Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 (IANS) A team of researchers at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram has discovered a promising new strategy to counter bacterial resistance to antibiotics — a growing global health threat.The scientists found that targeting porins — protein channels in the outer membrane of pathogenic bacteria — can significantly enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics.The findings, published in Small, a peer-reviewed nanoscience and nanotechnology journal based in Weinheim, Germany, emerged from a collaborative effort involving Dr Mahendran’s lab at RGCB, Dr Arumugam Rajavelu’s lab at IIT Madras, and Dr Jagannath Mondal’s lab at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad.RGCB Director Prof Chandrabhas Narayana said bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a serious challenge to the medical community, particularly for pharmacologists.“In this context, the multidisciplinary nature of this research opens exciting avenues to counter antibiotic resistance by improving the transport of targeted antibiotics into bacterial cells,” he said.The study highlights how bacteria evolve mechanisms to block antibiotics — one of which involves altering porins, the protein channels that allow antibiotics to enter the cell. A reduction in the number or functionality of these channels can prevent drug entry, rendering treatments ineffective.The researchers focused on CymAKp, a dynamic porin found in Klebsiella pneumoniae, a WHO-listed high-priority pathogen. Using advanced biophysical techniques and computer simulations, they discovered that CymAKp is specially adapted to allow the uptake of cyclic sugars.By studying the interaction between antibiotics and these underexplored porins, the team has identified a potential route to bypass bacterial defences and restore the efficacy of antibiotics.The research was supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Department of Science and Technology; and intramural funding from RGCB.–IANSsg/skp

Motihari, May 14 (IANS) Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), people across the country have got access to cheaper medicines with discounts ranging up to 50 to 80 per cent, thus slashing their medical expenses substantially.In Bihar’s Motihari district, the Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) opened under the scheme have become hugely popular and are being visited by hordes of people, who want to purchase affordable medicines for themselves and their family members.A couple of beneficiaries spoke to IANS, sharing the positive impact of the scheme on their lives.Beneficiary Devanti Devi said: “Medicines are available at very high prices in the market. But, here we get them at cheaper rates. Medicines, which used to cost thousands of rupees in private medical stores, are available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras at highly subsidised rates, up to 80 per cent.”She said that her whole family is thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this scheme.Another beneficiary, Pankaj, told IANS that he is a frequent visitor to Jan Aushadhi Kendras and now buys medicines from there.“Thyroid medicines used to cost thousands of rupees at private medical stores. But, here the medicine is available for less than half the price,” he said, while expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for people-friendly scheme.Aishwarya Priya, who runs the Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Motihari said that the centre is providing relief to locals and also spoke about her self-reliance.“This centre has given me a lot of relief. I have become self-reliant. The common people are getting medicines at cheaper rates than the market,” she told IANS.She said that she had read somewhere about the PMBJP scheme and then decided to open such a centre in her hometown.“I applied to open Jan Aushadhi Kendra, after which, I was allotted a place for the centre here,” she said.Notably, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has brought about a significant change in India’s healthcare landscape. The aim of this initiative is to provide high-quality generic medicines at affordable prices to make essential healthcare accessible to all citizens.–IANSmr/pgh

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) India’s bioeconomy has seen an exponential rise under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government — from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024 — and aims to reach $300 billion by 2030, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.India is at the right time and in the right place, with a highly enabling political ecosystem to lead the next global biotechnology revolution, he said while addressing the “International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology’s (ICGEB) board meeting of governors hereDr Singh described India as the emerging global biotech destination and said that this is the most appropriate venue for such deliberations at a time when India has much to contribute to the world community.On the occasion, the minister dedicated India’s first-of-its-kind public funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-foundry’. ICGEB has 69 member countries and plays a key role in biotechnology-led sustainable global development through research, training, and technology transfer.Dr Singh highlighted India’s remarkable progress in the biotechnology sector.He noted that India now ranks 12th globally in biotechnology and holds the third position in the Asia-Pacific region. The country has emerged as the largest vaccine producer in the world and is home to the third largest startup ecosystem globally.A testament to this growth is the exponential rise in biotech startups, which have surged from just 50 in 2014 to over 10,000 in 2024.Recalling the success of Mission COVID Suraksha, Dr Singh noted the development of the world’s first DNA-based vaccine. He proudly stated that India gifted these vaccines to the world under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, showcasing its commitment to global health equity.Dr Singh also mentioned the development of India’s 1st indigenous generation antibiotic for monotherapy in bacterial pneumonia Nafithromycin, backed in part by DBT-BIRAC. He also cited the creation of diagnostic kits for Dengue and HIV.Emphasising the national importance of biomanufacturing, he lauded the BioE3 Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024, as a game-changing step to build a resilient ecosystem for bio-based products and promote high-performance biomanufacturing.–IANSna/

