Health & Education Archives - Page 7 of 13

Global cancer cases double since 1990, study warns of rising deaths

January 7, 2026 by Newsdesk

A new medical study reveals a dramatic increase in cancer cases worldwide, with the number of cases doubling between 1990 and 2023. In 2023 alone, approximately 18.5 million new cancer cases were reported globally, with the disease spreading most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.

Published in The Lancet, the research highlights that nearly 50% of cancer-related deaths are preventable through lifestyle changes and early interventions.

Rising Death Toll and Risk Factors

Between 1990 and 2023, cancer-related deaths rose by 74%, reaching 10.4 million. The study identified over 44 key risk factors contributing to more than 40% of these deaths, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and high blood sugar levels. Experts note that prevention through tobacco cessation, nutritious diets, and blood sugar control can significantly reduce mortality.

Researchers warn that if no action is taken, cancer cases could increase by 61% by 2050, exceeding 30 million annually, with deaths potentially rising 75% to 18.6 million.

Call for Global Action

The study emphasizes the urgent need for governments and policymakers to implement robust strategies to prevent cancer, promote early detection, and provide effective treatments worldwide. Despite advances in medical science, the burden of cancer continues to grow, particularly in developing regions.

The analysis covered data from 204 countries and examined 47 types of cancer. In 2023, breast cancer was the most common type, while lung-related cancers accounted for the highest number of deaths. Tobacco use alone was responsible for 21% of global cancer deaths, with men experiencing a higher mortality rate than women.

Medicinal cannabis linked to changes in sleep quality and brain activity

December 18, 2025 by Newsdesk

Medicinal cannabis is commonly used to relieve pain and improve sleep, yet its effects on chronic pain and sleep patterns have mostly been studied separately. New research from the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth seeks to bridge this gap.

The study, titled “Interactions Between Cannabis Use and Chronic Pain on Sleep Architecture: Findings from In-Home EEG Recordings,” was recently published in Neurotherapeutics.

Researchers collected 339 nights of in-home electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep recordings from 60 adults, with 32% reporting chronic pain and 47% reporting cannabis use. Each participant was monitored for seven consecutive nights, measuring total sleep time, sleep onset latency, slow-wave sleep (SWS), rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, and the number of sleep disruptions.

Findings suggest that cannabis use in individuals with chronic pain may promote SWS, a deep, restorative sleep essential for physical recovery and immune function, potentially providing indirect pain relief. However, the increase in SWS comes at the expense of REM sleep, which is critical for emotional regulation and memory consolidation.

The study also found that while initial cannabis use may enhance SWS, the benefits decrease with prolonged use.

“For the first time in an in-home setting, we observed how cannabis use and chronic pain interact to influence the brain’s sleep stages. The results are complex, highlighting the need for personalized approaches to sleep and pain management,” said Francesca Filbey, PhD, director of the Neuroimaging of Reward Dynamics Lab.

Lead author Tracy Brown, a PhD student in cognition and neuroscience at UT Dallas, added, “Although users often report subjective improvements in sleep, our study objectively measured changes in a sleep stage important for pain regulation.

The potential benefits of increased SWS come with reduced REM sleep, which may affect other aspects of quality of life. This nuanced understanding can help clinicians and patients make more informed decisions about medicinal cannabis use.”

Ex-tennis star Sania Mirza opens up about battling depression

December 16, 2025 by Newsdesk

Mumbai: Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has revealed that she struggled with depression at the height of her career due to personal life challenges.

Mirza shared her experiences in a recent interview, praising cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues for openly discussing her anxiety during the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final. Mirza said such candid conversations are vital to raising awareness about mental health issues.

“I realized the importance of mental health much later in life because I lacked awareness,” Mirza said. She added that over the past 8–10 years, society has begun to give mental health the attention it deserves, breaking previous misconceptions and stigma.

Mirza emphasized the responsibility of public figures to speak on topics often left unaddressed. “I am glad I spoke up. People like us, whose voices are more heard, have a duty to shed light on these issues,” she said.

Reflecting on her personal struggles, Mirza revealed, “There was a time when I was dealing with depression. Outside the tennis court, I faced numerous personal challenges, even at the peak of my career. Back then, I could not speak about it, but I am glad Jemimah has spoken openly.”

She noted that showing vulnerability while the world’s eyes are on you takes courage, especially during peak professional moments, and expressed empathy for Rodrigues.

Mirza hopes that Jemimah’s courage will encourage other athletes to understand that seeking help for mental health is not a weakness or a source of shame.

Hospitals overwhelmed as ‘Super Flu’ cases rise globally

December 13, 2025 by Newsdesk

LONDON/ ISLAMABD: A wave of super flu has led to a worrying increase in hospital admissions across various regions worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a new strain of influenza, A(H3N2) sub-group ‘subclade K’, has caused a rapid rise in flu cases in the UK and several European countries.

The UK Department of Health reported that hospitals are admitting an average of over 2,600 patients daily, marking a 50% increase compared to last week.

UK Health Minister described the situation as the greatest pressure on hospitals since COVID-19, while WHO noted that the new strain is not more dangerous, though its spread began earlier than usual.

Children and the elderly are among the most affected, prompting some schools to temporarily close or reduce operational hours to curb transmission.

