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Rising Child Mortality in England: A Wake-Up Call for Inequality Post-Pandemic

January 24, 2025, 2:12 pm

Child mortality is a critical indicator of a nation’s health system and societal well-being. Over the past few years, the United Kingdom has witnessed significant shifts in child death rates, with recent studies indicating a disturbing rise in deaths, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This surge, revealed by a study published in the PLOS Medicine journal, has been linked to multiple factors, including the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent aftermath.

The Study and Findings

The research, conducted by the University of Bristol using the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), highlights that between April 2020 and March 2021, when strict lockdown measures were implemented, child deaths were significantly lower than expected. This period, marked by social distancing, isolation, and extensive public health measures, saw a reduction in deaths by 377 compared to the previous year. Researchers pointed out that this decline was largely due to the decreased spread of infectious diseases, reduced accidents, and less interaction among children, which may have protected them from various health risks.

However, the period following the lockdowns, specifically from 2021 to 2023, tells a more concerning story. The data shows that while child deaths in 2021-22 returned to pre-pandemic levels, the following year (2022-23) saw an unexpected increase of 258 deaths. These deaths were higher than the baseline established during the pandemic’s restrictive period. This suggests that the temporary benefits of the lockdown measures had dissipated, and the full impact of the pandemic’s aftermath on child health was beginning to unfold.

The Impact on Children from Non-White Backgrounds

One of the most striking findings from the study was the disproportionate impact on children from non-white backgrounds. Historically, there have been persistent inequalities in health outcomes between white and non-white children in the UK. The data suggests that these disparities have not only remained but may have widened in the years following the pandemic. The relative rate of death for children from non-white backgrounds has increased, surpassing pre-pandemic figures.

This is a significant concern, as it highlights the persistent social and health inequalities that affect children from disadvantaged and minority communities. Researchers speculate that this increase could be attributed to a number of factors, including the return of pre-pandemic levels of infectious diseases, the cessation of enhanced health behaviors such as rigorous hand washing, and the withdrawal of additional state support that had been put in place during the pandemic to aid vulnerable populations.

Professor Karen Luyt, a program director for the NCMD and a professor of neonatal medicine at the University of Bristol, emphasized the gravity of these findings. She noted that while the pandemic temporarily reduced mortality rates, the improvement was not sustained. Most concerning is the widening gap in health outcomes for children from low-income and non-white backgrounds, which underscores the deep-rooted structural inequalities in healthcare access, social support, and general well-being.

Key Causes of the Increase in Child Deaths

The study also delved into the causes of child deaths in the years following the pandemic. While certain categories, such as deaths from birth events, saw a temporary increase during the lockdown period, these returned to pre-pandemic levels afterward. However, deaths from other causes, including substance misuse, infections, sudden unexpected death in childhood (SUDC), and deaths related to underlying conditions, all saw an increase after the pandemic. This suggests that the temporary suspension of regular healthcare services and the widespread disruptions to daily life may have contributed to these rising numbers.

Perhaps most striking was the increase in deaths attributed to “trauma.” This category includes not only accidents but also road traffic incidents, drownings, and non-accidental injuries. The study highlighted that while trauma-related deaths are typically common causes of child fatalities, the rise in this category post-pandemic was significant. Researchers believe that factors such as reduced supervision, limited access to health services, and increased vulnerability due to socio-economic stress may have played a role in this surge.

Ethnic Disparities in Child Deaths

The study also examined ethnic disparities in child deaths, which have been a significant concern for policymakers in the UK. According to the findings, white children accounted for 61% of all child deaths in the most recent year, a decline from previous years. In contrast, the proportion of child deaths among Asian and Black children has increased. In particular, the proportion of deaths among Black or Black British children rose to 9.7%, a marked increase from previous years.

This increase may be due to several factors, including limited access to healthcare, socioeconomic factors, and the historical underrepresentation of minority communities in public health data. The rise in deaths among ethnic minority groups further underscores the need for targeted public health interventions and policies aimed at reducing health inequalities and ensuring that all children have access to the care and resources they need to thrive.

Addressing the Disparities

The findings from this study are a stark reminder of the disparities in child health outcomes in the UK, particularly for children from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds. As Professor Luyt pointed out, these inequalities have only widened since the pandemic, but there is also hope for change. Addressing these disparities requires a concerted effort from the government, healthcare providers, and community organizations.

To prevent further loss of life and ensure better health outcomes for all children, especially those from marginalized communities, more must be done to address the social determinants of health, improve healthcare access, and ensure that children from all backgrounds receive the support they need. This includes strengthening public health campaigns, improving access to preventive healthcare, and ensuring that social support systems are equitable and effective.

What Can Be Done?

Several steps can be taken to address the rising child mortality rates and reduce the impact of inequalities:

Improved Healthcare Access: Ensuring that children from all backgrounds have equal access to high-quality healthcare is crucial. This includes improving services in deprived areas and addressing barriers to care that may affect minority communities.
Targeted Health Interventions: Public health campaigns should be tailored to meet the specific needs of disadvantaged groups, focusing on reducing health inequalities and promoting preventive care.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, housing conditions, and access to education, play a significant role in child health outcomes. Policies that aim to improve these social determinants can help reduce mortality rates.
Strengthening Child Protection Systems: With the rise in trauma-related deaths, there is a need to ensure that children are adequately protected, especially in vulnerable situations. Strengthening child protection services and providing families with the support they need can help prevent these tragedies.
Enhancing Mental Health Support: The mental health of children and families has been severely affected by the pandemic. Providing better mental health services and support for children experiencing stress, trauma, and anxiety can help reduce risks associated with mental health and improve overall well-being.
Ongoing Research and Monitoring: Continuing to monitor child mortality rates and research the underlying causes of death is essential in identifying trends and developing targeted interventions.

The rise in child deaths in England, particularly among non-white and disadvantaged groups, is a concerning trend that demands urgent attention. While the temporary decline in deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic provided some hope, the post-pandemic years have seen a troubling return to higher mortality rates. To prevent further loss of life and address the widening inequalities, comprehensive strategies must be implemented to improve healthcare access, address social determinants of health, and provide targeted support for vulnerable children and families. By tackling these issues, it is possible to reduce child mortality and ensure that every child has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Boosting Teen Mental Health Could Save the U.S. $52 Billion in 10 Years

January 18, 2025, 12:57 pm

Adolescent mental health is gaining attention not only as a vital public health issue but also as an economic priority. A new study led by Nathaniel Counts of The Kennedy Forum, published in PLOS Medicine on January 16th, highlights the staggering economic benefits that could be achieved by addressing mental health challenges among teenagers. This research offers groundbreaking insights, suggesting that improving adolescent mental health could save the United States $52 billion over the next decade, solely through labor market benefits.

