More than 70 years have passed since India&#39;s independence. However, the world&rsquo;s largest democracy is still far from its goals of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to its population. Moving between smart cities and a digitally equipped nation, one sector, which the government seems to have turned a blind eye to, is healthcare.

&nbsp;

Most glaring example of the terrible condition of healthcare in India came late last year in August. Nestled in a remote corner, the tragedy in the town of Gorakhpur serves as a blot on India&rsquo;s rich progressive fabric of 70. Over a span of five days, over 60 young children died in the local government-run hospital in Gorakhpur, dozens of them on a particular night. As oxygen supplies ran out, bills remain unpaid and authorities passed the buck &ndash; a pitiful state of one of the essential commodities of life glared in every Indian&rsquo;s eyes. The government should study the lessons of Thailand&rsquo;s rollout, in the early part of this century, of universal healthcare. Thailand spends 4.4% of its GDP on health, compared to 4.1% in India (when private spending is included) and has far better outcomes.

&nbsp;

The Indian healthcare system is plagued with numerous problems and is in a dilapidated state. India spends less than 1.2%GDP and as per World Bank estimates, the per capita healthcare expenditure in India is around USD 60.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Additionally, unequal distribution of limited health facilities poses a larger problem at hand. Though a majority of India&rsquo;s population lives in rural areas (72% or 716 Million), 75% of the health infrastructure in India is concentrated in urban areas where only 28% of India&rsquo;s population lives. To put the deplorable state in perspective &ndash; 60% of health expenditure is out of pocket; 21% of the global disease burden is represented by India and around 85% of the healthcare needs can be managed at the primary level.

&nbsp;

Let&rsquo;s look at the last statistic in close detail now. A cost you can afford, a distance you can travel and the dignity you deserve &ndash; three ingredients of all that the people in India, especially the poor want out of the healthcare system. Since 85% of the needs can be managed at the primary level, it&rsquo;s important to strengthen effectiveness, reach and quality of such healthcare.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

From the evidence across the world, it appears that the countries that have a strong primary health care system have better health outcomes, lower inequalities in these outcomes, and lower costs of care. So what is the issue? Currently, primary health care services in India are located too far from the populations they serve, provide too little services, and have too little resources. Adding to this, the problem of healthcare professionals, adequate investment, population coverage and certifications make the entire primary healthcare system riddled with problems.

&nbsp;

However, we saw this as an opportunity.

&nbsp;

We at Enactus SRCC, decided to work at the primary level in the healthcare sector to bring about a turnaround in healthcare delivery and ensure last-mile connectivity for every Indian. Focusing on affordability and accessibility as two cornerstones of our health intervention, we aim to leverage existing communities and healthcare providers to revolutionize the healthcare system.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

We understand the pivotal role that communities play, and so, develop medical entrepreneurs to disburse health-related services and information at a community level. &ldquo;Our community health workers are the most integral part of our model. They&rsquo;re the real health change agents in the communities we work in. Through constant engagement, we believe our health workers can drive the idea of the importance of healthcare to each and every household&rdquo;, said Rutwik Shah. Our aim is to improve the health-seeking behaviour of consumers and bring about a behavioral change in the mindset of people towards health.

&nbsp;

As economist Amartya Sen has pointed out, no country can become rich&mdash;or even middle-class&mdash;with an unhealthy workforce. Now is the time to act, and to change. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Affordability and accessibility need to be two cornerstones of Indian healthcare reform.

More than 70 years have passed since India's independence. However, the world’s largest democracy is still far from its goals of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to its population. Moving between smart cities and a digitally equipped nation, one sector, which the government seems to have turned a blind eye to, is healthcare. Most glaring example of the terrible condition of healthcare in India came late last year in August. Nestled in a remote corner, the tragedy in the town of Gorakhpur serves as a blot on India’s rich progressive fabric of 70. Over a span of five days, over 60 young children died in the local government-run hospital in Gorakhpur, dozens of them on a particular night. As oxygen supplies ran out, bills remain unpaid and authorities passed the buck – a pitiful state of one of the essential commodities of life glared in every Indian’s eyes. The government should study the lessons of Thailand’s rollout, in the early part of this century, of universal healthcare. Thailand spends 4.4% of its GDP on health, compared to 4.1% in India (when private spending is included) and has far better outcomes. The Indian healthcare system is plagued with numerous problems and is in a dilapidated state. India spends less than 1.2%GDP and as per World Bank estimates, the per capita healthcare expenditure in India is around USD 60. Additionally, unequal distribution of limited health facilities poses a larger problem at hand. Though a majority of India’s population lives in rural areas (72% or 716 Million), 75% of the health infrastructure in India is concentrated in urban areas where only 28% of India’s population lives. To put the deplorable state in perspective – 60% of health expenditure is out of pocket; 21% of the global disease burden is represented by India and around 85% of the healthcare needs can be managed at the primary level. Let’s look at the last statistic in close detail now. A cost you can afford, a distance you can travel and the dignity you deserve – three ingredients of all that the people in India, especially the poor want out of the healthcare system. Since 85% of the needs can be managed at the primary level, it’s important to strengthen effectiveness, reach and quality of such healthcare. From the evidence across the world, it appears that the countries that have a strong primary health care system have better health outcomes, lower inequalities in these outcomes, and lower costs of care. So what is the issue? Currently, primary health care services in India are located too far from the populations they serve, provide too little services, and have too little resources. Adding to this, the problem of healthcare professionals, adequate investment, population coverage and certifications make the entire primary healthcare system riddled with problems. However, we saw this as an opportunity. We at Enactus SRCC, decided to work at the primary level in the healthcare sector to bring about a turnaround in healthcare delivery and ensure last-mile connectivity for every Indian. Focusing on affordability and accessibility as two cornerstones of our health intervention, we aim to leverage existing communities and healthcare providers to revolutionize the healthcare system. We understand the pivotal role that communities play, and so, develop medical entrepreneurs to disburse health-related services and information at a community level. “Our community health workers are the most integral part of our model. They’re the real health change agents in the communities we work in. Through constant engagement, we believe our health workers can drive the idea of the importance of healthcare to each and every household”, said Rutwik Shah. Our aim is to improve the health-seeking behaviour of consumers and bring about a behavioral change in the mindset of people towards health. As economist Amartya Sen has pointed out, no country can become rich—or even middle-class—with an unhealthy workforce. Now is the time to act, and to change. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Heath tourism flourishes but Indian healthcare in bad shape

Jharkhand ranks number one in health reforms according to NITI Aayog&#39;s Health Index.

According to the report, the state authorities got 6.87 per cent more work done in the field in 2015-15 as compared to 2014-15.&nbsp;

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das expressed his delight on the finding and noted that the state is committed toward providing better health services to the people of Jharkhand.

He also added that the authorities are working towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s dream of &quot;Swastha Bharat, Swastha Jharkhand&quot;.

NITI Aayog&#39;s Health Index report has Kerala placed on top followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh figures at the bottom of the list as the worst performer.&nbsp;

Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index.

Mizoram ranked first among small states followed by Manipur and Goa.

The report was released by the NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Priti Sudan, Union Health Secretary and World Bank&#39;s India Country Head Junaid Ahmed.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

NITI Aayog Health Index report has Kerala placed on top

Jharkhand ranks number one in health reforms according to NITI Aayog's Health Index. According to the report, the state authorities got 6.87 per cent more work done in the field in 2015-15 as compared to 2014-15. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das expressed his delight on the finding and noted that the state is committed toward providing better health services to the people of Jharkhand. He also added that the authorities are working towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of "Swastha Bharat, Swastha Jharkhand". NITI Aayog's Health Index report has Kerala placed on top followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh figures at the bottom of the list as the worst performer. Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index. Mizoram ranked first among small states followed by Manipur and Goa. The report was released by the NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Priti Sudan, Union Health Secretary and World Bank's India Country Head Junaid Ahmed. (With inputs from agencies)

NITI Aayog Health Index: Jharkhand number one in health reforms

Every year 4th February is observed as the World Cancer Day. The day is commemorated with an aim to spread awareness and educate people about the lifestyle disease.&nbsp;

Bracketed under the category of lifestyle disease, cancer is a debilitating disease which can be prevented by making minor tweaks in your lifestyle.&nbsp;

The World Health Organisation estimates close to 30-50% of cancer cases as preventable.&nbsp;

Although there is no exact cause of the disease, experts identify the onset of the disease manifested in the growth of cancerous cells in the body.&nbsp;

Indian-American oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee -- in his award-winning book, The Emperor of all Maladies -- describes cancer as &#39;neoplasm&#39;.

