Latest Updates on Health with BS

What to know about hantavirus, illness suspected in cruise ship outbreak

A rodent-borne illness is suspected of causing an outbreak aboard a cruise ship that has killed three people and sickened others. Studies indicate hantaviruses have been around for centuries, with outbreaks documented in Asia and Europe. In the Eastern Hemisphere, it has been linked with hemorrhagic fever and kidney failure. It wasn't until the early 1990s that a previously unknown group of hantaviruses emerged in the southwestern United States as the cause of an acute respiratory disease now known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease gained attention last year after the late actor Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. The World Health Organisation said in a statement Sunday that detailed investigations of the cruise ship outbreak are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing. The virus is spread by rodents and, more rarely, ...

Aiims surgical innovation offers hope for patients with spinal deformities

A surgical technique pioneered at AIIMS, Delhi has emerged as a major breakthrough in the treatment of patients suffering from severe and complex spinal deformities, significantly improving outcomes in cases once considered extremely high-risk. Developed by Dr Bhavuk Garg and his team from the orthopaedic department at AIIMS over the past seven years, the modified surgical approach has brought new hope to patients with spinal deformities, who earlier had limited treatment options and faced a high probability of complications during corrective surgery, the hospital said in a statement. The technique is a refined version of posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR), regarded globally as one of the most complex spinal deformity correction procedures. The AIIMS, Delhi modification was detailed in an international scientific publication in 2020. According to doctors, the modified method preserves certain posterior spinal elements until later stages of surgery, improving spinal stabili

Scientists raise concern over spread of dangerous amoebas globally

Their ability to survive heat and disinfectants makes them especially hard to control. Scientists say improved surveillance and water treatment are urgently needed

Can hot weather trigger migraines? Experts explain the hidden link

High temperatures can disrupt your body in ways that trigger migraines. Here's what doctors say about the link and how to manage symptoms effectively

Myth vs Fact: Can microwave use lead to cancer? Here's what doctors say

Fact-check Friday: From radiation myths to plastic risks, we ask an oncologist what happens when you microwave food and whether there is any proven link to cancer

Emotional eating in women: Experts explain the hormone-mood connection

Experts unpack how hormonal changes, stress, and mood disorders interact to influence appetite, cravings, and emotional eating behaviours in women

Why you still tan despite sunscreen: Experts explain common mistakes

Is sunscreen enough to prevent tanning? Dermatologists explain why incorrect use, poor product choice and environmental factors can still cause tanning and skin damage

India's workforce faces surge in metabolic risks, chronic illness: Report

A new report analysing over 400,000 employees reveals rising risks of diabetes, obesity and heart disease, often without symptoms, pointing to a growing preventive healthcare gap in India

Toronto HIV patients in rare remission list after bone marrow transplant

A Toronto man living with HIV for 27 years is in sustained remission after a bone marrow transplant using HIV-resistant donor cells, according to University Health Network clinicians

Proton therapy expansion to put India high on global cancer care map

Rising capacity, cost advantage, and new centres position India as a key destination for advanced cancer care, though access gaps and affordability remain challenges

Is your gymwear harming your health? Here's what experts want you to know

As activewear becomes everyday wear, experts flag concerns over chemicals in fabrics and what repeated skin contact could mean for your health

The 'half attention' lifestyle: Doing everything, focusing on nothing

Always busy, rarely focused, the 'half attention' lifestyle is reshaping how we think, work, and rest, raising concerns about productivity, memory, and mental health

Five-second rule: Is dropped food ever really safe to eat? Myth debunked

Fact-check Friday: You've probably followed the five-second rule after dropping food; here's how bacteria transfer instantly, what factors matter, and why this popular rule may not protect you at all

Sweet binge triggers paralysis: What is hypokalemic periodic paralysis?

Often confused with stroke, this rare condition causes temporary paralysis due to low potassium levels, but can be reversed with timely treatment

Electrolytes vs medicines: What works best for heat stroke recovery?

With heatwaves intensifying, experts explain whether electrolyte drinks are enough and when medical treatment becomes essential

What is Keytruda? How the cancer drug works and why it's in focus

Doctors break down how Keytruda works and who it helps, as a global probe raises concerns over patents, pricing, and access in India