Watch: Technology, Science, and Policy: can they together save a warming planet?
'Climate change and economics have to be tied into one discussion,' said Dr. Ghosh. While what India commits to absolute reduction of greenhouse gases in the future is a matter of speculation, Dr. Ghosh said that we should counter climate change because three-quarters of the country's districts are hotspots for climate change, and 80% of Indians are already living in areas that are highly vulnerable hydro-meteorological disasters.
While discussing about geoengineering techniques, geoengineering can have side-effects, which is why long-term pilot-scale studies are important, the Mr. Misra said.
Read more: Role of multilateral regime remains relevant in fight against climate change: experts
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Why multiple sclerosis remains under-diagnosed in India, and what needs to change
Multiple Sclerosis, by its core definition, is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. This disease leads the immune system to mistakenly attack the myelin sheath, the fatty layer responsible for giving the brain's white matter its distinctive colour, disrupting the transmission of signals across motor, sensory, visual, cognitive, and autonomic systems. This leads to commonly-experienced symptoms such as unexplained weaknesses, tingling sensations, sensitivity to heat and numbness in the feet- and due to easy dismissal arising from the commonality of these symptoms, many individuals with multiple sclerosis remain undiagnosed, further worsening the brain and body's condition. These unchecked symptoms could lead to them experiencing a relapse - a sudden onset of these symptoms, the intensity of which differs from case to case. The burden of under-diagnosis The issue is lack of awareness around this rare disease: as estimated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI), the approximate number of persons with MS in India is close to 1.8 lakh. However, only about 35% of these cases are diagnosed and registered through organisations such as MSSI. Therefore, a whopping 65% of this number may be living with undiagnosed multiple sclerosis, suggesting that they suffer silently, without proper support, and are uninformed about the root cause behind their symptoms. Studies indicate that both physical and mental aspects of health are deeply affected, causing depression, physical disability and fatigue, leading to an overall drop in quality of life. The heat factor According to a 2024 survey, 80% of Indians between ages 18 to 50 experience at least one symptom of stress on a regular basis, with women being disproportionately affected. This, coupled with India being geographically positioned in a high temperature zone, and the fact that women are more susceptible to MS suggests that Indian women between the ages 18 to 50 may have the highest chances of suffering from undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. MS also afflicts males, and they too may suffer relapses worsened by the same triggers, though generally at a lower prevalence and with varied presentation across age groups and heat exposure. Adding to this, men with MS may experience more severe neurodegeneration and cognitive symptoms - although the root cause remains unclear. Men are shown to have higher chances of being diagnosed with primary progressive MS (PPMS). This type of MS is characterised by a lack of remissions and symptoms that don't improve. Most Indians therefore, undergo MS relapses triggered not just by stress, but also by infections, and prolonged heat. Dismissal of symptoms due to their commonality in nature is not the only factor behind the high ratio between diagnosed and undiagnosed populations affected by MS; lack of awareness among the public and healthcare providers, uneven access to specialist neurologists and MRI diagnostics, and limited data systems for tracking the disease nationwide all contribute to the problem. A scalable solution To bridge this gap, especially in rural settings, one scalable solution is through using the National Health Mission's Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) worker network. Nearly one million ASHAs already engage with rural communities, track symptoms, and help people seek care. Training ASHAs to spot red-flag neurological signs, such as persistent numbness, tingling, and unexplained fatigue that worsens in heat, can greatly reduce missed diagnoses. At the same time, improving primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) under initiatives such as the Aardram Mission in Kerala to include basic neurological screening tools and MRI referral pathways can boost early detection in underserved areas. Supported by targeted education for physicians, including accessible continuing medical education (CME) programmes for general practitioners on recognizing MS, triggers, and referral protocols, we can build a grassroots awareness model that does not rely on metro-based outreach and fits with India's public health system. Need for more awareness The key in bridging the gap between diagnosed patients and silent sufferers of MS in India lies in awareness. With multiple sclerosis still being considered a rare disease, there are no proven studies that determine its root cause or cure. However, better management of symptoms through early diagnosis may lead to a better quality of life, also minimising the overall damage caused to the myelin sheath. It is advisable to check with your neurologist and get screenings done to confirm your diagnosis, if you suspect you may have this autoimmune disease. (Dr (Col) J. D. Mukherji is vice chairman and head, department of neurology, institute of neurosciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi.
