Latest news with #GDM
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
MDRF and Russia's Almazov Centre Partner for diabetes research
Chennai: The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation ( MDRF ) has signed a research collaboration with the Almazov National Medical Research Centre , based in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The partnership will focus on developing new diagnostics and treatment strategies for diabetes, with an emphasis on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). It will also explore emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and precision medicine in diabetes care. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. V. Mohan of MDRF and Prof. Evgeny Shlyakhto, Director General of the Almazov Centre. The agreement includes training and exchange programs for medical specialists, joint conferences, academic meetings, collaborative publications, and educational and cultural exchanges. Joint research projects on gestational diabetes have begun, involving Dr. Polina V. Popova and her team from Almazov's Endocrinology Department and Dr. Mohan's team at MDRF. The collaboration is expected to expand further in the coming months.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Nearly half of women who developed diabetes during pregnancy have abnormal blood sugar levels years later: KEM study
Mumbai: Nearly half of women with gestational diabetes continue to have abnormal blood sugar levels years after childbirth, according to a new study by Mumbai's King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital. Of the 531 mothers tracked, 48.6% developed diabetes or pre-diabetes over time, challenging the long-held assumption that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) resolves after delivery. Doctors warned that this under-recognised risk demands urgent attention, particularly in India, where diabetes is on the rise and postpartum care remains inconsistent and inadequate. GDM is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy due to hormonal interference with insulin. Its incidence is steadily rising among pregnant women, particularly in urban settings. Though GDM often resolves after delivery, it significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The KEM Hospital study enrolled 531 women who had been newly diagnosed with GDM during their most recent pregnancy. The average age at diagnosis was 30.5 years, ranging between 21 and 43. The average postpartum follow-up period was nearly three years, extending up to eight years in some cases. A significant proportion—48.6%—were found to have abnormal blood glucose levels at follow-up, with 22% developing type 2 diabetes and 26.6% classified as pre-diabetic (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance). Notably, 45% of the women had been diagnosed with GDM before 24 weeks of gestation, which is considered a higher-risk early-onset group. Additionally, 9.6% had a previous history of GDM, highlighting the recurrence risk. Most participants were either first-time (46.2%) or second-time (43.8%) mothers, suggesting that even early pregnancies can trigger long-term metabolic risks. The data underscores a substantial postpartum burden of dysglycemia, calling for targeted screening and sustained follow-up care in this high-risk group. Doctors at KEM Hospital, which runs the largest diabetes outpatient department under Mumbai's civic body, say they are seeing a consistent rise in GDM cases. 'We used to think gestational diabetes ends after delivery, but that's clearly not true for a large percentage of women. Many of them continue with dysglycemia for years without knowing it,' said Dr Tushar Bandgar, a professor at the hospital's endocrinology department. 'If not detected early, this silent progression can put them at serious risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other complications.' Adding to the concern are social pressures and cultural practices that may worsen women's health after delivery. Many new mothers are either advised or feel compelled to retain weight to ensure sufficient milk supply for breastfeeding. 'There's a belief that women should eat more and avoid any effort to lose weight postpartum. But this retained weight contributes to insulin resistance and increases their risk of developing chronic disease,' added Dr Bandgar. For women like 35-year-old Rani Kumari, a domestic worker from Sion, the lack of guidance has had serious consequences. Diagnosed with GDM during her second pregnancy, she was never told to follow up after childbirth. Two years later, she began feeling persistently tired and dizzy. 'I thought it was just from working too much and looking after my kids,' she said. 'When I finally went to the doctor, they told me I had diabetes. Nobody warned me this could happen.' Rani now spends over ₹1,500 a month on medication and blood sugar tests, a significant financial burden for her family. KEM doctors are calling for routine annual blood sugar testing for all women with a history of GDM, regardless of how much time has passed since childbirth. 'Pre-diabetes is reversible if caught early,' Dr Bandgar said. 'But if we continue to ignore this window, we're allowing thousands of women to slip into a preventable, lifelong disease.' Supporting young warriors: KEM Hospital offers free insulin to children with type 1 diabetes In a first for a civic hospital in Mumbai, the KEM Hospital has begun providing free insulin to around 250 paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes visiting its outpatient department (OPD). The initiative, launched in November 2023, marks the first time a civic-run hospital in the city is offering this life-saving medication free of cost on an OPD basis. These 250 children, who live in and around the hospital area, now receive insulin regularly, bringing significant relief to families that earlier struggled to afford the monthly expense of ₹1,500 for treatment. 'Many of these parents were forced to skip or reduce doses due to cost. This initiative ensures uninterrupted therapy,' said Dr Tushar Bandgar, head of endocrinology. So far, over 400 paediatric type 1 diabetes patients have registered at KEM, with numbers steadily rising. The hospital had previously provided insulin only to admitted patients, but later extended the services to OPD cases after securing the BMC's approval.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GDM's Silicon Valley HQ: Powering the Future of Safe Driving
