Bars, restaurants, cinemas and concert halls were reopening across Italy on Monday in a boost for coronavirus-hit businesses, while parliament was to debate the government's 220-billion-euro ($266-billion) EU-funded recovery plan.

After months of stop-start restrictions imposed to manage second and third waves of Covid, Italy hopes this latest easing will mark the start of something like a normal summer.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi has admitted to taking a "calculated risk" with the reopenings, as infection rates and intensive care admissions have fallen but Covid deaths still mount by hundreds every day and now total more than 119,000.

Three-quarters of regions dropped on Monday into the lower-risk "yellow" category, with bars and restaurants permitted to restart table service outside -- including, for the first time in six months, in the evening, although a 10 pm curfew remains in place.

"Finally!" said Daniele Vespa, the 26-year-old head waiter at Baccano, a restaurant near Rome's Trevi Fountain, as he made preparations for the return of customers.

"Hopefully... we can soon reopen inside as well," he told AFP, adding: "It's the start of a return to normality."

Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can also open at 50-per cent capacity, followed by the staggered opening of swimming pools, gyms, sporting events and theme parks by July 1.

In Milan, the Beltrade cinema claimed the title of being the first to reopen after six months of inaction with a special 06:00 am screening of "Caro Diario," a classic Italian film from the 1990s.

The show was sold out, despite people having to wake up before dawn to catch it.&nbsp;

"I went with my husband, and it was great to be back together in a cinema and do this crazy thing," Francesca Pierangeli, one of the 82 people who got a seat, told AFP.&nbsp;

Draghi had been under intense pressure to ease restrictions, including from far-right leader Matteo Salvini and increasingly vocal anti-lockdown street protests, as Italy battles its deepest recession since World War II.

The vaccination programme is gaining pace with 17.75 million jabs administered so far and 5.2 million people fully vaccinated in a population of around 60 million, but experts doubt this could be enough to stave off a new health crisis.&nbsp;

"Clearly if the gradual reopening is interpreted as a 'free-for-all', a new surge in infections risks compromising the summer season," warned Nino Cartabellotta, head of the GIMBE Foundation health think tank.

Already at the weekend, throngs of people took advantage of the warm weather and packed the streets of central Rome and other cities, many not wearing masks. In the capital, police closed off a shopping avenue and a few squares that had become too crowded.

Italy was the first European country to be hit by the pandemic in early 2020 and remains one of the worst affected, with the EU's highest reported death toll and one of the deepest recessions.

The economy contracted by a staggering 8.9 percent last year and a million jobs have been lost.

Italy is pinning its hopes on a 222.1-billion-euro investment and reform plan funded largely by the European Union. Rome is the biggest recipient of the bloc's 750-billion-euro post-pandemic recovery fund.

In parliament on Monday, Draghi will formally present the programme he hopes will boost growth by 3.6 percentage points by 2026, ahead of a Friday deadline to submit the package to Brussels.

The government said Sunday the plan was a "historic intervention" that would repair the damage caused by the pandemic and address "the structural weaknesses" of the economy, while putting it on a greener footing.

Priorities include infrastructure, notably high-speed railways; green energy, including hydrogen power projects; investment in internet services and digitalisation of public administration.

There will be money to help women and young people, who have disproportionately lost out during the pandemic, while around 40 percent will be targeted at historically under-performing southern Italy.

Draghi, a former European Central Bank chief, has also highlighted the importance of tax reform and speeding up the snail-paced justice system.

Disputes over the spending plan brought down the previous prime minister and his coalition, after which Draghi was parachuted in to lead a national unity government in February.

His broad support in parliament "gives him significant room for manoeuvre to deliver the necessary reforms", noted Natixis economist Jesus Castillo.

Bars, restaurants, cinemas and concert halls were reopening across Italy on Monday in a boost for coronavirus-hit businesses, while parliament was to debate the government's 220-billion-euro ($266-billion) EU-funded recovery plan.

Bars, restaurants, cinemas and concert halls were reopening across Italy on Monday in a boost for coronavirus-hit businesses, while parliament was to debate the government's 220-billion-euro ($266-billion) EU-funded recovery plan. After months of stop-start restrictions imposed to manage second and third waves of Covid, Italy hopes this latest easing will mark the start of something like a normal summer. Prime Minister Mario Draghi has admitted to taking a "calculated risk" with the reopenings, as infection rates and intensive care admissions have fallen but Covid deaths still mount by hundreds every day and now total more than 119,000. Three-quarters of regions dropped on Monday into the lower-risk "yellow" category, with bars and restaurants permitted to restart table service outside -- including, for the first time in six months, in the evening, although a 10 pm curfew remains in place. "Finally!" said Daniele Vespa, the 26-year-old head waiter at Baccano, a restaurant near Rome's Trevi Fountain, as he made preparations for the return of customers. "Hopefully... we can soon reopen inside as well," he told AFP, adding: "It's the start of a return to normality." Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can also open at 50-per cent capacity, followed by the staggered opening of swimming pools, gyms, sporting events and theme parks by July 1. In Milan, the Beltrade cinema claimed the title of being the first to reopen after six months of inaction with a special 06:00 am screening of "Caro Diario," a classic Italian film from the 1990s. The show was sold out, despite people having to wake up before dawn to catch it. "I went with my husband, and it was great to be back together in a cinema and do this crazy thing," Francesca Pierangeli, one of the 82 people who got a seat, told AFP. Draghi had been under intense pressure to ease restrictions, including from far-right leader Matteo Salvini and increasingly vocal anti-lockdown street protests, as Italy battles its deepest recession since World War II. The vaccination programme is gaining pace with 17.75 million jabs administered so far and 5.2 million people fully vaccinated in a population of around 60 million, but experts doubt this could be enough to stave off a new health crisis. "Clearly if the gradual reopening is interpreted as a 'free-for-all', a new surge in infections risks compromising the summer season," warned Nino Cartabellotta, head of the GIMBE Foundation health think tank. Already at the weekend, throngs of people took advantage of the warm weather and packed the streets of central Rome and other cities, many not wearing masks. In the capital, police closed off a shopping avenue and a few squares that had become too crowded. Italy was the first European country to be hit by the pandemic in early 2020 and remains one of the worst affected, with the EU's highest reported death toll and one of the deepest recessions. The economy contracted by a staggering 8.9 percent last year and a million jobs have been lost. Italy is pinning its hopes on a 222.1-billion-euro investment and reform plan funded largely by the European Union. Rome is the biggest recipient of the bloc's 750-billion-euro post-pandemic recovery fund. In parliament on Monday, Draghi will formally present the programme he hopes will boost growth by 3.6 percentage points by 2026, ahead of a Friday deadline to submit the package to Brussels. The government said Sunday the plan was a "historic intervention" that would repair the damage caused by the pandemic and address "the structural weaknesses" of the economy, while putting it on a greener footing. Priorities include infrastructure, notably high-speed railways; green energy, including hydrogen power projects; investment in internet services and digitalisation of public administration. There will be money to help women and young people, who have disproportionately lost out during the pandemic, while around 40 percent will be targeted at historically under-performing southern Italy. Draghi, a former European Central Bank chief, has also highlighted the importance of tax reform and speeding up the snail-paced justice system. Disputes over the spending plan brought down the previous prime minister and his coalition, after which Draghi was parachuted in to lead a national unity government in February. His broad support in parliament "gives him significant room for manoeuvre to deliver the necessary reforms", noted Natixis economist Jesus Castillo.

'Finally!' Italy reopens as parliament debates recovery plan

US taxi and limousine services are seeing a boom in business from customers seeking to enter Canada by land to avoid a restriction on international travel that applies only to air traffic.

While both Canadian land and air travellers are required to take a test within three days of departure, and again on arrival, only those flying to Canada must spend up to three days of the country's 14-day required quarantine period in a hotel.

That has led to a surge of calls for taxi and limousine services from Canadians who fly through US&nbsp;airports in states like New York and then cross over the land border, representatives of four companies told Reuters.

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-chops-environmental-budget-a-day-after-us-climate-summit-pledge-379754/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"They call from six in the morning to 12 at night," John Arnet, general manager of 716 Limousine in Buffalo, N.Y. said.

"We`ve had so many requests for border crossings that we`re turning them down."

The company now does more business driving Canadians to their homes in Ontario than with U.S. clients.

A taxi trip across the border can cost around $200 or $250 compared with a three-day hotel stay of more than C$1,200 ($961), Canadian travel insurance broker Martin Firestone said.

With the Canada-U.S. land border mostly closed for more than a year due to the pandemic, and overall tourism down, the recent surge in business has come as a relief to some struggling taxi operators.

Boccio, general manager of Buffalo Limousines, said the Canadian clientele has helped the company bring back chauffeurs.

On Friday, Boccio said the company gave nine different rides to Canadian passengers on just one flight from Florida.

Canada has imposed tough restrictions since the start of the pandemic, including a ban on most foreigners from entering the country. Canadians can fly out of the country and return either by land or air.

But concerns are mounting due to a surge in virus variants, with the once temporary hotel quarantine now mandatory for air travelers through late May, and a ban introduced this week on direct flights from India and Pakistan.

Will the boom last?

Firestone said some of his clients who spent the winter in Florida are returning by land to avoid hotels. Some get rides; others who usually get their cars shipped are driving them north.

"Every single limousine company has got on the bandwagon," Firestone said.

Some Canadians ask to be driven home, while others take rides to the border, cross on foot and get another ride in Canada, drivers said.

Non-commercial land border crossings were 60% higher during one week at the end of March and beginning of April than in the same week in 2020, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency. Air travel for that same week, meanwhile, increased 18.8%.

The discrepancy between the rules at the land border and by air is a sore point for Canada`s hard-hit carriers. (Full Story)

Unlike land travelers who can choose where to quarantine, air passengers who test positive at a hotel must self-isolate at a government-mandated facility.

According to Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) data for Feb. 22 through March 25, 1.5% of air passengers to the country tested positive for the virus on arrival compared with 0.3% of land travellers.

The boom for U.S. taxis could soon be muted as premiers from Canada`s two most populous provinces, Quebec and Ontario, have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take further action at the land border.

Tighter requirements might help, such as a mandatory hotel stay for those entering Canada at certain land crossings, said Customs and Immigration Union president Jean-Pierre Fortin, but would be logistically challenging given the vast border.

“It would be very hard to enforce without having clear places for them to go.”

US taxi and limousine services are seeing a boom in business from customers seeking to enter Canada by land to avoid a restriction on international travel that applies only to air traffic.

