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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Musi river water unfit for drinking except at Osman Sagar: Study
Hyderabad: A scientific study published in the June edition of the Cleaner Water journal by ScienceDirect has found that water from the Musi River is unfit for drinking at all locations except at its upstream source, Osman Sagar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The research, titled 'Spatial and Seasonal Assessment of Water Quality of Musi River, India,' was led by Ajmal Koya Pulikkal of the Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Mizoram, and co-authored by Mohammad Zakwan from Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad. Water samples were collected from four stations — Osman Sagar (upstream), Bapughat and Musarambagh (midstream), and Nagole (downstream) — during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. The study analysed 27 water quality parameters using standard methods and indices such as the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI), Nemerow's Pollution Index, and various irrigation indices. The WAWQI values across the sites showed a sharp deterioration in water quality downstream: 38 at Osman Sagar, 175 at Bapughat, 197 at Musarambagh, and 179 at Nagole. Only Osman Sagar met the Bureau of Indian Standards for potable water. The deterioration became significant at Bapughat, attributed to urban encroachments, waste dumping, and sewage discharge. The study noted a slight improvement in water quality at Nagole, likely due to the Amberpet sewage treatment plant near Musarambagh. Seasonal and irrigation assessment reflect pollution load Seasonal analysis revealed further insights. While water from Osman Sagar remained suitable for both drinking and irrigation in all seasons (S-1 category), the other stations fell into S-3 (unsuitable for irrigation) during the pre and post-monsoon periods, and into S-2 (moderately suitable) during the monsoon, due to dilution effects. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kelley's index also indicated that only Osman Sagar's water was suitable for irrigation throughout the year. The study flagged declining dissolved oxygen levels and rising biochemical oxygen demand downstream. Hydrochemical facies analysis (a method used to interpret the chemical composition of water) using Piper diagrams further revealed a shift in water composition from upstream to downstream. The authors call for urgent and consistent monitoring, improved wastewater treatment, effective stormwater management, and stronger environmental regulation to reverse the degradation.
United News of India
6 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
Bharat Biotech's oral cholera vaccine Hillchol demonstrates success in Phase III
Hyderabad, May 21 (UNI) Bharat Biotech's Oral Cholera Vaccine Hillchol has demonstrated against both Ogawa and Inaba serotypes, proving non-inferior in healthy Indian adults and children, supporting its potential as an effective OCV. The study findings have been published in the ScienceDirect, Vaccine journal 126998 to assess a double-blind, randomized phase III clinical trial to evaluate safety, immunogenicity, non-inferiority & lot-to-lot consistency of single component oral cholera vaccine Hillchol in comparison to a comparator vaccine in a diverse participant group of 1,800 individuals, from infants to adults, across 10 clinical sites in India, Hyderabad based Vaccine maker said in a release here on Wednesday. In this study, participants were divided into three age groups: adults over 18 years, children aged 5 to under 18 years, and infants aged 1 to under 5 years. They were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive either Hillchol or a comparator vaccine. The primary endpoint focused on the proportion of participants achieving >4-fold increase in vibriocidal antibody titres against Ogawa and Inaba serotypes 14 days after two doses. While secondary endpoints included Geometric Mean Titre (GMT) measurements and safety. Key highlights from the findings are that Hillchol demonstrated a greater than 4-fold rise in vibriocidal antibodies against both Ogawa (68.3%) and Inaba (69.5%) serotypes, proving non-inferiority to licensed vaccines. Adverse events were mild and comparable between the two vaccines. The vaccine was well-tolerated and immunogenic across all age groups—including infants (≥1 year), children, and adults. Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, said, " T his publication reaffirms our commitment to advancing vaccines built on rigorous research, thorough clinical trials, and reliable clinical data." 'Cholera is a vaccine-preventable disease that has faced a surge in outbreaks along with a huge shortage of vaccines. The new generation Oral Cholera Vaccine Hillchol, featuring a simplified single stable O1 Hikojima strain, inducing robust antibodies against both Ogawa and Inaba serotypes, aims to enhance production efficiency and affordability, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries where waterborne diseases continue to pose serious health threats," Dr Ella added. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Studies have estimated that 2.86 million cases and 95,000 deaths occur annually. With Hillchol, Bharat Biotech strengthens its commitment to combating global infectious diseases through innovation and clinical excellence. As cholera continues to threaten communities lacking clean water and sanitation, Hillchol provides a streamlined, scalable solution designed to support global health programs and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines. Global demand for OCVs is close to 100 million doses a year, and given that only one manufacturer supplies them, there is a global shortage. Bharat Biotech's facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar have a capacity to produce up to 200 million doses of Hillchol. UNI KNR BM
