Researchers link BMI and differences in gut microbiota in young, underweight Japanese women

November 1, 2025: Low body weight in young women has been associated with various health concerns. Rising trends in the proportion of underweight women between the ages of 20 and 39 have been seen in Japan, raising concerns. In a first-of-its-kind study, Dr. Katsumi Iizuka and Dr. Hiroaki Masuyama from Japan have found that underweight Japanese women had a lower gut microbiota diversity and more inflammation-linked microbes. These findings suggest gut health is critical in weight control.

Low body weight in young women has been linked to a range of health concerns, including disrupted menstrual cycles, infertility, weakened immune function, and a long-term decline in bone density. Japan has seen a rising trend in the proportion of underweight women between the ages of 20 and 39, with little to no change over the past two decades. The persistence of this trend raises concerns over the long-term health implications, especially as lean body weight has been correlated with changing dietary habits, diseases like anorexia nervosa, and even imbalances in gut microbiota. While previous research has reported lower alpha gut microbiota diversity in the underweight and overweight categories compared to those with normal weight, the differences in gut microbiota diversity in young, underweight Japanese women remain unclear.

To explore this further, a team of researchers from Japan, led by Dr. Katsumi Iizuka, a Professor at the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Fujita Health University, Japan, and Dr. Hiroaki Masuyama, Symbiosis Solutions Inc., set out to investigate the link between body type, dietary patterns and gut microbiota diversity in young, underweight Japanese women. They focused on understanding whether the gut microbiota diversity differed significantly between women who were underweight and those with normal body mass index (BMI). Their research was published in Volume 17, Issue 20 of the journal Nutrients on October 17, 2025. Prof. Iizuka says, “The differences in the diversity of the gut microbiota of young Japanese women by body weight have not been investigated. If differences in the gut microbiota between thin young women and women of normal weight become clear, I believe that improving eating habits could lead to improvements in the gut microbiota and consequently, body weight.”

The study observed and compared 40 underweight women with 40 age-matched women, between 20 and 39. The underweight group included women who were referred to the Nutrition Clinic at Fujita Health University with a BMI less than 17.5 at their first consultation, while the control group was composed of women with normal BMI (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25) and were selected from a database by Symbiosis Solutions Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). Stool samples were collected using standardized kits, while food frequency questionnaires were used to assess dietary patterns.

Interestingly, the researchers found no significant differences in dietary patterns between the two groups. However, an analysis of the gut microbiota showed that underweight women had a significantly lower microbiota diversity and an increased presence of species, such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Erysipelatoclostridium, which are linked to inflammation. On the other hand, the normal-weight group had a healthier abundance of bacteria like Prevotella and Dorea. Prof. Iizuka mentions, “Among Japanese women aged 20–39, those in the underweight group showed a greater decrease in gut microbiota diversity compared to the normal-weight group, rather than differences in dietary patterns.” He adds, “Underweight women demonstrated reduced gut microbiota diversity and enrichment of taxa associated with inflammatory tendencies.”

These findings suggest that gut health is as important as caloric intake when it comes to addressing low body weight. Prof. Iizuka explains, “Not only the amount of energy or the ratio of protein, fat, carbohydrate, but actively consuming dietary fiber and fermented foods may lead to weight improvement in underweight individuals by causing changes in the gut microbiota.”

When asked about the long-term implications of the study, he said, “By combining the dietary survey data with gut microbiota analysis, it may become possible to evaluate not only the nutrients and energy contained in food, but also the quality of digestion and metabolism within the intestines after eating.”

With gut health gaining global attention, the findings of this study offer new insights into how the gut microbiota could aid in more personalized nutritional care for underweight Japanese women.

CM Yogi Adityanath Launches Sanskrit Edition of ‘Dilli ki Bulbul’; Hails Dr. Anita Bhatnagar Jain’s Efforts to Promote Sanskrit Among Children

India, 31st October 2025: Shri Yogi Aadityanath ji, Chief Minister U.P., launched the Sanskrit version of ‘Dilli ki Bulbul,’ stories based on environment & morality, authored by Dr. Anita Bhatnagar Jain, former IAS officer and children’s author. C.M. appreciated the book & praised Dr. Jain’s efforts to keep the Sanskrit language alive amongst children. ‘Dilli ki Bulbul’ now available in 9 languages, has been called ‘Modern Panchtantra’ & it’s Hindi version is being used as a textbook in California.  Also present were Anushree Jain, story advisor, Saurabh Jain, Managing Director, Vidya Prakashan Meerut.

