docTLDR

A new AI-based STAR system has enabled the first successful pregnancy in a couple with male infertility after 19 years of failed IVF cycles. The technology uses microfluidic chips to identify and isolate viable sperm, offering a non-invasive, chemical-free alternative for azoospermia and potentially improving IVF outcomes for Indian fertility clinics.

India has reported over 7,000 active COVID-19 cases, with Kerala, Gujarat, and Delhi seeing the sharpest increases. The surge is driven by Omicron sub-variants like JN.1 and NB.1.8.1, which are more transmissible but generally cause milder symptoms. Elderly patients and those with comorbidities remain at higher risk. Doctors are advised to maintain heightened surveillance and reinforce preventive measures.

The Rajasthan government now requires donors of medical equipment, ambulances, and machines to state-run hospitals to pay maintenance costs for up to five years. This move aims to prevent donated devices from lying idle due to lack of operational resources, ensuring only facilities with adequate staff and infrastructure accept such donations. Dedicated committees will oversee and approve all equipment donations.

S&P Health has launched AI-powered B2B and B2C healthcare platforms, leveraging patented models for direct-to-retail generics, digital marketplaces, and predictive logistics. These innovations aim to improve supply chain visibility, reduce inefficiencies, and modernize access to chronic and OTC medications across India’s fragmented pharma retail network, with real-time ordering and compliance support for chemists.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has released consensus guidelines for the follow-up of high-risk infants, recommending a color-coded risk stratification system, early stimulation, structured interventions, and parental involvement. The guidelines emphasize routine screening for retinopathy of prematurity, thyroid disorders, hip dysplasia, and hearing impairments, aiming to reduce childhood disability and streamline pediatrician workflows.

With 70% of throat cancers now attributed to HPV, clinicians are urged to recognize early symptoms—persistent sore throat, swallowing difficulties, and unexplained neck lumps. Early detection and HPV vaccination are critical, especially for male patients. The update provides actionable insights for screening and counseling in Indian settings, where awareness remains low.

A longitudinal study using validated Hindi and Marathi scales confirms a significant rise in anxiety and depressive symptoms in Indian children and adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown. The results highlight the urgent need for mental health screening and targeted interventions in pediatric and adolescent populations.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has launched the ETHICON 4000 Stapler, featuring 3D Staple Technology and enhanced tissue grip to reduce surgical leaks and bleeding complications. Cleared for both open and laparoscopic procedures, this device is set to improve outcomes in general, bariatric, and robotic surgeries—key for Indian surgeons managing high-risk patients.

A new systematic review protocol aims to identify risk factors and clinical practices linked to immediate complications of endotracheal intubation in Indian ICUs. The study will inform evidence-based protocols to reduce morbidity and mortality, addressing a critical gap in intensive care safety standards.

Digital technologies are accelerating genomics research in India, enabling faster, more affordable sequencing and advanced analytics. This unlocks new opportunities for personalized medicine, early disease detection, and targeted therapies, with direct implications for clinicians seeking to integrate genomics into routine practice and improve patient outcomes.

A new expert elicitation study underscores that SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily via aerosols, especially in crowded indoor spaces. Indian clinicians should prioritize ventilation improvements and patient education on airborne risks, particularly with emerging variants, to reduce transmission in healthcare and community settings.

Emerging research highlights how maternal nutrition interacts with fetal genetics and epigenetics to influence lifelong health outcomes in Indian children. The findings urge clinicians to prioritize individualized prenatal nutrition counseling, especially in populations at risk for metabolic and developmental disorders.

Mainz Biomed’s PancAlert project advances a blood-based screening test for early pancreatic cancer, showing 98% specificity and 95% sensitivity in initial studies. This technology could offer Indian oncologists a much-needed tool for early detection, where current screening options are limited or non-existent.

A systematic review reveals that TB patients in low- and lower-middle-income countries, including India, face high rates of comorbid diabetes (up to 17.7%) and HIV, which significantly reduce treatment success. The findings underscore the need for integrated screening and management of chronic conditions in TB care protocols.

Immuneel Therapeutics has secured a $150,000 grant from ScaleReady to develop, qualify, and validate G-Rex-based CAR-T cell therapy production. This funding supports process improvements for scalable, cost-effective manufacturing of advanced cell therapies, potentially expanding access to cutting-edge cancer treatments for Indian patients.