HUMAN PATIENT
'Liquid biopsy can ease financial burden for cancer patients': Scientists on how a $1,000 test could save $10,000 in treatment costs
Liquid biopsy, a blood-based test that detects and analyses cancer-related biomarkers, is gaining ground as a tool to monitor disease progression and guide treatment decisions. Scientists Catherine Alix-Panabieres and Klaus Pantel, who coined the term in 2010, spoke to ET about its growing role in cancer care, the potential to reduce treatment costs through personalised medicine, and the need for more clinical trials to establish its benefits for patients.
MIT scientists built over 400 tiny ecosystems with 12 to 20 bacterial species; after adding an outsider, the more changeable communities were easier to invade
Researchers at MIT have discovered that chaotic ecosystems easily accept new species while stable ones resist invasion. Conventional ecological beliefs suggest high biodiversity prevents invasions, but stability plays a crucial role. This finding has implications for the effectiveness of probiotic supplements in human gut microbiomes. Individuals with more stable guts may struggle to welcome beneficial probiotics. Future studies will further explore these dynamics and their relevance in wellness treatments.
Equities, debt or gold? Kalpen Parekh lays out the right asset allocation approach this Diwali
Investors should prioritize asset allocation instead of merely chasing recent gains. The ongoing market consolidation offers a chance for long-term Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) investors to buy more units at reduced prices. It's beneficial for new investors to seek advice from financial professionals to create effective investment strategies. Investing gradually in equities following market corrections is wise for steady growth.
Who are Dominic Roy and Cooper Bruce? Tulane University students discover new muscle attachment that could reshape hip surgery
In a groundbreaking discovery, Tulane University students Dominic Roy and Cooper Bruce uncovered a new muscle attachment during a cadaver dissection. This pelvic structure holds potential implications for understanding hip pain and surgical procedures. Collaborating with Dr. R Shane Tubbs, they validated their findings through further examinations. This breakthrough could reshape treatment strategies for hip-related ailments, igniting Roy and Bruce's aspirations to enter the medical field.
ET Wealth Expo 2026 | From HNIs to family offices, why 2026 is teaching investors the importance of de-risking: Dheeraj Gaur
Speaking on the sidelines of ET Wealth Expo 2026 in Mumbai, Gaur said the experience of 2026 has reinforced the importance of de-risking portfolios, particularly for high-net-worth investors and family offices that have built significant investable wealth over the years.
FDA flags persistent data-integrity lapses, insanitary conditions at Indian drug facilities
The US FDA continues to identify serious data integrity issues in Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. During inspections, inspectors found discarded documents related to key manufacturing processes, highlighting compliance concerns. To ensure safe medicines, drugmakers are urged to scrutinize their supply chains and monitor suppliers effectively. Additionally, human errors contributed significantly to production incidents, affecting operations and batch release timelines.
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Voters elected Democrats who are doctors and challenged RFK Jr. Can they protect the Medicaid Program and remove him from office?
Voters in South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan elected Democrats who have criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health policies. Their wins put the Medicaid program and federal health oversight in the spotlight.
A couple helped fund a new hospital for rescued wildlife in Thailand; it opened in December 2025 to provide emergency treatment and ongoing care
A newly established wildlife hospital in Thailand aims to enhance medical care for rescued animals facing injuries and threats from exploitation or illegal wildlife trade. This state-of-the-art facility will cater to various needs, including emergency treatments and rehabilitation. Long-term care is also available for animals that cannot return to their natural habitat, highlighting the importance of ongoing funding to sustain its vital operations.
In California, researchers tracked desert tortoises in a protected area for 34 years; numbers fell from 589 to 47 by 2002, then rose to 73 by 2012
In California, desert tortoises have suffered an alarming 92% population decline, even within designated protected areas. Research attributes this drastic fall to diseases, predation, and environmental stressors, rendering protective measures inadequate. Although a slight recovery was noted by 2012, the overall trend indicates persistent decline, underscoring the urgent need for holistic conservation strategies to safeguard wildlife.
His grandfather died of pancreatic cancer: This Hyderabad startup founder is using AI to develop a personalised cancer vaccines
Hyderabad-based biotech startup PopVax, founded by Soham Sankaran, is developing AI-powered personalised cancer vaccines using mRNA technology. Inspired partly by his family's experience with pancreatic cancer, he aims to help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells using treatments designed around individual patients' tumour genetics.
Voters fear the America they've known is slipping away. On that, the left and right agree
US Midterms latest: Many voters turned out for the midterm elections, driven by a heightened awareness of political issues. Individuals from various backgrounds shared their concerns regarding the direction of the country. While some were motivated to support Democrats, others maintained loyalty to Republicans. This election illustrates the stark divisions among voters, many of whom were voting for the first time. The outcome could shape the political landscape significantly in the coming years.
ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.
Frontline Workers Know How to Solve Your Organization’s Biggest Problems
Frontline employees often know exactly what’s preventing organizations from performing at their best, yet traditional engagement surveys rarely uncover those insights or translate them into action. Companies can close that gap by adopting a disciplined six-step process that combines structured interviews, targeted surveys, collaborative problem solving, and rapid experimentation. When leaders and frontline employees cocreate solutions—and measure their impact—they improve trust, strengthen engagement, and design work that delivers better outcomes for employees, customers, and the business
Assam signs Rs 600 crore deal for India's first state-run proton therapy centre
The Government of Assam has signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt. Ltd. to establish a Proton Beam Therapy Centre. This facility will be the first of its kind in India, aiming to provide advanced cancer treatment. The project involves an investment of approximately Rs. 600 crore, with support from the World Bank. Specialised training will be provided to medical personnel for operating this advanced technology.
