Wednesday, March 12News That Matters

Tag: one health

First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment, Fact Check
India reported its first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru. The cases involve a 3-month-old infant, who has been discharged after recovery, and an 8-month-old infant, currently recovering in a hospital in the Karnataka capital. Both infants and their families have no recent travel history, ruling out exposure from other regions or countries. The cases were identified as part of routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). “HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries,” the Centre stated. The Health Ministry convened a meeting on HMPV preparedness today, emphasizing monitoring and con...
8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check
An eight-month-old in Bengaluru is suspected to have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), based on a laboratory report dated January 2. The infant’s family had no recent travel history and the child displayed no concerning symptoms, according to sources from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health department. Although the Karnataka state health department has not independently verified the results, they have acknowledged the credibility of the private laboratory’s testing procedures. “We trust the accuracy of their findings,” stated a health department official. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Globally, it accounts for about 0.7% of flu cases...
Each Cigarette Costs Men 17 Minutes, Women 22 Minutes of Life: Study

Each Cigarette Costs Men 17 Minutes, Women 22 Minutes of Life: Study

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments
London: Smoking takes a far greater toll on life expectancy than previously believed, a new study from University College London (UCL) reveals. For men, each cigarette smoked shortens life by 17 minutes, while for women, the cost is even higher at 22 minutes per cigarette. These figures surpass earlier estimates, which suggested an 11-minute loss per cigarette. Commissioned by the UK’s Department for Health and Social Care, the study urges smokers to make quitting their top resolution for the New Year. The research concludes that a pack of 20 cigarettes robs an average smoker of nearly seven hours of life. Over a lifetime, smokers who don’t quit lose approximately a decade of life, according to Dr. Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL. “Smokers lose about the same num...
Does Yoga Really Hold the Secret to Longevity? A Closer Look

Does Yoga Really Hold the Secret to Longevity? A Closer Look

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check, Thoughts & Talks
Yoga with its centuries-old roots is widely praised for its health benefits. But could it also be the secret to a long life? Centenarian Daisy Taylor of Chelmsford, England, believes so. On her 105th birthday, Taylor credited her enduring physical and mental health to yoga, optimism, and cherishing life's simple joys. Remarkably, Taylor still practices yoga, though now more often from a chair than a mat. Her story echoes those of other notable yoga practitioners, like B.K.S. Iyengar, who lived to 95 despite severe childhood illnesses, and Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the founder of vinyasa yoga, who reached 100. These anecdotes suggest a connection between yoga and longevity but what does science say? Yoga’s Role in Ageing and Longevity Physical and Mental Health Benefits Yoga ha...
Does Acetaminophen Influence Risk-Taking Behavior? New Study Says It Might

Does Acetaminophen Influence Risk-Taking Behavior? New Study Says It Might

Breaking News, Fact Check
Acetaminophen, one of the most commonly used pain relievers worldwide, may do more than ease headaches it could also impact how people perceive risks. A 2020 study from The Ohio State University suggests that this popular over-the-counter drug might lower risk awareness and increase risk-taking behavior. "Acetaminophen seems to make people feel less negative emotion when they consider risky activities they just don't feel as scared," explains neuroscientist Baldwin Way, the study's lead author. Given that nearly 25% of Americans take acetaminophen weekly, these findings could have broader implications for decision-making and risk perception in everyday life. In a series of experiments, researchers tested the effects of a 1,000 mg dose of acetaminophen the maximum recommended singl...
Staying Hydrated New Study Highlights Health Benefits of Drinking More Water

Staying Hydrated New Study Highlights Health Benefits of Drinking More Water

Breaking News, Fact Check, Learning & Developments
Drinking plenty of water has always been considered essential for good health, but a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), sheds new light on the specific advantages it provides. By analyzing 18 previous studies, the research emphasizes the broad health benefits associated with increased water consumption. Key Findings Among the studies reviewed, researchers found significant health benefits in drinking more water, including: Reducing the risk of kidney stones Supporting weight loss Preventing urinary tract infections Managing migraines Improving blood sugar control in diabetes Regulating low blood pressure Not all the studies offered conclusive evidence of causal relationships, but the trends suggest that ...
H5N1 Bird Flu Scientists Warn of Potential Human Transmission Risk

H5N1 Bird Flu Scientists Warn of Potential Human Transmission Risk

Breaking News, Disasters
The H5N1 bird flu virus, a highly deadly strain responsible for devastating animal populations, is raising alarms in the United States as scientists closely monitor its spread and mutation patterns. New research indicates that the virus may require only one genetic mutation to become capable of human-to-human transmission, prompting heightened vigilance among public health experts. H5N1 is notorious for its lethality, with a fatality rate of 50% among infected humans. So far, human cases have been rare, typically linked to direct contact with infected birds, contaminated environments, or other animals such as poultry and dairy cows. However, the findings published in Science on December 5, 2024, by researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California, suggest that the virus could...
Scientists Reveal Impact of Shifting Daily Routine by 5 Hours

Scientists Reveal Impact of Shifting Daily Routine by 5 Hours

Breaking News, Learning & Developments
A groundbreaking study has shed light on how our bodies respond to disruptions in daily schedules revealing a stark contrast in how quickly metabolism and sleep-wake cycles recover. The findings have significant implications for shift workers and frequent travelers who routinely face circadian desynchrony, a misalignment between internal body clocks and external environmental cues. The study, led by researchers investigating human circadian rhythms, explored the effects of delaying bedtime by five hours. It focused on how this modest disruption influenced sleep, alertness, and metabolic processes. Participants, aged around 45 and classified as overweight but otherwise healthy, experienced notable changes, particularly in their energy expenditure and blood sugar regulation. Circadian ...
Breakthrough Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision in Patients with Severe Corneal Damage

Breakthrough Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision in Patients with Severe Corneal Damage

Breaking News, Learning & Developments
Osaka, Japan – A revolutionary stem cell transplant has significantly improved vision for three patients suffering from severe corneal damage due to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This first-of-its-kind clinical trial, conducted in Japan, marks a major advancement in stem cell research and offers new hope for millions affected by corneal vision loss. Two years post-operation, no major safety concerns have arisen, and all three patients’ corneas appear noticeably clearer. LSCD, the disorder affecting these patients, leads to scar tissue buildup on the cornea, impairing vision. While current treatments for LSCD in a single eye involve transplanting healthy corneal tissue from the other eye, patients with damage in both eyes require scarce donor transplants. Globally, only one in s...
WHO introduces One Health ‘One World’ is a shared Agenda for globe, Even as Negotiators Wrangle Over Inclusion in WHO Pandemic Accord

WHO introduces One Health ‘One World’ is a shared Agenda for globe, Even as Negotiators Wrangle Over Inclusion in WHO Pandemic Accord

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
As the debate over the World Health Organization’s (WHO) pandemic accord intensifies, the concept of One Health a holistic approach to health that integrates human, animal, and environmental health is at the forefront of discussions. Despite resistance from some negotiators, the principle of One Health is crucial for preventing future pandemics, according to experts gathered at a recent event hosted by the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Global Health Center. During the World Health Assembly (WHA), negotiators were given a mandate to continue discussions on the pandemic accord, aiming for a conclusion by the 2025 WHA. The inclusion of One Health principles, particularly in Article 5 of the draft text, has sparked opposition from several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and some civi...