Scientists have been trying to improve advanced pain management using artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery and now, an AI algorithm has identified multiple gut metabolites and US FDA-approved drugs that have potential to be repurposed as non-addictive, non-opioid pain medications.

Feixiong Cheng, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Genome Center, and tech giant IBM are using AI for drug discovery in advanced pain management.

The team used the new AI tool to predict how 369 gut microbial metabolites and 2,308 FDA- approved drugs would interact with 13 pain-associated receptors.

The government on Sunday observed the World Cerebral Palsy Day, with nation-wide awareness campaigns to foster an inclusive world for everyone.

Under the leadership of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the government marked the day with awareness campaigns across the nation.

Various national institutes and regional centres under the Department hosted programmes to spread awareness about cerebral palsy and empower those affected by it.

The World Cerebral Palsy Day serves as a platform to amplify the voices of individuals living with cerebral palsy (CP).

The first case of West Nile fever in Latvia has been detected in a dead bird in the laboratory of the Scientific Institute for Food Safety (BIOR), Animal Health and Environment, local media reported.

West Nile virus was detected in a sample of a Eurasian goshawk on Friday, which was sent for investigation to establish the cause of death, reports.

BIOR said West Nile fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects birds and horses, and less commonly other animal species. Birds are the most common host of the virus, but humans can also be infected, however, the infection does not spread from person to person.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) donated cold chain equipment to South Sudan's Ministry of Health to strengthen the country's vaccine storage capacity and routine immunisation efforts amid the ongoing outbreak of mpox on the continent.

Mazyanga Lucy Liwewe Mazaba, regional director for the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Center of the Africa CDC, on Friday, said the equipment will help strengthen the immunisation program in the world's youngest country.

The donation includes 65 refrigerators, four voltage stabilisers, three thermometers, and various accessories that will ensure the safe storage and transportation of vaccines to the last mile, Liwewe said during the handover ceremony in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The number of confirmed cases of mpox in Uganda has risen to 41 within two weeks, according to the data revealed at a regional consortium here on the viral disease.

Atek Kagirita, Ugandan deputy incident commander for mpox, told experts from Africa, who convened in Uganda late Wednesday for the Interdisciplinary Consortium for Epidemic Research Symposium on Mpox, that the disease was spreading rapidly in the central region, news agency reported.

The symposium was held as the regional countries were seeking to build partnerships for a more coordinated mpox response.

"Currently we have 41 confirmed cases, some are still under isolation," Kagirita said, adding no deaths were recorded yet and that they had continued to track contacts, most of whom were members of fishing communities.

Cancer, heart disease, and pneumonia were among the key causes of death for South Koreans in 2023, according to a report on Friday.

According to data from Statistics Korea, suicide remained the top factor among those in their 30s and younger, news agency reported.

The total number of deaths reported in the country came to 352,511 in 2023, 5.5 per cent down from a year earlier.

The agency added 689.2 deaths were reported per 100,000 South Koreans last year, also down 38.3 per cent from a year earlier.

The report showed that cancer accounted for 24.2 per cent of total deaths in 2023, followed by heart disease at 9.4 per cent and pneumonia at 8.3 per cent. The three factors were responsible for more than 40 per cent of total deaths.

Health authorities in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, have urged people at risk of contracting mpox to get vaccinated amid a spike in cases.

New South Wales (NSW) Health on Thursday reported that there have been 433 confirmed cases of mpox in the state since June 1, the largest outbreak in NSW since its first case of the infectious disease was confirmed in May 2022.

Of those cases, 37 per cent were fully inoculated -- having received two doses of a vaccine, 14 per cent had received one dose and 46 per cent were not vaccinated, news agency reported.

Australian research has linked stroke to immediate and accelerated long-term cognitive decline.

In a study published on Thursday, researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at the University of New South Wales Sydney found that older adults who have a stroke for the first time experience substantial immediate cognitive decline.

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced, damaging brain cells. According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke every year -- 10 million of whom either die or are left permanently disabled, news agency reported.

The CHeBA team analysed data from 14 studies spanning 11 countries that tracked the health and cognitive abilities of 20,860 community-dwelling adults -- with an average of 73 years -- who did not have a history of dementia or stroke.

Diabetes and obesity can fuel the relapse of liver cancer -- the sixth most common cancer worldwide, according to a study.

The study led by Osaka Metropolitan University, focussed on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) -- a type of liver cancer associated with hepatitis infections -- known to have a high recurrence rate after cancer removal. It is also the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.

