Guwahati, July 30 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that due to the upgradation of the state’s healthcare system, the key mortality rates have come down to a significant extent.

At the time of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 in 2015-16, the infant mortality rate was 47.6 per 1,000 live births in Assam. In NFHS 5 (2019-21), the figure dropped to 31.9 per 1,000 live births, he said.

Meanwhile, the neonatal mortality rate was 32.8 at the time of NFHS 4, which has come down to 22.5 in NFHS 5.

The Under-5 mortality rate also witnessed a significant improvement in the two family health surveys that were carried our nationwide, from 56.5 in NFHS 4 to 39.1 in NFHS 5, the Chief Minister said.

Sarma said the health department in the state has been constantly working to educate people about formal health systems which has brought about changes in controlling the key mortality rates in Assam.

He also mentioned that healthcare facilities have witnessed continuous upgradation in recent years.

Taking to X, the Chief Minister said, “With constant upgradation of our healthcare facilities and efforts of our healthcare workers to educate more people on the benefits of formal health systems, key mortality rates have come down significantly in the state.”

“This signals the robustness and reach of our health infra,” he added.

–IANS

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Jalna (Maharashtra), July 30 (IANS) Shivba Sanghatana leader Manoj Jarange-Patil suddenly took ill at his native village Antarwali-Sarati on Tuesday and doctors are treating him, a party official said.

This afternoon, Jarange-Patil complained of uneasiness, dizziness and physical weakness after which a medical team was summoned, even as his anxious supporters gathered there.

A checkup found that his blood pressure had dropped and he was administered saline and other medication to help stabilise his health, and a close watch was kept on his condition, coming barely six days after he called off his hunger strike last week.

The health issue came up soon after he had addressed the media and slammed the MahaYuti government for not adhering to its promises on the Maratha reservations, including implementation of the ‘sage-soyare’ (bloodline) assurance.

Adopting an aggressive stance, Jarange-Patil again warned that unless the pending quotas problem was resolved, the Maratha community would not only contest all the 288 Assembly seats in the Maharashtra elections in October, but also defeat the candidates of all the other mainstream parties.

Endorsing the stand, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar on Tuesday urged Jarange-Patil to contest all the Assembly seats to ensure justice to the Maratha cause besides the larger movement of all other deprived sections and minorities.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The Centre has formulated an action plan for managing Zika Virus disease as the total number of cases stands at 537 (as on July 22), the Parliament was told on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said that the plan provides detailed guidance on various public health actions that need to be taken in response to the disease outbreak. The plan has been widely disseminated and made available on the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare website, she added.

The government has provided technical guidelines for integrated vector management and effective community participation disseminated to the states for implementation.

“Under the National Health Mission, budgetary support is provided to states/UTs for preventive activities such as provision of domestic breeding checkers, involvement of ASHA, insecticide, fogging machines, training support, awareness activities, etc,” Patel said.

The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is mandated with surveillance and response to 33 plus outbreak-prone communicable diseases including the Zika virus.

The Minister said every state has designated laboratories like District Public Health Laboratories (DPHLs), and State Referral Laboratories (SRLs) under IDSP for investigation and surveillance of these diseases.

Last week, the Maharashtra government appealed to the citizens not to panic, as 25 Zika virus cases were reported in the state from January to July. Of the total of 25 Zika virus cases reported, 21 patients were found in Pune city alone. Earlier this month, a 74-year-old man died after being infected with Zika virus in Karnataka. The state government asked the Deputy Commissioners to be vigilant about the spread of the Zika virus along with dengue cases.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) To control the climate crisis, immediate action on methane emissions is crucial.

According to a study published in the journal, Frontiers in Science. methane, a gas responsible for about half of global warming to date, is increasing rapidly.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, yet only 2 per cent of climate finance targets its reduction. The Global Methane Pledge aims for a 30 per cent reduction from 2020 levels by 2030. The study highlights the economic benefits of methane mitigation, noting that every tonne emitted in 2020 caused damages estimated between US$470-1700, potentially up to $7,000 when considering health impacts. Mitigation can have immediate effects, as methane doesn’t persist long in the atmosphere.

An international team of researchers, led by Professor Drew Shindell from Duke University, emphasises that while CO2 has been the main focus, addressing methane can quickly reduce the rate of warming. The team outlines three key imperatives: reducing methane emissions, coordinating efforts to tackle both methane and CO2 and incentivising methane abatement.

The researchers developed an online tool to identify the most cost-effective methane reduction strategies by country. For example, major fossil fuel producers might benefit from regulating production and incentivising methane capture, while other countries might focus on landfill emissions. Individuals can contribute by reducing beef and dairy consumption supporting policies for composting and making polluters accountable.

Shindell concludes that while uncertainties remain, the urgency to reduce methane emissions is clear to mitigate accelerating climate damages.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Researchers at ETH Zurich have introduced an innovative approach to transform the bacterium ‘Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans’ into a highly-efficient cellulose-producing mini-factory.

This advancement promises to significantly enhance the production of high-purity bacterial cellulose, a material valued for its applications in biomedicine, packaging, and textiles.

Bacterial cellulose, known for supporting wound healing and preventing infections, is produced naturally by K sucrofermentans. However, the bacteria grow slowly and produce limited amounts, presenting a challenge for industrial applications.

To address this, Julie Laurent, a doctoral student developed a method that accelerates the evolutionary process using UV-C light, creating new bacterial variants that produce up to 70 per cent more cellulose.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The process involves exposing bacterial cells to UV-C light, inducing random DNA mutations. These cells are then encapsulated in nutrient solution droplets and allowed to produce cellulose.

Fluorescence microscopy identifies the most productive cells, which are sorted automatically using a system developed by ETH chemist Andrew De Mello’s team.

This system can process half a million droplets in minutes, identifying four variants that significantly outproduce the wild type.

The evolved cells form cellulose mats nearly twice the thickness and weight of those produced by wild-type cells.

Genetic analysis revealed that all four variants had the same mutation in a gene coding for a protease, which seemingly disrupts regulation and allows for continuous cellulose production.

“This approach is a milestone in enhancing non-protein material production using bacteria,” said Professor Studart.

The team has filed for patents and plans to test the new bacterial strains in industrial settings, aiming to revolutionise the sustainable production of bacterial cellulose.

–IANS

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