Category health

By- Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Founder and Director, Centre for Sight Group of Hospitals

Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight,” and for good reason. Unlike many other eye conditions, glaucoma progresses quietly, often without noticeable symptoms until significant vision damage has already occurred. It gradually damages the optic nerve—the crucial pathway that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. By the time a patient notices vision loss, the damage is usually irreversible. This makes glaucoma one of the most dangerous yet overlooked eye diseases worldwide.

Glaucoma Awareness Week, observed from March 8 to 14, serves as an important reminder that protecting vision begins with awareness. The most powerful weapon against glaucoma is not just treatment—it is early detection. A simple, regular eye check-up can mean the difference between preserving sight and losing it forever.

Globally, glaucoma is among the leading causes of irreversible blindness. It is estimated that more than 76 million people are living with glaucoma worldwide, and this number is projected to exceed 110 million by 2040 due to aging populations and increasing life expectancy. The challenge lies in the fact that nearly half of the people with glaucoma globally remain unaware that they have the disease because early stages rarely produce symptoms.

India carries a particularly heavy burden of glaucoma. Current estimates suggest that around 11–12 million Indians are living with the condition, making it one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness in the country. Alarmingly, nearly 70–90 percent of glaucoma cases in India remain undiagnosed, primarily because people do not undergo routine eye examinations. In fact, approximately 1.2 million Indians have already lost their vision due to glaucoma, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and early screening.

What makes glaucoma particularly concerning is its silent progression. In most cases, especially the common form known as primary open-angle glaucoma, the disease initially affects peripheral vision. Because central vision remains intact during the early stages, patients often do not realize that their field of vision is narrowing. By the time symptoms such as tunnel vision or blurred vision appear, a substantial portion of the optic nerve may already be damaged.

The good news is that blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented if the disease is detected early. While lost vision cannot be restored, timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow or even halt the progression of the disease. Regular comprehensive eye examinations—especially for individuals above the age of 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high myopia, or long-term steroid use—are crucial for early detection.

Proactive glaucoma screening and management rely on advanced diagnostic technologies and comprehensive eye evaluations. Early detection typically includes tests such as intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve assessment, visual field analysis, and imaging techniques like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). These technologies enable ophthalmologists to detect even subtle structural changes in the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, often before any noticeable symptoms develop, allowing timely intervention to slow the progression of the disease and protect vision.

Modern glaucoma management has evolved significantly in recent years. Treatment options now include highly effective medications in the form of eye drops, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), advanced laser procedures such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), and precision microsurgical techniques. These interventions are designed to reduce intraocular pressure—the most important modifiable risk factor for glaucoma—thereby protecting the optic nerve from further damage.

Glaucoma management today increasingly follows a personalized, patient-centric approach. Patients typically undergo detailed evaluation and risk assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy based on the stage and type of glaucoma. Many advanced eye care centres across India are now equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic systems and surgical technologies that enable early detection and comprehensive management of the disease, helping doctors monitor progression closely and initiate timely interventions to preserve vision.

Vision once lost cannot be regained, but with timely screening and expert care, it can certainly be protected. Let this week inspire us all to prioritize eye health and encourage our families and communities to undergo regular eye examinations. In the fight against glaucoma, awareness truly saves sight.

Paris, 9 March, 2026 – kyron.bio, a biotechnology company pioneering precision glycoengineering for antibody therapeutic development, today announced a strategic partnership with Servier, an international pharmaceutical group governed by a Foundation.

Under the terms of the agreement, kyron.bio will use its technology to glycoengineer an antibody selected by Servier, who will fund the associated research activities. Servier will have the option to further explore antibody engineering and development opportunities based on the outcomes. Financial details are not disclosed.

kyron.bio’s proprietary glycoengineering platform can enhance therapeutic performance of antibodies by enabling precise control of the glycan structures to improve efficacy, safety, and scalability. In this partnership kyron.bio will seek to demonstrate clear glycan control on the Servier antibody of interest for a specific pre-determined N-glycoform.

