Stories - First Check

13
Oct

FACT CHECK: Do pillows have an expiry date? The HIDDEN health risks of dirty bedding

Sakshi Srivastava / 22 hours
0
7 min read

CLAIM: Pillows have an ‘expiry date,’ and if not replaced or cleaned regularly, they can cause acne, allergies, skin irritation, and even serious lung infections. FACT: Pillows can accumulate dust, dead skin, oils, fungi, and bacteria over time, potentially aggravating skin conditions and contributing to respiratory issues, especially in individuals with pre-existing lung problems. Regular […]

11
Oct

Two decades of service, yet ASHA workers’ demands remain unheard

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 days
0
13 min read

Reeta Bhardwaj walks through the serpentine lanes of Sangam Vihar in New Delhi in her pink coat, a hardback register pressed to her side, pen ready for the day’s tally. She moves ahead—knocking, greeting, teasing a smile from toddlers, and reminding new mothers about vaccinations. Here, in South Delhi’s dense maze, she is more than […]

Mental health surpasses cancer as top global concern, including India

10
Oct

World Mental Health Day: How therapy helps many find answers

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 days
0
7 min read

Adila Matra always unconsciously gravitated towards people who, like her, didn’t fully fit into the expected social moulds, which meant that her circle of friends were mostly neurodivergent (or so they seemed to her). “I never realised I was different because this felt normal… I get anxious in social situations. I was often told I […]

10
Oct

From ‘OCD’ to ‘Depressed’: How people misuse mental health terms in everyday conversation

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 days
0
8 min read

In the age of Instagram stories, YouTube shorts, and everyday digital chatter, mental health terms have become part of casual conversations. You may have seen posts like, “My ADHD trait won’t let me focus on this guy,” or captions reading, “I’m so depressed with all these college deadlines,” or even jokes like, “You must have […]

09
Oct

Dehydration and stress: How not drinking enough water elevates your cortisol levels

Sakshi Srivastava / 5 days
0
5 min read

In today’s fast-paced world, stress seems unavoidable. Deadlines at work, family responsibilities, and financial pressures take a toll on both mind and body. But one surprising factor may silently affect your stress levels—your water intake. A recent study highlights that not drinking enough water daily can make people biologically more stressed, increasing cortisol levels and potentially impacting […]

08
Oct

FACT CHECK: Is coconut oil silently damaging your scalp?

Sakshi Srivastava / 6 days
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Excess coconut oil damages the scalp. FACT: Coconut oil is safe and beneficial as a conditioner when used in moderation, but experts suggest that excessive application can make the scalp sticky, attract dust and pollution, and even trigger irritation or folliculitis. An Instagram reel by fitness coach and influencer Priyank Mehta has sparked widespread […]

08
Oct

What’s on your plate? Study links Indian diet to diabetes and obesity

Sakshi Srivastava / 6 days
0
8 min read

In a comprehensive nationwide study, the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) has unveiled concerning trends in the Indian diet that correlate with escalating rates of diabetes and obesity. The study, encompassing 1,21,077 adults across the country, highlights a significant dietary shift towards high carbohydrate consumption, particularly from low-quality sources, coupled with inadequate protein […]

08
Oct

Is your favourite canned drink a health hazard? What experts say about can contamination

Sakshi Srivastava / 6 days
0
5 min read

You’ve probably cracked open a cold drink straight from a can on a hot day—that satisfying pssst sound, the fizz rushing up, and that first chilled sip hitting just right. It feels harmless, even refreshing. But what if that quick gulp is exposing you to more than just your favourite beverage? Recently, a viral reel by Dr Manan […]

07
Oct

Will AI win the next Nobel Prize? Scientists say it’s no longer sci-fi

First Check Team / 7 days
0
3 min read

Artificial intelligence could soon compete with humankind’s brightest minds for science’s highest honour, the Nobel Prize, according to a recent Nature report. The journal says that over the past two years, AI systems have begun demonstrating capabilities once limited to human researchers: analysing complex data, designing experiments, and even generating new hypotheses. This progress has […]

07
Oct

Are escalator rails dirtier than public toilets? The SHOCKING truth about germs on your daily commute

Sakshi Srivastava / 7 days
0
5 min read

If you use the metro for your daily commute or often rest your hand on elevator rails, you might want to pause for a moment. For, it could be dirtier than public toilets. A recent reel by Dr Dana Figura has sparked debate about how unhygienic these rails really are. Dr Figura claims to be a board-certified podiatric physician […]

06
Oct

FACT CHECK: Can soaking your feet in hot water cure migraines?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 week
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Soaking your feet in hot water can cure migraines. FACT: Soaking your feet in hot water may offer temporary relief for a mild migraine attack, but it does not cure or prevent migraines. Experts suggest using it only as a symptomatic measure alongside proper medical treatment and lifestyle management. If you suffer from migraines […]

06
Oct

Let’s talk about mental health!

Mariyam Alavi / 1 week
0
4 min read

A couple of days back, my mother walked up to me and said she wanted to share something very important, but I was not to repeat it to anyone else. She swore me to secrecy, and even though we were just two people in the room, she dropped her voice to a whisper—almost as if […]

06
Oct

We should not miss a beat to take care of our own heart health, says Dr Tarun Kumar

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 week
0
6 min read

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become one of India’s biggest health concerns, claiming thousands of lives every year and affecting people at increasingly younger ages. According to the World Health Organisation, CVDs account for nearly 27 per cent of all noncommunicable disease deaths in India and are responsible for 45 per cent of deaths among those […]

06
Oct

Katrina Kaif pregnant at 42: Doctor explains risks and realities of late-age pregnancies

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 week
0
7 min read

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal’s pregnancy announcement has taken social media by storm. At 42, Katrina’s news has reignited discussions around later-age motherhood, its risks, and possibilities. The conversation has also highlighted questions many women face today: when is the right age to have a child, what are the biological limitations, and how safe is […]

05
Oct

Beyond birth control: Why contraception matters for preventing HIV and STIs

First Check Team / 1 week
0
8 min read

Contraception is widely recognised as a tool to prevent unintended pregnancies, but its role in safeguarding sexual health is equally important. Beyond family planning, contraceptive methods- particularly barrier methods—play a crucial role in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Globally, STIs are a significant public health concern, leading to morbidity, mortality, and social stigma. […]

03
Oct

Cough syrups under probe after child deaths in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh

First Check Team / 2 weeks
0
2 min read

Authorities in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have launched investigations into select cough syrups after child deaths and illnesses, prompting suspensions of distribution and urgent testing of drug samples. In Rajasthan, the probe was triggered after the death of a five-year-old boy in Sikar and the critical illness of a three-year-old in Bharatpur, both linked to […]

03
Oct

Is your old pressure cooker silently poisoning your food?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 weeks
0
6 min read

Ever wondered if the old cooker sitting in your kitchen is quietly harming your health? That’s the alarming claim made in a viral reel posted by Dr Manan Vora, an orthopedic surgeon with 556,000 followers on Instagram. The video has already garnered 236,000 views and over 10,000 shares. “Your old pressure cooker could be the […]

30
Sep

PhD life in 2025: Higher satisfaction, lingering inequities, and the AI dilemma

First Check Team / 2 weeks
0
3 min read

Money, politics and technology are redefining the PhD experience in 2025, albeit students worldwide are reporting higher levels of satisfaction with their doctoral studies than during the pandemic, according to Nature’s 2025 global PhD survey. The survey, conducted in May and June among 3,785 PhD candidates across the globe, examined supervision practices, workplace cultures, and […]

25
Sep

She lived to 117: Scientists unlock clues from the world’s oldest woman

First Check Team / 3 weeks
0
2 min read

The extraordinary lifespan of Maria Branyas Morera, who died last year at the age of 117, was shaped by both genetic resilience and a simple lifestyle that included daily yogurts, a report published in Nature says. The findings are based on a detailed analysis of her genes, metabolism and gut microbiome. Branyas, who died on […]

25
Sep

Are your plastic chopping boards leaching toxins and microplastics into your food?

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
7 min read

Plastic chopping boards are a common fixture in most kitchens today, valued for their light weight, affordability, and easy availability. But a recent viral Instagram reel by dietician Bhawesh Gupta has warned they leach toxins and microplastics into our food. Gupta, who has 7.2 lakh followers on Instagram, appears in a reel warning viewers to […]

24
Sep

Can tongue scraping really prevent Alzheimer’s and heart disease?

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
5 min read

An Instagram reel by author and speaker Dr Daniel Pompa has sparked widespread discussion online over claims that tongue scraping can prevent heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Pompa, who has 17 lakh followers on Instagram, demonstrates tongue scraping while claiming it boosts nitric oxide, lowers blood pressure, improves brain function, and prevents gum disease—allegedly reducing […]

23
Sep

Are cotton swabs dangerous for your ear health and eardrum?

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Never clean your ears because earwax is essential for ear health, and the ears naturally clean themselves. FACT: Earwax naturally protects the ear and usually cleans itself. Experts suggest that routine cleaning is unnecessary, and using cotton swabs or other objects can push wax deeper or cause damage. When it comes to hygiene practices, […]

23
Sep

India’s alarming childhood obesity crisis: A looming global health threat

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
8 min read

Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. While fitness tips, videos, and quick solutions dominate our screens, it is essential to pause and confront the reality of where we truly stand. In India, this reality is particularly concerning: childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate, threatening the […]

23
Sep

Can mindless scrolling shrink your brain?

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Mindless scrolling is shrinking your brain. FACT: Experts say mindless scrolling can harm focus, memory, and mood, with some early studies suggesting possible thinning of the cerebral cortex and grey matter loss. But evidence is still limited, and more large-scale research is needed before confirming that it shrinks the brain. You’ve probably come across […]

22
Sep

Are your favourite sugary drinks secretly causing hair loss?

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
6 min read

It’s a scorching summer afternoon, and you reach out for that chilled, fizzy, sugar-loaded drink. The can sweats in your hand, the first sip feels like relief, and the sweetness gives you a quick surge of energy. For many, these drinks are more than just beverages; they’re routine companions during long workdays or guilty pleasures […]

22
Sep

GST cut to 0% on health & life insurance: What it means and why coverage matters

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
8 min read

In a major relief for health insurance policyholders, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Wednesday decided to exempt all individual life and health insurance premiums from tax. The revised rates will take effect from September 22, the first day of Navratri, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced after the 56th Council meeting. Currently, insurance […]

22
Sep

FACT CHECK: Is going to bed immediately after dinner harmful?

Sakshi Srivastava / 3 weeks
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Going to bed immediately after dinner is harmful. FACT: Going to bed immediately after dinner can trigger indigestion, bloating, acidity, and disturbed sleep. Doctors advise finishing dinner earlier, walking for 10–20 minutes, and maintaining a 2–4 hour gap before bedtime for better digestion and sleep quality. The moment we return home, we’re busy planning […]

20
Sep

Govt rolls out uniform treatment protocols across 28 specialties

First Check Team / 3 weeks
0
2 min read

In a move aimed at standardizing healthcare across the country, the Union government has introduced 157 Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) covering 28 specialties, including cardiology, pulmonology and dermatology. Hospitals and medical colleges have been directed by the National Medical Commission to adopt these evidence-based protocols, developed jointly by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), […]

19
Sep

Kerala on alert as ‘Brain-Eating Amoeba’ claims 19 lives

First Check Team / 4 weeks
0
2 min read

Kerala has sounded the alarm after a spike in infections from the rare but deadly “brain-eating amoeba,” with 19 people losing their lives, including nine in September alone. The state has reported 72 cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri, compared to 36 cases last year, of which nine proved fatal. State’s […]

19
Sep

Fact Check: Are chia seeds dangerous if not consumed properly? What you need to know

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 weeks
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Chia seeds can be dangerous if not consumed properly. FACT: Chia seeds are nutritious and beneficial, but if consumed dry or in large amounts, they can cause choking, digestive issues, or allergic reactions. Experts suggest soaking them before eating and limiting intake to 10–20 g per day to stay safe. We try to experiment with […]

18
Sep

Which diseases will you face in 20 years? AI tool offers early forecasts

First Check Team / 4 weeks
0
3 min read

A new artificial intelligence tool can peer two decades into a person’s medical future, predicting their risk of developing more than 1,000 diseases. The model, called Delphi-2M, was trained on the health records and lifestyle data of 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank. According to a study published in Nature on Wednesday, it can “forecast […]

18
Sep

WHO report: Tobacco use identified as major driver of child stunting globally

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 weeks
0
8 min read

Every parent wants their child to grow healthy. From balanced nutrition to regular health check-ups, families take every step to ensure children reach their full potential. Yet, despite these efforts, a silent threat continues to undermine child growth—tobacco use. In a recent report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the alarming impact of tobacco […]

16
Sep

Do women need more sleep than men?