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / / May 14, 2025 / At the start of 2025, Good Driver Mutuality (GDM) embarked on an exciting new chapter in the heart of Silicon Valley. Our office was officially established on Waverley Street in Palo Alto, California - a hub of technological innovation. This exciting milestone marks a fresh chapter for GDM: expanding our repair network, strengthening brand trust, and taking another significant step forward in the U.S. market, following the establishment of our service center office in Virginia. A New Chapter: Silicon Valley and Beyond GDM has secured investments from leading global venture capital firms, including Ribbit Capital and Hedosophia, and - through partnerships with industry leaders - our network has grown to over 5,000 partner repair shops, offering members reliable, cost-effective repair options across the country. Thanks to these achievements, we now have an official home in Silicon Valley. The opening of GDM's Silicon Valley office is a major milestone. This new hub for research, development, and customer support will drive our next wave of growth and innovation. This isn't just about a new office; it marks the beginning of a transformative chapter for GDM and its members. The Stanford Dream: Pioneering Road Safety for Everyone GDM's story began with its founder, William. William is a 15-year accident-free driver frustrated by traditional insurance. "I bought a 14-year-old car, but ended up paying over 20% of its value every year just for insurance." William recalls. A conversation with a friend in the insurance industry revealed a glaring issue: good drivers often subsidize the costs of riskier drivers. Despite spotless accident records, good drivers often see no opportunity for savings on their premiums. When William voiced his frustration, his friend joked, "If you don't like it, why not make a change in your own way?" What started as a casual remark became the foundation of GDM. With his Stanford MBA and entrepreneurial spirit, William turned this idea into reality. We've established a club specifically for safe drivers. Members share the cost of accidents, and those who remain accident-free keep the unused funds, thus lowering their overall expenses. We've developed a mechanism that rewards safe driving behaviors to help reduce accidents and lower costs further. We've also partnered with repair shop associations to secure discounts that will grow as our membership expands, benefiting everyone. These are the fundamental principles behind our design, and positions Good Driver Mutuality uniquely - we're not insurance! A Modern Take on an Ancient Idea The concept of Mutuality is not new. It is a time-tested method of people supporting one another by sharing losses during difficult times. Long before insurance companies or government aid, communities practiced mutual support. When disaster struck - whether it was fires, floods, or illness - neighbors didn't wait for outside help. They pooled resources, labor, and supplies because survival depended on it. This was not charity; it was a way of life that fostered resilience and trust. Historically, mutual support was limited to close-knit communities - like your town, neighborhood, or church. Today, technology expands those boundaries, allowing more people to connect and engage seamlessly. With digital platforms, AI, and real-time connectivity, we can extend that same principle of shared responsibility to a much broader scale. This is where GDM steps in. We are modernizing mutual support, making it smarter, fairer, and more transparent. The foundational values of trust and community remain, but they are now supported by advanced technology that enhances efficiency and accountability. Here's how it works: If a GDM member is involved in an accident, they report it through the Good Driver Mutuality app. If the incident is eligible, it is assigned to one of our certified repair partners. Every Monday, we publish all the relevant details - sharing amounts, incident reports, invoices, and receipts. -to ensure complete transparency for all members. No hidden fees, no fine print - just a clear, fair system where people help one another. This is not insurance. It's something better. It's a community-driven, tech-powered approach to handling repair expenses - designed for safe drivers who believe in fairness, transparency, and mutual responsibility. Of course, these things take time. Helping members save on costs takes time. While GDM is constantly advancing with tech innovation, lean operations, and supply chain optimization, the success of our mutuality model ultimately depends on one thing: our members' commitment to safe driving. At GDM, we see safe driving as more than just a personal choice - it's a shared social responsibility. According to the 2025 Roadmap for Highway and Auto Safety report by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, motor vehicle accidents in the United States resulted in a staggering $417 billion in economic losses in 2024 - equivalent to about $1,200 per person in related costs. Moreover, accelerating more slowly can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%, and avoiding a collision could save you thousands in repair costs. The financial impact, though, is secondary to the far more significant consequence: the loss of human life. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) statistics, in 2023, traffic accidents claimed over 40,000 lives in the U.S., or roughly one in every 5,700 drivers. Behind each statistic is a family shattered by tragedy - a tragedy that could have been prevented. At GDM, we believe that through the collective efforts of our members to maintain safe driving habits and encourage others to do the same, these losses can be minimized. If you know responsible drivers, this is the perfect community for them - an exclusive space for safe drivers to save. Research shows that one driver with good habits can influence at least 10 others (family and friends), creating a ripple effect that contributes to safer roads for everyone. The ultimate vision of Good Driver Mutuality is to foster safe driving, reduce accidents, and inspire every member to take responsibility for their own safety, as well as that of their families and communities. Core Values That Drive Us What an entrepreneur believes shapes the values a company is built on. We welcome every good driver who shares these values to join us: · Integrity and Honesty: We believe that integrity and honesty are essential human virtues, and we are fully committed to upholding these principles, rejecting any form of deceit or fraud. This commitment applies not only to the application process for mutuality sharing but also to how we promote our product and in all our interactions with family, partners, and everyone we engage with. · Mutual Support and Kindness: We are a community of good drivers who support one another, always ready to help fellow members who have experienced losses. We're grateful for those who have supported us in our times of need, valuing their trust and kindness. At the same time, we're dedicated to helping new members integrate smoothly into the community, extending the benefits of good driver mutuality to more people we care about. · Responsibility: Every one of us holds a strong sense of responsibility. We prioritize safe driving, work to prevent accidents whenever possible, and take accountability for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Through our dedication to safe driving, we aim to make the world a better place. Additionally, we feel it is our duty to share the importance of safe driving with those we care about. · Embracing Innovation: We see innovation as a catalyst for social progress. Each of us is dedicated to continual learning and skill development, embracing the opportunities and lifestyles technology offers, and taking pride in our personal growth each day. · Benefit others and oneself: We cherish the beautiful aspects of life and take joy in sharing them with others. By promoting mutuality products that benefit our community, we receive the rewards we deserve and take pride in using those rewards to enrich our own lives and those of our families. With these values in mind, William teamed up with resourceful minds to connect with users, understand their needs, and improve the platform. Based on this feedback, consecutive upgrades were made, earning the trust and goodwill of our early users. This is what drives the GDM team to provide better service every day. The Road Ahead We're entering a market valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars. When including the automotive aftermarket industry along with new and used car trading, the potential expands into a trillion-dollar opportunity ripe for transformation. Well-prepared companies and partners are poised to capture this immense opportunity. The opening of our Silicon Valley office is just the beginning. Together, we're building a safer, more connected world for drivers everywhere. Contact Information: contact@ SOURCE: Good Driver View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Gestational diabetes: A silent threat to pregnant women; doctor shares prevention tips to follow
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a form of glucose intolerance that develops during pregnancy. While commonly considered a temporary complication that resolves after childbirth, GDM carries significant health risks for both the mother and the unborn child. Also read | What is Type 5 diabetes, the condition that affects 25 million people worldwide? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Shubhashree Patil, diabetologist and physician, Diabetes & Wellness Clinic, Mumbai said, 'Often undiagnosed or underestimated, GDM acts as a silent threat, exacerbating conditions such as hypertension, infections, and cardiovascular issues, which may ultimately lead to fatal outcomes. Understanding this link is crucial in promoting awareness, improving maternal care protocols, and ensuring safer pregnancies.' The doctor noted down advanced maternal age, obesity or excessive weight gain during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, previous history of GDM or macrosomia and polycystic ovarian syndrome as the risk factors that can trigger gestational diabetes. 'GDM results from insulin resistance due to placental hormones, compounded by maternal metabolic stress. If uncontrolled, it leads to hyperglycemia, promoting endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and increased inflammatory markers,' the doctor added. Also read | Your diabetes could be damaging your kidneys. Here's how to stop it 'Though GDM is often silent and short-lived, its consequences can be fatal. Early diagnosis, targeted interventions, and postnatal care are essential to curb the maternal mortality associated with this preventable condition,' Dr. Shubhashree Patil highlighted. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong artist Tsang Kin-wah's comeback exhibition creates an apocalyptic landscape
Tsang Kin-wah's first Hong Kong exhibition in years was one of the most talked-about openings during Art Basel week, even though nobody could quite pronounce the title. Advertisement 'T REE O GO D EVIL', with the deliberate gaps, is still on view at Central's Galerie du Monde, one of Hong Kong's oldest established commercial galleries. The immersive exhibition that completely takes over the gallery space's surfaces also rings with political urgency. It is a particularly memorable comeback for a person once widely regarded as Hong Kong's most prominent contemporary artist. In 2014, when he was chosen to represent Hong Kong at the 56th Venice Biennale, Tsang was best known for his wallpapers that concealed Cantonese swear words in elegant floral patterns. Such playful symbols of hybridity morphed into something more sombre in Venice, where his exhibition 'The Infinite Nothing' included powerful videos and projections about how human history is trapped in endless, recurring cycles. Tsang Kin-wah says that he took the pandemic as an opportunity to pause and reflect. Photo: GDM Born in mainland China in 1976, Tsang moved to Hong Kong in 1982 with his family and studied art at the Chinese University of Hong Kong before pursuing a master's degree in book art in London.