Drug-free treatment for diabetes and obesity may become possible as scientists develop a wireless device that detects high blood sugar levels and removes excess sugar from bloodstream
Diabetes treatment news: A team of scientists from France and Switzerland developed a wireless electronic device to manage diabetes. This device removes excess glucose from the bloodstream, potentially providing a drug-free treatment option. In studies, the device effectively regulated glucose levels in diabetic mice while promoting fat usage for energy. Researchers connected it to a continuous glucose monitor, ensuring automatic activation. Further human trials are necessary to ensure safety and effectiveness in patients.
Short-term headwinds, yes; owning the ecosystem is better: 20 healthcare stocks with downside risk of 23% to upside potential of 41%
The healthcare sector is under scrutiny. The issue is pricing: What medicines cost and on what hospitals and the rest of the health ecosystem charge. And both the government and the courts have stepped in. At one level, that is not entirely a bad thing. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum – to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.
India's first public sector proton beam therapy unit to come up in Assam; state signs MoU with Belgian firm
Assam has signed an MoU with Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications (IBA) to set up India's first public-sector proton beam therapy centre in Guwahati at a cost of Rs 600 crore. The facility will offer advanced cancer treatment, particularly for children, and is expected to take at least three years to become operational.
Hospital balance sheet: How AI could cut costs and improve efficiency
As hospitals grapple with soaring costs in drugs, supplies, and labor, the integration of AI emerges as a vital necessity.
AI is no longer just coding or generating images. It has now designed a virus that was used on a human being. Did the patient survive?
A California startup has used artificial intelligence to design a virus that was administered to a human patient for the first time. The experimental treatment uses bacteriophages to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially opening a new way to fight infections that conventional medicines cannot control. However, the patient's recovery has not been disclosed.
'Ebola is like Covid pandemic': African CDC chief says no country in the world is safe now
In light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, Dr. Jean Kaseya from the Africa CDC underscores the urgent need for global readiness. With over 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 fatalities reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the situation is grave. Neighboring nations such as Uganda and Kenya are also facing linked cases, and the absence of effective vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus presents significant challenges for containment.
Oracle's Larry Ellison dismisses 'SaaS apocalypse' fears, says AI will make software better
Speaking at Oracle AI World here, Ellison, the company's executive chairman and chief technology officer, rejected talk of a "SaaS apocalypse", in which businesses would use AI to build their own applications instead of buying software-as-a-service (SaaS) products.
Swiss AI drug trial startup receives funding from Spotify-backer Creandum
An AI foundation model, trained on about two million human RNA readouts, would replace these and animal testing with 12-week simulations, the company said.
Toddler declared dead by doctor, found breathing in hospital morgue five hours later by medical examiner’s staff
An 18-month-old boy in Arizona was found breathing in a hospital morgue about five hours after a doctor pronounced him dead following a drowning incident. His family’s lawyer has alleged that the parents were given false information, while the doctor’s lawyer and hospital have responded to the case. The child survived but has severe brain injuries, according to his lawyer.
Microsoft develops AI tool that can diagnose 'sequentially' like a doctor
Microsoft researchers say an AI tool that diagnoses patients step by step, as doctors do, was more than twice as accurate as general physicians at solving complex medical cases, according to a study published on Thursday in Science.
Shamonda virus reported in France as patient dies: Why is it deadly, what are its symptoms, treatment and prevention methods?
Shamonda virus: France has reported the first known human case of the Shamonda virus after a patient died in October, raising questions about the potential risks of the infection. Previously associated mainly with livestock, the virus is transmitted by biting midges and has been detected in animals across parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.
Nvidia launches OpenShell Reference Architecture to contain AI agents
Nvidia said this architecture combines computing hardware, software and security tools to keep agents within defined boundaries aiming to address a part of the problem.
First recorded human case of Shamonda virus reported in France: Health officials
The first case of Shamonda virus infecting a human being has been reported in France, causing the death of an infected individual. Health authorities have indicated there is currently no threat to public health overall. The virus primarily affects livestock, especially cattle, and is transmitted by biting midges. Previously, it was believed to be non-transmissible to humans until this incident.
Barbera Thornhill says her father invented a medical procedure so ‘millions of people’ can hear again; here is a fact check as she joins Katie Zacharia in making tall claims
Barbera Thornhill's recent role as Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons has led to intense debate. Her appearance has become a focal point on social media, igniting discussions about her qualifications. Furthermore, she asserts that her father created the stapedectomy, whereas records attribute the procedure to Dr. John J. Shea Jr. Unverified claims about her mother being a pediatrician have also emerged, sparking curiosity about her family's background.
Beauty firms chase 'Ozempic face' market as weight-loss drugs boom
Galderma, Natura, and L'Oreal are developing treatments for consumers experiencing facial sagging due to rapid weight loss. These companies are responding to increased demand linked to the popularity of GLP-1 obesity drugs. Experts indicate that rapid weight loss may lead to skin laxity and diminished facial volume. While existing treatments show promise, some limitations remain in addressing deeper facial structure issues.
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