Latest news with #Nadkarni
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘Darr lagta hai mein… ': Pavitra Rishta actor Usha Nadkarni expresses her fear of living alone at 79 after her brother passed away last year; how to manage such fears
Ageing often brings a host of emotional and practical challenges, especially when it comes to living alone. In a touching reunion shared on Ankita Lokhande's YouTube channel, veteran actor Usha Nadkarni, now 79, opened up about her solitude and the real fears that come with it. Best known for her role as Savita Deshmukh in Pavitra Rishta, Nadkarni has lived independently in Mumbai for years. But even the strongest individuals are not immune to vulnerability. 'Ghar mein akeli hoon na, darr lagta hai mein girungi, kisiko malum nahi padega (I'm alone at home, you know, and I'm scared that if I fall, no one will even know),' she said, highlighting the isolation many elderly people experience behind closed doors. Nadkarni also shared how she has had to deal with an emotional void after losing her brother. 'My brother passed away last year on June 30. If he had understood that I was going through something, he would have come running to me. Now, whom should I tell?' she said tearfully. Sitting beside her, Ankita Lokhande and husband Vicky Jain listened with empathy, as Ankita affirmed, 'Aai bohot zyada strong hai, woh akeli rehti hai. Woh itne saalon se akeli rahi hai, mein bohot saalon se aai ko dekh rahi hoon (Aai is very strong; she lives alone. She has been living alone for so many years, and I've been watching her for a long time).' The moment offered a glimpse into the emotional toll of ageing alone. Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, tells 'Common experiences include heightened anxiety, fear of accidents or medical emergencies, and feelings of vulnerability. The fear of falling, in particular, is very real and valid; it often stems not just from the physical risk but from the emotional reality of not having immediate help or reassurance.' Managing such fears begins with acknowledging them without stigma. It's important for older adults to feel heard and supported. 'Steps like installing emergency response systems, using wearable alert devices, or staying connected with neighbors and family through regular check-ins can significantly ease these worries. Simple home modifications, like grab bars, anti-slip flooring, and improved lighting, also reduce risk and help restore a sense of control and confidence,' suggests the expert. Regular social interaction is critical in maintaining emotional well-being in older adults, especially after losing loved ones. 'Grief can amplify feelings of isolation, and when left unaddressed, it can lead to depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline. Social connection, be it through friendships, community groups, or structured activities, can serve as an emotional anchor during such transitions,' confirms Cadabam. A well-rounded support system for elderly individuals ideally blends emotional presence with practical safety. 'Emotionally, access to regular human interaction, be it family calls, community visits, or even online video chats, helps build a sense of belonging. Medical support, including routine check-ups and home visits by healthcare professionals, offers peace of mind and early detection of issues,' states Cadabam. On the technological side, she adds, simple tools like medical alert pendants, motion sensors, and health-monitoring apps are becoming increasingly helpful. Crucially, older adults should be encouraged to remain decision-makers in their lives. Independence doesn't have to mean isolation, with thoughtful design, technology, and community care, it can mean dignity, safety, and emotional connection all at once.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HeartSciences signs first MyoVista Insights platform customer
HeartSciences (HSCS) announced the signing of its first commercial customer for the MyoVista Insights platform: Westcliffe Health Innovations, based in the United Kingdom. This milestone follows the recent launch of MyoVista Insights and the initiation of an early adopter program for reference sites earlier this month. Westcliffe Health Innovations provides cardiology services to the U.K. National Health Service in the Bradford and Leeds region. As the largest publicly funded healthcare system in the world, the NHS plays a vital role in pioneering access to innovative healthcare technologies. The implementation of MyoVista Insights at Westcliffe is intended to position it as a key reference site for HeartSciences, particularly within the U.K. market. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See today's best-performing stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on HSCS: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Heart Test Laboratories Announces $15M Securities Offering Heart Test Labs Granted Nasdaq Compliance Extension HeartSciences appoints Nadkarni, Lampart, Vai to Scientific Advisory Board HeartSciences launches MyoVista Insights platform 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
NBC News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Knicks and Timberwolves are fighting for their playoff lives
A potential NBA Finals matchup is in sight, as both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers have taken 3-1 leads in the conference finals. The Thunder will have an opportunity to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road Wednesday, while the Pacers will try to eliminate the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Thursday. With both series reaching a critical point, let's break down what we've seen in the conference finals so far. Which team has been more impressive so far in the playoffs, the Thunder or the Pacers? Nadkarni: The Pacers have been more impressive because their road has been a little more difficult than the Thunder's. Indiana had to knock out an MVP finalist and former champion in Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, then upset the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the second, and is now flustering a Knicks team that made swift work of the defending champion Boston Celtics. And the