Author: News Desk

Toronto, Nov 1 (IANS) Researchers have identified a direct link between high insulin levels, common among patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer.The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, provides the first detailed explanation of why people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.The research demonstrates that excessive insulin levels overstimulate pancreatic acinar cells, which produce digestive juices. This overstimulation leads to inflammation that converts these cells into precancerous cells.“Alongside the rapid increase in both obesity and Type 2 diabetes, we’re seeing an alarming rise in pancreatic cancer rates,”…

New York, Nov 1 (IANS) While Covid primarily affects respiratory system and lungs, a new study showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can alter mitochondria on a genetic level, leading to widespread “energy outages” throughout the body and major organs, finds a study.The new findings, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, explains how these effects contribute to long Covid symptoms and point to new therapeutic targets.Every cell in our bodies is equipped with biological power stations known as mitochondria, which are especially important for maintaining the function of energy-demanding organs, such as the heart, brain, and lungs.Mitochondria require genes from…

New York, Nov 1 (IANS) The second man ever to receive a genetically modified pig’s heart has died six weeks after US surgeons performed the second such historic transplant, doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) announced on Wednesday.Lawrence Faucette, 58, suffering from terminal heart disease became the second patient in the world to receive a transplant of a genetically modified pig heart on September 20.The doctors in a statement said that Faucette had initially made significant progress after his surgery. His transplanted heart performed well, with no signs of rejection during the first month, and he…

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Delhi experienced the worst air quality in the month of October since 2020 this year, with meteorologists attributing the alarming levels of pollution to the significant lack of rainfall during the month.According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi reported an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 210 in October 2023. This was consistent with the AQI recorded in October 2022 but significantly worse than the AQI of 173 recorded in October 2021. One of the key contributing factors to this deteriorating air quality was the paucity of rainfall. In October 2023,…

New York, Oct 31 (IANS) Humans are disrupting the natural “salt cycle” on a global scale, and the influx of salt in streams and rivers is causing an “existential threat”, according to an alarming study, led by an Indian-origin researcher.Geologic and hydrologic processes bring salts to Earth’s surface over time, but human activities such as mining and land development are rapidly accelerating the natural salt cycle. Agriculture, construction, water and road treatment, and other industrial activities can also intensify salinisation, which harms biodiversity and makes drinking water unsafe in extreme cases.”If you think of the planet as a living organism,…

Sydney, Oct 31 (IANS) Immune confusion — disruption in the immune system — is responsible for severe dengue fever in children, finds a study. Most people infected with dengue virus have no symptoms, or a fever that quickly passes. However, 5 per cent of people progress to severe dengue, which can mean organ failure and even death within days of symptoms appearing.The risk is particularly high for children, who experience the most severe reactions to dengue virus.Until now, there was little understanding of why some patients have mild dengue, while others progress to serious disease.The study, published in the journal…

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Amid increasing cases of heart attacks in India post Covid, doctors on Tuesday cautioned people to avoid over-exercise, citing lingering physical stress and complications.This comes after several people collapsed at Garba events during Navratri in Gujarat, and at least 10 people reportedly died of heart attacks. The youngest of the victims was just 17 years old. “Severe Covid-19 survivors often experience lingering physical stress and complications that can significantly impact their overall health and well-being,” Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director & HOD, Cardiologist, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, told IANS. These effects may vary from person to…

Sydney, Nov 1 (IANS) The bushfire danger period is now in place across the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), after the remaining nine local government areas on the southern border entered the statutory phase on Wednesday.According to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), the period normally runs from October 1 to March 31, during which residents are required to obtain a fire permit if they plan to conduct burning activities on their properties, reports Xinhua news agency.After weeks of unseasonable heatwave, this year saw the official start of the 2023-24 bushfire season fall on October 1.But the NSW…

Phnom Penh, Nov 1 (IANS) Cambodia’s famed Angkor Archeological Park received 602,570 foreign visitors during the first 10 months of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 256 per cent, an official statement said on Wednesday.The ancient site made $27.88 million in revenue from ticket sales during the January-October period this year, a year-on-year rise of 312 per cent, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement issued by the state-owned Angkor Enterprise.In October alone, the park welcomed 63,009 foreigners, earning $2.92 million in revenue from ticket sales, the statement added.The Ministry of Tourism’s Secretary of State and Spokesperson Top Sopheak expressed confidence that…

Sydney, Nov 1 (IANS) Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) confirmed the death of a 10-year-old boy on Wednesday, after he was trapped under an elevator at a school in Sydney.At about 2 p.m., emergency services were called to the school on Cleveland Street in Wahroonga, a suburb in Sydney’s north shore, reports Xinhua news agency.Upon arrival, officers found a 10-year-old boy trapped under a lift.Despite attempts to remove the boy, he died at the scene.NSW Police Force said that a crime scene has been established and a recovery operation is continuing.The incident occurred in a…