Bengaluru company unveils cancer atlas mapping genomic diversity to bridge data gap
The atlas was launched by Infosys co-founder N. R. Narayan Murthy. The initiative is aimed at addressing a critical gap in global cancer research — the lack of genomic data from diverse populations.
While most cancer genomic datasets are dominated by Western populations, the GCDA designed by 4baseCare, a precision oncology company, is built on real-world data from India and the global South.
While over 70% of cancer patients live in Asia, West Asia and Latin America, less than 10% of current cancer genomic data represents them. GCDA aims to bridge this disparity to ensure all populations are accurately represented in precision oncology.
The company claims that GCDA is the most inclusive cancer genomics dataset, transforming how it develops diagnostics, conducts research, and delivers cancer care.
By integrating region-specific genomic insights, GCDA empowers clinicians with tools for more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatments, helping to eliminate misdiagnoses and enhance outcomes for patients worldwide.
Mr. Murthy also launched the company's genomics lab in Mahadevapura. The lab will offer advanced genomic testing solutions, including comprehensive gene panels, whole exome sequencing and transcriptome analysis.
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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Dark myth tied to horned ‘Frankenstein rabbits' spark fear across US state as public told to stay away
Sightings of rabbits with tentacles or horns coming from their heads and near their mouths in northern Colorado in the United States have caused widespread concern among local residents. Images of rabbits with this bizarre affliction have made waves across social media, with many likening their strange visage to that of Frankenstein's monster or an undead zombie. Rabbits with horn-like growths have taken the internet by storm in recent weeks, as some have compared them to a mythical creature known in popular Western folklore. Some have described the animals as "Frankenstein-", "zombie-" and "demon-rabbits". The rabbits are suffering from a relatively harmless disease called Shope Papilloma Virus , according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The disease is mainly found in America's Midwest, according to the University of Missouri, and is more noticeable in the summer, when the fleas and ticks that spread the virus are most active. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo ALSO READ: $1,390 stimulus check in your bank account soon? IRS' crucial update for millions of Americans Jackalope mythical creature tied to Zombie rabbits? The virus likely influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, which told of a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other animal variations. The disease in rabbits also contributed to scientists' knowledge about the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer. The virus in rabbits was named after Dr. Richard E Shope, a professor at The Rockefeller University who discovered the disease in cottontails in the 1930s. Live Events According to a report in The US Sun, many have pointed out that the sick animals look a lot like jackalopes. The combination was started by taxidermists in Douglas, Wyoming, during the 1930s. Douglas Herrick, alongside his brother, Ralph, came back from hunting one day and threw a jackrabbit body on the ground next to deer horns. The brothers put the two things together and there, a jackalope was born. ALSO READ: Why Target ousted CEO Brian Cornell after he turned the US retail giant into a $100 billion powerhouse Legends about the jackalope have taken many forms—some describe them as 'killer rabbits,' while others claim the creatures can flawlessly mimic a human voice, even echoing the cowboy songs once sung around campfires. According to the Douglas, Wyoming, tourism website, these mythical animals are also said to have a peculiar taste for whiskey. Douglas, the town where the jackalope legend was born, has fully embraced the creature, turning it into a symbol of local culture. Statues of jackalopes can be found throughout the town, a towering 13-foot cutout greets visitors on a nearby hillside, and the animal proudly appears on the city's official logo. ALSO READ: Top 10 highest paying jobs in US What is SPV virus? A viral disease causing wart-like tumors on rabbits, mainly on their heads, ears, and eyelids is linked to Shope Papilloma Virus. The illness causes wart-like tumors on the little animals, and is spread by biting insects. According to Van Hoose, the infected animals are most common in the summer months when insects (such as fleas and ticks) are more prevalent. Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told The Associated Press that the agency has recently received an influx of calls about the infected rabbits. While people should stay away from the wild rabbits, the virus can only be transferred from rabbit to rabbit, not rabbit to human or other pets. Despite that, Van Hoose has warned people not to touch or go near the rabbits, or any other wild animal. 'That's what we tell everyone with wildlife,' she explained to Time. 'It's just practicing those really smart wildlife principles of keeping your distance, not feeding them, and not trying to step in and help, because there's nothing we can really do.'
