Health & Food

London, Jun 29: Bottles of beer, wine and spirits contain potentially harmful levels of toxic elements, such as lead and cadmium, in their enamelled decorations, a study has found. Researchers at the University of Plymouth in the UK analysed both the glass and enamelled decorations on a variety of clear and coloured bottles readily available in shops and supermarkets. They showed that cadmium...

Researchers have developed a model using Machine Learning (ML) to identify bat species with the potential to host the Nipah virus, with a focus on India. Four new bat species were flagged as surveillance priorities. "While there is a growing understanding that bats play a role in the transmission of Nipah virus in Southeast Asia, less is known about which species pose the most risk. "Our goal was...

Jun 15: A new survey has revealed that pain due to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) impacts the mental health of people and they are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. The results were presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2019). "This survey highlights the huge importance of pain on the psychological well-being of RMD patients and the critical need to...

Washington, Jun 7: Parents should encourage their children to adopt healthy habits like physical exercise, a nutritious diet and getting sound sleep instead of spending long periods of time on electronic devices, a doctor who is leading the Canadian Pediatric Society’s digital health task force has said. Dr Michelle Ponti said that the society’s new guidelines describe how and when screens are...

New Delhi, Jun 6: After turmeric latte, it is now time for Haldi Eyes! While supermodels and celebrities ranging from Priyanka Chopra to Victoria Beckham swear by turmeric -be it in lattes, breakfast cereal or face packs and body scrubs, the humble haldi is finding its way into makeup kits. Now Sephora, one of the most popular beauty havens in the US, is stocking a 'Haldi Eyes' brightening eye...

Jun 3: In a study, researchers have claimed that receiving blood transfusion during liver cancer surgery (hepatocellular carcinoma) increases the risk of cancer recurrence and dying prematurely. The risk was markedly increased even when only a small amount of blood was transfused, researchers said. The study is being presented at the 'European Society of Anaesthesiology' in Vienna, Austria (1-3...

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), researchers have discovered new genetic flaws that contribute to autism in people. Most previous research on the genetic basis of disease has focused on the 20,000 known genes and the surrounding sections of DNA that regulate those genes. However, even this enormous amount of genetic information makes up only slightly more than one per cent of the 3.2 billion...

Toronto, May 29: Cranberry extracts can make disease-causing bacteria more sensitive to lower doses of antibiotics that may help counter the global threat of superbugs, according to a study. The spread of antibiotic resistance worldwide is undermining decades of progress in fighting bacterial infections. Due to the overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, we are on the cusp of returning...

London, May 24: Virtual reality (VR) can identify early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease more accurately than 'gold standard' cognitive tests currently in use, a study claims. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK noted that brain contains a mental 'satnav' (satellite navigation) of where we are, where we have been, and how to find our way around. A key component of this internal...

Washington, May 23: Being exposed to traffic-related air pollution can alter brain chemicals in children, increasing the risk of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, a study has found. Exposure to air pollution is a well-established global health problem associated with complications for people with asthma and respiratory disease, as well as heart conditions and an increased risk of...