As the world struggles with yet another spike in COVID-19 cases—this time fueled by the rapidly spreading JN.1 Omicron subvariant—pregnant women are left with new questions and fears. While JN.1, to date, has had an overwhelmingly mild sickness in the general population, pregnancy profoundly changes immune mechanisms that can amplify even low-grade infection.

Since its initial detection, the JN.1 variant has been listed by the World Health Organization as a Variant of Interest, upgraded later to Variant of Concern, a classification that is reserved for strains that are found to have higher transmissibility or immune-evading capability. In India alone, recent figures cite 257 active JN.1 cases, while simultaneous upticks are registered worldwide. Together with its close cousins LF.7 and NB.1.8, JN.1's increased transmissibility has elicited fresh public-health debates, policy reappraisals, and reinforcement of essential prevention measures.

"As a doctor and infectious disease expert, I think it's important to keep fear out of it and stick to facts," says Dr. Charu Dutt Arora. "We do know that JN.1 transmits faster, but present evidence indicates comparable clinical severity to previous Omicron subvariants—particularly in vaccinated groups."

Why Covid Surge Affects Pregnancy?

Pregnancy provokes intricate immunological adaptations, cooling specific immune defenses to accept the fetus. Although generally protective, this adaptation renders pregnant women more susceptible to respiratory viruses. Even mild fever or transient episode of low oxygen levels—symptoms readily dismissed by many—can during pregnancy raise the risk for preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, or increased maternal stress that can complicate the delivery.

"Pregnancy will naturally alter the immune system, placing pregnant women at heightened risk of respiratory illness," says Dr. Arora. "While JN.1 seems to produce less severe illness in the majority, pregnant women should be cautious: a mild cold in non-pregnant adults can have disproportionate impacts on maternal and fetal health."

Vaccination

Reassuringly, COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots maintain strong protection against severe illness—even in the presence of new subvariants. Several global large-scale studies demonstrate that pregnant individuals who receive their initial series and get boosters in the second or third trimester have much lower ICU admission, ventilator use, and adverse birth result rates.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) highly recommend vaccination at any time during pregnancy. Increasing evidence also indicates that maternal antibodies are passed on to the baby, providing newborns with some measure of early protection.

Layered Precautions

Vaccination, though essential, is only one of the planks of an overall risk-reduction strategy. Experts recommend a "Swiss cheese" method—several overlapping defenses to cover holes:

Masking in Public: Use a close-fitting surgical or N95/KF94 mask, particularly in crowded, poorly ventilated areas.

Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap or alcohol-based rubs lowers the likelihood of acquiring the virus from surfaces.

Ventilation: Leave windows open when it is safe to do so and use portable HEPA filters in heavily trafficked rooms.

Early Symptom Monitoring: Get tested and seek medical care immediately if you develop fever, new cough, shortness of breath, or other respiratory symptoms.

"Avoid poorly ventilated public areas, keep wearing masks in groups, practice hand hygiene, and watch for early symptoms," advises Dr. Arora. "An unexplained fever or a persistent cough during pregnancy should never be dismissed."

Why its Important to Nurture Mental Well-Being of Expecting Moms?

The psychological impact of pregnancy during a pandemic cannot be overstated. Uncertainty regarding new variants, changing guidelines, and worry about the unborn baby can cause anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings. Dr. Arora underscores that mental health is as important as physical health:

"Just as vital is mental health. Uncertainty over new variants can raise anxiety and mood swings. Support from families, obstetricians, and mental health providers is the key to a safe and tranquil pregnancy experience."

Interventions like guided meditation, gentle prenatal yoga, and online support groups can offer coping skills as well as social connection when physical contact is restricted.

Expert Tips for Expecting Moms

To build resistance against disease, Dr. Kushal Agrawal emphasizes the building blocks of prenatal care:

"Eat healthy daily—green leafy vegetables, fruits, pulses, dairy or plant proteins. Drink plenty of water and stick to your prescribed iron, calcium, and folic acid supplements. Light exercise, such as short walks, improves circulation and can relieve stress."

Rest and sleep hygiene are also crucial. Dr. Agrawal tells pregnant women to tune into their bodies:

“If you feel low or anxious, talk to your partner or a trusted friend. Emotional support is very important during pregnancy.”

Maintaining Essential Routine Visits

Routine prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, and recommended immunizations (such as the flu and Tdap vaccines) form the backbone of safe pregnancy management. Telehealth consultations can supplement in-person care when infection risk is high, but crucial milestones—like anatomy scans and glucose screenings—should not be deferred.

