Icmr

ICMR sets up India's first diabetes biobank in Chennai for research

The country's first diabetes biobank, a repository of population-based biological samples aimed at supporting scientific research, has been established in Chennai by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). The biobank set up at the MDRF, Chennai aims to gather, process, store and distribute biospecimens to assist scientific studies with the permission of the ICMR. The biobank will facilitate advanced research on the causes of diabetes, the variations of the Indian type of diabetes and related disorders, said Dr V Mohan, chairman of the MDRF and Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre. The biobank has blood samples from two ICMR-funded studies -- the ICMR-?India Diabetes (ICMR-?INDIAB) study conducted in all states and Union territories in phases from 2008 to 2020 and the "Registry of people with diabetes in India at a young age at the onset", which was launched in 2006 and is still ongoing. A plethora of bl

ICMR study concluded Covid vaccine didn't increase death risk: Nadda to RS

An ICMR study has conclusively documented that Covid vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India, instead lowering their odds, Union Health Minister J P Nadda told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death, he said responding to a question. He said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that the ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology conducted a study titled 'Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India' -- a 'multicentric matched case-control study' -- at 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories during May-August last year. The cases were apparently healthy individuals without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly (less than 24 hours of hospitalisation or seen apparently healthy 24 hours before death) died of ...

ICMR seeks 'out of the box' ideas from scientists to solve health problems

In an effort to encourage Indian scientists to come up with innovative ideas for finding solutions to difficult health problems, apex health research body ICMR has launched a new initiative The initiative-- First in the World Challenge -- aims to foster novel, out of the box, futuristic ideas, new knowledge generation, discovery or development of breakthrough health technologies (vaccines, drugs or therapeutics, diagnostics, interventions etc.) which has never been thought, tested or tried in the world till date. "Over the years the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has encouraged researchers within and outside ICMR by providing funding support through various research schemes. To move ahead of the curve, ICMR is looking for innovative, out of the box ideas from researchers across the country," the call for proposals document said. "Inspired by Chandrayan 3 landing on the south pole of the moon, making India the first country to do so, the ICMR is launching a new initiative

Health Minister Nadda launches five DHR-ICMR research initiatives

Union Health Minister J P Nadda launched five Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) health research initiatives planned under the 100 days agenda here on Friday. One of the key initiatives launched is the 'First in the World' Challenge, inspired by the success of Chandrayaan-3, according to a statement. These initiatives aim to propel India to the forefront of global health research and innovation, aligning with the nation's vision of a Viksit Bharat. "These ground-breaking initiatives exemplify our commitment to a healthier and more self-reliant India. By fostering indigenous innovation and investing in advanced research, we are equipping our nation to tackle pressing health challenges effectively," Nadda said. Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary DHR and DG ICMR, said, "Initiatives like the 'First in the World' Challenge will empower our scientists and innovators to develop cutting-edge technologies that can benefit not just India but the entire world. W

ICMR predicts surge in cancer cases between 2022 and 2045 in BRICS nations

Cancer cases in India to surge in India, especially mouth cancer among men and breast cancer among women, reveals ICMR study on BRICS countries

How fried and processed foods are fuelling India's diabetes epidemic

Indian diets, traditionally rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, have shifted towards processed, fried, and sugar-laden foods, according to a recent government-backed study

Govt issues new advisory to states, UTs after first Mpox Clade 1b case

The advisory asks states and UTs to continue undertaking appropriate activities to make communities aware of the disease, its modes of spread, and the need for timely reporting and preventive measures

ICMR to advance 1st in-human trials for Zika, flu, blood cancer therapies

First-in-human trial is a type of clinical trial in which a new drug, procedure or treatment is tested in humans for the first time

ICMR to conduct first Chintan Shivir for sickle cell disease research

New Delhi [India], September 4 (ANI): The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is scheduled to organise the first brainstorming session on sickle cell disease research for two days.The top scientists and medical experts all over the country will participate in the Chintan Shivir to be held from September 5 to September 6, 2024.According to the sources, the purpose behind organising the brainstorming session is to identify the research, diagnosis and affordable treatment for sickle cell disease."We want to identify the research properties that can be taken up in sickle cell disease and existing scenarios with respect to the screening , the diagnosis, treatment, preventive measuresand awareness," said sources.During two days, panel discussion will have six different sessions, like patient perspectives understanding the patients living with SCD and their needs, strategic open brainstorming, screening methods & strategies, antenatal and newborn screening point of care tests, ..

