New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) Swedish researchers have developed a simple oral swab test, which can help boost the success rate of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.IVF treatment involves stimulating the woman’s ovaries to mature many eggs, which are then retrieved and fertilised with sperm in the laboratory before being returned to the uterus. There are two different types of hormone treatments to choose from for egg maturation: biological or synthetic. Besides the risk of serious side effects, the therapies sometimes require women to go into intensive care — and many attempts at IVF fail. Selecting which therapy is best for the woman has become a major challenge. While mapping genes is costly and takes time, the new simple oral swab test within an hour shows which hormone therapy is most suitable. “Our hope is that this will reduce the risk of suffering for women, increase the number of successful treatments, and cut costs for taxpayers. Our goal is for the test to be available by the start of 2026,” said Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman, professor at Lund University. A total of 1,466 women undergoing IVF treatment in Sweden were included in the study, and 475 were randomised to two different hormone treatments while the rest were controls. Using gene sequencing, the team mapped the action of the gene follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is known to play an important role in egg maturation. The study identified that women with a particular variant of the FSH receptor (FSHR) gene that mediates the action of the hormone responded best to the biological hormone treatment, while others benefited from receiving the synthetic type of hormone. To decode the genetic profile, the team turned to the oral swab test, which proved to be significantly efficient. Within an hour, it produced results that can be seen with the naked eye as a pink or yellow colour. By knowing the woman’s genetic profile in advance, we can increase the number of successful pregnancies, said Giwercman, in the study published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology. –IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) US researchers have developed a wearable and “smart” lactation sensor to prevent babies from overexposure to the common painkiller acetaminophen.Acetaminophen, commonly used for postpartum pain management, is also frequently given to babies to treat fever, leading to potential double-dosing through both direct administration and indirectly through breastfeeding.The drug is the leading cause of acute liver failure in children and the most frequent reason for liver transplants in the US.The acetaminophen sensor, developed by researchers at the University of Southern California in the US gets incorporated into an ordinary nursing pad and detects acetaminophen in breast milk.For nursing babies with immature liver metabolism, the presence of acetaminophen in breast milk poses additional risks, said the team in the paper described in the scientific journal Device.“Lactating mothers face unique health challenges, including nutritional deficiencies, the risk of developing mastitis — a breast-tissue infection — and the potential transfer of medications and other substances through their milk,” said Maral Mousavi, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, at the varsity.While the currently available methods for measuring levels of acetaminophen or other ingredients in milk are costly, complex, and unavailable for routine use in the home, the team zeroed in on lactation pads — worn inside a bra to absorb leaking milk.The researchers took a simple lactation pad and built tiny microfluidic channels to guide milk to the sensing area. The pads collect milk naturally released during the let-down reflex throughout the day. There, low-cost electrochemical sensors work, detecting and measuring important health markers in the milk.The sensor then sends real-time readings to the user’s smartphone via a compact, portable detector that works similarly to a glucometer, using electrical pulses to measure levels of acetaminophen.With this information, users can make informed decisions — such as choosing to pump and discard milk-containing medication — ensuring safer feeding for their baby.Researchers tested the accuracy of the sensor using human milk samples containing various levels of acetaminophen. They also verified that the sensor worked in the presence of antibiotics as well as throughout the changing composition of breast milk, from colostrum to mature milk.–IANSrvt/

Thiruvananthapuram, May 12 (IANS) A leading scientist in the field of metabolism and aging has emphasised the need for re-optimising the standard reference ranges for blood parameters to align them with Indian conditions, instead of following the values set for western population.

“While blood parameters are fundamental to diagnosing metabolic disorders like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, emerging research underscores that many standard reference ranges may need to be re-optimised for Indian population,” said Ullas Kolthur-Seetharam, Director, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD), Hyderabad, on Monday.Delivering the National Technology Day, 2025, lecture at the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) here, he said in India reference values used in laboratories have been established based on the values from western population.”Genetic, dietary, and environmental differences can alter biomarkers, besides life-history trajectories. Cutting-edge research is uncovering how acute and chronic dietary changes influence health at the most fundamental level — through mitochondrial function and epigenetic regulation,” Seetharam added.Now on deputation from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, to CDFD, Seetharam has made seminal contributions to understanding how mitochondrial function, epigenetics, and nutrition intersect to shape health span.He also established The Advanced Research Unit on Metabolism, Development and Aging (ARUMDA) at TIFR, a pioneering initiative addressing India’s “Double and Triple Burdens of Malnutrition, Non-communicable Diseases and Aging” through interdisciplinary research.Presiding over the function, Chandrabhas Narayana, Director, BRIC-RGCB, said it was significant that the theme for the National Technology Day this year is “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat”.At present, a great emphasis has been given on domains like research, entrepreneurship and skill development through research, Narayana added.RGCB is at the forefront to foster an ecosystem for young researchers and entrepreneurs for making groundbreaking discoveries and the latest advancement in technologies, he said.–IANSsg/khz