As the U.S. continues to strengthen mask policy and booster drives for vulnerable populations, other nations are reassessing travel recommendations and in-workplace protection for pregnant workers. India's recent JN.1 wave has seen state government health officials issue specific advice for pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics, including special "mask-only" visiting hours and rapid-test entry screening.

Global organizations such as WHO and FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) promote cross-border data exchange regarding variant trends and pregnancy outcomes to optimize recommendations in real time.

The appearance of JN.1 is not a cry for panic but an invitation to remain vigilant. Knowledge, vaccination, layered prevention, and emotional support create a strong shield—protecting not only maternal health but also the future generation.

"JN.1 variant is not a cause for alarm—but a call to remain educated and ready," finishes Dr. Arora. "By safeguarding maternal health, we safeguard the future. Let us proceed to this new chapter with science, empathy, and solidarity."

Dr. Charu Dutt Arora, Infectious Disease Specialist and Head of AmeriHealth Home Care at Asian Hospital

Dr. Kushal Agrawal, Head of Neonatology and Pediatrics at KVR Hospital.

We have all had days when things are difficult to remember, you may forget something you did yesterday, or misplaced an important object etc. While these may be normal occurrences that do not have a big reason behind it, imagine this on a much larger scale. Knowing you will forget things, memories and in the end, find yourself facing the difficult diagnosis of cognitive decline.

Alzheimer's disease, which is a neurodegenerative disease that affects a person's ability to think and depletes their cognitive functions. As you may be aware, Alzheimer's does not have a cure. However, there are medications available that can help reduce the symptoms of it. Researchers have looked into many different aspects of dementia, foods that affect the brain, activities as well as other important factors, to improve the knowledge we have of the disease and its treatment. Some have found great results that could help people identify the disease earlier, helping them get treatment and options to maintain their quality of life.

New research suggests that the first hints of Alzheimer's disease might show up many years before someone even realizes they're losing their memory. This big discovery could completely change how we fight this disease, which is now the UK's top killer.

Changes in How You Sense Space

Researchers are saying that problems with spatial awareness could be the earliest signs of Alzheimer's. This means things like having trouble using a GPS, or standing too close to people without realizing it. These signs might appear up to 20 years before more common symptoms like memory loss and confusion. This Seattle based study, looked at the brains of 84 Alzheimer's patients after they died. They found surprising proof that brain cells were dying very early, even before any damage could be seen on brain scans.

Damage Inside the Brain

Using advanced computer programs, scientists tracked harmful brain proteins called tau and amyloid, which are strongly linked to Alzheimer's. They found that even small amounts of these proteins damaged important brain cells called inhibitory neurons. Experts explain that finding these first damaged neurons is "crucial for developing treatments to protect them and prevent further cognitive decline."

These sensitive brain cells seem to be attacked first in what's being called the 'stealth phase' of Alzheimer's. This early damage could start a slow breakdown of thinking abilities that eventually spreads to the parts of the brain responsible for language and memory. The sooner we find the disease, the better our chances are of slowing it down or even stopping it.

Growing Problem and What We Can Do

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia. In 2020, over 55 million people worldwide were living with dementia. This number is expected to almost double every 20 years, reaching 78 million by 2030 and a staggering 139 million by 2050.

A large part of this increase will be in developing countries. Already, 60% of people with dementia live in lower and middle-income countries, and this figure is projected to rise to 71% by 2050. The fastest growth in older populations is happening in countries like China, India, and their neighboring regions in South Asia and the Western Pacific.

Reports like the World Alzheimer Report 2015 (and its updates in 2017 and the WHO's Global Status Report in 2020) provide vital information on how common dementia is, how many new cases appear, and its costs. These reports and studies offer important recommendations for a global approach to dementia. They also look at evidence of recent trends in dementia over time and analyze its wider impact on society.

Cancer research has come a long way, although dreams of curing cancer as a whole persist. Researchers have found ways to get the disease under control, as well as how to help people become cancer free. The treatment options available for cancer patients are radiation therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, as well as surgeries to cut out or treat targeted areas. However, a groundbreaking study has helped researchers develop a new cancer treatment, that has increased the rate of survival by 40%.

Researchers from Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute in China, whose findings were published in The Lancet medical journal, stated that this method "could represent a paradigm shift" in care. These exciting results were shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) annual conference in Chicago.

This study is the first-ever randomized controlled trial to investigate CAR-T therapy for solid tumors. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard for proving whether a treatment is effective.

