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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Just a daily walk can help prevent dementia and heart disease
A simple activity like walking has life-saving benefits. If it is done correctly, it can be the key to losing weight, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and boosting your memory, as well as reducing your risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more. With the elderly population projected to reach 19.1% by 2050, the burden is expected to grow significantly. Parallelly, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the leading cause of death. In this context, lifestyle interventions like regular walking emerge as simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce the risks of both dementia and heart disease, especially among older adults in India. Understanding dementia and heart diseases in India According to the study published in the National Library of Medical Science (NLM), in India, dementia affects 7.4% of adults aged 60 and above, with variations based on age, education, gender, and rural or urban residence. Around 8.8 million individuals in this age group are living with dementia, necessitating tailored local planning and support, especially in states and subpopulations with higher prevalence among females and in rural areas. It is forecasted in the study of Changing demography and the challenge of dementia in India that by 2050, it is anticipated that 19.1% of India's population will be aged 60 years and above. Due to its large population, South Asia, particularly India, is expected to be a significant contributor to this rise, although variations may occur based on demographic differences in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Importance of walking speed to reduce risk of dementia The assessment of walking activity, conducted using the validated Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire, reveals that both the intensity and duration of walking play significant roles in influencing cognitive health outcomes. Participants were categorised based on walking frequency, intensity (low, moderate, or vigorous), and the stage of life when walking was initiated (midlife vs. late life). According to NLM research, physical activity is one of the protective and cost-effective practice activities against dementia, and recent studies show that even a single form of physical activity like walking can positively impact brain health. Walking requires no special training, costs nothing, and can be done almost anywhere, making it a practical choice across all ages. Importantly, a slow walking speed has been identified as a major risk factor for developing or worsening Alzheimer's-related symptoms. This implies an inverse relationship between walking and cognitive decline—the more consistently one walks, the lower the risk may be. Several long-term studies support this idea. For instance, older women who walked more frequently showed lower chances of cognitive decline over a period of 6–8 years. Similarly, elderly men who maintained regular walking routines had a significantly reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia. Major findings indicate that individuals who engaged in regular, moderate-to-vigorous walking—especially those walking more than 360 minutes per week—showed a lower risk of Alzheimer's-related cognitive decline compared to non-walkers or those with lower-intensity activity. Notably, the timing of walking initiation also mattered: those who began walking in midlife (ages 40–64) demonstrated stronger cognitive protection than those who started in later life. How walking helps with heart diseases Multiple studies have shown that walking regularly, even for just 20 to 60 minutes a day, a few times a week, can significantly reduce key risk factors linked to heart disease. In a review of 14 walking-based intervention studies published in the National Library of Medical Science (published in 2009–2010), participants followed walking routines lasting anywhere from 3 weeks to 12 months. The results showed consistent improvements in cardiovascular fitness, which is a major factor in preventing heart disease. Participants reported better endurance, easier breathing during activity, and improved ability to exercise. Regular walking at a moderate intensity—the kind that makes you breathe faster, sweat lightly, or feel a bit flushed—was most effective in improving heart strength and blood flow. In some studies, walking even lowered blood pressure, especially in people with mild hypertension or those at risk due to age and other conditions. Other health benefits included: Reduced body fat and weight Improved cholesterol levels Increased distance walked without discomfort in people with circulation problems (like peripheral artery disease) These changes may seem small at first, but over time, they add up to a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease, stroke, and related complications. Also Read: What is prostate cancer: Causes, symptoms, risk factors, and healthy habits that help prevent it
Novaya Gazeta Europe
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Picking your battles. Novaya Europe analysed almost 40,000 protests to see how Russia's war in Ukraine has changed civil society — Novaya Gazeta Europe
Three's a crowd The Russian constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets. In practice, street protests are prohibited. No wonder, then, that their number has declined sharply in the past three years. But other, safer ways — petitions, legal appeals, video messages — are gaining in popularity. The authorities usually find a far-fetched reason to stop protests going ahead, such as a rally risking the spread of the coronavirus, according to OVD-Info. Yet people continue to take to the streets to solve non-political issues in the areas of housing and utilities, urban development and the environment. Petitions and appeals to the authorities are a safe alternative to street protests. 'Although petitions aren't direct action, they are currently the most readily available tool of pressure,' a former local councillor and teacher explains. 'Of course, people would make a greater statement if they came out onto the streets. But that's fairly unrealistic now.' One expert calls this 'petitioning the tsar'. People complaining to the authorities means they recognise their legitimacy. A member of PS Lab, an autonomous research group focusing on politics and society in Russia and post-Soviet regions, says that in autocracies, appeals and petitions remain one of the few legal and relatively safe ways for people to fight for their rights. 'Ultra-patriots' and communists Before the war, Alexey Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) was the main instigator of protests in the country. The movement unleashed the largest protest of the 2010s. In January 2021, Russia declared the foundation extremist, meaning it was banned from taking part in elections or protests, and three years later Navalny died in a penal colony in the Arctic Circle. Over the past three years, political parties and other movements have only organised 15% of protests. Mainstream political forces cannot now criticise Putin or the war, though parties such as the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party can still speak out on local problems such as housing, utilities, education, healthcare and urban planning. Ultra-patriotic sentiments are also much more noticeable in the regions. They form 6% of all protests. Their main mouthpiece is the National Liberation Movement (NLM), whose members petition for 'emergency powers for Putin' or to 'annul Gorbachev's decisions'. They protest in support of the war and against 'foreign agents'. They hand out their newspaper The National Course and call for nuclear weapons to be aimed at the US. In some cities, such as Irkutsk, NLM activists protest every week and are never detained. But the vast majority of protests are organised and carried out by local people. Over the past three years, political parties and other movements have only organised 15% of protests.