News18
a day ago
- News18
Indians Move From Lipid Profile To Advanced Screening Tests Amid Rising Heart Attack Risk
Once thought of as something for people in their 50s and 60s, cardiac check-ups are being embraced by younger Indians. Labs are seeing people in their 20s and 30s visiting. The rising burden of heart diseases — coupled with the alarming rise of heart attacks among Indians — has triggered a national awakening around heart health. Diagnostic centres, digital health platforms, and radiologists alike are witnessing a clear trend: Indians are shifting from fragmented blood tests to comprehensive heart health check-ups, with advanced markers and imaging tests becoming integral to routine preventive care. In recent months, India has been shaken by the sudden loss of several well-known personalities to heart-related causes. In June alone, actress and model Shefali Jariwala, aged 42, collapsed from cardiac arrest, leaving fans stunned. Her passing follows those of TV star Sidharth Shukla (aged 40) and Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar (46), both of whom succumbed to heart attacks in the past few years. The shock extended beyond entertainment: tech entrepreneur Sunjay Kapur, chairman of Sona Comstar, died of a heart attack at 51, while a young district-level boxer, aged 21-year-old, Mohit Sharm, collapsed mid-match, succumbing instantly to a suspected cardiac event. In fact, a 2025 autopsy study from BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad, published in National Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, found that 44 per cent of examined hearts had advanced plaque buildup, and 15 per cent of people under 40 years already had severe atherosclerosis. India accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world's deaths due to heart attacks, and several studies warn that Indians experience cardiovascular disease almost a decade earlier than their Western counterparts. According to the diagnostic chain Agilus, demand for preventive heart health packages rose by 19 per cent in the last year, while the demand for standalone lipid profile testing fell by 2 per cent. 'A clear shift in heart health behaviour is underway as more people are choosing advanced cardiac risk screening instead of just basic cholesterol checks," Anand K, chief executive officer, Agilus Diagnostics told News18. 'Preventive health packages grew 19 per cent in volume as consumers increasingly opt for comprehensive, higher-value heart health checks. In contrast, traditional lipid profile test volumes fell by 2 per cent over the same period, further supporting the trend toward sophisticated risk diagnostics." Experts believe that today's consumer is informed and proactive. 'They are not just checking cholesterol; they are choosing risk markers that offer a fuller picture of heart health," Anand added. Younger patients are driving the demand The most striking development is the profile of those seeking preventive tests. Once thought of as something for people in their 50s and 60s, cardiac check-ups are now being embraced by younger Indians. Dr Sameer Bhati, former director, diagnostic chain Star Imaging and Path Lab, pointed out, 'We are seeing more and more young people in their 20s and 30s visiting diagnostic centres for preventive tests. Many are first-timers who never considered screening earlier." Bhati, who is now the director at Star Welfare and Foundation, said, 'Young age groups are increasingly interested in preventive heart screening. The proportion of 18 to 29-year customers increased from 5 per cent in 2023 to 10 per cent in 2025, to date." 'The age group between 30 to 39 years also increased from 15 per cent to 20 per cent over the same timeframe. Gender split remains consistent at around 60 per cent male and 40 per cent female," Bhati explained. For instance: In Delhi-NCR, the tier-2 suburbs of Gurugram and Ghaziabad now account for around 30 per cent of heart-health test volumes, from approximately 20 per cent in 2023." Data by deep-tech medical AI company, 5C Network – which deploys high-end AI and medical imaging technology in hospitals across India – shows that the share of patients under 40 years in cardiac imaging rose from 18 per cent in 2023 to 26 per cent in 2025 (to date). In fact, they noticed that in 2025, female participation is up by 5 per cent since 2023, with the latest data showing 63 per cent males and 37 per cent females coming for cardiac studies. Demand for advanced heart markers In an interesting shift, the traditional lipid profile and ECG are no longer enough for increasingly health-aware Indians. 'While lipid profile testing has maintained a steady presence, contributing 22–25 per cent of lifestyle-related disease tests, other cardiac risk marker tests have recorded a notable 34 per cent increase in uptake between 2024 and 2025," Aditya Kandoi, CEO and founder, Redcliffe Labs, told News18. 'Lipid monitoring remains a trusted baseline for preventive check-ups," Kandoi said while adding that '…. but, cardiac risk markers have moved a step further, as they help detect early inflammation and hidden risks, enabling proactive intervention before symptoms appear." 5C network's Kalyan also echoed a similar trend – a rise in demand for advanced imaging. One of the top five tests at 5C Network – which serves over 2,500 hospitals and diagnostic centres across India – is 'coronary calcium scoring" which is used to identify hard plaque in arteries, really seeing a pick up in numbers, primarily because of more awareness. 'Heart-related screening and diagnostic tests were up approximately 25 per cent. While chest X-rays went up in general, CT scan for calcium scoring and coronary angiogram saw a big jump," explained Kalyan Sivasailam, founder and CEO, 5C Network. He highlighted, 'Lipoprotein(a) and Apolipoprotein B are now not only in our advanced screening packages, but also being requested by customers directly." Similarly, Agilus' Anand explained that the demand for advanced heart health tests such as hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), and troponin has gone up. 