In many parts of rural India, women are facing a grim choice: keep their uterus and lose wages every month due to painful, heavy periods—or undergo a hysterectomy, a permanent surgery to remove the uterus, sometimes even in their early 30s. This quiet but serious epidemic has been unfolding for years.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), nearly 10% of Indian women aged 40–49 years had already undergone a hysterectomy. In states like Andhra Pradesh (22.5%), Telangana (21.2%), Bihar (17.2%) and Gujarat (11.7%), the numbers were far higher. More worrying is the median age, just 34 in rural India, more than a decade before natural menopause.

The Link Between Periods, Wages, and Surgery

For many rural women, particularly agricultural workers, menstruation is not just a health event but an economic setback. Migrant sugarcane workers in Maharashtra’s Beed district provide a stark example: here, hysterectomy prevalence was found to be as high as 56% in 2024, with women opting for the surgery at an average age of 35.

The reason is brutally pragmatic. Agricultural contractors often penalize women who take time off for menstruation. Period pain, excessive bleeding, and taboos around hygiene in the fields make working conditions even harder. In such an environment, hysterectomy is sold as a “permanent solution”, a way to eliminate menstrual problems and keep working without interruption.

A recent study published in Social Science & Medicine also notes that this pattern is echoed in Telangana and Bihar, where women agricultural workers also show higher hysterectomy prevalence. Studies reveal that many women are advised surgery by private doctors even for common issues like abdominal pain or white discharge, often without being informed of alternatives.

The Price of Early Hysterectomy

While hysterectomy can be medically necessary in certain cases, such as large fibroids, severe prolapse, or cancer, it is far from harmless when performed at a young age. The removal of the uterus, especially when combined with ovary removal, induces early menopause, triggering a cascade of health risks.

Research has linked early hysterectomy to:

• Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders
• Bone density loss, raising fracture risk
• Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary tract issues
• Thyroid and urinary tract cancers
• Mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety

In essence, what appears to be a short-term fix to save wages ends up cutting into a woman’s long-term working life and overall quality of life.

A System That Encourages Surgery

Part of the problem lies in India’s healthcare structure. As per NFHS-5, about 70% of hysterectomies were carried out in private clinics. Research in Andhra Pradesh found that women as young as 20 were recommended hysterectomy for routine gynecological complaints, reflecting both a profit motive and lack of awareness.

Insurance schemes also play a role. Data shows that women with health insurance were more likely to undergo hysterectomy. Reports suggest that some private hospitals encourage the surgery because insurance covers it, making it financially attractive for providers.

The National Health Authority has flagged suspiciously high hysterectomy claims under Ayushman Bharat, which at one point accounted for nearly 2% of all female claims. In response, stricter pre-authorization rules were introduced, including mandatory second opinions for women under 40.

Why Women Agree: Pragmatic Agency, Not Just Victimhood

While it is easy to frame rural women as victims of predatory healthcare, research tells a more nuanced story. A 2015 study in Social Science & Medicine highlighted how women often exercised “pragmatic agency.” They weighed their options, continued monthly suffering, missed wages, social stigma of menstrual restrictions, against the perceived relief of hysterectomy. With limited non-surgical options offered by doctors and little awareness of long-term side effects, many saw it as their best way forward.

In interviews, women described themselves not just as patients but as workers and caretakers. Their health decisions were shaped less by medical advice and more by economic necessity, gendered expectations, and the absence of supportive healthcare alternatives.

You wake up with a scratchy throat, runny nose, and persistent cough, but your at-home COVID-19 test reads negative. How is this possible? The short answer is yes—you can still be infected. Many other viruses like influenza are currently circulating at high levels across the US, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish COVID-19 from other infections based on symptoms alone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that a negative test does not guarantee absence of infection. Viral loads may be too low to detect initially, and testing timing, sample collection, and test sensitivity all play critical roles. For individuals showing symptoms, the CDC recommends considering additional tests, such as PCR tests, which are more sensitive than rapid antigen tests.