&#39;Neoplasm&#39;&nbsp;can loosely be described as the aggressive and manic multiplication of abnormal (cancerous) cells that can outdo, outrun, outwit their healthier, normal counterpart.&nbsp;

While the rising incidence of cancer is a cause of concern, experts note that cancer research remains highly underfunded.&nbsp;

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&quot;US$1.16 trillion is the estimated total annual economic cost of cancer in 2010,&quot; estimates WHO.&nbsp;

An estimated 8.8 million died of the disease in 2015 and the number of cases is only rising by the day.&nbsp;

While nothing guarantees cancer prevention, dietary tweaks and changes in lifestyle can go a long way in minimising the risks.&nbsp;

Ahead, a look at some of the simplest steps that can be taken to ensure a healthy, cancer-free life, after all, prevention is always better than the cure!&nbsp;

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The World Health Organisation considers these basic steps imperative in the fight against cancer.

1. Smoking and tobacco consumption account for a large number of oral cancer cases. Smoking and tobacco consumption must be avoided. Monitor your alcohol intake.&nbsp;

2. A healthy diet is a must; monitor what you eat and limit your fast food intake. Sugary food items should be avoided; make your diet more about fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and dairy among others.&nbsp;

3. Exercise regularly. The World Health Organisation recommends moderate-intensity physical activity, at least thrice a week, for an adult to keep fit. Walking 10,000 steps a day is also an ideal way to keep fit. Do not lead a sedentary lifestyle.&nbsp;

4. Breastfeeding is known to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women.&nbsp;

5. Vaccinate your kids against Hepatitis B and HPV.&nbsp;

6. Avoid getting exposed to air pollution and too much of sun. 
&nbsp; 
7. Get regular medical tests and cancer screenings done.&nbsp;

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<h5>Close to 30-50% of cancer cases are preventable -- WHO</h5>
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According to health experts, early cancer detection can save many lives. Preventive measures can also bring down the ever-escalating burden on global healthcare cost.&nbsp;

One of the many symptoms of cancerous growth manifests&nbsp;itself in a stony-hard lump. Get in touch with your doctor if you detect a stone-hard lump in any part of your body. Ask your medical expert to explain the many forms of cancer symptoms, how to identify them and when to seek medical help.&nbsp;

According to health experts, early detection can save many lives

Every year 4th February is observed as the World Cancer Day. The day is commemorated with an aim to spread awareness and educate people about the lifestyle disease. Bracketed under the category of lifestyle disease, cancer is a debilitating disease which can be prevented by making minor tweaks in your lifestyle. The World Health Organisation estimates close to 30-50% of cancer cases as preventable. Although there is no exact cause of the disease, experts identify the onset of the disease manifested in the growth of cancerous cells in the body. Indian-American oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee -- in his award-winning book, The Emperor of all Maladies -- describes cancer as 'neoplasm'. 'Neoplasm' can loosely be described as the aggressive and manic multiplication of abnormal (cancerous) cells that can outdo, outrun, outwit their healthier, normal counterpart. While the rising incidence of cancer is a cause of concern, experts note that cancer research remains highly underfunded. A post shared by World Health Organization (@who) on Feb 3, 2018 at 1:22pm PST × "US$1.16 trillion is the estimated total annual economic cost of cancer in 2010," estimates WHO. An estimated 8.8 million died of the disease in 2015 and the number of cases is only rising by the day. While nothing guarantees cancer prevention, dietary tweaks and changes in lifestyle can go a long way in minimising the risks. Ahead, a look at some of the simplest steps that can be taken to ensure a healthy, cancer-free life, after all, prevention is always better than the cure! A post shared by World Health Organization (@who) on Feb 3, 2018 at 11:35pm PST × The World Health Organisation considers these basic steps imperative in the fight against cancer. 1. Smoking and tobacco consumption account for a large number of oral cancer cases. Smoking and tobacco consumption must be avoided. Monitor your alcohol intake. 2. A healthy diet is a must; monitor what you eat and limit your fast food intake. Sugary food items should be avoided; make your diet more about fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and dairy among others. 3. Exercise regularly. The World Health Organisation recommends moderate-intensity physical activity, at least thrice a week, for an adult to keep fit. Walking 10,000 steps a day is also an ideal way to keep fit. Do not lead a sedentary lifestyle. 4. Breastfeeding is known to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women. 5. Vaccinate your kids against Hepatitis B and HPV. 6. Avoid getting exposed to air pollution and too much of sun. 7. Get regular medical tests and cancer screenings done. Close to 30-50% of cancer cases are preventable -- WHO × According to health experts, early cancer detection can save many lives. Preventive measures can also bring down the ever-escalating burden on global healthcare cost. One of the many symptoms of cancerous growth manifests itself in a stony-hard lump. Get in touch with your doctor if you detect a stone-hard lump in any part of your body. Ask your medical expert to explain the many forms of cancer symptoms, how to identify them and when to seek medical help.

World Cancer Day 2018: 7 ways to prevent the debilitating disease

In a new study revealed Monday, researchers discovered that the good old pain medicine Ibuprofen might not be so good after all for your health.&nbsp;

Men who take high doses of the tablet over a period of months now may face an increased risk of a number of health problems including fertility issues, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and muscle loss. While there are a couple of fallouts of using the medicine for a long period, the biggest threat to a man&#39;s body is that of it affecting the reproductive health.&nbsp;

Doctors in Copenhagen studied 31 healthy men&nbsp;between the ages of 18 and 35 who took 600mg of ibuprofen twice daily. After using the medication for around two weeks, they developed a condition called compensated hypogonadism.&nbsp;

The researchers said that ibuprofen lowered the men&rsquo;s natural level of testosterone and that the pituitary gland had to kick up production of another hormone to increase testosterone. The condition resulted from the pituitary gland being overworked. The condition is normally&nbsp;seen only in older men and smokers, according to a leading UK publication.&nbsp;

As per the study, Ibuprofen affected the production of hormones such as testosterone.

According to the doctors-in-charge of the study, their condition was mild and temporary, however, it could become adverse if used for longer periods.&nbsp;

David M&oslash;bjerg Kristensen, one of the study&rsquo;s authors, said,&nbsp;&ldquo;Our immediate concern is for the fertility of men who use these drugs for a long time. These compounds are good painkillers, but a certain amount of people in society use them without thinking of them as proper medicines.&quot;

He added,&nbsp;&ldquo;In the living body the pituitary gland kicks in to compensate for this, but the brain is pushing more to get the same amount of testosterone,&rdquo; said Kristensen. &ldquo;If you go on and stress the pituitary gland over the long term, this state could become permanent and you develop a more serious condition.&rdquo;

The research was published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

&nbsp;

In a new study, researchers have discovered that men who take high doses of ibuprofen over a period of months may face an increased risk of a number of health problems including fertility issues, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and muscle loss.

In a new study revealed Monday, researchers discovered that the good old pain medicine Ibuprofen might not be so good after all for your health. Men who take high doses of the tablet over a period of months now may face an increased risk of a number of health problems including fertility issues, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and muscle loss. While there are a couple of fallouts of using the medicine for a long period, the biggest threat to a man's body is that of it affecting the reproductive health. Doctors in Copenhagen studied 31 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 35 who took 600mg of ibuprofen twice daily. After using the medication for around two weeks, they developed a condition called compensated hypogonadism. The researchers said that ibuprofen lowered the men’s natural level of testosterone and that the pituitary gland had to kick up production of another hormone to increase testosterone. The condition resulted from the pituitary gland being overworked. The condition is normally seen only in older men and smokers, according to a leading UK publication. As per the study, Ibuprofen affected the production of hormones such as testosterone. According to the doctors-in-charge of the study, their condition was mild and temporary, however, it could become adverse if used for longer periods. David Møbjerg Kristensen, one of the study’s authors, said, “Our immediate concern is for the fertility of men who use these drugs for a long time. These compounds are good painkillers, but a certain amount of people in society use them without thinking of them as proper medicines." He added, “In the living body the pituitary gland kicks in to compensate for this, but the brain is pushing more to get the same amount of testosterone,” said Kristensen. “If you go on and stress the pituitary gland over the long term, this state could become permanent and you develop a more serious condition.” The research was published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Ibuprofen may cause fertility problems in men, erectile dysfunction: Report

Simple lifestyle changes can help stave off risks of lifestyle diseases including cancer, notes a study conducted by experts at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia.

