Health

7 killed, 5 injured as avalanche hits Zojila Pass, blocks Srinagar–Leh highway

At least seven people were killed and five others injured on Friday after a massive avalanche struck the Zojila Pass, trapping multiple vehicles under heavy snow debris, the government confirmed.

Big move in healthcare! IIT Kharagpur, Charnock Hospital unite for advance research, clinical excellence

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Charnock Hospital on Thursday, marking a significant step toward fostering innovation, research, and technological advancement in the healthcare sector.

Dying with dignity: India’s slow, uneasy acceptance of euthanasia

While euthanasia must remain tightly regulated, denying dignity in death to those trapped in irreversible suffering is becoming harder to justify, writes Sujoy Dhar as the Harish Rana case sets a significant precedent.

NASA unveils Moon base plan, targets nuclear-powered mission to Mars by 2028

NASA has announced an ambitious new space initiative to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon and to send a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars by 2028, media reports said.

End of Tuberculosis? New tools spark hope of a global breakthrough

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on Tuesday for countries to step up action to end tuberculosis (TB) – one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers – by expanding access to new diagnostic tools that can help save lives.

Living near traffic? Study links noise to higher risk of heart attacks, strokes

Living in areas with consistently higher levels of noise from transportation was associated with a significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiac events compared with living in quieter areas, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

Your daily screen habit might be silently harming your heart,study finds

People who reported spending six or more hours on screens outside of school or work had worse blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) compared with those with more limited screen time, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

Viral clip shows squirrel chewing e-cigarette—Experts sound alarm

A video of a squirrel holding an e-cigarette between its paws and nibbling on the plastic tip has gone viral on social media, prompting wildlife experts to express concern that even animals are not safe from the harmful trend.

Climate crisis warning: Heat could kill millions—Poor nations hit hardest

A new report on the impact of rising temperatures on mortality underscores the need for targeted investments to help people and communities save lives.

Cold weather linked to 40,000 heart-related deaths a year, study warns

On the heels of one of the coldest winters in memory for large swaths of the country, new research highlights an often overlooked cost of cold weather: months with lower temperatures see significantly greater rates of death from heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery disease than milder months.

World’s most polluted city revealed — And it’s in India!

India's Loni is the world's most populated cityIndia’s Loni, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, has been ranked the most polluted city in the world, according to IQAir’s 2025 World Air Quality Report.

7 am secret? Study says early morning exercise may protect your heart

People who regularly exercised early in the morning were significantly less likely to have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or obesity compared with people who exercised later in the day, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

Decade of Fire: Earth just lived through its hottest 11 years, WMO warns

All-time high greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere continue to drive heat records on land and sea, with long-lasting consequences for humanity, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Monday.

Too much phone time? It may be driving eating disorders in youth

New research has found a strong link between excessive smartphone use and disordered eating behaviours among young people, even in those with no formal diagnosis of an eating disorder.

Prabha Khaitan Foundation and WWF-India to celebrate the unsung guardians of India's forest and wildlife

Jaipur/IBNS: She was known as the “Lady of the Lakes” — the legendary tigress Machhli of Ranthambhore, whose fish-shaped facial marking, fearless crocodile kills, and extraordinary 19-year reign over one of Rajasthan’s most magnificent wildlife reserves made her a global icon of conservation.

Forests are more than a resource: How Belarus protects its vital ecosystem

Forests cover more than 40 per cent of Belarus. At the same time, the country recorded twice as many forest fires last year compared to the year before.

Silent killer rising: Young women face surge in heart disease deaths

Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has high blood pressure—sometimes called the “silent killer” because it harms the heart and blood vessels—but many people don’t know they have it.

Wake up and work out: Early exercise may slash heart disease risk

People who regularly exercised early in the morning were significantly less likely to have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or obesity compared with people who exercised later in the day, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

Study shows low to moderate wine consumption shows lower risk compared with spirits, beer and cider

While high alcohol intake has been associated with worse health outcomes regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, the potential impacts of low to moderate alcohol intake appear to vary by beverage type, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

Shocking study: Type 1 diabetes may triple dementia risk

Having Type 1 Diabetes may be linked to a significantly higher risk of developing Dementia, according to a study published on March 18, 2026, in Neurology.

Belly fat bombshell: Why your waistline matters more than BMI for heart failure risk

A new research suggests that measures of excess weight around the waist (central obesity or visceral fat) may increase the risk of heart failure primarily due to inflammation, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association’s EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

Shocking: Nearly 5 million children still die before age 5 every year — Here’s why

An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, according to new United Nations estimates released on Tuesday – highlighting a worrying slowdown in global progress on child survival.

AstraZeneca India secures CDSCO approval for Durvalumab in advanced liver cancer

AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd. (AZPIL) has announced that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted approval for an additional indication of Durvalumab.

Too hot to move? Study warns climate change may trigger mass inactivity and deaths

Rising global temperatures due to climate change could push millions of people into physical inactivity by 2050, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and billions of dollars in lost productivity, according to a modelling study published in The Lancet Global Health.

Smoking fathers, sick kids? Study finds alarming diabetes link

A father’s nicotine exposure can affect his offspring’s ability to process sugar and may contribute to diabetes risk, according to new research using lab mice at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Australian techie uses ChatGPT and AI to create an experimental cancer vaccine for his dog

While some fear that artificial intelligence could lead to job losses and mass layoffs, for others it is emerging as a powerful tool — even helping in the fight against deadly diseases such as cancer.

Study shock: Ultra-processed foods may trigger anxiety and aggression in kids

A team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has found an association between ultra-processed foods in early childhood and behavioural and emotional development.

Dementia draws increased attention in Australia in early 2026

Dementia as a major public health issue appears to be receiving growing attention in Australia during the early months of 2026.

‘Toxic Rain’ alert after oil depot strikes as Middle East war intensifies

Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

Yale study reveals hidden cause of childhood obesity—And it’s not just junk food

In recent years, rates of childhood obesity have been rising, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimating in 2024 that approximately one in five children and adolescents met the clinical definition of obese.