Pacers aren't squeaking by these teams — they've either dominated large stretches of play or pulled off miraculous late-game comebacks. OKC has cruised in the first and third rounds, but the Thunder were also pushed to the brink by a Nuggets team that had maybe three reliable players and a bunch of wild cards. That may speak more to the greatness of Nikola Jokic, but Indy hasn't been tested in that fashion … yet. Greif: Indiana is on the verge of the NBA Finals by taking the path of most resistance, given the ridiculously high degree of difficulty of victories against Milwaukee, Cleveland and New York. There is nothing to take away from its transformation into one of the best 'clutch' teams in postseason history. Oklahoma City's own growth might not be as obvious, but it's just as impressive because of its nuances. A team whose top-10 players in the postseason average 24.6 years old feels like it's maturing nightly. It was an impressive feat of focus when Oklahoma City sustained its No. 1-seed caliber level of play since the fall, something with which teams this young can struggle. But there was no guarantee that dominance would translate to the postseason, especially after enduring growing pains last year at this time. So far, they've proven they can dominate (see Memphis in the first round), stay composed in a seven-game series (Denver) and grab control of the Western finals when Minnesota has given them an opening. Is Tyrese Haliburton a top 10 player in the NBA? Nadkarni: No, but it doesn't matter. Are there 10 players who I think have better individual talent than Haliburton? Yes. Does that mean he can't be the best player on a championship team? The answer appears to be no. The ultimate point here is Haliburton doesn't need to be anything more than what he's been during this playoff run — an elite table-setting point guard who can score when needed, play good-enough defense and generate offense in clutch time. Labels like 'Top 10' and 'superstar' are irrelevant to what we're watching. Calling Haliburton a superstar won't magically change the Pacers into some juggernaut. What we're watching is a team with a unique talent in Haliburton that's been built perfectly around him and coached to amplify the roster's strengths. It's not necessarily a replicable formula for everyone, but all that matters is it's working for Indy. Greif: You could ask 100 NBA awards voters how they define a 'top-10 player' and you might receive 100 different answers. If you're looking to quite literally count out the best players, the annual All-NBA teams are a helpful guide, and by that metric Haliburton, a third-team honoree, is at least top-15. But here is my definition: Could they be the best player on a legitimate championship team? What last year's run to the Eastern Conference finals first indicated, and what this year's postseason has confirmed, is that Haliburton more than meets that criteria. He's efficient with the ball (only six turnovers through four games of the conference finals), makes his teammates better and isn't scared by pressure. Having spent a little time around Haliburton, it seems like he's gotten this way through a rare blend of extreme self-confidence and self-criticism. He has called his start to this season 'trash,' and came back from Indiana's collapse loss in Game 3 to New York aware of where he needed to be better. In Game 4, he became the first player with at least 30 points, 15 assists and zero turnovers in the postseason. Looks like a top-10 player to me. Which team has been more disappointing in the conference finals, the Timberwolves or the Knicks? Nadkarni: The Knicks have to be the answer here. New York upset a Celtics team that very few predicted, even after they went up 2-0 in the series. For New York to come off such a stirring victory and then lose two straight home games to start the conference finals was shocking. At various points against the Pacers, the Knicks have looked lost defensively, and it's late in the season for coach Tom Thibodeau to be experimenting with his bench, but he's been left no choice as he tries to find answers for the Pacers' pace. Perhaps the most disappointing part is this series could be tied 2-2 if not for New York blowing Game 1 in historic fashion. Greif: New York, because while Minnesota gives off the air of a team at the beginning of something — it's still trying to plot out which pieces fit best for the future around Anthony Edwards — the Knicks sold off much of their future, both in cap space and draft assets, to commit to taking advantage of this present opportunity. This isn't to say the end of New York's title-contention window is here, but it's fair to say, given their stars' age, that they're closer to the end of it than the beginning. The wrenching part for New York is that the moves were defensible because this team has shown toughness during the postseason while beating Detroit and stunning Boston. But if the Knicks lose, they will face difficult questions about why they weren't good enough in losing to Indiana in consecutive postseasons. Which team has a better chance to come back, the Timberwolves or the Knicks? Nadkarni: As disappointing as they've been … the Knicks! Every one of their losses against Indy has been close. New York could somehow just as easily be up 3-1 if not for a few unlucky bounces in the fourth quarter. And with two more games at home, the Knicks should theoretically get a boost from the MSG faithful, even as they've struggled in New York during this postseason run. The Knicks are definitely on the ropes, but these games have been too close to write New York off. Greif: New York. Facing Oklahoma City must feel like playing a disciplined machine that makes the right moves virtually all of the time. I don't like Minnesota's chances against that. In contrast, there is more variability to Indiana's style and room for opportunity; just look at the final minutes of Game 3 during the Knicks' comeback win after trailing by double digits, and the final minutes of Tuesday's Game 4, when the Pacers introduced more doubt after seeing their lead trimmed from 13 to just 6. Indiana held on, but its control over the series doesn't feel like a vise grip to the same extent as Oklahoma City's.