US taxi and limousine services are seeing a boom in business from customers seeking to enter Canada by land to avoid a restriction on international travel that applies only to air traffic. While both Canadian land and air travellers are required to take a test within three days of departure, and again on arrival, only those flying to Canada must spend up to three days of the country's 14-day required quarantine period in a hotel. That has led to a surge of calls for taxi and limousine services from Canadians who fly through US airports in states like New York and then cross over the land border, representatives of four companies told Reuters. Watch | "They call from six in the morning to 12 at night," John Arnet, general manager of 716 Limousine in Buffalo, N.Y. said. "We`ve had so many requests for border crossings that we`re turning them down." The company now does more business driving Canadians to their homes in Ontario than with U.S. clients. A taxi trip across the border can cost around $200 or $250 compared with a three-day hotel stay of more than C$1,200 ($961), Canadian travel insurance broker Martin Firestone said. With the Canada-U.S. land border mostly closed for more than a year due to the pandemic, and overall tourism down, the recent surge in business has come as a relief to some struggling taxi operators. Boccio, general manager of Buffalo Limousines, said the Canadian clientele has helped the company bring back chauffeurs. On Friday, Boccio said the company gave nine different rides to Canadian passengers on just one flight from Florida. Canada has imposed tough restrictions since the start of the pandemic, including a ban on most foreigners from entering the country. Canadians can fly out of the country and return either by land or air. But concerns are mounting due to a surge in virus variants, with the once temporary hotel quarantine now mandatory for air travelers through late May, and a ban introduced this week on direct flights from India and Pakistan. Will the boom last? Firestone said some of his clients who spent the winter in Florida are returning by land to avoid hotels. Some get rides; others who usually get their cars shipped are driving them north. "Every single limousine company has got on the bandwagon," Firestone said. Some Canadians ask to be driven home, while others take rides to the border, cross on foot and get another ride in Canada, drivers said. Non-commercial land border crossings were 60% higher during one week at the end of March and beginning of April than in the same week in 2020, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency. Air travel for that same week, meanwhile, increased 18.8%. The discrepancy between the rules at the land border and by air is a sore point for Canada`s hard-hit carriers. (Full Story) Unlike land travelers who can choose where to quarantine, air passengers who test positive at a hotel must self-isolate at a government-mandated facility. According to Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) data for Feb. 22 through March 25, 1.5% of air passengers to the country tested positive for the virus on arrival compared with 0.3% of land travellers. The boom for U.S. taxis could soon be muted as premiers from Canada`s two most populous provinces, Quebec and Ontario, have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take further action at the land border. Tighter requirements might help, such as a mandatory hotel stay for those entering Canada at certain land crossings, said Customs and Immigration Union president Jean-Pierre Fortin, but would be logistically challenging given the vast border. “It would be very hard to enforce without having clear places for them to go.”

Canadians avoiding hotel quarantines for air travellers fuel taxi boom on US border

Kuwait and Iran restricted flights and passengers from India until further notice after the south Asian giant recorded its highest daily Covid death toll and some hospitals ran out of oxygen.

The region's busiest international air hub, the United Arab Emirates, had already announced on Thursday that it would suspend flights to and from India from Sunday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India">Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India</a>

"In view of the health situation, it has been decided to suspend direct commercial air links with India until further notice," the Kuwaiti government tweeted late Friday.

It said Kuwait residents would only be allowed to return to the emirate via third countries if they stopped over for at least 14 days.

Expatriate workers make up some 70 percent of Kuwait's population and include hundreds of thousands of Indians.

The Iranian authorities said on Saturday that they were suspending air arrivals from India and Pakistan.

"Flights to and from the two countries of India and Pakistan will be banned" from midnight, aviation authority spokesman Mohammad Hassan Zibakhsh said, quoted by state news agency IRNA.

"There are no scheduled flights between Iran and India. Nevertheless, accepting connecting passengers from the noted countries will be banned."

As the clock ticked down to the shutdown of the air corridor between India and the UAE -- one of the world's busiest -- fares soared as Indians who could afford it scrambled to escape the Covid surge.

Price comparison websites showed one-way commercial flights from Mumbai to Dubai on Friday and Saturday costing as much as 80,000 rupees ($1,000) -- around 10 times the usual rate.

No tickets were on offer from Sunday when the 10-day flight suspension comes into force.

The UAE is home to roughly 3.3 million Indians who make up a third of the population -- most of them in Dubai.

Beyond the Gulf, Canada suspended flights from both India and Pakistan for 30 days, while the US State Department urged Americans to avoid travel to India, even if they are vaccinated.

Concern has focussed on one new strain of the virus in particular that has spread rapidly in India and has already been detected in Europe.

Iran said later that it was also suspending flights and passengers from India over the health crisis.

Kuwait and Iran restricted flights and passengers from India until further notice after the south Asian giant recorded its highest daily Covid death toll and some hospitals ran out of oxygen.

Kuwait and Iran restricted flights and passengers from India until further notice after the south Asian giant recorded its highest daily Covid death toll and some hospitals ran out of oxygen. The region's busiest international air hub, the United Arab Emirates, had already announced on Thursday that it would suspend flights to and from India from Sunday. Also read: Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India "In view of the health situation, it has been decided to suspend direct commercial air links with India until further notice," the Kuwaiti government tweeted late Friday. It said Kuwait residents would only be allowed to return to the emirate via third countries if they stopped over for at least 14 days. Expatriate workers make up some 70 percent of Kuwait's population and include hundreds of thousands of Indians. The Iranian authorities said on Saturday that they were suspending air arrivals from India and Pakistan. "Flights to and from the two countries of India and Pakistan will be banned" from midnight, aviation authority spokesman Mohammad Hassan Zibakhsh said, quoted by state news agency IRNA. "There are no scheduled flights between Iran and India. Nevertheless, accepting connecting passengers from the noted countries will be banned." As the clock ticked down to the shutdown of the air corridor between India and the UAE -- one of the world's busiest -- fares soared as Indians who could afford it scrambled to escape the Covid surge. Price comparison websites showed one-way commercial flights from Mumbai to Dubai on Friday and Saturday costing as much as 80,000 rupees ($1,000) -- around 10 times the usual rate. No tickets were on offer from Sunday when the 10-day flight suspension comes into force. The UAE is home to roughly 3.3 million Indians who make up a third of the population -- most of them in Dubai. Beyond the Gulf, Canada suspended flights from both India and Pakistan for 30 days, while the US State Department urged Americans to avoid travel to India, even if they are vaccinated. Concern has focussed on one new strain of the virus in particular that has spread rapidly in India and has already been detected in Europe. Iran said later that it was also suspending flights and passengers from India over the health crisis.

Kuwait, Iran restrict India flights over Covid

A new study explored the significant benefits of later school start times for middle and high school students` sleep schedules. 
 
The findings of the study were published in the journal `Sleep`. Sleep is essential to a student`s overall health, social development, and academic achievement, yet lack of sleep is common among children and adolescents. Biological changes to sleep cycles during puberty make falling asleep early difficult for adolescents. This, coupled with early school start times, means that students often end up with insufficient sleep. 
 
Approximately 28,000 elementary, middle, and high school students and parents completed surveys annually, before changes to school start times and for two years afterward. Participating elementary schools started 60 minutes earlier, middle, 40-60 minutes later, and high school started 70 minutes later.Student and parent surveys separately asked about students` typical bedtime and wake time on both weekdays and weekends. The surveys also asked respondents to report on students` quality of sleep and their experience of daytime sleepiness. 
 
Researchers found that the greatest improvements in these measures occurred for high school students, who obtained an extra 3.8 hours of sleep per week after the later start time was implemented. 
 
More than one in ten high school students reported improved sleep quality and one in five reported less daytime sleepiness. The average "weekend oversleep," or additional sleep on weekends, amongst high schoolers dropped from just over two hours to 1.2 hours, suggesting that with enough weekday sleep, students are no longer clinically sleep deprived and no longer feel compelled to "catch up" on weekends. 
 
Likewise, middle school students obtained 2.4 additional hours of sleep per week with a later school start time. Researchers saw a 12 per cent decrease in middle schoolers reporting daytime sleepiness. The percent of elementary school students reporting sufficient sleep duration, poor sleep quality, or daytime sleepiness did not change over the course of the study. 
 
The benefits of later start times were similar across racial and socioeconomic groups, but survey results indicated differences in weekday bedtimes. The authors encourage steps to be taken to "identify and ameliorate systemic factors that contribute to these differences," recommending education programs developed in partnership with families to ensure that guidance for adjusting bedtimes and increasing sleep opportunities are sensitive to sociocultural and environmental factors. 
 
Previous studies have not concurrently considered the impact of changing start times on sleep for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, a key factor in policy outcomes due to the need for school districts to stagger start times to accommodate transportation schedules. 
 
"This study is remarkable due to the large sample size, the inclusion of elementary and middle school students, the two-year follow-up, and both student and parent report. It also provides the strongest evidence to date that moving elementary school start times to 8:00 am caused no significant negative effect on student sleep or daytime sleepiness. As students return to in-person learning, it is important for districts to consider healthy start times for all students," the authors concluded.

A new study explored the significant benefits of later school start times for middle and high school students` sleep schedules. The findings of the study were published in the journal `Sleep`.

A new study explored the significant benefits of later school start times for middle and high school students` sleep schedules. The findings of the study were published in the journal `Sleep`. Sleep is essential to a student`s overall health, social development, and academic achievement, yet lack of sleep is common among children and adolescents. Biological changes to sleep cycles during puberty make falling asleep early difficult for adolescents. This, coupled with early school start times, means that students often end up with insufficient sleep. Approximately 28,000 elementary, middle, and high school students and parents completed surveys annually, before changes to school start times and for two years afterward. Participating elementary schools started 60 minutes earlier, middle, 40-60 minutes later, and high school started 70 minutes later.Student and parent surveys separately asked about students` typical bedtime and wake time on both weekdays and weekends. The surveys also asked respondents to report on students` quality of sleep and their experience of daytime sleepiness. Researchers found that the greatest improvements in these measures occurred for high school students, who obtained an extra 3.8 hours of sleep per week after the later start time was implemented. More than one in ten high school students reported improved sleep quality and one in five reported less daytime sleepiness. The average "weekend oversleep," or additional sleep on weekends, amongst high schoolers dropped from just over two hours to 1.2 hours, suggesting that with enough weekday sleep, students are no longer clinically sleep deprived and no longer feel compelled to "catch up" on weekends. Likewise, middle school students obtained 2.4 additional hours of sleep per week with a later school start time. Researchers saw a 12 per cent decrease in middle schoolers reporting daytime sleepiness. The percent of elementary school students reporting sufficient sleep duration, poor sleep quality, or daytime sleepiness did not change over the course of the study. The benefits of later start times were similar across racial and socioeconomic groups, but survey results indicated differences in weekday bedtimes. The authors encourage steps to be taken to "identify and ameliorate systemic factors that contribute to these differences," recommending education programs developed in partnership with families to ensure that guidance for adjusting bedtimes and increasing sleep opportunities are sensitive to sociocultural and environmental factors. Previous studies have not concurrently considered the impact of changing start times on sleep for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, a key factor in policy outcomes due to the need for school districts to stagger start times to accommodate transportation schedules. "This study is remarkable due to the large sample size, the inclusion of elementary and middle school students, the two-year follow-up, and both student and parent report. It also provides the strongest evidence to date that moving elementary school start times to 8:00 am caused no significant negative effect on student sleep or daytime sleepiness. As students return to in-person learning, it is important for districts to consider healthy start times for all students," the authors concluded.

Delay in school start times let students get adequate sleep: Study

Meet Jorge Goliat, a heavy drinking and smoking Cuban "healer" who performs surgery with a machete and tells his patients that drinking enough rum will ward off the coronavirus. Though it might sound unorthodox, but Goliat's methods have proven popular with Cubans seeking alternatives to traditional medicine.

Cuban "healer" performs surgeries in Havana with a machete

The holy month of Ramadan commences today with a spiritual zeal spread across the whole nation. Though it`s the time of giving and staying humble in prayer, sometimes fasting during the holy month can take a toll on one`s body. 
 
One may struggle during the initial phase of fasting before the body gets used to the daily routine. With all the changes to the eating and sleeping habits combined with the searing outdoor heat, staying fit during Ramadan in summer can prove to be a task, and even harder for those who adhere to the month-long fast. 
 
Some people might engage in planning way ahead in order to stay healthy and hassle-free during this holy fast. One doesn`t have to choose between their physical health and spiritual health, you can take care of both with a few mindful changes in your routine. So, for those who could really make use of some tricks to survive the fasting phase, here are some useful hacks to not feel drained this Ramadan: 
 
Don`t ever skip suhoor 
 
Similar to breakfast in our daily routine, suhoor, which is a pre-dawn meal during Ramadan is the most vital part of the day. If one will be fasting till the sunset, they need the energy to carry them through the day. Energizing yourself with a wholesome suhoor would not only get you ready for the day but will also make sure that your energy levels don`t fall. Hence, no matter how tired or sleep-deprived you are, it is vital that you set up your alarm at least 40-50 minutes before Fajr to enable yourself to wake up on time, prepare the meal, freshen up and enjoy it in utmost peace. 
 