Affordable TB testing technology developed by ICMR's Assam centre

An affordable tuberculosis testing technology that can detect the disease using a patient's sputum for just Rs 35 has been developed by apex medical research body ICMR's regional centre in Assam's Dibrugarh. The 'A CRISPR case-based TB detection system' is light, portable and involves three steps of testing. Over 1,500 samples can be tested in one single run in around two-and-half hours, ICMR sources said. Conventional diagnostic techniques for TB commonly rely on culture, which requires 42 days to confirm as TB negative, microscopy, and nucleic acid-based methods. These are also time-consuming and may require sophisticated equipment. An official said, "Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, necessitating the development of accurate and rapid diagnostic tools for effective disease management. Current diagnostic methods often exhibit limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, speed and cost, emphasising the need for innovative approaches". Additionally, some ...

NAPi bats for regulations to deter misleading ads of ultra-processed foods

The public advocacy forum has thus made several recommendations to the government to help curb the promotion and consumption of ultra-processed foods

Bharat Bio moves to include ICMR as co-owner in patent filings for Covaxin

As firm corrects 'inadvertent' mistake, experts feel it's not uncommon to add new parties to patent filings

Bharat Biotech moves to adds ICMR as co-owner of Covid-19 vaccine patent

Bharat Biotech was working on developing the Covid-19 vaccine as a top priority to ensure product availability at the earliest

Non-profit criticises ICMR for rejecting Covaxin study, alleges censorship

Researchers associated with Banaras Hindu University have said Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine has side effects in children

ICMR distances itself from BHU study on Covaxin, calls it 'poorly designed'

Bharat Biotech had then rebuked the BHU study, saying that its indigenously developed Covid vaccine Covaxin has shown an 'excellent safety track record' in various studies

BHU study on Covaxin side effects poorly designed: ICMR director Bahl

The Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl on Monday criticised a recently published study on the long-term safety analysis of the Covaxin in adults and adolescents for its poor methodology and design, and clarified the article misleadingly and erroneously "acknowledges" ICMR. Dr Bahl said the study had no control arm of unvaccinated individuals for comparing the rates of events between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Hence, the reported events in the study cannot be linked or attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. The ICMR is not associated with the study and has not provided any financial or technical support for the research, Dr Bahl said. The ICMR DG has written a letter to the authors of the paper and Editor of the journal to immediately remove the acknowledgement to ICMR and publish an erratum. A research paper, titled 'Long-Term Safety Analysis of the BBVl52 Coronavirus Vaccine in Adolescents and Adults: Findings from a l-Year Prospective Stud

Label claims on packaged food could be misleading, ICMR warns consumers

Food labels on packaged items can be misleading, apex health research body ICMR has said stressing that consumers should read the information carefully to make informed and healthy choices. It also pointed out that sugar-free foods maybe loaded with fats, while packed fruit juices may contain only 10 per cent fruit pulp. In its recently issued dietary guidelines, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said health claims on packaged food are designed to catch the consumer attention and convince them that the product is healthy. "Though the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has strict norms, the information presented in labels could be misleading," the dietary guidelines for Indians issued by the Hyderabad based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) under the apex health research body said on Wednesday. Giving some examples, the NIN said a food product can be called 'natural' if it doesn't have added colours and flavours or artificial substances and goes thro

ICMR releases dietary guidelines, says 56% diseases in India liked to diet

Estimates show that 56.4 per cent of total disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets, the ICMR said on Wednesday as it released 17 dietary guidelines to meet the requirements of essential nutrients and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes. The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) under the apex health research body said that healthy diets and physical activity can reduce a substantial proportion of coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HTN) and prevent up to 80 per cent of type 2 diabetes. "A significant proportion of premature deaths can be averted by following a healthy lifestyle," it said, adding that the upsurge in the consumption of highly processed foods laden with sugars and fats, coupled with reduced physical activity and limited access to diverse foods, exacerbate micronutrient deficiencies and overweight issues. The NIN recommended restricting salt intake, using oils and fat in moderation, doing proper exercise, minimising

Astrazeneca row: Only 7 in a million at risk of TTS, says ex-ICMR scientist

Former ICMR scientist Raman Gangakhedkar said the risk is highest after the initial dose, eventually decreasing with subsequent doses

Researcher in the hot seat

India desperately needs more such books about women in senior leadership roles not only to inspire girls who want to realise seemingly impossible dreams but also to prepare boys