Mumbai doctors have performed a rare and clinically significant bilateral hand transplant. It was done using hands received through cadaveric donation, after the family of a 50-year-old woman consented to donate her organs following her death. The transplant restored functional hand use to an 18-year-old male recipient. Along with her hands, the donor’s lungs, liver, and corneas were also donated, enabling multiple transplants across hospitals in Mumbai and Surat. The recipient, 18-year-old Priyank Aghera, the son of a farmer from Rajkot in Gujarat, had lost both hands in a tragic farm accident in January 2024 while assisting his father during cotton harvesting. A branch became lodged in a tractor blade and, when the blades restarted, he sustained severe crush injuries that were beyond salvage, leading to amputation of both hands. As an aspiring electrical engineering student, the loss abruptly altered his education, independence, and daily life. Since bilateral hand transplantation depends on the consent of a suitable deceased donor, Priyank remained on the transplant waitlist for 13 long months. The procedure finally became possible when the family of a 50-year-old woman from Surat, Gujarat, made the courageous decision to consent to cadaveric organ donation following her death. Given the complexity of bilateral hand transplantation and the need for specialised surgical expertise, the transplant was led by Dr Nilesh Satbhai, director – Plastic, Reconstructive Microsurgery & Hand Transplantation at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Vile Parle. The team has performed 26 hand transplants across 14 patients till date. The 13-hour bilateral transplant was carried out on January 9–10, following rapid coordination between transplant teams and civic authorities in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The donor's hands were retrieved in Surat and brought to the operating theatre in Mumbai within just over two hours. The recipient was taken into surgery at 10:30 pm on January 9, the procedure continued overnight, and the transplant was completed successfully. The patient is currently under close monitoring with a structured plan for recovery, wound care and rehabilitation. Dr Satbhai explains, “While awareness around organ donation for organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart has grown, hand donation remains rare, as hands are visible external organs and families may hesitate during bereavement. This transplant highlights how timely cadaveric donation can make such complex procedures possible. Hand transplantation can deliver outcomes that prosthetics often cannot, including sensation and coordinated movement, enabling young patients to return to education, work and self-care. For the patient, the procedure goes beyond a surgical milestone; it restores dignity, independence and the possibility of a future. We are deeply grateful to the donor family for their courage and generosity during an unimaginably difficult time, as their decision enabled not just one transplant, but multiple lives to be impacted.” Priyank shared, “After the accident, the doctors in Gujarat who amputated my hands told us there is still hope and advised us to meet Dr Satbhai. He was extremely compassionate and explained the procedure, risks and recovery in detail. I’ve waited more than 13 months for this day, and it still feels unreal. I know the journey ahead will be tough, but I’m hopeful that I will regain my independence and the courage to think about my future again." Priyank’s father Dinesh Aghera, said, “We explored options in different cities, but Dr Satbhai had performed the maximum successful surgeries. Priyank showed great courage, even losing 20–30 kg over the year to be fit for surgery. We cannot thank the donor family enough for offering our son a chance to return to his studies, stand on his own feet again, and build a bright future."
21 January,2026 02:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a world-first discovery, scientists in Australia have found that the human heart can regrow muscle cells after a heart attack, raising hopes for future regenerative treatments for heart failure, and subsequently overall health. The study, published in Circulation Research, revealed that while parts of the heart remain scarred after a heart attack, new muscle cells are also produced, a phenomenon previously seen only in mice and now demonstrated in humans for the first time, Xinhua news agency reported. "Until now we've thought that, because heart cells die after a heart attack, those areas of the heart were irreparably damaged, leaving the heart less able to pump blood to the body's organs," said Robert Hume, research fellow at the University of Sydney and first author of the study. "In time, we hope to develop therapies that can amplify the heart's natural ability to produce new cells and regenerate the heart after an attack," said Hume, also lead of translational research at Australia's Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung Research. Though increased mitosis (a process in which cells divide and reproduce) after a heart attack has been observed in the heart muscles of mice, this is the first time the phenomenon has been demonstrated in humans. The team made the breakthrough using living heart tissue samples collected from patients undergoing bypass surgery at Australia's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. "Ultimately, the goal is to use this discovery to make new heart cells that can reverse heart failure," said Professor Sean Lal, the study's senior author and heart failure cardiologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Cardiovascular disease remains the world's leading cause of death, and heart attacks can eliminate a third of the cells in the human heart, researchers said, adding that the discovery offers promising groundwork for novel regenerative medicine. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 09:34 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSMumbai doctors at a city hospital have successfully performed a complex and extraordinary liver surgery on a two-year-old giving the child a new lease of life. Aphsa, was diagnosed with an advanced liver cancer involving major blood vessels in and around the liver. The cancer was inoperable by conventional surgery, leading to the innovative operation led by Dr Abhishek Mathur, with the collaborative expertise of Prof Darius Mirza, Dr Pradnya Bendre, Dr Shailesh Sable, Dr Gayatri Munghate, and Dr Saurin Dani, turning what seemed like an impossible situation into a story of hope. Aphsa, who is a cheerful and lively child, was diagnosed with a locally advanced hepatoblastoma by oncologist Dr Mudaliar after her mother noticed a swelling in her abdomen. Hepatoblastomas represent one of the commonest liver cancers in children. However, when they are central in their location within the liver, they can prove to be a difficult surgical challenge on account of the involvement of important blood vessels in and around the liver. Following diagnosis, initial chemotherapy led to some tumour reduction, but conventional surgery was still not feasible due to the tumour’s location and its involvement of vital blood vessels. Liver transplantation would have been the treatment of choice, but the absence of a donor (living or deceased) organ during the short critical window following chemotherapy made this unavailable. Despite shrinkage with chemotherapy, the tumour still completely obstructed blood outflow from the liver, necessitating total liver removal and extensive vessel reconstructions, not possible by standard surgical approaches. Dr Mathur, who is the chief division of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, explains, “The baby’s liver was small, weighing around 500 grams and we planned to take the liver out of the body intact. This rare Ex-situ (out of the body) surgical technique involves removal of the entire liver from the child’s body, followed by cooling and preservation of the organ outside the body for 4.5 hours. This approach gives unparalleled exposure and access to remove the tumour-affected liver and perform a meticulous reconstruction of the blood vessels. Once completed, the reconstructed remaining healthy liver segment is auto-transplanted back into the body. Despite these benefits, this approach is also associated with higher perioperative morbidity and mortality rates on account of liver injury while it is out of the body. To mitigate these risks, we used the novel technique of ex-situ oxygenated hypothermic machine preservation, which perfuses and cools the liver outside the body, resulting in reduced liver injury.” He further added, “This method of ex-situ surgery using oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion is rarely described for liver cancer, and to the best of our current knowledge, never reported in children in this situation. Ex situ surgeries are regularly performed at only a handful of specialized centers in North America, and even at these advanced institutions, the procedure is carried out just a few times each year due to its complexity and highly selective indications. To give context to how rare this operation is, the existing medical literature includes only one published adult case where ex situ surgery was combined with hypothermic machine perfusion. To the best of our knowledge, this has never been done in India. We plan to publish our data and have it peer reviewed to determine whether this approach has been attempted anywhere else in the world.” Describing the operation, Mirza, professor of Surgery and mentor of Division Of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery said, “A highly coordinated effort was crucial to the success of the surgery. After the removal of the entire liver, two teams of surgeons worked in tandem. While one team removed the tumour from the liver and reconstructed the healthy remaining liver, while it was being preserved on the hypothermic machine, the other team performed a complex reconstruction of the major blood vessels inside the child’s body.” Dr Bendre, head of Solid Organ Transplant and Head of Pediatric Surgery added, “Aphsa’s surgery greatly benefited by access to the perfusion machine, which was generously provided free of charge by the “Duraent Lifesciences, ensuring that Aphsa’s underprivileged family could take advantage of this life-saving technology." “Aphsa’s surgery lasted 14 hours, and the use of the hypothermic machine prevented her from suffering liver damage. She made an excellent recovery, with the vigilance of our anesthesia and intensive care teams, and was moved out of the ICU within the first postoperative week