“Humans in the Loop”  Aranya Sahay’s Critically Acclaimed Film on AI and Human Labor to Stream Globally on Netflix from October 31

The critically acclaimed film Humans in the Loop, directed by Aranya Sahay, is set to stream worldwide exclusively on Netflix starting October 31. The film, praised for its poignant portrayal of an Adivasi woman’s encounter with artificial intelligence, will reach audiences across 190 countries, with its U.S. premiere on November 10.

Backed by Storiculture’s Impact Fellowship and Sauv Films, and supported by the Museum of Imagined Futures, Humans in the Loop follows the story of an Adivasi (indigenous) woman in rural India who works at a data-labelling center, helping train AI systems. Through her journey, the film sheds light on the unseen human and emotional labor that powers the global AI industry, blending the personal with the political.

The film is executive produced by National Award-winning filmmaker Biju Toppo and acclaimed filmmaker-producer Kiran Rao, both of whom were instrumental in shaping its successful theatrical run.

“From the very first time I saw Humans in the Loop, I was moved by its honesty and vision,” said Kiran Rao. “It speaks to the invisible labour that powers our modern world—with such tenderness and urgency. I’m thrilled that the film will now find a global home on Netflix, reaching audiences everywhere who will see a part of themselves in its story. It’s a rare film, intimate and political at once, and I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of its journey.”

Director Aranya Sahay shared, “Being on Netflix feels like a powerful next step for Humans in the Loop. The film was always meant to start conversations about the invisible human labor that builds AI, and Netflix gives us the opportunity to take that dialogue to a truly global audience. It’s wonderful to know that more viewers can now engage with its themes and reflect on the people behind the technology.”

A festival favorite and recipient of multiple Best Film awards, Humans in the Loop also won the FIPRESCI India Award and continues to earn international acclaim for its nuanced exploration of technology, ethics, and representation. The film reframes the global conversation around who truly builds artificial intelligence, humanizing the unseen workforce behind the digital revolution.

India’s LogiPe to Join AtoB in a Cross-Border Fintech Move Aimed at Global Fleet Transformation

 New Delhi, India, 31st October, 2025 : LogiPe, a leading real-time payments and fleet solutions company in India, today announced that it is set to be acquired by AtoB, a global financial services company transforming payments and spend management for the fleet ecosystem. The strategic move will accelerate the development of a next-generation financial services offering for fleet owners and operators worldwide.

Founded in 2022, LogiPe has partnered with over 10,000 fleet owners in India, helping streamline payments through prepaid cards. Its client portfolio includes prominent logistics companies such as Bigstock Logistics and Instant Transports. LogiPe pioneered real-time payments and developed a vertical operating system (OS), which will now be integrated into AtoB’s comprehensive platform.

AtoB, founded in 2019, serves tens of thousands of fleets building integrated payments, working capital and spend management solution that encompasses fleets, freight brokers, and invoice factoring companies. The acquisition will enhance AtoB’s capabilities in offering innovative credit products that enable fleet managers payment flexibility when purchasing business critical expenses such as tires, spare parts and insurance. LogiPe’s technology will also contribute to AtoB’s development of a fleet operating system that can serve as a system of record for fleet owners.

The combined expertise of LogiPe and AtoB will support the establishment of a Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, focused on hiring a world-class team to develop solutions for the global fleet market. This integration reflects LogiPe’s commitment to innovation and its vision of simplifying payments and operations for fleet owners everywhere.

Mrutyunjay, Founder & CEO of LogiPe, said, “Joining AtoB provides an opportunity to scale our real-time payment solutions and operating system, delivering greater value to fleet owners and operators across markets. Together, we will shape the future of fintech for global fleets.”

Vignan, Founder & CEO of AtoB, added, “LogiPe’s technology and expertise complement our vision perfectly. This partnership will accelerate innovation and expand our global reach.”

New Relic Introduces AI-Strengthened Integrations with GitHub to Boost Developer Productivity and Experience

Bangalore, India, 31st October, 2025: New Relic, the Intelligent Observability company, announced three new integrations with GitHub that boost developer productivity and experience to accelerate innovation. The innovations, led by a new AI integration that automatically correlates software vulnerabilities and implements fixes, deliver intelligent observability insights where developers already work. Together, the longtime partners are helping GitHub Copilot’s more than 20 million users fast-track development, reduce downtime, and simplify workflows through automation. 

“Agentic AI is everywhere, but developers aren’t yet seeing the productivity results they expected,” said New Relic Head of AI Camden Swita. “To unlock AI’s full potential, development teams need intelligent observability in the tools they use everyday. With our latest integrations with GitHub, we are continuing to deliver on our vision of bringing intelligent observability across the tech ecosystem.”