A power nap goes a long way 
 
Overall wellness of the body is built on the foundations of sufficient sleep. Hence, one of the key factors of staying fit during fasting is catching up on that lost sleep with a 20-minute power nap during the day. It is also important to note that these short naps should not be confused with long sleep because that makes the body more lethargic, which would in turn prevent you from staying productive throughout the day. 
 
Stay hydrated and avoid the sun 
 
One of the most crucial parts of fasting during Ramadan is to avoid dehydration while you fast. Gulp down as much fluid as possible during suhoor as well as iftar. You can make it more interesting with fresh juices, smoothies, protein shakes, and other similar drinks. Coffee, tea, or sugar-loaded aerated drinks should be avoided as they might actually lead to increased thirst and ultimately dehydration. To stay in shape during fast, it is also advisable to stay out of direct sunlight and spend most of the day in cool places while avoiding strenuous exercise. 
 
Avoid overeating during iftar 
 
After a whole day of total deprivation, there is bound to be a strong temptation to overindulge at iftar, which may lead to lethargy, stomach cramps, and digestive disorders. Mindful eating is not just about watching what you eat but about watching how much you eat. A simple hack to avoid hunger pangs is to consume foods that take longer to digest during iftar. This helps the body to go on for longer hours. During Ramadan, it is also important to avoid empty calories and junk food and to ensure that each meal includes healthy portions of protein and dairy products. 
 
Engage in chores or take up a course 
 
Though it is important to consume energy while fasting, that doesn`t mean you can`t work around a little. Our body has a need to maintain its energy levels and resting all day with no work can bring down those levels. Doing your daily household chores will maintain those levels while not taking a toll on the body. If there is nothing to do, then you can participate in a course of your choice or take up a new hobby. This will not just divert the mind off fasting but will also help in gaining a chunk of intellectual experience. 
 
These were some useful hacks that can be easily integrated into your daily routine while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. This year, Ramadan begins on April 13 and ends on May 12. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad`s first revelation.&nbsp;

The holy month of Ramadan commences today with a spiritual zeal spread across the whole nation. Though it`s the time of giving and staying humble in prayer, sometimes fasting during the holy month can take a toll on one`s body.

The holy month of Ramadan commences today with a spiritual zeal spread across the whole nation. Though it`s the time of giving and staying humble in prayer, sometimes fasting during the holy month can take a toll on one`s body. One may struggle during the initial phase of fasting before the body gets used to the daily routine. With all the changes to the eating and sleeping habits combined with the searing outdoor heat, staying fit during Ramadan in summer can prove to be a task, and even harder for those who adhere to the month-long fast. Some people might engage in planning way ahead in order to stay healthy and hassle-free during this holy fast. One doesn`t have to choose between their physical health and spiritual health, you can take care of both with a few mindful changes in your routine. So, for those who could really make use of some tricks to survive the fasting phase, here are some useful hacks to not feel drained this Ramadan: Don`t ever skip suhoor Similar to breakfast in our daily routine, suhoor, which is a pre-dawn meal during Ramadan is the most vital part of the day. If one will be fasting till the sunset, they need the energy to carry them through the day. Energizing yourself with a wholesome suhoor would not only get you ready for the day but will also make sure that your energy levels don`t fall. Hence, no matter how tired or sleep-deprived you are, it is vital that you set up your alarm at least 40-50 minutes before Fajr to enable yourself to wake up on time, prepare the meal, freshen up and enjoy it in utmost peace. A power nap goes a long way Overall wellness of the body is built on the foundations of sufficient sleep. Hence, one of the key factors of staying fit during fasting is catching up on that lost sleep with a 20-minute power nap during the day. It is also important to note that these short naps should not be confused with long sleep because that makes the body more lethargic, which would in turn prevent you from staying productive throughout the day. Stay hydrated and avoid the sun One of the most crucial parts of fasting during Ramadan is to avoid dehydration while you fast. Gulp down as much fluid as possible during suhoor as well as iftar. You can make it more interesting with fresh juices, smoothies, protein shakes, and other similar drinks. Coffee, tea, or sugar-loaded aerated drinks should be avoided as they might actually lead to increased thirst and ultimately dehydration. To stay in shape during fast, it is also advisable to stay out of direct sunlight and spend most of the day in cool places while avoiding strenuous exercise. Avoid overeating during iftar After a whole day of total deprivation, there is bound to be a strong temptation to overindulge at iftar, which may lead to lethargy, stomach cramps, and digestive disorders. Mindful eating is not just about watching what you eat but about watching how much you eat. A simple hack to avoid hunger pangs is to consume foods that take longer to digest during iftar. This helps the body to go on for longer hours. During Ramadan, it is also important to avoid empty calories and junk food and to ensure that each meal includes healthy portions of protein and dairy products. Engage in chores or take up a course Though it is important to consume energy while fasting, that doesn`t mean you can`t work around a little. Our body has a need to maintain its energy levels and resting all day with no work can bring down those levels. Doing your daily household chores will maintain those levels while not taking a toll on the body. If there is nothing to do, then you can participate in a course of your choice or take up a new hobby. This will not just divert the mind off fasting but will also help in gaining a chunk of intellectual experience. These were some useful hacks that can be easily integrated into your daily routine while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. This year, Ramadan begins on April 13 and ends on May 12. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad`s first revelation.

Tips to stay fit while fasting during the holy month of Ramzan

Nepal has reported 303 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,028, the health ministry said on Sunday. &nbsp;

The nation has also reported 3,040 deaths due to the contagious viral disease so far.&nbsp;

"Nepal has been witnessing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the past one week. As many as 303 new cases of the novel coronavirus infections were detected across the country in the past 24 hours," the Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement.&nbsp;

For the past couple of months Nepal had witnessed very low corona infection cases, however, the cases have gone up in the last one week.&nbsp;

The new cases were detected when 3,125 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted on Sunday.&nbsp;

With this, the country's COVID-19 case tally has jumped to 280,028 including 3,040 cases of fatality, the ministry said. &nbsp;

As of Sunday, Nepal's COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.9 per cent which is the highest among the SAARC countries.&nbsp;

There are 2,961 corona active people undergoing treatment at different isolation centres across Nepal.&nbsp;

Of the total cases so far, 274,027 people have recovered whereas 3,040 have died, the ministry said.&nbsp;

Nepal has reported 303 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,028, the health ministry said on Sunday.

Nepal has reported 303 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,028, the health ministry said on Sunday. The nation has also reported 3,040 deaths due to the contagious viral disease so far. "Nepal has been witnessing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the past one week. As many as 303 new cases of the novel coronavirus infections were detected across the country in the past 24 hours," the Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement. For the past couple of months Nepal had witnessed very low corona infection cases, however, the cases have gone up in the last one week. The new cases were detected when 3,125 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted on Sunday. With this, the country's COVID-19 case tally has jumped to 280,028 including 3,040 cases of fatality, the ministry said. As of Sunday, Nepal's COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.9 per cent which is the highest among the SAARC countries. There are 2,961 corona active people undergoing treatment at different isolation centres across Nepal. Of the total cases so far, 274,027 people have recovered whereas 3,040 have died, the ministry said.

Nepal reports 303 new cases of coronavirus: Health Ministry 

[Finland], April 11 (ANI): During a recent study, researchers at the Obesity Research Unit of the University of Helsinki found that obesity clearly reduces mitochondrial gene expression in fat tissue or adipose tissue. 
 
Mitochondria are important cellular powerplants that process all of our energy intakes. If the pathways associated with breaking down nutrients are lazy, the changes can often have health-related consequences. The study was recently published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine. 
 
A total of 49 pairs of identical twins discordant for bodyweight participated in the study conducted at the University of Helsinki: their body composition and metabolism were studied in detail, and biopsies from adipose and muscle tissue were collected. Multiple techniques for analysing the genome-wide gene expression, the proteome, and the metabolome were used in the study. 
 
According to the findings, the pathways responsible for mitochondrial metabolism in adipose tissue were greatly reduced by obesity. Since mitochondria are key to cellular energy production, their reduced function can maintain obesity. For the first time, the study also compared the effects of obesity specifically on the mitochondria in muscle tissue in these identical twin pairs: muscle mitochondria too were found to be out of tune, but the change was less distinct than in adipose tissue. 
 
The study provided strong evidence of a connection between the low performance of adipose tissue mitochondria and a proinflammatory state. Furthermore, the findings indicate that metabolic changes in adipose tissue are associated with increased accumulation of fat in the liver, prediabetic disorders of glucose and insulin metabolism as well as cholesterol."If mitochondria, the cellular powerplants, are compared to the engine of a car, you could say that the power output decreases as weight increases. 
 
A low-powered mitochondrial engine may also generate toxic exhaust fumes, which can cause a pro-inflammatory state in adipose tissue and, consequently, the onset of diseases associated with obesity," says Professor Kirsi Pietilainen from the Obesity Research Unit, University of Helsinki."What was surprising was that the mitochondrial pathways in muscle had no association with these adverse health effects," Pietilainen adds. 
 
Obesity also affected amino acid metabolism. In the study, changes in mitochondrial function were also seen in amino acid metabolism. The metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, which are essential to humans, was weakened in the mitochondria of both adipose tissue and muscle tissue."This finding was of particular significance because the reduced breakdown of these amino acids and the resulting heightened concentration in blood has also been directly linked with prediabetic changes and the accumulation of liver fat in prior twin studies," says Pietilainen. 
 
Obesity, with its numerous associated diseases, is a common phenomenon that is continuously increasing in prevalence. While lifestyle influences the onset of obesity, genes also have a significant role."Identical twins have the same genes, and their weight is usually fairly similar. In fact, studying twins is the best way to investigate the interplay between genes and lifestyle. In spite of their identical genome, the genes and even mitochondria of twins can function on different activity levels. We utilised this characteristic in our study when looking into the effects of weight on tissue function," Pietilainen says.&nbsp;

[Finland], April 11 (ANI): During a recent study, researchers at the Obesity Research Unit of the University of Helsinki found that obesity clearly reduces mitochondrial gene expression in fat tissue or adipose tissue.

[Finland], April 11 (ANI): During a recent study, researchers at the Obesity Research Unit of the University of Helsinki found that obesity clearly reduces mitochondrial gene expression in fat tissue or adipose tissue. Mitochondria are important cellular powerplants that process all of our energy intakes. If the pathways associated with breaking down nutrients are lazy, the changes can often have health-related consequences. The study was recently published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine. A total of 49 pairs of identical twins discordant for bodyweight participated in the study conducted at the University of Helsinki: their body composition and metabolism were studied in detail, and biopsies from adipose and muscle tissue were collected. Multiple techniques for analysing the genome-wide gene expression, the proteome, and the metabolome were used in the study. According to the findings, the pathways responsible for mitochondrial metabolism in adipose tissue were greatly reduced by obesity. Since mitochondria are key to cellular energy production, their reduced function can maintain obesity. For the first time, the study also compared the effects of obesity specifically on the mitochondria in muscle tissue in these identical twin pairs: muscle mitochondria too were found to be out of tune, but the change was less distinct than in adipose tissue. The study provided strong evidence of a connection between the low performance of adipose tissue mitochondria and a proinflammatory state. Furthermore, the findings indicate that metabolic changes in adipose tissue are associated with increased accumulation of fat in the liver, prediabetic disorders of glucose and insulin metabolism as well as cholesterol."If mitochondria, the cellular powerplants, are compared to the engine of a car, you could say that the power output decreases as weight increases. A low-powered mitochondrial engine may also generate toxic exhaust fumes, which can cause a pro-inflammatory state in adipose tissue and, consequently, the onset of diseases associated with obesity," says Professor Kirsi Pietilainen from the Obesity Research Unit, University of Helsinki."What was surprising was that the mitochondrial pathways in muscle had no association with these adverse health effects," Pietilainen adds. Obesity also affected amino acid metabolism. In the study, changes in mitochondrial function were also seen in amino acid metabolism. The metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, which are essential to humans, was weakened in the mitochondria of both adipose tissue and muscle tissue."This finding was of particular significance because the reduced breakdown of these amino acids and the resulting heightened concentration in blood has also been directly linked with prediabetic changes and the accumulation of liver fat in prior twin studies," says Pietilainen. Obesity, with its numerous associated diseases, is a common phenomenon that is continuously increasing in prevalence. While lifestyle influences the onset of obesity, genes also have a significant role."Identical twins have the same genes, and their weight is usually fairly similar. In fact, studying twins is the best way to investigate the interplay between genes and lifestyle. In spite of their identical genome, the genes and even mitochondria of twins can function on different activity levels. We utilised this characteristic in our study when looking into the effects of weight on tissue function," Pietilainen says.

