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Barkha Mathur leads health coverage for the Business Standard website. She reports on the intersection of medicine, policy, and health science, with a focus on stories that impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. When not tracking the latest developments in health, she’s often reading medical research or listening to hip-hop.
Barkha Mathur leads health coverage for the Business Standard website. She reports on the intersection of medicine, policy, and health science, with a focus on stories that impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. When not tracking the latest developments in health, she’s often reading medical research or listening to hip-hop.
A new study finds that autonomy, secure attachment and a sense of choice, not casual sex, shape whether single people flourish or struggle
Couples who pause to savour shared positive moments report greater closeness, fewer conflicts and stronger confidence in their future together, a new study finds
India AI Impact Summit 2026: From governance frameworks to clinical validation, experts and industry leaders discuss how AI can strengthen health delivery while safeguarding equity and patient privacy
At Bharat Mandapam, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 spotlights how AI is reshaping healthcare delivery, from digital records and teleconsultations to ethical, population-scale deployment
As Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs gain popularity, experts explain who needs it, the real health benefits, potential side effects, and why supervision is critical
A new study shows that both our genes and life experiences leave lasting epigenetic marks on immune cells, shaping how differently we respond to the same virus
Researchers in Australia have documented 40 cases of tattoo-linked immune reaction that can inflame the eyes and potentially lead to permanent vision loss
Accessibility options embedded within the India AI Impact Summit 2026 website enable users to customise text, contrast and layout for a more inclusive browsing experience
From weight loss and detox claims to blood sugar control and autophagy hype, an internal medicine expert explains when fasting helps, and when it quietly harms
Thailand has redefined 'normal sweetness' in cafe drinks, cutting default sugar by 50% in a nationwide health push aimed at reducing obesity, diabetes and excess sugar intake
The new ICMR directive pushes for Indian-centric medical research, recognising genetic, dietary and environmental differences in disease patterns
Single after a breakup? Valentine's Day can magnify grief, longing, and self-doubt, and a psychotherapist explains why that ache is normal and how to move through it
How women feel about growing older may be connected to how their bodies age at a molecular level, suggests a new NYU study
From running to yoga, exercise is found to significantly reduce depression and anxiety across all ages, according to a major review of over 1,000 trials
Behind the roses and candlelight, Valentine's Day can quietly magnify unspoken expectations, comparison and emotional pressure within relationships
Modern life has made unhealthy routines feel ordinary, but doctors warn it is these everyday choices that quietly shape long-term health outcomes
A new study finds semaglutide drugs like Ozempic may slow osteoarthritis by directly improving cartilage health, with benefits seen even when weight loss is not the driver
A major Lancet study finds adults with obesity are far more likely to be hospitalised or die from infections, linking nearly one in 10 infection deaths worldwide to excess weight
National Deworming Day: Many children with intestinal worms look perfectly healthy. Doctors explain why these silent infections still harm growth, immunity, and why preventive deworming is important
A Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia study warns that HbA1c, the gold-standard diabetes test, can misdiagnose or delay diabetes in Indians due to widespread anaemia and blood disorders