The Importance of Adolescent Mental Health

Teen years are critical for psychological and emotional development. However, an increasing number of adolescents are grappling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. The consequences extend beyond personal well-being—affecting their academic achievements, future employability, and ability to contribute productively to society.

While the link between mental health and economic outcomes has been established in prior studies, most research lacks the depth to be used in government economic models. The new study fills this gap, providing specific and measurable parameters that can guide policymakers to quantify the benefits of investing in mental health initiatives for adolescents.

The Study: Longitudinal Insights

Counts and his team leveraged data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997, which tracks over 3,000 participants through regular interviews. The researchers analyzed mental health data collected in the year 2000, when participants were aged 15 to 17, and economic outcomes recorded a decade later.

Key findings from the study include:

Reduced Workforce Participation: Adolescents who experienced clinically significant psychological distress were found to have lower participation in the labor force as adults.
Wage Impact: Those with poor mental health earned $5,658 less annually compared to their peers without significant mental health issues.

These insights underscore the long-term economic repercussions of neglecting adolescent mental health.

Policy Implications: Bridging Mental Health and Economic Growth

To demonstrate the economic value of improving mental health care for teenagers, the researchers modeled the potential impact of a policy aimed at expanding access to preventive mental health services. They proposed a hypothetical program targeting 10% of adolescents who might otherwise develop psychological distress.

The results were striking: solely from labor market improvements, such a policy could save the U.S. economy $52 billion over 10 years. These savings highlight the immense return on investment for government spending on preventive mental health care.

Preventive Mental Health Care: A Cost-Effective Solution

Preventive care focuses on early intervention, which can help identify and address mental health issues before they escalate. Examples of preventive mental health services include:

School-based mental health programs: Offering counseling and psychological support in schools to address mental health challenges early.
Community outreach initiatives: Providing access to mental health resources and education in underserved communities.
Integrated care models: Combining physical and mental health services for holistic treatment.

By expanding access to these services, policymakers can not only reduce mental health issues among teenagers but also enable them to reach their full economic and social potential.

Labor Market Benefits

The study emphasizes the labor market as a key area where mental health interventions yield significant economic returns. Healthier adolescents grow into adults who are better equipped to contribute to the workforce. They are less likely to take extended sick leave, more likely to retain employment, and are able to earn higher wages—factors that collectively drive economic growth.

For employers, investing in mental health initiatives also leads to reduced turnover rates and greater workplace productivity. This creates a ripple effect, benefitting families, communities, and the broader economy.

Addressing Barriers to Adolescent Mental Health Care

Despite the clear benefits, several barriers prevent teens from accessing mental health services:

Stigma: Many adolescents and their families hesitate to seek help due to societal stigma around mental health issues.
Cost of Care: High costs and insufficient insurance coverage deter families from pursuing necessary treatment.
Shortage of Providers: There is a significant shortage of qualified mental health professionals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Lack of Awareness: Many people remain unaware of the symptoms of mental health conditions or the available resources.

Addressing these barriers through public awareness campaigns, insurance reforms, and workforce development in mental health professions could amplify the impact of preventive policies.

Future Directions for Research

While this study offers valuable insights, it also paves the way for further research. Key areas include:

Understanding indirect benefits: Beyond labor market outcomes, improving adolescent mental health could reduce costs associated with criminal justice, public assistance, and physical health conditions.
Refining economic models: Enhanced economic modeling could provide even more accurate estimates of the financial impact of mental health interventions.
Evaluating specific interventions: Studies on the cost-effectiveness of various preventive mental health programs would help identify the most impactful approaches.

A Call to Action

The study’s findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals. Investing in adolescent mental health is not just a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. Programs that focus on early intervention and prevention could unlock the potential of millions of young Americans, ensuring a healthier, more productive future for the nation.

Nathaniel Counts, one of the study’s authors, aptly summarizes the urgency of this issue: “As the U.S. faces a crisis in adolescent mental health, the need for greater investment has never been more urgent. Improvements in adolescent mental health may bring billions of dollars of federal budget benefits over ten years, potentially offsetting the costs of policy change that could cover critical services for young people.”

Adolescent mental health has far-reaching implications for individuals, families, and the economy. The $52 billion in potential savings highlighted in this study underscores the importance of prioritizing preventive mental health care in policy discussions. By addressing barriers, expanding access, and investing in early interventions, the U.S. can not only improve the lives of its youth but also secure a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

Research Reveals Long-Term Health Effects on Firefighters After Grenfell Tower Fire

January 4, 2025, 5:46 pm

UK Firefighters Exposed to Toxic Smoke at Grenfell Tower Fire Suffer Debilitating Health Effects, Research Finds

The devastating Grenfell Tower fire of June 14, 2017, remains one of the most tragic events in the history of the United Kingdom. It not only claimed the lives of 72 people but also left a profound impact on those who risked their lives to save others—especially the firefighters who were on the front lines battling the flames. While much has been written about the social, political, and emotional consequences of the fire, a lesser-known but equally important issue has emerged in the aftermath: the long-term health consequences for the firefighters who were exposed to toxic smoke and chemicals during the blaze.

A recent body of research has revealed that many of the firefighters who responded to the Grenfell Tower fire are now suffering from debilitating health effects, including respiratory issues, mental health problems, and various forms of cancer. These findings underscore the severe and often underappreciated risks faced by first responders during large-scale emergencies, particularly those involving toxic materials, such as the Grenfell fire. In this article, we explore the findings of the research, the health impacts on these brave men and women, the systemic challenges in addressing their health needs, and the broader implications for firefighter safety and support.

The Grenfell Tower Fire: A Catastrophic Event

The Grenfell Tower fire in West London began in the early hours of June 14, 2017, when a refrigerator in a fourth-floor flat caught fire. The blaze spread rapidly, engulfing the entire 24-story building. As the fire raged, it became apparent that the building’s cladding, which had been installed as part of a recent renovation, was highly flammable and contributed to the spread of the fire. The lack of sprinklers, poor fire exits, and inadequate fire safety measures only compounded the disaster.

As the fire reached its peak, over 250 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) worked tirelessly to combat the flames and rescue residents trapped inside. These first responders battled extreme heat, smoke, and toxic fumes while working in chaotic and dangerous conditions. Many firefighters entered the building repeatedly, often without adequate protective gear, as they focused on saving lives and preventing the fire from spreading further.

Though the fire was eventually brought under control, the physical and psychological toll on the firefighters who were exposed to the toxic environment began to reveal itself in the years that followed.

The Toxic Aftermath: What Did Firefighters Breathe In?

When firefighters respond to fires, particularly large-scale fires like Grenfell, they are often exposed to a cocktail of dangerous substances released into the air by burning materials. The Grenfell Tower fire, which burned for more than 24 hours, emitted a wide range of toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, benzene, and other hazardous chemicals. These substances are well-known for their ability to cause serious respiratory damage and other health issues.

