Page 189 - Health Medical Pharma
Centre ask states to incentivise private sector to improve delivery of healthcare services
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday issued guidelines to states to incentivise private sector for setting up of hospitals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to improve healthcare services and to ensure maximum utilisation of the benefits under the recently launched Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY). Interventions to incentivise private sector will include land allotment, facilitating various clearances with specific timelines and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for improving the financial viability and bankability of the project, a health ministry statement said. "The objective of the broad guidelines is to improve the supply of healthcare services in the underserved areas to ensure maximum utilisation of the benefits under PMJAY and to improve the demand for quality healthcare services at affordable prices to general public," the statement said. Also, to encourage private Investments in setting up of hospitals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the government will earmark ...
Swine flu claims three more lives in Rajasthan
Swine flu claimed three lives in Rajasthan on Tuesday taking the total toll to 14 in the first eight days of the year, said Rajasthan health officials.
How TV advertising influences kid's weight
Television advertisements of high-sugar cereals directed at children promote poor eating habits in them, thereby increasing the risk of obesity.The study appears in American Journal of Preventive Medicine.Children's eating habits develop during the preschool years, and children who are overweight by the age of five are likely to remain overweight into adolescence and adulthood.Unfortunately, many young children have diets of low quality and consume too few fruits and vegetables and too much sugar, salt and fat."One factor believed to contribute to children's poor quality diets is the marketing of nutritionally-poor foods directly to children," said lead author Jennifer Emond of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. "Brands specifically target children in their advertising knowing that children will ask their parents for those products."Laboratory studies have shown that kids will request and prefer brands they have seen recently advertised on TV, but no study has examined the ...
India asks US to 'withdraw or modify' travel advisory over Zika outbreak
The government has urged the US to "withdraw or modify" its advisory against travelling in India, which was issued after Zika cases were reported in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, saying the outbreak has subsided. The US government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month advised pregnant women against travelling to areas with risk of Zika in India. Raising concern over the advisory, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Balram Bhargava, said it has created an impression that the outbreak of the disease is still continuing. "I wish to bring to your attention that Zika virus outbreak in both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have now subsided completely. There are no reports of fresh cases and vector indices are also well within acceptable limits. "I urge you to take up the matter with the concerned authorities at CDC and withdraw/modify the travel advisory," Bhargava said in the letter. In a note attached to the letter, Bhargava mentioned that ...
High-sugar cereal ads influences kids, ups obesity and cancer risk
Children's exposure to TV ads about high-sugar cereals influences their food intake, which increases their health risks for obesity as well as cancers, warns a research.
Scientists may be able to produce spicy tomatoes
While the chilli pepper and tomato split off from a common ancestor 19 million years ago, it turns out they still share some of the same DNA.The fleshy tomato stands in sharp contrast to the more agriculturally difficult chilli plant that contain capsaicinoids, molecules that give peppers their spiciness.Now scientists say that with the latest gene-editing techniques, it could be possible to make a tomato produce capsaicinoids as well.The article, published in the journal Trends in Plant Science, says that the objective is not to start a new culinary fad (though the authors do not deny it completely either) but to have an easier way to mass produce capsaicinoids for commercial purposes. Capsaicinoids on their part have nutritional and antibiotic properties that are used in painkillers and pepper spray.Speaking about the study, senior author Augustin Zsogon, a plant biologist at the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil said, "Engineering the capsaicinoid genetic pathway to the tomato
Bottle-fed babies more likely to be left handed, study claims
Infants who are bottle-fed are more likely to be left handed than those who are breastfed, scientists claim. The study of about 60,000 mother-infant pairs found that the prevalence of left-handedness is lower among breastfed infants as compared to bottle-fed infants. The study, published in the journal Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition, provide further insight into the development of complex brain functions which ultimately determine the infant's handedness. "We think breastfeeding optimises the process the brain undergoes when solidifying handedness," said Philippe Hujoel, a professor at University of Washington in the US. "That's important because it provides an independent line of evidence that breastfeeding may need to last six to nine months," said Hujoel. The study does not imply, however, that breastfeeding leads to right-handedness, Hujoel said. Handedness, whether it be right- or left-handed, is set early in foetal life and is at least partially determined .
