Page 28 - Latest Updates on Health with BS

Insurers mull premium hike as claims mount due to rising air pollution

Health insurers are weighing 10-15% premium hikes and city-based pricing as pollution-linked claims rise sharply across metros, driven by increasing health complications and higher medical costs

IIT researchers identify physiological markers to help manage test anxiety

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras have identified measurable physiological indicators that can help pinpoint students most vulnerable to test anxiety, paving the way for new, targeted interventions that could revolutionise how educational systems approach stress and performance, according to officials. The research has been published in Behavioural Brain Research, an international peer-reviewed journal publishing studies on the neurobiological basis of behaviour and cognitive processes in humans and animals. The study sheds light on how the brain and heart interact differently in students who struggle with anxiety during exams, offering a scientific basis for early identification and personalised coping strategies. Test anxiety affects an estimated 81 per cent of Indian students, according to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT, 2022), often impairing academic performance and long-term mental health. While some students mana

Japan battles rise of 'zombie cigarettes' as etomidate drug crisis deepens

Japan is confronting a fast-evolving drug crisis as etomidate-laced 'zombie cigarettes' spread among young users, triggering arrests and trafficking probes

AI tool aids disease surveillance, issued 5,000 outbreak alerts: Study

An artificial intelligence tool deployed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in 2022 may have helped issue more than 5,000 alerts of infectious outbreaks to health authorities in real-time since installation, according to a study. Developed by WadhwaniAI, a New Delhi-based healthcare AI solutions provider, the 'Health Sentinel' tool could have helped slash 98 per cent of manual workload, enabling a quicker detection of an outbreak and proactive public health response, findings published as a pre-print paper and yet to be peer-reviewed suggest. Nearly 200 countries are legally bound by the International Health Regulations (IHR) to operate a national disease surveillance system. The IHR and World Health Organization work together in protecting global health security. News reports in print, electronic and online media are scanned by media scanning and verification tool under India's 'Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme' (IDSP) for unusual health events, which are th

Only 27% of Mumbaikars aware of sugar risks, 15.6% pre-diabetic: BMC

A civic survey in Mumbai has indicated that only 27 per cent of residents are aware of the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption, while 15.6 per cent are in the pre-diabetic stage. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to residents to reduce sugar consumption and read food labels carefully before consuming processed foods. BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has appealed to citizens to participate in the 'Healthy Campus Initiative', launched on the occasion of World Diabetes Day on November 14, to encourage healthier dietary and lifestyle practices. According to the World Health Organisation's Global Burden of Disease Studies, one in three people worldwide suffers from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension, a civic release said. The BMC screened 5,59,751 individuals for diabetes and hypertension across its health institutions from August 2022 to October 2025, it said. As per the release, a civic survey has ..

Postpartum depression to strained ties: Why maternal mental health matters

Experts advocate for a relationship-centred approach to health care: training teams in attachment theory, creating accessible post-natal spaces and providing key figures to support families

Indian scientists discover 'genetic switch' that allows embryo implantation

The study revealed that two genes, HOXA10 and TWIST2, regulate embryo implantation by opening or closing a small "gate" in the uterine wall at the right time

One in six Indians now has diabetes, shows new ICICI Lombard wellness study

As diabetes rises to one in six Indians and Gen Z struggles across all wellness pillars, a new study highlights how stress, inactivity and sugar-heavy diets are reshaping the nation's health

WHO issues new guidelines to improve care for diabetes in pregnancy

With diabetes complicating millions of pregnancies each year, the WHO outlines new global guidance on diet, monitoring and treatment to improve safety for mothers and babies

Whey vs plant protein: Experts decode the best pick for your body

Whether you're aiming for faster muscle gains or smoother digestion, understanding how whey and plant proteins compare can help you choose the supplement that actually benefits your body.

Childhood high blood sugar is rising fast. Here's how to stop it early

Paediatric experts say childhood high blood sugar is driven more by lifestyle than genes, sharing early signs and simple daily habits families can use to prevent long-term glucose problems

How to talk to kids about food without creating guilt, fear or anxiety

Children's Day: With social media, school messages and family comments shaping their attitudes, doctors explain how positive language can help kids build a calm, confident and guilt-free relationship

Diabetes on the rise: World diabetes day 2025 pushes for early care

With diabetes impacting families across the globe, World Diabetes Day 2025 focuses on raising awareness, encouraging prevention and strengthening access to timely care.

TB still kills 1.23 million a year as WHO warns progress may slip away

The WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 shows the first decline in cases since Covid, but warns that shrinking funding and persistent risks could undo gains against the world's deadliest infection

Why has wild polio been found in Germany and what does it mean for Europe?

Many countries in the world sample sewage to track the spread of polio. Germany's detection is a sign that the system is working well, experts said

Is air pollution just a winter issue? These myths put your health at risk

From masks and plants to Diwali and ACs, pulmonologists break down the myths standing in the way of clean air and better health

Childhood hypertension has doubled globally in 20 years, Lancet warns

A major meta-analysis shows hypertension has surged from just over 3% to more than 6% among people under 19, raising urgent concerns for parents, schools, and health systems

Recognising diabetes in kids early: What parents need to look out for

From increased thirst to sudden weight loss, early symptoms of diabetes in children can be easy to miss. Experts explain what to watch for and how parents can manage it.

Scrolling your phone before sleep? It may be raising your blood sugar

World diabetes day 2025: Doctors warn that late-night scrolling can suppress melatonin, disrupt sleep cycles, raise cortisol, impair glucose control, creating cravings and metabolic strain over time

Why smoking tobacco with cannabis may drain the brain's bliss molecule

A new study using advanced brain imaging suggests that people who use both tobacco and cannabis may have lower activity of the brain's natural "bliss molecule", hinting at why quitting feels harder