Archives March 2026

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Importantly, seizures do not always look dramatic. Some children may simply stare blankly for a few seconds, pause mid-sentence, or appear briefly confused. Others may experience jerking movements or full-body convulsions. Recognizing your child’s specific seizure pattern reduces panic and allows for calm, appropriate action. Knowledge replaces fear.

 One of the most important aspects of epilepsy care is understanding seizure triggers. While triggers vary from child to child, certain patterns are commonly observed. Lack of sleep is among the most powerful triggers; even a single late night can lower the brain’s seizure threshold. Dietary factors also play a role; skipping meals, prolonged fasting, dehydration, and sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels may increase susceptibility. Emotional stress, excitement, and anxiety can also provoke seizures in some children. Missing medication doses or taking them irregularly significantly increases risk. Fever and infections may trigger seizures in younger children, especially those prone to febrile episodes. In a small percentage of children, flashing lights or prolonged screen exposure may act as triggers, especially when screen time interferes with adequate sleep.

Medication adherence remains the cornerstone of seizure control. Anti-seizure medicines work effectively when taken consistently at the same time each day. Establishing a routine—perhaps linking medication time with brushing teeth or meal times—helps maintain regularity. Parents should monitor for side effects such as drowsiness, mood changes, dizziness, or skin rashes and promptly consult their doctor if concerns arise. Abruptly stopping medication without medical supervision can precipitate severe seizures and must always be avoided.

Knowing how to respond during a seizure builds confidence. During a convulsive episode, gently placing the child on their side, cushioning the head, and clearing nearby objects prevents injury. Nothing should be placed in the mouth, and movements should not be restrained. Most seizures stop within a few minutes. Emergency medical attention is required if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats without recovery, or causes breathing difficulty or serious injury.

Safety measures at home provide reassurance without restricting independence. Simple precautions in bathrooms, supervision during swimming, and informing teachers and caregivers about seizure first aid create a supportive safety net. However, children with epilepsy should not be unnecessarily limited. Participation in school, sports with reasonable precautions, hobbies, and social activities fosters confidence and emotional strength.

The emotional dimension of epilepsy is equally significant. Some children may feel embarrassed or fearful about having a seizure in public. Open conversations at home allow them to express these feelings freely. When parents respond with calm reassurance rather than visible anxiety, children develop resilience. In situations where anxiety or low mood persists, professional counseling can provide valuable support.

Consistency in daily routines often translates into better seizure control. Regular sleep, balanced meals, adequate hydration, stress management practices such as yoga or light exercise, and limited late-night screen exposure all contribute to neurological stability. Small daily habits can make a meaningful difference over time.

Finally, parents must care for their own emotional well-being. Supporting a child with a chronic condition can be demanding. Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, connecting with support groups, and sharing responsibilities within the family can prevent caregiver burnout. When parents feel informed and supported, children sense that stability.

Epilepsy is not a limitation on dreams. Many children with epilepsy excel academically, pursue creative talents, participate in sports, and grow into independent adults. With medical care, healthy lifestyle practices, and compassionate family support, epilepsy becomes a manageable part of life rather than its defining feature.

With knowledge, preparation, and steady encouragement, families empower their children not only to live with epilepsy—but to live confidently and well despite it.

A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that participation in emergency department-based clinical trials delivers substantial benefits that extend far beyond improved patient outcomes. The study, co-led by Gail D’Onofrio, MD, MS, Albert E. Kent Professor of Emergency Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, offers compelling evidence that clinical research can be a catalyst for positive change across multiple domains.

The cross-sectional survey, co-led by Joseph E. Carpenter, MD, from Emory University School of Medicine, examined investigators who participated in the ED-INNOVATION (Emergency Department–Initiated Buprenorphine and Validation Network) Trial, which spanned 33 emergency departments (EDs) across 23 states. The trial compared initiation of extended-release injectable buprenorphine with traditional sublingual buprenorphine and treatment engagement after the emergency department visit, addressing evidence-based care for opioid use disorder (OUD) in acute care settings.

Strengthening the research pipeline

According to D’Onofrio, ED INNOVATION lead investigator, “Participation in clinical trials can improve patient care while also strengthening the emergency medicine research pipeline—an area in need of sustained support and development. By engaging emergency department physicians in research activities, the trial built capacity, expanded investigator expertise, and positioned sites for future federally funded studies.”

Transforming institutional culture

The study documented remarkable institutional impacts from trial participation. One survey respondent noted that involvement in the clinical trial “completely changed the culture of our ED,” highlighting how research engagement can fundamentally reshape clinical practice environments. Participating institutions reported widespread practice changes that extended well beyond the trial’s specific focus, demonstrating how clinical trials can drive sustainable quality improvement in emergency care.