Some of the most toxic materials in the fire’s smoke were byproducts of the building’s construction materials, which included plastics, insulation, and other synthetic materials. These substances can produce a range of harmful compounds when burned, many of which are carcinogenic. Firefighters, who were often exposed to these chemicals without the benefit of respiratory protection, inhaled these toxic substances throughout the course of the operation. For many, this exposure has led to lasting health issues.

Health Effects on Firefighters: Respiratory Issues

One of the most immediate and concerning health effects reported by firefighters exposed to the Grenfell Tower fire’s toxic smoke is respiratory problems. Many have developed chronic breathing difficulties, including asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). These conditions are often caused by long-term exposure to the toxic chemicals present in smoke and can have debilitating effects on a person’s ability to carry out daily activities, let alone perform physically demanding tasks like firefighting.

For many of the firefighters who were involved in the Grenfell operation, symptoms of respiratory distress began to manifest months or even years after the event. Some have reported persistent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, while others have experienced significant declines in lung function. Research has shown that exposure to harmful smoke and chemicals in firefighting can cause long-term damage to the lungs, even in individuals who do not have pre-existing respiratory conditions.

The Cancer Risk: Increased Incidence of Firefighter-Related Cancers

Firefighters are at a higher risk of developing cancer compared to the general population, and the risks are compounded when they are exposed to toxic substances during large fires like Grenfell. Numerous studies have shown that firefighters have an increased incidence of certain types of cancer, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. These cancers are often linked to the toxic chemicals found in smoke, including benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are released when materials like plastics, rubber, and insulation burn.

A key factor in the increased cancer risk for firefighters is their repeated exposure to these toxic substances over the course of their careers. However, the risks are particularly high for those who were involved in large fires like Grenfell, where the sheer volume of toxic chemicals present was overwhelming. Many firefighters who worked at Grenfell Tower have reported ongoing health monitoring for cancer and other serious conditions, and some are already facing cancer diagnoses, despite being in the prime of their careers.

Psychological Health: PTSD and Mental Health Struggles

In addition to the physical health risks, the psychological toll of the Grenfell Tower fire on firefighters has been profound. Firefighters are often exposed to traumatic events, and the psychological impact of such events can be long-lasting. In the case of Grenfell, the firefighters witnessed harrowing scenes of devastation and loss of life, which contributed to significant mental health struggles.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are common among first responders who experience traumatic events. Many of the firefighters who responded to the Grenfell fire have reported symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety. The inability to save more lives, coupled with the emotional burden of witnessing such a horrific disaster, has left many firefighters struggling to cope with the trauma.

The lack of adequate psychological support for firefighters has been a longstanding issue, and the Grenfell disaster has brought this concern to the forefront. Many firefighters have reported feeling unsupported in dealing with the emotional aftermath of the fire, and this has led to difficulties in managing their mental health.

Research Findings: What the Studies Show

Recent research has provided evidence of the health toll on firefighters who responded to the Grenfell fire. Studies have focused on both the physical and psychological health effects, showing that many firefighters are suffering from conditions directly linked to their exposure to toxic smoke and the emotional trauma they experienced.

According to a report by the London Fire Brigade, more than 100 firefighters who responded to Grenfell have reported long-term health problems related to the fire. The health issues range from respiratory conditions to psychological struggles, with many firefighters continuing to seek medical care for their symptoms. Some have had to take early retirement due to the debilitating effects of their conditions.

Additionally, a study conducted by King’s College London found that firefighters who were exposed to the Grenfell fire were at an increased risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as various forms of cancer. The study found that the level of exposure to toxic smoke and chemicals during the fire was significantly higher than what would be expected during a typical fire response, leading to heightened health risks for those involved.

Addressing the Health Needs of Firefighters

The long-term health effects of exposure to toxic smoke and chemicals during the Grenfell fire highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support for first responders. While firefighting organizations have taken steps to provide medical monitoring and psychological support for their personnel, many firefighters feel that more needs to be done to adequately address their health concerns.

Medical monitoring for conditions like cancer and respiratory disease is essential for early detection and treatment. However, firefighters also need access to long-term healthcare support, including rehabilitation and counseling services, to help them cope with the physical and psychological effects of their exposure.

Mental health support is particularly critical, given the traumatic nature of the Grenfell fire. Firefighters need access to mental health services, including therapy, counseling, and peer support programs, to help them process their experiences and manage conditions like PTSD and depression. Additionally, addressing the stigma around mental health in the fire service is vital to ensure that firefighters feel comfortable seeking help when needed.

The Need for Greater Awareness and Policy Change

The health risks faced by firefighters exposed to toxic smoke and chemicals have been recognized for some time, but the Grenfell disaster has highlighted the severity of the issue. There is a growing call for policy changes that will better protect firefighters from harmful exposures and ensure they receive the support they need after responding to major incidents.

Firefighting organizations must prioritize the health and well-being of their personnel, including improving protective equipment, offering comprehensive health monitoring, and providing robust mental health services. In addition, public health policies must address the risks faced by first responders in large-scale emergencies, ensuring that proper safeguards are in place to protect them from the long-term health effects of their work.

The research into the health effects of toxic smoke exposure during the Grenfell Tower fire reveals a troubling and often underappreciated aspect of the firefighter experience. The physical and psychological toll on those who were involved in the disaster has been profound, with many suffering from respiratory conditions, cancer, and mental health challenges. As we continue to honor the bravery of the firefighters who responded to Grenfell, it is crucial that we also advocate for the long-term support and care that they need to recover and live healthy, fulfilling lives. By raising awareness and advocating for systemic change, we can ensure that those who put their lives on the line for others are adequately protected and supported in their post-service years.

‘Humble and Friendly’: ‘Food Pharmer’ Recalls Sudha Murty Seeking His Help on Food Adulteration Research

November 8, 2024, 11:43 am

Influencer Revant Himatsingka, also known as “Food Pharmer,” gained popularity for analyzing the ingredients in packaged foods. He rose to fame in 2023 when his review of Cadbury’s Bournvita’s sugar content went viral, leading the company to reduce sugar in their product. Recently, Himatsingka described an important milestone in his career: being contacted by Sudha Murty for his expertise on food adulteration research.

In a video, he shares, “My biggest honour in my journey as Food Pharmer is when Sudha Murty ma’am contacted me to provide research on food adulteration for Rajya Sabha.” The video also includes a clip of Murty speaking during the monsoon session of Parliament, where she highlights food-related health concerns. “What kind of food we eat and what kind of disease we get, we should think in the modern era,” Murty states, emphasizing three ingredients common in the hotel industry: synthetic color, synthetic vinegar, and tasting powder. She warns, “Because they look nice, it is tasty, but people are not aware that it will become a problem in the future.”

Watch:

My biggest honour in my journey as Food Pharmer is when Sudha Murthy Ma’am contacted me to provide research on food adulteration for Rajya Sabha.