To date, engineering of glycans have been under-exploited, due to technical challenges, limiting the use of glycan engineering in drug design. kyron.bio is changing that. The company has developed a scalable, proprietary method to achieve comprehensive control over glycosylation, unlocking the possibility to use precision glycosylation in next generation drug design.

Dr. Emilia McLaughlin, founder and Chief Executive Officer of kyron.bio said,

“We are delighted that Servier has chosen to explore the potential of our glycoengineering platform. Servier has deep expertise in therapeutic development and combined with our precision glycosylation technology, this partnership provides a powerful opportunity to unlock new levels of antibody performance and deliver better outcomes for patients.

“Precision glycosylation represents a transformative approach in biologics development. By engineering defined glycan profiles, therapeutic antibodies can be optimized for improved immune engagement, pharmacokinetics, and reduced variability.”

In 2024, kyron.bio was the winner of the Servier Golden Ticket award which has provided invaluable support and mentorship through the company’s early translational phase and has developed a foundation for understanding the potential of kyron.bio’s technology.

Dr. Emmanuel Nony, Director of External Innovation Europe at Servier said,

“Meeting kyron.bio as a winner of Servier’s Golden Ticket award has enabled our scientists to develop an understanding of the kyron.bio glycan engineering technology and its exciting possibilities in antibody drug design. This collaboration is opening new frontiers for antibody derivatives as well. Together, we are exploring innovative pathways to optimize drug design and production, with a shared commitment to bringing safer and more effective therapies to patients.”

kyron.bio’s strategy is to form strategic drug design partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies working on next-generation antibody therapeutics, alongside in house therapeutic development programs.

A successful company creation from the French Entrepreneur First Scheme, in 2025 kyron.bio raised €5.5m in a seed round from an experienced syndicate of venture investors including HCVC, Verve Ventures, Entrepreneurs First and Saras Capital, as well as private angel investors and the European Innovation Council. It has established an R&D base at the biotech hub Paris Biotech Santé in the Cochin Hospital.

Innovative glycobiology platform aimed at enhancing the efficacy, safety, and scalability of next-generation antibody therapeutics across multiple disease areas

Paris, Mar 09 – kyron.bio, a biotechnology company pioneering precision glycoengineering for antibody therapeutic development, today announced a strategic partnership with Servier, an international pharmaceutical group governed by a Foundation.

Under the terms of the agreement, kyron.bio will use its technology to glycoengineer an antibody selected by Servier, who will fund the associated research activities. Servier will have the option to further explore antibody engineering and development opportunities based on the outcomes. Financial details are not disclosed.

kyron.bio’s proprietary glycoengineering platform can enhance therapeutic performance of antibodies by enabling precise control of the glycan structures to improve efficacy, safety, and scalability. In this partnership kyron.bio will seek to demonstrate clear glycan control on the Servier antibody of interest for a specific pre-determined N-glycoform.

To date, engineering of glycans have been under-exploited, due to technical challenges, limiting the use of glycan engineering in drug design. kyron.bio is changing that. The company has developed a scalable, proprietary method to achieve comprehensive control over glycosylation, unlocking the possibility to use precision glycosylation in next generation drug design.

Dr. Emilia McLaughlin, founder and Chief Executive Officer of kyron.bio said,

“We are delighted that Servier has chosen to explore the potential of our glycoengineering platform. Servier has deep expertise in therapeutic development and combined with our precision glycosylation technology, this partnership provides a powerful opportunity to unlock new levels of antibody performance and deliver better outcomes for patients.

“Precision glycosylation represents a transformative approach in biologics development. By engineering defined glycan profiles, therapeutic antibodies can be optimized for improved immune engagement, pharmacokinetics, and reduced variability.”

In 2024, kyron.bio was the winner of the Servier Golden Ticket award which has provided invaluable support and mentorship through the company’s early translational phase and has developed a foundation for understanding the potential of kyron.bio’s technology.