Although medical experts have still not been able to zero down the exact cause of cancer, lifestyle factors, genetic disposition and obesity have been termed as some of the most common perpetrators.&nbsp;

WHO estimated close to 8.8 million people to have died of cancer in the year 2015, the number is only escalating every year. Health experts note that minor dietary and lifestyle tweaks may go a long way in preventing us prey to cancer and cutting down its risk significantly.&nbsp;

In the study published in the International Journal of Cancer, experts found the modifiable factors were responsible for 41% of cancer deaths among Australian men and 34% of cancer deaths in women.

&ldquo;By far the biggest preventable cause of cancer deaths in Australia is tobacco smoke. Cancer caused by smoking and passive smoking killed 9,921 people in 2013 and accounted for 23% of all cancer deaths,&rdquo; said Professor David Whiteman, head of QIMR Berghofer&rsquo;s Cancer Control Group.

&ldquo;Other major factors included poor diet, being overweight or obese, and infections, which each caused about five per cent of all cancer deaths in 2013,&rdquo; said Whiteman. &ldquo;Poor diet was responsible for 2,329 deaths from cancer, being overweight or obese for 1,990 deaths, and infections for 1,981 deaths,&rdquo; he said.

Close to 17,000 cancer deaths can be avoided annually only if people follow accepted guidelines to minimise exposure to risk factors, noted the study.

Ideally, it is imperative to maintain a healthy weight, ditch processed and refine food items, quit smoking and limit alcohol and red meat consumption.&nbsp;

Regular physical activity is also essential along with proper sleep and stress management.

Experts have now started focussing on the trend of prolonged sitting which was also termed as a &#39;new type of cancer&#39;&nbsp;by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Prolonged sitting has also been linked to triggering a host of ailments.

(With inputs from PTI)

WHO estimated close to 8.8 million people to have died of cancer in the year 2015

Simple lifestyle changes can help stave off risks of lifestyle diseases including cancer, notes a study conducted by experts at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia. Although medical experts have still not been able to zero down the exact cause of cancer, lifestyle factors, genetic disposition and obesity have been termed as some of the most common perpetrators. WHO estimated close to 8.8 million people to have died of cancer in the year 2015, the number is only escalating every year. Health experts note that minor dietary and lifestyle tweaks may go a long way in preventing us prey to cancer and cutting down its risk significantly. In the study published in the International Journal of Cancer, experts found the modifiable factors were responsible for 41% of cancer deaths among Australian men and 34% of cancer deaths in women. “By far the biggest preventable cause of cancer deaths in Australia is tobacco smoke. Cancer caused by smoking and passive smoking killed 9,921 people in 2013 and accounted for 23% of all cancer deaths,” said Professor David Whiteman, head of QIMR Berghofer’s Cancer Control Group. “Other major factors included poor diet, being overweight or obese, and infections, which each caused about five per cent of all cancer deaths in 2013,” said Whiteman. “Poor diet was responsible for 2,329 deaths from cancer, being overweight or obese for 1,990 deaths, and infections for 1,981 deaths,” he said. Close to 17,000 cancer deaths can be avoided annually only if people follow accepted guidelines to minimise exposure to risk factors, noted the study. Ideally, it is imperative to maintain a healthy weight, ditch processed and refine food items, quit smoking and limit alcohol and red meat consumption. Regular physical activity is also essential along with proper sleep and stress management. Experts have now started focussing on the trend of prolonged sitting which was also termed as a 'new type of cancer' by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Prolonged sitting has also been linked to triggering a host of ailments. (With inputs from PTI)

Close to 40% cancer deaths can be prevented by simple lifestyle changes, say experts

While experts believe medical advances to increasingly help in providing solutions to complex riddles associated with human health, a recent report refutes the same suggesting human lifespan to have already reached its peak.&nbsp;

&ldquo;These traits (height, lifespan and physical performance) no longer increase, despite further continuous nutritional, medical, and scientific progress. This suggests that modern societies have allowed our species to reach its limits. We are the first generation to become aware of this,&rdquo; Jean-Francois Toussaint from Paris Descartes University in France was quoted by a PTI report.&nbsp;

For the study, a team of experts looked at 120 years worth of historical information to conclude that humans have biological limitations and that anthropogenic impacts on the environment &ndash; including climate change &ndash; could have a deleterious effect on these limits.

&ldquo;The current declines in human capacities we can see today are a sign that environmental changes, including climate, are already contributing to the increasing constraints we now have to consider,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Observing decreasing tendencies may provide an early signal that something has changed but not for the better,&rdquo; he added.

After studying data from a pool of studies, experts suggested human height to have decreased in the last decade in some African countries. This was suggestive of lack of proper nutrition in some societies.&nbsp;

All in all, the report suggested that humans will not continue to improve after a point, we are gradually moving toward hitting a plateau which will manifest in increasingly fewer sports records being broken and more people reaching but not exceeding the present highest life expectancy.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The report suggested that humans will not continue to improve after a point

While experts believe medical advances to increasingly help in providing solutions to complex riddles associated with human health, a recent report refutes the same suggesting human lifespan to have already reached its peak. “These traits (height, lifespan and physical performance) no longer increase, despite further continuous nutritional, medical, and scientific progress. This suggests that modern societies have allowed our species to reach its limits. We are the first generation to become aware of this,” Jean-Francois Toussaint from Paris Descartes University in France was quoted by a PTI report. For the study, a team of experts looked at 120 years worth of historical information to conclude that humans have biological limitations and that anthropogenic impacts on the environment – including climate change – could have a deleterious effect on these limits. “The current declines in human capacities we can see today are a sign that environmental changes, including climate, are already contributing to the increasing constraints we now have to consider,” he said. “Observing decreasing tendencies may provide an early signal that something has changed but not for the better,” he added. After studying data from a pool of studies, experts suggested human height to have decreased in the last decade in some African countries. This was suggestive of lack of proper nutrition in some societies. All in all, the report suggested that humans will not continue to improve after a point, we are gradually moving toward hitting a plateau which will manifest in increasingly fewer sports records being broken and more people reaching but not exceeding the present highest life expectancy. (With inputs from PTI)

Human lifespan has already peaked, climate change a factor: Report

The National Green Tribunal today refused to exempt women and two-wheelers from the Delhi government&#39;s odd-even car rationing scheme and directed it to ensure that over 10-year-old diesel vehicles be taken off the roads without delay. 
The tribunal, which expressed concern over the high pollution level which was an &quot;environmental and health emergency&quot;, said the city should &quot;not gift infected lungs to its children.&quot;A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also asked the Aam Aadmi Party government here to identify the most polluted areas today itself and sprinkle water from high rise buildings.

The bench, however, allowed non-polluting industries who manufacture essential goods to operate.During the hearing, the NGT also asked what the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh doing other than blaming each other. &quot;What are UP, Haryana, and Punjab doing? All of you are just blaming each other. You cannot just shift blame,&quot; it said.The Delhi government withdrew its plea as the NGT was not convinced with its submission that the city did not have adequate public transport to cater to over 25 lakh commuters.

&nbsp;&quot;Delhi government wishes to withdraw its application filed for modification of our order. They have the liberty to file a fresh plea. The application is disposed of,&quot; the bench said. 
The Delhi government had yesterday moved an application before the bench seeking modification of its November 11 order allowing odd-even scheme without exemptions.

Regarding functioning of industries in the National Capital Region (NCR), the bench said: &quot;we clarify that industries manufacturing essential commodities like eatables have been exempted from the prohibiting orders of the NGT.&quot;We also direct that the industries whose emissions are within the prescribed parameters and which are non-polluting and compliant to the directions can operate subject to verification.&quot;

It also allowed the construction work of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in the NCR, which will bypass Delhi on the eastern side, subject to an assurance by the senior-most officer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that no pollution would be caused. 
The tribunal noted that as per reports of the pollution control committees, two-wheelers caused greater pollution, and according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), approximately 30 percent pollution was caused by them.