Career advancement and professional development

Individual clinicians experienced significant professional benefits from their involvement in the multi-site emergency medicine clinical trial. Site directors became more research-active, submitting additional funding proposals following their participation. Some clinicians obtained advanced certification in addiction medicine as a direct result of their trial participation, demonstrating that National Institutes of Health-supported clinical research can serve as a pathway to specialized expertise, leadership development, and career advancement.

Community engagement and partnership

The ED-INNOVATION trial successfully engaged a diverse array of community partners, including organizations and settings that could reach at-risk patients. This community-oriented approach demonstrates how clinical research can extend its impact beyond hospital walls to support broader public health initiatives and address social determinants of health.

Implications for the future

The findings come at a crucial time when clinical research infrastructure faces mounting pressures. The study underscores the multifaceted value of investing in emergency medicine clinical trials, suggesting that research funding generates returns not only through improved patient care but also through institutional development, workforce enhancement, and community strengthening.

By Kirsten Hilgeford

When it comes to the price of financial services such as loans, mortgages, and insurance, the perception of what is “fair” has a lot to do with how wealthy you are. In the study “Seeing Like a Company or a Customer: Selective Empathy in Pricing,” appearing in the February 2026 issue of the American Sociological Review, authors Barbara Kiviat (Columbia University) and Carly R. Knight (New York University) examine how Americans evaluate the fairness of risk-based pricing—where consumers who are predicted to be high-risk/costly are charged more. 

Grounding their approach in previous sociological research on empathy, Kiviat and Knight demonstrate that either side of an economic transaction—company or customer—can become the object of empathy. To establish this, Kiviat and Knight conducted three studies on risk-based pricing, focusing on transactions between customers and companies. In the first study, they analyzed two nationally representative surveys to examine the relationship between household income and beliefs about the fairness of charging high-risk people more for insurance and credit. The authors uncovered a pattern in which wealthier individuals, regardless of their economic self-interest or ideology, were more likely to accept the moral legitimacy of tying prices to a person’s behavior.  

The authors then proposed the new lens of “selective empathy” to apply to their remaining two studies. Selective empathy is when an individual disproportionately directs their empathy to and takes the perspective of either the company or the customer in evaluating pricing arrangements. Kiviat and Knight found that wealthier individuals are more likely than lower-income individuals to empathize with companies—and less likely to empathize with high-risk consumers. 

“Our findings show that support for pro-business pricing practices is not simply about self-interest,” said the authors. “Instead, wealthier Americans more easily see things from a company’s ‘point of view,’ making these practices appear fair even when they consistently burden high-risk consumers. This class-based split in perspective matters to how people judge the fairness of our economy.” 

The authors note that their findings ultimately “reveal that risk-based pricing—even in its most institutionalized, ostensibly innocuous form—reflects a class-based understanding of market fairness.” 

Mar 02: The discovery of X-rays in 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen marked a major advance in science and medicine, making it possible for physicians to see inside the human body for the first time without surgery. Medical scientists quickly recognized the potential of X-rays as a diagnostic tool, particularly for identifying broken bones and other internal injuries. Röntgen’s first X-ray, of his wife’s hand, clearly revealed bones and joints, offering an early demonstration of how X-ray imaging could transform medical diagnosis.

News of Röntgen’s discovery quickly spread through the global scientific community, generating widespread excitement and experimentation. Scientists around the world were excited about Röntgen’s work. In the United States, Yale physicist Arthur Wright was among the first to explore the new technology. In January 1896, barely a month after Röntgen introduced X-rays to the world, Wright successfully produced an X-ray image, making him the first in the country to work with the technique. He published hist findings in Engineering and Mining Journal and Electrical Engineer magazine, helping to introduce X-ray imaging to American scientific and medical audiences.

Interest in Wright’s work was immediate and intense, drawing widespread attention from both the scientific community and the popular press. An X-ray image he produced of coins and other metal objects, along with a photo of his X-ray machine, appeared on the cover of Scientific American on Feb. 15, 1896, introducing many readers to the emerging technology for the first time.

Public interest was equally strong on campus. When Wright presented his findings at Yale, the auditorium was filled beyond capacity. According to one newspaper account, students continued climbing through the windows more than 30 minutes into the lecture, even though only those in the first few rows could hear.

X-rays lead to the rise of medical imaging

Within just four years, by 1900, X-rays had become indispensable in diagnosing fractures and locating foreign objects within the body. Over time, the technology evolved into advanced imaging tools such as CT scans and MRIs, transforming clinical decision-making, and saving countless lives. Today, seven out of 10 Americans undergo some form of medical or dental imaging each year, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

While Wright’s X-ray experiments captured national attention and marked a turning point in medical imaging, they represented just one facet of his broader scientific legacy. His career began long before the advent of X-rays and continued through decades of innovation and leadership in building Yale’s physics department.

