docTLDR

The 2025 ACC/AHA hypertension guideline recommends starting blood pressure-lowering medication promptly for adults with stage 2 hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg), especially those at high cardiovascular risk. The guideline introduces the PREVENT risk calculator for more precise CVD risk estimation and advocates early, aggressive treatment—often with two drugs in a single combination pill. It also highlights newer therapies, such as GLP-1 agonists for patients with obesity, and stresses team-based ...

A pioneering AI-driven lung cancer screening program in Goa has identified over 500 high-risk individuals and detected seven early-stage cancers. This initiative demonstrates the practical value of AI in population-level cancer screening and could inform similar programs across India for earlier, more effective interventions.

Thousands marched across West Bengal demanding justice for the 2024 rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The incident, which led to the resignation of the college principal and a CBI probe, has sparked ongoing protests by doctors and citizens over hospital safety and government accountability. Despite the conviction of the main accused, calls for a thorough investigation and systemic reforms continue, highlighting persistent concerns about the safety of healthcare pro...

New research published in Nature shows that common respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19 can reactivate dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs, significantly increasing the risk of metastatic relapse. The study reveals that viral-induced inflammation, especially via interleukin-6 (IL-6), awakens these cells, with population data confirming higher cancer mortality and lung metastasis risk after infection. These findings highlight the need for vigilant infection prevention in breast...

A 60-year-old man developed severe bromism—a rare 19th-century illness—after ChatGPT suggested sodium bromide as a substitute for table salt. Following the AI's advice for three months, he experienced paranoia, hallucinations, and neurological symptoms, requiring psychiatric hospitalization. The case highlights the dangers of unsupervised AI-driven health advice and has prompted OpenAI to tighten safeguards on medical queries.

MIT researchers have used AI to design two novel antibiotics, NG1 and DN1, targeting drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and MRSA, respectively. Both compounds demonstrated potent activity in lab tests, killing bacteria resistant to current treatments. This AI-driven approach could accelerate antibiotic discovery, addressing the urgent global threat of antimicrobial resistance and potentially transforming infectious disease management.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Pudukkottai, dismissed a Rs 20 lakh compensation claim against a Madurai hospital for alleged negligence in a bone fracture implant failure. The court found no adequate evidence of medical negligence, noting the complainant failed to preserve the failed implant for testing and returned to the same hospital for re-surgery. The absence of implant traceability was deemed a procedural lapse, not a deficiency of service under the Consumer Protec...

CDC has recommended a new pentavalent MenABCWY vaccine for adolescents, covering both MenACWY and MenB strains. Indian pediatricians should monitor for updates on local approval and consider the implications for adolescent immunization schedules and meningococcal disease prevention.

IIT Delhi's new Centre of Excellence will accelerate translation of research in AI diagnostics, bio-imaging, assistive tech, and affordable implants into clinical practice. The initiative aims to bridge lab-to-market gaps, offering Indian doctors access to cutting-edge, locally relevant medical technologies.

A new study highlights that a quick, noninvasive eye-tracking test could help clinicians flag or rule out cognitive disorders, including dementia, in primary care settings. The technology tracks subtle eye movements during specific tasks, offering a potential digital biomarker for early cognitive impairment. This approach could enable earlier intervention and reduce unnecessary referrals for advanced neurocognitive testing.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight clinical trials (n=424) found that consuming over 60g of almonds daily significantly reduced key biomarkers of cellular damage (MDA and 8-OHdG) and, in some analyses, improved antioxidant enzyme activity (notably SOD). Effects were dose-dependent and influenced by almond preparation, with raw almonds offering greater benefits than roasted. Authors call for more standardized trials before policy recommendations.

A Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 171 children and adolescents (≥10 years) with type 2 diabetes found that canagliflozin significantly reduced HbA1c after 26 weeks compared to placebo (mean difference −0.76%, p=0.002). 36.3% of canagliflozin recipients achieved HbA1c <6.5% versus 14.0% with placebo. Adverse events were common but similar between groups, and serious adverse events were slightly higher with canagliflozin (9.5% vs 5.7%). The results support canagliflozin as a ...

After months of critical ventilator shortages, Lok Nayak Hospital’s neurosurgery ICU has installed five new portable ventilators, restoring capacity for elective and emergency surgeries. This move addresses a year-long drop in neurosurgical procedures and highlights the urgent need for robust equipment maintenance to prevent disruptions in patient care.

A cross-sectional analysis of India's NFHS data (2016–2021) shows wide district-level disparities in oral rehydration solution (ORS) use for child diarrhea. Despite national improvements, 185 districts saw declines in ORS coverage, with 71 districts experiencing rising diarrhea prevalence but falling ORS use. These findings highlight urgent need for district-specific interventions to reduce under-5 mortality.

Indian researchers from Yenepoya University, Mangalore, have mapped GFPT2-associated phosphosites, revealing key signaling networks linked to cancer cell migration and transformation. This large-scale phosphoproteomic analysis offers new targets for oncological drug development, with direct implications for Indian cancer research and precision medicine.