Dr. Emmanuel Nony, Director of External Innovation Europe at Servier said,

“Meeting kyron.bio as a winner of Servier’s Golden Ticket award has enabled our scientists to develop an understanding of the kyron.bio glycan engineering technology and its exciting possibilities in antibody drug design. This collaboration is opening new frontiers for antibody derivatives as well. Together, we are exploring innovative pathways to optimize drug design and production, with a shared commitment to bringing safer and more effective therapies to patients.”

kyron.bio’s strategy is to form strategic drug design partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies working on next-generation antibody therapeutics, alongside in house therapeutic development programs.

A successful company creation from the French Entrepreneur First Scheme, in 2025 kyron.bio raised €5.5m in a seed round from an experienced syndicate of venture investors including HCVC, Verve Ventures, Entrepreneurs First and Saras Capital, as well as private angel investors and the European Innovation Council. It has established an R&D base at the biotech hub Paris Biotech Santé in the Cochin Hospital.

Hyderabad, Mar 9: Marking International Women’s Day, Omega Hospitals launched the Omega Cancer Foundation and hosted the Omega Women’s Wellness Summit 2026, bringing together policymakers, healthcare experts, and community leaders to highlight the importance of women’s health, cancer awareness, and preventive care.

 The event was attended by  Seethakka Garu, Minister for Women & Child Welfare, Telangana, who formally launched the Omega Cancer Foundation. Appreciating the initiative, she emphasised the importance of strengthening preventive healthcare, early diagnosis, and access to quality cancer care.

Addressing the gathering, Seethakka Garu highlighted the important role women play in families, workplaces, and society, and stressed the need to prioritise women’s health and wellbeing. She noted that prevention is better than cure and underscored the importance of regular health check-ups and greater awareness. She also emphasised the importance of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer and encouraged women and families to adopt preventive healthcare practices.

Emphasising the message “Stand with Her,” she called on families and communities to support women in prioritising their health through timely screening and preventive care. She also appreciated the efforts of the Omega Cancer Foundation in expanding cancer awareness and screening initiatives in rural areas, panchayats, and grassroots communities, and conveyed her best wishes for the foundation’s initiatives.

As part of the initiative, Omega Hospitals announced dedicated infrastructure support for the foundation’s activities. At its Banjara Hills facility, a 230-bed comprehensive cancer hospital, 60 beds—over 25 percent of the total capacity—will be dedicated to the Omega Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Mohana Vamsy, Chief Surgical Oncologist & Managing Director, Omega Hospitals, said the hospital’s focus goes beyond treatment to strengthening awareness, early detection, and preventive healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.

A highlight of the event was the Astha Shakti Honours – “Daughters of the Soil,” recognising eight women for their contributions to society.

The honourees included: • Kalpana Ramesh garu – Jala Shakti, for her leadership in urban water conservation and sustainable water management.

• Dr. Shiva Ranjani Santosh garu – Arogya Shakti, for advancing public health awareness and responsible healthcare initiatives.

• NSK Kumari garu – Karuna Shakti, for over three decades of dedication to animal rescue and welfare.

• Sailaja Kiran garu – Dhana Shakti, for leadership and entrepreneurial contributions in industry.

• Roopa Maganti garu – Udyama Shakti, for empowering rural communities through sustainable development initiatives.

• Lakshmi Manchu garu – Kala Shakti, for using art, cinema, and philanthropy to inspire social change.

• Lalitha Raghuram garu – Jeevana Shakti, for advancing organ donation awareness and strengthening India’s organ donation movement.

 • Sunitha Krishnan garu – Nyaya Shakti, for her work in combating human trafficking and supporting survivors.

Following the launch and felicitation ceremony, Omega Hospitals, in association with the Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of Hyderabad (OGSH), also conducted a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session for young doctors on advancements in cancer care.