Major Leap for Solid Tumors

Now, a significant study presented at the world's largest cancer conference has revealed that CAR-T therapy could also fight solid tumors, which make up about 90% of all adult human cancers. The research, involving over 100 patients with advanced stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, showed that those treated with CAR-T therapy lived 40% longer on average than patients who received standard care.

CAR-T therapy is a form of immunotherapy where the treatment cells are made by the patient’s own T-cells, which are white blood cells that protect our bodies from infections. These cells are used to fight cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Experts call it the “living drug”, as the T-cells are collected from the patients blood, and modified to produce a special protein called chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs. These cells then latch onto the antigens present in the cancer cells. They also enhance the ability of T-cells to kill cancer.

Specifically, patients who got CAR-T cell therapy survived for an average of 7.9 months, compared to 5.5 months with standard care. They also had 3.3 months without their cancer getting worse, compared to 1.8 months for those on standard care.

What Does This Mean For Future Cancer Treatments?

Experts are hailing this as a "groundbreaking milestone" for using CAR-T therapies to treat solid tumors. Some found the results "exciting," calling it a crucial moment that should motivate the cancer research community to keep pushing forward.

A director of research and partnerships at a prominent cancer research organization found it "encouraging" to see early signs that CAR-T cell therapy could help patients with solid tumors. They noted that while more extensive trials are needed before it can be widely used, it could mark an important step ahead for patients who have had limited treatment options so far.

Researchers highlighted that the treatment only extended survival by about two months. They also emphasized the importance of finding ways to lower the cost of CAR-T therapy to make it widely accessible. Despite this, they expressed encouragement that this represents another potential treatment option for gastric cancer patients, whose prognosis is generally very poor, hoping it could offer "meaningful longevity."

From time and again doctors have said that no amount of alcohol is good for you. Alcohol, in fact, is a carcinogen. As per the National Human Genome Research Institute, a carcinogen is a substance, organism or agent capable of causing cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also classifies alcohol as Group 1 carcinogen, which means, there is enough evidence to conclude that it causes cancers in human. The risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consume, and the risk stats from the first drink.

As per a new study, it is also linked to pancreatic cancer. While for the longest, the scientific community had "limited" or "inconclusive" connection on it. However, a large study by the World Health Organization's (WHO) IARC looked at data from around 2 million people across 30 studies in four continents. This was done for over 16 years.

What Did The Study Find?

The study found a slight rise in pancreatic cancer risk linked to alcohol consumption, regardless of gender or smoking status. The increase was more pronounced in women consuming 15 grams or more of alcohol daily, and in men who drank 30 grams or more per day.

The study has been published in PLOS Medicine, and it found a modest yet consistent link between alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer risk.

The study found that for every 10 grams of alcohol that is consumed by a person on a daily basis, which amounts to a small glass of wine, the pancreatic cancer risk increases by 3 percent.

What Does "Modest Risk" Mean?

Among women who consumed between 15 and 30 grams of alcohol per day, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer increased by 12 percent compared to those with only light intake (0.1–5 grams/day). In men, the danger climbed more steeply—those drinking 30 to 60 grams daily faced a 15 percent higher risk, while men consuming over 60 grams saw their risk surge by a striking 36 percent.

Put simply, if your daily wind-down routine involves more than the occasional drink, it may be worth thinking twice about what that glass is really costing your health.

How Does Alcohol Pave Way For Pancreatic Cancer?

Triggers Inflammation: Long-term alcohol use can irritate and inflame the pancreas, a condition known as pancreatitis. Over time, this chronic inflammation becomes a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Damages Genetic Material: When alcohol breaks down in the body, it turns into acetaldehyde—a toxic compound that’s notoriously harsh on DNA. It can lead to mutations and interfere with your body’s natural ability to repair damaged cells.

Disrupts Glucose Balance: Alcohol interferes with glucose metabolism and insulin function. Since the pancreas plays a central role in both, this disruption puts it under considerable stress and may increase the likelihood of tumour development over time.

Drives Oxidative Stress: Drinking introduces oxidative stress—an unhealthy imbalance between damaging free radicals and protective antioxidants. This imbalance harms cell structures and creates an environment in which cancer can thrive.

Lowers Immune Defences: Consistent alcohol consumption weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to detect and eliminate abnormal or potentially cancerous cells before they multiply.

That said, the study isn’t without limitations. It measured alcohol intake only once during the study period and had limited data from Asian populations. It also didn’t explore lifetime drinking patterns or compare the impacts of occasional binge drinking with regular consumption.

While pancreatic cancer ranks twelfth in global cancer incidence, it is far deadlier than its ranking suggests—contributing to roughly 5 percent of all cancer-related deaths worldwide.