Barkha Mathur
 "Barkha Mathur")
Barkha Mathur
Barkha Mathur leads health coverage for the Business Standard website. She reports on the intersection of medicine, policy, and health science, with a focus on stories that impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. When not tracking the latest developments in health, she’s often reading medical research or listening to hip-hop.
Barkha Mathur leads health coverage for the Business Standard website. She reports on the intersection of medicine, policy, and health science, with a focus on stories that impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. When not tracking the latest developments in health, she’s often reading medical research or listening to hip-hop.
Page 7 - Barkha Mathur
New light-based therapy kills cancer without harming healthy cells
Scientists have developed a new light-based therapy using tin nanoflakes and LED light to kill up to 92% of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, offering hope for safer, home-based treatment
 "New light-based therapy kills cancer without harming healthy cells")
'Why did I catch the flu even after taking the vaccine?' Doctor explains
You got the flu shot but still caught the flu? A doctor explains why vaccines don't always offer full protection, yet remain your best defence against severe illness and hospitalisation
 "'Why did I catch the flu even after taking the vaccine?' Doctor explains")
Meet BCECNN: The AI that detects breast cancer and explains its logic
Researchers have developed an AI model that not only detects breast cancer with near-perfect accuracy but also visually explains its diagnosis to doctors, improving trust and transparency in screening
 "Meet BCECNN: The AI that detects breast cancer and explains its logic")
WHO flags a silent crisis: Are we running out of antibiotics that work?
The WHO's latest data show bacteria are evolving rapidly, outsmarting modern drugs, with South Asia and West Asia among the worst-hit regions as antibiotic resistance soars
 "WHO flags a silent crisis: Are we running out of antibiotics that work?")
The silent threat of irregular heartbeats: Doctors explain arrhythmia
Stress, caffeine, and long work hours can make your heart race, but doctors explain when it crosses the line into arrhythmia and how it may trigger sudden cardiac arrest
 "The silent threat of irregular heartbeats: Doctors explain arrhythmia")
What causes hair to go grey, and how stem cells could restore colour
A new study finds that hair turns grey when pigment stem cells get trapped inside follicles instead of moving to the colour-making zone, revealing a potential path to reversal
 "What causes hair to go grey, and how stem cells could restore colour")
Psychiatrist vs psychologist: Who does what and whom to approach for help
Confused between a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or counsellor? Here's a simple guide to understanding their roles and knowing whom to approach for your mental health needs
 "Psychiatrist vs psychologist: Who does what and whom to approach for help")
Don't fear therapy: Experts reveal what really happens in the first session
Therapy isn't as intimidating as it seems; experts say it's one of the smartest tools to cope with modern stress, offering self-discovery, growth, and emotional strength
 "Don't fear therapy: Experts reveal what really happens in the first session")
In Japan, flu cases soar past 6,000 as authorities declare epidemic
Japan has declared a nationwide influenza epidemic after infections surged five weeks earlier than usual, with more than 6,000 people hospitalised and over 100 schools shut
 "In Japan, flu cases soar past 6,000 as authorities declare epidemic")
Why women struggle more with depression? Is it written in your genes
A Nature Communications study finds women carry 6,000 extra genetic variants linked to major depressive disorder, explaining why depression affects them more than men
 "Why women struggle more with depression? Is it written in your genes")
World Mental Health Day 2025: First aid guide for stress, anxiety for all
On World Mental Health Day 2025, experts share how to spot early signs of stress, anxiety, or depression and offer timely first aid support
 "World Mental Health Day 2025: First aid guide for stress, anxiety for all")
World Mental Health Day 2025: History, theme and why it matters now
On World Mental Health Day 2025, experts highlight how awareness, balance and early support can protect well-being, especially during humanitarian crises
 "World Mental Health Day 2025: History, theme and why it matters now")
Do you need to floss? Experts debunk 18 common dental health myths
From charcoal toothpaste and oil pulling to baby teeth and fluoride, experts explain what really protects your oral health and what puts it at risk
 "Do you need to floss? Experts debunk 18 common dental health myths")
Ozempic-like medications may trigger false cancer signals on scans
A new study finds that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy may alter PET-CT cancer scans, raising concerns about false positives and unnecessary treatment risks
 "Ozempic-like medications may trigger false cancer signals on scans")
Chronic stress harms your memory. Here's how to protect your brain
Constant pressure floods your brain with cortisol, disrupting focus and memory, but experts say simple daily habits can help protect your mind
 "Chronic stress harms your memory. Here's how to protect your brain")
Think one drink is harmless? It may raise your dementia risk, study warns
New research shows even light or moderate drinking may steadily harm the brain and increase long-term risk of dementia, debunking the myth of "healthy drinking"
 "Think one drink is harmless? It may raise your dementia risk, study warns")
Why a sense of control could be your biggest weapon against daily stress
A decade-long study finds that people who feel more in control resolve daily stress faster, and this ability becomes even stronger with age, improving mental resilience
 "Why a sense of control could be your biggest weapon against daily stress")
Fought with a loved one? Here's how to reconnect and rebuild trust
Arguments can leave you drained, but fights don't have to break a bond. Experts share how to calm your brain, avoid defensive talk, and rebuild trust without making things worse
 "Fought with a loved one? Here's how to reconnect and rebuild trust")
Poor sleep may age your brain faster, scientists find in major study
A large MRI-based study of 27,500 adults finds that poor sleep may make the brain look up to a year older than its real age, suggesting that better sleep could slow brain ageing
 "Poor sleep may age your brain faster, scientists find in major study")
Do kids even need cough syrups? Doctors say they may do more harm than good
The recent child deaths in MP and Rajasthan have reignited debate on whether cough syrups are safe or even effective for kids or are they a needless and risky habit?
 "Do kids even need cough syrups? Doctors say they may do more harm than good")