Nearly half (45%) of developers surveyed say debugging AI-generated code takes more time than writing it themselves, the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey found, and teams continue losing hours to context-switching between fragmented tools, manual troubleshooting, and remediation workflows. To solve these challenges, New Relic’s unified Intelligent Observability Platform brings together disparate systems and performance data, provides context, and drives action.

Seamless remediation with GitHub Copilot

Application security in many organizations is a complex web of data spread throughout siloed environments, mountains of tickets about vulnerabilities in code that isn’t deployed or running anywhere, and endless context switching that leaves developers hesitant to fix anything. Now, New Relic automatically correlates software vulnerabilities across GitHub and New Relic and then implements fixes in GitHub Copilot with runtime context.

With the New Relic Security RX integration for GitHub Copilot, development teams can gather runtime and buildtime context of software vulnerabilities to understand the risks of both the security issue and the potential fix. Providing security in context helps distinguish real-world exposure from noise, gives a better understanding of the scope of the problem, and reduces manual research and triaging to prioritize fixing issues that could pose a real risk that’s live in production versus what’s merely sitting in a repository. The analysis generated via the New Relic Security RX integration for GitHub Copilot can then help create a clear remediation plan that will automatically initiate a Github issue containing impact details, testing and verification steps, and acceptance criteria. GitHub Copilot then generates a pull request with all necessary context for engineers, providing insights for faster resolution and reduced toil for developers. 

Solving blind spots at deployment

Developers often deploy services without sufficient observability instrumentation, creating blind spots that only become visible when issues arise in production. New Relic’s new instrumentation assistant makes GitHub Copilot a more holistic and trustworthy solution-builder. The solution detects and resolves missing instrumentation at deployment by calling GitHub Copilot to implement full coverage directly in pull requests.

The integration helps GitHub Copilot users generate more complete solutions. Instead of just a functional code snippet, the user would receive a more fully-realized service that includes observability. When creating or updating a service, GitHub Copilot doesn’t just write the backend logic – it  instruments the full-stack by including APM, custom attributes for business logic, a GitHub Action for Change Tracking integration with New Relic, and even the Browser agent for front-end visibility.

Rich data brings essential context for improved developer velocity

Without having rich data on code releases, ownership and more, it can take teams a long time to establish service ownership and adopt development best practices. With the integration between New Relic Service Architecture Intelligence and GitHub, developers can import rich data from GitHub accounts directly into New Relic. The functionality helps developers improve velocity and automate configuration setup.

At just 3.3 mm, Titan Edge’s slimmest watch yet takes center stage in a campaign that spotlights precision, patience, and the art of owning time without chasing it.

Campaign Link- https://www.instagram.com/p/DO-uQOVE3yY/

Mumbai, October 31, 2025: Edge by Titan has unveiled a compelling new campaign for the Edge Ultraslim — its slimmest watch ever at just 3.3 mm — rooted in the belief that true mastery is never rushed. More than a campaign, it is art in motion, celebrating creation unbound by time.

The film follows a master immersed in his craft — every gesture deliberate, every detail shaped with patience. Here, time is no longer a measure of urgency but a quiet companion, reminding us that greatness is born not in haste, but in devotion and vision. The result is a masterpiece — the Edge Ultraslim, a triumph of precision engineering and sculptural design that reimagines how time is experienced, savoured and felt rather than chased down to the last second.

Powered by the 1.15 mm Calibre Edge T9081, one of the world’s thinnest quartz movements, and defined by its single-hand floating disc, the Edge Ultraslim moves in ten-minute intervals, inviting wearers to embrace time as moments to be lived rather than seconds to be chased.

“The Edge Ultraslim is more than a watch, it is a meditation on time,” said Ms Kalpana Rangamani, CSMO, Premium & Luxury Watches. “This campaign captures its spirit perfectly — showing that mastery is achieved not by racing against the clock, but by rising above it because time obeys the maker’s will.”

 

For the unveiling of Titan Edge Ultraslim, guests were invited into a world that blurred the lines between design, philosophy, and art. The experience drew from the four elements — Wind, Water, Earth, and Sky — each space conceived as a sensory meditation on time unfolding around them.
As they entered, visitors were enveloped by concentric zones, each unfolding with light, sound, and form designed to reflect one element’s rhythm. Wind whispered through kinetic sculptures that moved with unseen precision. Water shimmered in fluid reflections that rippled across mirrored planes, distorting and revealing time in passing moments. Earth grounded the experience with texture, weight, and material — a reminder of the craft and human touch that anchor every Edge creation. Finally, Sky opened into light, air, and kinetic moments that showcased the watch— the purest expression of freedom, where time seemed to expand and slow in equal measure.