Obesity reduces mitochondrial gene expression in fat tissue

Known to speak her mind on various issues, model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen has said that she no longer gives into the pressure of dieting.&nbsp; 
 
The 35-year-old opened up about the societal norms that have become popular. Teigen also talked about the idea that dieting is always good for one`s health. 
 
The mother of two told People magazine that the "ups and downs" of "dieting and diet culture" have all but turned her off. Teigen features on the cover this month's edition of the magazine. 
 
"I`ve thrown all of that out of the window. I think now at this point in my life it`s more important for me to enjoy things as they come."

Teigen also shared that these days, she`s only pushing forward on what`s "going to make (her) happy" and much of her happiness has to do with indulging on flavourful food. 
 
"I eat things when I want them. Because if I don`t, my mind personally goes crazy. I kind of put my mind over body a little bit, mind and spirit over body. If it`s going to make me happy and make me feel good, then I indulge in it," said Teigen. 
 
The `Chrissy`s Court` host went on to say that she`s already "lived a whole life" and moving forward, she wants to do away with the calorie-counting and enjoy herself as a mother, wife, provider and rock for the children.&nbsp; 
 
Teigen shares four-year-old daughter Luna and two-year-old son Miles with husband Grammy winner John Legend. 
 
Talking about how she has maintained her perfectly toned body for a long time, she said, "I`ve spent way too many years counting calories, scheduling way too many workouts and trying to figure out what my term for wellness was for myself. I`ve been trying to figure that out for so so long." 
 
"Now I know that it`s on the ground playing with my kids, getting out there, going to a park, going to an aquarium, being able to drive around with my kids in the car. That is activity for me and I enjoy doing things like that," added the supermodel.&nbsp;

Known to speak her mind on various issues, model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen has said that she no longer gives into the pressure of dieting. The 35-year-old opened up about the societal norms that have become popular.

Known to speak her mind on various issues, model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen has said that she no longer gives into the pressure of dieting. The 35-year-old opened up about the societal norms that have become popular. Teigen also talked about the idea that dieting is always good for one`s health. The mother of two told People magazine that the "ups and downs" of "dieting and diet culture" have all but turned her off. Teigen features on the cover this month's edition of the magazine. "I`ve thrown all of that out of the window. I think now at this point in my life it`s more important for me to enjoy things as they come." Teigen also shared that these days, she`s only pushing forward on what`s "going to make (her) happy" and much of her happiness has to do with indulging on flavourful food. "I eat things when I want them. Because if I don`t, my mind personally goes crazy. I kind of put my mind over body a little bit, mind and spirit over body. If it`s going to make me happy and make me feel good, then I indulge in it," said Teigen. The `Chrissy`s Court` host went on to say that she`s already "lived a whole life" and moving forward, she wants to do away with the calorie-counting and enjoy herself as a mother, wife, provider and rock for the children. Teigen shares four-year-old daughter Luna and two-year-old son Miles with husband Grammy winner John Legend. Talking about how she has maintained her perfectly toned body for a long time, she said, "I`ve spent way too many years counting calories, scheduling way too many workouts and trying to figure out what my term for wellness was for myself. I`ve been trying to figure that out for so so long." "Now I know that it`s on the ground playing with my kids, getting out there, going to a park, going to an aquarium, being able to drive around with my kids in the car. That is activity for me and I enjoy doing things like that," added the supermodel.

Chrissy Teigen says she is done with dieting: I eat things when I want them

Love to binge on potato chips, bread, bakery products and chocolate? Then beware, as a new rodent-based study revealed that eating processed foods can cause leaky gut syndrome, which in turn increases the risk of kidney disease. 
 
The study, led by researchers at Monash University in Australia, showed that heat-treated or processed foods are rich in harmful chemical compounds called Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). These chemicals give the browned, roasted, fried, grilled and baked foods their flavour and aroma. 
 
The AGEs trigger a process called the Maillard reaction and switch on the body`s danger signals leading to an inflammatory response and chronic kidney disease. 
 
However, eating foods that contain high resistant starch fibre such as oats, cooked and cooled rice, barley, bean and legumes such as black beans and peas, raw potato starch (as a supplement), cooked and cooled potatoes, can help restore gut health and improve kidney health, revealed the study published in the journal Science Advances. 
 
"These foods are important as they get down into your lower gut and basically serve as food for your gut bacteria. The gut bacteria ferment these food-producing metabolites that are anti-inflammatory," said lead author Melinda Coughlan, Associate Professor at Monash Central Clinical School`s Department of Diabetes. 
 
Globally, 10 per cent people are affected with chronic kidney disease. Consumption of processed food is also associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and gastrointestinal diseases. 
 
"Dietary change, as with most behaviour change, can be difficult to maintain long term, but by adding more foods high in resistant starch fibre and steaming and stewing cooking practices we can help dampen the harmful effects," Coughlan said. 
 
 
&nbsp;

Love to binge on potato chips, bread, bakery products and chocolate? Then beware, as a new rodent-based study revealed that eating processed foods can cause leaky gut syndrome, which in turn increases the risk of kidney disease.

Love to binge on potato chips, bread, bakery products and chocolate? Then beware, as a new rodent-based study revealed that eating processed foods can cause leaky gut syndrome, which in turn increases the risk of kidney disease. The study, led by researchers at Monash University in Australia, showed that heat-treated or processed foods are rich in harmful chemical compounds called Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). These chemicals give the browned, roasted, fried, grilled and baked foods their flavour and aroma. The AGEs trigger a process called the Maillard reaction and switch on the body`s danger signals leading to an inflammatory response and chronic kidney disease. However, eating foods that contain high resistant starch fibre such as oats, cooked and cooled rice, barley, bean and legumes such as black beans and peas, raw potato starch (as a supplement), cooked and cooled potatoes, can help restore gut health and improve kidney health, revealed the study published in the journal Science Advances. "These foods are important as they get down into your lower gut and basically serve as food for your gut bacteria. The gut bacteria ferment these food-producing metabolites that are anti-inflammatory," said lead author Melinda Coughlan, Associate Professor at Monash Central Clinical School`s Department of Diabetes. Globally, 10 per cent people are affected with chronic kidney disease. Consumption of processed food is also associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and gastrointestinal diseases. "Dietary change, as with most behaviour change, can be difficult to maintain long term, but by adding more foods high in resistant starch fibre and steaming and stewing cooking practices we can help dampen the harmful effects," Coughlan said.

Why eating potato chips, chocolates may harm your kidneys

New Zealand has passed a legislation giving working mothers and their partners the right to paid leave after suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. The bill, which also includes people who were planning to have a child through surrogacy, was unanimously passed in parliament on March 24.

Ginny Andersen, member of parliament for Hutt South, introduced this bill after hearing the ordeal of a woman who had suffered a miscarriage but was unable to access bereavement leaves.

"The woman felt it's unfair and approached a local member of parliament after which the idea came to me and I drafted the bill. When I spoke over it, many people supported it. There was a need here," Andersen told WION.&nbsp;

Drawn through a lottery system in the parliament in 2018, this bill has garnered enormous positive response locally and internationally. With this, New Zealand has become the second country in the world to have such law, after India.&nbsp;

In India, women are entitled to six weeks of paid leave in case of miscarriage under the Maternity Benefit Act 1961. Moreover, there is no prescribed time period after which it is provided, and excludes the partners of the mourning mothers.&nbsp;

Talking about the importance of this bill, Andersen in the Parliament had said that one in four New Zealand women have had a miscarriage. She told WION that this will help in destigmatising miscarriages.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"In New Zealand, women don't talk about their pregnancy till the third month, as there are high chances of miscarriage in those initial days. It is just like an unspoken rule amongst women. So, I think this bill might bring some change, enable women to talk about it and break these taboos," the Hutt South MP said.

The leave provisions apply to mothers, their partners as well as parents planning to have a child through adoption or surrogacy, but excludes abortions.

On whether&nbsp;abortion was considered to be included, Andersen said, "This issue had come up. New Zealand has removed abortion from the crime list and there is a huge debate about it. I was quite clear to not steer my bill into that hot debate. There was a clear need for women and their partners to have bereavement leave for miscarriage, and I was focused to deliver that."

However, she stated that if any other MP would like to take a member vote on including abortion under the bill, then it would be a great idea.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

New Zealand has passed a legislation giving working mothers and their partners the right to paid leave after suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. The bill, which also includes people who were planning to have a child through surrogacy, was unanimously passed in parliament on March 24.

New Zealand has passed a legislation giving working mothers and their partners the right to paid leave after suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. The bill, which also includes people who were planning to have a child through surrogacy, was unanimously passed in parliament on March 24. Ginny Andersen, member of parliament for Hutt South, introduced this bill after hearing the ordeal of a woman who had suffered a miscarriage but was unable to access bereavement leaves. "The woman felt it's unfair and approached a local member of parliament after which the idea came to me and I drafted the bill. When I spoke over it, many people supported it. There was a need here," Andersen told WION. Drawn through a lottery system in the parliament in 2018, this bill has garnered enormous positive response locally and internationally. With this, New Zealand has become the second country in the world to have such law, after India. In India, women are entitled to six weeks of paid leave in case of miscarriage under the Maternity Benefit Act 1961. Moreover, there is no prescribed time period after which it is provided, and excludes the partners of the mourning mothers. Talking about the importance of this bill, Andersen in the Parliament had said that one in four New Zealand women have had a miscarriage. She told WION that this will help in destigmatising miscarriages. "In New Zealand, women don't talk about their pregnancy till the third month, as there are high chances of miscarriage in those initial days. It is just like an unspoken rule amongst women. So, I think this bill might bring some change, enable women to talk about it and break these taboos," the Hutt South MP said. The leave provisions apply to mothers, their partners as well as parents planning to have a child through adoption or surrogacy, but excludes abortions. On whether abortion was considered to be included, Andersen said, "This issue had come up. New Zealand has removed abortion from the crime list and there is a huge debate about it. I was quite clear to not steer my bill into that hot debate. There was a clear need for women and their partners to have bereavement leave for miscarriage, and I was focused to deliver that." However, she stated that if any other MP would like to take a member vote on including abortion under the bill, then it would be a great idea.

Hope it breaks taboo, says New Zealand lawmaker behind miscarriage bereavement leave law

The findings of a new study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggest that women who suffer from vision, hearing, or dual sensory loss are more than twice as likely to report depression and anxiety compared to men who experience the same issues.

The research, which has been published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, looked at survey data from more than 23,000 adults, where participants had self-reported whether they had suffered depression or anxiety, and also whether they experienced a vision, hearing, or dual (both vision and hearing) sensory impairment. 
&nbsp;

Across the whole sample, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was between 2 and 2.56 higher in women compared to men.

