Health News - Page 5

Cracking cachexia: How brain-liver miscommunication drives severe weight loss in cancer patients

A ground-breaking new study has highlighted the crucial role of disrupted communication between the brain and liver in causing severe weight loss that impacts a large fraction of cancer patients. Oncologists stressed that understanding the metabolic and neural drivers of this syndrome could be key to improving outcomes for thousands grappling with the physical and psychological toll of cancer.

Surrogacy in the age of AI: Could a 'pregnancy robot' soon give birth to children?

Chinese scientists are reportedly developing the world’s first 'pregnancy robot', a humanoid that will carry a baby in an artificial womb and mimic a full-term pregnancy. For those struggling to conceive, hiring a humanoid to carry their baby will cost 100,000 yuan (around Rs 12 lakh). Here's how it will work

Doctor explains: Why chronic venous insufficiency is often mistaken for ageing and how it can be managed

Chronic venous insufficiency is often mistaken for normal ageing in seniors, delaying treatment and leading to ulcers, skin damage and mobility loss. Firstpost brings out expert's views on how CVI differs from varicose veins, the warning signs, lifestyle risks and effective management options for India’s ageing population.

How a blind Canadian woman can now see through her tooth

Gail Lane, a 75-year-old Canadian woman, regained vision after a decade of suffering from visual impairment; she had damaged her corneas due to an autoimmune disorder. However, through a very rare procedure, osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, or colloquially known as "tooth-in-eye" surgery, she can now see again

AI errs: What is bromism that man developed after ChatGPT query?

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with a rare condition after he consulted ChatGPT about removing table salt from his diet. As per the paper published in the medical journal 'Annals of Internal Medicine', the man developed bromide after switching from sodium chloride to sodium bromide. But what did the chatbot tell him?

New variant Stratus causes spike in Covid-19 cases: What are its symptoms?

Symptoms are similar to other Omicron subvariants, including fever, chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell, and diarrhoea

Why noise irritates some people more than others: It's all in the brain

Noise sensitivity, often dismissed by health professionals, can significantly impact both mental and physical wellbeing. Affecting up to 40% of the population, this condition is linked to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and long-term health risks.

Will a new pill beat out other weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro?

Eli Lilly’s weight-loss pill, orforglipron, shows promising results in trials, offering a needle-free alternative to injectables like Ozempic and Mounjaro. In a major study, people who took the drug lost more than 12 per cent of their body weight. Is it better than popular injectables?

Crispy warning: How eating French fries can increase risk of diabetes

A new study published in the BMJ journal has found that eating three servings of French fries a week may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 20 per cent. The research also showed that those who eat fries five times a week could face a 27 per cent higher risk of the condition. The study suggested that switching from fried potatoes to boiled, baked, or mashed ones may help lower the risk of this long-term illness

Rare pneumonia-like illness kills 3 in New York City: What is Legionnaires’ disease? Is it deadly?

Three people have died and 67 others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in New York City in recent weeks. The illness, a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, mainly affects people over 50, smokers, and those with chronic lung issues or weakened immunity

After billions spent, why is polio still spreading in Pakistan and Afghanistan?

Despite a decades-long global push and over $20 billion spent, polio remains entrenched in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Health workers report falsified data, mismanaged campaigns and persistent vaccine mistrust. As eradication deadlines continue to slip, insiders question whether the strategy — particularly the use of the oral vaccine — is part of the problem, not the solution

Covid-style measures, drones and more... Inside China's efforts to battle Chikungunya outbreak

A chikungunya outbreak in southern China has infected over 7,000 people, triggering aggressive mosquito-control measures and hospital isolations. Originating in Foshan, the virus has spread across Guangdong province

Ditch that soda and noodles. The lung cancer link to ultra-processed foods

A study in the Thorax journal reveals that those consuming ultra-processed foods like fast food and sugary drinks have a 41 per cent higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who ate the least. The study analysed data of over 100,000 Americans aged 55 to 74, who were tracked for more than a decade

Drink Responsibly: Is it safe to boil water more than once?