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) A new study on Wednesday said that there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of how autistic and non-autistic people communicate, thus challenging the stereotype that autistic people struggle to connect with others.Social difficulties often faced by autistic people are more about differences in how autistic and non-autistic people communicate, rather than a lack of social ability in autistic individuals.Autism is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability, and influences how people experience and interact with the world.The study, led by experts from the University of Edinburgh and published in Nature Human Behaviour, tested how effectively information was passed between 311 autistic and non-autistic people.Participants were tested in groups where everyone was autistic, everyone was non-autistic, or a combination of both. The first person in the group heard a story from the researcher, then passed it along to the next person. Each person had to remember and repeat the story, and the last person in the chain recalled the story aloud.According to the study, the amount of information passed on at each point in the chain was scored to discern how effective participants were at sharing the story. Researchers found there were no differences between autistic, non-autistic, and mixed groups.Researchers found that non-autistic people preferred interacting with others like themselves, and autistic people preferred learning from fellow autistic individuals. This is likely down to the different ways that autistic and non-autistic people communicate, experts say.Dr Catherine Crompton, Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, said “Autism has often been associated with social impairments, both colloquially and in clinical criteria. Researchers have spent a lot of time trying to ‘fix’ autistic communication, but this study shows that despite autistic and non-autistic people communicating differently, it is just as successful”.With opportunities for autistic people often limited by misconceptions and misunderstandings, this new research could lead the way to bridging the communication gap and create more inclusive spaces for all, Crompton added.–IANSna/

Mumbai, May 14 (IANS) Ameera Shah-led diagnostics chain Metropolis Healthcare has reported a 19.96 per cent drop in its consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of the financial year (Q4 FY25), as expenses shot up in the period.The company’s net profit declined to Rs 29.23 crore in January-March quarter from Rs 36.52 crore in the same period last year (Q4 FY24), according to its filing with the stock exchanges.The fall in profit came despite a rise in revenue. The diagnostics chain posted a 4.13 per cent increase in revenue from operations, which stood at Rs 345.29 crore in Q4, compared to Rs 331 crore in the year-ago quarter.However, higher operating costs weighed on the bottom line. Total expenses during the quarter rose by 11.74 per cent year-on-year (YoY), reaching Rs 316.21 crore, up from Rs 283 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal.Among the key cost components, the cost of materials consumed increased by 6.62 per cent to Rs 71.53 crore, while employee benefits expense jumped 15.01 per cent to Rs 82.19 crore from Rs 71.46 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.The increase in expenses outpaced revenue growth, putting pressure on the company’s profitability in the March quarter.However, for the full fiscal year 2025 (FY25), Metropolis Healthcare reported a net profit of Rs 146 crore, marking a rise from Rs 128 crore in FY24.Despite the dip in quarterly profit, Metropolis remains optimistic about its long-term growth strategy.Shah, as Chairperson and Whole-time Director of the company, emphasised the company’s resilience and future readiness, stating, “Metropolis has been actively investing in expanding its network of laboratories, technology, and talent.”She added that despite a challenging environment, the company has seen significant improvements in customer engagement and operational efficiency.“Metropolis is also focusing on expanding its B2C presence, which it believes will contribute significantly to its next phase of growth,” Shah mentioned.Meanwhile, the shares of Metropolis Healthcare were trading 4.95 per cent or Rs 84.2 lower at Rs 1,617.40 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday.–IANSpk/na

