Global Diseases Research

  India’s Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay has received formal recognition from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The motion was adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 held in Abu Dhabi. This marks global endorsement of India’s marine conservation efforts. The resolution received overwhelming support from governments, NGOs, and research bodies worldwide. Tamil Nadu’s initiative is now seen as a model for dugong protection and marine ecosystem restoration. Establishment and Location The Dugong Conservation Reserve was established by the Tamil Nadu government on 21 September 2022. It covers 448.34 square kilometres in northern Palk Bay. The area includes over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows. These meadows are critical feeding grounds for dugongs (Dugong dugon), a species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The reserve is vital not only for dugongs but also for many other marine species dependent on seagrass habitats. Signif...

  The United States has witnessed a sharp increase in infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, particularly those carrying the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) gene. Between 2019 and 2023, cases surged by nearly 70 percent, raising public health concerns. This trend is part of a broader global challenge involving antimicrobial resistance. Current Situation in the United States Data from 29 states reveal 4,341 carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections in 2023. Of these, 1,831 cases involved bacteria with the NDM gene. These bacteria severely limit treatment options as they can resist carbapenems, the last line of defence antibiotics. The rise in NDM cases alone increased by 460 percent from 2019 to 2023. Many carriers remain undetected, increasing the risk of community spread. Mechanism of Drug Resistance Bacteria develop resistance by evolving mechanisms to neutralise antibiotics. Misuse of antibiotics, such as incomplete treatment courses or unnecessary prescriptions, acce...

  Traditional medicine remains vital worldwide in 2025. The World Health Organization reports that 88% of member states practise it. For billions, especially in low- and middle-income countries, it is the main health-care option due to cost and access. Beyond treatment, traditional medicine supports biodiversity, nutrition, and livelihoods. The global market is booming, expected to reach $583 billion with growth rates between 10% and 20% annually. China, Australia, and India lead major sectors, reflecting a shift towards preventive health care. Global Traditional Medicine Landscape Traditional medicine is practised in 170 out of 194 WHO member countries. Its appeal lies in affordability and cultural familiarity. The market size reflects growing trust and demand. China’s traditional Chinese medicine sector is worth $122.4 billion. Australia’s herbal medicine industry reaches $3.97 billion. India’s AYUSH sector is valued at $43.4 billion. This growth signals a move from reactive tre...

Honoring outstanding research that drives transformative solutions, shaping healthcare practices, policies, and innovations with lasting global impact against disease Nominate now and celebrate the Industry Impact Award #IndustryImpactAward #GlobalDiseasesResearch #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalImpact #HealthPolicy #GlobalHealth #DiseasePrevention #HealthResearch #InnovationAward #PublicHealth #HealthSolutions #BiomedicalResearch #HealthEquity #ResearchImpact #GlobalWellness #MedicalAdvancement #ScienceForHealth #HealthcareLeadership #TranslationalResearch #HealthImpact Event Details: Website: globaldiseases.org Nomination Link: https://globaldiseases.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee To Contact: contact@globaldiseases.org

  Recent research has revealed a universal pattern in how biodiversity arranges itself within the world’s major biogeographical regions. This discovery challenges earlier assumptions that species distribution inside each region would be unique and unrelated to others. The study analysed over 30,000 species from various taxa across the globe. It found a clear, repeating layered structure in biodiversity that transcends continents, climate zones, and organism types. Biogeographical Regions The Earth is divided into large biogeographical regions, each hosting distinct species shaped by history, climate, and geographical barriers. Traditionally, scientists believed that biodiversity patterns inside these regions were idiosyncratic. Tropical zones are known for high species richness, while polar regions have fewer species. However, the new study sought to find if a universal internal pattern exists within these regions. Methodology and Data Analysis Researchers used global databases suc...

  India has recently licensed multiple pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and commercialise its first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine. Developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its partners, the vaccine targets the malaria parasite before it enters the bloodstream. It offers a stable, affordable, and scalable solution effective for over nine months at room temperature. This breakthrough aims to reduce malaria transmission and burden in India and beyond. Development and Technology Transfer The vaccine, named AdFalciVax, is a recombinant chimeric multi-stage vaccine against *Plasmodium falciparum*. ICMR invited eligible companies for ‘Transfer of Technology’ to facilitate large-scale production and commercialisation. The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar led the technology development using *Lactococcus lactis* as the production platform. Pre-clinical validation was done in collaboration with the National Institute of Malaria Resear...

  Sarcoidosis remains a complex inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs. Recent research marks its variable course and the critical role of early diagnosis. This knowledge base page summarises key facts and insights for better understanding of sarcoidosis. What Is Sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is an immune disorder where clusters of inflammatory cells called granulomas form in organs. The lungs are most commonly affected. The exact cause is unknown but involves genetic factors, immune overactivity, and environmental triggers. Granulomas disrupt normal organ function and may lead to complications. Common Symptoms of Sarcoidosis Symptoms depend on the organs involved. Lung sarcoidosis causes cough, breathlessness, and chest discomfort. Skin symptoms include rashes and nodules. Eye involvement can lead to redness and blurred vision. Some patients show no symptoms and are diagnosed incidentally. Fatigue and weight loss are also common signs. Organ-Specific Effects Lung involvement ma...