&quot;If you permit 68 lakh two-wheelers to ply, what will be the extent of the pollution? You said thousands of buses were ordered but have not got a single bus yet. You wait for a crisis,&quot; the bench said. 
Expressing anguish over the plea seeking permission to exempt women drivers from the odd-even scheme, the NGT asked &quot;are you (Delhi government) not responsible for the safety of ladies who do not have cars and travel by metros and buses on a daily basis? Why can&#39;t you have a special ladies buses?&quot; 
Noting that particulate matter (PM) 10 was higher than 900, it said, &quot;You (Delhi government) are sprinkling water in trees. What you are supposed to do is to climb a multi-storeyed building and sprinkle water using fire equipment.&quot;

The bench, in the meanwhile, directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GNCT of Delhi, Transport department and pollution control boards to coordinate with each other in order to control pollutants in the air and take steps in accordance with its orders. 
The NGT had on November 11 given a conditional nod to the AAP government&#39;s decision to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from November 13, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to &quot;any person or officer and two-wheelers&quot;.

The government had then scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme after NGT said there will be no exemption for women, two-wheelers, and government servants. 
The NGT had said the odd-even scheme should be implemented &quot;without any default&quot; as and when the PM10 level goes above 500 microgrammes per cubic meter and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 microgrammes per cubic meter during a span of 48 hours.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Tribunal expressed its concern over the high pollution level which was an 'environmental and health emergency', said the city should 'not gift infected lungs to its children'

The National Green Tribunal today refused to exempt women and two-wheelers from the Delhi government's odd-even car rationing scheme and directed it to ensure that over 10-year-old diesel vehicles be taken off the roads without delay. The tribunal, which expressed concern over the high pollution level which was an "environmental and health emergency", said the city should "not gift infected lungs to its children."A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also asked the Aam Aadmi Party government here to identify the most polluted areas today itself and sprinkle water from high rise buildings. The bench, however, allowed non-polluting industries who manufacture essential goods to operate.During the hearing, the NGT also asked what the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh doing other than blaming each other. "What are UP, Haryana, and Punjab doing? All of you are just blaming each other. You cannot just shift blame," it said.The Delhi government withdrew its plea as the NGT was not convinced with its submission that the city did not have adequate public transport to cater to over 25 lakh commuters. "Delhi government wishes to withdraw its application filed for modification of our order. They have the liberty to file a fresh plea. The application is disposed of," the bench said. The Delhi government had yesterday moved an application before the bench seeking modification of its November 11 order allowing odd-even scheme without exemptions. Regarding functioning of industries in the National Capital Region (NCR), the bench said: "we clarify that industries manufacturing essential commodities like eatables have been exempted from the prohibiting orders of the NGT."We also direct that the industries whose emissions are within the prescribed parameters and which are non-polluting and compliant to the directions can operate subject to verification." It also allowed the construction work of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in the NCR, which will bypass Delhi on the eastern side, subject to an assurance by the senior-most officer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that no pollution would be caused. The tribunal noted that as per reports of the pollution control committees, two-wheelers caused greater pollution, and according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), approximately 30 percent pollution was caused by them. "If you permit 68 lakh two-wheelers to ply, what will be the extent of the pollution? You said thousands of buses were ordered but have not got a single bus yet. You wait for a crisis," the bench said. Expressing anguish over the plea seeking permission to exempt women drivers from the odd-even scheme, the NGT asked "are you (Delhi government) not responsible for the safety of ladies who do not have cars and travel by metros and buses on a daily basis? Why can't you have a special ladies buses?" Noting that particulate matter (PM) 10 was higher than 900, it said, "You (Delhi government) are sprinkling water in trees. What you are supposed to do is to climb a multi-storeyed building and sprinkle water using fire equipment." The bench, in the meanwhile, directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GNCT of Delhi, Transport department and pollution control boards to coordinate with each other in order to control pollutants in the air and take steps in accordance with its orders. The NGT had on November 11 given a conditional nod to the AAP government's decision to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from November 13, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to "any person or officer and two-wheelers". The government had then scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme after NGT said there will be no exemption for women, two-wheelers, and government servants. The NGT had said the odd-even scheme should be implemented "without any default" as and when the PM10 level goes above 500 microgrammes per cubic meter and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 microgrammes per cubic meter during a span of 48 hours.

NGT refuses to exempt women, two-wheelers from odd-even scheme

The Olympic motto is &quot;Faster, Higher, Stronger&quot;, but what if we have reached the limits of the human body?

Some scientists have warned that when it comes to running from sprints to marathons&nbsp;the era of breaking records may be coming to an end.&nbsp;

That is, unless the next athletic evolution is artificial and it is doping, rather than human exertion, that breaches the next barriers.

Only one world record was broken at this year&#39;s athletics world championships in London, in the newly-recognised women&#39;s 50km race walk.

And at the 2016 Rio Olympics, just two running world records were bested -- South Africa&#39;s Wayde van Niekerk in the 400-metre men&#39;s event and Ethiopia&#39;s Almaz Ayana in the women&#39;s 10,000m.

After the great advances of the 20th century, &quot;the rate of improvement is approaching zero for the majority of athletic trials,&quot; said Marc Andy, a researcher at France&#39;s Institute of Sport Biomedical Research and Epidemiology (IRMES).

In 2007, the institute analysed the history of Olympic records since the modern Games began in 1896 and calculated that athletes have reached 99 percent of what is possible within the limits of natural human physiology.

The most recent near a breakthrough in the grueling marathon occurred in May when Kenya&#39;s Eliud Kipchoge came agonisingly close to sporting immortality, nearly running the first sub two-hour marathon.&nbsp;

He missed the mythical mark by just 25 seconds.&nbsp;

But the race conditions at the Nike-sponsored event were so favourable&nbsp;Kipchoge ran behind a six-man pacesetting team and was trailed by a time-keeping vehicle on a racing circuit in Monza, Italy &nbsp;that the time was not recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto remains the world record holder for his 2:02:57 run in 2014.

Imagining the perfect runner&nbsp;

Coaches and scientists have long tried to figure out the optimal performance conditions for running the classic marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles).

Beyond the ideal temperature&nbsp;around 12 degrees Celsius (53 degrees Fahrenheit)&nbsp;and the runner being small, &quot;there are dozens of factors at play, from body type to physiological and biomechanical criteria,&quot; said Pierre Sallet, a performance expert from Athletes for Transparency, an organisation that promotes integrity in sport.

&quot;How are we going to identify these parameters in these categories? How will we manage nutrition and altitude training as well as maximising form and energy to arrive on the day in the optimal psychological and physical condition?&quot; Sallet asked.

Beyond environment and body shape, &quot;three major physiological parameters come into play in marathons,&quot; Vincent Pialoux, deputy head of Lyon&#39;s Inter-University Laboratory of Human Movement Biology, told AFP.

&quot;Endurance, the ability to create energy using oxygen,&quot; which is measured by a runner&#39;s VO2 max (Maximum Oxygen Uptake Capacity), and &quot;motor efficiency&quot;, the body&#39;s ability to save energy, Pialoux said.

&quot;Of these three factors, if we take the best data measured in the laboratory on different athletes, we arrive at times well below the limits predicted&quot; by models based on the evolution of performance, he said.&nbsp;

&#39;Human machine is complex&#39;&nbsp;

An athlete who combines all the optimal conditions has yet to be found. When Ethiopia&#39;s Haile Gebrselassie broke his own world record in Berlin in 2008 he was 35 years old. But Pialoux said that VO2 Max decreases over time.

Within all these very human constraints, could doping be the evolution the models did not predict?

Should we fear the scenario imagined by Belgian philosopher Jean-Noel Missa, in which genetically enhanced athletes compete for corporations at the 2144 Brussels Olympics?

It&#39;s not time to panic yet, but Xavier Bigard, scientific advisor to the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) said there are several causes for concern, including exercise pills that could be used &quot;increase the effects of training,&quot; and EPO doping, which increases oxygen absorption, allowing athletes to run harder and faster without tiring.