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Limited on Monday reported nearly 1.41 per cent drop in net profit in Q4 of the last financial year at Rs 34.8 crore, from Rs 35.3 crore in the previous quarter (Q3 FY25).The company’s total expenses in Q4 were up by nearly 13.8 per cent at Rs 130.4 crore, from Rs 114.6 crore in the year-ago period, according to its stock exchange filing.The pathology lab saw its revenue up by 11.6 per cent in Q4 at Rs 173.2 crore, from Rs 155.2 crore in the same period in FY24.For the full fiscal, net profit rose 20.41 per cent to Rs 143.08 crore in the year ended March 2025, as against Rs 118.83 crore during the previous year ended March 2024.The share of the company ended almost flat, down by Rs 3.1 or 0.31 per cent to Rs 990 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday.Vijaya Diagnostic’s share price has declined by 2.04 per cent, or Rs 20.60, over the past five days.In the last one month, the stock has fallen by 1.03 per cent, equivalent to Rs 10.30. Over the past six months, the share price has dropped by 7.46 per cent, or Rs 79.75. On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the stock is down by 6.85 per cent, reflecting a loss of Rs 72.75 on the NSE.The company claims to have 125 state-of-the-art diagnostic centres located in 20 cities, with in-house team that has more than 2,200 professionals — pathologists, radiologists and microbiologists.Started in 1981 in Hyderabad, Vijaya Diagnostic Centre is the brainchild of Dr S. Surendranath Reddy.Meanwhile, in a new executive order, US President Donald Trump has vowed to cut the price of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals in the US between 30 per cent to 80 per cent. He also cited years of frustration of US consumers in paying significantly higher prices for medications than people in other countries.–IANSna/

Mumbai, May 12 (IANS) Pharmaceuticals company Morepen Labs on Monday reported a decline of 29.3 per cent in its net profit (year-on-year) for the fourth quarter (Q4) of FY25, as rising expenses took a toll on the healthcare company’s performance.The net profit for Q4 stood at Rs 20.3 crore, down from Rs 28.7 crore in the same period last fiscal, according to its stock exchange filing.The company’s total revenue increased by 10.1 per cent, reaching Rs 465.8 crore in Q4, compared to Rs 423 crore in the year-ago period.Despite this growth in revenue, operating costs surged, which led to a decline in profitability.The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) also saw a drop of 12.6 per cent, standing at Rs 42.3 crore for the quarter, compared to Rs 48.4 crore in Q4 of FY24.As a result, the margin for Q4 stood at 9.1 per cent, lower than the 11.4 per cent reported in the same period last financial year.Total expenditure for Morepen Labs in Q4 increased by nearly 15.5 per cent, reaching Rs 444.7 crore, up from Rs 385.1 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal.A significant factor contributing to this increase was the rise in the cost of material consumed, which surged by approximately 21.89 per cent, from Rs 220.2 crore to Rs 268.4 crore.Employee benefits expenses also rose by about 19 per cent, reaching Rs 57 crore in Q4, compared to Rs 47.9 crore during the same period last financial year.Additionally, depreciation and amortisation expenses saw a sharp increase of 71.56 per cent, rising from Rs 9.6 crore in Q4 FY24 to Rs 16.47 crore in Q4 FY25.Additionally, the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of Rs 0.20 per share for the financial year ended March 31.However, the dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).–IANSpk/na

