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Barkha Mathur

Barkha Mathur

Barkha Mathur

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.

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Barkha Mathur

Delimitation and proportionality: Why southern states are raising concerns

As the govt considers increasing Lok Sabha seats, concerns are rising in southern states that a population-based delimitation could reduce their share and alter India's federal balance

Delimitation and proportionality: Why southern states are raising concerns
Updated On : 16 Apr 2026 | 9:25 AM IST

Smoothies may be calorie bombs: Why your healthy drink may add weight

From nut butters to excess fruit and sweeteners, smoothies can pack more calories than expected, making this "healthy" habit a hidden risk for weight gain and blood sugar spikes

Smoothies may be calorie bombs: Why your healthy drink may add weight
Updated On : 15 Apr 2026 | 2:07 PM IST

As risky as obesity? How losing too much body fat can harm your health

New research shows that losing fat the wrong way can disrupt metabolism, trigger inflammation, and increase long-term disease risk, challenging the idea that less fat is always better

As risky as obesity? How losing too much body fat can harm your health
Updated On : 15 Apr 2026 | 1:52 PM IST

What TCS's FY27 hiring plan tells about shifting fresher model in Indian IT

Is this a temporary slowdown driven by demand uncertainty, or the beginning of a structural change in how large IT firms build their workforce in the age of AI?

What TCS's FY27 hiring plan tells about shifting fresher model in Indian IT
Updated On : 14 Apr 2026 | 5:23 PM IST

Can Thalapathy Vijay turn celebrity appeal into votes in Tamil Nadu polls?

Actor Vijay's political debut may disrupt Tamil Nadu's two-party system, but analysts say converting popularity into votes remains a key challenge ahead of 2026 polls

Can Thalapathy Vijay turn celebrity appeal into votes in Tamil Nadu polls?
Updated On : 14 Apr 2026 | 4:44 PM IST

Restarting your workouts every few weeks? Here's what's really going wrong

If you feel stuck in a loop of falling off track and restarting plans, experts explain how behavioural patterns, emotional triggers, and mindset shifts can help you stay consistent

Restarting your workouts every few weeks? Here's what's really going wrong
Updated On : 14 Apr 2026 | 2:12 PM IST

Noida industrial workers' protest turns violent: What are their demands?

Anger over low wages and poor working conditions drove Noida's factory workers to protest, with tensions escalating into violence amid police action

Noida industrial workers' protest turns violent: What are their demands?
Updated On : 13 Apr 2026 | 5:02 PM IST

How delimitation debate puts federalism at centre of Tamil Nadu polls

In Tamil Nadu, delimitation is becoming a major poll issue, with concerns over fairness, representation, and whether southern states will lose political weight

How delimitation debate puts federalism at centre of Tamil Nadu polls
Updated On : 13 Apr 2026 | 2:41 PM IST

Thinking of Botox before 30? What doctors say about benefits and risks

As Botox gains popularity among people in their 20s, experts examine whether early use truly prevents ageing and explain who may benefit, potential risks, and when it is best avoided

Thinking of Botox before 30? What doctors say about benefits and risks
Updated On : 13 Apr 2026 | 11:05 AM IST

Do we really use only 10% of our brain? Neurologist busts the myth

The idea that humans use just 10% of their brain has persisted for decades; but, is it true?

Do we really use only 10% of our brain? Neurologist busts the myth
Updated On : 10 Apr 2026 | 11:14 AM IST

Tamil Nadu polls: A contest shaped by welfare politics, shifting alliances

As Tamil Nadu heads to polls on April 23, the Assembly election will test Dravidian politics, alliance cohesion, and the enduring impact of welfare-driven governance across regions

Tamil Nadu polls: A contest shaped by welfare politics, shifting alliances
Updated On : 09 Apr 2026 | 3:13 PM IST

How narcissistic admiration and rivalry shape relationship satisfaction

A six-year study tracking over 5,000 couples challenges the myth that narcissists inevitably damage relationships, revealing a more complex and nuanced emotional reality

How narcissistic admiration and rivalry shape relationship satisfaction
Updated On : 09 Apr 2026 | 11:24 AM IST

Physical, social factors may be ageing your brain faster than you think

Pollution, heat and inequality may significantly accelerate brain ageing, with a global study showing combined exposures can raise risk sharply and impact long-term cognitive health

Physical, social factors may be ageing your brain faster than you think
Updated On : 08 Apr 2026 | 11:58 AM IST

RBI sees resilience despite West Asia crisis as it keeps repo rates steady

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the West Asia conflict has raised risks to growth and inflation via oil, trade, and supply chains, but government steps on supply chains and exports may limit the imp

RBI sees resilience despite West Asia crisis as it keeps repo rates steady
Updated On : 08 Apr 2026 | 11:54 AM IST

What doctors want you to know before trusting any 'study says' headline

Just because a study reports a finding does not mean it applies to you; doctors explain how to interpret research, avoid misleading claims, and make better health decisions

What doctors want you to know before trusting any 'study says' headline
Updated On : 07 Apr 2026 | 3:16 PM IST

Why playing fast and loose with your bedtime can damage your heart health

World health day: Sleeping at different times each night may disrupt your body clock and increase heart attack and stroke risk, with new research showing consistency matters as much as sleep duration

Why playing fast and loose with your bedtime can damage your heart health
Updated On : 07 Apr 2026 | 1:14 PM IST

Healthy ageing is trending in India, but most people are not acting on it

A nationwide survey released on World Health Day 2026 shows rising awareness around healthy ageing in India, but only a small percentage are actively adopting lifestyle changes

Healthy ageing is trending in India, but most people are not acting on it
Updated On : 07 Apr 2026 | 12:27 PM IST

94% of childhood cancer deaths occur in poorer countries: Lancet study

A major Lancet study highlights persistent global inequalities in childhood cancer survival, with most deaths occurring in poorer countries and India among the worst affected

94% of childhood cancer deaths occur in poorer countries: Lancet study
Updated On : 07 Apr 2026 | 12:14 PM IST

How one gene therapy is helping some deaf patients hear for the first time

A single gene therapy injection has shown the ability to restore hearing in patients with a specific genetic mutation, with some beginning to respond to sound within weeks

How one gene therapy is helping some deaf patients hear for the first time
Updated On : 06 Apr 2026 | 3:01 PM IST

Just 2-3 minutes of daily intense exercise may cut risk of 8 major diseases

Even a few minutes of vigorous daily activity such as brisk walking or stair climbing, may significantly lower the risk of chronic diseases and death, highlighting the power of exercise intensity

Just 2-3 minutes of daily intense exercise may cut risk of 8 major diseases
Updated On : 06 Apr 2026 | 11:04 AM IST