report on Thursday.The report, by rating agency India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), showed that the growth was driven by the price hikes taken by companies with volume growing 1.3 per cent yoy. Almost all major chronic therapies also showed positive value and volume growth.“Ind-Ra expects IPM to grow to the tune of 7 per cent-8 per cent yoy during FY26, with sustained growth momentum in the chronic therapies, led by price increases and product launches,” said Nishith Sanghvi, Director, Corporate Ratings, Ind-Ra.The report showed that the anti-diabetic segment experienced a volume growth -- 2.8 per cent yoy in April -- due to genericisati...

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Spread the message of holistic well-being through yoga worldwide, said Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush.Jadhav said this while chairing a review meeting in New Delhi to assess the ongoing preparations for the upcoming International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, which will be celebrated on June 21 across the globe.During the meeting, the Minister reiterated the Government’s vision to make this year’s celebration of yoga truly extraordinary and globally impactful.“We will work with utmost sincerity and commitment to ensure that International Day of Yoga 2025 is not only a grand success but also serves as a source of inspiration for the entire world,” Union Minister Ayush said.He encouraged all stakeholders to approach the eve...