Current Affairs - Science

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, conducted a study on how climate change affects dengue outbreaks. The study identified key climate factors like rainfall, temperature, and humidity as contributors to mosquito prevalence. IITM also developed an early warning system using AI and machine learning, enabling dengue outbreak predictions two months in advance. This predictive system helps authorities implement timely preventive measures, highlighting IITM’s role in combining climate research with public health solutions.

NFHS-4 data reveals that approximately 5% of Indian women aged 25-49 have undergone hysterectomy, with heavy menstrual bleeding being a major cause. The study analyzed data from over 4.5 lakh women across rural and urban areas during 2015-16. Published in the Journal of Medical Evidence, it highlighted a 4.8% prevalence of hysterectomy in this demographic. This insight underscores the need for further research into women’s health and access to alternative treatments.

Lenacapavir is an injectable HIV prevention drug targeted for availability in low-income countries by 2025, pending regulatory approvals from the FDA and WHO. It is currently used in the U.S. for drug-resistant HIV but at a high cost. Collaborative efforts by organizations like the Global Fund and PEPFAR aim to make it affordable and accessible in resource-limited settings.

India’s first diabetes biobank has been set up in Chennai through a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). The facility is designed to collect, process, and store biological samples, aiding advanced research on diabetes causes, variations, and related disorders. The biobank will support critical studies like the ICMR-INDIAB study and the Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes. It aims to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and develop personalized treatment strategies, fostering long-term research on diabetes progression, management, and prevention, while also contributing to global health research efforts.

Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), under the Ministry of Coal, launched the ‘CHARAK’ initiative—Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal—to provide free treatment for life-threatening diseases. This initiative targets economically weaker residents of Singrauli and Sonbhadra districts with annual family incomes below Rs. 8 lakh. CHARAK covers treatment for conditions like malignancy, TB, cardiovascular diseases, HIV, neurological disorders, and more. Free treatment is provided at NCL’s hospital or specialized empanelled hospitals nationwide. This project highlights NCL’s continued focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR), particularly in healthcare, aiming to improve the well-being of vulnerable communities.