Austria passes law banning hijab for girls under 14 in schools

December 12, 2025 by Newsdesk

Austria’s parliament has approved a new law banning girls under the age of 14 from wearing the hijab in schools. According to international media reports, the Green Party voted against the motion, calling it unconstitutional.

Under the new legislation, violations could result in fines of up to €800.

Human rights groups and experts have criticised the decision, describing it as discriminatory and warning that such measures could deepen social divisions.

The Austrian government had introduced the proposal earlier this year, claiming the ban aims to “protect young girls from oppression.”

This is not the first such restriction in the country — in 2019, Austria had already banned headscarves for girls under 10 in schools.

8 in 10 citizens without safe drinking water, says ADB

December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns that nearly 80% of Pakistanis lack access to safe drinking water, according to its latest Water Development Outlook report.

The report highlights that Pakistan will need between $3.5 billion and $4.2 billion over the next decade to improve water governance.

Due to population growth, per capita water availability has decreased by 2,400 cubic meters, dropping from 3,500 cubic meters in 1972 to 1,100 cubic meters per person by 2030. The lack of safe drinking water is contributing to the rapid spread of diseases.

ADB further notes that excessive water use in agriculture is causing depletion and pollution, while challenges in water flow and infrastructure put Pakistan’s river systems at risk.

Rural water supply remains inefficient, and monitoring mechanisms are weak. Policies for water availability and safe water provision are not aligned with demand, affecting agriculture, industry, and the energy sector.

Urban areas face a nearly 10% annual increase in water demand, compounded by untreated water and urban flooding, threatening public health and essential services.

The report also points to aging urban water infrastructure, minimal private investment, and environmental risks from population growth and urban sprawl.

While Pakistan has made progress in developing a water governance framework, funding for an improved water system remains insufficient. Urban water losses are high, tariff recovery is low, and billing systems are inadequate.

The ADB emphasizes that large infrastructure projects, institutional partnerships, technical capacity building, and financial planning are crucial to enhancing water security.

According to current exchange rates, Pakistan would need to invest approximately PKR 12 trillion to upgrade its water systems.

Despite these challenges, the report notes improvements in Pakistan’s water security score over the past 13 years, highlighting gradual progress in water infrastructure development.

UK grants visas to thousands despite failing English test

December 9, 2025 by Newsdesk

LONDON: It has emerged that thousands of immigrants were granted UK visas despite failing their English language test.

According to a British newspaper, around 80,000 candidates received incorrect results in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam.

The report highlights that evidence of malpractice was found in countries including China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, with some candidates passing the exam after purchasing leaked test papers.

In response, the UK Conservative Party has called for the deportation of individuals who obtained visas through fraudulent scores.

The government, however, stated that investigations are ongoing and that stricter measures will be implemented in the future to prevent such incidents.

Pakistan allows UN containers to cross via Torkham and Chaman

December 4, 2025 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has granted permission to United Nations aid agencies to deliver food supplies to Afghanistan.

According to international media reports, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a letter to the Director General of Afghan Transit Trade and the Member Customs Operations at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), stating that the decision was made based on recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNFPA containers have been instructed to receive phased clearance.

The letter specified that food cargo will be prioritized in the first phase, followed by medicines and medical equipment in the second. In the third phase, containers carrying kits for students and teachers will also be cleared.

The move comes after a 50-day suspension of trade routes with Afghanistan, which has led to severe shortages of food supplies and medicines in the neighboring country.

It is noteworthy that all trade crossings with Afghanistan have remained closed since October 12, 2025, due to heightened border tensions.

Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been partially opened on humanitarian grounds for UN aid. The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan has no issues with the Afghan people, but trade and other border crossings remain closed.

Mufti Muneeb Ur Rehman hospitalized after dengue diagnosis

December 3, 2025 by Newsdesk

KARACHI: Mufti Muneeb Ur Rehman, a prominent Islamic scholar and ex-chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, is currently receiving treatment after being diagnosed with dengue fever.

According to details, Mufti Muneeb is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Karachi.

Mufti Abdul Razzaq Naqshbandi stated that Mufti Muneeb’s condition has improved to some extent, and he has even been offering prayers while in the hospital.

He added that doctors have advised Mufti Muneeb to take complete rest, and it is expected that he may be allowed to return home soon, subject to medical clearance.

The family has appealed for prayers for Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman’s speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, The Directorate of Press Information, Sindh Information Department, has released the latest daily report on the dengue situation, as issued by the Director General Health Sindh.

According to the report:

31 new dengue patients were admitted to government hospitals across Sindh.

27 additional cases were reported from private hospitals.

The total number of hospitalized dengue patients in the province has reached 55.

Government hospitals in the Karachi division admitted 19 new patients.

In Hyderabad, 7 new dengue patients were admitted to government hospitals.

26 patients were discharged from government hospitals after recovery.

12 patients recovered and were discharged from private hospitals.

No dengue-related fatalities have been reported anywhere in Sindh.

The report further states:

A total of 3,039 dengue tests were conducted in government and private laboratories.

Of these, 260 individuals tested positive for dengue.

Karachi laboratories reported the highest number of positive cases at 190.

Hyderabad laboratories confirmed 70 positive cases.

The Directorate General of Health Sindh continues to monitor the situation closely.