She is by far the most humble person I’ve met and I’ve come across influencers with 1 lakh followers with more attitude than her.… pic.twitter.com/VfezptSiaU

— Revant Himatsingka “Food Pharmer” (@foodpharmer2) November 6, 2024

‘Most Humble Person’

Himatsingka praised Murty as the “most humble person” he’s met, adding that he’s encountered influencers with far fewer followers who show more arrogance. “She is by far the most humble person I’ve met and I’ve come across influencers with 1 lakh followers with more attitude than her,” he shared. “Unlike most public figures who usually hide behind managers, she directly WhatsApps almost like a friend.” Excited to continue assisting her, he noted, “Excited to assist her with research during the upcoming Winter Session of the Rajya Sabha as well! Imagine if the world’s most powerful people got together and fought for what is right!”

Social media users praised Himatsingka’s achievements, with one user commenting, “Working with someone as inspiring and down-to-earth as Sudha Murty Ma’am must be such an honour. Her humility speaks volumes. Wishing you all the best with the research, it sounds like impactful work!” Another fan added, “What an achievement, congratulations. Keep it up.” A third wished him a future in leadership, saying, “I wish, someday you will become our health minister.” A fourth echoed congratulations, writing, “Congratulations Revant! It is sure an honour to be assisting Ms. Sudha Murthy.”

With over 1.3 lakh followers on X and nearly 2.8 million on Instagram, Himatsingka is a certified health coach, accredited in 2015 by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Can Deaf Mosquitoes Save Lives? How a Simple Hearing Hack Could End Dengue

November 6, 2024, 10:55 am

In a groundbreaking study, scientists at the University of California have developed a potential method to reduce mosquito populations by targeting the hearing abilities of male Aedes mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and Zika. By altering a specific genetic pathway that affects hearing, researchers aim to disrupt the mating process, thereby controlling mosquito populations in affected areas.

Mosquitoes communicate by generating sound frequencies through wingbeats, which males use to locate females mid-flight. During the experiment, researchers focused on a protein known as trpVa, essential for male mosquitoes to detect and respond to these wingbeats. Mutant males, whose hearing neurons were modified, showed no attraction to female flight sounds. The findings revealed that these males, kept in the same enclosure with females, failed to initiate mating even after three days. Typically, Aedes males begin copulation within seconds upon contact with a female.

The study confirmed that the mutant males did not respond to any tested sound frequencies. “The trpVa1/2 mutant males showed no sound attraction regardless of frequency, demonstrating that TRPVa is essential for sound attraction,” the study reported. This lack of response halts the mating process, leading to no fertilization and, consequently, no offspring.

Hope for Disease Prevention through Population Control

Mosquitoes transmit diseases to nearly 400 million people annually, making their control vital for public health. By preventing males from mating, scientists believe they can reduce mosquito populations and limit disease spread. Additionally, they are exploring the release of sterile males in targeted areas to further suppress mosquito numbers.

ANRF aims to bridge the gap between research and development

September 25, 2024, 4:48 am

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the first meeting of’ Anusandhan-National Research foundation’(ANRF) governing body meeting’. In his deliberations in this meeting, the PM presented his vision of associating research with development of the nation. We usually see research and development as two separate domains. We have failed so far in forging productive interaction in these two domain. PM Narendra Modi gave a direction of how and why these two domains may work together. He also asserted the requirement for engaging research with development. In similar way we see state and academics as separate and sometime binary to each other. Such a perspective in fact weakens the prospect of development of the country. These both domains require to work together at least for developmental mission of the country.
’Anusandhan- National Research Foundation (ANRF) is working to bridge the gap between research and development and forging creative engagement with academics, state, private sectors, lok udyam(people initiative together). ANRF has also proposed to bring together scattered research initiatives and orient them towards development. As we know enormous research initiatives have been taken by institutions, public and other innovative agencies. These initiatives are yet unplanned and non-interactive with each other.
ANRF is aimed to bring them together and also plan them in direction to create cumulative research capital for the development of the nation. It has proposed to bring science, technology, liberals’ studies and social science at one forum to share their innovations and idea resources for the cause of’ Vikasit Bharat’ mission which PM Narendra Modi has envisioned and conceptualised.
ANRF as a funding, idea-sharing and innovative platform may bring more than thousands of our research institutions, universities and public initiatives together for facilitating their innovativeness and using them for the development of the country.
During the meeting, Prime Minister said that today a new beginning has been made with the first meeting of the Governing Body of Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
Prime Minister has emphasised the need to identify and remove obstacles in the research ecosystem of the country.
His appeal to researchers to set big targets and attain them for the cause of the development of the nation. He suggested to the academic and research community of the country to focus on finding new solutions to existing problems. He also reiterated on the need to find local solutions to the problems even of global problem.
In this meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for upgradation and standardisation of institutions to do innovative research. PM Narendra Modi during his deliberation gave a valuable advice to prepare a directory of domain experts on the basis of their expertise. In this process he reiterated the need for developing a dashboard where information related to research and development happening in the country can be easily tracked. These methods may certainly help us to plan and organise Indian researches for getting appropriate solutions for local as well as global problems.
To organise and plan of research domain of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also opined that there is the need for Scientific monitoring of utilisation of resources for research and innovation. It is indeed an ‘ambitious beginning’ as rightly explained by PM Narendra Modi, said the scientific community of the country should have faith that there will be no dearth of resources for their endeavours. Discussing the positive impacts of Atal Tinkering Labs, Prime Minister suggested that grading of these labs can be done. He also highlighted that the various local scientific researches also require support.
Bringing ’Anusandhan – NRF ‘in action may be documented as one of the achievements in his 100 days of third term. In fact, ‘Anusandhan-NRF’ came in to existence by a parliamentary act, 2023. But it an outcome of consistent efforts done by ministry, experts and other research administrators since many years.
By the beginning of Anusandhan- National Research foundation (NRF), there is a hope that Indian research communities and various kinds of people initiatives are going to get more sophisticated and resource support to make their research dream real. Only caution, we need to pose with this ‘Anusandhan- NRF initiatives’ that social science and liberal study research verticals may also get proper attention in this futuristic planning of India research.
Every mega and meta development of any society or country has its social as well human context. These social, developmental and human contexts need to be properly documented, archived and analysed. It is believed that the ’Anusandhan-NRF initiatives may also social science research in India.

MPox Outbreak Spread: WHO Urges More Research to Investigate

August 28, 2024, 3:29 am

On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international emergency due to a surge in mpox cases, particularly the Clade 1b strain, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring regions. This decision highlights the growing concern over the outbreak’s spread.

On Tuesday, the WHO provided an update on the transmission of mpox, noting that while droplets from an infected person contribute minimally to its spread, physical contact remains the primary mode of transmission. The organization emphasized that further research is necessary to fully understand how the outbreak is propagating.

