Science & Health

President Droupadi Murmu graced the first National Space Day event in New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu calls Indian space sector growth 'extraordinary'

The growth of the Indian space sector is 'extraordinary', said President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of the country's maiden National Space Day on Friday.

Aug 23, 2024

Weight Loss Drugs: A New Perspective on Metabolic Activity

The world of weight loss medications is being reevaluated following a study led by Professor Donal O'Shea of St. Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH) and the UCD School of Medicine. The research focused on the medication Ozempic, a drug that has been under public scrutiny for some time. The study's findings, published in the Journal of the Obesity Society, challenge the prevailing belief that weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Monjaro primarily work by promoting satiety and reducing food intake.

Aug 23, 2024

India Braces for Mpox: A New Global Health Threat

The deadly new strain of Mpox, often referred to as monkeypox, has been spreading rapidly across the African continent and beyond, posing a significant threat to global public health. The virus, which was previously confined to isolated regions, is now inching closer to India, with neighboring Pakistan already reporting initial cases.

Aug 23, 2024

US FDA approves updated Covid-19 vaccines against currently circulating variants

FDA Gives Emergency Nod to Updated Covid-19 Vaccines -- Comirnaty and Spikevax

The FDA has authorized emergency use of updated mRNA Covid-19 vaccines targeting current virus variants. The vaccines, Comirnaty and Spikevax, are approved for individuals aged 12 and older, with Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines available for those aged 6 months to 11 years.

Aug 23, 2024

Iceland orders evacuations after volcanic eruption

Volcano erupts in Iceland

A new volcano erupted on Thursday on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, marking the sixth eruption in the area since December 2023.

Aug 23, 2024

Sunita Williams' future uncertain as NASA still weighs return options

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's return to Earth from the ISS is delayed, potentially until February 2025, due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. NASA is considering various options to ensure their safe return.

Aug 23, 2024

Flood situation in Tripura worsens, death toll rises to 10, over 34,000 people in camps

Tripura Flood Crisis Escalates: Death Toll Rises, Thousands Displaced

The northeastern Indian state of Tripura is struggling with a worsening flood situation, with the death toll rising to 10 and over 34,100 people seeking refuge in 331 relief camps across all eight districts.The incessant heavy rains since Monday have wreaked havoc in the state, causing landslides and drowning incidents that have claimed lives and injured people.

Aug 22, 2024

Can Mpox virus spread through air; what precautions you must take?

The Mpox virus, a zoonotic disease primarily found in the tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa, has been causing concern among health experts worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current outbreak, which has seen over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths, a global health emergency.

Aug 21, 2024

Closely monitoring monkeypox situation, no new reported cases in India

Mpox Outbreak Declared Continental Emergency: Everything You Need To Know

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a "continental emergency". The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. Read more.

Aug 20, 2024

Supermoons and blue moon to light up August skies

First Supermoon of 2024 'looks amazing', says space entrepreneur Elon Musk

Elon Musk calls first 2024 Supermoon "amazing" as NASA explains rare lunar event: a full moon that's both a supermoon and a blue moon, visible from Monday to Wednesday, with three more supermoons to follow in 2024.

Aug 20, 2024

Lack of self-sustained economic activity driving migration from some states: Zoho CEO

Doctors school Zoho CEO on why hepatitis B vaccine is important for babies

The most common way of hepatitis B infection in India is transmission from mother to baby, said doctors on Monday, after Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu questioned its administration on the first day of life.

Aug 19, 2024

Number of Covid patients in South Korea expected to reach 350,000 next week

South Korea braces for mega Covid-19 surge; could reach 350,000 cases by next week

South Korea is bracing for a significant surge in Covid-19 cases, with a senior health ministry official predicting that the number of patients in the country could reach 350,000 by next week.

Aug 19, 2024

Climate change's growing impact on mental health calls for immediate action

Climate change is increasingly impacting mental health, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal behavior. Despite the clear link, only nine out of 95 countries surveyed by WHO had mental health support in their national health and climate change plans.

Aug 19, 2024

1st Supermoon of 2024 to grace Indian skies on Monday evening

Stargazers in India are set to witness a celestial treat, as a full, blue supermoon will grace the sky on Monday

Aug 18, 2024

Study discovers gene that can prevent autism

ASD Breakthrough: Gene Discovery Sheds New Light on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Scientists at Rockefeller University have identified a gene, Astrotactin 2 (ASTN2), that could potentially prevent autism. Defects in the ASTN2 protein disrupt neural circuitry in the cerebellum, affecting children with neurodevelopmental conditions. The absence of ASTN2 in mice led to autism-like behaviors and changes in the cerebellum, reinforcing its role in cognitive functions. Future research will focus on examining human cerebellar cells with ASTN2 mutations and investigating other autism-linked genes.

Aug 18, 2024