In India, a country with a vast population and a diverse socio-economic fabric, healthcare remains fraught with challenges including disparities in access. These socio-economic disparities are deep, and they influence health outcomes. It is imperative to bridge these gaps amid the ongoing epidemiological, nutritional and demographic transitions that are bringing …
Despite the mounting evidence on the serious health risks from particulate pollution even at relatively low concentrations, the biological mechanism by which it adversely affects humans is not understood properly. The who estimates that about 500,000 deaths are caused per year throughout the world due to exposure to particulate pollution. …
Studies conducted in USA have revealed that particulate pollution has a serious effect on the life expectancy of people. Let us assume that a serious episode of particulate pollution leads to heart failure in a person aged 70 years who has a previous record of heart problems, but survives the …
• Increased susceptibility to infection from impaired immune defences • Airways inflammation leading to impaired gas exchange and hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body) • Provocation of alveolar inflammation* by ultrafine particles with the release of mediators that exacerbate underlying lung diseases and increase blood coagulability …
Concern over particles That airborne particles kill has been known for a while. But the threat is rising with every scientific discovery There is nothing new about particulate pollution. Yet, scientists are talking about airborne particles today like never before. As science on air pollution developed in response to environmental …
stressful events are inherent to human existence. The death of a loved one, breaking up of an important relationship, losing a job, financial problems and loss of health or independence. All people undergoing such events are at a high risk of developing depression. While such events make life difficult, people …
Marinating a steak before grilling not only improves its flavour and tenderness but also decreases the production of carcinogenic compounds. The latest evidence for this comes from Mark G Knize, scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA, as part of a study financed by the National Cancer Institute. Marinating …
Is the incidence of cancer on the rise? The increase is both real and apparent. Every year eight million new cases of cancer are being reported worldwide, according to the latest estimates of the World Health Organisation ( who) , 60 per cent of whom can be found in the …
Those studying tumour cells have no way of knowing all the different mutations that make them divide uncontrollably. Robert Weinberg and colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, have successfully transformed a healthy human cell into a cancer cell by making it express three genes that they know are …
Sosobala Mbatha, South Africa's most famous traditional healer, will share his knowledge of Zulu indigenous medicine with his counterparts in the us . Mbatha has been invited to New York by American Traditional Healers for a series of meetings during which they hope to pool information. "By collaborating with other …
"the Marlboro man just fell off his high horse into quicksand and it will be years until the tobacco industry even gets him halfway out,'' said Ahron Leichtman, executive director of Citizens for a Tobacco-Free Society, a non-governmental organisation. He was commenting on a jury decision taken in Florida on …
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China, the two countries have signed an agreement on joint research in the use of herbal medicine to treat cancer and aids . The cooperation will be carried out between the Kunming Institute of …
a global fund to sponsor and coordinate research into the impact of chemicals on human health and the environment was launched in London. The European Chemical Industry Association, the us Chemical Manufacturers Association and the Japanese Chemical Industry Association announced plans for a us $25 million annual fund for a …
a cancer scare, which threatens to become as grave as the bse virus(mad cow disease) in the uk , is causing mayhem in many countries, particularly Europe. At the heart of the controversy are food products from Belgium that were contaminated with dioxins
Cancer cases will rise by 10 per cent in seven years and more than 13,000 cancer patients will die each year in Hong Kong. A document to be discussed at the government's medical services development committee says the number of new cancer cases will reach 22,286 by 2006, compared with …
Should cigarettes have a low or high tar certification? Should the court be approached to force cigarette companies to make safer cigarettes for the general public? There are reasons for asking these questions. The Supreme Court has given top priority to health while ordering car manufacturers to observe emission norms …
whether it is a vegetable or a fruit may never be established conclusively. But the luscious red of the tomato has qualities hitherto unknown: it helps prevent cancers. Tomatoes get their red colour from lycopene, a natural pigment. Lycopene is also found in pink grapefruit, watermelon and guava, among other …
Long-term exposure to atmospheric particles less than 10 microgrammes in diameter (PM10s) can increase chances of lung cancer in men, says a new study. David Abbey and his team from Loma Lind University, California, USA, monitored 6,338 non-smoking Caucasians between the ages of 27 and 95 years who lived in …
The euphoria over the growth in the diesel-powered private vehicular segment would evaporate if people were to open their eyes to the evidence on environmental and health hazards of diesel engines. Diesel engines are primarily responsible for harmful emissions of suspended particulate matter ( spm )
Recent studies show that neither using clean diesel fuel nor improving the quality of the engine help in solving the threat of particulate matter in diesel emissions. So banning the manufacture of diesel cars may be the only option to counter the threats posed by particulate matter. Fuel quality A …
Hell on wheels Dieselmania hits the Indian private automobile sector. And why not? Diesel is cheaper than petrol, and car loans are available in plenty it's sleek , it's mean, it races, it is not an aircraft. It runs on diesel. Some of them even run on petrol. The automobile …