Obesity and diabetes, which are closely associated with metabolic syndrome development, are well known to induce steatotic liver diseases, potentially causing liver cirrhosis and HCC development.

However, obesity and diabetes’ effects on patient survival and cancer recurrence have been unclear.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning over an "extremely concerning malaria surge" in Ethiopia.

In an Ethiopia Health Cluster Bulletin report released Monday evening, the United Nations agency said the East African country reported over 5.9 million malaria cases, including 1,023 deaths, between the start of this year and September 22.

This is an "extremely concerning malaria surge" as compared to 4.5 million cases reported between January 1 and December 31 last year, according to the report.

Most cases were recorded in Oromia, Amhara, Southwest Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, and Benishangul-Gumuz, with 50 per cent of the total cases identified in Oromia, Ethiopia's largest region, news agency reported.

Paediatricians must prescribe opioids for pain to children when necessary, with recommended precautions to increase safety, according to a new clinical practice guideline released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday.

The first clinical practice guideline for opioid prescriptions in kids also includes explicit instructions on how and when to prescribe these medications for pain while reducing the long-term risk of addiction.

The guideline, published in the journal Pediatrics online, called on Paediatricians always to start non-opioid medications and treatment, for a patient with mild to moderate pain. It also marked a shift in clinical practice by recommending a routine prescription for naloxone -- a medication used to reverse overdoses -- alongside every opioid prescription.

“There’s been a big pendulum swing in the practice of medicine over the last two decades -- first with opioid-overprescribing, then with a huge cutback in opioid prescribing, likely leaving some children’s pain undertreated,” said Scott Hadland, lead author of the guideline.

Heart attacks and strokes are a global health challenge, accounting for 3.9 million deaths annually, in the South-East Asia Region, including India, said the World Health Organization on Saturday, ahead of World Heart Day.

World Heart Day is observed every year on September 29 to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), accelerating actions to prevent, detect early, and manage heart health. The theme this year is ‘Use Heart for Action’

“Cardiovascular diseases remain a significant global health challenge responsible for over 18 million deaths each year,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.

India is on the cusp of a transformative era in its pharmaceutical sector which is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030, a report showed on Thursday.

The world's third-largest drug producer by volume, India is currently exporting pharmaceutical products to over 200 countries, establishing its influence in the global pharmaceutical arena, according to a Deloitte's whitepaper launched at the Assocham’s annual pharma summit here.

The paper highlighted India's potential to transform from a leading generic drug producer to a powerhouse of pharmaceutical innovation, driven by advancements in research, regulatory reforms, and strategic global partnerships.

“With the market projected to reach $130 billion by 2030, growth depends on significant investments in R&D and addressing talent shortages in areas like AI and biotechnology,” said Joydeep Ghosh, Partner and Industry Leader for Life Sciences and Healthcare at Deloitte India.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated 5,000 mpox sample collection kits to Uganda to curb the spread of the disease.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, WHO said that the set of test kits will support Uganda's Ministry of Health in accurate and timely diagnostic testing, which is critical in controlling the spread of the highly infectious viral disease.

Charles Njuguna, acting WHO representative to Uganda, handed the consignment to Charles Olaro, Director of Curative Services at the country's health ministry.

"These kits will also be used by districts and healthcare facilities across the country to collect samples from suspected mpox cases, facilitating rapid detection and response to the outbreak," Njuguna said.

South Korea’s agricultural ministry on Wednesday said it plans to commercialise a genetic diagnostic kit for lumpy skin disease (LSD) next year.

The genetic kit will help selectively cull infected cattle rather than destroying the entire herd, news agency reported.

The technology -- developed jointly with Median Diagnostics -- is capable of delivering results within 8 hours, significantly faster than previous methods, which took a week, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The solution allows farms to cull only infected cattle, overcoming the limitations of the previous methods, which were less effective due to the need for rapid containment of the disease during an outbreak.

The biopharma sector has emerged as a critical component of the country's bioeconomy, contributing to 49 per cent of India's biotechnology output, according to a report on Tuesday.

The report offers a comprehensive analysis of India's biopharma sector, showcasing its exponential growth and emergence as a major global player in bioeconomy.

"India's biopharma sector is uniquely positioned to address global health challenges, from pandemic preparedness to developing advanced biotherapeutics and vaccines," said H. S. Sudhira, Director of Gubbi Labs and lead author of the report.

"The growth observed is driven by a combination of evolving regulatory landscapes and robust international partnerships, showcasing India's significant role in shaping global healthcare innovation," Sudhira added.

