A young patient lost weight rapidly in the course of a year and had a heart attack, requiring angioplasty. Even then only 25% of his heart remained functional. The steep and rapid weight loss in a body that had been conditioned to a certain weight before caused sudden changes in body mechanisms, which triggered a heart attack. That’s why any kind of sudden weight loss or even weight loss followed by weight gain can be destabilising for the body and heart.

A new study has found that every chew releases thousands of tiny plastic particles—called microplastics—into people’s mouths, which they unknowingly swallow, adding to the tens of thousands of microplastics we consume each year. The findings were presented at the American Chemical Society’s Spring 2025 meeting in San Diego. Researchers said both synthetic and natural gums are hidden sources of microplastic ingestion.

India plans to develop cost-effective left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to aid end-stage heart failure patients while they wait for donor hearts. With an estimated 50,000 patients needing heart transplants annually but a severe shortage of donor hearts, indigenously made LVADs could reduce costs and increase foreign medical visitors. Development could take over five years with necessary approvals.

A new meta-analysis published in Nutrients has shattered red wine’s reputation for being healthier due to antioxidants like resveratrol. After analysing data from 42 studies, researchers found no type of wine was shown to be “safe” for cancer prevention. White wine was linked to a higher cancer risk in women & a 22% increased risk of skin cancer in some studies Each daily glass of red wine was linked to a 5% increase in cancer risk.

Snakebites causes thousands of deaths and disabilities in India. WHO data show that 4.5 to 5.4 million people get bitten by snakes annually around the globe. India has the highest number of snakebite deaths in the world. Over half of all snakebites occur among 30 to 50-year-old farmers. In November 2024, MoHFW designated snakebite cases & deaths as a ‘notifiable disease’ making it mandatory for all government & private health facilities (including medical colleges) to report all suspected, probable snakebites, leading to a better collection of data for better treatment strategies.

Probiotics and oral electrolytes sales have been growing at a fast clip in the gastrointestinal therapy segment, clocking a 23% and 21% five-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), respectively, according to data sourced from market research firm Pharmarack. Antidiarrheals and anti-flatulents have also grown in strong double digits - 36% and 29%, respectively. Sheetal Sapale, vice president, commercial, Pharmarack said that the gastrointestinal segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian Pharma Market (IPM), and is now ranked the second biggest therapy after cardiac.

AIIMS New Delhi is experiencing severe staff shortages, with hundreds of vacant posts for doctors and faculty members. A parliamentary committee has urged the health ministry to offer competitive compensation and prioritize the filling of these positions. Additionally, the slow progress of AIIMS' expansion projects has been criticized.

Scientists at Osaka University in Japan have devised a new AI model to estimate a person’s biological age — a measure of how well their body has aged, rather than just counting the years since birth. Using just 5 drops of blood, this new method analyses 22 key steroids and their interactions to provide a more precise health assessment. This offers a potential step forward in personalized health management, allowing for earlier detection of age-related health risks and tailored interventions.

ResMed, a global health technology leader has unveiled the findings of its 5th annual Global Sleep Survey. Study of 30,026 respondents suggests, although sleep awareness is on the rise, countless individuals still struggle in silence. Globally, nearly 1 in 4 respondents (22%) resign themselves to poor sleep rather than seeking support. 49% of Indians reported struggling to fall asleep at least 3 times a week. In India, women (17%) are more likely than men (12%) to take sick leave due to poor sleep.

Frequent use of steroid-based treatments for respiratory issues, allergies & skin conditions can heighten the risk of glaucoma. Experts at AIIMS stress the importance of regular eye check-ups for early detection. Lifelong care and awareness programs at the primary care level are essential for preserving vision.