While stem-cell therapy may sound futuristic, it has already been used in some sports to help heal injuries.&nbsp;

It is genetic doping that seems to loom largest over the future of cheating in sports.

Doctors have for years been experimenting with ways to inject synthetic genes into patients, altering an individual&#39;s genome to enhance muscle recovery or stem muscle deterioration, among other benefits.&nbsp;

These techniques could hypothetically give athletes a huge advantage.

But &quot;the identity card of a muscle fibre is based on thousands of genes, we cannot change them change them all,&quot; said Bigard, adding the &quot;human machine is very complex&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;The transformation of man into an animal capable of running a marathon in one hour and 40 minutes would take a long time, if it is possible, and there are an incalculable number of scientific limits,&quot; said Sallet.&nbsp;

And, he added, &quot;there will always be one limit: keeping the person alive.&quot;

Only one world record was broken at this year's athletics world championships in London, in the newly-recognised women's 50km race walk

The Olympic motto is "Faster, Higher, Stronger", but what if we have reached the limits of the human body? Some scientists have warned that when it comes to running from sprints to marathons the era of breaking records may be coming to an end. That is, unless the next athletic evolution is artificial and it is doping, rather than human exertion, that breaches the next barriers. Only one world record was broken at this year's athletics world championships in London, in the newly-recognised women's 50km race walk. And at the 2016 Rio Olympics, just two running world records were bested -- South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk in the 400-metre men's event and Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana in the women's 10,000m. After the great advances of the 20th century, "the rate of improvement is approaching zero for the majority of athletic trials," said Marc Andy, a researcher at France's Institute of Sport Biomedical Research and Epidemiology (IRMES). In 2007, the institute analysed the history of Olympic records since the modern Games began in 1896 and calculated that athletes have reached 99 percent of what is possible within the limits of natural human physiology. The most recent near a breakthrough in the grueling marathon occurred in May when Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge came agonisingly close to sporting immortality, nearly running the first sub two-hour marathon. He missed the mythical mark by just 25 seconds. But the race conditions at the Nike-sponsored event were so favourable Kipchoge ran behind a six-man pacesetting team and was trailed by a time-keeping vehicle on a racing circuit in Monza, Italy that the time was not recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto remains the world record holder for his 2:02:57 run in 2014. Imagining the perfect runner Coaches and scientists have long tried to figure out the optimal performance conditions for running the classic marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles). Beyond the ideal temperature around 12 degrees Celsius (53 degrees Fahrenheit) and the runner being small, "there are dozens of factors at play, from body type to physiological and biomechanical criteria," said Pierre Sallet, a performance expert from Athletes for Transparency, an organisation that promotes integrity in sport. "How are we going to identify these parameters in these categories? How will we manage nutrition and altitude training as well as maximising form and energy to arrive on the day in the optimal psychological and physical condition?" Sallet asked. Beyond environment and body shape, "three major physiological parameters come into play in marathons," Vincent Pialoux, deputy head of Lyon's Inter-University Laboratory of Human Movement Biology, told AFP. "Endurance, the ability to create energy using oxygen," which is measured by a runner's VO2 max (Maximum Oxygen Uptake Capacity), and "motor efficiency", the body's ability to save energy, Pialoux said. "Of these three factors, if we take the best data measured in the laboratory on different athletes, we arrive at times well below the limits predicted" by models based on the evolution of performance, he said. 'Human machine is complex' An athlete who combines all the optimal conditions has yet to be found. When Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie broke his own world record in Berlin in 2008 he was 35 years old. But Pialoux said that VO2 Max decreases over time. Within all these very human constraints, could doping be the evolution the models did not predict? Should we fear the scenario imagined by Belgian philosopher Jean-Noel Missa, in which genetically enhanced athletes compete for corporations at the 2144 Brussels Olympics? It's not time to panic yet, but Xavier Bigard, scientific advisor to the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) said there are several causes for concern, including exercise pills that could be used "increase the effects of training," and EPO doping, which increases oxygen absorption, allowing athletes to run harder and faster without tiring. While stem-cell therapy may sound futuristic, it has already been used in some sports to help heal injuries. It is genetic doping that seems to loom largest over the future of cheating in sports. Doctors have for years been experimenting with ways to inject synthetic genes into patients, altering an individual's genome to enhance muscle recovery or stem muscle deterioration, among other benefits. These techniques could hypothetically give athletes a huge advantage. But "the identity card of a muscle fibre is based on thousands of genes, we cannot change them change them all," said Bigard, adding the "human machine is very complex". "The transformation of man into an animal capable of running a marathon in one hour and 40 minutes would take a long time, if it is possible, and there are an incalculable number of scientific limits," said Sallet. And, he added, "there will always be one limit: keeping the person alive."

Faster, higher, stronger... no longer; scientists say era of breaking running records coming to end

Delhiites can avail 52 life-saving surgical services from private hospitals if government hospitals don&#39;t provide a date within one month of diagnosis, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday.&nbsp;

&quot;Health services are so expensive today that if anyone suffers from a serious ailment, the biggest worry for the family is not the health of the patient, but where the money would come from,&quot; Arvind Kejriwal said. 
 
&quot;But now there is no need to worry as the Delhi government would ensure that the patient gets the&nbsp;best treatment free of cost,&quot; the Aam Aadmi Party leader&nbsp;added.

The government has tied-up&nbsp;with 48 private hospitals collectively in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad. If any of the 24 Delhi Government hospitals refer a patient to a private hospital, they can avail treatment there and the fee will be paid by the government. No upper limit has been set for these treatments.

The 52 surgeries that the government has shortlisted include bypass, kidney, prostate, and thyroid. The proof of income&nbsp;is not required while residential proof is, as evidence of being a resident of Delhi.

A patient can also choose a&nbsp;private hospital if and when the need arises.&nbsp;

The government has allotted one-fourth of its budget to education and 14-18 per cent to the health sector.&nbsp;

&quot;Within a month we will launch a scheme to provide free treatment at private hospitals to victims of road accidents, acid attacks and people who suffer burn injuries,&quot; said health minister Satyendra Jain.

The accident scheme will be open to all, not just people from Delhi. The only condition will be that the accident should have taken place in Delhi.

This announcement comes as the third &quot;one-of-its-kind&quot; initiative taken by the Delhi Government under the health scheme that aims at improving health-related facilities. The other two were the provision of free medicines in all Government hospitals and free medical tests provided at private diagnostic centres.

The 52 surgeries that the government has shortlisted include bypass, kidney, prostate, and thyroid

Delhiites can avail 52 life-saving surgical services from private hospitals if government hospitals don't provide a date within one month of diagnosis, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. "Health services are so expensive today that if anyone suffers from a serious ailment, the biggest worry for the family is not the health of the patient, but where the money would come from," Arvind Kejriwal said. "But now there is no need to worry as the Delhi government would ensure that the patient gets the best treatment free of cost," the Aam Aadmi Party leader added. The government has tied-up with 48 private hospitals collectively in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad. If any of the 24 Delhi Government hospitals refer a patient to a private hospital, they can avail treatment there and the fee will be paid by the government. No upper limit has been set for these treatments. The 52 surgeries that the government has shortlisted include bypass, kidney, prostate, and thyroid. The proof of income is not required while residential proof is, as evidence of being a resident of Delhi. A patient can also choose a private hospital if and when the need arises. The government has allotted one-fourth of its budget to education and 14-18 per cent to the health sector. "Within a month we will launch a scheme to provide free treatment at private hospitals to victims of road accidents, acid attacks and people who suffer burn injuries," said health minister Satyendra Jain. The accident scheme will be open to all, not just people from Delhi. The only condition will be that the accident should have taken place in Delhi. This announcement comes as the third "one-of-its-kind" initiative taken by the Delhi Government under the health scheme that aims at improving health-related facilities. The other two were the provision of free medicines in all Government hospitals and free medical tests provided at private diagnostic centres.