A class of drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat depression, and anxiety may also help improve brain function and memory, claimed a study.

The study, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, showed that SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressants have the potential to improve certain cognitive functions, such as verbal memory.

Verbal memory is the ability to remember words, sentences, stories, and other information presented through language.

Serotonin is often described as a ‘feel good’ chemical, and higher levels of serotonin circulating in the brain contribute to a sense of well-being, and can ease clinical depression in most sufferers.

Amid the rising global outbreak of Mpox, two separate studies have shown that the efficacy of Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine against the deadly infectious disease wanes “to undetectable levels” in 6-12 months.

Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic or MVA-BN is indicated for active immunisation against smallpox, Mpox, and related orthopoxvirus infections and disease in all adults 18 years of age and older.

The vaccine, administered as a 2-dose injection given 4 weeks apart, is the first jab against Mpox to be prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 Zambia launched a nationwide measles vaccination campaign to immunise around 4 million children aged between nine months and five years.

The measles-rubella drive will take place in all 116 districts across the country from September 23 to 28, in collaboration with various partners.

"Measles has no cure and vaccination of infants remains the most effective method for its prevention and control," Health Minister Elijah Muchima said during the campaign's launch in Lusaka, the country's capital, on Friday.

He said recent surveillance reports have revealed sporadic measles outbreaks in both previously affected and unaffected areas, highlighting immunity gaps among children under five years of age, according to news agency.

Blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are preventable risk factors that can help reduce the chances or reverse the odds of dementia by 60 per cent, said experts on World Alzheimer's Day on Saturday.

World Alzheimer's Day is commemorated every year on September 21 to raise awareness about the stigma associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease and to increase public understanding of these disorders.

The theme this year is "Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer's".

Consuming 3-5 cups of coffee daily can help lower your risk of diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure, and fatty liver risk, according to a top neurologist.

While coffee is known to provide multiple health benefits, the expert suggested drinking the beverage without sugar and with less milk.

Taking to social media platform X, Dr. Sudhir Kumar from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, listed out some health benefits of coffee.

“Most notable benefits are lower risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, fatty liver, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, depression, and certain cancers,” he said.

A team of researchers has identified critical biomarkers that can predict disability worsening in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) -- a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS).

The findings can potentially transform treatment strategies for millions of people suffering from MS worldwide, and will also pave the way for more personalised and effective treatment plans.

The team from Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal in Spain conducted an observational study on 725 MS patients, across 13 hospitals in Spain and Italy.

They found that high levels of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) -- a protein indicating nerve cell damage -- at the onset of MS could predict both relapse-associated worsening (RAW) and progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA).

In yet another groundbreaking invention, brain-computer interface company Neuralink has developed a Blindsight implant that can restore vision to people who lost both eyes, said founder Elon Musk on Wednesday.

The experimental implant received the US Food and Drug Administration's "breakthrough device" designation on Tuesday.

“Much appreciated, US FDA!” Musk said in a post on X, adding that the device “will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see”.

Musk noted that the device can also help people blind since birth to see for the first time, if “the visual cortex is intact”.

He explained that “the vision will at first be a low resolution”, like in video game graphics. But advancements to the technology can make it “better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths”, Musk pointed out.

A 38-year-old man who arrived from the UAE last week is put under observation for suspected MPox.

The man from Edavana near here arrived from UAE last week.

After a few days, he developed rashes and also had fever. On Monday, he was admitted to the state-run Manjeri Medical College Hospital and has been isolated.

A sample has now gone for testing to Kozhikode Medical College and results are awaited.

Doctors treating the patient said that his fever has come down.

Even as injectable weight loss drugs have become a popular option for people struggling with obesity, 1 in 4 or 25 per cent consider using them without consulting their doctor, exposing themselves to several health risks, finds a study on Tuesday.

Cost and lack of insurance coverage are some reasons for seeking prescription alternatives, said the team from The Ohio State University, US, who surveyed 1,006 adults in America.

“Some people are skipping the doctor’s office and reaching out to potentially unreliable sources such as unlicensed online pharmacies or telehealth sites, which could expose patients to risks,” the team said.

A team of researchers on Monday said that exposure to arsenic and other toxic metals may accelerate the progression toward diabetes.

In a study of over 500 Mexican Americans living in southern Texas in the US, researchers from University of Illinois Chicago found that high levels of toxic metals in urine predicted faster increases in blood sugar over subsequent years.

The study, published in Diabetes Care, highlights an underappreciated risk factor for diabetes.

