Barkha Mathur

Lab-made PET bottle nanoplastics were found to weaken probiotic bacteria and trigger stress and inflammation markers in human and blood cells, raising fresh safety questions

From casual contact and mosquito bites to tattoos, pregnancy, PrEP, and treatment, specialists debunk the misconceptions that fuel stigma and delay diagnosis

Australia has issued a safety alert on GLP-1 drugs after reviewing reports of depression and suicidal thoughts; while there is no proven causal link, regulators want users to stay alert

Parliament data and an ICMR multi-city study show pollution spikes tracking a surge in Delhi breathing emergencies, with over 200,000 ER visits since 2022 and admissions rising

As 'eldest daughter syndrome' trends online, psychologists unpack the real dynamics behind it, from early caregiving and perfectionism to burnout, guilt and people-pleasing

Smoking is not just a bad habit, doctors say; it is nicotine, stress relief, routine and brain conditioning working together, which is why quitting can feel far harder than it looks

A new Nature Communications study finds brain ageing isn't linear, with key network 'turning points' at 9, 32, 66 and 83 that mark distinct phases from childhood to late life

Beyond PM2.5 and PM10, polluted air carries neurotoxic metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium that inflame the brain, disrupt energy pathways and trigger fatigue and fogginess on high-AQI days

Does being the firstborn, middle child or youngest shape personality? Psychologists say effects are small, while culture, parenting styles and sibling roles matter far more

Early trial results show that combining antibodies and T-cells helped some people living with HIV maintain viral control for months without daily ART, raising cautious hope for long-term remission

Health agencies warn that HIV begins replicating within hours of exposure and is most infectious in the first weeks, even when there are no symptoms or only mild, flu-like signs

As the world marks World AIDS Day 2025, the focus is on transforming the HIV response through stronger funding, inclusive care and renewed commitment to ending AIDS by 2030

HIV-positive women have several safe birth-control options, but viral load, ART interactions, treatment stability still guide what doctors recommend for reliable contraception and partner protection

India's latest HIV report shows sharp declines in new infections, AIDS-related deaths and mother-to-child transmission, reflecting expanding testing, treatment and stronger public health systems

Sonali Bendre credited autophagy for aiding her recovery from metastatic cancer, but doctors warn the cell-recycling process triggered by fasting is not a treatment and cannot kill cancer cells

As metabolism slows and disease risks rise with age, doctors explain how the same drink affects your brain, hormones, liver and long-term health very differently across decades

A recent leak from ChatGPT's Android beta app, along with public signals from OpenAI's Sam Altman, points to the company preparing for an advertising-supported version of its AI assistant

From screen distance and spectacle numbers to cataracts, eye drops, and make-up, specialists bust the misconceptions that harm vision and delay treatment

Spicy food sets your mouth on fire and speeds up your heartbeat, yet people worldwide love it. A gastroenterologist explains why discomfort turns into pleasure, reward and craving

A breakthrough Nature study shows that a specially engineered polymer can carry insulin through the skin, lowering blood sugar in animals and raising hopes of a painless, needle-free diabetes treatmen