According to the WHO’s website, mpox primarily spreads through close physical contact with an infected individual. This includes direct skin-to-skin contact, such as touching or sexual activity, as well as mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact, like kissing. Additionally, being face-to-face with someone who has mpox, which can involve breathing near them, may also facilitate the spread of infectious respiratory particles.

WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris explained that although talking closely to someone with mpox could potentially spread the virus through respiratory droplets, this is considered a minor transmission route compared to direct physical contact. She noted that the predominant method of transmission is through direct skin contact, not long-distance airborne particles.

The WHO is calling for more research to clarify the transmission dynamics of mpox. In the meantime, the organization recommends that individuals with mpox, their close contacts, and healthcare workers wear facemasks to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Can Plastic Cause Autism? New Study Provides Insights

August 16, 2024, 5:19 am

Recent research has stirred significant discussion about the potential link between plastic chemicals and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As plastic products become increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, concerns about their impact on health, particularly on developmental conditions like autism, have gained traction.

A new study aims to clarify whether exposure to chemicals commonly found in plastics might contribute to the development of autism. This research builds on previous findings suggesting that certain plastic additives, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), may disrupt endocrine functions and impact neurodevelopment.

Key Findings of the Study

The study involved analyzing data from a large cohort of pregnant women and their children, focusing on the levels of plastic chemicals in their environment. Researchers employed advanced analytical techniques to measure chemical exposures and their correlation with autism diagnosis.

One of the significant findings is that elevated levels of specific plastic chemicals were associated with a higher risk of developing autism. For instance, phthalates, which are used to make plastics more flexible, and BPA, a component of many plastic products, were found in higher concentrations in the urine of mothers who had children diagnosed with ASD.

However, the study also emphasizes that while there is an association, it does not establish a direct causative link. Autism is a complex condition influenced by a range of genetic and environmental factors. The research suggests that plastic chemicals could be one of many contributing factors, rather than a sole cause.

Mechanisms of Influence

The researchers propose several mechanisms through which plastic chemicals might influence neurodevelopment. Phthalates and BPA are known to interfere with hormone regulation, which plays a crucial role in brain development. Disruptions in these hormonal pathways during critical periods of development could potentially affect neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Public Health Implications

The study’s findings highlight the need for further research to understand the full extent of the relationship between plastic chemicals and autism. It also underscores the importance of regulating and minimizing exposure to potentially harmful substances.

For the public, the study serves as a reminder to consider reducing exposure to plastic products, especially those that are known to contain harmful chemicals. Choosing products labeled as free of phthalates and BPA, using alternatives such as glass or stainless steel, and being mindful of plastic usage can contribute to a healthier environment.

Conclusion

While the new study offers valuable insights into the potential links between plastic chemicals and autism, it also reinforces the complexity of autism as a multifactorial condition. Continued research is essential to unravel the intricate interactions between environmental exposures and genetic predispositions. In the meantime, increasing awareness and adopting safer practices can help mitigate potential risks associated with plastic chemicals.

Research Links Cognitive Deficits To Inflammatory Activity In Rheumatoid Arthritis

July 30, 2024, 6:24 pm

Researchers have discovered a link between specific cognitive deficits and the inflammatory activity associated with rheumatoid arthritis. These deficits include reductions in working memory, inhibition, focus, as well as memory, abstract thinking, and visuospatial abilities.

While rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation has been associated with various systemic effects, including on the brain, the specific cognitive domains affected remain unclear. To investigate, researchers compared the cognitive function of 70 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (80% women, average age 56) receiving care at a hospital.

Almost 75% of the patients (49 out of 72%) exhibited persistent moderate to high levels of systemic inflammatory activity from their disease, as indicated by protein levels and joint inflammation, despite standard drug treatment. On an average, these patients had been living with the disease for 10.5 years. Between June 2022 and June 2023, all 140 participants underwent thorough neurological and psychological evaluations, including various validated cognitive tests, as well as assessments of mood and quality of life.

The cognitive abilities assessed included processing and organising visuospatial information, naming, attention, language, abstract thinking, delayed recall, orientation, and executive functions such as working memory, concentration, and inhibition. Cognitive impairment was identified as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score below 26 out of a possible 30.

Data was gathered on various influential risk factors, including age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, obesity, blood lipid levels, diabetes, and a history of heart disease or stroke. Generally, individuals with cognitive impairment were older, had lower educational levels, and more coexisting conditions such as obesity, elevated blood lipid levels, and high blood pressure compared to those with intact cognition. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had lower average scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (ranging from 23 to 25) and poorer executive function scores compared to the volunteers. Cognitive impairment was observed in 60% of the patients, versus 40% of the volunteers. Additionally, patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression and reported lower quality of life compared to the volunteers.

Patients with cognitive impairment experienced more severe and ongoing inflammatory activity compared to those who preserved their cognitive function. They were also more prone to symptoms of depression and had reduced physical capacity. The factors linked to the highest risk of cognitive impairment among these patients were obesity (nearly six times the risk) and persistent inflammatory activity throughout the disease (approximately double the risk). Additionally, as seen in the general population, older age and lower educational attainment were also associated with increased risk.

To explain their findings, the researchers refer to previous suggestions that chronic inflammation, autoimmune processes, and ongoing pain and fatigue linked to rheumatoid arthritis may contribute to the decline in cognitive function. Since this is an observational study, it cannot establish definitive causal relationships. The researchers also recognise several limitations, such as the absence of imaging tests to identify vascular damage related to cognitive impairment.

However, they conclude: “These findings support the hypothesis that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease impacting various systems, including neural tissue. The results emphasise the need for earlier and more rigorous management of arthritis activity and the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting associated factors to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.”

VP Dhankhar Urges Corporate, Public Leaders To Back R&D

May 27, 2024, 3:35 pm

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged corporates and “public leaders” on Monday to contribute as much as possible to research and development, emphasizing its potential impact on the country’s economic growth and diplomatic influence.

Speaking at the 18th foundation day celebration of ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine here, the vice-president said, “We are living in big times. India, home to one sixth of humanity, is no longer a sleeping giant. No longer a country without potential. It is a country on the rise and the rise is unstoppable.”

Reflecting on his time in parliament and his tenure as a union minister in 1991, Dhankar remarked that back in 1990, the size of India’s economy was smaller than that of London and Paris.

“… look at where we are at the moment, the fifth largest global economy, ahead of the UK. They ruled us for over 100 years. (We are) ahead of France, and it is a matter of time we will be ahead of Japan and Germany also. No small achievement,” he said.

Dhankar emphasized the importance of not only controlling the disease itself but also addressing its source. He underscored the significance of prioritizing precaution and prevention, stating, “which can be done by dissemination of knowledge that is already there with us.”