and discharged home about a week later. While Aphsa will require further chemotherapy and close surveillance for tumour recurrence rates, which can reach 10-30% in such advanced cases, her parents are profoundly grateful for her renewed chance at life," said Dr. Abhishek Mathur. “When we were told how serious our child’s condition was, our world collapsed. Every day was filled with fear, and we did not know if she would survive. This innovative procedure was something we had never even heard of, but it became our only hope. Today, seeing our daughter smile again and dream of a bright future feels nothing short of a miracle. While she still has challenges ahead, we will always be grateful to the doctors who gave her the chance at life,” said her elated father Saddam Hussain Shaikh. "Auto-transplantation, where a child’s own healthy organ is returned to the body after treatment, can be a powerful life-saving option, turning medical innovation into hope for families. At Bai Jerbai Wadia Children’s Hospital, we remain deeply committed to bringing advanced medical technology and global expertise together to ensure that no child is denied a chance at life,” concluded Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO of the city hospital.
20 January,2026 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWidespread smartphone and social media use among children is driving a sharp rise in depression, anxiety and suicide, top American lawmakers and experts have said calling it a public health crisis that demands urgent government action. Parents are increasingly alarmed by the amount of time children spend on screens and the nature of the content they consume, said Senator Ted Cruz, during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth.” Cruz said children aged 8 to 12 now spend an average of 5.5 hours a day on screens, while teenagers spend more than 8.5 hours a day. “More than half of a teenager’s waking hours are spent staring at a screen,” he said, calling the trend deeply troubling for parents and educators. Psychologist Jean Twenge told lawmakers that the youth mental health crisis accelerated sharply after 2012, when smartphones became widespread and social media use shifted from optional to nearly mandatory for adolescents. “Clinical-level depression doubled among adolescents and young adults between 2011 and 2019,” Twenge said. She added that emergency room visits for self-harm doubled among girls aged 15 to 19 and quadrupled among girls aged 10 to 14 over the same period, while suicide rates in those age groups also doubled. Twenge said the timing of the mental health decline did not align with economic factors but closely tracked the rise of smartphones and social media. “This was the first time the majority of Americans owned smartphones,” she said, describing it as a pivotal moment for adolescent behavior. Noting that social media platforms are deliberately designed to capture attention, using algorithms that keep young users scrolling, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell cited research showing that teenagers spend more than an hour a day on smartphones during school hours alone, often on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Cantwell said studies have linked heavy social media use to higher rates of anxiety, depression and isolation among youth. She also cited findings showing that roughly 40 percent of teens exhibit concerning patterns of media addiction, which she said doubles the risk of suicidal behavior. Pediatrician Jenny Radesky said many digital products used by children were never designed with youth development in mind. “Most digital products used by youth were designed by adults for adults and retrofitted for children after harms were recognised,” she said. Radesky warned that engagement-driven designs often conflict with basic needs such as sleep, homework and family interaction. She said frequent notifications, algorithmic feeds and compulsive design features make it difficult for children to disengage, contributing to stress and emotional dysregulation. Several senators expressed concern that schools are compounding the problem by issuing internet-connected devices to students with limited safeguards. Cruz said many parents find it harder to manage screen time when children are required to use laptops or tablets for schoolwork. “There are not many parents who think it has become easier to help their kids when schools send them home with a tablet,” he said, adding that technology in classrooms should be evaluated for whether it improves learning or causes harm. Experts also warned that sleep deprivation and reduced face-to-face interaction are worsening the crisis. Twenge said teens now spend significantly less time with friends in person and are sleeping less than previous generations, both factors strongly linked to poor mental health outcomes. Lawmakers from both parties said the problem is likely to intensify as artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in platforms used by children, increasing exposure to addictive and emotionally manipulative content. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 January,2026 11:14 AM IST | Washington | IANSScientists are In the constant research for treatment of different types of cancers, and in the most recent development, there may be hope. In a first-ever study by Australian researchers has demonstrated that the feasibility and safety of using stabilised hyaluronic acid (sHA) gel during radiation treatment can be helpful for gynaecological cancers. The gel, which is already approved by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in prostate cancer radiation treatment, may prove to a path-breaking in the treatment. The team, who made the discovery, was led by experts from Monash University who investigated hyaluronic acid gel for the first time in women, as a means to gently create more space between the tumour and the rectum during MRI-guided brachytherapy -- a type of internal radiation treatment. By creating this space, clinicians aimed to reduce radiation exposure to the rectum, allowing a higher dose of radiation to reach the tumour with more effective targeting, thus reducing damage to healthy tissue, and potentially improving treatment results. As reported by IANS, Dr Carminia Lapuz from Monash University, said "This study is a world-first in exploring stabilised hyaluronic acid (sHA) gel's potential to improve outcomes for patients undergoing brachytherapy for gynaecological cancers. Our findings show the procedure is safe, feasible, and offers promising technical advantages." "By increasing the distance between the tumour and the rectum, we hope to pave the way for safer, more effective treatments and greater equity in cancer care," Lapuz added. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, was conducted on 12 patients. Doctors found the gel easy to use and clearly visible on MRI scans, making it simple to check its position throughout treatment; and importantly, the patients felt no discomfort with the spacer. No complications were reported related to the gel. The gel increased the distance between the tumour and the rectum for all 12 patients and safely stayed in place during the course of brachytherapy. The Hyaluronic acid gel dissolves safely in the body over time, as shown through its existing use in prostate cancer treatment. While this study did not look at long-term side effects or changes in radiation dose to the rectum, it shows that using sHA gel as a spacer is safe and feasible for people with gynaecological cancer. By reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue and enabling better targeting of tumours, the study highlights that this approach has the potential to improve quality of life, minimise long-term side effects, and deliver more effective cancer care for women worldwide.(With inputs from IANS)
19 January,2026 04:21 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSkin problems such as acne, pigmentation, premature ageing, and hair fall are increasingly being reported across the 25-65 age group. While many patients invest heavily in skincare products, they often ignore the deeper lifestyle factors that directly influence skin health. Irregular sleep patterns, high stress levels, unhealthy eating habits, prolonged screen exposure, and rising pollution are silently damaging the skin from within. Hence, it is the need of the hour to pay attention to the skin and keep it glowing, healthy, and happy. Skin problems are rapidly rising due to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor sleep, high stress, unhealthy diets, and excessive screen time. “These factors disrupt the skin’s natural repair process and weaken its protective barrier. As a result, issues like acne, pigmentation, premature ageing, are becoming increasingly common. Stress is one of the biggest contributors to skin problems today. Increased cortisol levels due to mental pressure and poor work-life balance can trigger acne breakouts, worsen eczema and psoriasis, , and slow down wound healing. Poor sleep further aggravates these issues by reducing collagen production and weakening the skin barrier. Diet also plays a crucial role. High intake of processed foods, sugar, and junk food can lead to inflammation, dull skin, and frequent breakouts, while a lack of hydration makes the skin dry and sensitive. In addition, prolonged exposure to blue light from mobile phones and laptops can worsen pigmentation and accelerate premature ageing,” said Dr Shareefa Isa Chause, dermatologist, Mumbai. Dr Chause further added, “Nearly 50 per cent of people between the ages of 25 - 65 are experiencing skin problems linked to irregular sleep patterns, high stress levels, unhealthy eating habits, prolonged screen exposure, and increasing pollution. Monthly, 5 out of every 10 patients now visit clinics with concerns such as acne, pigmentation, dull skin, dryness, premature ageing, and increased hair fall. These lifestyle-related issues are becoming more common and are affecting skin health across all age groups. Sustainable skin improvement is only possible when skincare is combined with healthy routines, stress management, proper sleep, and mindful screen use.” “Simple lifestyle tips for healthier skin include maintaining regular sleep timings and aiming for 7–8 hours of rest, managing stress through exercise, yoga, or meditation, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins, reducing screen time and using blue light protection when possible, and cleaning skin properly after pollution exposure. Use products recommended by the doctor only. With the rise in lifestyle-related skin concerns, there has also been an increased demand for cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments, hydrafacials, chemical peels, and skin rejuvenation therapies. These procedures help manage pigmentation, acne marks, dullness, and early signs of ageing. So, consult the expert who will guide you regarding these procedures,” said Dr Chause. “Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as irregular sleep, chronic stress, poor diet, excessive screen time, and pollution exposure are quietly driving a sharp rise in skin problems. Today, nearly 3 out of every 10 patients aged 25-65 in a month report concerns like acne, pigmentation, skin dryness, dullness, and early ageing. While treatments like medical facials and lasers help manage these issues, long-term skin health depends on adequate sleep, stress control, balanced nutrition, hydration, and limiting screen exposure. Addressing the root cause is just as important as treating the visible symptoms. So, just like you take care of your eyes, heart, and lungs, pay attention to your skin right away," concluded Dr Surbhi Deshpande, dermatologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital in Ghatkopar West.
19 January,2026 03:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe modern social calendar is often at odds with our biological requirements. Whether it is a holiday season, a string of late-night weddings, or the occasional weekend party, our internal systems pay a heavy price for social jetlag. We often view the resulting exhaustion as a simple debt of hours, but as Dr Sneha S consultant internal medicine at Manipal Hospital, Kanakpura Road, Bengaluru, explains, the reality is far more disruptive. “When our schedules shift abruptly, our internal clocks become desynchronised, leading to sleep that is light, fragmented, and fundamentally unable to perform its restorative functions,” she shares. Repairing a shattered sleep schedule is not a matter of sheer willpower or ‘catching up’ on a Sunday morning. Instead, it requires a strategic realignment of the biological signals—light, temperature, and metabolism—that govern our circadian rhythms. The great debate: Cold turkey versus gradual shifts When Monday morning arrives after a weekend of late-night festivities, the most common dilemma is whether to force ourselves out of bed at the usual time or to sleep in and adjust slowly. According to Dr Salil Bendre, director of pulmonology and sleep medicine at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai, there is no one-size-fits-all clinical answer. “The effectiveness of a ‘cold turkey’ reset versus a gradual shift is highly subjective. However, the physiology of the body clock favours consistency. When we shift our wake-up times gradually—by perhaps 15 to 30 minutes each day—we provide our brain with reliable time cues. These cues, primarily linked to the cycle of light and darkness, allow the body to anchor itself. While some may thrive on an immediate return to routine, the gradual approach reduces the shock to the system and makes the transition more sustainable in the long term,” he explains. Light: The master regulator Our internal clocks are not just influenced by the sun, they are governed by the intensity, duration, and wavelength of light. Bendre emphasises that our sleep-wake cycle is essentially a response to environmental lighting. To reset a compromised schedule, the first tool at your disposal is direct morning sunlight. “Exposure to bright light early in the day sends a powerful signal to the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (the body's master clock) that the day has begun. This suppresses melatonin and triggers the release of cortisol, setting the timer for when you will feel tired later that evening.” Bendre notes. In regions where natural sunlight is scarce, artificial bright light therapy lamps can serve as an effective clinical substitute. Conversely, the ‘blue-leaning’ short-wavelength light emitted by digital screens acts as a disruptor. “Engaging with phones or tablets late at night creates a delay in the body's timing signals. Clinical evidence suggests that this exposure not only makes it harder to fall asleep but also degrades the quality of the sleep that follows. To fix your cycle, a digital sunset is mandatory,” he advises. The thermal secret to deep sleep One of the most overlooked aspects of sleep hygiene is temperature regulation. Our bodies are programmed to experience a drop in core temperature as bedtime approaches. This cooling is a prerequisite for the brain to transition into sleep mode. Sneha S suggests a clever physiological hack. She says, “A warm pre-sleep shower may seem counterintuitive to cool down, but the science is sound. A warm shower causes vasodilation—blood moves to the skin’s surface. When you step out of the shower, that heat rapidly dissipates into the air, causing your core temperature to plummet. This mimicry of the natural circadian dip tells your brain it is safe to shut down. Furthermore, the environment must support this cooling. Setting your bedroom temperature to approximately 18 degrees Celsius ensures that your body doesn't have to expend metabolic energy to stay cool, allowing you to remain in the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep throughout the night.” Deconstructing the myth of alcohol-fuelled drowsiness A common misconception is that a nightcap helps repair