Health

Researchers Identify 30 Pathogens That Could Trigger Next Global Pandemic
Health

Researchers Identify 30 Pathogens That Could Trigger Next Global Pandemic

Researchers have identified 30 pathogens that could potentially trigger the next global pandemic. This finding is alarming due to the high contagiousness and virulence of these diseases, combined with the lack of effective treatments available. The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its list of "priority pathogens" to include influenza A, dengue virus, and monkeypox virus. This list aims to guide research and development for new medications, vaccines, and diagnostics. Addressing Immediate Needs for High-Risk Infections The updated list was created based on data showing these infections are highly contagious and severe, with no effective treatments at present. Ana Maria Henao Restrepo, who leads the WHO's R&D Blueprint for Epidemics, emphasized the importance of this ...
Keto Diet: Effective for Weight Loss but Raises Cholesterol Levels
Health

Keto Diet: Effective for Weight Loss but Raises Cholesterol Levels

The ketogenic diet, commonly known as the keto diet, has become a popular choice for people looking for weight loss. This diet involves eating a lot of fats, very few carbohydrates, and a moderate amount of protein. While the keto diet can help you shed pounds, it also has some side effects, particularly on cholesterol levels. How the Keto Diet Works When you follow the keto diet, your body switches its fuel source from glucose (sugar) to ketones, which are made from fat. This process, known as ketosis, helps your body burn fat more effectively, leading to weight loss. Benefits of the Keto Diet Many people have found success with the keto diet in terms of losing weight. Because the body burns fat for fuel, it can lead to significant fat loss. For those struggling with obesity ...
Antibiotics Can Only Be Sold With Prescription From a Licensed Doctor: DRAP
Health, Pakistan

Antibiotics Can Only Be Sold With Prescription From a Licensed Doctor: DRAP

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has introduced a new rule requiring licensed doctors to prescribe antibiotics before they can be sold. This change applies to all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). On Friday, DRAP officials announced this new measure to fight the increasing problem of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to prevent the dangerous practice of self-medication. Self-medication, where people take these medicine without a doctor's advice, can lead to misuse and overuse of these medicines. This misuse also makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics, making it harder to treat infections. DRAP's new rule aims to address these issues. According to local pharmaceutical data, Pakistan spent around Rs. 13...
11 Packaged Snacks Ordered Off Shelves Due to Safety Concerns
Health, Pakistan

11 Packaged Snacks Ordered Off Shelves Due to Safety Concerns

Consumers are advised to be cautious after the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) ordered immediately removing 11 packaged snacks from the market. Laboratory testing revealed the products to be "unfit for human consumption" due to failing to meet minimum safety and quality standards. The Sindh Food Authority (SFA) has demanded that a private company recall 11 of its snack products from the market after they were found unsafe to eat by a lab. Various tests were run on these 11 packaged snacks to learn their availability for human health and safety. The snacks include: Slanty Vegetable Snackers Hot Masala Snackers Pizza Twitch Classic Potato Sticks Cheese Ball Masala Cheese Balls Cheese Kai Korean Hot Kai Spicy Mala Kai Mala Wok Kai Korean Kimchi SFA Dire...
US Grants Moderna $176 Million to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine
Health

US Grants Moderna $176 Million to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine

The U.S. government has awarded Moderna $176 million to develop a vaccine for bird flu. This funding is intended to support the research and development needed to create a vaccine that can effectively fight avian influenza. Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can occasionally infect humans. Recently, there has been an outbreak of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, which has infected at least 132 dairy cow herds across 12 states in the U.S. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links three human cases to exposure to sick cows. The virus was first detected in cows on March 25, as reported in late June. To address this outbreak, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that funding wil...