“We must in the country develop a culture that every Indian has to be fit and healthy because the entire country at the moment is part of a marathon march for a Viksit Bharat in 2047. You all are part of this march. You have to be fighting fit. Once that happens not the sky, even space, is not the limit of our growth and that is happening,” he said.

Highlighting the significant role of research and development, the vice president underscored that it is a lengthy and costly process and said, “I appeal to the corporates, I appeal to public leaders. They must do all that they can to support research and development. This research and development will reflect in the growth of our economy and even in our diplomatic power.”

“When this country was battling covid, you will be surprised, we supported 100 other countries to tackle it. They (countries) say — India is a true friend. We got assistance at the time when India was also tackling its big problem, and therefore I urge you and everyone in the corporate (world), please come forward and use your CSR to promote research, development, innovation, startups focusing on these areas. They will do us a great good,” he added.

As per the vice-president, India’s extensive traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Yoga, stand as a testament to the deep wisdom of our forebears. They represent a seamless integration of science, philosophy, and spirituality, highlighting the holistic equilibrium between mind, body, spirit, and nature.

Noting that the country has a visionary leadership, Dhankar said, “we are having big… achievements in space, on land, on roads, on infrastructure, on sea, in defence… it should not be difficult for us to involve every village in this pious task to make us health conscious, health aware.”

“These days, we find people get into depression, people are affected by tension and stress. New kinds of diseases are coming up because we are slightly departing from our cultural ethos. Communication is fundamental,” he added.

Does Smell of Cooking Food Pollute the Air We Breathe?

May 9, 2024, 3:45 pm

Recent research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests that the enticing smells wafting from restaurants, food trucks, and street vendors might be harming air quality. NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) revealed these findings from a thorough study on “underappreciated sources” of urban air pollution, focusing on Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Boulder, Colorado.

The study indicates that if you can smell it, it likely affects air quality. Researchers analyzed various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from cooking, vehicles, wildfires, agriculture, and consumer products across the United States. They consistently found long-chain aldehydes in urban measurements, unexplained by other sources, according to study author Matt Coggon.

Las Vegas, known for its numerous eateries, faces persistent air quality challenges, with cooking contributing an estimated 21% of outdoor VOC mass. Elevated VOC levels were also detected in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. Overall, the study concludes that cooking-related air pollution is significantly underestimated, potentially constituting nearly a quarter of urban VOCs, posing a more acute problem indoors.

Understanding cooking emissions as a major urban VOC source is crucial for effective air quality management. Mr. Coggon stresses the importance of comprehensive emissions data for policymakers to evaluate their decisions’ impact on air quality.

Pain sensitivity caused by brain changes impact older women more: Study

February 4, 2024, 3:06 pm

A recent study found that the brain process enabling us to block pain varies with age. Additionally, when it comes to these changes, gender variations that cause pain sensitivity may affect older females more.

Men and women who assessed the intensity and unpleasantness of pain while being exposed to escalating amounts of heat had their brain reactions examined using fMRI imaging.

The results offered more proof that gender variations in pain sensitivity perception may worsen with age and suggested that long-standing gender differences in pain perception may be traced back to this brain network.

The study was published recently in The Journal of Pain. “The most novel part of this study is looking at gender by age,” said lead study author Michelle Failla, assistant professor in the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. “Most of the work characterizing which regions in the brain respond to pain have been done in people aged 18 to 40. We want to understand what’s happening between the ages of 30 and 90 years old because that’s when people are beginning to experience chronic pain.”

Although a large body of prior research has demonstrated that women are more sensitive to pain than men, little is known about the specific brain areas and processes that underlie these gender variations in pain perception. Furthermore, much less is known about the brain’s function in pain perception in later adulthood, when our tolerance for pain decreases and our risk for chronic pain increases.

According to the study’s specifications, gender-based differences may be related to societal factors that affect people’s reactions to pain in addition to biological sex. The researchers looked at gender-based disparities holistically.

The study’s imaging component focused on the descending pain modulatory system (DPMS), a network of brain regions that interact to initiate signal transmission that reduces pain by activating opioid receptors, among other things.

Twenty-seven girls and thirty-two males, ages thirty to eighty-six, made up the study sample. They were asked to rate how unpleasant each level of pain felt and to report when applied heat reached just-noticeable, weak, and moderate pain levels. Using fMRI imaging, researchers were able to see DPMS activity that matched each participant’s unique pain response.

“There are different brain regions involved in those distinctions between perception of pain intensity and unpleasantness, so we thought it was important to look at both and see how those brain regions are recruited during pain,” said Failla, also an investigator in the Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management and Complex Care in Ohio State’s College of Nursing.

The pain modulatory system in certain brain regions did, according to the findings, reveal a gender-by-age difference: Men’s DPMS response at the moderate pain level grew with age, whereas women’s DPMS response decreased with age. It is assumed that a diminished brain response translates into a diminished capacity to use our own physiological processes to lessen our pain.

Presumed is a keyword here: although the DPMS is thought to play a major role in pain sensitivity and tolerance, its precise mechanism and the way an intact vs dysfunctional system appears on scans are still being worked out by researchers.

“We don’t know exactly what is an optimum DPMS response,” Failla said. “Are we seeing it activated to catch up with your pain, or is it already working, meaning the pain could have been worse?”

In the course of their ongoing research, the scientists will be examining brain activity in individuals with dementia and autism who might find it difficult to express the pain they are experiencing.

More understanding of the brain’s function in pain perception will increase the likelihood of more efficient pain treatment, according to Failla.

“Pain is such an individual experience. In science we’re moving toward individual factors that can influence pain specifically and what makes it different for each person,” she said. “This could then identify a mechanism we can target, or even just give us a better understanding that there are different levels of innate abilities to modulate pain.”

Lower risk of Kidney Stones via diabetes medications: Study

February 1, 2024, 3:42 pm

Kidney stones are becoming increasingly common globally. Type 2 diabetes is related to an increased risk of kidney stones but various forms of treatment of this condition may potentially decrease the risk of kidney stones.

The researchers at Mass General Brigham found out that using sodium-glucose contratransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors was associated with a decreased chance of acquiring kidney stones.

The findings were published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Three national databases containing information on type 2 diabetes patients seen in regular clinical settings were used for the study.

The team analyzed information from 716,406 adults with type 2 diabetes who had started taking an SGLT2 inhibitor or two other classes of diabetes medications known as GLP1 receptor agonists or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors.

Individuals who started taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a roughly 25% lower incidence of kidney stones than those on DPP4 inhibitors, and a 30% lower risk than those taking GLP1 agonists.

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, founding members of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, worked together to conduct the analysis.

The findings were consistent across sex, race/ethnicity, history of chronic kidney disease and obesity.