The campus aims to train 100,000 yoga teachers annually through structured yogic education

Bengaluru, India | Mar 09— Akshar Yoga Kendraa has announced the launch of PURANTHA, a Himalayan-origin centre dedicated to advanced yoga and spiritual science. Conceptualised under the vision of Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, the new campus has been developed near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Spread across about 165,000 square feet, the facility has been designed to train 100,000 yoga teachers each year, responding to the rising global demand for structured and authentic yoga education.

PURANTHA has been established as a space for deeper engagement with Himalayan yogic sciences and Siddha traditions, combining practice, study, and research within one environment. The campus brings together several aspects of yogic learning, including advanced practice modules, teacher education programs, and applied study of traditional knowledge systems.

The design of the centre allows different disciplines to function alongside one another. Facilities have been created for yogic training, meditation, prāṇāyāma, Ayurveda, research and development, and residential learning. With its scale and layout, the campus is intended to support sustained practice and long-term study without interruption between different activities.

All training and educational programs at PURANTHA are conducted under the guidance of Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar through Akshar Yoga Kendraa, an institution recognised by the Ministry of AYUSH under the Yoga Institution category. The centre has been developed with an emphasis on disciplined learning, methodological clarity, safety, and continuity of practice.

Speaking on the launch, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar said: “PURANTHA has been envisioned as a space where the depth of Himalayan yogic traditions can be preserved, studied and practiced through a structured institutional framework. The intention is to support practitioners and teachers from across the world who wish to explore yoga as a science of inner evolution.”

Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH; Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, said on the launch: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Akshar Yoga Kendraa on the launch of PURANTHA, a Himalayan-origin centre dedicated to advanced yoga and spiritual science. I commend Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar and the entire Akshar Yoga community for this inspiring initiative, which will further strengthen India’s leadership in yoga and holistic wellness across the world.”

The campus is also intended to serve as a global platform for the structured transmission of Himalayan yogic and spiritual knowledge. Through residential training programs, institutional collaborations, and international participation, PURANTHA aims to contribute to the continued study and dissemination of yogic sciences across diverse cultural and educational contexts.

After losing family members to chronic conditions, including his father, Ilker Hacihaliloglu decided something needed to be done to ensure that preventable diseases are discovered early rather than too late. His innovation, developed at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, became the company PONS, which seeks to give families “the precious gift of time.”

Hacihaliloglu, PhD, MSc, conceived of PONS’ technology during his tenure as a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers. He is currently an associate professor in the Departments of Radiology and Medicine at the University of British Columbia. The software enhances ultrasound images using advanced, physics-guided processing, improving image quality and standardizing structural representation across devices. By enabling effective data scaling and extraction of quantitative features, it provides clinicians with richer, more reliable information to support earlier disease detection and more accurate diagnostic assessment.

“Our ultimate goal was, and is, to be able to identify diseases at an earlier stage, like chronic conditions,” said Hacihaliloglu. “We believe that nobody should lose their loved ones to preventable diseases. The sooner we catch a disease, the sooner we can begin treatment, and the better the chances are of a successful outcome.”

Hacihaliloglu believes that PONS’ technology addresses three areas within healthcare that prevent earlier detection of diseases. For him, the primary reason is that many patients are not monitored frequently enough, often once a year or longer, and most of the testing takes place either at a hospital or as part of their regular checkup. He says there are three ways for patients to be scanned in a more decentralized care setting.

“Many leading research hospitals now operate hospital-at-home programs and are actively working to integrate imaging into these decentralized care models,” said Hacihaliloglu. “We’re seeing mobile mammography units traveling through cities, handheld ultrasound devices that connect to smartphones or tablets, and portable X-ray machines designed for bedside or community use. The challenge, however, is that portability often comes at the expense of image quality. Smaller hardware platforms, limited processing capacity, and constrained acquisition environments can reduce resolution and signal clarity, making subtle findings harder to detect.”