Private hospitals an option if govt hospitals too busy: Delhi chief minister

Swami Sivananda is a Hindu&nbsp;monk who was born on August 8, 1896, according to his passport. Claiming to be India&#39;s oldest living man, he is now applying to be recognized by&nbsp;Guinness World Records. That honor is currently held by&nbsp;Israel Kristal, who formally entered the books on&nbsp;March 11, 2016, at the age of&nbsp;112 years and 178 days.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZSuYyi11K4A?list=PLmWa9ZZLlCjt0Jlg7kN3JBNX4LH1sRsGh" width="970"></iframe>

Sivananda hails from the city of Varanasi in India and grew up in extreme poverty. He lost his parents at an early age and chose to become a monk. He credits his long life to his daily routine, which includes daily yoga, celibacy and discipline. Among other things,&nbsp;Sivananda sleeps on a mat on the floor and uses a wooden slab as a pillow. He is unfazed by the technological advancements of the new world, given that he was born in colonial era India without electricity, cars or telephones.&nbsp;

Swami Sivananda is a Hindu monk who was born on August 8, 1896, according to his passport. Claiming to be India's oldest living man, he is now applying to be recognized by Guinness World Records. That honor is currently held by Israel Kristal, who formally entered the books on March 11, 2016, at the age of 112 years and 178 days. Sivananda hails from the city of Varanasi in India and grew up in extreme poverty. He lost his parents at an early age and chose to become a monk. He credits his long life to his daily routine, which includes daily yoga, celibacy and discipline. Among other things, Sivananda sleeps on a mat on the floor and uses a wooden slab as a pillow. He is unfazed by the technological advancements of the new world, given that he was born in colonial era India without electricity, cars or telephones.

Video: India's oldest man does yoga every day to remain young

Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have developed an electrical immunosensor for early detection of heart attacks, which provides results in just one minute. 
 
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Therefore, a fast and reliable diagnosis of heart attack is urgently needed, researchers said.&nbsp;The system works by measuring the level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a protein that is excreted by the heart muscle into the blood following a heart attack. 
 
&quot;This new immunosensor is constructed in a different way than any other sensor. Owing to the new design of this immunosensor, this device is able to rapidly diagnose the level of heart attacks at the point of care,&quot; said Jaesung Jang from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea. 
 
Using just a single droplet of blood, this immunosensor detects the target protein present in the blood serum following a heart attack and provides a result in one minute. 
 
In the study, dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces were applied to attract the target protein. The incubation time required for the detection is decreased through DEP-mediated biomarker concentration, in which the target protein is attracted onto the sensing areas via electrical forces.&nbsp;Therefore, the dielectrophoretic concentration of cTnI reduced the incubation time required from 60 minutes to one minute, researchers said. 
 
&quot;The level of cTnI within a single droplet of blood serum is not great. However, we were able to attract the target protein onto the sensing areas via electrical forces, thereby greatly improving detection time and detection limit,&quot; said Chang-Ho Han from UNIST. 
 
According to researchers, including Abhinav Sharma from UNIST, this novel immunosensor holds considerable potential for use as a platform for sensing distinct types of proteins, along with the feasibility of miniaturisation and integration for biomedical diagnosis.&nbsp;The findings were published in the journal Biosensors &amp; Bioelectronics. 
 
(PTI)

Using just a single droplet of blood, this immunosensor detects the target protein present in the blood serum following a heart attack

Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have developed an electrical immunosensor for early detection of heart attacks, which provides results in just one minute. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Therefore, a fast and reliable diagnosis of heart attack is urgently needed, researchers said. The system works by measuring the level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a protein that is excreted by the heart muscle into the blood following a heart attack. "This new immunosensor is constructed in a different way than any other sensor. Owing to the new design of this immunosensor, this device is able to rapidly diagnose the level of heart attacks at the point of care," said Jaesung Jang from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea. Using just a single droplet of blood, this immunosensor detects the target protein present in the blood serum following a heart attack and provides a result in one minute. In the study, dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces were applied to attract the target protein. The incubation time required for the detection is decreased through DEP-mediated biomarker concentration, in which the target protein is attracted onto the sensing areas via electrical forces. Therefore, the dielectrophoretic concentration of cTnI reduced the incubation time required from 60 minutes to one minute, researchers said. "The level of cTnI within a single droplet of blood serum is not great. However, we were able to attract the target protein onto the sensing areas via electrical forces, thereby greatly improving detection time and detection limit," said Chang-Ho Han from UNIST. According to researchers, including Abhinav Sharma from UNIST, this novel immunosensor holds considerable potential for use as a platform for sensing distinct types of proteins, along with the feasibility of miniaturisation and integration for biomedical diagnosis. The findings were published in the journal Biosensors & Bioelectronics. (PTI)

Researchers develop new sensor to detect heart attacks in one minute

Phones or watches may be smart enough to detect sound, light, motion, touch, direction, acceleration and even the weather, but they can`t smell. 
 
That`s created a technology bottleneck that companies have spent more than a decade trying to fill. Most have failed. 
 
A powerful portable electronic nose, says Redg Snodgrass, a venture capitalist funding hardware start-ups, would open up new horizons for health, food, personal hygiene and even security. 
 
Imagine, he says, being able to analyse what someone has eaten or drunk based on the chemicals they emit; detect disease early via an app; or smell the fear in a potential terrorist. &quot;Smell,&quot; he says, &quot;is an important piece&quot; of the puzzle. 
 
It`s not through lack of trying. Aborted projects and failed companies litter the aroma-sensing landscape. But that`s not stopping newcomers from trying. 
 
Like Tristan Rousselle`s Grenoble-based Aryballe Technologies, which recently showed off a prototype of NeOse, a hand-held device he says will initially detect up to 50 common odours. &quot;It`s a risky project. There are simpler things to do in life,&quot; he says candidly. 
 
MASS, NOT ENERGY 
 
The problem, says David Edwards, a chemical engineer at Harvard University, is that unlike light and sound, scent is not energy, but mass. &quot;It`s a very different kind of signal,&quot; he says. 
 
That means each smell requires a different kind of sensor, making devices bulky and limited in what they can do. The aroma of coffee, for example, consists of more than 600 components. 
 
France`s Alpha MOS was first to build electronic noses for limited industrial use, but its foray into developing a smaller model that would do more has run aground. Within a year of unveiling a prototype for a device that would allow smartphones to detect and analyse smells, the website of its US-based arm Boyd Sense has gone dark. Neither company responded to emails requesting comment. 
 
The website of Adamant Technologies, which in 2013 promised a device that would wirelessly connect to smartphones and measure a 
user`s health from their breath, has also gone quiet. Its founder didn`t respond to emails seeking comment. 
 
For now, start-ups focus on narrower goals or on industries that don`t care about portability. 
 
California-based Aromyx, for example, is working with major food companies to help them capture a digital profile for every odour, using its EssenceChip. Wave some food across the device and it captures a digital signature that can be manipulated as if it were a sound or image file. 
 
But, despite its name, this is not being done on silicon, says CEO Chris Hanson. Nor is the device something you could carry or wear. &quot;Mobile and wearable are a decade away at least,&quot; he says. 
 
Partly, the problem is that we still don`t understand well how humans and animals detect and interpret smells. The Nobel prize for understanding the principles of olfaction, or smell, was awarded only 12 years ago.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The biology of olfaction is still a frontier of science, very connected to the frontier of neuroscience,&quot; says Edwards, the Harvard chemical engineer. 
 
MORE PUSH THAN PULL 
 
That leaves start-ups reaching for lower-hanging fruit. 
 
Snodgrass is funding a start-up called Tzoa, a wearable that measures air quality. He says interest in this from polluted China is particularly strong. Another, Nima, raised $9 million last month to build devices that can test food for proteins and substances, including gluten, peanuts and milk. Its first product will be available shortly, the company says. 
 
For now, mobile phones are more likely to deliver smells than detect them. Edwards` Vapor Communications, for example, in April launched Cyrano, a tub-sized cylinder that users can direct to emit scents from a mobile app - in the same way iTunes or Spotify directs a speaker to emit sounds. 
 
Japanese start-up Scentee is revamping its scent-emitting smartphone module, says co-founder Koki Tsubouchi, shifting focus from sending scent messages to controlling the fragrance of a room. 
 
There may be scepticism - history and cinemas are littered with the residue of failed attempts to introduce smell into our lives going back to the 1930s - but companies sniff a revival. 
 
Dutch group Philips filed a recent patent for a device that would influence, or prime, users` behaviour by stimulating their senses, including through smell. Nike filed something similar, pumping scents through a user`s headphones or glasses to improve performance. 
 