“Our findings could help inform clinical decision-making for patients with diabetes who are at risk for developing kidney stones,” said corresponding author Julie Paik, MD, ScD, MPH, of the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics and the Division of Renal (Kidney) Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Study suggest, disrupted sleep leads to memory problems

January 4, 2024, 1:51 pm

A recent study, published in the online edition of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that individuals who experience frequent sleep interruptions in their 30s and 40s may face an increased likelihood of developing memory and cognitive issues a decade later.

The research focused on analyzing the duration and quality of participants’ sleep. To calculate sleep averages, individuals wore a wrist activity monitor for three consecutive days on two separate occasions, roughly a year apart. The participants, with an average age of 40, slept for an average of six hours.

Yue Leng, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco, the study’s author, emphasized the importance of understanding the relationship between sleep and cognition earlier in life due to the gradual accumulation of Alzheimer’s disease indicators in the brain before symptoms manifest. Leng stated, “Our findings indicate that the quality rather than the quantity of sleep matters most for cognitive health in middle age.”

The study involved 526 participants who were tracked over an 11-year period. Researchers assessed sleep duration and quality using wrist activity monitors, sleep diaries reporting bedtimes and wake times, and a sleep quality survey. Poor sleep quality was reported by 46 percent of participants, with a score greater than five on the survey.

Participants underwent memory and thinking tests, and researchers examined sleep fragmentation, measuring brief interruptions during sleep. The average sleep fragmentation was 19 percent, with participants divided into three groups based on their scores. Those with the most disrupted sleep had more than twice the odds of poor cognitive performance a decade later compared to those with the least disrupted sleep, even after adjusting for various factors.

Yue Leng emphasized the need for further research to explore the connection between sleep disturbances and cognition at different life stages and to identify critical periods when sleep may be more strongly associated with cognitive function.

Stomach bug could lead to Alzheimer’s disease!

December 31, 2023, 4:13 pm

A newly conducted study suggests a potential association between a prevalent gut bacteria, found in approximately two-thirds of the global population, and an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the research focused on investigating whether the presence of a clinically observable Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection increases the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals aged 50 and above. H pylori is a common ailment associated with stomach cancer, gastritis, ulcers, and indigestion.

Researchers from McGill University delved into the health records of over 4 million adults aged 50 or older in the UK from 1988 to 2019. The findings indicated that individuals with symptomatic H. pylori infections faced an 11% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia. While Alzheimer’s disease has multifaceted causes, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence highlighting the potential role of infections, particularly H pylori, in its development.

This research paves the way for future investigations, particularly in exploring whether eliminating this bacterium could effectively serve as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s disease in certain individuals. Given the global aging population, researchers anticipate a significant increase in dementia cases in the next four decades. Dr. Paul Brassard, the senior author of the study and a Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine, emphasized the lack of effective treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease. He expressed hope that the study’s findings will shed light on the potential role of H pylori in dementia, guiding the development of prevention strategies, such as tailored eradication programs, to mitigate infections at the population level.

Addressing health, lifestyle variables might minimise the risk of young-onset dementia: Study

December 27, 2023, 1:03 pm

Researchers have uncovered a diverse range of risk factors associated with young-onset dementia, challenging the notion that genetics is the sole cause of the disease. The study, published in JAMA Neurology by the University of Exeter and Maastricht University, identified 15 risk factors similar to those for late-onset dementia. Currently there are 370,000 new cases of young-onset dementia every year on a global scale, however not much research has been done in the area.

This groundbreaking research suggests the potential for reducing the risk of young-onset dementia by addressing health and lifestyle factors. The comprehensive study, involving over 350,000 participants under 65 from the UK Biobank study revealed that factors such as lower education, socioeconomic status, genetic variations, lifestyle choices (e.g., alcohol use disorder, social isolation), and health issues (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, depression, stroke, hearing impairment, and heart disease) significantly increase the risk.

Sebastian Kohler, Professor of Neuroepidemiology at Maastricht University, said: “We already knew from research on people who develop dementia at older age that there are a series of modifiable risk factors. In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role, including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression. The fact that this is also evident in young-onset dementia came as a surprise to me, and it may offer opportunities to reduce risk in this group too.”

Professor David Llewellyn emphasized the importance of international collaboration and big data in advancing dementia understanding, highlighting the study’s potential for targeted prevention and treatment. Meanwhile, Dr Stevie Hendriks, Researcher at Maastricht University, said: “Young-onset dementia has a very serious impact, because the people affected usually still have a job, children, and a busy life. The cause is often assumed to be genetic, but for many people we don’t actually know exactly what the cause is. This is why we also wanted to investigate other risk factors in this study.”

The study’s findings supported by various organizations open new possibilities for interventions to reduce the incidence of young-onset dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK co-funder of the study sees this research as transformative in understanding dementia risk and its potential reduction at both individual and societal levels.

The study titled ‘Risk factors for young-onset dementia in the UK Biobank: A prospective population-based study’ is a prospective population-based study published in JAMA Neurology.

A novel approach may help estimate the spread of wildlife diseases

December 19, 2023, 1:19 pm

It may be possible to create a novel technique to assess the frequency of diseases in wild animals that travel freely and to estimate the number of samples needed for a diagnosis.

Wildlife agencies struggle to collect enough samples to accurately measure disease spread, preventing pandemics with wildlife origins like Covid-19. Current formulas assume animals contract diseases independently, but clustered populations are more likely to spread contagious diseases. Random sampling could suggest one individual in a family cluster is infected, but correlation between individuals within clusters reduces the effective population size, suggesting biologists could collect fewer samples to predict disease prevalence. This highlights the need for effective monitoring of key species for emerging diseases that can cross from animals to humans.

A flexible framework for studying wildlife diseases has been developed by Cornell University’s assistant research professor Krysten Schuler. The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics, focuses on the case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, which clusters in family groups of five individuals and is highly infectious. The researchers aim to collect samples from individuals from as many different clusters as possible, considering factors such as migration patterns, moose solitary behavior, and contagious diseases.

Biologists often face limitations in simple random sampling and may increase sample size requirements due to practicalities. An online app in development could help by allowing biologists to input information about an animal, such as natural history, breeding time, and disease contact, to estimate the number of individuals to sample for a realistic understanding of disease prevalence. This would help in reducing sample size requirements.

Study shows how sleep breathing affects memory

December 19, 2023, 11:20 am

How do memories grow when you are asleep? Studies conducted in 2021 under the direction of Dr. Thomas Schreiner, leader of the Emmy Noether junior research group at LMU’s Department of Psychology, showed a clear correlation between the reactivation of memories during sleep and the appearance of certain sleep-related brain activity patterns.

Whether a central pacemaker was responsible for these rhythms was still up for debate. Reanalyse the data, the researchers teamed together with experts from the University of Oxford and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin. Based on their findings, breathing has been suggested as a pacemaker. “That is to say, our breathing influences how memories are consolidated during sleep,” Schreiner explains.