Among these portable technologies, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) stands out as the only widely available, non-radiation–based imaging modality suitable for repeated bedside and community use. This makes it especially attractive for hospital-at-home programs and longitudinal monitoring. According to Hacihaliloglu, however, ultrasound image quality can vary significantly depending on the device, operator experience, and acquisition conditions. Historically, ultrasound has often been used as a secondary imaging tool to confirm a diagnosis rather than to detect early-stage disease. When image quality is suboptimal, subtle structural changes associated with early pathology may be missed, limiting its potential as a frontline diagnostic tool.

The challenge becomes even more complex when artificial intelligence is introduced into clinical workflows. Effective AI models require large-scale, diverse, and high-quality datasets—often involving data from thousands or even millions of patients across different regions and healthcare systems. In practice, assembling datasets of that magnitude is costly, time-consuming, and frequently infeasible, particularly in decentralized settings where device variability further complicates data consistency.

Hacihaliloglu believes PONS addresses these interconnected challenges by enhancing image quality, harmonizing data across devices, and enabling scalable data expansion. By improving structural clarity and standardizing imaging inputs, the technology strengthens diagnostic confidence, supports earlier disease detection, and enables more reliable AI-driven analysis across diverse care environments.

“PONS’ technology features a navigation system that we have developed so that the caregiver or nurse who has to collect data outside of a hospital setting can see where to move the probe, the transfuser, to a correct location to collect clinically acceptable data,” said Hacihaliloglu.

The technology also addresses the issue of quality within the field of medical imaging by “enhancing and improving image quality and providing advanced features in Ultrasound and point-of-care ultrasound,” according to their latest publication with the MAYO clinic where they validated the technology on 62,912 breast ultrasound scans collected from 688 patients. Their study showed that AI models trained on PONS’ enhanced data achieved a 64% improvement in diagnostic accuracy.

“For example, our technology can reveal small changes in a tumor that are very difficult to see on a standard ultrasound image. By making the structure and edges of a tumor clearer, it helps radiologists better understand its size and shape, which could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses,” said Hacihaliloglu. “We believe this is crucial because the workload of radiologists right now, in general healthcare workers, is a large issue; they are overwhelmed, and the hospitals are crowded. Any solution that makes the workload more efficient is an advantage to both medical professionals and their patients.”

PONS’ technology not only enhances the image quality, but also the data, allowing for a scale-up of data sets by up to 50, which Hacihaliloglu believes will help develop generalizable AI solutions that are not biased toward race or data collection.

“PONS is filling a gap that is missing in the healthcare ecosystem, which is improving the quality of ultrasound data and scaling the size of the data,” said Hacihaliloglu. “What’s more, our technology is a software solution that works on any ultrasound machine, so it’s not tied to a specific vendor, and we have done other studies as well that show PONS’ technology enhances other imaging modalities such as X-Ray or Mammography.”

PONS was named after the region of the brain that connects the midbrain to the spinal cord—reflecting the company’s original focus on traumatic brain injury. In Latin, pons means “bridge,” a name that, Hacihaliloglu says, also captures the company’s broader mission to bring high-quality ultrasound imaging to communities and decentralized care settings. The company was founded by Hacihaliloglu and his twin brother, Soner, who serves as CEO. PONS is based in Newark and currently employs a team of eight.

“The technology developed by Dr. Hacihaliloglu has the potential to help make preventable diseases even more so,” said Deborah Perez Fernandez, PhD, MBA, executive director of the Technology Transfer unit within the Office for Research, which negotiated the license with PONS. “Our team has supported Dr. Hacihaliloglu through the patenting and licensing of his technology, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will make on the medical profession.”

“PONS is a fantastic company, based on technology that was developed here at Rutgers and has the potential to have a major impact on the world,” said Vince Smeraglia, JD, executive director of New Ventures, the team within the Office for Research that supports companies that arise from innovations developed at Rutgers. “We were proud to award Dr. Hacihaliloglu with a TechAdvance® grant in 2019, and we continue to work with Dr. Hacihaliloglu and his brother Soner to help the company grow and expand.”