The journey culminated in a seamless reveal — the Edge Ultraslim emerging from darkness into light, its impossibly thin 3.3 mm form gleaming with quiet authority. On the wrist, it felt almost weightless, yet carried a sense of permanence and poise that few objects achieve

Through this carefully orchestrated movement, guests didn’t just witness time — they felt its stillness and flow. The installation embodied the Edge Ultraslim’s philosophy: that time is not pressure, but possibility.

The sacred month of Kartik holds immense significance in Odisha’s spiritual calendar. Among its many divine observances, Amla Navami, also known as Radha Pada Darshan, stands out as a festival that beautifully blends devotion, mythology, and reverence for nature. Celebrated on the ninth day (Navami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Kartik month, the day is believed to bring endless prosperity, purity, and blessings to devotees.

The Sacred Tree of Immortality

On this auspicious day, devotees worship the Amla (Indian Gooseberry) tree, considered a sacred embodiment of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that any act of charity or devotion performed under an Amla tree on this day yields Akshaya Punya—merit that never diminishes. This belief gives the festival another revered name, Akshaya Navami.

In traditional Odia households, especially among Habisyalis (women observing Kartik vows), special rituals are performed under the shade of the Amla tree. Devotees bathe the image of Lord Vishnu with holy water beneath the tree, cook simple sanctified food (Habisya Anna), and partake in it as prasada. Circumambulating the tree is believed to grant longevity, good health, and divine blessings. The day is thus not only a religious observance but also a celebration of nature’s generosity — expressing gratitude to the life-giving environment.

The Legend of Radha Pada Darshan

Beyond its ecological symbolism, Amla Navami holds a deeply spiritual connection in Odisha, particularly at the Sakhigopal Temple, near Puri. Here, the festival coincides with the Radha Pada Darshan Yatra, a day when devotees are granted a rare glimpse of Maa Radha’s sacred feet — a vision believed to absolve one of countless sins and bless the devotee with eternal bliss.

According to the temple legend, Lord Krishna once appeared in the form of Sakhigopal (Witness Gopal) to defend the honor of a humble devotee. Over centuries, the divine idol journeyed from Vrindavan to Kanchi, and eventually to Odisha, where King Purushottama Deva enshrined Him near Puri. But when the Lord took residence there, His beloved Radha remained in Vrindavan, leading to their separation. To fulfill this divine longing, Radha was later reborn in human form as Lakshmi, the daughter of the temple priest Beleswar Mahapatra of Satyabadi. Each night, the Lord would secretly visit her — their reunion celebrated in the sacred groves known as Bakula Ban, often described as “Gupta Vrindavan” or the hidden Vrindavan of Odisha.

When the king mistakenly accused the priest of wrongdoing, Lord Sakhigopal appeared in the king’s dream, revealing the divine truth and commanding that a golden idol of Radha be created and installed beside Him. The day this idol was consecrated, Lakshmi left her mortal body, and her tomb was later transformed into a Mahavir Temple, which still stands near the shrine.

The Divine Vision and the Odia Attire

The story further tells that, in memory of Radha’s human incarnation, her idol remained draped year-round in long garments — concealing her divine feet. But once a year, on Amla Navami, she appears in her Odia attire (Odiani Besha), and devotees are blessed with the rare opportunity of Radha Pada Darshan — the sacred sight of her lotus feet.

On this day, both deities are dressed in resplendent attire. Lord Gopal is adorned in the Natabara Besha (the charming dancer form), wearing a golden crown and holding a golden flute, while Maa Radha is decorated with traditional Odia ornaments — paunji (anklets), kundala (earrings), chandrika, nose ring, and the sacred Amla mala (necklace made of gooseberries). The temple resonates with devotional songs, rituals, and the fragrance of flowers and incense, as thousands gather for a glimpse of the divine pair.

Outside the temple, devotees tie red threads smeared with vermilion around Amla trees, praying for the fulfillment of their wishes, marital happiness, and the well-being of their children.

A Celebration of Nature, Faith, and Eternal Love

While the legends and rituals give the day its deep spiritual essence, Amla Navami also stands as a reminder of India’s ancient tradition of living in harmony with nature. Worshipping the Amla tree signifies gratitude to the environment that sustains life. Sitting beneath its shade or partaking of food there is believed to heal the body and calm the mind.