The holy grail, though, remains sensing smells.&nbsp; 
 
Samsung Electronics was recently awarded a patent for an olfactory sensor that could be incorporated into any device, from a smartphone to an electronic tattoo. 
 
One day these devices will be commonplace, says Avery Gilbert, an expert on scent and author of a book on the science behind it, gradually embedding specialised applications into our lives.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I don`t think you`re going to solve it all at once,&quot; he says. 
 
(Reuters)

Aryballe Technologies displayed a prototype of NeOse, a hand-held device that can detect up to 50 common odours

Phones or watches may be smart enough to detect sound, light, motion, touch, direction, acceleration and even the weather, but they can`t smell. That`s created a technology bottleneck that companies have spent more than a decade trying to fill. Most have failed. A powerful portable electronic nose, says Redg Snodgrass, a venture capitalist funding hardware start-ups, would open up new horizons for health, food, personal hygiene and even security. Imagine, he says, being able to analyse what someone has eaten or drunk based on the chemicals they emit; detect disease early via an app; or smell the fear in a potential terrorist. "Smell," he says, "is an important piece" of the puzzle. It`s not through lack of trying. Aborted projects and failed companies litter the aroma-sensing landscape. But that`s not stopping newcomers from trying. Like Tristan Rousselle`s Grenoble-based Aryballe Technologies, which recently showed off a prototype of NeOse, a hand-held device he says will initially detect up to 50 common odours. "It`s a risky project. There are simpler things to do in life," he says candidly. MASS, NOT ENERGY The problem, says David Edwards, a chemical engineer at Harvard University, is that unlike light and sound, scent is not energy, but mass. "It`s a very different kind of signal," he says. That means each smell requires a different kind of sensor, making devices bulky and limited in what they can do. The aroma of coffee, for example, consists of more than 600 components. France`s Alpha MOS was first to build electronic noses for limited industrial use, but its foray into developing a smaller model that would do more has run aground. Within a year of unveiling a prototype for a device that would allow smartphones to detect and analyse smells, the website of its US-based arm Boyd Sense has gone dark. Neither company responded to emails requesting comment. The website of Adamant Technologies, which in 2013 promised a device that would wirelessly connect to smartphones and measure a user`s health from their breath, has also gone quiet. Its founder didn`t respond to emails seeking comment. For now, start-ups focus on narrower goals or on industries that don`t care about portability. California-based Aromyx, for example, is working with major food companies to help them capture a digital profile for every odour, using its EssenceChip. Wave some food across the device and it captures a digital signature that can be manipulated as if it were a sound or image file. But, despite its name, this is not being done on silicon, says CEO Chris Hanson. Nor is the device something you could carry or wear. "Mobile and wearable are a decade away at least," he says. Partly, the problem is that we still don`t understand well how humans and animals detect and interpret smells. The Nobel prize for understanding the principles of olfaction, or smell, was awarded only 12 years ago. "The biology of olfaction is still a frontier of science, very connected to the frontier of neuroscience," says Edwards, the Harvard chemical engineer. MORE PUSH THAN PULL That leaves start-ups reaching for lower-hanging fruit. Snodgrass is funding a start-up called Tzoa, a wearable that measures air quality. He says interest in this from polluted China is particularly strong. Another, Nima, raised $9 million last month to build devices that can test food for proteins and substances, including gluten, peanuts and milk. Its first product will be available shortly, the company says. For now, mobile phones are more likely to deliver smells than detect them. Edwards` Vapor Communications, for example, in April launched Cyrano, a tub-sized cylinder that users can direct to emit scents from a mobile app - in the same way iTunes or Spotify directs a speaker to emit sounds. Japanese start-up Scentee is revamping its scent-emitting smartphone module, says co-founder Koki Tsubouchi, shifting focus from sending scent messages to controlling the fragrance of a room. There may be scepticism - history and cinemas are littered with the residue of failed attempts to introduce smell into our lives going back to the 1930s - but companies sniff a revival. Dutch group Philips filed a recent patent for a device that would influence, or prime, users` behaviour by stimulating their senses, including through smell. Nike filed something similar, pumping scents through a user`s headphones or glasses to improve performance. The holy grail, though, remains sensing smells. Samsung Electronics was recently awarded a patent for an olfactory sensor that could be incorporated into any device, from a smartphone to an electronic tattoo. One day these devices will be commonplace, says Avery Gilbert, an expert on scent and author of a book on the science behind it, gradually embedding specialised applications into our lives. "I don`t think you`re going to solve it all at once," he says. (Reuters)

Portable electronic nose to broaden scope for health industry

In a rare case, a 22-year-old woman has given birth to &#39;Siamese twins&#39; at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Latur district of Maharashtra, doctors said today. 
 
The woman, Tasleen Masuldar, last night gave birth to the &#39;Siamese twins&#39;, said doctor Bhaurao Yadav to PTI, who performed a Cesarean on her 
 
&quot;The two children have two hands, two legs, separate heads each, but they posses a common liver and heart,&quot; he said. 
 
According to Yadav, the patient hails from Sastur village and now her condition is stable.&nbsp; 
(PTI)

The two children have two hands, two legs, separate heads each, but they share a liver and heart

In a rare case, a 22-year-old woman has given birth to 'Siamese twins' at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Latur district of Maharashtra, doctors said today. The woman, Tasleen Masuldar, last night gave birth to the 'Siamese twins', said doctor Bhaurao Yadav to PTI, who performed a Cesarean on her "The two children have two hands, two legs, separate heads each, but they posses a common liver and heart," he said. According to Yadav, the patient hails from Sastur village and now her condition is stable. (PTI)