First Check Team / 4 weeks
0
5 min read

In a viral Instagram post, Dr Manan Vora, an orthopedic surgeon with 549K followers, claims that women need more rest than men because of hormonal changes that disrupt their sleep cycles. “Because of hormones. periods, pregnancy and menopause mess with their sleep. It gets harder to fall asleep, and they wake up more often. Even […]

15
Sep

Rising student suicides: Are we failing our young?

Mariyam Alavi / 4 weeks
0
2 min read

I am sorry papa. Main is saal bhi nahi kar paaya (I couldn’t do it this time either). A young adult preparing for the Indian national medical entrance exam said this in a note he left behind when he died by suicide last year. Every year more and more young students are dying by suicide in India, […]

15
Sep

Single exercise session found to slow cancer cell growth, study shows

First Check Team / 4 weeks
0
3 min read

Exercising muscles can release substances that help suppress the growth of breast cancer cells, according to a new study published in PubMed. The research, published last month, involved 32 women who had survived breast cancer. After a single session of high-intensity interval training or weightlifting, their blood contained higher levels of certain molecules that slowed […]

14
Sep

Fact Check: Can consuming white bread and packaged juices cause cancer?

Sakshi Srivastava / 4 weeks
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Eating bread, especially white bread, and packaged juices (which contain adulterated mixtures and chemicals) causes cancer. FACT: There is no direct evidence that eating white bread or drinking packaged juices causes cancer. While they are not “poison,” experts suggest that regular consumption may increase the risk of cancer indirectly by contributing to nutritional deficiencies, […]

12
Sep

Bollywood’s silent battles: Actors who spoke about their struggles with depression

First Check Team / 1 month
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3 min read

Behind the Bollywodd’s bright lights, several leading actors have been confronting private battles that few could imagine. In recent years, stars like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Manisha Koirala, Bobby Deol, and Nushrat Bharucha have opened up about their struggles with depression and setbacks, conversations that are slowly reshaping the way mental health is viewed […]

12
Sep

Why paper towels might be your best bet for hygiene

First Check Team / 1 month
0
5 min read

Hot-air hand dryers are a staple in most public restrooms in urban India now. Most people reach for these dryers over paper towels to dry their hands for a myriad of reasons— for some, it is the greener option, for others, it might even seem more hygienic. However, a viral reel on Instagram calls for […]

11
Sep

The pressure cooker effect: Student mental health under siege in India’s education system

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
10 min read

At just 22, Arijit Gupta, a postgraduate student at Jamia Millia Islamia, navigates a world defined by endless assignments and tight deadlines. The constant pressure to excel has left him exhausted and mentally drained. “As a master’s student, work pressure is expected, but sometimes it gets too much and you are so overwhelmed that you lose track […]

10
Sep

From stethoscopes to digital twins, AI Is rewriting medicine

Riyaz Wani / 1 month
0
4 min read

With every passing day, the role Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is becoming more prominent, advancing from buzzword to real-world impact. A host of innovations, from diagnostics and treatment to drug discovery and wearable tech, is reshaping how we approach patient care. Streamlining Cancer Treatment At Addenbrooke’s Hospital in the UK, Dr. Raj Jena has […]

09
Sep

Does waist-to-height ratio offer a better measure than outdated BMI?

First Check Team / 1 month
0
5 min read

For years, doctors, healthcare practitioners, and researchers have used the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a ratio based on one’s weight and height, to determine whether one is overweight and to look at health outcomes. However, a new study has now found that a waist circumference to height ratio is a better measurement for […]

09
Sep

Russia’s cancer vaccine ready for use: report

First Check Team / 1 month
0
4 min read

Russia has developed a cancer vaccine that has successfully completed preclinical trials and is now ready for use, Veronika Skvortsova, head of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA), announced at the 10th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), held in Vladivostok from September 3–6 under the theme “The Far East: Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity,” TASS […]

08
Sep

Is there a specific time of day when heart attacks are most likely to occur?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
6 min read

India has been witnessing a worrying surge in heart-related cases, with incidents being reported not just among the elderly but also, shockingly among children and young adults. On July 16, 2025, a nine-year-old girl in Rajasthan’s Sikar collapsed at school and later died. Doctors reportedly concluded that she suffered a “heart attack.” Also, in Karnataka’s […]

08
Sep

Fact Check: Can longer toilet breaks lead to piles and infection risks?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Sitting for extended periods in a toilet can cause piles. FACT: Prolonged sitting on the toilet does increase pressure on rectal veins and can contribute to piles. Experts advise limiting toilet time to 2–3 minutes, avoiding straining, and skipping phone use to reduce both hemorrhoid and infection risks. An Instagram reel by fitness […]

05
Sep

Intermittent fasting: Is the popular diet trend harming your heart?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
7 min read

When Britain’s former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak casually revealed that he often begins his week with a 36-hour fast, it caught global attention. He wasn’t alone in promoting the practice. Hollywood celebrities, tech leaders, fitness influencers, and politicians across the world have spoken about how intermittent fasting has transformed their lives, often attributing it to […]

05
Sep

Fact Check: Is dark chocolate truly a medicine? Here’s what you need to know

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Dark chocolate is a medicine. It gives us resilience, strength and also improves brain health. FACT: Eating dark chocolate (70% cocoa or above) in moderation may support heart, skin, and short-term brain health, but doctors warn it is not a medicine and overconsumption can cause risks due to high sugar, calories, caffeine, fat, and […]

04
Sep

Ozempic faces $2 billion lawsuit amid weight-loss craze

First Check Team / 1 month
0
4 min read

Ozempic, once celebrated as a breakthrough treatment for type 2 diabetes, is now in the dock over its soaring popularity as a weight-loss shortcut. The drug’s Danish manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, faces lawsuits worth more than $2 billion in the United States, with patients alleging severe side effects including stomach paralysis, uncontrollable vomiting and vision loss. […]

04
Sep

Kangana Ranaut’s silver glass claim: Does it truly boost your immunity?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Drinking from silver glass boosts immunity. FACT: There is no scientific evidence that drinking water from a silver glass boosts immunity; an expert we spoke to suggests that while silver has some antimicrobial properties, long-term or excessive intake can be harmful. Boosting immunity is one of the most popular promises made by wellness hacks […]

03
Sep

Scientists find new clues to slowing down ageing

First Check Team / 1 month
0
3 min read

A study of how ageing reshapes human genes has produced the most comprehensive “epigenetic atlas” ever assembled, and it may point the way to new anti-ageing treatments. An article published in the Nature analyzed more than 15,000 human tissue samples, mapping DNA methylation changes – chemical tags that regulate gene activity – across 17 types […]

02
Sep

Fact Check: Can colder office temperatures significantly reduce women’s productivity?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Women feel colder in air-conditioned rooms. FACT: Women do feel colder than men in air-conditioned rooms, largely due to lower metabolic rates, hormonal factors, and outdated temperature standards designed around men. Ever noticed how women in offices are often wrapped in shawls, sneaking out for a dose of warmth, or requesting colleagues to turn […]

02
Sep

Are viral DIY teeth whitening hacks safe for your smile?

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

We are all on the lookout for quick ways to whiten our teeth, scrolling endlessly through the internet for home hacks that promise instant shine. From kitchen ingredients to DIY pastes, these remedies often spark curiosity, and sometimes, controversy. In a viral post, actress Nia Sharma, who has 8.2 million followers on Instagram, attempted a […]

01
Sep

Is two pegs of alcohol good for your heart? Here’s what experts say

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

Alcohol has long carried mixed perceptions — often linked to health risks, yet casually justified in everyday conversations. A recent viral reel has once again put the spotlight on this controversy. In a viral video, posted by entrepreneur Abhishek Vvyas, who has 1.2 lakh followers on Instagram, Bollywood actor Govinda’s wife, Sunita Ahuja, opens up […]

01
Sep

Let’s talk about PCOS!

Mariyam Alavi / 1 month
0
3 min read

Acne. Facial hair. Weight gain. Irregular periods. Infertility. These are the struggles of many women of menstruating age across the world. Many of them have a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS; not be confused with PCOD). With the WHO estimating that 6-13% of reproductive-aged women are affected by PCOS globally, many of us would […]

01
Sep

ADHD drugs may offer broader life benefits: Study

First Check Team / 1 month
0
3 min read

Medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may deliver wider benefits beyond symptom control, according to a large study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Researchers found that people newly diagnosed with ADHD who began drug treatment were less likely to engage in harmful behaviour or meet with serious misfortune. Among those starting medication, […]

01
Sep

What is Michael Clarke suffering from? The risks and dangers of skin cancer

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
8 min read

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke, one of the country’s most decorated batters, is once again facing a difficult battle off the cricket field—skin cancer. The 43-year-old recently revealed on Instagram that he had another cancerous growth removed from his nose. Sharing a picture after the surgery, Clarke posted: “Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia. […]

01
Sep

What is PCOS? The hidden struggle of one in five Indian women | Explainer

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
9 min read

Simran Mudgal was 21 when she first began noticing unsettling changes in her body. Her periods grew irregular and painfully delayed, fatigue made even simple tasks exhausting, and coarse facial hair appeared along her chin and jawline. “I felt like there was a lot of imbalance in my body,” she recalls. In 2023, doctors finally […]

31
Aug

Is dancing during pregnancy safe? Debunking myths and expert guidelines

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
5 min read

Earlier this year, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, broke the internet when she shared a video of herself and her husband, Prince Harry, dancing while pregnant with their second child. The Duke and Duchess appeared to be recreating a TikTok Challenge in the video that has had over 7 crore views. However, it also […]

31
Aug

Is your phone destroying your brain? The shocking truth about attention span

Sakshi Srivastava / 1 month
0
7 min read

In a classroom overlooking the valley in Dehradun, Archana S. Chhetri, a PGT-English teacher, has been noticing a worrying trend. Over the past few years, she has observed that the attention span of her students has sharply declined with the rise of social media. According to her, long hours spent on the internet and gaming […]

29
Aug

“One of the hardest decisions”: Emma Heming on living apart from Bruce Willis amid dementia care

First Check Team / 2 months
0
2 min read

Emma Heming Willis has opened up about life as a caregiver for her husband, actor Bruce Willis, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) nearly three years ago. In an interview featured in ABC’s special Emma and Bruce: The Unexpected Journey, she revealed that the couple now lives in separate homes to better meet his […]

29
Aug

Fact Check: Can kidney stones be removed without surgery?

First Check Team / 2 months
0
4 min read

A viral Instagram reel posted by content creator Sanjeev Kumar Sharma has sparked queries online — can kidney stones really be removed without surgery? In the reel, a person asks him about his claim, to which he confidently responds that even large, 2–3-year-old stones can be removed. What is a kidney stone, its symptoms and […]

28
Aug

Can your anger lead to a heart attack?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

An Instagram reel by fitness coach and influencer Priyank Mehta has sparked widespread discussion online over claims that anger significantly raises the risk of a heart attack. Mehta, who has 976,000 followers on Instagram, cites a Harvard study and warns viewers about the dangers of frequent anger. The post has received over 10,700 likes, more […]

28
Aug

“Still listening. Still your friend”: US family sues OpenAI, says ChatGPT pushed teen toward suicide

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

A lawsuit filed in California has accused OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, of deepening a teenager’s depression and driving him toward suicide, raising urgent questions over the emotional risks of artificial intelligence. Sixteen-year-old Adam Raine began using ChatGPT in late 2024, like many of his classmates, to finish homework. But over time, his chats took a darker […]

27
Aug

Does relocating vaccinated stray dogs truly worsen rabies outbreaks and public health?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

An Instagram reel by community feeder and animal welfare advocate Jananee (Instagram handle:@the_dog_lady_), who has 2,570 followers, has gone viral amid the growing debate over the Supreme Court’s recent order to relocate stray dogs to shelters. In the video, she argues that removing vaccinated and sterilized street dogs from their territories could dismantle herd immunity, […]

27
Aug

Are your lipsticks responsible for delayed periods and messed up hormone levels?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

For many women, this is a familiar scenario—you start your day with freshly applied lipstick, which disappears after a few hours. More often than not, you would have eaten some bits of it. Well, now social media posts claim that this is not just a fashion faux pas; it could also be harming your health. […]

27
Aug

FACT CHECK: Are cockroaches in coffee harmful to health?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Cockroaches in coffee are harmful to health. FACT: Experts suggest that small traces of cockroach fragments in coffee are harmless for most people but may trigger reactions in those with cockroach or shellfish allergies. You must be sipping your daily cup of coffee while reading this. Mornings, evenings, homes, or office corners—coffee […]

26
Aug

Fact Check: Can eating sprouted potatoes be deadly? What you need to know

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Sprouted potato packed in a tiffin kills children. FACT: False. Eating one or two sprouted potatoes will not kill children; solanine poisoning is rare and only dangerous when large amounts of heavily sprouted or green potatoes are consumed. Potatoes are among the most commonly used vegetables in Indian households—be it in parathas, curries, or […]

26
Aug

The AI race to automate healthcare: Can we keep the human touch?