No stranger to firsts, Wright received the first doctoral degree awarded in the United States from Yale University in 1861. From 1863 to 1868, he taught Latin and later physics at Yale, returning in 1872 as professor of molecular physics and chemistry—a title later changed to experimental physics.

In the 1880s, Wright played a key role in securing funding for the nation’s first dedicated physics, Yale’s Sloane Physics Laboratory, where he later produced his X-ray images. In 1966, Yale expanded this legacy by establishing the A.W. Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory, enabling the study of medium-mass and heavy nuclei. Today, research in experimental nuclear physics, particle physics, and astrophysics continues at the Yale Wright Laboratory, which opened its current facility in 2017.

From diagnosing disease to imaging health

More than a century after Wright’s first X-ray photograph, the technology he helped pioneer remains central to modern medical practice. From routine chest X-rays to complex interventional procedures, X-ray imaging continues to provide a noninvasive window into the body, supporting diagnosis, guiding treatment, and shaping generations of clinical decision-making.

Wright’s early work at Yale not only brought Röntgen’s discovery to American scientists and physicians but also helped establish a foundation for continued advances in medical imaging.

Today. Yale remains at the forefront of imaging science. In June 2025, the University marked another major milestone with the launch of the Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute. The institute brings together advanced imaging research centers—including its PET and MRI laboratories, the scientific descendants of Wright’s early X-ray experiments—with experts in artificial intelligence and data science.

The institute focuses on developing new imaging tools that can detect disease earlier and with greater precision, using advanced computational methods to help predict and track illnesses. This work reflects a broader shift in medicine—from diagnosing disease after it appears to understanding, monitoring, and protecting health. Rather than identifying illness only once it has progressed, researchers aim to detect subtle changes before symptoms emerge and to better define what healthy organs and tissues look like over time.

“Part of the paradigm shift is to move from imaging disease to imaging health,” says Georges El Fakhri, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, professor of therapeutic radiology, and of biomedical informatics and data science at Yale School of Medicine.

The future of medical imaging owes much to a scientist who, inspired by a sudden discovery in Germany, helped lay the groundwork for radiology as a transformative tool in medicine. Today, Yale carries that legacy forward—uniting advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and clinical insight to extend and reimagine what Wright began.

Chandigarh, Mar 02: The final day of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026, organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), closed on a powerful note of reflection and renewed commitment, as leaders from government, multilateral institutions, business, and civil society gathered for the Valedictory Session titled, “Reflections, Resurgence, and Resolve for Our Common Future.”

 Held at the iconic Durbar Hall, the concluding session reinforced WSDS 2026 as a platform that not only convenes global voices but catalyses tangible climate action.

The Valedictory brought together a distinguished line-up of speakers who underscored that the next phase of climate action must be defined by accountability, implementation, and intergenerational leadership.

Mr Tanmay Kumar, Secretary (Environment, Forest and Climate Change), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, shared,

“Climate change is no longer a subject of environmental debate alone. It is a defining challenge of development, governance, security, and human well-being. India’s approach is science-anchored and equity-aware, where we align clean energy with livelihood security, embed resilience in rural and urban schemes, and ensure those responsible for emissions are the ones who must change. While the developed world industrialized through high emissions and cleaned up later, India is attempting something far more complex to grow, eradicate poverty, urbanize, industrialize, and decarbonize simultaneously. We refuse to solve yesterday’s poverty by creating tomorrow’s ecological crisis. Our journey with per capita emissions at just ~2 tonnes per year (far below global averages) proves that clean energy is not charity. It is competitiveness driven by economics. We have achieved our 2030 target of 50% non-fossil installed power capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of schedule, with the share now exceeding 51%. We believe the future is not inherited by accident but is secured by intention. Together, with humility, science, and justice, we will secure it.”

Ms Dia Mirza, Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Environment Programme, said,

“Climate change is not gender neutral. Women and girls experience its impacts most acutely, even as they grow much of the world’s food and sustain families and communities. Yet they remain underrepresented in climate and energy decision-making. Sustainability today is no longer a choice but the foundation of survival, dignity, and peace. Engaging with nature is not a luxury but a necessity for every individual.”

Ms Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme, shared,

“With nearly 65% of India’s population under the age of 35, youth participation and leadership are central to shaping how sustainability is practised across communities and institutions. In this spirit, UNDP is partnering with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and TERI to launch the Mission LiFE Youth Ambassadors programme”.

