Health

The technique was able to identify 25 different kinds of cancer. Most importantly, in some ways, it was able to detect cancer before the onset of tumour development. As cancer treatments have advanced, deaths from the illness in its early stages have dramatically declined, and a diagnostic tool that can flag cancers early could become a boon to millions who suffer from a deadly illness that also inflicts financial ruin on families.

NEW DELHI: Having got industry to ramp up liquid oxygen output by 10 times, the government is seeking to set up over 1,100 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants by July as part of preparations for a possible third wave of Covid-19. Data available with the government showed that compared to an average daily output of around 900 metric tonnes liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in 2019, production was estimated at around 9,300 MT last week as steel plants stepped out output from around 1,250 MT a day at the start of April to 4,000 MT.

India achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive today. On 130th day of the drive, the cumulative COVID Vaccination Coverage crossed the 20 crore mark (with 20,06,62,456 doses including 15,71,49,593 first dose and 4,35,12,863 second dose of COVID-19 vaccines), as per data available at 07:00 AM today.

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus infection, is not a new disease. Such infections were reported even before the pandemic. Its incidence however was very low. Now, due to COVID-19, this rare but fatal fungal infection is being reported in large numbers. Coronavirus Disease Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) is being seen in patients who are either recovering or have recovered from COVID-19.

DIPCOVAN is intended for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies in human serum or plasma, targeting SARS-CoV-2 related antigens. It offers a significantly faster turn-around-time as it requires just 75 minutes to conduct the test without any cross reactivity with other diseases. The kit has a shelf life of 18 months.

The Pune-based company’s CoviSelf test can be used by symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts. It costs Rs 250 per kit and gives results in 15 minutes. “Users of this test will not need sample collection by a healthcare professional. This will ease pressure on already overburdened testing labs and reduce delays in testing, which is more than 72 hours in some parts of the country,” Mylab said.

PathShodh has received the license to manufacture the test for sale from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), after due diligence validation at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, as per the requirements of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Demand for vaccination has suddenly grown many folds after the devastating second wave of Covid-19. But there are many myths and misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine who should or should not take it. There are several categories of people who are quite not clear if they should go for vaccination. This article describes the scientific basis if they should go for it or defer.