In a monumental scientific finding researchers have developed an experimental blood test that not only detects Alzheimer's disease but can follow track its progression with remarkable accuracy, providing a historic advancement in Alzheimer's diagnostics and research. Published in Nature Medicine, the research is promising hope for millions across the globe by suggesting a less expensive, quicker, and more straightforward substitute for old diagnostic devices.

Alzheimer's disease has long defied early and conclusive diagnosis. Now, brain scans and spinal taps are the gold standards, but these procedures are expensive, invasive, and frequently out of reach—particularly outside of large urban or research centers. The recently discovered blood test could fundamentally transform that situation.

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have homed in on a blood protein known as MTBR-tau243, which is highly linked with tau tangles in the brain—a signature of Alzheimer's disease pathology. These tangles usually form after amyloid plaques, a key point in disease development when cognitive symptoms start to emerge.

This blood test definitively detects Alzheimer's tau tangles, which is our best biomarker measure of Alzheimer's symptoms and dementia," says Dr. Randall Bateman, co-senior author of the study and professor of neurology at Washington University.

The researchers initially discovered robust relationships between MTBR-tau243 levels in spinal fluid and the occurrence of tau tangles. They then went on to do the same, but with a much less intrusive method using blood samples. In their analysis, they used 108 U.S. and 55 Swedish patients and validated them using an extra cohort of 739 individuals.

Recruits spanned several levels of cognitive impairment—from presymptomatic subjects with higher amyloid load to those having frank Alzheimer's dementia. Critically, subjects with other causes of cognitive impairment were also recruited to evaluate test specificity.

The findings were dramatic: the blood test showed 92% specificity in detecting tau tangles, with protein rising steadily as dementia worsened. MTBR-tau243 was as much as 200 times higher in those with Alzheimer's dementia than in those who had only mild impairment.

Most hopefully, MTBR-tau243 levels were normal in those with non-Alzheimer's cognitive problems and in those with amyloid deposits but without symptoms—emphasizing the test's specificity in singling out genuine Alzheimer's cases.

This diagnostic innovation is not just a device—it may be a doorway to tailored care. As more Alzheimer's therapies become available, such as medications that attack either amyloid or tau proteins, identifying a patient's individual disease stage becomes essential to customize treatments.

We're on the verge of the age of personalized medicine for Alzheimer's disease," says co-lead author Dr. Kanta Horie. "When we have a clinically available blood test for staging, along with treatments that are effective at various stages of the disease, physicians will be able to tailor their treatment regimens to the individual needs of each patient.

For instance, anti-amyloid treatments would perhaps be most effective in the early phases where tau tangles are not very extensive. However, more developed phases characterized by massive tau deposition could be treated with anti-tau drugs or newer combination drugs being explored.

What Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative illness that gradually erodes memory, thinking ability, and eventually, the capacity to perform everyday tasks. Essentially, the disease interferes with the brain's basic biology.

The healthy brain has tens of billions of neurons that exchange information through electrical and chemical signals. These signals travel through complex networks that include dendrites (which receive messages), cell bodies (which contain genetic material), and axons (which send messages to other neurons).

Alzheimer's interferes with these fundamental processes. Amyloid plaques first appear between neurons and then tau tangles within them. The outcome is disrupted communication, cellular metabolic breakdown, and collapse in mechanisms to repair the brain. Gradually, critical parts of the brain like the hippocampus and cerebral cortex become badly damaged, disrupting memory, language, judgment, and behavior.

While some brain shrinkage is natural with age, the extensive loss of neurons in Alzheimer's is much more crippling. Eventually, the disease causes death, with patients losing their self-sufficiency many years before they succumb.

Will this Blood Test Simplify Alzheimer's Care?

With close to 55 million individuals across the globe already living with dementia—and Alzheimer's responsible for 60–70% of all cases—the worldwide burden is staggering. Delays in diagnosis routinely preclude early intervention, multiplying the emotional and financial cost for families and healthcare systems as well.

This blood test is scalable. It could be used in primary care clinics, rural healthcare facilities, and low-resource nations—places where sophisticated imaging technology and neurologists might be scarce.

By streamlining diagnosis and allowing for earlier detection, the test not only empowers doctors but also provides patients and families with a greater opportunity for planning, symptom management, and participation in clinical trials or therapies based on their disease stage.

Although the blood test remains in the experimental stage, the pace is developing strongly. With more validation and regulatory endorsement, MTBR-tau243 testing may become standard procedure in Alzheimer's screening protocols in the near future.

For the time being, it is a significant scientific achievement—a hope beacon in the extended, protracted battle against Alzheimer's. While we make slow but certain strides toward solving the brain's enigmas, instruments like this put us a step closer toward a time when Alzheimer's can be found early, controlled with ease, and, one hopes, prevented entirely.

Nipah virus outbreak in India has triggered screenings across Asian airports. However, the health authorities of the Kolkata hospital where two nurses were admitted confirmed that one of the two nurses has been discharged from hospital. While this may be a good sign, there is still need to be cautious of the virus.

Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Does It Work?

Experts and doctors are still telling people to be cautious of what they eat, as the fatality rates are from 40 per cent to as high as 75 per cent. It is a zoonotic infections that infects vital organs like brain and lungs. However, the virus is also able to manipulate body's immune system.

Nipah Virus In India: How Does It Affect Immune System?

Nipah virus is lethal because it can outpace, suppress and misdirect immune responses. Speaking to NDTV, Dr Dip Narayan Mukherjee, Consultant, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at CK Birla Hospitals said, Nipah virus leaves the body unable to clear the infection in time. "Understanding this immune disruption is critical to explaining why Nipah causes severe encephalitis, multi-organ failure and high mortality, and why early detection and containment remain the most effective tools against it."

This immune disruption begins early in the infection. The body’s first line of defense against viruses is the innate immune system, which relies heavily on interferons. These signalling proteins alert neighboring cells to the threat and trigger antiviral mechanisms that slow viral replication.

“One of the earliest ways Nipah evades immunity is by interfering with the innate immune response,” Dr Mukherjee says. “The virus suppresses interferon activity, allowing it to multiply rapidly before the immune system can respond adequately.”

Research published by the World Health Organization and other virology institutes shows that specific Nipah virus proteins block interferon signalling pathways. This gives the virus a crucial head start, enabling widespread infection before the immune system is fully activated.

Read: Australia Is Monitoring Nipah Virus Outbreak In India

Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Inflammation And Low Immunity

As the infection progresses, Nipah targets the cells lining blood vessels, a feature that sets it apart from many other respiratory viruses. Damage to these vessels allows the virus to spread to multiple organs, including the brain, while also triggering widespread inflammation.

Instead of a controlled antiviral response, the body releases large amounts of inflammatory molecules. This excessive inflammation leads to tissue injury, swelling and organ dysfunction, contributing to respiratory failure, neurological symptoms and circulatory collapse in severe cases.

Another hallmark of Nipah infection is immune exhaustion. Although the virus does not directly infect most immune cells, the intense inflammatory environment causes them to become overactivated and eventually dysfunctional. Once these defense cells lose their ability to control viral replication, the infection accelerates, and supportive care becomes less effective in later stages.

When Nipah crosses into the brain, immune control becomes even more limited. The brain’s immune responses are naturally restrained to prevent damage, allowing the virus to persist. At the same time, inflammation causes swelling, seizures and encephalitis. Neurological complications remain the leading cause of death in Nipah outbreaks.

Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Why Antibodies Against The Infection Arrive Late

The adaptive immune response, which includes antibody production and virus-specific T-cells, also struggles to keep pace with the rapid spread of Nipah. By the time neutralizing antibodies are produced, significant organ damage may have already occurred, particularly in the brain. This delayed response explains why severe encephalitis is common even in people without underlying health conditions.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) in breast cancer screening can reduce the number of cancers diagnosed in late stages by 12 percent, according to a major new study from Sweden.

The study found that fewer women in the AI group were diagnosed with breast cancer in the years after screening. There were 1.55 cancers per 1,000 women in the AI-supported group, compared with 1.76 per 1,000 in the standard screening group.

According to lead author Dr Kristina Lang of Lund University in Sweden, this indicates better early identification of clinically relevant cancers. She said of the results: “Our findings show that AI-supported screening improves the early detection of breast cancers that are more likely to become aggressive or advanced.

“This results in fewer serious cancers being diagnosed in the interval between screenings.”

She added that wider adoption of AI-supported mammography could ease workforce pressures on radiologists while improving early detection, including of aggressive cancer subtypes.

What Did The Study Find?

The study, published in The Lancet, involved around 100,000 women who took part in routine mammography screening between April 2021 and December 2022, making it the first large randomised trial to assess how AI performs in real-world breast cancer screening.

Women were randomly divided into two groups. One group received standard screening, where mammograms were read by two radiologists and the other group had AI-supported screening, where an AI system assessed the scans first.

Low-risk cases were read by one radiologist, while higher-risk cases were checked by two, with the AI also flagging suspicious areas.

The results showed that 81 percent of cancers in the AI-supported group were detected during screening, compared with 74 percent in the standard screening group—a nine percent increase. Importantly, false-positive rates remained similar, at 1.5 percent in the AI group and 1.4 percent in the control group.

Despite positive results, Dr Lang cautioned that introducing AI into healthcare must be done carefully, using validated tools and continuous monitoring to understand how performance may vary across regions and over time.

READ MORE: This 2 Hour Activity Can Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk, Study Shows

Breast Cancer: A Rising Crisis

About 1.9 lakh Indian women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, meaning that a new case is diagnosed every four minutes. On average, a woman in India dies of breast cancer every eight minutes, highlighting how urgently the country needs stronger awareness, early diagnosis and sustained care.