Riyaz Wani / 2 months
0
4 min read

Picture this: you walk into a hospital and, instead of spending nights waiting for paperwork, you’re out the same afternoon, because an AI system already drafted your discharge note. Or imagine an AI assistant flagging a dangerous spot on your scan before any human doctor has even looked at it. This isn’t any science fiction […]

25
Aug

92-year-old sprinter’s muscle cells look like those of someone in their 20s, scientists find

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

The Italian sprinter Emma Maria Mazzenga holds four world records for women over 90, and scientists are now studying her to understand how she keeps moving so fast for so long. “In Italy, it’s just me,” Mazzenga said, as quoted by The Washington Post. “At the world championships, it was me and an American.” Last […]

25
Aug

Are your earphones stealing your hearing? This common daily habit could leave you permanently deaf!

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
7 min read

A makeup artist recently took to Instagram to share a terrifying experience that shook her confidence in something as ordinary as earphones. She revealed that during a long journey to Delhi, she had her wireless earphones on continuously for nearly eight hours. The following morning, she noticed some hearing loss in her left ear. At […]

25
Aug

Fact Check: Can consumption of makhana with milk cure hair loss?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
3 min read

Hair fall is a common woe that many of us face, and we often turn to DIY remedies and home cures for quick fixes. The internet is filled with simple hacks, miracle cures, and kitchen remedies that can give you the tresses of your dreams. Now, an Instagram reel, posted by the handle globallifesaniya, offers […]

24
Aug

Declare cancer notifiable nationwide, tax tobacco to fund research: Parliament panel

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

A parliamentary committee has recommended that cancer be declared a notifiable disease across India, warning that inadequate data is undermining efforts to tackle one of the country’s fastest-growing health crises. In its 163rd report presented to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the Committee on Petitions headed by Narain Dass Gupta said, “Given India’s rising cancer […]

22
Aug

Peer reviewers more likely to approve articles that cite their own work, study finds

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

Reviewers are more inclined to approve scientific articles that cite their own research, according to a new study of thousands of peer-reviewed manuscripts published in the journal Nature. The study, which examined 18,400 articles from four open-access platforms, found that “reviewers who were cited were more likely to approve the article after the first review […]

21
Aug

IIT study reveals collagen’s hidden role in worsening type 2 diabetes; should we be worried?

Sneha Richhariya / 2 months
0
4 min read

Collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, may exacerbate type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition affecting over 500 million people globally, a study from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has revealed. Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the research highlights how collagen I, a key structural protein in […]

21
Aug

3 deadly ‘brain-eating amoeba’ cases reported in Kerala, what you need to know

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
5 min read

Kerala’s health department has sounded an alert in Kozhikode district after three back-to-back cases of the rare but deadly brain infection primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) were reported. One of the victims, a nine-year-old girl, died on August 14, while a three-month-old baby and another patient continue to battle for their lives. The health department is […]

20
Aug

Fact Check: Are asymmetric breasts a sign of cancer?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
5 min read

Dr Tanaya Narendra, a doctor, sexual health educator, embryologist, and scientist popularly known as Dr Cuterus with 1.8 million followers on Instagram, in a recent post addressed a common concern: Is one breast being bigger than the other a cause for worry? Her answer—not always. She explained that if asymmetry has always been present, it […]

20
Aug

Want to lose weight? Reducing food cravings and controlled snacking could be the key

Allen Joe Mathew / 2 months
0
5 min read

Getting those pesky kilos off and maintaining a healthy weight is a challenge that is all too familiar to many of us. Every day, there is new advice that streams in about what one needs to do to shed those extra kilograms—from new fad diets to workout regimes. But can controlled snacking on sweets be […]

20
Aug

Fact Check: Does eating broiler chicken cause early puberty and cancer in girls?

Allen Joe Mathew / 2 months
0
3 min read

A YouTube video uploaded by the channel “Experiment_bhaiya” claims that consuming broiler chicken can cause early puberty in girls. With over 39 million views and more than a million likes, the video has got people talking about the claims. “So today we have broiler chicken, which is consumed as a non-vegetarian staple food in the […]

19
Aug

Can adding protein make instant noodles healthy? Experts debunk the viral claim

Sneha Richhariya / 2 months
0
3 min read

A recent YouTube video with over 5 million views was all about how instant noodles can be made into a healthy alternative. “I have the universe’s healthiest food,” the vlogger says, holding a packet of a renowned instant noodle brand. To counter the issue of high glycemic index (GI), he suggests balancing it by adding […]

19
Aug

Myths debunked: Does wearing a bra at night cause cancer?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

An Instagram reel by fitness coach and influencer Priyank Mehta has sparked widespread discussion online, with claims that wearing a bra at night can cause breast cancer. In the video, Mehta warns women to “stop wearing bras at night” to avoid potential health risks. The reel, presented as a dialogue between Mehta and a woman, […]

19
Aug

Contact lens complications: What you need to know to protect your vision

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
8 min read

Television actor Jasmine Bhasin’s ordeal last year is a stark reminder that eye health should never be taken lightly. While in Delhi for work, she wore contact lenses despite feeling painful sensations in her eyes. Determined not to delay her commitments, she masked the discomfort with sunglasses. As the day progressed, her vision blurred until she […]

18
Aug

Let’s pledge to save lives, let’s pledge to donate organs!

Mariyam Alavi / 2 months
0
3 min read

Earlier this month, the Union Health Minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda, highlighted how India had achieved a milestone that we can all truly be proud of. “Due to the unwavering dedication of our transplant professionals, India achieved a remarkable milestone of performing over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, the highest ever recorded in a single year. […]

18
Aug

Fact Check: Is it safe to consume moringa daily?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Moringa is safe to consume every day. FACT: Moringa offers multiple health benefits; however, nutritionist advises against its daily consumption without consulting a qualified expert first. You might have come across various reels, posts, and articles about the benefits of ‘moringa’- the drumstick and its leaves, or supplements or powders. This green leafy vegetable […]

18
Aug

‘Less and less science fiction’: Scientists edge closer to editing the human brain

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

“The data have never looked so good,” says Monica Coenraads, founder and CEO of the Rett Syndrome Research Trust, quoted by the journal Nature. “This is less and less science fiction, and closer to reality.” Scientists are closing in on a formidable new target for genome editing, the human brain, an article published in the […]

15
Aug

Why are headaches rising among children and teenagers?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

Shriya Koul, a media student, was just 10 years old when she first experienced the strange, throbbing pain on one side of her head. Her mother and maternal grandfather had both suffered from migraines – and in 2018, Koul too was diagnosed with the condition. “It wasn’t as acute as theirs, but it was still […]

14
Aug

Do magnesium supplements work for sleep, anxiety, and period cramps?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

An Instagram reel by doctor and influencer Yokesh Arul has brought magnesium supplements into the limelight, with claims of transformative health benefits. In the video, Arul—who has over 1 million followers on the platform, shares his personal experience of taking magnesium for 21 days. “I took magnesium for 21 days and it literally changed my […]

14
Aug

They risked not just prison walls, but their own lives and health

First Check Team / 2 months
0
2 min read

The towering figures who fought for India’s freedom from the British empire did it against heavy odds. They battled not just British persecution, and jails but also their health issues. But this hardly dampened their spirits and they pressed on in their quest for freedom until they achieved it, some losing their lives in the […]

14
Aug

Is MSG addictive? What scientific studies really say about monosodium glutamate

Sneha Richhariya / 2 months
0
5 min read

In October 2023, during a press conference at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Prof Narsingh Verma, head of KGMU’s physiology department, said that Ajinomoto triggers glutamate pathways in the brain and spinal cord, which are interconnected with various other neurotransmitter pathways, leading to addiction. The idea that monosodium glutamate (MSG), present in […]

13
Aug

World Organ Donation Day: ‘Don’t take your organs to heaven; heaven knows we need them here,’ says leading liver transplant surgeon Dr Arvinder Singh Soin

Mariyam Alavi / 2 months
0
16 min read

According to the Union Health Ministry, India has made unprecedented progress in the field of organ transplantation — performing over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024 alone, the highest ever recorded in a single year. This is a sharp rise from fewer than 5,000 such surgeries in 2013, placing India third in the world after the […]

13
Aug

Ditch your glasses? FDA approves eye drops to fix your near sight

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved VIZZ™ (aceclidine ophthalmic solution 1.44%), a first-of-its-kind prescription eye drop for adults with presbyopia – the age-related condition that makes it difficult to focus on near objects. According to the newly released prescribing information, “VIZZ is a cholinergic agonist indicated for the treatment of presbyopia in […]

13
Aug

World Organ Donation Day: India’s organ transplants hit a record high, yet thousands are still waiting; here’s why

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
6 min read

On August 2, Union Health Minister JP Nadda lauded India’s progress in the field of organ transplantation, marking a record-breaking year. “Due to the unwavering dedication of our transplant professionals, India achieved a remarkable milestone of performing over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, the highest ever recorded in a single year. This is a significant […]

12
Aug

World Organ Donation Day: Here’s what you need to know

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

India’s organ transplantation numbers have reached a record high, yet the need still far outweighs the supply. Speaking at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day earlier this month, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda announced that the country performed over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024 — the highest ever in a single year, and a […]

12
Aug

World Organ Donation Day: The top 5 myths around organ donation

First Check Team / 2 months
0
4 min read

Donating an organ is the greatest gift one can give—the gift of life. Yet, India still faces a shortage of donor organs. According to official estimates, 2.5 lakh people need kidneys, 1 lakh need corneas, 80,000 need livers, and 50,000 people need hearts every year in the country. In fact, officials have said that the […]

12
Aug

The joy of small things

Riyaz Wani / 2 months
0
3 min read

Squeezed between deadlines, and phone-scrolling, we are hardly conscious of how time passes us by, and, in turn, how life goes by. Happiness is now a dopamine boost triggered by the relentless buzz of social media and email notifications. But the truth is that this stimulation is fleeting and leaves us empty and anxious. Thankfully […]

11
Aug

Soha Ali Khan’s latest health trend: Is chewing raw garlic on an empty stomach good for you?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

A viral Instagram video posted by Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan has stirred a fresh health trend online—chewing raw garlic on an empty stomach for a myriad of supposed health benefits that range from boosting immunity and improving gut health to reducing inflammation. The reel, which has close to 70,000 likes and about 1 crore […]

11
Aug

Fact Check: Are heart attacks more common on Mondays and during winter holidays?

Pallav Vyas / 2 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Heart attacks are more likely to occur on a Monday. This phenomenon is known as “blue Monday.” People also die the most from heart attacks in the last week of December. FACT: Indeed! one is most vulnerable to a heart attack on a Monday morning and during cold winters. But more research may be […]

11
Aug

FACT CHECK: Could drinking coffee regularly protect against thyroid disease, including cancer?

First Check Team / 2 months
0
4 min read

Coffee is the largest traded food and beverage commodity in the world, which makes it a popular drink, worldwide. While many may enjoy the drink for its taste, oblivious to the health benefits associated with their favourite morning cuppa. One such apparent coffee lover has taken to the popular social media platform X, formerly Twitter, […]

08
Aug

FACT CHECK: Mosquito coils can be as harmful as ‘100 cigarettes’

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: One mosquito coil can be as harmful as 100 cigarettes FACT: Multiple research studies have shown that mosquito coils emit harmful pollutants, comparable to multiple cigarettes. Mosquito coils are a staple in many Indian households, with many people burning it through the night to keep those pesky little blood sucking flies away […]

08
Aug

Fact Check: Does your body only repair itself during sleep between 11 PM and 4 AM?

Allen Joe Mathew / 2 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Optimal time for sleep is 11 PM to 4 AM as that is the time for body repair Fact: False. Every person’s body has its own circadian rhythm and the body repairs itself at all times when a person sleeps, not just during a specified time. First Check came across a reel […]

07
Aug

New Alzheimer’s study: Lithium supplement reverses memory loss in mice, raises human hopes

First Check Team / 2 months
0
3 min read

A new study published in Nature suggests that replenishing the brain’s natural lithium reserves could not only protect against Alzheimer’s disease but potentially reverse its debilitating effects as was witnessed in mice. The study, led by geneticist Bruce Yankner of Harvard Medical School, found that “when lithium concentrations in the brain decline, memory loss tends […]

07
Aug

World Breastfeeding Week is here, but have we checked on our mothers and the data?