Business Wire
22-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Exelixis Announces Zanzalintinib in Combination with an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Improved Overall Survival in STELLAR-303 Phase 3 Pivotal Trial in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced positive topline results from the STELLAR-303 phase 3 pivotal trial in which zanzalintinib in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq ®) demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) versus regorafenib in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population of patients with previously treated non-microsatellite instability (MSI)-high metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). These topline findings are from the final analysis conducted by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee of one of the dual primary endpoints of the STELLAR-303 phase 3 trial. The trial will proceed to the planned final analysis for the other dual primary endpoint of OS in patients without liver metastases (non-liver metastases, NLM). The safety profiles of zanzalintinib in combination with atezolizumab and of regorafenib were generally consistent with what has been previously observed, and no new safety signals were identified. The ITT population consisted of all randomized patients, regardless of the presence of liver metastases. The NLM subgroup consisted of patients who did not have active liver metastases at baseline as determined by investigator assessment. 'The STELLAR-303 results, which showed a survival benefit with the combination of zanzalintinib and atezolizumab versus regorafenib across all randomized patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer, marks an important first milestone for our zanzalintinib pivotal development program,' said Amy Peterson, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. 'We look forward to discussing the findings with regulatory authorities and presenting the detailed results at an upcoming medical conference.' Secondary endpoints of STELLAR-303 include progression-free survival, objective response rate and duration of response in the ITT population and in the NLM subgroup of patients. Exelixis plans to submit detailed results of STELLAR-303 for presentation at an upcoming medical conference. About STELLAR-303 STELLAR-303 (NCT05425940) is a global, multicenter, randomized, phase 3, open-label study that randomized 901 patients 1:1 to either zanzalintinib (100 mg) in combination with atezolizumab or regorafenib. The study includes patients with previously treated non-MSI-high metastatic CRC. The dual primary endpoints of the study are OS in the ITT population and in the NLM subgroup of patients. Presence of liver metastases at baseline for all enrolled patients was determined by investigator assessment. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, objective response rate and duration of response in the ITT population and in the NLM subgroup of patients. More information about the trial is available at About Zanzalintinib Zanzalintinib is a third-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in cancer growth and spread, including VEGF receptors, MET, AXL and MER. These receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in both normal cellular function and in pathologic processes such as oncogenesis, metastasis, tumor angiogenesis and resistance to multiple therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. With zanzalintinib, Exelixis sought to build upon its extensive experience with the target profile of cabozantinib, the company's flagship medicine, while improving key characteristics, including pharmacokinetic half-life. Zanzalintinib is currently being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. Zanzalintinib is an investigational agent that is not approved for any use and is the subject of ongoing clinical trials. About CRC CRC is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. 1 Approximately 154,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. with around 53,000 expected deaths from the disease in 2025. 1 CRC is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 65-74 and is more common in men and in people of non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native descent. 2 Nearly a quarter of CRC cases are diagnosed at the metastatic stage, at which point the five-year survival rate is just 16.2%. 2 The liver is the most common site for CRC metastasis. Liver metastases significantly impact survival, with a median five-year survival rate of less than 14% when treated with palliative chemotherapy. 3 About Exelixis Exelixis is a globally ambitious oncology company innovating next-generation medicines and regimens at the forefront of cancer care. Powered by drug discovery and development excellence, we are rapidly evolving our product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with our clinically differentiated pipeline of small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates and other biotherapeutics. This comprehensive approach harnesses decades of robust investment in our science and partnerships to advance our investigational programs and extend the impact of our flagship commercial product, CABOMETYX ® (cabozantinib). Exelixis is driven by a bold scientific pursuit to create transformational treatments that give more patients hope for the future. For information about the company and its mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer, visit follow @ExelixisInc on X (Twitter), like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook and follow Exelixis on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to: the therapeutic potential of the combination of zanzalintinib in combination with atezolizumab to improve overall survival in patients with metastatic CRC; Exelixis' plans to discuss the trial data from STELLAR-303 with regulatory authorities and to present detailed findings at an upcoming medical conference; and Exelixis' scientific pursuit to create transformational treatments that give more patients hope for the future. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and are based upon Exelixis' current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the availability of data at the referenced times; complexities and the unpredictability of the regulatory review and approval processes in the U.S. and elsewhere; Exelixis' continuing compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements; unexpected concerns that may arise as a result of the occurrence of adverse safety events or additional data analyses of clinical trials evaluating zanzalintinib; Exelixis' dependence on third-party vendors for the development, manufacture and supply of zanzalintinib; Exelixis' ability to protect its intellectual property rights; market competition; changes in economic and business conditions; and other factors affecting Exelixis and its development programs detailed from time to time under the caption 'Risk Factors' in Exelixis' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in Exelixis' future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Exelixis as of the date of this press release, and Exelixis undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by law. Exelixis, the Exelixis logo and CABOMETYX are registered U.S. trademarks of Exelixis. TECENTRIQ is a registered U.S. trademark of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. ___________________________ 1 Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer. ACS website. Available at: Accessed June 2025. 2 Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer. SEER website. Available at: Accessed June 2025. 3 Ros J, Salva F, Dopazo C, et al. Liver transplantation in metastatic colorectal cancer: are we ready for it? Br J Cancer. May 2023;128(10):1797-1806.