“In the United States, there are a lot of regions which we call healthcare deserts, where the nearest hospital is two or three hours away,” said Hacihaliloglu. “Our technology is suitable for providing high-quality imaging to people in those areas, underserved minority groups and underrepresented groups. Because our technology is portable, it lends itself to a more decentralized care system, and we are very proud of that.”

PONS is currently advancing its technology through an NIH-funded SBIR Phase I study aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy for early-stage liver disease. The project is being conducted in close collaboration with clinicians and researchers at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the Rutgers Cancer Institute, with Professor David Foran serving as the lead Rutgers site Principal Investigator.

International Women’s Day 2026: 4 Tips for Young Women Aspiring to Build a Career in Medicine, Inspired by SGU Women Doctors

Medicine demands resilience, compassion, and lifelong learning. For young women pursuing a medical career, success depends not only on academic excellence, but also on thoughtful planning, adaptability, and personal well-being.

 This International Women’s Day 2026, we celebrate women physicians who are shaping the future of healthcare and mentoring the next generation. Drawing on insights from women graduates of St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, here are four practical tips to help aspiring women doctors build meaningful, sustainable careers.

1. Adopt a practical approach to work-life balance

Achieving work-life balance requires clear goals, disciplined planning, and self-awareness. Following structured schedules supports daily productivity, while making time for personal interests helps maintain mental well-being. These small, consistent breaks play a key role in preventing burnout and sustaining long-term success.

Reflecting on her personal journey,Nanditha Guruvaiah, MD ’23  shares, “Achieving the perfect work-life balance is something I’m still working on. I would credit my academic success to the fact that I knew what my goals were very early on, and I created multiple plans to make sure my goals came to fruition. I’m also a stickler for schedules and I try my best to complete my tasks for that day. On the other hand, I try to devote at least one hour a day to something other than studying that will make me happy like watching a TV show, going for a walk, or listening to an audiobook. This small but important habit goes a long way in avoiding burnout.”

2. Build a medical career that extends beyond clinical practice

While patient care remains central, many physicians find fulfillment by extending their impact beyond the clinic. Opportunities in public health, advocacy, research, and medical journalism allow doctors to address broader healthcare challenges and empower underserved communities.

Geraldine Nabeta, MD ’23reflects, “I aim to build a career focused on the health and human rights of underserved populations. Naturally, I want to practice medicine and participate in academic medicine, but I would also love to empower the health of communities globally via medical journalism.”

3. Develop career navigation skills early

A successful medical career requires strong organisational and planning skills. From managing exams to navigating applications and professional networks, early preparation helps aspiring physicians stay competitive and focused on long-term goals.

4. Think strategically about your career path

Women doctors emphasize that planning strategically helps aspiring physicians position themselves for meaningful opportunities, while staying adaptable to evolving interests and emerging fields in medicine.

As we recognize the achievements of women in medicine this International Women’s Day, their experiences offer valuable guidance for aspiring physicians ready to shape the future of healthcare. For more information on the programs and tracks available through SGU School of Medicine, visit SGU’s website. 

London, Mar 6: In 2025, studying abroad became more uncertain than many students expected. The new rules on Visa policies in the USA and rising financial concerns made thousands rethink their plans to study abroad. Many postponed their applications. Some chose different countries. Others dropped the idea entirely. 

 Harini Shanmugasundaram chose a different path. Today, the young dentist from Chennai is pursuing her master’s degree in Biomedical Science with a concentration in neuroscience at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Just a few years ago, the thought of studying and working in research labs thousands of miles away from home felt like something far beyond her reach.

After completing her dentistry degree in Chennai in 2024, Harini began her career as an intern at a government dental hospital in her hometown;  everything was moving exactly as planned. But somewhere in the background, a different kind of curiosity was taking shape.

Like many people, Harini watched the pandemic unfold in real time. She saw how the world came to a standstill as researchers across countries raced to find answers. The speed, urgency and scale of that global effort stayed with her.