We have often heard that re-boiled water leads to the accumulation of allegedly hazardous substances, including metals such as arsenic, or salts. Here’s why that isn’t true

Can a broken heart really kill you? Science says yes — here’s why

Scientists now confirm that grief isn’t just an emotional wound — it can be deadly. A 10-year Danish study found those experiencing the most intense, unrelenting grief after losing a loved one were nearly twice as likely to die within a decade, highlighting how heartbreak can trigger physical decline, heart issues and even premature death

Dr explains: How music therapy matches CBT in easing anxiety among cancer survivors

Music therapy is emerging as a powerful, evidence-based tool in cancer survivorship care. A recent MSK study finds it as effective as CBT in managing anxiety with long-lasting benefits through song writing and telehealth delivery. Read here

'Body eats itself': What happens when the body is starved of food

Gaza is gripped by a man-made famine as starvation deaths rise sharply. Doctors describe mothers too weak to breastfeed and children unable to swallow. Experts explain how the body 'eats itself' in five stages of starvation — from burning stored carbs to consuming vital organs — in a crisis that aid workers say is entirely preventable

World Lung Cancer Day: How AI and adaptive therapy are revolutionising lung cancer radiotherapy

How AI, adaptive therapy, and precision tools are transforming lung cancer radiotherapy, making treatments faster, safer and more effective than ever. Read here

World’s 'oldest baby' is here: How child was born from embryo frozen in 1994

A baby boy born in Ohio has made history after being born from an embryo that was frozen more than 30 years ago, long before his parents had started school. Named Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, he was born on July 26 and is now believed to be the world’s ‘oldest baby’. He breaks the previous record held by twins born in Oregon in 2022

Not just smokers: Doctors flag new risk factors for throat cancer in India

An increasing number of throat cancer cases are being diagnosed among non-smokers in India, particularly men under 60. Experts link this rise to HPV infections, lifestyle changes and environmental exposures. Read here

Does self-pleasure boost productivity? Swedish firm offers 30-minute masturbation breaks to employees

Erica Lust, the founder of a Swedish adult entertainment company, said she started offering 30-minute masturbation breaks to her employees during Covid-19 as a means to reduce stress. The experiment soon received a positive response, with employees feeling 'less aggression' and 'more productive', prompting the firm to make the policy permanent. So, how does self-pleasure impact your productivity?

Inside New York shooter's suicide note that claims he had brain damage owing to American football

Shane Tamura, who shot and killed four people at an office tower in Manhattan, left a ‘suicide note’ claiming the National Football League (NFL) was responsible for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition he said he was suffering from. Meanwhile, the police are still investigating the motive behind the attack, which is now considered the worst mass shooting in a quarter of a century

UP woman’s foetus growing in liver: What is this rare pregnancy?

A 30-year-old woman in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr was found to have an extremely rare intrahepatic ectopic pregnancy. In this condition, the foetus grows in the liver and not in the uterus.This was revealed during an MRI scan; this could be India's first documented one

Man's best friend: How dogs are helping people destress even more than expected

New studies show dogs are playing a greater role than ever in helping humans de-stress. Data shows that dog owners are at a 24 per cent lower risk of death compared to those who don't own dogs. They also have a four times greater chance of surviving for at least a year after a heart attack than non-dog owners. So, how are they doing it?

Craving for some crunch? A guide to maintaining healthy snacking habits at work

Healthy snacks like yoghurt, fruits, or nuts will keep you full for longer as compared to packaged sugary and salty snacks that just spike blood sugar levels but don't sustain for long. So, it is better to keep Greek yoghurt, fruits, nuts, or cottage cheese handy

Dr explains: How air pollution, stress and late pregnancies are fuelling India's fertility crisis

Infertility affects 10–15% of Indian couples. Firstpost brings out expert views on India’s growing infertility crisis, lifestyle, pollution and delayed parenthood are affecting reproductive health.

Can 7,000 steps a day keep chronic diseases at bay?

Walking 10,000 steps a day has long been considered to be the norm for a healthy life. However, a new study shows that walking even 7,000 steps a day can keep heart diseases, cancer and depression at bay 

How a baby girl in Sweden grew a ‘micropenis’ from lying on her father’s chest

A 10-month-old baby girl in Sweden developed a 'micropenis' after she frequently lay on her father’s bare chest, who applied a strong testosterone gel as part of a hormonal treatment. The baby soon began to show unexpected physical changes, which triggered panic among the parents. Here's what we know

Rishabh Pant’s injury suspected to be metatarsal fracture: What is it? How serious is it?

Rishabh Pant had to leave the field on Wednesday after suffering a painful hit to his right foot during Team India’s first day of the fourth Test against England. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggested it might be a metatarsal injury due to the visible swelling that appeared immediately. Notably, the metatarsals are the five long bones that extend from the middle of the foot to the toes

Can sunbathing lead to brain haemorrhage?

An elderly woman in China suffered a brain haemorrhage and slipped into a coma after lying with her back exposed to the sun for two hours amid blistering heat. Shortly after she returned indoors, she collapsed and lost consciousness. But is sunbathing really to blame?