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Monsoon to arrive in Bengal in 2 days; IMD issues orange alert for South Bengal on June 17, 18
Written by Debasmita Chowdhury, The Southwest Monsoon is expected to reach parts of West Bengal within the next two days, bringing much-needed relief from the prevailing pre-monsoon heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several South Bengal districts for June 17 and 18. 'Residents of West Bengal can look forward to the arrival of monsoon rains, crucial for agriculture and replenishing water resources,' said an official. According to the latest update, the Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) is currently passing through Veraval, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, and Balurghat, signalling its approach toward the state. South Bengal is likely to witness moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers across all districts from June 16 to 23. The most intense rainfall is expected during the first three days, particularly June 17 and 18. The IMD has issued orange alerts for South 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, and Birbhum for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) on June 17 and 18. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur are under heavy rain warnings (7-11 cm) for the same period. North Bengal is also under active monsoon influence, with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms forecast across Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, and Malda from June 17 to 21. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on June 19. Day temperatures in the Sub-Himalayan region are expected to remain stable over the next five days. Yellow alerts for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) have been issued for Purba Medinipur, Uttar Dinajpur, and South 24 Parganas. Kolkata is likely to experience light to moderate rain and thundershowers throughout the week, with heavy rain alerts (7-11 cm) in place for June 17 and 18. Thunderstorm activity with gusty winds and lightning is also forecast for the first three days of the week. On Monday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27.7 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels reaching 91 percent. A mostly cloudy sky with intermittent rain is expected to provide some respite from the summer heat. Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a coastal warning for June 17 and 18. Squally weather with surface winds reaching 30-40 kmph, gusting up to 50 kmph, is expected along the West Bengal-Odisha coast. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period. Debasmita Chowdhury is an intern at The Indian Express
The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
System offers enhanced access to 155 libraries, digital learning
Visitors trying the simulation capsule in the u-Library gallery at the National Library in Kuala Lumpur. — Courtesy photos THE National Library of Malaysia's (NLM) u-Library service enables users to borrow books from 12 consortium libraries across Malaysia. The initiative is significant as it provides Malaysians access to reading materials, allowing visitors to access search collection catalogs from 155 libraries. The service also provides 24/7 access to digital reading materials, NLM said in a media statement. It offers more than 800,000 digital reading materials subscribed from 22 databases. The materials consist of e-books, e-magazines, e-journals, e-newspapers, audiobooks and e-learning. The system was developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2009 and completed in 2012. Since then, it saw various improvement, including the integration of digital material database subscriptions in 2016. Further enhancements include an FAQ chatbot and a more user-friendly membership registration with the help of the RFID system. NLM said the system would be integrating artificial intelligence (AI), in its effort to redevelop the u-Library 2.0 system. Children playing with the tablets provided in the library. These future developments consist of an AI chatbot for direct assistance, an integrated search feature, combining both searches for physical and digital book materials simultaneously, and a single sign-on feature to assist users in signing in and accessing materials with convenience, it added. To level up with current technology, u-Library will also offer the e-wallet payment method (DuitNow) for efficient, quick and cashless payments. With more than 810,935 members and an average of around 100,000 active members each year, these initiatives help provide free services, and the ability to borrow physical and digital books with ease to the users, NLM further said. Additionally, the u-Library's initiative aligns with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports Goal 4 (Quality Education) by allowing access to reading materials, resulting in lifelong learning, and Goal 9 (Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Innovation) with the development of digital infrastructure. The sustainability of this initiative is achieved through constant awareness programmes with the help of media campaigns, workshops, training and outreach programmes in schools, higher education institutions, and communities, said NLM. For better maintenance and support, u-Library has consistent system upgrades, a user support centre for assistance with technical issues, and a Disaster Recovery support system that is restored within 24 hours in the case of a disaster, it added.