Ms Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder & Chairperson, Sustainability, ReNew, observed,

“Development and climate are no longer parallel agendas; they are the same agenda. Clean energy is not a nice-to-do; it is an economic imperative. The global South is no longer asking for permission; it is offering solutions. What we commit to matters, but what we do collectively, and between summits, matters even more. This Summit is not a moment; it is a mandate to act.”

Dr Ash Pachauri, Co-Founder and Senior Mentor, POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement,

 “As we come together to mark 25 years of WSDS at the very place where it began, we celebrate not only a remarkable legacy, but a shared responsibility for what lies ahead. This journey has been shaped by vision, wisdom, values, and powerful voices that have built awareness and endurance over the years. Yet, this moment asks a deeper question: what will we do with all that we have learned? Today is not just a celebration of the past; it is the first day of the rest of our lives.”

Ms Prachi Shevgaonkar, Founder, Cool The Globe, shared,

“My journey with the World Sustainable Development Summit began when I was a young student who felt overwhelmed by the scale of climate change and unsure of what one ordinary person could do. I chose to begin with small, practical actions and to make sustainability part of daily life. What started as a personal effort in my dorm room grew into a shared mission, supported by citizens across 150 countries.”

Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI, said,

“At WSDS, we reaffirm that sustainable development cannot be driven by uniform goals alone. Governments cannot act in isolation; progress requires shared learning among institutions, researchers, businesses, and communities working on the ground. This platform enables the exchange of experiences, builds understanding, and strengthens cooperation.”

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said,

“WSDS is about building pathways of opportunity, not merely responding to crisis. In today’s complex world with shrinking resources, partnerships are essential – we cannot reinvent the wheel. We must adapt existing research to our requirements and move forward collaboratively. The outcome of this summit holds perhaps even greater significance than recent global forums.”

Dr Shailly Kedia, Curator, WSDS; Director, TERI, highlighted,

“This year, we broke all records with 2,381 unique participants, 10 plenaries, 14 thematic tracks, and a defining feature Him-CONNECT which showcased not just voices but solutions from the Himalayas, one of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Over these years, we’ve evolved from broad agenda-setting conversations to sharper, solution-oriented engagement”.

The Valedictory featured a series of significant knowledge and youth-led launches. The 18th edition of Vasundhara — “Climate Capital” — the student-led sustainability magazine of TERI School of Advanced Studies, was unveiled, spotlighting fresh youth perspectives on climate, environment, and sustainable development. The Summit also marked the release of the Act4Earth Manifesto, reinforcing collective commitments towards accelerated climate action emanating from the Summit. Adding to the intellectual discourse, The Politics of Sustainable Development authored by Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI, was formally launched. The WSDS 2026 Summit Report was presented by Dr Shailly Kedia, Curator, WSDS, & Director, TERI, which captured key insights and outcomes from the three-day deliberations.

Running parallel through the day, TerraZone, WSDS’s sustainability expo, showcased transformative initiatives by partners and TERI across clean technology, nature-based solutions, and circular economy models.

Him-CONNECT, curated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, spotlighted Himalayan innovation and resilience, bringing mountain ecosystems and community-led solutions into the global sustainability discourse.

As WSDS 2026 drew to a close, the message was unequivocal: the climate decade demands convergence — of finance and fairness, innovation and inclusion, ambition and accountability.

With renewed resolve and strengthened partnerships, WSDS once again reaffirmed its role as a global platform advancing transformative climate action for a shared and sustainable future.

Bengaluru, Mar 02: Tata Motors Limited reported strong sales performance across domestic and international markets in February 2026, recording total commercial vehicle sales of 42,940 units, compared to 32,533 units in February 2025 — a robust 32% year-on-year growth.

Segment-wise Performance – February 2026

• HCV Trucks: 13,559 units (up 37.1% from 9,892 units)

• ILMCV Trucks: 7,577 units (up 34.1% from 5,652 units)

• Passenger Carriers: 5,548 units (up 27.4% from 4,355 units)

• SCV Cargo and Pickup: 14,209 units (up 30.4% from 10,898 units)

Domestic and International Sales

• Domestic Sales: 40,893 units (up 32.8% from 30,797 units)

• International Business: 2,047 units (up 17.9% from 1,736 units)

• Total Sales: 42,940 units (up 32.0% YoY)

Domestic sales of MH&ICV in February 2026 stood at 21,423 units, compared to 15,940 units in February 2025, reflecting a 34.4% YoY growth.

Combined Domestic & International sales for MH&ICV reached 22,512 units, up from 16,693 units in the same month last year — registering a 34.9% growth.

The consistent growth across heavy, intermediate, light, and small commercial vehicle segments highlights strong demand momentum and the company’s continued focus on product innovation, operational excellence, and market expansion.