Barkha Mathur

Can exercise replace antidepressants, therapy? New study suggests yes

From running to yoga, exercise is found to significantly reduce depression and anxiety across all ages, according to a major review of over 1,000 trials

Why Valentine's Day brings anxiety, not romance, for many couples

Behind the roses and candlelight, Valentine's Day can quietly magnify unspoken expectations, comparison and emotional pressure within relationships

From sleep loss to screens: Daily habits hurting health more than we realise

Modern life has made unhealthy routines feel ordinary, but doctors warn it is these everyday choices that quietly shape long-term health outcomes

Ozempic may slow arthritis progression beyond weight loss, study finds

A new study finds semaglutide drugs like Ozempic may slow osteoarthritis by directly improving cartilage health, with benefits seen even when weight loss is not the driver

People with obesity more likely to be hospitalised or die from infections

A major Lancet study finds adults with obesity are far more likely to be hospitalised or die from infections, linking nearly one in 10 infection deaths worldwide to excess weight

Why regular deworming is vital even for children who seem healthy

National Deworming Day: Many children with intestinal worms look perfectly healthy. Doctors explain why these silent infections still harm growth, immunity, and why preventive deworming is important

Why HbA1c, India's most trusted diabetes test, may be getting it wrong

A Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia study warns that HbA1c, the gold-standard diabetes test, can misdiagnose or delay diabetes in Indians due to widespread anaemia and blood disorders

Fatty liver epidemic in India: Four in 10 affected, new Lancet study warns

Nearly 40 per cent of Indian adults may have metabolic fatty liver disease, with many unknowingly progressing to liver fibrosis, as new Lancet-backed data flags a major silent public health crisis

Are your sleep apps backfiring? Pink noise linked to poorer Rem sleep

Millions rely on sleep sounds to block night-time noise, but new research suggests pink noise may reduce Rem sleep and interfere with how the brain recovers overnight

Serena Williams reveals GLP-1 weight loss journey in Super Bowl 2026 ad

The tennis legend says she lost 15 kg using a GLP-1 medication after struggling with post-pregnancy weight, revealing the journey in a Super Bowl 2026 ad for telehealth firm Ro

AI analysis shows fake studies may be flooding cancer research worldwide

A machine learning study has flagged more than 260,000 cancer research papers worldwide as potentially linked to paper mills, raising serious concerns about the reliability and integrity of cancer sci

What we get wrong about the deadly rabies: Doctor busts 13 dangerous myths

From dog bites and puppy scratches to vaccine fears and home remedies, an internal medicine specialist explains what rabies really looks like, and why delay can be deadly

Why exercise science still treats the male body as the default human norm

A major review finds exercise physiology still sidelines women in research, shaping how fitness, training and recovery advice is built, raising questions about how universal health research really is

Massive global study rewrites what we know about Type 2 diabetes biology

A large global genetics study shows Type 2 diabetes is driven by complex, tissue-specific biology across organs and populations, challenging blood-focused research and treatment strategies

No more jet lag? Scientists make pill to reset body's internal clock fast

Scientists have identified an oral compound that resets the body's internal clock in mice, cutting jet lag recovery time almost in half and offering a new approach to circadian health

Thar desert dust storms may be bringing disease-linked bacteria to Himalayas

Dust storms from western India can ferry disease-linked bacteria to the Eastern Himalayas, reshaping mountain air and raising public health concerns, a new Indian study shows

Why returning to 'normal life' after cancer isn't medically simple

World Cancer Day 2026: Being declared cancer-free does not always mean full recovery, as oncologists explain why life after cancer often involves lasting physical, mental and emotional effects

Human trials for Japan-developed Nipah vaccine set to begin in April

A Nipah vaccine developed at the University of Tokyo is set to enter human trials in April, as India reports fresh cases of the deadly virus that currently has no approved treatment

World Cancer Day 2026: Theme explained, history, and why awareness matters

World Cancer Day 2026 marks February 4 with the theme 'United by Unique', tracing the day's history and underlining why prevention, screening and equitable access to cancer care matter worldwide

India-US trade in context: How it compares with the EU, China and others

India and the US have announced a trade deal to ease tariffs. Here's how the India-US trade relationship compares with India's major partners and the world's largest trade corridors