NBC News
17-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Women's NCAA Tournament: The players, teams that pose the biggest threats to South Carolina's title defense
South Carolina will try to add to its trophy case when the NCAA women's basketball tournament begins this week. The Gamecocks join UCLA, USC and Texas as the four top seeds in the 68-team bracket. The tournament begins Wednesday and Thursday with the First Four matchups, with first-round play beginning Friday. South Carolina is the defending champion after it beat Iowa last year in a title game watched by an audience of 18.7 million, record viewership for a women's college basketball game. South Carolina also won NCAA titles under coach Dawn Staley in 2022 and 2017. Tampa, Florida, will host the Final Four on April 4 and the national championship on April 6. Before the tournament begins, NBC News breaks down the teams and players to know. The top seed I'm most worried about Nadkarni: I can't believe I'm saying this, but I may be going with the Southern California Trojans here. First off, it's all relative, because I feel very good about all the top seeds in this bracket. Heck, the Trojans have a case to be the No. 1 overall seed considering how they've played the Bruins this season. My lone worry? USC was only sixth in the NCAA's NET rankings formula, with three Quadrant 1 losses. (Did two other No. 1 seeds also have three Quadrant 1 losses? Yes, but we're splitting the finest of hairs here.) Greif: Texas wins with defense — it has held opponents to 55.9 points per game, which has produced the nation's second-best scoring margin (23.0 points per game). This is a team that hasn't broken through to a Final Four under coach Vic Shaefer, but it has played in a regional final in three of the past four years, so there is plenty of experience. The only thing that makes me wary is the Longhorns' 29.6% 3-point shooting on the season, which ranks 243rd out of 353 Division I teams and more than 100 spots lower than any other No. 1 seed. Auerbach: Texas. When we talk about parity in the women's game, what we really mean is the depth at the top of the sport. There are legitimately six to eight teams good enough to cut down the nets this year, which means that it's hard to pencil all the No. 1 seeds into the Final Four like we used to do. I'm most worried about Texas because the Longhorns have a hot TCU team as the No. 2 seed in their region as well as No. 3 Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs have a ton of NCAA Tournament experience on that roster, most notably with Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince, while the Fighting Irish have been among the best teams in the country all season long — and even had the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll at one point — before struggling a bit (losing three of five) heading into Selection Sunday. I sure wouldn't want to draw the Notre Dame guards with their season on the line, though! The Cinderella story of the tournament will be ... Nadkarni: The Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes were 6-2 in neutral-site games this year and also had six Quadrant 1 victories. This program has some institutional success, as well, thanks to the Caitlin Clark years. Again, this is such a top-heavy field it's hard to pick a true Cinderella. Iowa isn't on a lot of radars, however, and maybe the combination of Lucy Olsen and the Final Four holdovers can make some noise. Greif: Historically, Cinderella has a ceiling in the women's tournament. No team seeded fourth or lower has ever won a national championship game, and no team seeded 10th or lower has ever advanced to a Final Four. Tenth-seeded South Dakota State, though, has the pedigree to wreck some brackets, having gone undefeated in conference play for three consecutive seasons. The Jackrabbits made the Sweet 16 in 2019. If they beat seventh-seeded Oklahoma State in the first round, they'll face the winner of Connecticut-Arkansas State in the round of 32. Auerbach: Florida Gulf Coast has long been the team no one wants to draw in the women's tournament. For years, that was because of the creativity and schemes of head coach Karl Smesko. He's now the head coach of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream, but this program hasn't skipped a beat under first-year head coach Chelsea Lyles, who was named the Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year. Another potential Cinderella is Harvard, led by star guard Harmoni Turner. The Crimson are a No. 10 seed, and a 10-over-7 upset is not necessarily Cinderella-esque, but if they were to take out North Carolina State in the second round ... Players I'm most excited to watch Nadkarni: The Connecticut Huskies will never quite be an underdog, although they'll probably make the case for themselves as one with their No. 2 seed. For that reason my pick is Paige Bueckers. As the undisputed No. 1 option for the Huskies, with a group that's a little