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) Just five minutes of advertising of junk foods — essentially high in saturated fats, sugar, and/or salt (HFSS) — is enough to coax children and adolescents to consume significantly more calories during the day, according to a study.The study showed that 7-15-year-olds with just five minutes of ad exposure, regardless of the type of media advertising, can consume on average 130 kcals per day extra, which is equivalent to the calories in two slices of bread.”Our findings offer crucial novel information on the extent, nature, and impact of unhealthy food marketing via different types of media on young people’s eating behaviour,” said lead author Professor Emma Boyland from the University of Liverpool in the UK.”Even short exposure to the marketing of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar can drive excess calorie consumption and potentially weight gain, particularly in young people who are more susceptible to advertising and whose eating patterns influence their lifelong health,” Boyland added.The study, based on a randomised crossover trial of 240 volunteers between the ages of 7 and 15 years, is being presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain.The analysis found that following exposure to HFSS food ads, children consumed more snacks (+58.4 kcals), more lunch (+72.5 kcals), and more food overall (snack and lunch combined (+130.90 kcals) than after exposure to non-food ads.”Our results show that unhealthy food marketing leads to sustained increases in caloric intake in young people at a level sufficient to drive weight gain over time,” Boyland said.Unhealthy weight gain in adolescents may lead to a host of health issues, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.The study will help in the design of urgent restrictive food marketing policies that can protect children’s health, said the team.–IANSrvt/

Chennai, May 12 (IANS) Amid a sharp rise in fever cases in the hilly town of Valparai in Coimbatore district, the Tamil Nadu Health Department, on Monday, urged the local municipality to ramp up precautionary measures to contain the spread of the infection, officials said.

A formal advisory has been issued to the Valparai municipality following a noticeable increase in fever cases, particularly those associated with low platelet counts, raising concerns of a possible dengue outbreak.According to sources, the Valparai Government Hospital has been witnessing a surge in patients exhibiting symptoms of fever with thrombocytopenia.Many of these cases are being referred to the Coimbatore District Government Headquarters Hospital in Pollachi, particularly when a patient’s platelet count drops below 100,000.The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Valparai Government Hospital wrote to the Municipal Commissioner, urging intensified measures such as water chlorination and mosquito breeding source elimination.The CMO also directed the Block Medical Officer (BMO) to organise fever screening camps in affected areas through primary health centres (PHCs).The 62-bed Valparai Government Hospital currently operates at nearly 80 per cent occupancy and receives more than 300 outpatients daily.”Despite low staff strength, we are managing the situation. We treat 20–25 fever patients as outpatients each day and admit 4–5 cases. Most present with thrombocytopenia, suggesting likely dengue. On Saturday alone, four patients were referred to Pollachi,” said a source in the health department.Fever cases have been predominantly reported from Anna Nagar, Kamarajar Nagar, MGR Nagar, Kakkan Colony and nearby areas.A recent death at the Valparai hospital due to fever-related complications has prompted authorities to issue strict referral guidelines.Several patients have also tested positive for hepatitis A and C, pointing to possible water contamination.In the past week, 18 patients were admitted to the hospital, including nine in the last two days.–IANSaal/khz

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) About 8,500 tonnes of antibiotics — nearly one-third of what people consume annually — end up in river systems around the world each year, significantly promoting drug resistance and harming aquatic life, according to a study.The study, led by researchers from McGill University in Canada is the first to estimate the scale of global river contamination from human antibiotics use.”While the amounts of residues from individual antibiotics translate into only very small concentrations in most rivers, which makes them very difficult to detect, the chronic and cumulative environmental exposure to these substances can still pose a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems,” said lead author Heloisa Ehalt Macedo, a postdoctoral fellow in geography at McGill.For the study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus, the research team used a global model validated by field data from nearly 900 river locations.They found that amoxicillin — the world’s most-used antibiotic — is the most likely to be present at risky levels. The risk was especially found in Southeast Asia, where rising use and limited wastewater treatment amplify the problem.While antibiotics are crucial for global health treatments, the “results indicate that there may be unintended effects on aquatic environments and antibiotic resistance”, said Bernhard Lehner, Professor in global hydrology at McGill’s Department of Geography.The research calls for mitigation and management strategies to avoid or reduce their implications, Lehner said.Notably, the findings did not consider antibiotics from livestock or pharmaceutical factories, both of which are major contributors to environmental contamination.”Our results show that antibiotic pollution in rivers arising from human consumption alone is a critical issue, which would likely be exacerbated by veterinary or industry sources of related compounds,” said Jim Nicell, an environmental engineering professor at McGill.The team called for monitoring programmes to detect antibiotics or other chemical contamination of waterways.–IANSrvt/