Women with dual sensory impairment were almost three and a half times more likely to report depression or anxiety than those who did not have any impairments, while men with dual sensory impairment were more than two and a half times more likely to experience depression, and almost twice as likely to report anxiety than those with no impairment.

Lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at ARU said: "Our study found that while sensory loss, particularly both vision and hearing loss, results in a higher number of the population reporting depression and anxiety, the association is particularly strong in women."This highlights the importance of interventions to address vision and hearing loss, especially in women. Some sensory loss is preventable or treatable, and clearly, these issues are taking their toll not just on physical health, but mental health too."&nbsp;

The findings of a new study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggest that women who suffer from vision, hearing, or dual sensory loss are more than twice as likely to report depression and anxiety compared to men who experience the same issues.

The findings of a new study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggest that women who suffer from vision, hearing, or dual sensory loss are more than twice as likely to report depression and anxiety compared to men who experience the same issues. The research, which has been published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, looked at survey data from more than 23,000 adults, where participants had self-reported whether they had suffered depression or anxiety, and also whether they experienced a vision, hearing, or dual (both vision and hearing) sensory impairment. Across the whole sample, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was between 2 and 2.56 higher in women compared to men. Women with dual sensory impairment were almost three and a half times more likely to report depression or anxiety than those who did not have any impairments, while men with dual sensory impairment were more than two and a half times more likely to experience depression, and almost twice as likely to report anxiety than those with no impairment. Lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at ARU said: "Our study found that while sensory loss, particularly both vision and hearing loss, results in a higher number of the population reporting depression and anxiety, the association is particularly strong in women."This highlights the importance of interventions to address vision and hearing loss, especially in women. Some sensory loss is preventable or treatable, and clearly, these issues are taking their toll not just on physical health, but mental health too."

Sensory loss in women twice as likely to lead to depression

Actress Vaani Kapoor said that she wants to build something of her own in the health and nutrition space in future. 
 
"Holistic lifestyle has been a part and parcel of my life even before I made my debut in Bollywood. I have always wanted to lead a healthy lifestyle and working out and eating right was always a top priority for me. I want to build something of my own in the health and nutrition space in the coming years and I have been researching the same for years now," Vaani said. 
 
"I want to actively promote and raise awareness about how important health is among the citizens of my country. Being healthy should be a top priority for us all, at all times. It really doesn`t take much to ensure that we are eating right and living right and I want to engage with people on the same," she said. 
 
Vaani said she has many great ideas and will be working round the clock to envision the feasibility of these ideas. 
 
"I have many exciting ideas on this but it`s too premature for me to speak openly about it. As of now, I`m concentrating on being the best version of myself every single day and to showcase that to the people so that when I decide to start on my health journey, they will be convinced about it," she said. 
 
"I have to walk the talk and set examples for people to believe in my vision and I want to do just that for now," said the actress, who has three back-to-back releases lined up over the next few months -- 'Bellbottom', 'Shamshera', and 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui'.

Actress Vaani Kapoor said that she wants to build something of her own in the health and nutrition space in future. "Holistic lifestyle has been a part and parcel of my life even before I made my debut in Bollywood.

Actress Vaani Kapoor said that she wants to build something of her own in the health and nutrition space in future. "Holistic lifestyle has been a part and parcel of my life even before I made my debut in Bollywood. I have always wanted to lead a healthy lifestyle and working out and eating right was always a top priority for me. I want to build something of my own in the health and nutrition space in the coming years and I have been researching the same for years now," Vaani said. "I want to actively promote and raise awareness about how important health is among the citizens of my country. Being healthy should be a top priority for us all, at all times. It really doesn`t take much to ensure that we are eating right and living right and I want to engage with people on the same," she said. Vaani said she has many great ideas and will be working round the clock to envision the feasibility of these ideas. "I have many exciting ideas on this but it`s too premature for me to speak openly about it. As of now, I`m concentrating on being the best version of myself every single day and to showcase that to the people so that when I decide to start on my health journey, they will be convinced about it," she said. "I have to walk the talk and set examples for people to believe in my vision and I want to do just that for now," said the actress, who has three back-to-back releases lined up over the next few months -- 'Bellbottom', 'Shamshera', and 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui'.

Vaani Kapoor: Want to build something in health and nutrition space

A pain in the neck happens to be the fourth leading cause of disability globally, lagging behind ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. Neck pain can interfere with daily life, including the ability to feel productive, sleep, and enjoy time with family. It is a common occurrence among the working population usually engaged in tech jobs or desk jobs. 
 
 
Srikanth H.S, Sr. Naturopath, Jindal Naturecure Institute, points out that there are several factors that can result in neck pain like stress, poor posture, obesity, muscle inflammation, arthritis, and injuries. 
 
"The best way to deal with neck pain is to minimise it in the first place. Naturopathy offers safe and effective alternatives to deal with neck pain without falling prey to the side-effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Blending in the goodness of natural therapies like yoga, massage, herbs, and acupuncture, along with lifestyle modifications, naturopathy can bring huge relief from neck pain," he says. 
 
Risks of Neck Pain 
 
The expert says:"The common causes of neck pain are muscle strain and nerve compression. However, the symptoms alone cannot indicate which one of these is occurring. Muscle strain usually results from poor posture, repeated lifting, sleep, stress, or anxiety. Nerve compression can occur when a disc in the spine slips out of its position and pinches or presses the nerves, or when the tissues in the neck get inflamed or swollen causing the nerves in the area to get squeezed. Whatever the cause, ongoing chronic neck pain shouldn`t be neglected as it can lead to a lifetime of disability or even permanent damage." 
 
He suggests naturopathy ways to treat neck pain: 
 
Yoga 
 
The ancient art of yoga has been demonstrated to help people with chronic pain including neck pain. Studies have shown that yoga asanas help to reduce pain perception, improves mobility, and decrease inflammation. Even 15 to 20 minutes of yoga exercises a day can relax the body, stretch the muscles, increase blood circulation, and minimise the chances of neck pain. Some of the common yoga asanas which can be practiced for neck pain are Marjariasana (Cat Pose), Bitilasana (Cow Pose), Balasana (Child`s Pose), Natarajasana (Reclining Twist Pose), Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall Pose), and Savasana (Corpse Pose). 
 
Massage 
 
Several studies have pointed out that massage therapy can offer relief from neck pain and improve range of motion when performed by qualified professionals. Massage therapy usually involves the use of the hands to manipulate soft tissues, like the tendons and muscles, increase blood circulation, and reduce muscle tension. It helps to ease up the sore, numb and stiff muscles in the spinal area and neck region. 
 
Herbs 
 
Herbal treatments have been used for ages to treat pains of different sorts. Herbal remedies can be sipped like tea, infused in the bathwater, used as an oil, or inhaled as aromatherapy. Devil`s Claw is a popular herb that can substantially reduce neck pain and even improve physical functioning in osteoarthritis patients. Other than that, Lavender, Kudzu, and St. John`s Wort are some of the most popular herbs that help relieve neck pain and lower back pain. For maximum effects, these herbs should be taken under the guidance of expert professionals. 
 
Acupuncture 
 
Acupuncture is a thousand of years old technique that involves pricks in the skin with needles at specific points on the body. The frequency and duration of acupuncture sessions may depend on how long the neck pain has already lasted, and also severity of the symptoms. Some studies have revealed that acupuncture can stimulate biochemical changes both locally (where the needles are placed) and in the central nervous system. These biochemical changes may help to bring pain relief and other beneficial effects in some cases. 
 
Lifestyle Modifications 
 
Lifestyle modifications play a significant role in the management of neck aches and stiffness. Practicing good posture while at work or home should be a key priority for those suffering from neck pain. Getting good sleep and maintaining the spine in a comfortable position throughout the night, regular neck exercises, and taking breaks in between work and stretching are some of the ways to reduce strain on the neck and keep it relaxed. 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

A pain in the neck happens to be the fourth leading cause of disability globally, lagging behind ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection.

A pain in the neck happens to be the fourth leading cause of disability globally, lagging behind ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. Neck pain can interfere with daily life, including the ability to feel productive, sleep, and enjoy time with family. It is a common occurrence among the working population usually engaged in tech jobs or desk jobs. Srikanth H.S, Sr. Naturopath, Jindal Naturecure Institute, points out that there are several factors that can result in neck pain like stress, poor posture, obesity, muscle inflammation, arthritis, and injuries. "The best way to deal with neck pain is to minimise it in the first place. Naturopathy offers safe and effective alternatives to deal with neck pain without falling prey to the side-effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Blending in the goodness of natural therapies like yoga, massage, herbs, and acupuncture, along with lifestyle modifications, naturopathy can bring huge relief from neck pain," he says. Risks of Neck Pain The expert says:"The common causes of neck pain are muscle strain and nerve compression. However, the symptoms alone cannot indicate which one of these is occurring. Muscle strain usually results from poor posture, repeated lifting, sleep, stress, or anxiety. Nerve compression can occur when a disc in the spine slips out of its position and pinches or presses the nerves, or when the tissues in the neck get inflamed or swollen causing the nerves in the area to get squeezed. Whatever the cause, ongoing chronic neck pain shouldn`t be neglected as it can lead to a lifetime of disability or even permanent damage." He suggests naturopathy ways to treat neck pain: Yoga The ancient art of yoga has been demonstrated to help people with chronic pain including neck pain. Studies have shown that yoga asanas help to reduce pain perception, improves mobility, and decrease inflammation. Even 15 to 20 minutes of yoga exercises a day can relax the body, stretch the muscles, increase blood circulation, and minimise the chances of neck pain. Some of the common yoga asanas which can be practiced for neck pain are Marjariasana (Cat Pose), Bitilasana (Cow Pose), Balasana (Child`s Pose), Natarajasana (Reclining Twist Pose), Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall Pose), and Savasana (Corpse Pose). Massage Several studies have pointed out that massage therapy can offer relief from neck pain and improve range of motion when performed by qualified professionals. Massage therapy usually involves the use of the hands to manipulate soft tissues, like the tendons and muscles, increase blood circulation, and reduce muscle tension. It helps to ease up the sore, numb and stiff muscles in the spinal area and neck region. Herbs Herbal treatments have been used for ages to treat pains of different sorts. Herbal remedies can be sipped like tea, infused in the bathwater, used as an oil, or inhaled as aromatherapy. Devil`s Claw is a popular herb that can substantially reduce neck pain and even improve physical functioning in osteoarthritis patients. Other than that, Lavender, Kudzu, and St. John`s Wort are some of the most popular herbs that help relieve neck pain and lower back pain. For maximum effects, these herbs should be taken under the guidance of expert professionals. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a thousand of years old technique that involves pricks in the skin with needles at specific points on the body. The frequency and duration of acupuncture sessions may depend on how long the neck pain has already lasted, and also severity of the symptoms. Some studies have revealed that acupuncture can stimulate biochemical changes both locally (where the needles are placed) and in the central nervous system. These biochemical changes may help to bring pain relief and other beneficial effects in some cases. Lifestyle Modifications Lifestyle modifications play a significant role in the management of neck aches and stiffness. Practicing good posture while at work or home should be a key priority for those suffering from neck pain. Getting good sleep and maintaining the spine in a comfortable position throughout the night, regular neck exercises, and taking breaks in between work and stretching are some of the ways to reduce strain on the neck and keep it relaxed.

The risks of a neck-pain and how to manage it

Kidney disease is a major health concern that many people across the globe are facing today. However, inculcating a few simple rules in your daily life can help you keep your kidneys healthy and enhance the overall efficiency of your body as well. 
 
Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital, lists down the golden rules to follow to keep your kidney healthy: 
 
Avoid Too Much Medicines &amp; Pain Killers 
 
Intake of too many medicines is one of the major reasons for kidney failure and other chronic kidney diseases. So, whenever possible, go for natural therapies and if possible, go for Ayurvedic alternatives. 
 
Keep Blood Sugar in Control 
 
Having excessive blood sugar is never good for your kidneys as to filter the same your kidneys will have work even harder. This, in the long term, can increase the chances of kidney failure. So, check your sugar levels regularly and take every necessary precaution to keep them under control. 
 
Keep Yourself Hydrated 
 
The wonders that regular water intake can do for the body are uncountable and keeping your kidneys healthy is one of them. So, ensure that you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day, as it helps in removing harmful toxins from the kidney, lowering the chances of harmful kidney-related diseases. 
 
Maintain a Healthy Weight 
 
Being overweight means increased pressure on your organs and more toxin accumulation in the body. So, ensure that you avoid the same for better functioning of your body and to lower the chances of any harmful disease. 
 
Avoid Excessive Smoking &amp; Drinking 
 
Smoking and drinking increase the burden on your kidneys by increasing the number of toxins in the body. This can cause a heavy toll in the long term, so make sure that you avoid both to make sure that your kidneys remain healthy for a long time. 
 
Keep a Check on Blood Pressure 
 
High blood pressure can cause serious problem for your kidney and in the long run, can even lead to kidney failure. If you face high blood pressure then consult your doctor immediately and get proper treatment. 
 
Eat Healthy 
 
A healthy diet helps you in keeping every organ of your body at full efficiency and energy levels elevated. For better kidney health make sure that you eat a diet that is low on sodium. Some of the best options that can go for are egg whites, blueberries, fish, whole grains, and cauliflower. 
 
Regular Exercise 
 
Working out regularly not only help your body loose toxins faster but also help in improving the overall body functioning. So, exercise at least 5 times a week and ensure that you follow this in the long-term with proper consistency. Yoga is a good option for maintaining healthy kidneys. 
 
Routine Body Check-ups 
 
Having full-body checkups on a routine basis is extremely important as it will help you in knowing about any serious problem in the early stages and eliminating the same before it becomes dangerous for your body. Make sure that you get the checkups done at least 2-3 times in a year. 
 
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Kidney disease is a major health concern that many people across the globe are facing today. However, inculcating a few simple rules in your daily life can help you keep your kidneys healthy and enhance the overall efficiency of your body as well.

Kidney disease is a major health concern that many people across the globe are facing today. However, inculcating a few simple rules in your daily life can help you keep your kidneys healthy and enhance the overall efficiency of your body as well. Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital, lists down the golden rules to follow to keep your kidney healthy: Avoid Too Much Medicines & Pain Killers Intake of too many medicines is one of the major reasons for kidney failure and other chronic kidney diseases. So, whenever possible, go for natural therapies and if possible, go for Ayurvedic alternatives. Keep Blood Sugar in Control Having excessive blood sugar is never good for your kidneys as to filter the same your kidneys will have work even harder. This, in the long term, can increase the chances of kidney failure. So, check your sugar levels regularly and take every necessary precaution to keep them under control. Keep Yourself Hydrated The wonders that regular water intake can do for the body are uncountable and keeping your kidneys healthy is one of them. So, ensure that you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day, as it helps in removing harmful toxins from the kidney, lowering the chances of harmful kidney-related diseases. Maintain a Healthy Weight Being overweight means increased pressure on your organs and more toxin accumulation in the body. So, ensure that you avoid the same for better functioning of your body and to lower the chances of any harmful disease. Avoid Excessive Smoking & Drinking Smoking and drinking increase the burden on your kidneys by increasing the number of toxins in the body. This can cause a heavy toll in the long term, so make sure that you avoid both to make sure that your kidneys remain healthy for a long time. Keep a Check on Blood Pressure High blood pressure can cause serious problem for your kidney and in the long run, can even lead to kidney failure. If you face high blood pressure then consult your doctor immediately and get proper treatment. Eat Healthy A healthy diet helps you in keeping every organ of your body at full efficiency and energy levels elevated. For better kidney health make sure that you eat a diet that is low on sodium. Some of the best options that can go for are egg whites, blueberries, fish, whole grains, and cauliflower. Regular Exercise Working out regularly not only help your body loose toxins faster but also help in improving the overall body functioning. So, exercise at least 5 times a week and ensure that you follow this in the long-term with proper consistency. Yoga is a good option for maintaining healthy kidneys. Routine Body Check-ups Having full-body checkups on a routine basis is extremely important as it will help you in knowing about any serious problem in the early stages and eliminating the same before it becomes dangerous for your body. Make sure that you get the checkups done at least 2-3 times in a year.

Tips and tricks to keep your kidneys healthy

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.&nbsp;

Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.&nbsp;

The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country.&nbsp;

Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month.&nbsp;

The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab.&nbsp;

It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft.&nbsp;

Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists.&nbsp;

Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.&nbsp;

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool. Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country. Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month. The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab. It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs. On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft. Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists. Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.

Ukraine bans Covid-19 vaccines from 'aggressor' Russia

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.&nbsp;

It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million.&nbsp;

Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems.&nbsp;

Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima.&nbsp;

Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one.&nbsp;

Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs.&nbsp;

Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people.&nbsp;

The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia.&nbsp;

Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital.&nbsp;

"Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine.&nbsp;

The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December.&nbsp;

Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses.&nbsp;

It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America. It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million. Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems. Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning. Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima. Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one. Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs. Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people. The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia. Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital. "Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year." Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine. The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December. Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses. It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine

Cancer is an unnatural growth of cells that wrecks the healthy environment of the body. The complications associated with it is not because of the disease, but due to the delayed diagnosis as the symptoms are mostly unclear at times. 
 
India has recorded a 333 per cent increase in online consultations with oncologists between January and December 2020, as per Practo`s latest insights report. Of the total online consultations, 40 per cent came from non-metro cities while 60 per cent from metro cities. Non-metros recorded a steep 932 per cent increase in the number of online consultations, while the metro cities grew by 410 per cent. 
 
The findings indicated increased awareness about the disease and improved access to cancer specialists online, especially in non-metro cities - from 5 per cent in 2018 and 20 per cent in 2019 to 40 per cent in 2020. 
 
Meanwhile, a new observation was made in 2020 - the top searched queries were different in different parts of the country. People in non-metro cities enquired more about types of cancer such as bladder, thyroid, ovaries, and anal. In metro cities, on the other hand, the majority of queries revolved around more common types of cancer (like blood, breast, cervical, and oral). 
 
On World Cancer Day marked across the globe on February 4 every year, Oncologist at Practo shares a list of commonly ignored symptoms, which could be warning signs of cancer. Cancers are painless when they start and so they get ignored by the patient and doctors alike. 
 
Anaemia: Tiredness in cancer is usually due anaemia (lack of blood) and deficiency of nutrition. The cancer drains most of nutrients from the body in its race to grow rapidly. Also there is bleeding from cancer tissue that makes one anaemic. 
 
Blood while passing stool: Very often, this is due to piles or similar causes. However, colon cancer and rectum cancer can also cause this. If a person happens to find blood in stool, it is wise to do colonoscopy to look inside of the colon. Cancer of colon can cause change in bowel habit (like alternating constipation and diarrhoea) 
 
Blood in urine: This always requires further tests. Cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder or prostate can result in blood in urine. The worst part is this bleeding can be irregular. This infrequency makes patients ignore this symptom. Even one episode of blood in urine needs through examination. 
 
Bleeding in between periods (women): Any bleeding that does not follow the usual pattern of menstrual period is a warning sign. Cancer of the uterus or cervix can cause these kinds of symptoms. Patients with cervical cancer also bleed after sexual intercourse. 
 
A patch or wound inside mouth: Oral or mouth cancers are common in India. These cancers start as a patch or wound and progress over months. If diagnosed early they can be treated effectively. 
 
Lump or swelling: Cancers of breast and limb begin as painless lumps or swellings and progress over months. Any newly appearing lumps or swellings should be thoroughly examined. 
 
Loss of weight without trying: A sudden weight loss when you are not dieting needs investigations. As cancer consumes most of the nutrition that you take, you tend to lose it. 
 
Loss of appetite and bloating food: This could be because of obstruction to bowel or because of a cancer secreting its toxic substances. Thorough examination is needed to reach a diagnosis. 
 
Lymph node enlargement: Lymph nodes are present everywhere in the body and function as filters. Most of the time they enlarge due to infections. The cancer cells also get filtered in these nodes and are trapped. They grow in these nodes and the nodes enlarge because of this growth. 
 
Trouble swallowing or vomiting after taking food are both warning signs of a cancer in the digestive tract. These need to be evaluated with endoscopic tests to identify the cause. Some patients have only persistent heartburns which are misdiagnosed as gastritis and treated only for months before correct diagnosis reveals itself. 
 
Pain is the last feature of cancer. Do not wait for it. 
 
 
&nbsp;

Cancer is an unnatural growth of cells that wrecks the healthy environment of the body. The complications associated with it is not because of the disease, but due to the delayed diagnosis as the symptoms are mostly unclear at times.

Cancer is an unnatural growth of cells that wrecks the healthy environment of the body. The complications associated with it is not because of the disease, but due to the delayed diagnosis as the symptoms are mostly unclear at times. India has recorded a 333 per cent increase in online consultations with oncologists between January and December 2020, as per Practo`s latest insights report. Of the total online consultations, 40 per cent came from non-metro cities while 60 per cent from metro cities. Non-metros recorded a steep 932 per cent increase in the number of online consultations, while the metro cities grew by 410 per cent. The findings indicated increased awareness about the disease and improved access to cancer specialists online, especially in non-metro cities - from 5 per cent in 2018 and 20 per cent in 2019 to 40 per cent in 2020. Meanwhile, a new observation was made in 2020 - the top searched queries were different in different parts of the country. People in non-metro cities enquired more about types of cancer such as bladder, thyroid, ovaries, and anal. In metro cities, on the other hand, the majority of queries revolved around more common types of cancer (like blood, breast, cervical, and oral). On World Cancer Day marked across the globe on February 4 every year, Oncologist at Practo shares a list of commonly ignored symptoms, which could be warning signs of cancer. Cancers are painless when they start and so they get ignored by the patient and doctors alike. Anaemia: Tiredness in cancer is usually due anaemia (lack of blood) and deficiency of nutrition. The cancer drains most of nutrients from the body in its race to grow rapidly. Also there is bleeding from cancer tissue that makes one anaemic. Blood while passing stool: Very often, this is due to piles or similar causes. However, colon cancer and rectum cancer can also cause this. If a person happens to find blood in stool, it is wise to do colonoscopy to look inside of the colon. Cancer of colon can cause change in bowel habit (like alternating constipation and diarrhoea) Blood in urine: This always requires further tests. Cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder or prostate can result in blood in urine. The worst part is this bleeding can be irregular. This infrequency makes patients ignore this symptom. Even one episode of blood in urine needs through examination. Bleeding in between periods (women): Any bleeding that does not follow the usual pattern of menstrual period is a warning sign. Cancer of the uterus or cervix can cause these kinds of symptoms. Patients with cervical cancer also bleed after sexual intercourse. A patch or wound inside mouth: Oral or mouth cancers are common in India. These cancers start as a patch or wound and progress over months. If diagnosed early they can be treated effectively. Lump or swelling: Cancers of breast and limb begin as painless lumps or swellings and progress over months. Any newly appearing lumps or swellings should be thoroughly examined. Loss of weight without trying: A sudden weight loss when you are not dieting needs investigations. As cancer consumes most of the nutrition that you take, you tend to lose it. Loss of appetite and bloating food: This could be because of obstruction to bowel or because of a cancer secreting its toxic substances. Thorough examination is needed to reach a diagnosis. Lymph node enlargement: Lymph nodes are present everywhere in the body and function as filters. Most of the time they enlarge due to infections. The cancer cells also get filtered in these nodes and are trapped. They grow in these nodes and the nodes enlarge because of this growth. Trouble swallowing or vomiting after taking food are both warning signs of a cancer in the digestive tract. These need to be evaluated with endoscopic tests to identify the cause. Some patients have only persistent heartburns which are misdiagnosed as gastritis and treated only for months before correct diagnosis reveals itself. Pain is the last feature of cancer. Do not wait for it.