Yes, you can test negative for COVID-19 and still be infected. This usually happens if the viral load is too low to detect at the time of testing, if the sample was collected improperly, or if the test used (like a rapid antigen test) is less sensitive than PCR. Early infection, prior immunity, or variations in viral shedding can all lead to negative test results despite being contagious. Repeating the test after a day or two, or using a PCR test, increases detection accuracy.

Can COVID Tests Can Fail Early On?

Lateral flow tests (LFTs), widely used for rapid detection, are most accurate when viral concentrations are high. In the early stages of infection or in individuals with prior immunity from vaccines or past infections, viral loads may be low, resulting in negative tests despite active infection. Immune systems respond faster in previously exposed individuals, producing symptoms before the virus reaches detectable levels.

Virologist explain that SARS-CoV-2 exhibits diverse behavior in the human body. Some individuals experience peak viral loads thousands of times higher than others, while some clear the virus within days. This variation explains why symptoms alone do not correlate perfectly with infectiousness.

What is The Role of PCR Testing and Medical Guidance?

PCR tests conducted in clinical settings are more sensitive than at-home antigen tests and may detect infections earlier. Healthcare providers can also help differentiate COVID-19 from other viral illnesses, allowing for timely treatment and guidance. Early detection remains essential, especially for high-risk populations or individuals with underlying conditions.

What Leads To A Negative Result?

A negative test result can stem from several factors:

• Early testing before sufficient viral replication occurs
• Incorrect sample collection or swabbing technique
• Low viral loads due to partial immunity from vaccines or previous infections
• Infection with another virus that mimics COVID-19 symptoms

It is also possible to be co-infected with multiple viruses simultaneously, further complicating interpretation. Experts recommend repeating tests a day or two after initial negative results if symptoms persist, rather than assuming one negative result is conclusive.

What Is The Isolation Period?

With variable viral shedding patterns, determining when someone is contagious is not straightforward. The CDC’s updated Respiratory Virus Guidance advises individuals to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms improve and fever resolves without medication. Continued precautions, such as masking, improved ventilation, and distancing for five additional days, are recommended to minimize transmission risk.

Serial testing—taking multiple tests over several days—can offer a more reliable picture of viral activity. A series of negative results after prior positives may indicate reduced infectiousness, though the timing and type of test are key considerations.

Advice for the Summer Covid-19 Surge

If symptoms appear but rapid tests are negative, consider PCR testing for confirmation.

Monitor symptoms closely, and seek medical evaluation to rule out other viral infections.

Follow CDC guidance for isolation and post-recovery precautions to protect others.

Be aware of local virus circulation trends, as multiple respiratory viruses may be active simultaneously.

COVID-19 testing, while essential, has limitations. Negative results, especially early in infection or amid widespread viral circulation, do not rule out the disease. Awareness of overlapping respiratory viruses, timing of tests, immune history, and viral load variability is critical for interpreting results accurately. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate alongside influenza, RSV, and norovirus, individuals should exercise caution, use sensitive testing methods when appropriate, and adhere to updated isolation and prevention guidelines.

Age is a universal truth—every second that passes, we move closer to our later years. But growing older and ageing aren’t exactly the same. Ageing refers not merely to the passage of time but to how our bodies and minds cope with it. Intriguingly, some people maintain vitality and health well into their 80s or 90s, while others experience frailty, cognitive decline, or chronic illnesses far earlier.

A recent study led by an international team at the University of Colorado Boulder sheds light on why this happens. Published in Nature Genetics, the research identifies six distinct biological pathways that accelerate ageing, revealing how genetics and lifestyle combine to influence our longevity and overall health.

What Accelerates Unhealthy Ageing In Human Beings?

Frailty, defined as multisystem physiological decline, is a hallmark of unhealthy ageing. In the United States, more than 40% of adults over 65 are considered frail, showing symptoms like slower walking speed, weaker grip, and a higher number of diagnosed illnesses. But frailty isn’t uniform. Two people with identical frailty scores could be struggling with entirely different issues—one might face mobility limitations, while the other battles cognitive decline.

Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, a frailty expert at Dalhousie University in Canada and co-author of the study, emphasizes that ageing is not a single process. “Aging is not just one thing. There are many ways to be frail. The question then becomes: What genes are involved?”

To tackle this question, researchers examined DNA and health data from hundreds of thousands of participants in the UK Biobank, mapping 408 genes linked to 30 frailty symptoms. This was a dramatic increase from the 37 genes previously associated with accelerated ageing, revealing a much broader genetic landscape than previously understood.

What Are The Six Triggers That Can Make You Age Faster?

The study highlights six distinct pathways that contribute to unhealthy ageing, each with its own underlying biology:

Disability-Linked Ageing: Genes affecting mobility, coordination, and physical strength. Individuals in this group often experience reduced walking speed, poor balance, and difficulty performing daily tasks.

Cognitive Decline: Genes influencing brain function, memory, and learning. Those affected are more likely to develop dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms of cognitive impairment.

Metabolic Dysfunction: Genes involved in metabolism and energy regulation. This pathway can result in obesity, insulin resistance, or diabetes, accelerating age-related deterioration.

Multiple Disease Burden: A combination of genetic predispositions that increase susceptibility to several chronic conditions simultaneously, including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and cancer.

Unhealthy Lifestyle: Environmental and behavioral factors such as poor diet, smoking, sedentary habits, and insufficient sleep, which interact with genetic susceptibility to exacerbate ageing.

Limited Social Support: Genes and psychosocial factors that influence mental health, stress response, and social engagement. Lack of social networks can compound physical and cognitive decline.

Why Do Some People Get Better With Age?

Senior author Andrew Grotzinger, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder, highlights that while the study focuses on genetic underpinnings, lifestyle factors cannot be ignored. “This paper not only identifies sub-facets of disordered aging but also demonstrates that there is very different biology underlying them,” he explains.

For example, someone with genetic vulnerabilities in metabolism may mitigate accelerated ageing by maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise, while social isolation may amplify cognitive and physical decline in another individual. Understanding the intersection of genes and lifestyle is critical for designing personalized interventions.

This study represents the largest genetic exploration of frailty to date, providing a roadmap for future interventions aimed at slowing or reversing unhealthy ageing. By identifying the distinct subtypes, researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that address the root biological causes rather than just the symptoms of frailty.

Potential interventions could include cognitive training programs for those genetically predisposed to mental decline, metabolic regulation therapies, or community-based programs to improve social engagement and psychological resilience.

Moreover, the findings could inform public health strategies, helping clinicians identify at-risk populations earlier and provide tailored guidance on diet, exercise, and social habits.

While ageing is inevitable, unhealthy ageing is not. The insights from this study could revolutionize how we approach longevity, offering the possibility of personalized ageing plans based on genetic profiling and lifestyle interventions.

As Dr. Isabelle Foote, co-author and postdoctoral researcher at CU’s Institute for Behavioral Genetics, notes, “To be able to identify treatments to stop or reverse accelerated biological aging, you need to know what the underlying biology is. This is the largest study yet to use genetics to try to do that.”

By recognizing the six distinct triggers of accelerated ageing, scientists are laying the foundation for therapies that could help millions of people maintain health, mobility, and cognitive function well into their later years.

The search for stronger, longer-lasting teeth has been a cornerstone of dentistry. From the widespread use of fluoride to modern resin fillings, the field has steadily advanced but has never managed to replicate the extraordinary natural material that coats our teeth: enamel. Once it erodes, it’s gone forever—or at least, that’s what we’ve always believed.

Now, researchers from King’s College London are challenging this assumption with an unusual but promising source: keratin, the protein that makes up human hair and animal wool. Their findings suggest that something as simple as a haircut could one day contribute to regenerating tooth enamel and transforming oral care.