Investigating learning mechanisms in the sleep lab

Over the course of two sessions, the researchers exhibited 120 photos to twenty study participants in their initial investigation. Each image was connected to a certain word. After that, the individuals slept in the sleep lab for around two hours. They were asked about the associations they had discovered when they awakened. Their respiration and brain activity were monitored using an EEG throughout the whole learning and sleep time.

The researchers found that sleep spindles, or brief bursts of elevated brain activity, and so-called slow oscillations caused the sleeping brain to automatically recall previously learned knowledge. “The precision of the coupling of these sleep-related brain rhythms increases from childhood to adolescence and then declines again during ageing,” Schreiner explains.

Brain activity and breathing are related.

The researchers then examined the data in conjunction to the recorded breathing and were able to draw a relationship between them as respiratory frequency also varies with age: “Our results show that our breathing and the emergence of characteristic slow oscillation and spindle patterns are linked,” Schreiner states. “Although other studies had already established a connection between breathing and cognition during wake, our work makes clear that respiration is also important for memory processing during sleep.”

Sleep disturbances, respiratory conditions, and deteriorating memory are common in the elderly. Schreiner intends to conduct more research to see whether there are any links between these occurrences and whether cognitively sound solutions make sense, such as the usage of CPAP masks, which are already used to treat sleep apnoea.

Study reveals how the body reacts to different oxygen levels

December 12, 2023, 11:25 am

All it takes to realize how harmful it is to not get enough oxygen is to hold your breath for a few seconds. However, is having too much possible? In fact, inhaling air that contains more levels of oxygen than your body needs can cause illnesses or even death.

Yet little is known about how the body detects too much oxygen due to the paucity of study on the subject. The amount of information known about the underlying mechanisms and the reasons they are important for health has been significantly increased according to recent research from Gladstone Institutes.

Their research, which was published in the journal Science Advances, clarifies how breathing air with varying oxygen concentrations—from too little to just right to too much—affects the synthesis and breakdown of several proteins in the mouse heart, brain, and lungs. Interestingly, the study also identifies a specific protein that could be crucial in controlling how cells react to hyperoxia.

Senior author of the current study and Gladstone Assistant Investigator Isha Jain, PhD, said, “These results have implications for many different diseases.” Studies indicate that supplemental oxygen may be exacerbating certain medical conditions for over a million people in the US who use it daily. Our study is only beginning to shed light on what’s going on and how the body reacts in that particular context.”

Targeting microbiome can improve child under nutrition according to research

February 15, 2023, 1:51 pm

A recent research led by Queen Mary University of London suggests that targeting gut microbiome development to tackle child undernutrition in lower and middle income countries instead of just focusing on human nutritional needs, can improve child growth and development more effectively.

The study, which was published today in Nature Communications, found that changes in a child’s diet and household sanitation in rural Zimbabwe have little impact on the microbiome of their gut and, consequently, their growth and development. Furthermore, the study found that early gut microbe genetic function, rather than the types of microbes present in the gut, can predict how well a child will grow over the next few months.

One of the first studies to look at the evolution of the gut microbiome in low- and middle-income nations. The phrase “gut microbiome” refers to the billions of distinct microorganisms that inhabit the human gut and are crucial for early-life developmental processes like immune system development, hormone generation, and nutrition metabolism. Since childhood illnesses and mortality are substantially greater in low- and middle-income nations, where undernutrition affects more than 1 in 5 children, most research on the gut microbiome’s impact in child development has come from high-income settings. Researchers from the University of British Columbia, Devil’s Staircase Consulting, and Queen Mary University of London conducted the study. 335 children from rural Zimbabwe, ranging in age from 1 to 18 months, had their gut microbiomes examined by researchers using metagenome sequencing technology.

First author Dr Ruairi Robertson from Queen Mary University of London said:
“This study provides the scientific community with a very large resource of gut microbiome data from children in a rural, non-Western setting throughout early childhood, which will allow researchers around the world to analyse and compare with similar datasets from children in high-income settings.
“This study also provides important data for public health in low-and-middle-income countries where early-life infections, diarrheal disease, child mortality and undernutrition are much more common.”

India meets France to focus on research, development for future wars

November 29, 2022, 2:45 pm

Ajit Doval, the national security adviser for India, met with Sebastien Lecornu, the French minister of defence, to address a range of issues of interest, including global, regional, and bilateral security-related concerns. According to officials acquainted with the matter, a focus on manufacturing and research and development in line with the needs of potential battles was given during the discussion.

In keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron’s ideas, the pair emphasised the necessity for a strategy that is action-oriented and time-bound. In accordance with the Make-in-India objective of the Modi government, both sides were also able to jointly strategize and select key areas for co-development.

“Special attention would be paid to cooperation in security related aspects of the global commons including Space, Cyber and Maritime to ensure peace, stability in the Indo-Pacific,” people cited above said.

On Monday, defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart attended the 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues were discussed. Singh and Lecorno reviewed the ongoing military-to-military cooperation which has increased substantially in recent years, according to defence minstry’s release.

They also talked about how to broaden and complicate bilateral drills while enhancing marine cooperation. The two sides acknowledged that India and France’s bilateral air exercise, “Garuda VII,” was successfully conducted at Air Force Station, Jodhpur.

“The Ministers recognised their convergences on number of strategic & defence issues and shared the commitment to work together on enhancing cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. France is the current chair of Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and both countries cooperate closely in these fora,” the statement read.

Differences unveiled in the brains of boys and girls with binge eating disorder

November 10, 2022, 12:57 pm

A research has been conducted from the Keck School of Medicine at USC where a comparison of the brains of boys and girls with binge eating disorder was done and significant changes in the structures of the sexes were discovered. The research was recently published in Psychological Medicine. The study which has been established from the earlier developments and research conducted suggests that the binge eating disorder is wired in the brain from an early age, is an important first step in understanding the neurobiology of binge eating disorder and how it differs between the sexes.

It also suggests that earlier, males who were left out of the research on eating disorders must be inclusive in futures researches in order to determine the origins of eating disorders.

“Males have been excluded from research on eating disorders for decades.”As a result of the exclusion of boys and men, we have developed treatments only from studying females, which we then apply to boys and men and hope they work with the same efficacy.”

Gradually, a clearer impression has been made about certain disorders which are as prevalent in boys and men as they are in women and girls. At the same time, research has discovered more evidences that eating disorders are diseases of the brain and not the result of social pressure or a lack of willpower, which Murray said are common misperceptions that have been disproved.

Murray further said, “This study clearly suggests that any neurobiological hypothesis of binge eating disorder needs to be stratified by sex,”

Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, the largest study in the U.S. assessing brain development, the researchers identified 38 boys and 33 girls who had a diagnosis of binge eating disorder from the study’s 11,875 participants. In children, boys represent about 57% of those with binge eating disorder. That figure changes among adults with adult males representing about 43% of those with binge eating disorders.