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actress Clare McCann pleads for donation as she seeks $196,000 to cryogenically preserve son's body after suicide
An Australian actress has opened up about the devastating loss of her teenage son to suicide and has initiated a fundraiser to have his body cryogenically preserved, with the hope of someday reviving him. Heartbreaking Post on Instagram On Sunday, Clare McCann took to Instagram to announce the heartbreaking news that her 13-year-old son, Atreyu McCann, passed away by suicide on Friday. She called his death her "worst nightmare" and shared that he had taken months of bullying at school. A Mother's Tribute to Her Son The suffering mother shared the heartbreaking news of her son's death with a touching post that included a photo of Atreyu, her child actor son. She wrote, "It's with shattered hearts that we share the passing of my beautiful son, Atreyu McCann." She described him as "the brightest light in my world - kind, creative, and endlessly loved." She added, "Right now, we are grieving a loss that words can't hold. Please give us time and space as we process this unimaginable pain. Thank you to everyone who has supported and loved Atreyu. We'll share more when we're ready. For now, please hold him in your hearts." Revealing the Cause of death On Monday, Clare shared more details, revealing that Atreyu tragically took his own life after enduring "months of relentless bullying." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com os Fungo Undo She has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise 300,000 Australian dollars (around 196,000 US dollars) to cryogenically preserve her son's body, hoping that future scientific breakthroughs will allow him to be brought back to life. What Is Cryopreservation? Cryopreservation means keeping living things alive by freezing them at very low temperatures, usually below −80°C or as cold as liquid nitrogen at −196°C, according to a study in Science Direct. The body is stored in a special facility for a long time, hoping that future science will find a way to bring it back to life. Plans for Surplus Funds Known for her lead role in the Channel V series 'Blog Party', the actress stated that if the fundraiser surpasses its goal, the extra money will be directed towards launching a nationwide anti-bullying education and reform campaign, pursuing legal action against the organisations responsible for failing her son, and providing assistance to other families impacted by systemic neglect. Appeal for Donations Clare urgently appealed for donations, explaining that there is only a limited window after death to preserve a body. She stated, "I am a public figure with a national platform, and I will use every resource I have to make sure this never happens again, not just to my son, but to any other child failed by this system. Please help us preserve our beloved Atreyu and give his life the dignity and future that his school stole from him. Share this campaign. Tell his story. And stand with us. We only have 7 days. Please act now." At the time of the update, $3,645 AUD had been raised. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bharat Bio completes Phase III trials of new oral cholera vaccine Hillchol
Hyderabad: Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said its oral cholera vaccine, Hillchol, successfully completed Phase III clinical trials demonstrating efficacy against both Ogawa and Inaba serotypes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Hyderabad-based vaccine maker said Hillchol showed an over four-fold rise in vibriocidal antibodies—68.3% for Ogawa and 69.5% for Inaba serotypes. The vaccine proved non-inferior to licensed vaccines and maintained a strong safety profile across all age groups, with only mild adverse events reported, it added. The findings of the study have been published in the ScienceDirect vaccine journal. The double-blind, randomised Phase III clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, non-inferiority, and lot-to-lot consistency of the single-component Hillchol in comparison to a comparator vaccine, Shanchol, in a diverse group of 1,800 individuals, ranging from infants to adults, across 10 clinical sites in India. The study participants were divided into three age groups—adults over 18 years, children aged 5 to under 18 years, and infants aged 1 to under 5 years. The participants were randomised in a ratio of 3:1 to receive either Hillchol or a comparator vaccine. Pointing to the significant role Hillchol can play in addressing the global cholera crisis and vaccine shortages, Bharat Biotech executive chairman Dr Krishna Ella said the new generation oral cholera vaccine features a simplified single stable O1 Hikojima strain, which enhances production efficiency and affordability and is particularly beneficial for lower- and middle-income countries. He said the company's facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar are equipped to produce 200 million doses of Hillchol and can ease the global shortage of oral cholera vaccines. While currently the global demand for oral cholera vaccines is around 100 million doses per annum, there is only one manufacturer. Cholera, which is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria, is estimated to cause over 2.86 million cases and around 95,000 deaths globally every year.
CNET
22-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
I'm Not Messing Around With Leftover Rice - You Shouldn't Either
Key takeaways: Leftover rice can harbor bacteria: Uncooked rice contains spores of Bacillus cereus that can survive cooking and multiply if left at room temperature, leading to food poisoning or what's known as 'fried rice syndrome'. Uncooked rice contains spores of Bacillus cereus that can survive cooking and multiply if left at room temperature, leading to food poisoning or what's known as 'fried rice syndrome'. Proper storage is essential: To avoid food poisoning, cool leftover rice quickly (ideally within one hour), store it in the refrigerator, and don't leave it out at room temperature for more than a short time. To avoid food poisoning, cool leftover rice quickly (ideally within one hour), store it in the refrigerator, and don't leave it out at room temperature for more than a short time. Reheat thoroughly: When reheating leftover rice, ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to kill any bacteria that may have grown. There's a chance that eating leftover rice or pasta could give you "fried rice syndrome' or food poisoning. According to ScienceDirect, 'fried rice syndrome' originated from the first known cases of rice dishes contaminated with Bacillus cereus -- a food-borne bacteria. Fried rice is typically made with leftover rice making it particularly dangerous if not handled properly. Not only can old rice make your stomach miserable, you might even end up in the emergency room. Reddit users have reported some harrowing experiences with "fried rice syndrome," so you'll definitely want to avoid this form of food poisoning. Here's why you may want to avoid preparing a large serving of rice for the week ahead, and how you can properly store and prepare rice to prevent possible food poisoning. For more health tips, check out 12 probiotic foods that will make your stomach happy and learn why the "rizempic" trend could be dangerous. Why does leftover rice have a risk of food poisoning? All varieties of uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness like vomiting or diarrhea. The spores are heat-resistant and don't die when cooked. As the rice cools and enters the food danger zone of between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the bacteria begins to quickly reproduce. There are about 63,400 cases of food poisoning from Bacillus cereus every year in the US, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The big risk for food poisoning arises when rice is sitting out for more than an hour -- that's when the spores of bacteria can multiply greatly. The bacteria isn't a problem if you eat the rice right away. Illness is much more common from eating rice that has sat out at room temperature for a few hours, gets refrigerated and is then eaten a few days later. If your rice sits out for two hours at room temperature or one hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be thrown away, according to Food Network. What's the best way to store rice to avoid food poisoning? To prevent food poisoning, you should put your leftover rice in the refrigerator soon after you're done cooking it -- the UK's National Health Service recommends storing it "ideally within one hour" -- and limit the amount of time your leftover rice is in the refrigerator. However, you want to be careful to not put a hot container of food in the refrigerator, because that can increase the temperature of other foods and possibly lead to bacterial growth there as well. Food Network recommends portioning the large batch of rice into smaller containers and cooling the rice to room temperature (around 70 degrees). The NHS recommends keeping your rice in the fridge for no more than one day until reheating, while the US Department of Agriculture's FoodKeeper app says you can store cooked rice for four to six days. Food Network says you can continue reheating the rice throughout the three to four days that it has been stored, while the NHS recommends not reheating more than once. What is the safest way to reheat leftover rice? If you are planning on reheating your rice, ensure that the rice comes out of the microwave or off the stove top steaming hot with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. And the next time you're craving rice, limit the amount you make to what you and your dinner companions plan on eating that day. This also helps to prevent food waste, alongside the benefits of avoiding food poisoning.