Environmental exposures have largely been neglected as drivers of the diabetes epidemic.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the "epicenter" of the ongoing Mpox outbreak in Africa, will launch its first phase of the vaccination campaign on October 2, the government has announced.

The vaccination effort, which runs until October 11, follows the receipt of over 265,000 doses from international partners, according to the minutes of the weekly Council of ministers meeting late Friday, news agency reported.

"The process of procuring 3,000 doses of vaccines for children is sufficiently advancing," the minutes said.

The number of dementia medication prescriptions dispensed in Australia has increased by almost 50 per cent in 10 years, a government report has revealed.

According to the report, published on Friday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), nearly 688,000 dementia medication prescriptions were dispensed to 72,400 Australians aged 30 and over in 2022-23.

It marks an increase of 46 per cent from 472,000 prescriptions for 50,800 people in 2013-14 as more Australians seek treatment for dementia, which is an umbrella term for several diseases that destroy nerve cells and damage the brain.

Immediate treatment is crucial to warding off sepsis -- a life-threatening emergency caused by a dysregulated host immune response to an infection, said experts on World Sepsis Day on Friday.

World Sepsis Day takes place annually on September 13 and is aimed at raising awareness of the devastating condition that claims millions of lives globally each year.

In 2020 alone, there were 48.9 million sepsis cases globally, leading to 11 million deaths -- representing 20 per cent of all global deaths.

The burden is particularly heavy in low- and middle-income countries, where 85 per cent of sepsis-related deaths occur.

Children whose families use screens a lot tend to have weaker vocabulary skills, and video games have the biggest negative effect on kids’ brain development, according to a study on Thursday.

Scientists from Estonia surveyed the parents of more than 400 children about their screen use, their children’s screen use, and their children’s language skills.

The findings, published in the Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, found that parents who use screens a lot also have children who use screens a lot and that children’s higher screen time is associated with poorer language skills.

Food Corporation of India (FCI), Services Sports Control Board, Comptroller & Auditor General of India and Punjab and Sindh Bank (P&SB) completed the quarterfinal line up in the 4th Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship ‘24 at Major Dhyanchand Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri.

FCI thrashed Sashastra Seema Bal 7-0 with three goals being scored by Laishram Dipu Singh (1st, 40th, 55th), two by Kerobin Lakra (12th - p.c, 33rd - p.c) and a goal each by ; Deepak (19th) and Boby Singh Dhami (52nd).

As a result FCI (7 points) topped Group-C with two wins and a draw.

On the other hand, Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) downed Tamil Nadu Police 6-0. A goal each by Pratap Shinde (4th - p.c), Sunil Xaxa (13th), Harman Singh (23rd - p.c), Waribam Nirajkumar Singh (29th), Sushil Dhanwar (37th - p.s) and Cyril Lugun (54th - p.c) completed a collective scoring effort.

Due to heavy rains in Kutch district, the mysterious fever that has been plaguing the region has spread further.

Reports indicate that over 15 people have died in Lakhpat taluka allegedly due to this unknown illness.

The situation has caused significant concern among the authorities in Gujarat.

Health officials and the district's health commissioner have arrived to investigate the matter.

Samples from suspected cases have been sent to Pune for further analysis, to gather more information and improve the health situation.

If you are suffering from chronic pain in your body, it may be time to actively work towards losing that belly or abdominal fat, suggests research on Wednesday.

Reducing belly fat may help reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain particularly if it’s at multiple body sites, especially in women, revealed the study, published in the open-access journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

Musculoskeletal pain, which affects about 1.71 billion people globally, affects bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles.

Previously published research has shown that obesity is associated with musculoskeletal pain, but it’s unknown if excess fat tissue is linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain at multiple body sites, said researchers from the universities of Tasmania and Monash in Australia.

Bangladesh reported 534 new dengue cases and five new deaths on Tuesday, taking the tally to 16,819 and the death toll to 102 so far this year, the Ministry of Health said.

According to the data, 3,978 dengue cases were recorded in September, after 6,521 in August and 2,669 in July.

Of the total deaths, 19 were recorded in September, 27 in August and 12 in July, news agency reported.

The June-September monsoon period is the season of dengue fever in Bangladesh, which is considered a high-risk country prone to the mosquito-borne disease.

The Centre on Monday said the suspected case of monkeypox (Mpox) has been verified in a patient as a travel-related infection, adding that there is no widespread risk to the public at this time.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of the Mpox virus of the West African ‘clade 2’ in the patient.

This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of mpox, the ministry clarified.