The spiritual significance of the day — the union of Radha and Krishna, nature and divinity, devotion and gratitude — makes Amla Navami a celebration of love and balance. Whether one believes in the myths or cherishes the symbolism, the festival’s essence remains universal: to honour the divine in nature, to find purity in devotion, and to live in harmony with all that sustains us.

Conclusion

Amla Navami and Radha Pada Darshan together remind us that faith is not separate from nature — it flows through the trees, rivers, and traditions that define our culture.

Bengaluru, 31 October 2025: Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other, has successfully completed a landmark financing transaction with Bank of China, arranged by Bank of China Turkey A.Ş. The five-year facility, amounting to 2.9 billion Chinese Yuan (equivalent to USD 412 million), will support Airline’s core development initiatives, including fleet expansion, business growth, the construction of new facilities and infrastructure projects at Istanbul Airport.

The transaction marks a new milestone in Turkish Airlines’ ongoing efforts to diversify its funding sources while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and globally inclusive growth. Coordinated by Bank of China Turkey and BOC Macau branch as the lender of the facility, the financing also represents a strengthening of financial cooperation between Türkiye and China, further aligning with both countries’ long-term strategic initiatives.

Commenting on the successful transaction, Turkish Airlines Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker stated: “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with Bank of China through this important financing transaction. As Turkish Airlines continues to pursue sustainable growth and global expansion, we highly value the trust and partnership established with leading international institutions such as Bank of China. This cooperation not only strengthens our flag carrier’s financial position but also contributes to the broader economic and cultural ties between Türkiye and China.

This transaction highlights Turkish Airlines’ strategic vision of embracing innovative and diversified financing solutions that support its long-term sustainability goals. The airline remains committed to advancing its financial strategy through partnerships with globally respected institutions, reinforcing its leadership in the global aviation industry as it continues to expand its fleet and network toward its 2033 centennial targets.

From Mustangs to Minis: Over 100 Motoring Enthusiasts to Begin Himalayan Expedition with Yokohama India on November 2

Pan India, 31st October, 2025: Yokohama India has announced its partnership with The Classic Himalayan Drive 2025, an iconic 10-day motoring expedition that retraces the legendary routes of the 1980’s Himalayan Rallies across some of the region’s most challenging terrains and breathtaking views.

Scheduled to flag off on November 2, the drive will see participation of over 100 motoring enthusiasts and an exceptional lineup of classic cars, including the 1958 Mercedes 180A, 1970 Ford Mustang, 2000 Mini Cooper, Lexus 470, Jaguar XK8, and Mercedes 230 CE, from Europe, the UK, Sri Lanka and India.

The Classic Himalayan Drive 2025 serves as a vibrant platform to bring the automotive icons back to life on the road. Participants will traverse the diverse Himalayan landscapes of Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Manali, and other Himalayan gems blending motoring nostalgia with modern-day comfort, adventure, and camaraderie.

The convoy will have a dedicated Pitstop at Yokohama Club Network Batra Tyres, Chandigarh, on November 9th, providing comprehensive tyre health check-ups, wheel alignment, and balancing services for participating vehicles. Enthusiasts are also welcome to view these timeless classics up close.

Speaking on the partnership, Gaurav Mahajan, Head of Marketing, Yokohama India, said: “The Classic Himalayan Drive is more than a motoring event; it’s a tribute to engineering, endurance, and the pure joy of driving. For us, this partnership is a natural extension of Yokohama’s philosophy; committed to delivering the best quality products, which help consumers get more from their motoring lifestyle.

Mumbai, India, 31st October, 2025: The Toxic Avenger is releasing digitally on PVOD (Premium Video on Demand) in India on Friday, October 31, 2025. The highly anticipated film will be available at a rental of INR 499 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube in India.

The Toxic Avenger is a Horror-Comedy film that traces the life of a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, played by Peter Dinklage. When Gooze is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he transforms into a new kind of hero, ‘The Toxic Avenger’. The story revolves around how ‘Toxie’ must rise from outcast to saviour, and take on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community.

Boasting a stellar ensemble, the film stars Emmy Award winner Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon (Footloose, Hollow Man), Elijah Wood (“The Lord of the Rings” franchise), Jacob Tremblay (Room, Wonder), and Taylour Paige (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Zola).

Directed and written by Macon Blair along with writers Lloyd Kaufman and Joe Ritter, The Toxic Avenger was screened at the Edinburgh Film Festival earlier in 2025. The film was also released in cinemas across various international markets. The Toxic Avenger is a reboot of its original 1984 cult classic which went by the same name.