One factor that sets India apart is the age at which women are affected. Almost half of all breast cancer patients in the country are younger than 45. This is a much higher proportion than seen in many Western nations, where the disease is usually detected later in life.

Moreover, sedentary habits, excessive consumption of processed foods as well as alcohol and smoking promotes obesity and hormonal changes which pave the way for breast cancer development.

During today's Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced multiple initiatives and a staggering ₹1,62,671 crore to increase agricultural production in the country

Sitharaman, who was presenting her ninth consecutive budget, said the government will support the growth of high-value crops such as coconut, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in coastal regions, agarwood in the North East and nuts,s including walnuts, almonds and pine nuts.

Dedicated programmes will focus on rejuvenating old orchards, expanding high-density cultivation and promoting value addition by engaging rural youth, while new coconut promotion schemes aimed at boosting productivity will be launched.

She noted: "India is the world’s largest producer of coconuts. About 30 million people, including nearly 10 million farmers, depend on coconuts for their livelihood. To further enhance competitiveness in coconut production, I propose a Coconut Promotion Scheme to increase production and enhance productivity through various interventions 16 including replacing old and non-productive trees with new saplings/plants/varieties in major coconut growing states.”

And health experts across the country say that an increase in consumption of these food items can significantly help improve your health.

Dr Sunil Kutty, Director and Consultant Brain and Spine Surgeon, NewEra Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, exclusively told Healthandme: "The Union Budget emphasises improving national nutrition and food security, recognising that better diets are foundational to health and well‑being.

"By strengthening food systems, supporting high‑value crops and enhancing access to nutrient‑rich foods, the government aims to reduce malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and diet‑linked diseases like Type-2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Integrating nutrition‑focused initiatives with healthcare can lower the overall burden of non‑communicable conditions and improve immunity, especially among children, women and vulnerable groups.

"These measures also support rural livelihoods, increasing access to affordable, healthy food across socio‑economic groups, contributing to long‑term health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs."

Coconut: Prevents Cell Damage And Packed With Essential Minerals

When eaten in moderation, coconuts offer healthy fats (MCTs), fibre, manganese, copper, iron, potassium as well as ample of antioxidants. Potassium helps balance sodium levels in the body and potentially lowers blood pressure, while the fruit's high fibre content supports bowel health and prevents constipation.

Coconuts are also especially high in manganese, which is essential for bone health and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and cholesterol. Along with this, they’re also rich in copper and iron, which help form red blood cells, as well as selenium, an important antioxidant that protects your cells and reduces cell damage which can prevent future cancer development.

A 2020 case study found that supplementing with coconut oil helped lower blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes, a condition characterized by unstable blood sugar levels. The researchers suggest that these effects may be due to the coconut’s anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant content.

A 2024 animal study also found that consuming coconut water after eating could help manage blood sugar levels. This could be due to bioactive compounds like ellagic acid, butin, and quercetin, among others.

Sandalwood: Skin Benefits and Anxiety Reduction

Sandalwood offers benefits for skin health (acne, ageing, brightening), mental well-being, aid sleep, and possesses anti-inflammatory, antiseptic as well as antibacterial properties, making it useful for skin irritations, respiratory issues, and even potentially lowering blood pressure.

A 2017 Sigma study suggests that lavender, sandalwood, and orange-peppermint aromatherapy helped reduce self-reported feelings in anxiety of 87 women undergoing a breast biopsy.

In a 2016 pilot study published in NPC of 32 people in Vienna, Austria, participants inhaled lavender and sandalwood oil. The study found that the participants’ blood pressure levels were lower and that the cortisol levels in their saliva were lower after the aromatherapy.

Cocoa: Boosts Heart Health

While cocoa is most famous for its role in chocolate production, it is also packed with polyphenols and reduces high blood pressure by improving nitric oxide levels.

Researchers have previously linked polyphenols to numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure and better heart health. It also contains flavanols, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

The flavanols in cocoa also improve nitric oxide levels in the blood, which can enhance the function of the blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.

Nuts: Improve Overall Health

Over time, this can improve artery health, lower bad LDL cholesterol, and reduced risk of blood clots, with varieties like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios providing unique nutrients like omega-3s, antioxidants and selenium.

Lastly, Pattabhi Rama Rao, Managing Director, Gourmet Popcornica also noted to Healthandme: "These measures, combined with stronger market linkages and local enterprise development, can make wholesome foods more affordable and accessible, directly supporting better nutrition and overall public health outcomes across the country. Not just this, farmers being able to access equitable income will enable them to access high-quality, nutritious food.

"By prioritising high-value and nutritious crops like coconut, cashew, cocoa, and walnuts, the government is not just enhancing farmers’ incomes but also ensuring that healthier, nutrient-rich foods are more widely available to the public.

"Diversifying production through fisheries, livestock, and region-specific crops, like maize in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will improve access to proteins, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients, which are vital for balanced diets.