a sleep schedule by inducing drowsiness. Sneha S is quick to debunk this, “Alcohol doesn't help you sleep soundly, but lowers the quality of sleep.” While alcohol may shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, it wreaks havoc on your sleep architecture. “Alcohol specifically suppresses REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is the stage responsible for emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and cognitive recovery. As the body metabolises alcohol during the night, the sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive, leading to frequent micro-awakenings," she highlights. You may not remember these interruptions, but you will certainly feel their effects—foggy-headedness and irritability—the following morning. Metabolic conflict: Food and exercise Your body is a master of prioritisation. “During sleep, it is programmed for cellular repair, immune function, and detoxification. However, if you eat a heavy meal or perform an intense workout shortly before bed, you create a metabolic conflict,” poses Sneha S. 1. The 3-hour buffer: Digesting complex fats and proteins requires significant energy. If your body is busy digesting, it cannot reach the deep, slow-wave sleep necessary for physical recovery. She recommends finishing your last major meal at least three hours before bed. If hunger persists, stick to light snacks like almonds or a banana, which provide satiety without overwhelming the gut. 2. The cortisol spike: High-intensity exercise is a powerful stimulant. It raises your body temperature and spikes cortisol—the exact opposite of the downshift required for sleep. To repair your cycle, keep intense training at least three hours away from your bedtime. Later in the evening, focus on low-impact movement like mobility work or slow yoga to calm the nervous system. The role of naps and supplements When suffering from ‘rebound exhaustion’—that heavy fatigue that often peaks a few days after the party—you might need additional support, according to Bendre. Strategic napping: Short afternoon naps do not necessarily ruin your nighttime sleep. In fact, research shows that for those suffering from a sleep deficit, a brief nap can improve sleep latency, actually helping the individual fall asleep faster that night. It provides a rejuvenation that helps bridge the gap until the schedule is fully restored. Chemical aids: For those struggling with the initial reset, short-term use of melatonin can help synchronise the body clock. It is generally well-tolerated and carries a low risk of dependency. Similarly, magnesium plays a vital role at the cellular level, calming overactive brain signals and helping individuals—particularly older adults—fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The 48-hour sleep repair action plan Based on inputs and advice from medical experts, the following steps can be taken to realign your biological clock to manage light, temperature, and metabolic rest over the next two days. Morning: Resetting the master clock1. Sunlight exposure: Spend 20 minutes in direct sunlight immediately after waking to anchor your internal timer.2. Fixed wake-up: Rise at your goal time regardless of how you slept to prevent further schedule drifting. Afternoon: Bridging the fatigue gap1. The 20-minute nap: If needed, take a short power nap before 3 pm to rejuvenate without delaying nighttime sleep.2. Caffeine cut-off: Stop all caffeine intake by 2:00 PM to ensure it’s metabolised before bed. Evening: Cooling and decompressing1. The 3-hour buffer: Complete your last heavy meal and intense workout at least three hours before bedtime to avoid metabolic and cortisol interference.2. The digital sunset: Switch off blue-light-emitting screens two hours before bed to allow natural melatonin production.3. Thermal trigger: Take a warm shower 90 minutes before bed; the subsequent drop in core temperature signals your brain to sleep. Overnight: Protecting sleep quality1. Maintain a cool room: Keep your bedroom at approximately 18 degrees Celsius to support uninterrupted deep sleep.2. Avoid alcohol: Skip the "nightcap" to prevent fragmented sleep and protect your restorative REM cycle.3. Relaxation support: Consider a magnesium supplement to help calm brain signalling and support cellular relaxation. There is no magic pill for a ruined sleep cycle, but there is a biological path forward. As both medical experts emphasise, the key is understanding that sleep is an integrated system. By controlling your exposure to light, managing your core temperature, and respecting the time your body needs to digest and decompress, you can move from a state of social jetlag back into a high-functioning routine.