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
7 min read

Shadia Hassan, a PhD scholar at IIT Delhi, gave birth to her first child, a beautiful, healthy boy, in November 2024. She recalls how the early months of motherhood were a delicate balance of science, emotion, and inherited advice. “I delivered my baby via C-section at Trident Hospital in Nehru Place, and initially, the doctors […]

06
Aug

Move over Google, AI is the new doctor in town!

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
6 min read

Who would have thought that for every minor inconvenience or health concern – be it a skin rash, a persistent cough, or a random ache—we’d be turning to ChatGPT for answers? In an era where artificial intelligence is at our fingertips, AI chatbots are fast becoming the new front line for health queries. Patients are […]

06
Aug

How microgreens have become the new superfood on your plate | Explained

Sakshi Srivastava / 2 months
0
4 min read

They began as a chef’s secret weapon in the Californian fine-dining scene of the 1980s, prized for their vibrant colour, intense flavour, and delicate texture. However, over the past few decades, microgreens have evolved from garnish to a global phenomenon. According to a 2024 review published in Current Research in Food Science, the global microgreens […]

04
Aug

World Breastfeeding Week: Ignore the noise, listen to the experts!

Mariyam Alavi / 2 months
0
3 min read

Hello, When I was pregnant with my first child a couple of years ago, I thought I had done everything I could do to prepare myself for this beautiful journey. I had researched, I had planned, and I was convinced I was able to determine what is best for my child. One of the first […]

04
Aug

Aging not linear: Study finds human body ages faster after 50

First Check Team / 2 months
0
2 min read

A major study published last week in Cell has mapped, for the first time that aging accelerates sharply around the age of 50, with some organs, especially blood vessels, growing old much faster than others. “We present a comprehensive proteomic and histological analysis of 516 samples from 13 human tissues spanning five decades,” the researchers […]

01
Aug

Justin Timberlake has Lyme disease: 5 celebs you didn’t know are suffering too

First Check Team / 2 months
0
4 min read

Pop superstar Justin Timberlake has revealed that he has been battling Lyme disease, a condition he described as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.” The announcement came just after the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow world tour, which began in April in Vancouver and wrapped this week in Turkey. The revelation followed a wave of […]

31
Jul

Explainer: What Trump’s 25% tariff could mean for India’s pharma exports to the US

First Check Team / 2 months
0
5 min read

India’s pharmaceutical industry has long been a lifeline for global healthcare, supplying affordable generics, vaccines, and complex drugs to over 200 countries. But with US President Donald Trump slapping a 25% tariff on all Indian exports, including pharmaceutical products, the sector faces one of its most significant external threats in recent years. The tariffs threaten […]

30
Jul

U-MAS: The AI tool helping public health officials fight online misinformation

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

Being under development since 2022 by researchers at the University of Waterloo, the UbiLab Misinformation Analysis System (U-MAS) has quietly emerged as one of the most robust AI tools in the fight against health misinformation online. Now in active use, the system is helping researchers and public health officials monitor the ever-growing tide of false […]

29
Jul

Type 2 diabetes may lead to debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure: Study

First Check Team / 3 months
0
2 min read

Chronic illnesses don’t only badly affect your health, they can also wreck your finances. A new study has found that patients with type 2 diabetes face significantly greater financial hardship compared with those without the condition The study published in JAMA Network Open examined 166,285 adult patients at a Midwestern medical center in Ohio found […]

29
Jul

Over 13 million IVF babies born worldwide since 1978: Study

First Check Team / 3 months
0
2 min read

More than 13 million infants have been born globally through assisted reproductive technology (ART) since the birth of the first “test-tube baby” in 1978, a global study has revealed. Published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, the study is based on 40 years of systematic data collection by the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive […]

28
Jul

Why some families only have boys, or only girls, Harvard study explains birth sex mystery

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

A baby’s sex at birth is generally considered a coin toss, roughly a 50-50 chance of having a boy or a girl- until now. A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that biology may have more of a say than mere luck. “If you’ve had two girls or three girls […]

27
Jul

Swiss scientists resurrect century-old flu virus, offer clues for future pandemics

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

Researchers from Switzerland have reconstructed a complete genome of the 1918 Spanish flu virus from preserved lung tissue of a young man who died more than a century ago, providing new insights into how pandemics evolve and how deadly viruses adapt to humans. The findings, published this week in BMC Biology, mark the first-ever fully […]

25
Jul

Breathing dirty air may raise risk of dementia: Study

First Check Team / 3 months
0
2 min read

A major new study has found that breathing polluted air for long periods of time may increase your chances of developing dementia. The research, published this week in The Lancet Planetary Health, brings together data from over 24 million people around the world, and it confirms what scientists have suspected for years: air pollution isn’t […]

24
Jul

Turmeric supplements cause liver damage: US woman’s case exposes dangers of unverified health advice

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
4 min read

A woman in the US was hospitalised due to severe liver damage, after she started taking turmeric supplements regularly, once again highlighting the dangers of unverified health advice. The case quickly made headlines and sent ripples through the fitness and health communities across the US, particularly those who are consumers of herbal drinks and products. […]

23
Jul

COVID may have aged your brain by 5.5 months

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

Even if you never contracted COVID-19, the pandemic may still have aged your brain. A major study using UK Biobank data has found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated brain ageing in healthy individuals, regardless of whether they were ever infected with the virus. “Our findings reveal that, even with initially matched brain age gaps […]

22
Jul

Prolonged delay in REM sleep may signal higher risk of Alzheimer’s: Study

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

A new study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia has found that people who take longer to enter REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, a stage of sleep linked with dreaming and memory, could be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). The study, a result of collaboration between Chinese and […]

21
Jul

Aluminium in vaccines safe for children, says study, countering anti-vaxxers

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
3 min read

The anti-vaxxing community has long claimed that Aluminium used in vaccines for children leads to detrimental effects for them as they grow up. The post from X.com makes the same claim: “Injecting aluminum into our children should be considered a crime.” The post responds to an attached video statement by Dr Scott Gottlieb, former United […]

21
Jul

RSV vaccine in pregnancy cuts baby hospital risk by 72%

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

A new UK study has confirmed that vaccinating pregnant women against RSV, a major cause of serious lung infections in babies, can dramatically reduce the risk of hospitalisation for their newborns, a study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health on Sunday has revealed. RSVpreF, as the vaccine is called, was introduced across England […]

18
Jul

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency: What it means

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

The White House recently announced that US President Donald Trump, now 79, has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a prevalent vascular condition, following speculation sparked by viral photos showing bruises on his hand. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the diagnosis was made after a routine medical […]

18
Jul

Three-parent IVF brings hope for inherited disorders

First Check Team / 3 months
0
4 min read

In a major scientific breakthrough, eight babies have been born in the UK using a pioneering IVF technique designed to prevent life-threatening mitochondrial diseases. The treatment, known as pronuclear transfer, combines DNA from three people – two parents and a female donor – to reduce the risk of passing on harmful mutations carried in mitochondrial […]

17
Jul

Health, caregiving and ‘preparing’ for old age emerge as top concerns at event for senior citizens

First Check Team / 3 months
0
5 min read

While life expectancy of the average Indian is now close to 75 years, the number of healthy years they may have may be almost a decade shorter, said Dr K Srinath Reddy at a seminar held in Delhi on Wednesday. Titled “Towards an Inclusive Senior Ecosystem,” the seminar underlined the need to prepare better for […]

17
Jul

Fact Check: Is incense smoke more harmful than cigarettes?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Smoke from incense sticks can be more harmful to the lungs than cigarette smoke, potentially causing cancer and DNA damage. FACT: True. Incense smoke contains harmful PM2.5 particles, benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide, contributing to indoor air pollution and potential health risks like cancer, DNA damage, and chronic lung issues. But its overall […]

16
Jul

WHO recommends a twice-a-year injection for HIV prevention

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

Imagine protecting yourself from HIV with just two injections a year—no daily pills, no complicated routines. That’s now possible, thanks to a new recommendation by the World Health Organization, which has endorsed lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that offers near-complete protection against HIV. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a preventive method, meant for people […]

16
Jul

USAID cuts could trigger over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030: Lancet

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

A study published in The Lancet has warned that the US decision to suspend and defund USAID health programs could lead to more than 14 million avoidable deaths, including over 4.5 million children under the age of five, by the year 2030. The study, titled “Evaluating the impact of two decades of USAID interventions and […]

15
Jul

India targets obesity with visual alerts on junk food in public institutions

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
3 min read

In a major push to tackle India’s growing obesity crisis, the Union Health Ministry has directed all government ministries, departments, and autonomous bodies to display newly designed “oil and sugar boards” in canteens and public eating areas within their premises. The directive, issued on June 21 by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, aims to […]

15
Jul

Smart devices now track your fruit intake, and warn about allergies

First Check Team / 3 months
0
2 min read

Imagine a device that not only knows which fruit you’re eating but also tells you how healthy it is. What’s more, it also warns you if you’re allergic to it. A new study has introduced just that. Researchers have developed two automated tools – FruitPAL and FruitPAL 2.0 – designed to make fruit consumption both […]

15
Jul

Your stomach bugs may help clean out harmful chemicals: Study

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
4 min read

Scientists have identified certain species of human gut bacteria that can absorb and store toxic “forever chemicals,” suggesting a new avenue for reducing the health risks posed by these persistent pollutants, according to new study published July 1 in Nature Microbiology. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in products ranging from waterproof […]

14
Jul

FACT CHECK: Can stepping on Indrayan fruit in water cure fatty liver and joint pain?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: A video claims that stepping on Indrayan fruit (Citrullus colocynthis) in a bucketful of water for 5 minutes can relieve fatty liver, joint, or heel pain. FACT: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim. First Check received a tipline request on WhatsApp that inquired about the validity of a video […]

11
Jul

Barbie gets real: New doll with Type 1 diabetes wins hearts

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
5 min read

Mattel, an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company, recently announced a new addition to its Barbie Fashionistas line: a Barbie doll with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). This Barbie comes with a glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump. The point is to destigmatize T1D and help children with the condition feel included. “Introducing a Barbie […]

11
Jul

As the world warms, cold regions like Kashmir are the new frontline

Riyaz Wani / 3 months
0
3 min read

This summer in Kashmir Valley, one of the world’s coldest regions, has been unlike any before. Many days in June and July have surpassed their previous temperature records. And on July 5, Srinagar recorded a sweltering 37.4 degrees Celsius – the highest temperature in the city in 70 years. The people not used to this […]

11
Jul

Rise of telemedicine: Bridging healthcare’s digital divide

Insha Mushtaq / 3 months
0
10 min read

Telemedicine has emerged as a game-changer in the field of health, enabling remote health consultations across geographical barriers. This ensures a more inclusive, patient-centric and efficient approach to health care. At its heart, telemedicine involves receiving medical and health care over the internet using a computer, smartphone, tablet, and other such smart technological gadgets. Doctors […]

10
Jul

What’s in a name? What is PCOS, and why is it not the same as PCOD?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

In an old video circulating on YouTube reels, Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, opens up about her struggles with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), hormonal issues, and self-acceptance at the #WeTheWomen Festival. She says that she was diagnosed with PCOS when she was younger and that earlier it was known as PCOD or polycystic ovarian disease. Kapoor’s […]

10
Jul

India faces alarming rise in gastric cancer without H. pylori prevention

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
3 min read

India could see a dramatic rise in gastric cancer among those born between 2008 and 2017 unless it takes urgent action to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, a new study warns. The research, led by Jin Young Park and colleagues and published this week in Nature Medicine, estimates that “15.6 million (95% uncertainty interval 14.0–17.3 million) lifetime […]

09
Jul

Can you protect yourself from cancer-causing plastic chemicals?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

The pervasive presence of toxic chemicals in everyday plastics links them to serious health risks, including cancer, a new report from the Australia-based Minderoo Foundation has said. Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, commonly found in food packaging, medical devices, and household products, are under scrutiny for their potential to disrupt hormones and increase cancer risk. […]

09
Jul

FACT-CHECK: Homeopathy, acupuncture or medicine?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Do not consume medicine or see a doctor for all small issues; instead, try acupressure, acupuncture and homeopathy. FACT: Acupressure and acupuncture may offer modest symptom relief for some conditions but cannot replace qualified medical care. Homeopathy, while popular in India, lacks reliable scientific evidence on its effectiveness. First Check received a […]

08
Jul

How AI, IoT and drones are winning the mosquito war in Andhra Pradesh

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
2 min read

The Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS), a high-tech approach, is helping combat mosquito-borne diseases in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative launched by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department uses artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IOT) technology to monitor and control mosquito populations across 66 locations in six major municipal corporations: Greater Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Kakinada, […]

07
Jul

FACT CHECK: US Health Secretary RFK Jr claims studies kept hidden prove vaccines lead to autism

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: US Health Secretary RFK Jr claims hidden studies prove vaccines lead to autism. FACT: False. The referenced “study” is an abstract, not peer-reviewed, and follow-up research found no such link. Multiple scientific authorities, including the CDC, reject the claim. The US Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr recently appeared on the The Tucker […]

07
Jul

AI is here to stay—might as well learn how to use it responsibly!