Woman gives birth to Siamese twins in Maharashtra

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{134}" paraid="100684559">Delhi&#39;s population of 10 million&nbsp;is served by 38&nbsp;state-run&nbsp;hospitals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The job they do is admirable given the workload --&nbsp;India&#39;s doctor to patient ratio is 1:1,700 -- a&nbsp;visit to one is not always a pleasant experience. Government-run&nbsp;hospitals tend to be&nbsp;a&nbsp;messy, chaotic affair.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{215}" paraid="365142878">Madhuri,&nbsp;therefore,&nbsp;is fortunate. She has a fever and has been feeling nauseous but she will not have to make the trek to the nearest government hospital.&nbsp;She&nbsp;will&nbsp;instead&nbsp;go&nbsp;to her&nbsp;mohalla&nbsp;or&nbsp;neighbourhood&nbsp;clinic&nbsp;the first of which was set up by Delhi&#39;s&nbsp;Aam&nbsp;Aadmi&nbsp;Party (common&nbsp;man&nbsp;party) government in July 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{222}" paraid="1477063622">At the clinic,&nbsp;Madhuri&nbsp;is taken to a doctor who gives her a&nbsp;physical check-up&nbsp;and then takes a blood sample to test for dengue fever.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{226}" paraid="756363643">Madhuri&#39;s&nbsp;results come back in under a minute.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{229}" paraid="12864790">In under a minute! How can that be possible?&nbsp;Even a private laboratory&nbsp;in Delhi takes at least a day to return test results.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{237}" paraid="1948929865">The miracle worker in this little two-room clinic in the Indian capital&#39;s&nbsp;Peeragarhi&nbsp;area is&nbsp;Swasthya&nbsp;Slate, a compact, 8x12-inch&nbsp;portable device that hooks up to Android phones and tablet computers and allows doctors to conduct as many as 33 diagnostic tests &ndash; including for&nbsp;malaria, dengue, hepatitis B, typhoid, and HIV. A blood or urine sample is placed on a disposable strip, inserted into the Slate, and in less than a minute the results show up on the doctor&#39;s tablet or phone.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{241}" paraid="1181462168">The Slate can also do an ECG&nbsp;and check blood pressure and heart rates.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{246}" paraid="1949557041">((insert picture here of the&nbsp;Swasthya&nbsp;Slate)&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{28}" paraid="2020582874">The&nbsp;Swasthya&nbsp;(means health in Hindi)&nbsp;Slate has been a hit so far with both doctors and patients.&nbsp;Each unit costs about&nbsp;Rs&nbsp;40,000 or&nbsp;US$&nbsp;600.&nbsp;Aided&nbsp;by the Slate, a doctor is able to see and diagnose about 50&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;more patients than he did before. &ldquo;As many as 300 patients come to us a day. Earlier, I could diagnose about&nbsp;100 of them. Today,&nbsp;over an eight-hour shift and with the help of the Slate, I can diagnose as many as 150,&quot; says Rather&nbsp;Basit&nbsp;Nazir, the government doctor who&nbsp;has been manning the&nbsp;Peeragarhi&nbsp;clinic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{35}" paraid="1791850438">The next time those 150 patients come in,&nbsp;Nazir&nbsp;will have their medical history handy,&nbsp;for the Slate stores it in the cloud.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{40}" paraid="424907524">&ldquo;I have all his information handy before a patient gets to me. I don&rsquo;t have to call him back with his test reports. That helps both us and the patient save time,&rdquo; says&nbsp;Nazir.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{55}" paraid="1980413343">Which was exactly why&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;Kanav&nbsp;Kahol, a biomedical engineer and researcher at Arizona State University, invented the Slate &ndash; to speed up testing and to cut costs. The Slate also recommends what treatment and medication can be given to patients, says&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;Vijender&nbsp;Jeph, who heads business development for the Slate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{61}" paraid="322069114">Madhuri&#39;s&nbsp;test comes back positive. She does have&nbsp;dengue&nbsp;fever.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{77}" paraid="1960217798">Dr&nbsp;Basit&nbsp;checks his phone &ndash; to see what the Slate tells him about treatment &ndash; and writes out a prescription. As an added precaution, he also tests&nbsp;Madhuri&#39;s&nbsp;four-year-old son.&nbsp;His test&nbsp;has a&nbsp;negative&nbsp;report.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{102}" paraid="929087681">The&nbsp;mohalla&nbsp;clinics have themselves been revolutionary. They were set up to pare down the overcrowding that government hospitals in India, especially in the bigger cities, are&nbsp;synonymous&nbsp;with and,&nbsp;of course,&nbsp;to provide affordable healthcare&nbsp;to people closer to their homes. Private hospitals in India tend to be good but expensive. The Delhi government had promised that a 100 clinics would come up by July.&nbsp;So far they&nbsp;have set up 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{121}" paraid="499288928">Which means they will probably miss their deadlines,&nbsp;but the clinics&nbsp;which will be staffed by doctors from government hospitals and will also function as&nbsp;immunisation&nbsp;centres&nbsp;for children, have certainly found a fan in&nbsp;Madhuri. Going to a government hospital earlier&nbsp;would take up almost two days,&nbsp;she says. One day to get there, wait in line, and then go back the next day to collect her reports. &quot;Plus, I never got free medicine there. Here I do. And the tests are so quick. I certainly hope my&nbsp;mohalla&nbsp;clinic stays. In fact, I hope they build all 100.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

The 8x12-inch Swasthya Slate hooks up to Android phones and tablets, and is able to conduct 33 medical tests, including those for dengue, malaria, HIV, and even ECGs, in under a minute

Delhi's population of 10 million is served by 38 state-run hospitals. The job they do is admirable given the workload -- India's doctor to patient ratio is 1:1,700 -- a visit to one is not always a pleasant experience. Government-run hospitals tend to be a messy, chaotic affair. Madhuri, therefore, is fortunate. She has a fever and has been feeling nauseous but she will not have to make the trek to the nearest government hospital. She will instead go to her mohalla or neighbourhood clinic the first of which was set up by Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (common man party) government in July 2015. At the clinic, Madhuri is taken to a doctor who gives her a physical check-up and then takes a blood sample to test for dengue fever. Madhuri's results come back in under a minute. In under a minute! How can that be possible? Even a private laboratory in Delhi takes at least a day to return test results. The miracle worker in this little two-room clinic in the Indian capital's Peeragarhi area is Swasthya Slate, a compact, 8x12-inch portable device that hooks up to Android phones and tablet computers and allows doctors to conduct as many as 33 diagnostic tests – including for malaria, dengue, hepatitis B, typhoid, and HIV. A blood or urine sample is placed on a disposable strip, inserted into the Slate, and in less than a minute the results show up on the doctor's tablet or phone. The Slate can also do an ECG and check blood pressure and heart rates. ((insert picture here of the Swasthya Slate) The Swasthya (means health in Hindi) Slate has been a hit so far with both doctors and patients. Each unit costs about Rs 40,000 or US$ 600. Aided by the Slate, a doctor is able to see and diagnose about 50 per cent more patients than he did before. “As many as 300 patients come to us a day. Earlier, I could diagnose about 100 of them. Today, over an eight-hour shift and with the help of the Slate, I can diagnose as many as 150," says Rather Basit Nazir, the government doctor who has been manning the Peeragarhi clinic. The next time those 150 patients come in, Nazir will have their medical history handy, for the Slate stores it in the cloud. “I have all his information handy before a patient gets to me. I don’t have to call him back with his test reports. That helps both us and the patient save time,” says Nazir. Which was exactly why Dr Kanav Kahol, a biomedical engineer and researcher at Arizona State University, invented the Slate – to speed up testing and to cut costs. The Slate also recommends what treatment and medication can be given to patients, says Dr Vijender Jeph, who heads business development for the Slate. Madhuri's test comes back positive. She does have dengue fever. Dr Basit checks his phone – to see what the Slate tells him about treatment – and writes out a prescription. As an added precaution, he also tests Madhuri's four-year-old son. His test has a negative report. The mohalla clinics have themselves been revolutionary. They were set up to pare down the overcrowding that government hospitals in India, especially in the bigger cities, are synonymous with and, of course, to provide affordable healthcare to people closer to their homes. Private hospitals in India tend to be good but expensive. The Delhi government had promised that a 100 clinics would come up by July. So far they have set up 22. Which means they will probably miss their deadlines, but the clinics which will be staffed by doctors from government hospitals and will also function as immunisation centres for children, have certainly found a fan in Madhuri. Going to a government hospital earlier would take up almost two days, she says. One day to get there, wait in line, and then go back the next day to collect her reports. "Plus, I never got free medicine there. Here I do. And the tests are so quick. I certainly hope my mohalla clinic stays. In fact, I hope they build all 100."

Delhi makes health check-ups easy with Swasthya Slate ? its one-stop medical test kit

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, the second such declaration from the country at the epicentre of the global&nbsp;outbreak of the disease.

The proclamation was made because the person with Guinea&#39;s last confirmed case tested negative for the second time more than 42 days ago.

Guinea will now enter a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to make sure of the identification of any new cases before they spread to others.

In the most recent outbreak, seven confirmed and three possible cases of the virus surfaced between March 17 and April 6. At least five people died.

Another three cases were recorded in neighbouring Liberia in a woman who had travelled from Guinea and her two children.

The flare-up seems to have occurred after a person came into contact with infected body fluid from an Ebola survivor, WHO said. Since the virus can remain active in certain body fluids for months, the WHO cautions the risk of outbreaks remain.

However, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that the organisation was confident that affected countries were prepared and could deal with flare-ups efficiently.

Guinea is believed to be where the world&#39;s worst Ebola outbreak occurred, spanning three countries primarily and killing 11,310 people. It first declared itself free of transmission in December.

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said, the second such declaration from the country at the global epicentre of the disease.

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, the second such declaration from the country at the epicentre of the global outbreak of the disease. The proclamation was made because the person with Guinea's last confirmed case tested negative for the second time more than 42 days ago. Guinea will now enter a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to make sure of the identification of any new cases before they spread to others. In the most recent outbreak, seven confirmed and three possible cases of the virus surfaced between March 17 and April 6. At least five people died. Another three cases were recorded in neighbouring Liberia in a woman who had travelled from Guinea and her two children. The flare-up seems to have occurred after a person came into contact with infected body fluid from an Ebola survivor, WHO said. Since the virus can remain active in certain body fluids for months, the WHO cautions the risk of outbreaks remain. However, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that the organisation was confident that affected countries were prepared and could deal with flare-ups efficiently. Guinea is believed to be where the world's worst Ebola outbreak occurred, spanning three countries primarily and killing 11,310 people. It first declared itself free of transmission in December.

Guinea declared free of active Ebola transmission - WHO

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