Mpox Outbreak In India: In response to the escalating Mpox situation, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has taken a proactive stance by mandating testing for all international passengers. Recognizing the highly contagious nature of the virus, airport authorities have implemented a rigorous screening process to identify and isolate potential cases. The decision to impose mandatory testing reflects the commitment of the airport to safeguarding public health and preventing the introduction of Mpox into the region.

The discovery of the first case of monkeypox (Mpox) in Pakistan has prompted authorities to increase security measures at airports across the country. This is a precautionary step to prevent the virus from spreading further. To ensure safety, airports are now on high alert.

Rigorous Screening and Testing Procedures

In India, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has taken a proactive approach to stop the spread of Mpox. They have made it mandatory for all international passengers to get tested for the virus. This decision comes after a confirmed case was found in Delhi earlier in the week. A dedicated team of healthcare professionals is on hand to administer tests and provide immediate medical attention if necessary. Additionally, the airport has implemented various measures to prevent the entry of the virus, including enhanced sanitation practices and the deployment of personal protective equipment for staff.

Airport Management's Preparedness

KIA has set up four special areas to make sure that every international traveler gets tested for the virus. Airport officials are checking around 2000 passengers every day and have put in place different ways to prevent Mpox from entering Karnataka. A special officer is in charge of the process to make sure everything runs smoothly, from screening and testing to tracking. In addition to mandatory testing, the airport has implemented a comprehensive plan to isolate suspected cases and provide appropriate medical care.

Isolated Zone for Suspected Cases

To handle any suspected cases quickly, the airport management has created a separate, isolated area. The medical services are prepared to deal with any situation that may arise, ensuring the safety of both passengers and airport personnel. The airport has also implemented stringent protocols for the disposal of medical waste to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Focused Testing and Quarantine Measures

Officials have been assigned to test passengers coming from countries where Mpox is common, especially African nations. Anyone found to be infected will be kept in isolation for 21 days. These procedures are similar to those used during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. After treatment, re-testing will be done, and individuals will be allowed to leave quarantine once they are confirmed to be free of the virus.

Symptoms of Mpox

The symptoms of Mpox include fever, skin rashes, severe headaches, muscle stiffness, and back pain. Seeking immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur is crucial, as untreated cases could become life-threatening. The airport management has urged passengers to be vigilant and report any symptoms to airport staff. While there is currently no specific treatment for Mpox, early detection and containment are essential to prevent the spread of the virus.

In many new things, there has been a groundbreaking new tool developed by the scientists of Ankara University (AU) in Turkey. This tool promises to detect lung cancer in its early stages. The best part? The tool uses nothing more than just your voice. This AI-powered application is used to analyze speech patterns in order to identify structural changes caused by the diseases. This is a great way of testing, as it is non-invasive in nature, thus is a low-cost method of screening for such a deadly disease.

Detecting Through Speech

The project is being led by Associate Professor Dr Haydar Ankishan of AU's Stem Cell Institute. The idea centered to the research was: changes in a person's voice could reflect anatomical or functional disruption in the lungs, especially those caused by cancer.

“In our study, we considered the structure of the voice, the anatomical structure of the lungs, and the circulatory system,” Ankışhan said at a press conference held at AU’s Ibn-i Sina Hospital. “We proposed that the voice could provide information about lung cancer.”

The study took a span of 18 months, with the team being able to develop a system that can detect stage-one lung cancer with an accuracy rate exceeding 90%.

How Does This Work?

The technology is able to capture a person's voice in a natural environment. Then the voice is processed using advanced signal analysis techniques and machine learning. The AI model is trained on these audio samples to differentiate between healthy individuals and those with early-stage lung cancer.

Faculty member of AU's Faculty of Medicine, who is also a key contributor in the study, Dr Bülent Mustafa Yenigün emphasized the importance of such early detection. “The later lung cancer is diagnosed, the harder it becomes to treat. We aimed for a method that’s non-invasive, low-cost, and doesn’t expose patients to harmful radiation,” he explained.

If one has to understand the science behind it, then one must understand what the AI listens for. The science behind this method is actually rooted in how tumors affect airflow and resonance in the lungs. As masses form, they can disrupt the natural vibrations and frequencies that are part of normal speech. Thus, the AI is trained to detect these variations, regardless of how subtle they may be. Many of these variations, in fact, may not be noticeable to the human ear.

“Our application identifies deviations in frequency and sound resonance that can indicate a pathological mass in the lungs,” Yenigün explained.

Is It Accessible?

The researchers are optimistic about the future. If legal approvals are secured and larger datasets are collected, they estimate that the technology could be integrated into standard lung cancer screening programs within two to three years. In a best-case scenario, it could be available in as little as one to two years.

If successful, this voice-based screening tool could become a revolutionary step in early cancer detection—accessible, painless, and potentially life-saving.

What Is Lung Cancer?

As per the NHS UK, Lung Cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer, which has affected more than 43,000 people in UK, annually.

In many cases there are no symptoms, however, you must look out for these:

• a persistent cough
• coughing up blood
• persistent breathlessness
• unexplained tiredness and weight loss
• an ache or pain when breathing or coughing

When cancer begins in the lungs, it is referred to as primary lung cancer. In contrast, if cancer originates elsewhere in the body and spreads to the lungs, it is known as secondary lung cancer. This explanation focuses specifically on primary lung cancer.

Primary lung cancer is broadly categorized based on the type of cells where the cancer develops. The two main types are:

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases. NSCLC includes three subtypes:

• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Large-cell carcinoma

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): Less common than NSCLC, this type tends to grow and spread more quickly.

Understanding the type of lung cancer is essential for determining the appropriate treatment approach.