Mariyam Alavi / 3 months
0
2 min read

Hello, Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is now quickly transforming our approach to most industries—from media to communications, and from healthcare to transportation. Words like ChatGPT, prompting, and Generative AI have now become part of everyday lexicon for many. However, where many see opportunities, as a journalist, I am trained to look for the potential pitfalls: […]

04
Jul

FACT CHECK: Can the gender of a baby really alter a pregnant woman’s looks?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Kimberly Kardashian stated that a baby’s gender affects a pregnant woman’s appearance, with boys making mothers look prettier and girls “taking” their beauty. FACT: This claim is a myth unsupported by science, as pregnancy appearance changes are driven by hormones, genetics, and health, not the baby’s sex. First Check came across a reel on YouTube that features renowned American […]

04
Jul

FACT CHECK: Are COVID-19 vaccines behind the rise in heart attacks in Karnataka?

Allen Joe Mathew / 3 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Karnataka CM hints at COVID-19 vaccines as a cause for sudden heart attacks among people Fact: False. Multiple sources including ICMR, AIIMS have stated that there is no proof linking COVID-19 vaccines to sudden heart attacks A recent tweet from the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has linked cardiac deaths in Karnataka’s Hassan district to […]

03
Jul

FACT CHECK: Can scientists reverse type 2 diabetes by silencing specific brain neurons?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: Scientists have reversed type 2 diabetes by silencing specific brain neurons without impacting body weight. FACT: Partially true. Scientists found that inhibiting certain brain cells called AgRP neurons helped bring blood sugar back to normal for months in animals. This could even put type 2 diabetes into remission (and not reversal) without changing […]

02
Jul

New gene therapy helps deaf children hear for the first time

First Check Team / 3 months
0
3 min read

A gene therapy has restored significant hearing ability in children, teens, and young adults with congenital deafness, a study published in Nature Medicine has revealed. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV)-OTOF is a new type of gene therapy that helps some deaf people hear again. Ten participants aged 1.5 to 23.9 years across five sites in China were […]

02
Jul

FACT CHECK: Can 72 hours of fasting cause the body to eat up tumors?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: 72 hours of fasting causes the body to eat up tumors FACT: Insufficient conclusive evidence. There is no conclusive evidence that 72 hours of fasting can make the body “eat up” or eliminate tumors. While fasting may trigger autophagy — a process of recycling damaged cells — tumors are complex and generally require […]

01
Jul

Global loneliness hits 1 in 6, linked to 100 deaths every hour: WHO

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
4 min read

One in six people globally are affected by loneliness, which contributes to an estimated 100 deaths every hour—more than 871,000 deaths annually, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection has revealed. The report highlights the impact of social connection on health, well-being, and economic outcomes, calling for urgent action […]

01
Jul

TB countdown begins: Will India achieve TB elimination by deadline in six months?

Sneha Richhariya / 3 months
0
6 min read

In 2018, India set a goal to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, five years ahead of the global deadline of 2030, vowing to slash TB incidence by 80% and TB mortality by 90% from 2015 levels. However, with only six months left, the nation grapples with formidable challenges, with many questioning if this target would […]

30
Jun

New HIV gene therapy could end daily pills, say scientists

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

Gene therapy could revolutionize HIV treatment, potentially offering a durable, one-time solution for millions of people living with the virus worldwide, a study published in Science Advances by Johns Hopkins University researchers suggests. Led by Associate Professor Fabio Romerio, the study focuses on a molecule within HIV called the antisense transcript (AST), which makes the […]

30
Jun

Extreme heat could be rewriting your DNA, making you older faster

First Check Team / 4 months
0
3 min read

The ongoing heatwave across the world, including in india, may not just be uncomfortable, they may actually be aging your body from the inside out. A study has found that older adults living in areas with frequent extreme heat show signs of accelerated biological aging, as measured by changes in their DNA. These changes, known […]

29
Jun

Fact Check: Is using urine as an eye wash safe?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
2 min read

Claim: Using the first urine of the day to wash your eyes is a healthy and beneficial practice. Fact: False. Medical experts have strongly refuted the claim, warning that urine contains waste products and bacteria that can cause serious eye infections and harm. A viral video on social media shows a woman advising people to […]

27
Jun

Are periodic COVID-19 spikes the new normal?

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
6 min read

Recent weeks saw renewed concern as COVID-19 cases were reported across the country. Active cases had surpassed 7,000 earlier this month; it has dropped to less than half that figure now, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reporting 3,256 active COVID-19 cases in the country as of June 27, 2025. This latest wave […]

27
Jun

Rethinking obesity: Focus on overall health, not weight loss, urge doctors in BMJ piece

First Check Team / 4 months
0
3 min read

A group of leading experts has warned that focusing solely on weight loss in people with a high body mass index (BMI) may do more harm than good – both medically and psychologically. Writing in The BMJ, Dr Juan Franco, a family doctor at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, and colleagues argue that the […]

26
Jun

New Nipah-like viruses found in Chinese bats, scientists warn

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
2 min read

Scientists have identified two new viruses in bats, closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses, which can trigger severe brain inflammation and respiratory illness in humans. The findings of this study, along with other newly discovered viruses, bacteria, and parasites in bat kidneys, were published in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Yun […]

25
Jun

Fact Check: Can scanning a QR code on medicine packaging confirm its authenticity?

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Scanning a QR code on medicine packaging can verify its authenticity by providing details like batch number, serial number, manufacturing date, expiry date, and license number. If it shows “no records found,” this indicates the medicine is fake. FACT: This claim is true. In November 2022, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, […]

25
Jun

From sting to cure? Scorpion venom offers hope against breast cancer

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

A molecule found in the venom of an Amazonian scorpion has shown promising results in killing breast cancer cells in the lab, offering hope for a new treatment against one of the world’s deadliest diseases for women. Promising cancer-curing molecule from an unlikely source Researchers at the University of São Paulo, in collaboration with the […]

24
Jun

Fact Check: Should kids snack on flaky sea salt?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Children wanting salt and parents feeding them flaky sea salt is a healthy sign. Fact: Children do crave sodium and nutrients than adults, but it is not advisable to give them salt flakes as snacks. First Check received a query from one of our readers through our tipline +91 9311223141 for a […]

24
Jun

Silent epidemic: 80% of India’s IT workforce have fatty liver disease

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
4 min read

Eighty percent of IT professionals in India have fatty liver due to work pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor lifestyle choices, says a recent study. This cross-sectional study involved 345 IT employees in Hyderabad, India, who responded to a questionnaire on their occupational sitting, shift work, stress, sleep duration, smoking, physical activity, and food habits. […]

23
Jun

Salman Khan battles Brain Aneurysm, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and AVM: What these mean

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

During an appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show recently, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan disclosed his battle with three serious neurological conditions- trigeminal neuralgia, brain aneurysm, and an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The 59-year-old actor was answering a question about his marriage on the show when he candidly talked about enduring excruciating pain yet continuing to […]

23
Jun

Fact Check: Is sitting down to pee better for men?

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Urinating in a squatting position benefits men’s health, and standing urination contributes to various health issues, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, and kidney problems. FACT: Insufficient scientific evidence. Sitting can promote more complete bladder emptying, lessen pelvic floor strain, and enhance hygiene. But the decision to stand […]

20
Jun

Over 2 lakh Indians have sickle cell disease, true count likely higher

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

More than 2.1 lakh people in India are living with sickle cell disease (SCD), with over 16 lakh carrying the trait, figures that experts warn may be just a fraction of the country’s true burden, latest government figures reveal. As India faces prevalence and childhood mortality rates comparable to Africa, the government has intensified its […]

20
Jun

Overusing ChatGPT may erode your brain’s thinking power: MIT study

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

The LLM (Large Language Model) has reduced friction in our work, but it has come at a cost. Over-reliance on ChatGPT for writing could severely impair cognitive abilities, introducing a phenomenon termed “cognitive debt,” a new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has revealed. Conducted over four months with 54 participants, the research […]

19
Jun

FACT CHECK: Can arthritis be diagnosed and treated using knee aspiration?

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Arthritis can be diagnosed and treated using knee aspiration FACT: The claim is mostly true. Knee aspiration is a recognized procedure for managing arthritis symptoms and aiding diagnosis by analyzing joint fluid. However, it is not a cure, and patients should consult healthcare professionals to understand its role in their treatment plan. An Instagram […]

19
Jun

FACT CHECK: Is using the air conditioner overnight harmful to health?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Using the air conditioner overnight can cause respiratory problems, dry skin and eyes, muscle stiffness, and fatigue, among other health issues. FACT: True. Prolonged exposure to air conditioners, be it overnight or during the day can exacerbate respiratory issues. But precautions can be taken to ensure safety. As summer temperatures soar in India […]

18
Jun

Singapore scientists create cheaper blood test to track cancer

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

Artificial intelligence (AI) can now detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in small blood samples. Fragle, a new AI tool, can detect very small amounts of cancer remaining after treatment, known as minimal residual disease (MRD), helping doctors identify potential relapse at an early stage. Scientists at the ASTAR Genome Institute of Singapore (ASTAR GIS) have […]

18
Jun

Autistic Pride Day: How to interact with autistic people with kindness, respect and dignity

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
5 min read

Every June 18th, the world celebrates Autistic Pride Day, an occasion to recognize autistic people’s unique skills, creativity, and perspectives. This day, founded in 2005 by the autism solidarity and campaigning group Aspies for Freedom, is inspired by the gay pride movement and encourages us to consider autism as a thriving element of human diversity […]

17
Jun

FACT CHECK: Are birth control pills a cure for PCOD?

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Birth control pills are not a permanent solution for PCOD. FACT: True. Birth control pills are not a permanent solution for PCOD but are effective for managing symptoms, with potential side effects like weight changes and mood swings. Lifestyle changes can significantly improve PCOD and may reduce reliance on medications, but a complete resolution […]

16
Jun

22-year ordeal ends: Court finds no kidney removal, acquits doctor

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
2 min read

A unique case of medical negligence that went on for 22 years has finally been quashed by the Patna High Court, where the accused, a female gynaecologist, has been found to be innocent. The court found that the gynaecologist was wrongly implicated in allegations of unlawful kidney removal during a 2000 surgery, in which she […]

14
Jun

World Blood Donor Day: Why the young donate blood

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
4 min read

Blood donation continues to remain a challenge in India, with demand far exceeding the supply. In 2023, then Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, S.P. Baghel had said that the demand for a blood transfusion arises every 2 seconds in India. “On an average, 14.6 million blood (units) is needed every year and […]

14
Jun

One unit, three lives: Experts urge regular blood donation on World Donor Day

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

Voluntary blood donation can save up to three lives with every unit and remains the cornerstone of emergency care, chronic illness treatment, and life-saving surgeries, says leading hematologist Dr Kanjaksha Ghosh, highlighting the critical need for regular donations as India marks 20 years of World Blood Donor Day. “Every year, World Blood Donor Day is […]

13
Jun

WHO’s ‘Beat the Heat’ initiative aims to shield workers, fans from heatwaves

First Check Team / 4 months
0
3 min read

As global temperatures continue to break records, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambitious “Beat the Heat” initiative is gaining ground in its mission to protect workers, sports fans and local communities from extreme heat and related environmental hazards. The project, running from January 2025 to June 2026, marks the first phase of collaboration between WHO […]

12
Jun

FACT CHECK: Do painkillers really cause infertility and heart issues?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

First Check came across a reel in which a popular social media health influencer, Dimple Jangda claims that painkillers can lead to a host of issues from cardiac to infertility. “Painkillers, they increase the risk of heart attack, cardiac health issues by almost 20%,” the influencer says. “So women who would take a lot of […]

10
Jun

Fact Check: Can putting drops of heated aloe vera into ear relieve ear pain?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
2 min read

Claim: Ear pain can be relieved by putting drops of heated aloe vera gel into the ear. Fact: False. This is unsafe and not recommended. First Check received a fact-check request on our tipline +91 9311223141 from a reader who shared a home remedy for pain relief video. The speaker claims that ear […]

10
Jun

FACT CHECK: Is kajal really good for your eyes?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Kajal keeps the eyes healthy and prevents infections Fact: False. Experts warn kajal has no health benefits and may even harm the eyes, especially if it contains lead First Check received a fact-check request on our tipline +91 9311223141 from one of our dedicated readers who shared two videos from a channel called Hitaa […]

09
Jun

FACT CHECK: Does eating too much protein really harm your brain?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: Consuming a high-protein diet causes elevated ammonia levels in the brain, leading to memory loss, seizures, and poor sleep FACT: Misleading. The protein study cited in the video is based on a computer simulation involving liver cirrhosis patients, not healthy individuals, and offers no such conclusions for the general population First came […]

06
Jun

Fact-Check: Can bottle gourd be a viable substitute to blood thinners?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Bottle gourd (lauki) can be used instead of blood thinners. Fact: False. There is no credible scientific evidence that bottle gourd can replace medically prescribed blood thinners. While bottle gourd has some general health benefits, it does not have proven anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties in humans. First Check received a fact-check request on our tipline […]

06
Jun

FACT CHECK: Bryan Johnson claims 60 oxygen therapy sessions reversed his age to that of a 10-year-old

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Completing 60 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reverses biological age. FACT: Insufficient scientific evidence. Some of Johnson’s claims, such as increased telomere length, are supported by preliminary research on HBOT, but the extent of his reported outcomes may be anecdotal. The claims lack independent, peer-reviewed evidence. In a recent YouTube video, tech […]

05
Jun

FACT CHECK: Should everyone shampoo their hair every day for a healthy scalp?