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- New Indian Express
IISc researchers develop new imaging method to detect tumours
BENGALURU: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed a new imaging molecule that could help detect tumours accurately, at a fraction of the cost of current methods and without the risks associated with repeated radiation exposure. The molecule, called GPc, is created by scientists from the Department of Bioengineering at IISc and designed for use with Photoacoustic (PA) Tomography, a relatively new imaging technique. Their work could open the door to safer and more affordable tumour detection, especially for tumours located close to the body's surface. Tumour cells are far more active than healthy ones and consume a lot more glucose. PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans — currently the gold standard in cancer imaging — take advantage of this by injecting patients with a radioactive sugar molecule called 18F-FDG. This sugar builds up in tumours, helping doctors spot them. But PET scans are expensive and repeated scans can expose patients to harmful radiation over time. Photoacoustic Tomography uses a safer approach. A near-infrared laser beam is directed at special light-absorbing molecules, called chromophores, which slightly expand and create tiny pressure waves when heated. These waves can be detected as sound signals and processed into 3D images. The method is less costly than PET or MRI and works well for mapping superficial tumours. At present, clinical PA imaging mostly relies on natural chromophores already found in the body, such as haemoglobin. But haemoglobin's signals, while useful, are not strong enough for certain diagnostic needs. This is where IISc's innovation comes in. The team conducted several experiments to see whether GPc enters cells the same way glucose does and whether it competes with glucose for entry. This was important because if GPc behaved like a glucose 'agonist', entering cells and being metabolised, it might not work as a good imaging agent. The results were promising. GPc entered tumour cells easily, was not metabolised, and did not depend on GLUT1 transporters (the proteins that normally carry glucose into cells).
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Study finds widespread lead poisoning among children and pregnant women in Bihar
Patna: Across Bihar's towns and villages, an invisible danger is endangering the lives of children and pregnant women. A recent study has found that nearly 90% of children and 80% of pregnant women in the state have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood, far above the safety threshold defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scale of contamination paints a scary picture of an invisible epidemic, one that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable. Conducted by a team led by former Bihar State Pollution Control Board chairman Ashok Kumar Ghosh, the study revealed that one in five children tested had blood lead levels (BLL) above 10 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL), twice the WHO's threshold for medical intervention. The same ratio applied to pregnant women. "This is a warning bell. Our children are being quietly poisoned," Ghosh said. The findings, published in the July 2025 issue of the international journal 'Environmental Monitoring and Assessment', placed Bihar among the worst-hit regions globally for childhood lead exposure. For comparison, fewer than 3% of children under six in the United States have BLLs above 5 µg/dL and less than 0.4% exceed 10 µg/dL. In parts of Bihar, however, almost half of the children exceeded that alarming mark. The study, conducted at Patna's Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre, was a collaborative effort involving Germany's Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, along with Pure Earth and Viral Strategies in New York. Researchers randomly selected 150 children and several pregnant women in eight districts – Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Nawada, West Champaran, Bhagalpur, Vaishali and Purnia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Elevated lead levels were found in all districts, but Patna, Gaya and Nawada emerged as the most severely affected. In Patna and Gaya, nearly one in two children had BLLs of 10 µg/dL or higher. The data exposed a disturbing truth – lead poisoning is not limited to isolated incidents, but is woven into the daily lives of thousands. Historically, lead poisoning has been one of the oldest recorded occupational diseases. Some scientists even believe chronic lead exposure played a role in the collapse of the Roman Empire. Yet, despite this ancient history, the danger persists in modern India. A 2019 report by UNICEF and Pure Earth estimated that 275 million Indian children are exposed to blood lead levels above 5 µg/dL, figures that remain virtually unchanged today. The causes are as diverse as they are insidious. According to the study, one of the major sources of lead contamination in Bihar is proximity to industrial activity. Nearly half of the children surveyed live within 1km of industries known to use or process lead. These include battery recycling, metal smelting and paint manufacturing – activities that can contaminate local soil and dust, putting nearby families at constant risk. But the threat does not end there. Exposure often begins at home. Children can come into contact with lead brought back on the clothes or tools of parents employed in lead-related industries. Everyday items – from cookware to drinking water – can become vectors of exposure. The study found that 77% of households relied on hand pumps for their water supply and 28% on municipal sources, both of which can be contaminated through ageing pipes or fixtures containing lead. In nearly every home surveyed, metal cookware was used (96%) with plastic or ceramic options virtually absent. Researchers also highlighted a particularly troubling source – adulterated spices. Brightly coloured powders, especially turmeric and red chilli, are sometimes laced with lead-based pigments to improve appearance. "We found a clear and statistically significant link between children's BLLs and lead concentrations in household spices," said one of the study authors. Even more worrying, 87% of households purchase loose spices from local markets, while just 1% buy from recognised national brands. This lack of regulation leaves ample room for dangerous adulteration to go unchecked. In response, the study calls for urgent and far-reaching action. First and foremost, it urges the state govt to integrate routine blood lead level monitoring into paediatric healthcare, allowing early detection and treatment. Secondly, it recommends stronger oversight and testing of consumer products, drinking water, and food items, particularly loose spices and herbal remedies. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 815 million children have blood lead levels above 5 µg/dL – 99% of them in low and middle-income countries. India remains one of the worst-affected, both in terms of scale and impact.