Tea exports down marginally in Jan-Nov 2018
India's tea exports decreased marginally to 225.76 million kg during the January-November period in 2018 from 226.04 million kg exported during same period the previous year, according to data from Tea Board India.
How breastfeeding is linked to being a righty or lefty
Are you a leftie or a righty? The duration for which a child is breastfed may determine handedness or the dominant hand, says a research.
Adults with autism good at recognising complex emotions in others: Study
Adults with autism can easily recognise complex emotions such as regret and relief in others, a recent study suggests.As part of the study, which appears in the journal Autism Research, a team of psychologists used eye-tracking technology to monitor participants as they read stories in which a character made a decision and as a result, experienced a positive or negative outcome.Heather Ferguson, lead author of the study explained that the study highlights a previously overlooked strength in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The researchers found that adults with ASD were quickly able to think about how things might have turned out differently (either better or worse than reality), then judge whether the story character would feel regret or relief (known as counterfactual emotions).The adults with ASD were found to be just as good at recognising regret emotions in the character as adults without the condition, and even better at computing relief.The eye-tracking method ...
Here's why elderly with hearing aids still report challenges
A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recently deduced that a high proportion of older people with hearing aids report having trouble hearing and difficulty accessing hearing care services. The study finds that it is especially true for those individuals with lower incomes.The researchers, who based their analysis on Medicare survey data, published their findings in the January issue of Health Affairs. They suggest that the federal government expand Medicare and/or Medicaid coverage of hearing care services.Speaking about the study, co-author Nicholas Reed, AuD, a member of the core faculty at the Bloomberg School's Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health said, "This study highlights the fact that hearing aids alone don't necessarily improve hearing--hearing care services are important too, but there are barriers that prevent many people from accessing those services."While, in the U.S. alone, two-thirds of adults over the age of 70 .
AI used to create inexpensive heart disease detector
Applying artificial intelligence (AI) to a widely available, inexpensive test -- the electrocardiogram (EKG) -- results in a simple, affordable early indicator of a precursor to heart failure, scientists say. The test accuracy of the AI/EKG system compares favourably with other common screening tests, such as mammography for breast cancer, according to the research published in the journal Nature Medicine. Asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction is characterised by the presence of a weak heart pump with a risk of overt heart failure, said researchers from Mayo Clinic in the US. It is associated with reduced quality of life and longevity. However, the disorder is treatable when identified. There is no inexpensive, noninvasive, painless screening tool for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction available for diagnostic use, researchers said. The study found that the best existing screening test for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction is to measure natriuretic peptide levels ...
Researchers identify new biomarker for colorectal cancers
A recent study sees John Hopkins researchers identifying a protein involved in cell proliferation and the development of new blood vessels that could serve as a marker for the early detection of colorectal cancers.These results of the study were published online in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.According to the laboratory studies, investigators found that expression of the protein called beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase-V (beta-1,4-GalT-V), was increased in human colorectal cancer tumor cells compared with normal tissue.Scientists also observed an increase in the protein's activity and in its product lactosylceramide, a fat that can produce superoxides, which lead to an increase in new cells and blood vessels that cancers can use to spread throughout the body.According to lead author of the study Subroto B Chatterjee, professor of perdiatrics and a specialist in vascular biology at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, the findings demonstrate
Short bursts of intense activity may be more beneficial: Study
Shorter bouts of intense exercise may produce more health benefits than hours of moderate-level physical activity, according to a study. Experts have long agreed that adults should aim for roughly 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, said researchers from the Arizona State University (ASU) in the US. When the guidelines were first published in 2008, it was thought that in order to obtain meaningful health benefits, those 150 minutes had to be accrued in bouts of at least 30 minutes of activity at a time, they said. The researchers have been working together for over a decade to research the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) -- characterised by short bursts of intense activity -- on various health outcomes. In more than one study, they found that HIIT was better than traditional, continuous bouts of exercise at lowering blood pressure. "Short bouts always do as well and sometimes better than longer bouts," said Glenn Gaesser, a professor at ASU. A common
Exercise hormone can delay Alzheimer's: Study
Physical exercise can help counter the loss of memory caused by Alzheimer's as well as delay the onset of the most common type of dementia, according to a study.
