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Tetrodotoxin Suspected in Vizhinjam Seafood Deaths

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  Food safety authorities in Thiruvananthapuram are investigating a suspected case of marine neurotoxin poisoning after multiple people fell critically ill following consumption of seafood at a restaurant in Vizhinjam. Three members of a six-member family developed severe symptoms on the night of February 16, and two died within hours. Subsequently, six additional cases of acute illness were reported, all linked to the same establishment and date. Preliminary assessments have ruled out conventional food poisoning caused by spoilage or bacterial contamination. Investigators are now examining the possibility of contamination by a naturally occurring marine toxin, with tetrodotoxin (TTX) emerging as the primary suspect. Fish Roe Under Suspicion Authorities have identified fish roe as the likely source of exposure. All affected individuals had consumed this seafood delicacy. Fish roe can accumulate toxins if sourced from contaminated marine species. The clustering of cases and the rapi...
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UAE Launches Gene Therapy for Autism Treatment

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  The United Arab Emirates has launched two pioneering gene therapy initiatives aimed at treating autism and rare neurogenetic brain disorders in children. Led by Emirates Health Services, the projects mark a shift from symptom-based management to precision medicine that targets the genetic roots of disease. The move positions the UAE at the forefront of advanced paediatric neurological care in the region. Targeting Genetic Causes of Autism One of the projects focuses on genetic mutations linked to autism and epilepsy. It is being developed in collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a globally recognised centre for paediatric research. Scientists aim to develop enhanced gene delivery systems capable of targeting specific brain cells with greater accuracy. The approach seeks to improve treatment effectiveness, reduce dosage requirements and lower long-term costs. Among the conditions included is Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN), a rare disor...
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IGF Discovery Offers Hope for Lymphedema Treatment

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  A newly identified cellular mechanism could pave the way for effective treatment of lymphedema, a chronic and painful swelling disorder with no current cure. The condition arises when the lymphatic system, responsible for transporting fluid through specialised vessels, is damaged. It may be congenital or caused by injury, but most commonly develops after breast cancer treatment involving lymph node removal. The resulting fluid build-up leads to persistent swelling, discomfort and increased infection risk. Breakthrough in Lymphatic Vessel Growth Researchers at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, have identified a cellular process that stimulates the growth of lymphatic vessels. The discovery was led by Dr Jonathan Astin, senior lecturer in molecular medicine and pathology. The team first observed the mechanism in zebrafish, a widely used model organism in biomedical research. They found that insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a molecule long studied for its role in growth...
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ZSI Discovers New Diplura Species in Himalayas

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  Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of Diplura in the eastern Himalayas, marking a milestone in Indian entomology. The wingless, soil-dwelling micro-arthropod has been named “Lepidocampa sikkimensis”. The discovery ends nearly five decades of limited research on Diplura in India and represents the first species of its kind to be formally described by an Indian research team. The findings were published on 7 January in the international taxonomic journal “Zootaxa”. Ancient Hexapod Lineage Diplurans are primitive hexapods, a group of six-legged arthropods under the class Hexapoda. They are blind, soil-dwelling organisms commonly known as two-pronged bristletails. Researchers believe “Lepidocampa sikkimensis” belongs to an ancient evolutionary lineage of hexapods. Until now, 17 Diplura species had been recorded in India, all identified by foreign scientists. The new discovery signals a revival of indigenous taxonomic research in this le...
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Ancient Ice Bacterium Shows Modern Antibiotic Resistance

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  Scientists have identified a 5,000-year-old bacterium preserved in underground ice in Romania that can resist multiple modern antibiotics. The discovery has raised concerns about the risks posed by melting ice in a warming climate. The strain, recovered from Scărișoara Ice Cave, survived millennia in frozen isolation yet carries resistance to drugs commonly used in present-day clinical practice. Discovery from a 25-Metre Ice Core Researchers drilled a 25-metre ice core from the “Great Hall” of Scărișoara Ice Cave in north-west Romania. The ice represents nearly 13,000 years of accumulation. To prevent contamination, samples were handled in sterile conditions and transported frozen to laboratories for analysis. Several bacterial strains were isolated and sequenced. The most significant was Psychrobacter SC65A.3, a cold-adapted bacterium belonging to a genus previously linked to infections in humans and animals. Despite its ancient origin, it demonstrated notable resilience to mod...
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AIIMS Conducts First Remote Ultrasound in Antarctica

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  In a major leap for telemedicine, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have conducted a real-time ultrasound examination on a patient located nearly 12,000 km away at India’s Maitri research station in Antarctica. The breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of delivering specialist diagnostic care in one of the world’s most hostile and remote environments. Tele-Robotic Ultrasound System Demonstrated The procedure was enabled by a tele-robotic diagnostic system that allows specialists in India to remotely operate ultrasound equipment stationed in Antarctica. The initiative marks the first known deployment of such a system at an Antarctic research station globally. It was developed through collaboration between the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), AIIMS, IIT Delhi and technology startups. NCPOR Director Thamban Meloth stated that the innovation positions India at the forefront of medical technology in polar regions. The...
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Bonnie Bassler Highlights Power of Bacterial Communication

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  Bacteria are often associated with disease and infection, yet they are also essential to life. Renowned molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler of Princeton University described bacteria as “magical microbes” that hold transformative potential in medicine, environmental sustainability and agriculture. Delivering a lecture titled “A Chemical Language that Enables Communication Between Diverse Organisms”, she underscored the remarkable ability of bacteria to communicate and coordinate behaviour. According to Prof. Bassler, bacteria are multilingual organisms capable of collective decision-making. This communication system, known as quorum sensing, reshapes scientific understanding of microbial life. Understanding Quorum Sensing Quorum sensing refers to the chemical signalling process through which bacteria detect their population density and synchronise actions. By releasing and sensing small signalling molecules, bacteria coordinate group behaviours such as biofilm formation, virulen...
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