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

Claim: We should shampoo our hair every day for healthy hair and scalp. Fact: Not necessarily. The scientific consensus and expert recommendations do not universally support daily shampooing for everyone. The ideal frequency depends on individual hair type, scalp condition, and lifestyle. A viral reel on social media and advice from many […]

04
Jun

WHO recommends global rollout of RSV vaccines to save infant lives

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

In response to the global burden of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease among infants, WHO has recommended that all countries introduce either the maternal vaccine, RSVpreF, or the monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, in order to protect infants from the severe effects of the infection. The recommendations, outlined in WHO’s first-ever position paper on immunization against the respiratory illness, […]

04
Jun

Breakthrough in CAR T-Cell Therapy in fighting solid tumours

Allen Joe Mathew / 4 months
0
3 min read

CAR T-Cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment across the world but has been most effective against blood cancer, and not as much against other types of cancers, until now. Now, researchers in China demonstrated that they have successfully concluded an experimental immunotherapy using engineered immune cells which significantly improves survival in people with advanced gastric […]

03
Jun

Study links fussiness, sleep issues in kids to Long COVID impact

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
2 min read

As COVID-19 cases rise worldwide, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that young children, including infants and preschoolers, are grappling with Long COVID symptoms that differ from those in adults. These findings come at a critical time as new variants fuel a rise in infections, raising concerns about the virus’s lasting impact on the […]

03
Jun

Depression in your 40s may raise risk of dementia: Study

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

Experiencing depression during midlife, particularly in one’s 40s, may increase the risk of developing dementia in later years, a new study published in the medical journal eClinicalMedicine, a part of The Lancet, has found. Conducted by researchers from the Institute of Mental Health and School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, the University of […]

02
Jun

Antibiotics shortage: Only 6.9% of patients treated for deadly superbug infections in developing nations

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

Sneha Richhariya While antibiotic overuse in some regions fuels the rise of antibiotic resistance, millions in low- and middle-income countries face a deadly paradox as they are unable to access life-saving drugs for carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections–superbugs that evade powerful antibiotics. The CRGN are a group of bacteria that are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, which […]

Bihar BIMLI Health Literacy credible health information

02
Jun

Health Literacy Matters!

Mariyam Alavi / 4 months
0
2 min read

Hello! One often wonders what is the point of a health literacy training. Can we really change attitudes towards health and health information by a few training sessions? Can we ensure that health misinformation doesn’t spread, by just empowering people with the practical tools needed to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources of health information […]

02
Jun

Over 60% of breast cancer cases in India diagnosed at Stage 3 or 4: Report

Sneha Richhariya / 4 months
0
3 min read

Breast cancer has emerged as the leading cancer among Indian women, with nearly 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to a new report by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). Titled “NAMS Task Force Report on Breast Cancer in India,” the study, published in the Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, […]

30
May

FACT CHECK: Is the ‘7-Day No Food Challenge’ a safe weight loss method?

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: “7-day no food weight loss challenge” can help you lose up to 10 kgs in just 7 days FACT: False. The “7 Days No Food Weight Loss Challenge,” claiming 10 kg weight loss in seven days is dangerous, unscientific, and unsustainable, risking severe health issues like electrolyte imbalances and organ damage, with weight loss primarily […]

30
May

Grassroots programme in Bihar boosts health literacy, combats health misinformation: The Mercury Project

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
4 min read

A grassroots training programme designed by The Mercury Project and conducted in partnership with DataLEADS and JEEViKA (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society) “produced striking effects on students’ abilities to distinguish between true and false information,” especially when it comes to health information. The Bihar Information and Media Literacy Initiative (BIMLI), which targeted almost 14,000 school […]

29
May

FACT CHECK: Is your gut really a second brain?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Gut is our second brain Fact: True. The gut contains a complex nervous system and produces mood-related chemicals like serotonin, significantly influencing brain function, though it doesn’t “think” like the brain. The phrase “the gut is our second brain” has become increasingly popular in both scientific circles and social media. First Check […]

29
May

Each extra 10g of alcohol a day raises pancreatic cancer risk by 3%: Study

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

Alcoholic drinks, especially beer and spirits, may raise the risk of pancreatic cancer, a new study has found. Pancreatic cancer ranks as the 12th most frequent cancer globally and carries a high death rate, particularly when detected late. In 2022, it was responsible for 5% of all cancer fatalities worldwide. Published in PLOS Medicine, the […]

28
May

FACT CHECK: Is Robert Kennedy Jr. right about no evidence for COVID shots in healthy children?

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
5 min read

COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday. In a 58-second video posted on X, he said, “I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed […]

International Day of Action for Women's Health - AI generated

28
May

International Day of Action for Women’s Health: Tech led solutions that are revolutionising women’s health

Mariyam Alavi / 5 months
0
17 min read

Women’s health has been neglected, poorly studied and underfunded for far too long now. It is now well established that historically, women were excluded from most medical studies. They were conducted on men, and the data collected from them were generalized to women. In fact, many studies conducted on rodents too, excluded female rodents, as […]

28
May

Fact-Check: Can men’s poor hygiene during urination lead to UTIs in women?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Poor peeing hygiene habits in men can be a cause of UTIs in their female partners Fact: True. Lack of hygiene in men can cause UTIs in their female partners. Everyone should follow clean and safe sexual practices, and maintain hygiene at all times. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are among the most common […]

27
May

Climate change fuels spread of deadly fungi, putting millions at risk: Study

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

Climate change is fueling the spread of dangerous fungi, putting millions of people at risk of severe infections, according to a new study from the University of Manchester. The research warns that rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns are enabling fungi like Aspergillus to thrive in new regions, threatening public health across Europe, Asia, […]

27
May

Your childhood environment could shape your mental health forever: Study

First Check Team / 5 months
0
2 min read

Early-life stress (ELS) can deeply alter brain development and lead to long-lasting mental health problems, according to a new study published in Neuron. “Early-life stress is common and constitutes a strong risk factor for cognitive and mental health disorders,” says the study adding, however, that much remains unclear about how young brains perceive and respond […]

26
May

Fact Check: Can a drink made from garlic, lemon, and turmeric cure all diseases?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: A drink made from garlic, lemon, turmeric, and pepper permanently boosts immunity and prevents all diseases, according to Barbara O’Neil FACT: False. No scientific evidence supports this claim, and O’Neil is banned in Australia for spreading dangerous health misinformation First Check came across a video of Barbara O Neil, the controversial Australian naturopath who […]

26
May

Fresh COVID concern: NB.1.8.1 variant found in US, after China, India surge

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, linked to a significant surge in cases in China, has been detected among international travelers arriving at US airports, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) airport screening program. The variant, which has sparked global concern due to its rapid spread in Asia, was identified through the […]

25
May

Study links social media to teen depression

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

Increased social media use among preteens may contribute to higher levels of depressive symptoms over time, a new study published in JAMA Network Open revealed. This cohort study, conducted by a team led by Jason M. Nagata from the University of California, San Francisco, tracked nearly 12,000 children aged 9 to 13 over three years, […]

23
May

Fact Check: Does turmeric cause cancer due to lead chromate adulteration?

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Turmeric can lead to cancer because it contains lead chromate FACT: Lead chromate’s carcinogenic properties make chronic exposure a concern, theoretically increasing cancer risk over time. However, the assertion that turmeric itself “causes cancer” is misleading, as it implies the spice is inherently dangerous. Proper sourcing and regulation can mitigate risks. First Check came […]

23
May

Taurine, an energy drink ingredient, doesn’t cause cancer but helps blood cancer cells grow

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

Taurine, a popular amino acid found in energy drinks and supplements, could be driving the growth of leukemia, a type of blood cancer, according to a new study from the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute. Published in Nature, the research reveals that leukemia cells rely on taurine to fuel their aggressive spread, raising concerns […]

22
May

Toxic plastic chemical linked to 1 lakh heart deaths in India: Lancet study

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

A common plastic-softening chemical, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), caused 103,587 heart disease deaths in India in 2018, according to a Lancet eBioMedicine study. Found in food packaging, medical devices, and cosmetics, DEHP is fueling a health crisis in India, where plastic use is surging. The global study estimates DEHP exposure caused 356,238 heart disease deaths worldwide […]

22
May

Declining birth rates in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi signals demographic shift

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

The southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the capital, Delhi, are witnessing a dramatic decline in birth rates, dropping at more than twice the national average, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India last week. Driven by rising female education and socio-economic progress, […]

22
May

Climate change isn’t just physical, it’s psychological too

Riyaz Wani / 5 months
0
3 min read

As climate disasters multiply, a quieter but equally alarming crisis is unfolding across India and the globe: the toll of climate change on our mental health. From floods and droughts to rising heat and humidity, environmental disruptions are triggering a range of mental health disorders, often silently. The scientific evidence to this effect has only […]

21
May

Explainer: What is trachoma and how India eliminated it

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

India on Monday was awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva. “This recognition is a testament to India’s sustained efforts in disease elimination, preventive healthcare, and commitment to ensuring health for […]

21
May

Fact-Check: Black plastics cause cancer and reduce lifespan

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Claim: Black Plastics contain flame retardants which are carcinogens and can reduce one’s lifespan Fact: True. But the study which has been used as the reference for this claim also adds that “further studies are needed to replicate these findings and determine the underlying mechanisms.” An instagram video titled, “Stop Using Black Plastic – […]

20
May

Study links high poultry intake to increased risk of GI cancer death

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Consuming more than 300 grams of poultry per week may significantly increase the risk of death from gastrointestinal cancers, according to a new population-based study conducted in southern Italy. The research, published in the journal Nutrients, analyzed data from nearly 5,000 adults enrolled in the two different cohort studies. Participants’ dietary habits were assessed using […]

20
May

Joe Biden’s prostrate cancer diagnosis: Indian doctor warns of growing risk at home

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Former US President Joe Biden’s recent diagnosis of aggressive, advanced prostate cancer has brought global attention to the disease and its impact on men’s health. In India, prostate cancer is fast becoming a major concern, though awareness remains alarmingly low, warns Dr. Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, who has over three decades of experience […]

20
May

New WHO accord promises fairer, faster response to future pandemics

First Check Team / 5 months
0
4 min read

Geneva: In a landmark move aimed at strengthening global defences against future pandemics, the World Health Organization (WHO) member states on Monday formally adopted by consensus the world’s first pandemic agreement. The decision, taken at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, marks the culmination of over three years of intense negotiations triggered by the […]

19
May

New COVID-19 wave in Asia raises concerns for India

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
4 min read

A new wave of COVID-19 cases sweeping across Asian countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand signals a threat to India, potentially triggering a fresh wave of infections. While Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand are experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases primarily due to waning immunity, India currently reports 257 active cases. This has […]

19
May

FACT CHECK: Stress doesn’t cause PCOS, CBD oil doesn’t cure it, fenugreek may help

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
4 min read

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) are complex hormonal disorders affecting millions of women globally, yet a lot of misinformation about their causes and treatments persist. First Check verified three such claims sent in by readers through our tipline, with insights from a medical expert. Claim 1: PCOS/PCOD is caused by stress […]

17
May

World Hypertension Day: Rising Stress, poor sleep, and addiction is fueling hypertension in youth, says expert

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
8 min read

World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17, aims to raise awareness about hypertension, a condition affecting millions globally and increasingly prevalent in India. Often called the “silent killer,” hypertension is the most significant chronic disease risk factor in India. According to recent epidemiological studies, hypertension is on the rise in India, with rural and youthful […]

16
May

National Dengue Day 2025: India steps up fight against mosquito-borne diseases

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

India is marking National Dengue Day on May 16 amid growing concerns over a potential surge in mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon season. With the early onset of rains increasing the risk of infections like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, the Union Health Ministry has directed all air, sea, and land ports to step […]

16
May

FACT CHECK: Is it safe to eat refrigerated food?