'These advanced markers help detect inflammation, genetic lipid disorders, and early heart muscle injury-critical risk factors often missed by standard cholesterol tests," he explained. How diagnostic landscape evolving? According to Redcliffe Labs, the diagnostic landscape in India has seen a steady rise in preventive testing over the last three years. Labs' data shows that the most commonly ordered tests in 2024 and 2025 remained consistent, with lipid profile, liver function, kidney function, diabetes-related tests and complete blood count (CBC) dominating the top five. 'Compared to 2023, the demand for these tests has grown steadily, reflecting a growing awareness about lifestyle-related conditions," Aditya Kandoi, chief executive officer, Redcliffe Labs, told News18. 'The increased adoption of preventive testing is an encouraging sign. It shows that people are not just seeking healthcare when they fall sick, but also prioritising regular monitoring to make informed lifestyle and treatment decisions." Overall, the stability of the top five tests over the years reflects how core diagnostics remain central to health management, while the rising volumes underscore India's shift towards preventive care. From Reactive to Proactive Health The overall movement is unmistakable: Indians are shifting from a reactive approach to healthcare — where tests followed symptoms — to a more proactive mindset of prevention. Data from Agilus confirms this, with a marked rise in comprehensive preventive health packages that go well beyond the traditional lipid profile. The trend is echoed by 5C Network, which shows growing demand for advanced cardiac imaging such as CT angiography and cardiac scans. Redcliffe Labs too sees increasing demand for next-generation biomarkers, including high-sensitivity CRP, homocysteine and apolipoproteins, tests that were once niche but are now entering the mainstream. top videos View all While the momentum is promising, experts caution that much of the surge in preventive cardiac testing remains urban-centric. 'Geographically, risk is not a metro‑only phenomenon. A study conducted by us showed a shallow urban–non‑urban gradient with abnormalities in Tier‑1 being approximately 51 per cent versus tier‑2/3 signalling 48 pe cent. It reflects that cardiovascular risk is widespread across India, and prevention strategies must be national in scope, not city‑centric," Kandoi from Redcliffe Labs added. For now, though, one thing is certain: heart health has moved from being a medical afterthought to a personal priority. And as more Indians sign up for check-ups, the hope is that early detection and lifestyle interventions can curb the country's growing cardiac burden. About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Heart health heart-attack view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 20, 2025, 10:12 IST News india Indians Move From Lipid Profile To Advanced Screening Tests Amid Rising Heart Attack Risk 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...
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Somalia faces diphtheria surge amid vaccine shortages and aid cuts
Mogadishu: Diphtheria cases and deaths have risen sharply this year in Somalia, where the response has been curtailed by vaccine shortages and U.S. aid cuts, Somali officials said. More than 1,600 cases, including 87 deaths, have been recorded, up from 838 cases and 56 deaths in all of 2024, said Hussein Abdukar Muhidin, the general director of Somalia's National Institute of Health. Diphtheria, a bacterial disease that causes swollen glands, breathing problems and fever and mostly affects children, is preventable with a vaccine that became widely available in the mid-20th century. Childhood immunisation rates in Somalia have improved over the past decade, but hundreds of thousands of children are still not fully vaccinated. After fleeing fighting between government forces and Islamist militants in the central Somalia town of Ceeldheere three months ago, all four of Deka Mohamed Ali's children, none of whom was vaccinated, contracted diphtheria. Her 9-year-old daughter recovered, but her 8-year-old son died and two toddlers are now being treated at a hospital in the capital Mogadishu. "My children got sick and I just stayed at home because I did not know it was diphtheria," she told Reuters from the bedside of her 3-year-old son Musa Abdullahi whose throat was swollen to the size of a lemon from the infection. Health Minister Ali Haji Adam said the government had struggled to procure enough vaccines due to a global shortage and that U.S. aid cuts were making it difficult to distribute the doses it had. Before President Donald Trump cut most foreign assistance earlier this year, the United States was the leading humanitarian donor to Somalia, whose health budget is almost entirely funded by donors. "The U.S. aid cut terribly affected the health funds it used to provide to Somalia. Many health centres closed. Mobile vaccination teams that took vaccines to remote areas lost funding and now do not work," said Adam. Muhidin separately echoed his comments about the closures. Overall U.S. foreign assistance commitments to Somalia stand at $149 million for the fiscal year that ends on September 30, compared with $765 million in the previous fiscal year, according to U.S. government statistics. "The United States continues to provide lifesaving foreign assistance in Somalia," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said when asked about the impact of its aid cuts in the country. "America is the most generous nation in the world, and we urge other nations to dramatically increase their humanitarian efforts." Aid group Save the Children said last month that the closure of hundreds of health clinics in Somalia this year due to foreign cuts has contributed to a doubling in the number of combined cases of diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, cholera and severe respiratory infections since mid-April. Besides the U.S., Britain, France, Germany and other major Western donors are also cutting aid budgets. Somalia's government has also faced criticism from doctors and human rights activists for its limited funding of the health sector. In 2024, it allocated 4.8% of its budget to health, down from 8.5% the previous year, Amnesty International said. The health ministry did not respond to a question about that criticism. It has said it is planning to launch a vaccination drive but has not given details when.