“It was fascinating to see how scientists, governments and pharmaceutical companies came together to solve a real-world problem,” Harini says. “That’s when I realised healthcare is not only about clinical practice. There is a whole world of research that shapes the future of medicine.”

It was at that point she began to explore biomedical research. She researched postgraduate programs in various countries and ultimately chose the US due to its strong research ecosystem and thriving biotechnology industry.

However, the timing was far from ideal. When Harini received her admission offer, visa uncertainty dominated international student discussions. Many applicants reconsidered their decisions. At the same time, universities across the United States were dealing with federal research funding cuts, adding another layer of uncertainty for students planning to pursue research-based programmes.

Still, everything fell into place just in time. Her admission and loan approval came days before a worldwide pause on visa applications. She managed to secure an appointment, attended her interview, and received her visa.

When she arrived on campus, she discovered something unexpected. She was the only Indian student in her program. 

Harini’s biggest challenge was not academic. It was financial. Coming from a modest family background, Harini did not want her parents to carry the burden of funding her international education. “They did offer to support me,” she says. “But I wanted this decision to be completely mine.” Harini chose to take responsibility for her study abroad journey herself. She applied for an international student loan through Prodigy Finance and received approval in just ten days. The quick support allowed her to continue her plans without placing pressure on her parents.

Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, says stories like Harini’s reflect the resilience and ambition of many international students. “At Prodigy Finance, we believe talented students should not have to pause their dreams because of financial barriers,” Kapoor says. Even during a year of visa uncertainties, Harini remained determined. She secured funding based on her future earning potential, making sure her family did not have to carry the financial burden. 

Studying abroad has its own challenges, and Harini felt it hard; her first few months meant adjusting to a new way of studying, learning to live in a different country, experiencing a new culture, and dealing with moments of homesickness. Looking back now, she sees that period as part of her growth. 

Her ambitions now go far beyond earning a degree. Harini hopes to pursue a PhD and eventually start a biotechnology company focused on developing solutions that improve people’s lives, and hopes to bring that innovation back to India in the future. 

This Women’s Day, her story carries a simple message for young women across the country. When Harini first spoke about studying abroad, some people suggested she should think about marriage before her education. She never opposed the idea of marriage. She simply believed building something for herself had to come first. Her journey from Chennai to New Jersey shows what determination and curiosity can achieve. Sometimes the most powerful decision a woman can make is simply choosing her own future.

Mar 04: The continuous movement of the vocal cords weakens and eventually stops as laryngeal cancer progresses. Researchers have, for the first time, discovered that restoring cellular vibration reduces the aggressiveness of advanced vocal cord cancer. When cancer cells were exposed to sound-wave vibration, a protein that promotes cancer growth and severity decreased.

“What music should we play to our cells?” This question sparked a groundbreaking study on laryngeal cancer that revealed a previously unknown sensitivity of this cancer type to a targeted drug currently under development.

Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours of the head and neck region. The most common early symptom is hoarseness, as the cancer typically appears in the vocal cords, and their movement gradually becomes impaired as the disease develops. Movement decreases because the vocal cord tissue stiffens and the cancer invades surrounding tissue.

The most significant risk factors are smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. The prognosis for advanced laryngeal cancer is poor, and there are currently no targeted drug therapies available.

Stiffer the tissue, more malignant the cancer

Researchers have long known that increased tissue stiffness promotes cancer malignancy in non-moving tissues such as breast, liver, and pancreatic cancers, because cells sense and respond to the physical properties of their environment. The sensitivity of cells to external forces led researchers to take an interest in laryngeal cancer, which develops in constantly moving tissue.

“We wondered whether ‘movement could be medicine’ and whether tissue stiffening and immobilisation contribute to cancer development,” says Academy Professor Johanna Ivaska, Director of the BarrierForce Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Finland.

“We developed this idea together with BarrierForce Vice Director Professor Sara Wickström and her research group. With their help, we used a bioreactor in which cells were grown on a vibrating membrane placed on top of a loudspeaker,” explains Ivaska.