World Cancer Day: 10 symptoms people should not ignore

&nbsp;If your teenage child has memories of a happy childhood, they are less likely to indulge in drinking or substance abuse and enjoy learning, a new study suggests. 
 
The findings, published in the journal Addiction Research and Theory, indicated that positive attitudes towards the past, present and future put adolescents at lower risk of alcohol use, binge drinking and marijuana. 
 
"Many teenagers also aren`t engaging with online learning during Covid-19 or have lower engagement levels," said researcher John Mark Froiland from Purdue University in Indiana, US. 
 
"But they are more likely to be enthusiastic learners and not use drink and drugs if teachers take time to build more positive relationships with them. They can help students see that everything they are learning is truly valuable. Parents have a role to play too," Froiland added. 
 
For the study, the team assessed 1,961 students at a high school and half (53 per cent) of the pupils included in the study were female. 
 
The researchers looked at responses from pupils where they rated how nostalgic they were of their childhood, current happiness levels in life and how much they look forward to future happiness. 
 
They also analysed marijuana and alcohol habits over the past 30 days including binge drinking, and average academic grades. They analysed motivation levels, and behaviour in lessons such as how much teenagers paid attention and listened. 
 
Statistical techniques were used by the researchers to assess the associations between all these different factors and establish the key predictors for alcohol and marijuana misuse. 
 
The researchers are calling on teachers and parents to help students develop more positive mindsets and become motivated to learn so they are less likely to binge drink or use marijuana. 
 
The aim of this study was to establish how substance misuse and behaviour towards learning are affected by students` feelings about the past, present and future. 
 
--IANS 
 
vc/bg 
&nbsp;

If your teenage child has memories of a happy childhood, they are less likely to indulge in drinking or substance abuse and enjoy learning, a new study suggests.

If your teenage child has memories of a happy childhood, they are less likely to indulge in drinking or substance abuse and enjoy learning, a new study suggests. The findings, published in the journal Addiction Research and Theory, indicated that positive attitudes towards the past, present and future put adolescents at lower risk of alcohol use, binge drinking and marijuana. "Many teenagers also aren`t engaging with online learning during Covid-19 or have lower engagement levels," said researcher John Mark Froiland from Purdue University in Indiana, US. "But they are more likely to be enthusiastic learners and not use drink and drugs if teachers take time to build more positive relationships with them. They can help students see that everything they are learning is truly valuable. Parents have a role to play too," Froiland added. For the study, the team assessed 1,961 students at a high school and half (53 per cent) of the pupils included in the study were female. The researchers looked at responses from pupils where they rated how nostalgic they were of their childhood, current happiness levels in life and how much they look forward to future happiness. They also analysed marijuana and alcohol habits over the past 30 days including binge drinking, and average academic grades. They analysed motivation levels, and behaviour in lessons such as how much teenagers paid attention and listened. Statistical techniques were used by the researchers to assess the associations between all these different factors and establish the key predictors for alcohol and marijuana misuse. The researchers are calling on teachers and parents to help students develop more positive mindsets and become motivated to learn so they are less likely to binge drink or use marijuana. The aim of this study was to establish how substance misuse and behaviour towards learning are affected by students` feelings about the past, present and future. --IANS vc/bg

Happy childhood may lower alcohol, substance abuse among teens: Study

Human muscle has an innate ability to ward off the damaging effects of chronic inflammation when exercised, a new study suggests. 
 
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, indicates that inflammation is not inherently good or bad. When the body is injured, an initial low-level inflammation response clears away debris and helps tissue rebuild. 
 
"Our engineered muscle platform is modular, meaning we can mix and match various types of cells and tissue components if we want to. But in this case, we discovered that the muscle cells were capable of taking anti-inflammatory actions all on their own," said researcher Nenad Bursac, Professor at Duke University. 
 
Among many molecules that can cause inflammation, one pro-inflammatory molecule in particular, interferon-gamma, has been associated with various types of muscle wasting and dysfunction. 
 
While previous research in humans and animals has shown that exercise can help mitigate the effects of inflammation in general, it has been difficult to distinguish what role the muscle cells themselves might play, let alone how they interact with specific offending molecules, such as interferon-gamma. 
 
To prove that muscle alone is capable of blocking interferon gamma`s destructive powers, the team turned to an engineered muscle platform that the laboratory has been developing for nearly a decade. 
 
They were first to grow to contract, functional human skeletal muscle in a Petri dish, and since then the lab has been improving its processes by, for example, adding immune cells and reservoirs of stem cells to the recipe. 
 
In the current study, the researchers took these fully functional, lab-grown muscles and inundated them with relatively high levels of interferon-gamma for seven days to mimic the effects of a long-lasting chronic inflammation. As expected, the muscle got smaller and lost much of its strength. 
 
The researchers then applied interferon-gamma again, but this time also put the muscle through a simulated exercise regime by stimulating it with a pair of electrodes. 
 
While they expected the procedure to induce some muscle growth, as shown in their previous studies, they were surprised to discover that it almost completely prevented the effects of the chronic inflammation. 
 
 
&nbsp;

Human muscle has an innate ability to ward off the damaging effects of chronic inflammation when exercised, a new study suggests. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, indicates that inflammation is not inherently good or bad.

Human muscle has an innate ability to ward off the damaging effects of chronic inflammation when exercised, a new study suggests. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, indicates that inflammation is not inherently good or bad. When the body is injured, an initial low-level inflammation response clears away debris and helps tissue rebuild. "Our engineered muscle platform is modular, meaning we can mix and match various types of cells and tissue components if we want to. But in this case, we discovered that the muscle cells were capable of taking anti-inflammatory actions all on their own," said researcher Nenad Bursac, Professor at Duke University. Among many molecules that can cause inflammation, one pro-inflammatory molecule in particular, interferon-gamma, has been associated with various types of muscle wasting and dysfunction. While previous research in humans and animals has shown that exercise can help mitigate the effects of inflammation in general, it has been difficult to distinguish what role the muscle cells themselves might play, let alone how they interact with specific offending molecules, such as interferon-gamma. To prove that muscle alone is capable of blocking interferon gamma`s destructive powers, the team turned to an engineered muscle platform that the laboratory has been developing for nearly a decade. They were first to grow to contract, functional human skeletal muscle in a Petri dish, and since then the lab has been improving its processes by, for example, adding immune cells and reservoirs of stem cells to the recipe. In the current study, the researchers took these fully functional, lab-grown muscles and inundated them with relatively high levels of interferon-gamma for seven days to mimic the effects of a long-lasting chronic inflammation. As expected, the muscle got smaller and lost much of its strength. The researchers then applied interferon-gamma again, but this time also put the muscle through a simulated exercise regime by stimulating it with a pair of electrodes. While they expected the procedure to induce some muscle growth, as shown in their previous studies, they were surprised to discover that it almost completely prevented the effects of the chronic inflammation.

Exercising muscle may ward off chronic inflammation on its own

Research led by psychology and neuroscience professor of the University of Montreal highlights that abnormally hyperactive areas in the brain may help better predict the onset of Alzheimer`s disease. In the study, the team led by Universite de Montreal psychology professor Sylvie Belleville found hyperactivation in certain brain areas in people not yet diagnosed with Alzheimer`s but who were worried about their memory and who exhibited risk factors for the disease. 
 
The findings which were published in Alzheimer`s &amp; Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment &amp; Disease Monitoring marks an important milestone in this research area, as the hyperactivation of regions susceptible to Alzheimer`s as shown by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), was observed in people with no clinical symptoms and before the onset of cognitive impairments detected with standardized tests. "This study indicates that abnormal activation in these areas may be observed many years before diagnosis," said Belleville. 
 
Alzheimer`s disease is progressive and may emerge in the brain 20 to 30 years before diagnosis. It is therefore very important to pinpoint biomarkers -- that is, physical and detectable signs of the disease -- and to better understand the initial effects on the brain. Hyperactivation could therefore represent one of the first signs of Alzheimer`s disease, according to the researchers. 
 
The team observed that, as the disease progresses, neuronal activation follows an inverse U-shape trajectory. Indeed, activation in certain areas of the brain in the early stages of Alzheimer`s may significantly increase before the neuronal loss that is caused by the disease leads to a clear decrease in inactivation."This form may characterize the underlying pathological process and help doctors determine the stage of the disease. When combined with other indicators such as blood work and cognitive tests, this type of neuroimaging investigation could help with possible earlier detection," explained Corriveau Lecavalier, the study`s first author.

For their study, the team used data from the Consortium for the Early Identification of Alzheimer`s Disease to study brain activation in groups of individuals at a high risk of developing Alzheimer`s disease who had performed a memory task while being scanned with fMRI.One group consisted of 28 individuals who were concerned about their memory but who did not show cognitive impairments on traditional clinical tests.

The other group included 26 individuals with mild cognitive impairments. The researchers found that the individuals in the first group, or those with memory complaints but who did not show objective cognitive impairments, had abnormally high levels of activation in multiple key regions of the brain affected by Alzheimer`s disease. 
&nbsp;

Individuals with mild cognitive impairments, who are considered to be at a more advanced stage of the disease, tended to show decreased activation in these brain regions.&nbsp;

Research led by psychology and neuroscience professor of the University of Montreal highlights that abnormally hyperactive areas in the brain may help better predict the onset of Alzheimer`s disease.

Research led by psychology and neuroscience professor of the University of Montreal highlights that abnormally hyperactive areas in the brain may help better predict the onset of Alzheimer`s disease. In the study, the team led by Universite de Montreal psychology professor Sylvie Belleville found hyperactivation in certain brain areas in people not yet diagnosed with Alzheimer`s but who were worried about their memory and who exhibited risk factors for the disease. The findings which were published in Alzheimer`s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring marks an important milestone in this research area, as the hyperactivation of regions susceptible to Alzheimer`s as shown by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), was observed in people with no clinical symptoms and before the onset of cognitive impairments detected with standardized tests. "This study indicates that abnormal activation in these areas may be observed many years before diagnosis," said Belleville. Alzheimer`s disease is progressive and may emerge in the brain 20 to 30 years before diagnosis. It is therefore very important to pinpoint biomarkers -- that is, physical and detectable signs of the disease -- and to better understand the initial effects on the brain. Hyperactivation could therefore represent one of the first signs of Alzheimer`s disease, according to the researchers. The team observed that, as the disease progresses, neuronal activation follows an inverse U-shape trajectory. Indeed, activation in certain areas of the brain in the early stages of Alzheimer`s may significantly increase before the neuronal loss that is caused by the disease leads to a clear decrease in inactivation."This form may characterize the underlying pathological process and help doctors determine the stage of the disease. When combined with other indicators such as blood work and cognitive tests, this type of neuroimaging investigation could help with possible earlier detection," explained Corriveau Lecavalier, the study`s first author. For their study, the team used data from the Consortium for the Early Identification of Alzheimer`s Disease to study brain activation in groups of individuals at a high risk of developing Alzheimer`s disease who had performed a memory task while being scanned with fMRI.One group consisted of 28 individuals who were concerned about their memory but who did not show cognitive impairments on traditional clinical tests. The other group included 26 individuals with mild cognitive impairments. The researchers found that the individuals in the first group, or those with memory complaints but who did not show objective cognitive impairments, had abnormally high levels of activation in multiple key regions of the brain affected by Alzheimer`s disease. Individuals with mild cognitive impairments, who are considered to be at a more advanced stage of the disease, tended to show decreased activation in these brain regions.