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) People who develop type 1 diabetes in adulthood have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death, according to a new research.However, those diagnosed later in life do not have a better prognosis than those diagnosed earlier, according to the study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, which pointed to smoking, poor glucose control and obesity as the main risk factors.Research on adult-onset type 1 diabetes is limited, so the team wanted to investigate the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in this group, particularly for those diagnosed after the age of 40.The study, published in European Heart Journal, identified 10,184 people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in adulthood between 2001 and 2020 and compared them to 509,172 matched people in the control group.The study shows that these people with adult-onset type 1 diabetes had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes, including cancer and infections, compared to the control group.Yuxia Wei, postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, said the main reasons for the poor prognosis are smoking, overweight/obesity and poor glucose control.“We found that they were less likely to use assistive devices, such as insulin pumps,” Wei added.Researchers plan to continue investigating adult-onset type 1 diabetes, including risk factors for developing the disease and the prognosis of other outcomes, such as microvascular complications. Optimal treatment in adult-onset type 1 diabetes, including the effect of pump use and other advanced technologies, also needs to be explored.The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Diabetes Foundation, among others. The researchers report that there are no conflicts of interest.The results emphasise the seriousness of type 1 diabetes, even when it starts later in life, said the researchers.–IANSna/

Kolkata, May 13 (IANS) The preliminary post-mortem report of Pritam Majumdar, the son of Rinku Majumdar, who is the newly married wife of BJP’s former National Vice-President and the ex-West Bengal party President, Dilip Ghosh, suggests that acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis could be the reason for his sudden death on Tuesday.

The body of Pritam Majumdar, the son of Rinku Majumdar from her first husband, was recovered under mysterious circumstances from his residence at New Town in Kolkata earlier in the day.The post-mortem of his body was conducted earlier in the afternoon only at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.As rumours started surfacing over a possible suicide angle behind the death, the initial post-mortem report has suggested acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis as the most probable reason behind the tragic death.In medical terms, acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis is a severe form of pancreatitis characterised by inflammation, tissue damage and haemorrhage (bleeding) within and around the pancreas.This occurs due to the inappropriate activation of pancreatic enzymes inside the ducts, leading to inflammation and tissue destruction, including blood vessels.However, a more detailed analysis of the reason behind the death will be available only after the detailed post-mortem report surfaces.Already, information has surfaced about the deceased being on multiple medications because of health-related complications.Dilip Ghosh got married to Rinku Majumdar last month.At the time of the marriage, the deceased gave a brief reaction to the media that he was happy with her mother’s decision to start a new life.However, he did not attend the marriage event as he was on leave outside Kolkata.Pritam Majumdar was an employee of an Information Technology Enabled Service (ITeS) and was operating from the company office at IT hub Sector-5 of Salt Lake, which is nearby his residence.–IANSsrc/khz

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) Active public participation is driving India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

He said this while chairing a meeting to assess the progress of the TB elimination campaign in the country.”Driven by active public participation, the movement has gained significant momentum over the last few years,” PM Modi said in a post on the social media platform X.”Our government remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to realise the vision of a TB-free India,” he added, after the meeting that was also attended by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and other leaders.TB is the deadliest infectious disease globally, with 10.8 million new cases and 1.25 million deaths in 2023India has gained notable success in fighting TB cases, death rates, as well as in notification.According to the WHO Global TB Report 2024, India has witnessed a noteworthy 17.7 per cent decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023 — a rate that is over twice the global average decline of 8.3 per cent.TB deaths have also reduced by 21.4 per cent from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023, as per the data.However, India reported 28 lakh TB cases, accounting for 26 per cent — the highest — global TB burden in 2024.The country also reported an estimated 3.15 lakh TB-related deaths, accounting for 29 per cent of the deaths globally.India aims to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target.To accelerate the fight against TB, the Health Ministry in December last year launched a 100-day intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan that concluded on World TB Day on March 24.The campaign targeted 455 high-priority districts across 33 States/UTs to accelerate TB case detection, reduce mortality, and prevent new cases.With more than 1.94 lakh awareness activities, the Jan Andolan also led to the active involvement of over 33,000 elected representatives and 22-line ministries exhibiting a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to TB elimination.The campaign mobilised the community for effective nutritional support through 1.05 lakh new Nikshay Mitras, distributing more than three lakh nutrition food baskets.In addition, more than 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs were held across states, where 12.97 crore vulnerable people were screened for TB. This targeted approach resulted in the identification of 7.19 lakh TB cases.And 2.85 lakh asymptomatic TB cases were identified early, who would have otherwise gone undetected, as per the Health Ministry.–IANSrvt/dan

