MHA allays concerns over Census delay amid mounting criticism from Oppn
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Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dormant Cancer: COVID, flu viruses can awaken dormant cancer cells, finds US study: Know what it means and how serious it is
Scientists at the University of Colorado set out to crack the mystery of why some cancer survivors suddenly face their cancer coming back (metastasis), sometimes years after treatment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The culprit, it turns out, might be infections from respiratory viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). These common bugs, which most of us get at least occasionally, can spark inflammation throughout the body. And for dormant cancer cells—called disseminated cancer cells or DCCs—this inflammation is a loud wake-up call. Here's what they did: Researchers used mouse models of breast cancer to see how infections affected these sleeping cancer cells. They infected the mice with either influenza or SARS-CoV-2. What happened next was jaw-dropping: Within just three days, the number of DCCs in the lungs shot up. Not only that, these cells were way more likely to 'wake up' and grow. In fact, the number remained high for months after infection. So, those cancer cells that had almost disappeared quietly multiplied again, due to the infection. The findings of the study have been published in Nature journal. Digging deeper, the team found a key player: an inflammatory molecule called IL-6. Mice that couldn't make IL-6 didn't see the same explosion of DCCs after infection. This means IL-6 acts like a middleman, triggering dormant cancer cells to get back into action. Even the immune system wasn't off the hook. They spotted that CD4+ T cells—a type of immune cell—were actually helping these newly active cancer cells by holding back another part of the immune system, the CD8+ T cells, which would normally hunt and destroy cancer cells. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now When researchers zapped the CD4+ T cells, more CD8+ T cells got to work and wiped out more cancer. But that's mice. What about people? The researchers checked large health record databases in the UK, looking at people who had been in cancer remission. Those who got COVID-19 had nearly double the risk of dying from cancer than those who didn't get the virus. In another large group of women with breast cancer, getting COVID increased the risk of the cancer spreading to the lungs by about 40%. That's a serious bump. So, what does it mean for cancer survivors? This study suggests that respiratory viruses—including those we might take for granted—could play a hidden role in cancer coming back, especially in the lungs. It doesn't mean every cold or bout of flu will trigger a problem, but for people who've beaten cancer once, it's one more reason to take infections seriously and consider preventive steps when possible. Doctors and scientists are now on the lookout for ways to block this process—perhaps by targeting that IL-6 molecule or tweaking the immune response—to help keep those cancer 'embers' from getting fanned into flames again. If you're a cancer survivor, staying up to date with vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, and talking to your doctor about risk during cold, flu, and COVID seasons could be even more important than you realized. It's not just about dodging a tough week in bed—it's about keeping those lurking cancer cells asleep, for good.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
She Cleared Neet, Worked 12-Hour Shifts And Then Cracked UPSC. Today, She Is IAS Officer
Last Updated: Doctor-turned-IAS officer Anjali Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 79 while working 12-hour night shifts at Safdarjung Hospital. Meet the woman who left her medical career to become an IAS officer. Despite working long night shifts as a doctor, she managed to crack one of the toughest exams in India, the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her journey is proof that with hard work and determination, even the toughest dreams can come true. Every year, lakhs of candidates prepare for UPSC, but only a handful succeed. Some take years and multiple attempts to clear it. But Dr. Anjali Garg's story stands out because she had already built a successful career in medicine before deciding to chase a completely different path. She first cleared the NEET exam to become a doctor, and later, in her second attempt, secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 79 in UPSC, eventually joining the prestigious IAS. Who is IAS Anjali Garg? Anjali Garg was born on September 14, 1996, in Chandigarh. She comes from a business family and had no background in civil services, yet she carved her way. A bright student since childhood, she scored a perfect 10 CGPA in Class 10 and 96 per cent in Class 12 (medical stream). After cracking NEET, she studied MBBS at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, one of the country's top medical colleges. Why She Left Medicine for UPSC During her MBBS journey, Anjali often noticed the lack of proper healthcare facilities in different parts of the country. This made her realise that systemic change was needed beyond just treating patients individually. She felt that becoming an IAS officer would allow her to bring larger reforms and help more people. It wasn't an easy decision, as she had to step away from a secure medical career to enter a highly competitive exam where success is never guaranteed. Her UPSC Struggle and Success Preparing for UPSC was anything but smooth. Anjali worked 12-hour night shifts at Safdarjung Hospital while also studying for the exam. She often carried her books to work and revised during breaks. The tough schedule affected her health too, leading to joint pains and frequent illness. But she refused to give up. Her first attempt coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, when her parents also fell sick. That attempt did not go her way. But instead of losing hope, she came back stronger. In her second attempt in 2022, she secured AIR 79 and emerged as the medical science topper with 134 marks in the optional subject. Her success showed that determination can overcome even the toughest challenges. Current Posting Today, Dr. Anjali Garg is serving as an Assistant Commissioner in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. From wearing a doctor's coat to taking charge as an IAS officer, her journey is nothing short of inspiring. She proved that changing careers is possible if you are truly passionate and ready to work hard. For thousands of young aspirants, her story is a reminder that perseverance and dedication can make any dream a reality. view comments First Published: August 20, 2025, 10:31 IST News viral She Cleared Neet, Worked 12-Hour Shifts And Then Cracked UPSC. Today, She Is IAS Officer Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Aiims study finds catheter infections in hospital widespread across India
Bloodstream infections acquired during a hospital stay due to the use of a catheter are prevalent across ICUs in India and are often caused by microbes having a high level of antibiotic resistance, according to a study led by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Antibiotic resistance -- in which antibiotic drugs are rendered ineffective because disease-causing microbes have become immune to them -- can extend one's hospital stay and treatment costs, adding stress to a public healthcare system. Estimates published in The Lancet Global Health journal show that on average, around nine bloodstream infection events occur every 1,000 days that a central line -- a catheter inserted in a patient's large vein instead of an intravenous line -- was in place in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Indian hospitals. 'Central line-associated bloodstream infections', or CLABSI, are preventable infections -- often acquired from a hospital environment -- and significantly contribute to illness and death in low- and middle-income countries, including India. The researchers said that tracking rates of bloodstream infections in ICUs can help countries develop preventive measures suited to a healthcare system. However, setting up a surveillance that systematically tracks infections due to catheter use or other hospital-acquired infections calls for a significant amount of resources and is a challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including India, they said. The team analysed data from 200 intensive care units received by the Indian Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) surveillance network from 54 hospitals across the country over a period of seven years. "During the surveillance period from May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2024, 8,629 laboratory-confirmed CLABSI events, 3,054,124 patient-days and 977,052 central line-days were recorded. The overall pooled CLABSI rate was 8.83 per 1,000 central line-days," the authors wrote. Highest rates of bloodstream infections linked to central line catheter use were seen to occur during 2020-21, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic, which the researchers said may be due to overwhelmed ICUs, staff shortage and compromised infection prevention measures. The study -- first large-scale observational one, providing a standardised surveillance report of CLABSI in India -- provides a valuable opportunity for a quality improvement-based approach for the reduction of CLABSI, the authors said.