Zydus Cadila gets USFDA nod for antipsychotic drug
Zydus Cadila Tuesday said it has received final approval from the US health regulator to market antipsychotic drug Aripiprazole tablets. Zydus Cadila has received the approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market the drug in the strengths of 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg, the company said in a BSE filing. Zydus Cadila said the drug will be produced at the group's formulations manufacturing facility at Moraiya, Ahmedabad. Aripiprazole, an antipsychotic drug (atypical type), is used to treat mental/mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette's disorder, and irritability associated with autistic disorder. It is also used in combination with other medications to treat depression. It works by helping restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) The group has more than 243 approvals, and so far filed over 330 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) since it started filings in ...
MobileODT and Partners to Launch First Wide-Scale Deployment of AI screening for Cervical Cancer
/ -- MobileODT, developer of the Enhanced Visual Assessment (EVA) System, will partner with Genworks and Apollo Hospitals to deliver its FDA-cleared smart mobile colposcope in India to perform the first large-scale pilot of Augmented Intelligence (AI) for use in cervical cancer screening. This will give healthcare professionals cutting edge, yet low-cost mobile technology to reach millions of women across India who previously had limited access to life saving cervical exams. 432 million women in India are at risk of developing cervical cancer, yet only 3.1% receive screening. Lack of equipment, qualified colposcopists, and socioeconomic conditions contribute to low screenings. When HPV testing or a Pap Smear screening does occur, 80% with positive results do not return for treatment resulting in unnecessary loss of life for a highly treatable form of cancer. With AI capabilities, remote collaboration, and improved workflow, the EVA System can provide better access to cervical cancer .
Sebamed Presents Clinically Tested Baby Products to be 100% Free From Harsh Chemicals
/ -- Sebamed, a German expert in baby and adult skincare with over 50 years of experience is now available across 80 countries. Sebamed is a pioneer in the world with pH 5.5 based products and is clinically proven to promote the development of the skin's acid mantle which prevents moisture loss and aids in skin hydration. Healthy skin of a baby means they have the right pH level. pH is measured on a pH scale with 0 being acidic and 14 being alkaline. Using skin care products which do not have pH value of 5.5 can alter the protective barrier of the baby's skin and cause long-term damage. Sebamed products are proved to be safe for baby's skin as they maintain healthy skin's pH of 5.5 which important to maintain the soft and sensitive skin for the babies. Sebamed products are developed by dermatologists and are ideal for all skin types. Sebamed products are not tested on animals. These products are 100% free from soap/alkali/harsh chemicals. Hence, their products have six times lower ...
Myopia reaches 'alarming proportion' among Americans: Nt'l Eye Inst
Nearsightedness has now reached epidemic proportions here with the National Eye Institute putting the number of American suffering from myopia at about 42 percent, up from 25 percent in 1971. According to World Health Organization, the condition of those who can't see objects at a distance, is increasing at an alarming rate. Myopia typically appears among school-going children and can be associated with long-term eye health problems such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. No conclusive studies link the rise of myopia in children to their increased use of technology, but enough research and anecdotal evidence exists to support these theories. The National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health states that about 42 percent of Americans are myopic, up from 25 percent in 1971. Responding to the rising number of children with blurry vision caused by myopia, the University of Houston (UH) Eye Institute is offering a Myopia Management Service to correct and manage ...
Could DNA screening test become norm to detect genetic diseases?
While adding DNA sequencing to the screening of newborns for hundreds of potential genetic diseases may help accurately identify babies who will develop a disease, it could be too early to recommend for the general public, say researchers.