The Excellence in One Health Research Award under the Global Disease Research Awards honors outstanding contributions that integrate human, animal, and environmental health to tackle global health challenges. This award celebrates researchers and professionals who demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and impact in advancing the One Health approach, fostering solutions to emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic threats, and sustainable health systems.  Nominate now and celebrate the Excellence in One Health Research Award   #OneHealthExcellence #GlobalDiseaseResearch #OneHealthAward #ExcellenceInResearch #HealthInnovation #ZoonoticResearch #GlobalHealth #DiseasePrevention #AntimicrobialResistance #OneHealthLeadership #PublicHealthImpact #CollaborativeResearch #OneHealthForAll #PlanetaryHealth #VectorBorneDiseases #SustainableHealth #EpidemiologyResearch #VeterinaryAndHumanHealth #HealthSecurity #OneHealthFuture   Event Details:  Website: glo...

  The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, revealed a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based mental health programme called Never Alone in 2025. The initiative targets the rising concern of student suicides and mental health awareness. Launched on World Suicide Prevention Day, the programme offers round-the-clock virtual and offline consultations through a web-based app accessible on WhatsApp. It aims to provide affordable, personalised, and secure mental health screening for students across India. Background and Urgency India faces a severe mental health crisis with over 1.7 lakh suicides reported in 2022, the highest in more than five decades. Young adults aged 18 to 30 accounted for 35 per cent of these deaths. Suicide is a leading public health issue globally, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting one death every 45 seconds worldwide. Low- and middle-income countries bear 73 per cent of this burden. In India, mental health stigma and lack ...

COVID-19 continues to challenge researchers and clinicians due to its highly variable outcomes—ranging from asymptomatic infections to life-threatening disease. While many biomarkers have been proposed, a comprehensive understanding of how the immune system and genetics interact to influence disease severity has remained limited. In a recent study, researchers combined advanced immunological tools and genetic profiling to gain new insights into COVID-19. Using mass cytometry (CyTOF) to track immune cell populations and T-cell receptor sequencing (TCRseq) to map immune repertoire diversity, the team analyzed data from 61 Spanish patients with mild or severe COVID-19. These datasets were integrated with genetic variants in ACE2, MX1, and TMPRSS2—genes linked to viral entry and immune response—along with detailed symptom records. Applying the Latent Class Model with Bayesian Information Criterion (LCM-BIC), researchers identified three distinct patient clusters with unique immune and gen...

  The Best Industrial Research Award honors outstanding contributions that drive innovation and advancement in industrial sectors. This prestigious recognition highlights groundbreaking research that improves efficiency, sustainability, and technological progress across manufacturing, engineering, energy, and other industrial domains. Awardees demonstrate exceptional problem-solving, impactful discoveries, and practical applications that strengthen industries and benefit society. By celebrating these achievements, the award encourages collaboration between academia and industry, fostering transformative solutions that address real-world challenges and shape the future of industrial development. Nominate now and celebrate the Best Industrial Research Award #BestIndustrialResearchAward #IndustrialResearch #ResearchExcellence #InnovationInIndustry #IndustrialInnovation #ResearchImpact #Industry4_0 #IndustrialTechnology #FutureOfIndustry #ResearchRecognition #SustainableIndustry #R...

Smarter Exoskeletons: How Digital Human Models Are Transforming Rehabilitation Rehabilitation training is essential for people recovering from strokes, injuries, or neurological conditions. But there’s a challenge: patients often experience reduced motivation and fatigue during repetitive training sessions. To keep patients engaged while ensuring effective recovery, researchers are turning to smarter, adaptive technologies. One promising solution is a digital human model-based adaptive assist-as-needed (DHM-AAAN) control framework designed for upper-limb exoskeletons. This advanced system personalizes the level of assistance provided to each patient, ensuring they get the help they need—no more, no less. How It Works The framework operates through two intelligent control loops: Outer Loop – Adaptive Assistance This layer evaluates the patient’s mobility and overall condition using a strategy called Digital Human Model and Task Performance Evaluation (DHM-TPE). Based on the results, ...

  The World Health Organization (WHO) released the 24th edition of its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the 10th edition of the Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) in 2025. These updates reflect new treatments for cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. The lists guide over 150 countries in medicine procurement and healthcare policies. This edition aims to improve access to life-saving drugs worldwide. Significance WHO’s EML and EMLc identify medicines that meet priority health needs. Launched in 1977, they support public health systems globally. The lists influence government procurement, insurance coverage, and reimbursement schemes. Regular updates ensure inclusion of effective and affordable medicines for emerging health challenges. New Additions and Revisions The Expert Committee reviewed 59 applications and added 20 new medicines to the EML and 15 to the EMLc. Seven existing medicines received new use indications. The lists now include 523 essential medi...

Recent data from 43 cancer registries in India show a lifetime cancer risk of 11%. In 2024, an estimated 15.6 lakh new cancer cases and 8.74 lakh deaths were recorded. These registries cover 10% to 18% of the population across 23 states and Union Territories. The findings reveal important trends in cancer types, regional variations, and risk factors that inform policy and healthcare strategies. Cancer Burden  Cancer cases in India show gender difference. Women account for 51.1% of cases but only 45% of deaths. This is largely due to the types of cancers common in women, such as breast and cervical cancer, which are easier to detect early and treat effectively. Men face more deadly cancers like lung and gastric cancer, which are harder to diagnose early. Shift in Common Cancer Types Oral cancer has become the most common cancer in Indian men, surpassing lung cancer. This rise occurs despite a decline in tobacco use from 34.6% to 28.6% between 2009-10 and 2016-17. The long latency p...