Strange hyperactivation in brain can be early sign of Alzheimer's

The march of time can be unkind to the human body but new research hints at a cause -- and possible solution -- for some of the ailments and decline that often come with age.

Scientists have long known that cognitive decline as we get older and specific age-related diseases including Alzheimer's are linked to inflammation, but they are still uncovering precisely why and how this is the case.

Research published in the journal Nature pinpoints the role of a messenger hormone found in much higher levels in older people and mice than their younger counterparts.

When the hormone was blocked in older mice, they were able to perform as well as more youthful rodents in tests of their memory and navigation.

The researchers found that higher levels of the hormone affected the metabolism of immune cells called macrophages, prompting them to store energy rather than consume it.

That effectively starved the cells, sending them into a damaging inflammatory hyperdrive associated with age-related cognitive decline and several age-related diseases.

The hormone, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), "is a major regulator of all types of inflammation, both good and bad, and its effect depends on the receptor that is activated," the study's senior author Katrin Andreasson told AFP.

"In this study, we identified the EP2 receptor... as the receptor that leads to energy depletion and maladaptive inflammation," added Andreasson, a professor of neurology at Stanford University.

Having isolated the role played by PGE2, Andreasson and her team then set out to see if there was a way to counteract its negative effects.

They administered to mice two experimental compounds that can block the EP2 receptor and found it reversed the metabolic problems seen in older macrophages -- restoring their more youthful behaviour and preventing destructive inflammatory activity.

They found similar effects in mice that were genetically modified with deletions of the EP2 receptor.

- 'Very excited' -

Older mice that received the compounds or had the receptor deleted from their genes performed as well as young mice when tested for navigation and spatial memory, both of which deteriorate with ageing and diseases like Alzheimer's.

"Our study suggests that the development of maladaptive inflammation and cognitive decline in ageing may not be a static or permanent condition, but rather that it can be reversed," the study says.

Andreasson said the findings, while still preliminary, could have implications for a broad range of conditions.

"This would apply to most age-associated inflammatory diseases," including Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis and arthritis, she told AFP, saying she was "very excited" about the possible applications.

But the research is still in its early stages, and there are several unanswered questions. It is not yet clear how much PGE2 is too much, and how it accumulates over a lifetime.

And neither of the experimental compounds have been tested in humans, so it is unclear whether they could be toxic, although no harmful side effects were seen in the mice tested.

Andreasson said her team is now working on several questions thrown up by the research, including understanding more fully the mechanisms that produce cognitive decline and investigating the role of cell metabolism functions in ageing.

"While intriguing, this is early-stage research carried out in mice," noted Susan Kohlhaas, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, who was not involved in the study.

"While the results deserve further follow-up, there are many steps to go before we will know if this is likely to be a successful strategy for treatment of dementia," she added.

"We need to see experiments in environments that closely mirror the human brain."

The march of time can be unkind to the human body but new research hints at a cause -- and possible solution -- for some of the ailments and decline that often come with age.

The march of time can be unkind to the human body but new research hints at a cause -- and possible solution -- for some of the ailments and decline that often come with age. Scientists have long known that cognitive decline as we get older and specific age-related diseases including Alzheimer's are linked to inflammation, but they are still uncovering precisely why and how this is the case. Research published in the journal Nature pinpoints the role of a messenger hormone found in much higher levels in older people and mice than their younger counterparts. When the hormone was blocked in older mice, they were able to perform as well as more youthful rodents in tests of their memory and navigation. The researchers found that higher levels of the hormone affected the metabolism of immune cells called macrophages, prompting them to store energy rather than consume it. That effectively starved the cells, sending them into a damaging inflammatory hyperdrive associated with age-related cognitive decline and several age-related diseases. The hormone, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), "is a major regulator of all types of inflammation, both good and bad, and its effect depends on the receptor that is activated," the study's senior author Katrin Andreasson told AFP. "In this study, we identified the EP2 receptor... as the receptor that leads to energy depletion and maladaptive inflammation," added Andreasson, a professor of neurology at Stanford University. Having isolated the role played by PGE2, Andreasson and her team then set out to see if there was a way to counteract its negative effects. They administered to mice two experimental compounds that can block the EP2 receptor and found it reversed the metabolic problems seen in older macrophages -- restoring their more youthful behaviour and preventing destructive inflammatory activity. They found similar effects in mice that were genetically modified with deletions of the EP2 receptor. - 'Very excited' - Older mice that received the compounds or had the receptor deleted from their genes performed as well as young mice when tested for navigation and spatial memory, both of which deteriorate with ageing and diseases like Alzheimer's. "Our study suggests that the development of maladaptive inflammation and cognitive decline in ageing may not be a static or permanent condition, but rather that it can be reversed," the study says. Andreasson said the findings, while still preliminary, could have implications for a broad range of conditions. "This would apply to most age-associated inflammatory diseases," including Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis and arthritis, she told AFP, saying she was "very excited" about the possible applications. But the research is still in its early stages, and there are several unanswered questions. It is not yet clear how much PGE2 is too much, and how it accumulates over a lifetime. And neither of the experimental compounds have been tested in humans, so it is unclear whether they could be toxic, although no harmful side effects were seen in the mice tested. Andreasson said her team is now working on several questions thrown up by the research, including understanding more fully the mechanisms that produce cognitive decline and investigating the role of cell metabolism functions in ageing. "While intriguing, this is early-stage research carried out in mice," noted Susan Kohlhaas, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, who was not involved in the study. "While the results deserve further follow-up, there are many steps to go before we will know if this is likely to be a successful strategy for treatment of dementia," she added. "We need to see experiments in environments that closely mirror the human brain."

Turn back time? Study hints at way to halt decline as we age

Patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder have an increased risk of Parkinson`s disease later in life. 
 
The study indicates that the increased risk may be due to alterations in the brain`s dopamine system caused by dopamine receptor antagonists or neurobiological effects of schizophrenia. 
 
"According to our results, a previously diagnosed psychotic disorder or schizophrenia may be one factor that increases the risk of Parkinson`s disease later in life," said researcher Tomi Kuusimäki from the University of Turku in Finland. 
 
For the study, published in the journal Movement Disorders, the researchers examined the occurrences of previously diagnosed psychotic disorders and schizophrenia in over 25,000 Finnish Parkinson`s disease patients treated between 1996 and 2019. 
 
In the study, patients with Parkinson`s disease were noted to have previously diagnosed psychotic disorders and schizophrenia more often than the control patients of the same age not diagnosed with Parkinson`s disease. 
 
Parkinson`s disease is currently the most rapidly increasing neurological disorder in the world. It is a neurodegenerative disorder that is most common in patients over 60 years of age. The cardinal motor symptoms include shaking, stiffness and slowness of movement. 
 
In Parkinson`s disease, the neurons located in the substantia nigra in the midbrain slowly degenerate, which leads to deficiency in a neurotransmitter called dopamine. 
 
As for schizophrenia, the dopamine level increases in some parts of the brain. In addition, the pharmacotherapies used in the primary treatment of Parkinson`s disease and schizophrenia appear to have contrasting mechanisms of action. 
 
Parkinson`s disease symptoms can be alleviated with dopamine receptor agonists, whereas schizophrenia is commonly treated with dopamine receptor antagonists. 
 
--IANS 
 
vc/in 
&nbsp;

Patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder have an increased risk of Parkinson`s disease later in life. The study indicates that the increased risk may be due to alterations in the brain`s dopamine system caused by dopamine receptor antagonists or neurobiological effects of schizophrenia.

Patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder have an increased risk of Parkinson`s disease later in life. The study indicates that the increased risk may be due to alterations in the brain`s dopamine system caused by dopamine receptor antagonists or neurobiological effects of schizophrenia. "According to our results, a previously diagnosed psychotic disorder or schizophrenia may be one factor that increases the risk of Parkinson`s disease later in life," said researcher Tomi Kuusimäki from the University of Turku in Finland. For the study, published in the journal Movement Disorders, the researchers examined the occurrences of previously diagnosed psychotic disorders and schizophrenia in over 25,000 Finnish Parkinson`s disease patients treated between 1996 and 2019. In the study, patients with Parkinson`s disease were noted to have previously diagnosed psychotic disorders and schizophrenia more often than the control patients of the same age not diagnosed with Parkinson`s disease. Parkinson`s disease is currently the most rapidly increasing neurological disorder in the world. It is a neurodegenerative disorder that is most common in patients over 60 years of age. The cardinal motor symptoms include shaking, stiffness and slowness of movement. In Parkinson`s disease, the neurons located in the substantia nigra in the midbrain slowly degenerate, which leads to deficiency in a neurotransmitter called dopamine. As for schizophrenia, the dopamine level increases in some parts of the brain. In addition, the pharmacotherapies used in the primary treatment of Parkinson`s disease and schizophrenia appear to have contrasting mechanisms of action. Parkinson`s disease symptoms can be alleviated with dopamine receptor agonists, whereas schizophrenia is commonly treated with dopamine receptor antagonists. --IANS vc/in

Parkinson's disease may up schizophrenia risk: Study

The minimum temperature is very likely to fall by two to four degrees Celsius in most parts of northwest India during the next two days, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday.

"Due to the prevalence of dry north/north-westerly winds, minimum temperatures very likely to fall by two-four degree Celsius over most parts of northwest India during next 2 days," it said.

Due to the influence of dry north/north-westerly winds in northwest India, a dense to very dense fog at isolated/few pockets are very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar during next three days.

"Cold wave or severe cold wave conditions at isolated pockets also very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and East Madhya Pradesh during next 2 days. Cold Day conditions at isolated pockets also very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during next two-three days," IMD said.

The weather forecasting agency further said a cyclonic circulation is hovering over southwest Bay of Bengal off Tamil Nadu coast in mid-tropospheric levels and a trough runs from cyclonic circulation over central parts of South Arabian Sea and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean to Comorin area in lower tropospheric levels.&nbsp;

IMD predicted that under its influence scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with moderate thunderstorm and lightning is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep area during next two days and reduction in rainfall activities over these regions thereafter.&nbsp;

"Conditions are becoming favourable for the cessation of Northeast monsoon rains over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, adjoining areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema and South Interior Karnataka around January 19, 2021," it added.

The minimum temperature is very likely to fall by two to four degrees Celsius in most parts of northwest India during the next two days, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday.

The minimum temperature is very likely to fall by two to four degrees Celsius in most parts of northwest India during the next two days, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday. "Due to the prevalence of dry north/north-westerly winds, minimum temperatures very likely to fall by two-four degree Celsius over most parts of northwest India during next 2 days," it said. Due to the influence of dry north/north-westerly winds in northwest India, a dense to very dense fog at isolated/few pockets are very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar during next three days. "Cold wave or severe cold wave conditions at isolated pockets also very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and East Madhya Pradesh during next 2 days. Cold Day conditions at isolated pockets also very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during next two-three days," IMD said. The weather forecasting agency further said a cyclonic circulation is hovering over southwest Bay of Bengal off Tamil Nadu coast in mid-tropospheric levels and a trough runs from cyclonic circulation over central parts of South Arabian Sea and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean to Comorin area in lower tropospheric levels. IMD predicted that under its influence scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with moderate thunderstorm and lightning is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep area during next two days and reduction in rainfall activities over these regions thereafter. "Conditions are becoming favourable for the cessation of Northeast monsoon rains over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, adjoining areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema and South Interior Karnataka around January 19, 2021," it added.

Minimum temperature very likely to fall by 2-4 degree Celsius in northwest India: IMD

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