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Refrigerating food is perfectly safe and doesn’t lead to nutrient loss or health issues if done right. FACT: True. Refrigeration at or below 40°F (4°C) slows down the growth of harmful bacteria, which can cause food-borne illness. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If stored for too […]

15
May

Oxford study warns weight-loss injections may require lifelong use

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

Weight-loss injections, seen as a breakthrough for obesity treatment, may require lifelong use or need to be combined with major lifestyle changes to avoid regaining the lost weight, a new study by Oxford University researchers has revealed. The study, which examined data from 11 trials involving over 6,300 patients, found that while these drugs can […]

15
May

AI tool ‘FaceAge’ predicts cancer survival using just a photo

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool called FaceAge can now use facial images to estimate an individual’s biological age and forecast survival in cancer patients with unprecedented accuracy. Detailed in a study published in The Lancet Digital Health titled “FaceAge, a deep learning system to estimate biological age from face photographs to improve prognostication: a […]

15
May

Spit tests show promise in early detection of Alzheimer’s and cancer: Study

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

New research shows that our spit can reveal information about everything from cancer to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s. This inexpensive, painless method of testing for severe diseases has the potential to revolutionize the way we keep an eye on our health. Saliva contains small amounts of proteins, DNA, and other chemicals that alter when a […]

14
May

AI accurately detects patient race from medical images – even when humans can’t: Study

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Artificial intelligence systems can accurately identify a patient’s race from medical images even when clinical experts cannot, according to new research that raises concerns about potential bias in healthcare applications. A study published in the European Heart Journal – Digital Health found that AI models trained on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging could reliably classify […]

14
May

1.5 billion children born after 2020 face lifetime heatwave exposure: Study

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Over half of children born during 2020 and after will experience significantly more extreme weather events during their lifetimes than previous generations, even if global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to a latest study published in Nature. The international study titled “Global emergence of unprecedented lifetime exposure to climate […]

14
May

What triggers high uric acid levels? Genetics, diet, and more explained by an expert

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
4 min read

High uric acid levels, known as hyperuricemia, occur when your body produces excess uric acid or your kidneys struggle to eliminate it. This can trigger gout, a painful condition with swollen joints, often in the big toe, caused by uric acid crystal deposits. But what causes these levels to rise? How can you spot the […]

13
May

STUDY: Teens with mental health conditions spend more time on social media

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Adolescents with clinical mental health conditions use social media differently than their peers without such conditions, spending significantly more time online and experiencing greater dissatisfaction with their virtual social connections, according to research published earlier this month, in Nature Human Behaviour. The researchers from University of Cambridge analyzed data from 3,340 British adolescents aged 11 […]

13
May

Kidney expert Dr Vijay Kher warns: Hydration is key in ‘stone season’

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

As temperatures climb across the country, it also heralds the arrival of what many doctors call “stone season” – the time of year when cases of painful kidney stones spike due to increased dehydration. The Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology had estimated that during summers, “there is a sharp increase in the number of […]

13
May

Myopic CNVM: Journalist shares journey with condition that could potentially lead to irreversible vision loss

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
6 min read

In December 2024, Rituparna Chatterjee, a senior journalist and editor, noticed something alarming: straight lines appeared wavy, words looked distorted as if viewed through a thick glass bottle, and a gray patch clouded the center of her right eye’s vision. Rushing to a doctor, she underwent a series of tests, only to receive a devastating […]

12
May

New WHO action plan aims to make clinical trials fairer and more inclusive

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS), aiming to improve clinical trials worldwide. The plan focuses on making trials fairer, more inclusive, and better suited to local needs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This comes after WHO’s 2024 guidelines for clinical trials […]

12
May

Caring like a daughter: Manipur nurse’s story highlights India’s nursing woes

First Check Team / 5 months
0
7 min read

Watching her mother’s health struggles while growing up made Hoilenchong Sitlhoum from Manipur choose nursing as her career. “At that time, it was difficult to get doctors and nurses… We did not even have someone to give injections in emergencies also. So I decided then itself that I would become a nurse,” she said, speaking […]

09
May

FACT CHECK: Do eggs feed viruses or cause chronic illnesses?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Eggs feed viruses and bacteria in the body and worsen chronic illnesses such as eczema, PCOS, and endometriosis FACT: False. Eggs are a nutrient-rich food with no scientific link to promoting viruses or causing chronic illnesses A health coach, Theo Bergmann claims in an Instagram video that eggs are the “most overrated health food,” […]

09
May

STUDY: Overuse of CT scans poses significant long-term cancer risk

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
4 min read

Repeated exposure to unnecessary computed tomography (CT) scans may pose a significant cancer risk, a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found. The research estimates that CT scans performed in the United States in 2023 could lead to approximately 103,000 future cancer diagnoses, accounting for nearly 5% of all new cancer cases in […]

08
May

Brown rice has more arsenic than white: Study

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

Brown rice contains higher levels of arsenic, a toxic chemical element, compared to white rice, raising concerns about long-term health risks, including cancer, according to a study from Michigan State University (MSU). The study published in the journal Risk Analysis led by senior investigator Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah, distinguished professor at MSU’s College of […]

08
May

Older adults overlooked in HIV fight: Lancet study

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

HIV prevention campaigns have remained focussed on the young, driven by outdated risk perceptions, even as infections are rising among older adults, a Lancet Healthy Longevity study has revealed. The research, led by Dr. Luicer Olubayo from the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience at Wits University, highlighted that HIV prevalence among adults over 50 […]

07
May

FACT CHECK: Are women at a lower risk for heart attack?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Heart Diseases are directly connected to the sex of a person, with females being at lower risk. FACT: Largely true; while it is true that heart disease is more prevalent in men than women, there are some nuances that should not be ignored either. First Check came across a video on YouTube titled […]

07
May

India climbs to 130 in global human development index: UNDP report

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Global progress in human development has slowed to its weakest pace in 35 years but India has improved its Human Development Index (HDI) rank to 130 out of the 193 countries surveyed in 2023, reveals the UNDP’s Human Development Report, released on Tuesday. Previously India was at the 133rd position, the gain has been driven […]

06
May

FACT CHECK: Is folic acid harmful as Barbara O’Neill claims?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

Barbara O’Neill, a prominent figure in alternative medicine circles, has urged women to reconsider using folic acid supplements, claiming that excessive intake may pose health risks. Posting on X, she advises that nutrients should be obtained from food rather than pills. “Think twice before reaching for your folic acid supplement,” she warns, suggesting that isolated […]

06
May

World Asthma Day: Dr GC Khilnani on tackling India’s asthma crisis with awareness and innovation

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
8 min read

India is home to close to 3.5 crore people with asthma, a chronic respiratory condition affecting over 25 crore people worldwide. This means that 1 in every 50 people in the country has Asthma. In its national capital, Delhi, the rates are even more alarming, with up to 29.4% of children affected, driven largely by […]

05
May

India global leader in cardiovascular deaths linked to plastics, study in The Lancet finds

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
4 min read

According to a new study in The Lancet eBioMedicine, India saw over 1 lakh of cardiovascular deaths attributable to plastic polymers and their chemical additives, the highest in the world. This once again highlights how everyday items such as plastic containers, toys, cosmetics, and even food packaging may be silently endangering millions of lives in […]

05
May

Experts warn BMI no longer a reliable health indicator, urge better metrics

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

For years, Body Mass Index (BMI) has been the standard tool for assessing whether an individual has a healthy weight. But doctors are now referring to it as an outdated and an often-misleading metric. BMI is a rough guide doctors use to check if a person’s weight is in a healthy range for their height. […]

05
May

Vaccines are your best friend!

Mariyam Alavi / 5 months
0
3 min read

154 million lives in 50 years. 6 lives. Every minute. Every day. For 5 decades. That is the number of lives saved by vaccines, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet even today, there are many who are hesitant and even outright refuse to take the life-saving shots, because misinformation about safety concerns, side […]

05
May

Simple ways to reduce microplastics in what you eat and drink

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
2 min read

Microplastics, which are plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimetres, have entered food, water, and even our bodies. This has transformed an environmental crisis into a personal health challenge. But there is no need to worry. You can reduce microplastics in your food and water. Here are practical ways to minimise microplastic exposure. Can boiling water […]

02
May

Semaglutide marks breakthrough in reversing fatty liver disease: expert

Sneha Richhariya / 5 months
0
3 min read

A new potential treatment for fatty liver disease is making waves after initial results from a clinical trial showed that nearly two in three patients reduced liver fat and inflammation with weekly semaglutide injections over 18 months. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the ongoing trial offers hope for millions battling Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated […]

02
May

STUDY: Same-arm vaccine shots help your body fight off infection faster

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
2 min read

Getting a COVID-19 booster shot in the same arm as the initial vaccine dose may significantly speed up the body’s immune response, according to new research from Sydney, Australia, published in the journal Cell. The study, led by scientists at Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney, reveals how […]

02
May

FACT CHECK: Is finasteride really better than minoxidil for hair loss?

Allen Joe Mathew / 5 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Finasteride is better than minoxidil for hair loss FACT: Partly true. Studies do show that finasteride has produced better results than minoxidil, but both have different uses. Finasteride is useful to maintain existing hair and minoxidil is used to stimulate hair follicles for new hair. Finasteride and minoxidil are the two most […]

01
May

Supreme Court orders inclusive KYC for blind and acid attack survivors

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court on Wednesday declared digital access a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, issuing 20 directives to ensure the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process is accessible for visually impaired individuals and acid attack survivors with eye or facial disfigurements. The judgment, delivered by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, […]

01
May

STUDY: Is your biological age more than your chronological age? It may raise dementia risk

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

People whose biological age is higher than their chronological age may be more likely to develop dementia than people whose biological age matches or is lower than their chronological age, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “Biological age is based on biomarkers of aging such […]

30
Apr

FACT CHECK: Vaccines may reduce lifespan, a prominent CEO and YouTuber falsely claims

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: A well-known CEO and YouTuber suggests that taking vaccines could shorten a person’s life FACT: False, multiple studies have highlighted the benefits of vaccines and how they have contributed to increasing longevity across the world The founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, Shantanu Deshpande recently posted on LinkedIn mentioning “vaccines” as one […]

30
Apr

Measles returns: US sees worst outbreak in decades

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
2 min read

The United States is witnessing a significant measles outbreak, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 884 confirmed cases in 30 states as of April 24, 2025. Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. But a large outbreak in West Texas, where 646 cases and two child fatalities have driven […]

29
Apr

Vaccine hesitancy: The impending challenge to complete coverage

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
4 min read

Vaccines are known to save lives, with the World Health Organization estimating that immunisations “currently prevents 3.5 million to 5 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and measles.” However, despite the evidence about the efficacy and safety of vaccines, we are constantly plagued by myths and misinformation about […]

29
Apr

Delhi launches ₹10 lakh health scheme for seniors aged 70+

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
2 min read

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, a health insurance scheme, launched by the Delhi government on Monday offers free medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh yearly for citizens aged 70 and above. What is the health scheme about? The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana is an extension of the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan […]

29
Apr

STUDY: Young need meat, older adults need plants for longevity

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

Switching from animal-based to plant-based protein affects people differently depending on their age, a study published in the journal Nature has found. Researchers analyzed data from 101 countries between 1961 and 2018 to understand how changing diets could impact health. They found that “after adjusting for time, population size, and economic factors, we find associations […]

28
Apr

World Immunization Week: Vaccinations beyond childhood immunisations

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

To many vaccinations are something that you go through as children, with little to no focus on vaccinations that need to be taken in their later years. However, the scientific community is increasingly about talking about adult vaccinations and a life-course approach to vaccinations, to ensure that protection against certain dangerous infectious diseases last beyond […]

28
Apr

World Immunization Week: Vaccines are probably one of the biggest innovation of the 20th century, says Dr Soumya Swaminathan

Mariyam Alavi / 6 months
0
17 min read

According to the World Health Organization six lives have been saved every minute for the last 50 years, because of essential vaccines—that is 15.4 crore lives in five decades. “In these 50 years, vaccination accounts for 40% of the improvement in infant survival, and more children now live to see their first birthday and […]

26
Apr

Vaccines will play an important role in eliminating TB: ICMR Chief

First Check Team / 6 months
0
6 min read

As India inches closer to the deadline it set itself to eliminate tuberculosis in the country, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research has said that vaccines for TB will play an important role in this endeavour. Dr Rajiv Bahl was speaking during the roundtable discussion on ‘Asia Region TB Vaccine R&D […]

25
Apr

India launches mission to eliminate measles and rubella by 2026

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025-26 on Thursday, coinciding with the start of World Immunization Week (April 24-30). The initiative aims to eliminate measles and rubella in India by 2026, two highly infectious viral diseases that can lead to serious health complications. During […]

25
Apr

World Malaria Day: Will India be able to eliminate the disease completely by 2030?