inexperienced, Bueckers will have to dominate for Connecticut to make its second straight Final Four or win its first title since 2016. With this being Bueckers' last tournament, I expect her to go out with a bang. Greif: Harvard's Harmoni Turner, who just dropped 44 points in the semifinals of the Ivy League tournament to set single-game records for both the program and the conference tournament. It wasn't a flash in the pan, either; Turner had scored 33 points one game earlier, and she scored 41 and 38 points in consecutive games in November. The 10th-seeded Crimson face seventh-seeded Michigan State. Auerbach: JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and Paige Bueckers. I've got to go with the biggest stars here, and no one in women's college basketball is shining brighter than JuJu these days. She is a spectacular scorer, but we've also seen her dazzle us with her passing and shot-blocking ability. I can't wait to watch her try to will USC back to the Final Four for the first time in nearly four decades. Notre Dame's Hidalgo is fearless on the court and ferocious on the defensive end, specifically. She's so fun to watch, especially this season as she shares a backcourt with Olivia Miles (who was injured last year and not part of the Irish's postseason push). This team enters the NCAA Tournament on a bit of a slump, but Hidalgo has enough energy to single-handedly jolt the Irish back into form. I'm also not ready to say goodbye to the UConn star Bueckers just yet, and I certainly do not want to see the Huskies or Trojans falter before we get a star-studded Elite 8 matchup that would feature two of the best individual basketball players in the sport. Bueckers' career has had some very high highs and some brutal injury-plagued lows, but she remains magnetic and must-see TV for as long as we've got her in college hoops. Final Four and national title picks Nadkarni: UCLA, UConn, South Carolina and Texas, with UCLA winning it all. Greif: Notre Dame, UCLA, USC and South Carolina. Crown USC, which has no fear factor after having beaten top overall seed UCLA twice this season and featuring JuJu Watkins, the best player in the tournament. Auerbach: UCLA, Duke, Notre Dame and USC. The Trojans win the national title. JuJu has great pieces around her, but ultimately this history-making moment for the the team will come down to her. And she'll be more than ready for it.
NBC News
08-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Super Bowl: If the Chiefs beat the Eagles, is this the greatest dynasty in NFL history?
It's finally here: Super Bowl LIX. The Kansas City Chiefs will attempt to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Eagles will ride MVP finalist Saquon Barkley and a top-ranked defense into the Big Game against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Patrick Mahomes. Who has the edge? Let's break the matchup down from every angle. If the Chiefs win, is this the best dynasty in NFL history? Nadkarni: This is a very easy yes for me. No team has won three Super Bowls in a row, and in a salary-capped league in which there has never been more talent, another Chiefs win would be a massive accomplishment. You could argue the Patriots had a better dynasty if you want to combine their six rings into one era, but that felt more like two separate eras of football even if head coach and quarterback were the same. Three championships in a row and four in five is wild! Kansas City's floor during the Mahomes era has been the conference championship game. We've really never seen anything like this. Greif: Since 2000, 13 different franchises have won a Super Bowl title. Let's face it, parity is a good business strategy for the NFL, which benefits when fans from as many franchises as possible believe this could be their year to win. Salary cap restrictions and free agency have aided that parity, and yet, at a time when dominating for years should be harder than ever, Kansas City would have authored an unprecedented five Super Bowl appearances in six seasons and three consecutive titles. This isn't to short the incredible consistency of the New England dynasty over a longer span, but a Chiefs title would be remarkable for the sheer focus, and lack of complacency, required to win year after year. Daugherty: I'll get technical and say it's the best dynasty peak we've ever seen. The 'Patriots Dynasty' was so long and all encompassing it takes the cake, but then you're getting into granular language issues like 'define dynasty.' Unless you want to count the 1960s Packers, whose first title came in the pre-Super Bowl era, no one has ever three-peated. By definition, if the Chiefs win, they'll have done something no one has ever seen before unless the ghost of Lyndon Johnson rises from the grave and says 'now hold on a second there.' Kansas City just won't be part of the greatest dynasty conversation, it'll be jockeying for pole position with decades of Patriots dominance. Which player or coach has the most to