Barkha Mathur

Does music help you study better or split your brain's attention in half?

Fact-check Friday: Students often turn to classical music to boost focus, but does it really help? Experts explain how music interacts with the brain, mood, and cognitive capacity during study time

Suboptimal diets linked to 4 million heart deaths worldwide in 2023

A global study reveals how everyday diet choices, including low intake of whole foods and high sodium consumption, are contributing to millions of heart disease deaths worldwide

A simple blood test may predict dementia risk decades before symptoms

A new study finds a blood biomarker, p-tau217, can signal dementia risk up to 25 years early, offering a crucial window for early detection, monitoring, and preventive interventions

Hidden viral infections in children this season: What parents often miss

Doctors say changing symptom patterns are making viral infections in children harder to detect this season, with mild and unusual signs often going unnoticed until complications develop

Eating at 7 pm vs 9 pm: Doctor explains how dinner timing affects your health

A gastroenterologist explains how eating earlier in the evening helps regulate blood sugar, sleep cycles, and metabolism, while late dinners can disrupt hormonal balance and digestion

Smoking weed and tobacco accelerates brain shrinkage, say scientists

Researchers say cannabis and tobacco use is linked to reduced brain volume in key regions tied to emotions, memory, and movement, raising concerns about long-term brain health

Not sick, not well: Why this hidden health gap may signal future disease

'Not sick, yet not well' is a grey zone affecting many; doctors decode why subtle symptoms like fatigue, poor sleep, and low energy are often ignored until it's too late

'Cicada' Covid variant BA.3.2 detected in 23 countries: What we know so far

A highly mutated Covid variant, 'Cicada', is now seen in over 20 countries, but experts say there is no need to panic as it has not been linked to more serious disease yet

Why Iran war has forced India to bring kerosene back to the kitchens

Kerosene, once widely subsidised and used in India, was phased out with LPG expansion; now, amid global supply disruptions, the fuel is making a temporary return to households

Researchers say single RNA injection may help heart repair after heart attack

A new study shows a one-time RNA injection may help the heart repair damage after a heart attack by producing healing molecules, offering a less invasive approach to cardiac recovery

Why intense dreams may make your sleep feel deeper and more restful

Researchers find immersive dreaming during lighter sleep stages may help sustain a sense of deep, uninterrupted rest, even as the body's need for sleep declines overnight

Fever in children: Warning signs, risks, and when parents should worry

When is fever in children dangerous? A doctor explains warning signs, age-based risks, and what parents should do at home before symptoms worsen

Why psychologists say a cancelled meeting may actually be good for you

An hour gained feels longer than 60 minutes, and that deviation from expectation creates a unique sense of opportunity that can influence behaviour and decision-making

Meta, Google lose landmark case. Are kids paying the mental health cost?

With Meta and Google found liable in a US case, experts warn addictive app design may worsen anxiety, depression and attention issues, especially among young users

IPL vs NFL, NBA and EPL: How India's T20 powerhouse stacks up globally

Two multi-billion-dollar franchise deals have put the IPL in the global spotlight, but how does it compare with the NFL, EPL and NBA in size, revenue and influence across world sport

Can you live without these 10 organs? Doctors explain what really happens

From kidneys and lungs to the stomach, doctors explain which organs humans can live without, how the body adapts, and the long-term health changes that follow

Kidney stones: Why drinking more water alone may not prevent recurrence

A major Lancet study finds hydration alone may not prevent kidney stone recurrence, as adherence challenges and individual differences limit the effectiveness of water-based prevention strategies

India gets cheap GLP-1 drugs: What you must know before trying it

India's 'cheap Ozempic moment' is here as semaglutide prices fall sharply, but doctors warn against misuse and stress careful evaluation before using these weight-loss injections

No music, no podcasts, no audiobooks: Why your brain needs silent walks

If you fill every quiet moment with sound, experts say your brain may be overstimulated; skipping earphones on your daily walk could improve focus, mood, and memory

Govt intensifies checks on illegal sale, misuse of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

As cheaper GLP-1 weight-loss drugs flood India after patent expiry, the government has intensified surveillance to curb illegal sales, misleading promotion, and unsafe use without medical supervision