The study included researchers from the BarrierForce Centre of Excellence and the InFLAMES Research Flagship. The study’s lead author, Jasmin Kaivola, who recently completed her doctoral degree at the University of Turku in Finland, came up with the idea of connecting an old mobile phone to the device to play sounds and music, and the experiments began.

Vibration affected cancer cells

The researchers’ predictions proved correct: exposing cancer cells to vibration-mimicking vocal cord movement reduced their malignancy. One of the observed changes was a decrease in a protein called YAP in the cells.

Using samples of early-stage and advanced laryngeal cancer collected from approximately 200 Finnish patients, the researchers found that elevated expression of proteins that increase tissue stiffness enhanced YAP activity and predicted mortality. In an experimental cancer model, the researchers discovered that the cancer was sensitive to a targeted drug under development that inhibits YAP protein activity.

Jasmin Kaivola notes that the study is entirely groundbreaking because the biomechanics of developing cancers have not previously been studied in moving tissues. She says it would be interesting to investigate whether the mechanism they identified has prognostic value in other cancers of moving tissues, such as lung cancer.

“We are excited about the results and believe that our findings may encourage developers of these drugs to explore their suitability for this difficult-to-treat cancer with a poor prognosis,” says Kaivola.

The study was recently published in the highly prestigious scientific journal Nature Materials. The project, conducted primarily in the research laboratory of Academy Professor Johanna Ivaska at the Turku Bioscience Centre in Finland also involved three clinicians treating and studying oral cancers at the University Hospitals of Turku and Helsinki, as well as soft matter physicists from the University of Vienna and Milan.

InFLAMES is a joint flagship initiative of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. Its aim is to identify new drug development targets and promote drug development in collaboration with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The flagship also advances diagnostics to enable tailored targeted therapies for patients. InFLAMES is part of the Academy of Finland’s Flagship Programme.

Chennai, mar 03: Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Chennai has successfully performed Tamil Nadu’s First Cochlear™️ Nucleus®️ Nexa™️ implant surgery, marking a significant milestone (on World Hearing Day 3 March) in advanced hearing healthcare in the state. The landmark procedure was led by Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan.C, positioning the hospital among the early centres in India to introduce this next-generation cochlear implant technology.

The recipient of this pioneering surgery is a nine-year-old girl child from Bangladesh who travelled to Chennai specifically for the procedure, underscoring the hospital’s growing reputation in paediatric hearing care. The child was suffering from severe to profound hearing loss in both ears with impairment of speech and language since birth.

The child will begin the next phase of treatment in the coming weeks, when the external sound processor will be activated and programmed to optimise hearing outcomes. The child is recovering well and remains under close clinical monitoring as part of the post-operative care protocol.

The Cochlear Nucleus Nexa, the world’s first smart cochlear implant system powered by the NEXOS™️ chipset, is designed to support firmware upgrades, allowing patients to benefit from future software advancements without the need for additional surgery. It also features advanced signal processing and stimulation technologies that enhance sound clarity, particularly in complex listening environments such as classrooms and group settings, thereby supporting improved speech perception and communication outcomes.

Speaking on the milestone, Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan.C, Senior Consultant, ENT, Head Neck- Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Childrens Hospitals, Chennai, said, “For children, consistent access to sound through this smart, future-ready technology can significantly enhance speech and language development, improve academic performance, strengthen social interaction, and support the development of the brain’s auditory pathways. We focus on combining cutting-edge medical innovation with comprehensive post-operative care and structured rehabilitation to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes for young patients.”

Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer-Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals, added, “This successful surgery marks not only a technological milestone but also reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class, advanced hearing solutions. We remain focused on expanding access to cutting-edge care for children across India and neighbouring countries. At Apollo Hospitals, we continue to strengthen our clinical capabilities, invest in next-generation technologies, and build multidisciplinary expertise to deliver comprehensive, child-centric care.”

This achievement levels up a new era in cochlear implant technology in Tamil Nadu, bringing renewed hope and improved quality of life to children with hearing loss across the region and beyond.