gain on Sunday? Nadkarni: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. As solid of a quarterback as Hurts has been, and as many wins as he's delivered the Eagles, he's still not really respected as a passer. That's in part because the team around him is so good. And also in part because, well, Hurts isn't as gifted a thrower as say, Mahomes or Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson. But beating the Chiefs in the playoffs is something only two quarterbacks have done — Tom Brady and Joe Burrow. I understand logically that wins are not a quarterback stat…at the same time, how else do you explain Kansas City's success this season? Has it not been a steady dose of Mahomes magic at the right time? If Hurts can beat Mahomes with his arm and lead the Eagles in a shootout — while not relying as much on the running game — it may be a more difficult way for Philly to win, but it will earn Hurts much more respect. Greif: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, whose contract is up after the 2025 season. A title would provide quite the leverage in those negotiations. Recent history has proven, however, that winning a Super Bowl doesn't protect a coach for long in Philadelphia after Doug Pederson, Sirianni's predecessor, was fired only three seasons after delivering the Eagles' first Super Bowl ring. Daugherty: It's temping to rattle off any number of Eagles, but it's Patrick Mahomes. If Mahomes can accomplish the staggering feat of hoisting his fourth Lombardi Trophy before the age of 30, the seemingly impossible achievement of matching or even surpassing Tom Brady's seven titles is suddenly within striking distance. Mahomes' two head-to-head playoff losses to Brady across his first three seasons as starter left him needing a 'perfect career' the rest of the way out if he was going to even have a chance to catch the greatest to ever do it. Winning on Sunday would keep that chance alive. Which matchup are you most interested in? Nadkarni: The Chiefs' defense vs. the 'tush push.' Kansas City stuffed Bills QB Josh Allen on four of his six quarterback sneak attempts in the AFC championship game, including on a crucial-turned-controversial fourth down in the fourth quarter. Those stops helped swing a three-point game. The Eagles' push is a whole different beast, and can't be as easily scouted as Allen is always running to his left. But if the Chiefs can figure out a way to stop a play they didn't stop once in the Super Bowl two years ago, that takes away a significant weapon from Philly's offense. (Oh? You want to learn more about Kansas City trying to stop the tush push? I wrote about it here!) Greif: Philadelphia's offensive line against Kansas City's rush defense. Mahomes has entered the GOAT conversation among quarterbacks, Travis Kelce has joined Jerry Rice among the most prolific pass-catchers in NFL history, and coach Andy Reid is getting his due as a historically great coach — and yet still the most underappreciated pillar holding up the Chiefs dynasty is defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. His knack for a well-timed blitz has fooled offenses for years. If he can design a scheme that can limit Philadelphia's ground game from its postseason average of 227 yards per game, then more of the Eagles' playmaking hinges on quarterback Jalen Hurts. Philly has averaged an incredible 6.6 yards per carry across three playoff games, while Kansas City has allowed 4.9 yards per rush. Daugherty: The Chiefs' run defense vs. Barkley. For the second consecutive Super Bowl, there is talk of the Chiefs' hot-and-cold run defense being a potentially game-ruining vulnerability against a superstar running back. The 49ers and Christian McCaffrey couldn't make it happen last year. If the same fate befalls Saquon and the Eagles, it suddenly becomes a contest of passing-game matriculation, and that's the game the Chiefs want to play. Who will win Super Bowl LIX? Nadkarni: I think the Eagles are a better, more well-rounded team than the Chiefs. And a huge part of me wants to pick Philly. But I just can't bring myself to bet against Mahomes. I also think Kansas City is better equipped to win any style of game. So even if the Eagles play ball control and don't put too much pressure on Hurts, if it's a close game that comes down to a couple plays in the fourth quarter, I'd rather bet on the Chiefs to pull through in those big moments. Greif: The Eagles have the deeper defense, the league's dominant offensive line and Barkley, the most valuable offseason addition in the entire NFL. And yet, until the Chiefs are beaten in a close game, I'll continue to pick Kansas City. Daugherty: The Chiefs have ruined football analysis. Nothing we say or write really matters unless it's 'well, obviously the Chiefs will just easily win.' The Eagles have the advantage if you are ranking the roster 2-53. The Chiefs own the top spot, as well as the sideline. I will believe someone else has won the Super Bowl when I see it.