A new study titled The Global Flourishing Study, conducted by researchers from Baylor and Harvard universities have thrown light on the meaning of "flourishing" and how it does not mean being happy. The study has looked at how some countries are doing significantly better in terms of the broader sense of well-being than other countries. The study is based on responses from over 207,000 participants across 22 countries and Hong Kong. The study also assessed six core aspects of flourishing, which includes happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability.

What Does Being "Flourished" Really Mean?

While there are traditional happiness indexes that measures an individual's or a group's subjective well-being or happiness, the study about being "flourished" includes not just how happy people feel, but also their health. The study looks at whether people are leading a healthy life, whether they are mentally well and feel like they do have a purpose in life. The study also takes in account for strong relationships, acting with character and feeling financially secure.

The participants of this study were asked to respond to 12 key questions. They were aimed at measuring these components. The questions varied from "How satisfied are you with life?" to "Do you worry about meeting monthly expenses?"

Dr. Byron Johnson of Baylor University, who led the study, said the scale of the research is what makes it especially unique. “We are following 207,000 participants around the world in over 40 languages. This gives a voice to approximately 64% of the world’s population,” he explained.

Indonesia Leads, But Traditionally 'Happy' Nations Lag

The results too have been unexpected, unlike what we seen in the happiness indexes. Countries which were often seen as happy in global rankings did not perform as well when it came to flourishing. Indonesia, however, topped the list, followed by Mexico and the Philippines. However, nations like Sweden and the United States, which are usually high ranking in the World Happiness Report, were found to be average in terms of flourishing.

Interestingly, some of the most flourishing countries, such as Nigeria and Indonesia, did not make it to the top 20 in the World Happiness Report, indicating a crucial distinction between simple happiness and a deeper sense of well-being.

Youth Is Struggling

One of the most concerning findings of the study was that flourishing tends to increase with age. According to Dr. Tyler VanderWeele of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, young people across most countries reported the lowest levels of flourishing, often citing a lack of purpose.

"In most countries, the youngest individuals are the ones struggling the most,” VanderWeele noted. However, there were exceptions—Tanzania and Poland showed relatively better flourishing scores among their younger populations.

The researchers suggest that in more developed countries, increased competition, job stress, and social comparison may be contributing to this generational dip. “Young people are telling us something is wrong,” added Felix Cheung, a co-author of a separate study in the World Happiness Report.

Rich, Not Flourishing

While wealthier countries usually scored higher in the financial security section, they lacked in the sections where they were asked questions on meaning and relationships.

This gap has raised questions about modern development. “How can we carry out economic growth without compromising meaning and relationships?” VanderWeele asked.

In contrast, countries with fewer economic resources but stronger community bonds and clearer cultural or spiritual values often performed better on overall flourishing metrics.

According to researchers, people can take active steps to improve their own flourishing. VanderWeele shared how one participant, after reflecting on the study’s 12 questions, decided to volunteer to find greater purpose. “Flourishing can be guided by reflection,” he said.

Still, systemic issues like conflict, inequality, and poor governance remain significant barriers. As Cheung summed it up: “When one person is unhappy, that’s an individual issue. But when a population isn’t happy, that’s a structural problem—and it requires structural solutions.”

A new ketamine-like nasal spray will soon be available at a subsidised cost in Australia to help thousands living with treatment-resistant depression. The medication, called Spravato (esketamine), has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), marking a significant shift in how the country approaches difficult-to-treat mental health conditions.

What Is Esketamine and How Does It Work?

Esketamine is chemically related to ketamine, a well-known anaesthetic that gained notoriety for recreational use in rave culture. However, in controlled medical settings, this compound is offering new hope for patients who have not responded to traditional antidepressants.

Unlike older medications that target serotonin – a “feel-good” chemical in the brain – esketamine works on a different neurotransmitter called glutamate. This chemical is believed to play a key role in restoring neural connections that influence mood regulation. The result is often a much faster response, with some patients feeling relief within hours instead of weeks or months.

Why It Matters: A Breakthrough After Decades

Esketamine is the first government-funded drug for major depression in over 30 years that works via a new mechanism. While most antidepressants developed since the 1980s have focused on serotonin or other monoamines, esketamine offers an alternative path by targeting glutamate and related brain circuits.

For those who have tried multiple medications without success, this drug represents a long-awaited option. Clinical trials in Australia show that nearly 50% of patients with treatment-resistant depression reported significant improvement after using esketamine.

Who Can Access It and What Will It Cost?

Starting Thursday, up to 30,000 Australians will be able to access Spravato through the PBS. Patients will pay $31.60 per dose, or $7.70 for pensioners and concession card holders. However, this does not include additional healthcare and administrative fees. Because of safety requirements, the drug must be administered under supervision at certified treatment centres, which will add to the overall cost.

Despite these extra expenses, making esketamine available through PBS is expected to reduce financial barriers and give more Australians access to potentially life-changing care.

Why Esketamine Stands Out

Since receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019, esketamine has been used in hospitals and clinics across America, particularly in emergency care for severe depression. Unlike some drugs that sedate or numb emotions, esketamine is reported to alleviate core depressive symptoms — including intense feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts — without dulling awareness.

Mental health experts say this rapid effect can be life-saving in critical cases where waiting for standard medications to take effect is not an option.

A Step Forward After Long Delays

The inclusion of Spravato in the PBS comes after a four-year wait and four separate funding submissions. The listing is seen as a major win for mental health advocates and patients who have pushed for broader access to advanced treatments.

While it may not work for everyone, esketamine opens a new chapter in treating depression — one focused on faster, more targeted relief for those who need it most.