19 January,2026 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalThe prohibition on alcohol in Bihar in 2016 has led to higher intake of calories, protein, and healthy fats from nutritious food sources, according to a study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Saturday. The study finds that alcohol prohibition enacted under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, by the Nitish Kumar-led government, significantly increased caloric, protein, and fat intake from healthy food sources such as pulses, dairy products, and nut-based oils. Importantly, the move led to a decline in consumption of packaged and processed foods, which are often complementary to alcohol use. “The ban did not just free up household resources; it also triggered positive behavioural spillovers,” said Vinayak Krishnatri, from Department of Economic Sciences, at IIT Kanpur. “Reduced alcohol use was associated with lower marital conflict, improved household stability, and a greater prioritisation of spending on nutritious food,” Krishnatri added. In the paper, published in the journal Agricultural Economics, the team drew analysis based on household-level data from two rounds (2011-12 and 2022-23) of the nationally representative Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). To account for broader time trends and regional economic changes, the researchers compared Bihar with neighbouring states -- Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. To ensure the validity of the findings, the researchers employed multiple statistical matching techniques and conducted extensive robustness checks. The study showed that alcohol prohibition freed up household resources, which were subsequently redirected towards healthier food consumption rather than unhealthy alternatives. Stronger gains were seen in urban areas, where enforcement of the ban is relatively more effective. Contrary to concerns, households did not reallocate these savings towards unhealthy food consumption. A particularly policy-relevant finding is the increase in protein intake in a state where diets are traditionally cereal-dominated. The study also found a shift away from cheap, unhealthy fats towards better-quality cooking oils, improving overall dietary quality. Alcohol prohibition in Bihar was primarily aimed at reducing domestic violence and alcohol-related social harms. The study also reveals that it generated unintended nutritional and health benefits. “We show that the ban led to meaningful improvements in diet quality by shifting household spending from alcohol to food,” said Prof. Sukumar Vellakkal, co-author and Associate Professor, Department of Economic Sciences, IIT Kanpur. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 January,2026 10:00 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSDoctors at a private hospital in Delhi have successfully treated a one-year-old baby boy from Uzbekistan suffering from a rare genetic liver disorder (Alagille Syndrome) by performing a living donor liver transplant, with the child's father donating a part of his liver. The timely intervention helped save the baby's life after months of worsening illness. According to the hospital, the baby had developed jaundice soon after birth and required neonatal intensive care. At two months of age, he was misdiagnosed with biliary atresia, a condition that blocks the normal flow of bile from the liver, and underwent a Kasai procedure- a surgery performed in infancy to help restore bile flow from the liver. However, over the following months, his condition continued to worsen. He suffered from persistent jaundice, severe itching, poor weight gain, delayed growth, and pale stools, all indicating progressive liver failure. The family sought specialised liver care in India after the child's condition started deteriorating. At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, doctors undertook a detailed assessment of the child and detected a serious heart ailment, suggesting that the illness was not limited to the liver alone. Detailed investigations confirmed Alagille syndrome, a rare inherited condition that can affect multiple organs, including the liver and heart. Further assessment revealed an associated heart condition, significantly increasing the risks involved in major surgery. Given the child's deteriorating liver function and added cardiac risk, the case was reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors. It was identified that a liver transplant was the only viable option and that it needed to be performed urgently. According to the hospital, with no time to lose, the child's father stepped forward to donate a portion of his own liver. After extensive evaluation to ensure the safety of both donor and child, the living donor liver transplant was successfully performed by a specialised liver transplant team led by Dr Ajitabh Srivastava, director - HPB Surgery and Liver Transplant, at the hospital. Commenting on the case, Dr Srivastava said, "Infants with prolonged jaundice are commonly evaluated for biliary atresia, for which the Kasai procedure is an early surgical treatment aimed at restoring bile flow and delaying the need for liver transplantation. However, rare genetic conditions such as Alagille syndrome can closely mimic biliary atresia in early infancy. In such cases, the Kasai procedure may not provide lasting benefit because the underlying problem is genetic rather than structural, and, in fact, the wrong procedure (Kasai) worsens the child's condition. As the liver disease progressed despite early surgery, a timely living donor liver transplant became the only life-saving option". The hospital said, "The child is on a steady path to recovery- a reminder that early diagnosis, coordinated medical care, and a parent's decision at a critical moment can together change the outcome of even the most challenging childhood illnesses".