Why Tooth Enamel Is Irreplaceable?

Tooth enamel may look simple—a hard, shiny coating that gives teeth their strength and luster—but it is one of the most remarkable substances in the human body. Harder than bone, enamel is designed to withstand decades of grinding, chewing, and exposure to temperature extremes.

Unlike bone, however, enamel is non-living. It lacks the cells and blood supply necessary to heal itself. That’s why a small cavity or a patch of erosion, if left untreated, can become a permanent problem. Once enamel wears away, it exposes dentin, a softer layer that appears yellow and is far more vulnerable to decay.

The impact of enamel erosion is staggering. Dental decay weakens a tooth’s strength by up to 95 percent, leaving it prone to fractures, sensitivity, and eventually loss. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2019, untreated cavities affect an estimated two billion people worldwide, making dental decay the most common disease on the planet.

What Are The Limitations of Current Dental Treatments?

Modern dentistry has developed tools to slow or mask the damage caused by enamel loss, but not to restore it. Fluoride can strengthen remaining enamel and delay erosion, but it cannot rebuild what has already vanished. Resin-based fillings, while effective in patching cavities, are no match for the natural durability and resilience of enamel. Worse still, resins can contain toxic compounds and lack the long-term strength of natural tooth material.

The result is a cycle of temporary fixes. Cavities are filled, fillings fail, larger restorations follow, and eventually, teeth are lost. As populations age and diets grow increasingly sugar-heavy, the financial and health burden of this cycle is enormous. The challenge has been clear: how can dentistry move beyond patchwork solutions to true biological regeneration?

How Does A Hair Protein Improve Your Teeth?

The answer may lie in keratin, the fibrous protein best known for forming hair, nails, and wool. In their study, researchers at King’s College London extracted keratin from sheep wool and introduced it into a solution designed to mimic human saliva. To their surprise, the keratin didn’t simply dissolve or degrade—it began pulling minerals from the artificial saliva and assembling them into structures that closely resembled natural tooth enamel.

The regenerated material didn’t just look like enamel under a microscope; it behaved like enamel, too. It demonstrated the same stiffness, resistance to wear, and pearly shine that makes natural teeth so resilient.

What’s more, the team discovered that mixing different types of keratin produced superior results. By layering proteins in a hierarchical structure—similar to Russian nesting dolls—they achieved enamel-like material with remarkable strength, durability, and resistance to various forms of degradation.

Attempts to regrow enamel are not new. Previous efforts have focused on peptides, stem cells, and synthetic biomaterials. Yet these approaches have often stumbled over practical barriers, from poor bioavailability to the inability to repair deep cavities.

Keratin may offer a way around these roadblocks. It is abundant, renewable, and can be sourced from waste materials like wool or hair, aligning with a circular economy model. Unlike synthetic resins, keratin-based materials are biocompatible and less likely to trigger toxicity or rejection.

As Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, the study’s senior author, put it: “We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body’s own materials.”

While the concept might sound futuristic, researchers believe keratin-based enamel boosters could be available within two to three years. Potential applications range from everyday products like toothpaste to more targeted dental gels applied by clinicians.

Imagine visiting your dentist not for a drill-and-fill appointment but for a keratin “varnish” that coats your teeth, hardening over time into new enamel. Or brushing daily with a toothpaste that rebuilds microscopic enamel loss before it develops into a cavity.

If successful, these products could revolutionize dental care by shifting the focus from repair to regeneration.

The implications stretch far beyond whiter smiles. Dental decay is a leading cause of pain, disability, and lost productivity worldwide, especially in low-resource settings where access to dental care is limited. A safe, affordable way to restore enamel could dramatically reduce the burden of oral disease across populations.

The study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, is still in early stages. Researchers must test keratin-based enamel in real-world conditions, ensuring it can withstand the stresses of chewing, exposure to bacteria, and years of daily use. Clinical trials will be critical before any commercial rollout.

Still, the concept is generating excitement as co-author Elsharkawy noted, “With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut.”