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) US researchers have developed a novel vaccine that protects against H1N1 swine flu and can also protect against influenza in humans and birds.The vaccine strategy developed and tested by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the US can also eliminate the need for annual flu shots.”This research sets the stage for developing universal influenza vaccines, so people won’t have to go to the doctor and get a flu shot every year,” said virologist Eric Weaver at the varsity.”This vaccine will protect you against the different strains that are out there,” Weaver said.In the study, published in Nature Communications, swine vaccinated with the immunogens exhibited no signs of illness after being exposed to a commonly circulating flu strain. They also developed antibodies against a multitude of viruses from several decades and multiple species; and maintained their immune response throughout the six-month longitudinal study.Post-experiment regression analysis indicated that the immunity would not dissipate for a decade, Weaver said.The Epigraph vaccine, named after the computer software, used to design it, significantly outperformed a commercial vaccine used by the pork industry and a “wild type” vaccine based on naturally occurring strains with similar immunogens.The study confirms previous research that demonstrated the vaccine design protected against the H3 influenza subtype.The new results are particularly encouraging because H1 swine flu variants are detected twice as often as H3 variants — and have nearly three times more genetic diversity, Weaver said.”This H1 subtype is the largest and most genetically diverse subtype in pigs,” Weaver said. “It’s also among the viruses that jumped from swine to humans to cause the 2009 swine flu pandemic. It’s a big target and one of the harder targets to hit.”The influenza A virus regularly infects as much as 15 per cent of the human population and causes thousands of deaths each year. Current vaccines often fail to provide long-lasting protection because of the genetic diversity and rapid mutation of proteins that help form the virus.Another challenge in controlling influenza is that it infects multiple species: birds, swine, horses, and dogs, along with humans.Swine often act as a mixing vessel because they are susceptible to human and bird flu variants, contributing to the evolution of novel forms of the disease that can be transmitted back to humans.”If we can prevent influenza in swine, we can also prevent zoonotic jumps from avians to swine to humans, or from swine directly to humans. We could basically cut off this evolutionary arsenal or advantage that the virus has,” Weaver explained. “The ultimate goal is to eliminate or eradicate influenza.”–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) An international team of scientists from India, Saudi Arabia, and the US has identified 26 novel bacterial species growing inside cleanrooms associated with NASA space missions.The study, published in the journal Microbiome, highlights the importance of rigorous contamination control to prevent unintentional microbial transfer during space missions. Cleanrooms are highly specialised facilities engineered to maintain exceptionally low levels of dust and microorganisms. Spacecraft are assembled in cleanrooms. These unknown and newly described species carry genetic traits associated with resilience to extreme environments such as those found in space, and may hold clues to space survival and biotech, said the team. While the controlled environments have tightly regulated airflow, temperature, and humidity that inhibit microbial survival, some microorganisms — extremophiles — thrive in such environments. “Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space,” said lead researcher Professor Alexandre Rosado, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). “This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonisation of exploring planets,” Rosado said.In the study, the scientists did a comprehensive analysis of the microorganisms growing in the NASA cleanrooms during the Phoenix mission — a NASA-led mission that launched a lander to Mars in 2007. During the Phoenix spacecraft mission, genomes of 215 bacterial isolates were sequenced and based on overall genome-related indices, 53 strains belonging to 26 novel species were recognised. The team found that many of the new species possessed genes that made them resilient to decontamination and radiation. Some of the discovered genes were associated with DNA repair, the detoxification of harmful molecules, and improved metabolism, all of which increased the species’ survivability. Moreover, these genes could lead to new biotechnologies that benefit food preservation and medicine,” said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST. Schultz noted that the genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species can be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation, and other industries.–IANSrvt/