18 January,2026 12:01 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIAt 90 million, India ranked second in the number of adults living with diabetes in 2024. China was first at 148 million and the US ranked third at 39 million, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal. Researchers, including those from the International Diabetes Federation in Belgium and the India Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr A Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospital in Chennai, said countries with large populations, such as China, India, the US, and Pakistan, contribute a very large share of the number of people with diabetes worldwide. They projected that Pakistan could surpass the US by 2050. The eleventh edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas provides national, regional and global diabetes prevalence estimates for 2024, with projections to 2050. Estimates were provided for 215 countries and territories after analysing 246 studies conducted between 2005 and 2024. Over 11 per cent of the world's adult population, or 589 million adults aged 20-79, were affected by the metabolic disorder in 2024 and nearly 13 per cent (853 million adults) are projected to be affected by 2050, the study said. "In 2024, one in nine adults worldwide was living with diabetes. The number of adults with diabetes in 2024 exceeded 500 million and is projected to rise to close to 900 million by 2050," the authors wrote. "In 2024, the largest number of adults with diabetes aged 20-79 years was in China (148 million), followed by India (90 million), and the US (39 million)," they said. Over four-fifths of the world's diabetes population, or 80.64 per cent, were estimated to be living in low and middle-income countries in 2024. The countries could also be expected to see more than 95 per cent of the global increase in cases by 2050. The increase reflects population growth, population ageing, and ongoing urbanisation, all of which contribute to the rising number of cases of the chronic condition, the researchers said. Monitoring diabetes burden around the world requires support for data collection in resource-poor settings, which are expected to experience substantial increases in diabetes prevalence, they said. Prevalence was found to peak at nearly 25 per cent among the world's adults aged 75-79. Diabetes prevalence was also higher among men than women, and in urban than rural areas, the study found. Middle-income countries had the highest prevalence (11.46 per cent of adults aged 20-79), followed by high-income (10.21 per cent) and low-income countries (7.47 per cent). The team added that the diabetes epidemic has continued unchecked since the turn of the millennium, and stronger efforts are needed to slow its progression, with strategies tailored appropriately across countries and population groups. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 January,2026 11:45 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIAdolescent girls who actively partake in recreational physical activity can have significant protection against risks of breast cancer, according to a study. Researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in the US showed that recreational physical activity may be associated with breast tissue composition and biomarkers of stress in adolescent girls. In the study, girls who reported engaging in at least two hours of recreational physical activity in the prior week, compared with none, had lower percent water content in breast tissue -- an indicator of lower breast density and lower concentrations of urinary biomarkers linked to stress. The findings, published in the journal Breast Cancer Research, shed new light on how physical activity during adolescence -- a critical period of breast development -- may influence biological pathways related to future breast cancer risk. “The importance and urgency of this research are underscored by the rising incidence of breast cancer in young women and the alarmingly low levels of recreational physical activity observed both in this study and among adolescents globally,” said Rebecca Kehm, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. “Our findings suggest that recreational physical activity is associated with breast tissue composition and stress biomarker changes in adolescent girls, independent of body fat, which could have important implications for breast cancer risk,” Kehm added. The study aligns with previous research in adult women showing that higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower mammographic breast density, a key predictor of breast cancer risk. During adolescence, participants self-reported past-week engagement in recreational physical activity, including both organised and unorganised activities, and completed clinic visits that included blood and urine collection as well as breast tissue assessments. The average age of girls in the study was 16 years. More than half (51 per cent) reported no recreational physical activity in the past week. Seventy-three per cent reported no participation in organised activities, and 66 per cent reported no participation in unorganised activities. The team noted that additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine how these adolescent biomarkers may translate into breast cancer risk later in life. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 January,2026 11:27 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSADVERTISEMENT