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
9 min read

India is on an ambitious path to eliminate malaria by 2030, and we seem to have made some progress. With improved surveillance and access to diagnosis and medicines, the number of malaria deaths in the country has reduced, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Commonwealth Malaria Report show. However, while cases have dropped significantly […]

24
Apr

Immunization Week 2025: Have you taken all the required vaccines before turning 18? Here’s what you need to know

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
4 min read

Vaccines are more than just a childhood milestone or a scar on our elders’ arms in India, where infectious diseases have historically posed serious health threats. They are a lifelong defense against fatal diseases that have the potential to cripple us. But do you know all the necessary vaccines one should get before turning 18? […]

24
Apr

The world heats up, and America checks out

Riyaz Wani / 6 months
0
4 min read

As the president Donald Trump is upending the world economy around with his unprecedented tariffs on the US imports, the topic of climate change has quietly slipped into the background. And that too at a time when climate crises have successively wracked the parts of the world including the United States. For example, in 2024, […]

23
Apr

Microplastics found in human ovaries for the first time, raising fertility fears

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

Scientists have found microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid for the first time, sparking urgent concerns about their potential impact on women’s fertility. The peer-reviewed study, published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, detected microplastics in 14 out of 18 women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at a fertility clinic in Salerno, Italy, highlighting the pervasive reach […]

'fake' cardiologist narendra vikramaditya yadav

23
Apr

Chhattisgarh police book ‘fake’ cardiologist, hospital management in 2006 death of then MLA

First Check Team / 6 months
0
5 min read

After his arrest by the Madhya Pradesh police, alleged ‘fake’ cardiologist Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav has been booked by the Chhattisgarh Police on culpable homicide not amounting to murder and forgery charges, among others, in connection with the 2006 death of then Chhattisgarh MLA Rajendra Prasad Shukla. The management of the Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur, where […]

22
Apr

FACT CHECK: Can nicotine really dissolve brain tumors in 72 Hours?

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM Nicotine infusions can cure glioblastoma tumors, type 1 diabetes, and even autism. FACT: There is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Experts warn that nicotine is a neurotoxin, not a cure. A viral video on Instagram features Dr Bryan Adris, a licensed American Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, and Nutritionist and an alternative medicine practitioner, […]

22
Apr

Iodine test turns blue, but that doesn’t mean paneer at Gauri Khan’s Torii is fake

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
2 min read

What began as a viral iodine test at Torii, a celebrity restaurant run by Gauri Khan, quickly turned into a cautionary tale about food misinformation—drawing in the top chef Vikas Khanna who termed it as “terrible misinformation.” – and a reminder that social media clout is no substitute for expertise. Sarthak Sachdeva’s video, which was […]

22
Apr

Stroke and irreversible heart failure led to Pope Francis’s Death, Vatican Says

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

Pope Francis died following a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican confirmed in its official medical report. Pope, 88, was the first person of Latin American origin to become the leader of the Catholic Church. A cerebral stroke happens when a portion of the brain’s blood supply is cut off or blocked, depriving […]

21
Apr

Hope for cancer patients: New cell therapy may help where chemotherapy has failed

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

In what scientists are calling a “crack in the solid wall of cancer,” a new form of personalized immunotherapy has shown promising results in shrinking tumors in patients with hard-to-treat gastrointestinal cancers. The treatment, developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), uses the body’s own immune cells—called Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)—to attack and destroy […]

21
Apr

Hepatitis? No. Jaundice? No! The Liver Doc shares how a unique case was diagnosed to be no ‘disease’ at all

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
5 min read

This World Liver Day, we are revisiting an interesting case shared earlier this year by Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly knows as “The Liver Doc,” which highlights a crucial misunderstanding about liver function tests that could save many from unnecessary worry—rigorous exercise could result in elevated liver function test counts. The case involves a young […]

21
Apr

The silent epidemic: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on the rise in India

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
5 min read

Did you know that even if you don’t drink, you could still get Liver damage? And, no, it’s not because someone punched you in the gut. It’s called the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD in short, which is First Check’s focus for the World Liver Day. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is rapidly emerging as […]

18
Apr

Millions may have this overlooked form of diabetes. It now has a name

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
4 min read

A new type of diabetes, defying the symptoms and characteristics of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, has been officially classified as “Type 5,” decades after it was first identified. The announcement was made last week by Prof. Peter Schwarz, president of the International Diabetes Federation, during the World Congress of Diabetes 2025 in Bangkok. […]

17
Apr

‘Andar kheecho yaar!’: Video shows UP doctor making 5-year-old smoke to ‘cure’ cold

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

In a disturbing incident, a doctor at a government hospital in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly instructed a five-year-old boy to smoke a cigarette as a treatment for a cold. The strange moment was caught on camera and extensively shared on social media, sparking widespread outrage. Health authorities have responded by transferring the doctor, and ordering […]

17
Apr

STUDY: Just a little weekly exercise can reduce dementia risk by 15%

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

Researchers have found that even small amounts of weekly physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing mild dementia. The findings come from a long-term study conducted in Mexico City, offering the first evidence of its kind from Latin America. “This longitudinal analysis suggests that the weekend warrior physical activity pattern is associated with […]

17
Apr

IAPSMCON 2025: The 3 biggest takeaways from the event in Srinagar

First Check Team / 6 months
0
7 min read

Srinagar: The Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine held their three-day 52nd annual conference, called the IAPSMCON 2025, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, from April 11 to 13, with First Check as partner. The event, which was inaugurated by the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Secretary, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, saw […]

16
Apr

STUDY: 3 million children lost to antibiotic resistance in 2022

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

A new study has revealed that more than three million children around the world died in 2022 because of antibiotic resistance (AMR), a biological phenomenon where the infections one contracts no longer respond to standard antibiotic treatments. The report, compiled by researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia and the Clinton Health Access […]

15
Apr

Fact Check: Is starving to lose weight a healthy option?

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

Orhan Awatramani, an Indian internet personality, fashion icon, and socialite, recently claimed that he lost weight after practicing a grueling regimen of self-imposed starving during late 2023. Speaking on an episode of “The Suvir Saran Show,” Orry, as he is widely known, said that the extreme routine paid off. “I was really fat, I was […]

14
Apr

New study links heavy drinking to brain damage, early death

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

People who consume eight or more alcoholic drinks a week are more likely to show signs of brain injury, including lesions and tau tangles associated with memory loss and dementia, according to a new study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study also noted that heavy drinkers died […]

14
Apr

FACT CHECK: Are your good looks because you’re the younger sibling? Here’s what science says

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
4 min read

Have you ever thought about how physical attractiveness varies among siblings? Well, First Check came across a reel on Instagram with over 117k views titled “Beauty Difference in Siblings,” that puts forth an explanation. “Are you more physically attractive or are your siblings? This is less dependent on your genes and more on your birth […]

12
Apr

WHO nations reach agreement ‘in principle’ on future pandemic treaty: report

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

Geneva, Switzerland: After nearly three years of negotiations, member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) have reached an agreement “in principle” on how the world should respond to future pandemics, AFP reported on Saturday. Anne-Claire Amprou, who also serves as France’s ambassador for global health, told the AFP that the final version of the […]

11
Apr

Fatty fish, berries, and fiber: Best foods for Parkinson’s, says Mumbai neurologist

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive movement disorder of the brain, demands proper dietary care to maintain brain health and manage symptoms. Although no diet can cure Parkinson’s, experts agree that nutrition is important in reducing risk, slowing disease progression, and enhancing overall well-being. Today, on World Parkinson’s Day, First Check spoke with Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, Head […]

10
Apr

World’s first baby born through fully automated IVF system

First Check Team / 6 months
0
2 min read

A baby boy has been born in Mexico using a fully automated IVF system—marking a major breakthrough in fertility treatment. This is the first time an artificial intelligence-assisted system has carried out every step of the sperm injection process without human intervention. The new technology replaces the traditional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) method, which has […]

10
Apr

New blood test may predict cervical cancer relapse

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: Researchers at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, have developed a simple blood test that can tell whether a patient’s cervical cancer is responding to treatment or not. The study, led by Dr. Mayank Singh, who is an associate professor of medical oncology at AIIMS, discovered that small pieces of HPV […]

10
Apr

STUDY: Conceived in winter? You are less likely to gain weight later in life

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

Conception during the cold season lowers the risk of developing obesity, says a new study. Published in Nature Metabolism on April 7, the study found that people conceived in winter show more brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity, often known as brown fat, which burns calories to produce heat unlike white fat that stores energy. “Individuals […]

09
Apr

EXPLAINER: US vape ruling confirms health risks of e-cigarettes

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
2 min read

Last week, the US Supreme Court court upheld the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rejection of applications from two manufacturers of flavored e-cigarette liquids. This decision backed the FDA’s directive banning retailers from marketing flavored tobacco products, underscoring escalating worries about the health dangers posed by e-cigarettes. The court’s ruling Earlier the vaping companies Triton […]

09
Apr

The Lancet: 500,000 children could die of AIDS by 2030 if US funding to AIDS program not restored

First Check Team / 6 months
0
3 min read

A new study published in The Lancet warns that if the US fails to continue funding the PEPFAR programme, it could lead to over 1 million new paediatric HIV infections and nearly half a million child deaths by 2030. “The future of PEPFAR programmes hang in the balance. Losing stable, long-term support for PEPFAR programmes […]

08
Apr

Madhya Pradesh ‘fake’ doctor scandal: Who is Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav?

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
5 min read

Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, the fake doctor impersonating a UK-trained cardiologist and the central figure in the disturbing medical scandal centered in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, was arrested on April 7, 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Allegedly posing as Professor A. John Camm, a highly respected cardiologist affiliated with St. George’s University of London, Yadav is accused […]

08
Apr

Dettol defamation case: Podcast host agrees to edit podcast clip criticizing antiseptic liquid

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
2 min read

Social media influencer Raj Shamani on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that he will edit and remove the portion of a YouTube video of his podcast where dermatologist Dr. Manjot Marwah made disparaging claims about Dettol antiseptic liquid. The undertaking formed a part of the settlement reached between Shamani and Reckitt Benckiser India, the […]

08
Apr

FACT CHECK: Do boxers really get their swellings cut open mid-fight?

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: In boxing films, swelling around a fighter’s eye is often shown being treated by slicing it open — is this a legitimate medical practice? FACT: False. Medical experts confirm that cutting open a swelling is unsafe, never used in professional sports, and can lead to serious complications like infection. The punches are landing […]

08
Apr

Medical fraud shocker: At least seven people die after being operated on by fake doctor in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
6 min read

In a shocking case of medical fraud, a ‘fake’ doctor, posing as a British-trained cardiologist, allegedly performed heart surgeries at the Mission Hospital in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of at least seven patients, including Mangal Singh, the 63-year-old father of Dharmendra Singh, a resident of Damoh. Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, who was allegedly […]

07
Apr

STUDY: Weekend workouts may be enough to keep you healthy

First Check Team / 6 months
0
4 min read

You don’t have to hit the gym every day to stay healthy. That’s the message from a new study that finds that one or two days of exercise, also called the “weekend warrior” routine, may be just as effective as doing it everyday. “You don’t need to exercise every day to stay healthy,” said Dr […]

07
Apr

Women’s Health Matters

Mariyam Alavi / 6 months
0
3 min read

Hello! As promised in the previous newsletter, the month of March was dedicated to Women’s Health at First Check, where we focused on women centric stories. However, while we had started out to educate our readers and arm them with credible and verified information, it was us who truly learnt something by the end of […]

04
Apr

Fact Check: Does sunscreen increase cancer risk?

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

An Instagram reel claims that sunscreens are dangerous, citing a 2019 FDA report to argue that their chemicals, including oxybenzone, penetrate the bloodstream after just one use, exceed safety standards, and may increase skin cancer risk, particularly melanoma. The video has garnered significant traction with 25 million views and 330,560 likes. “Don’t use sunscreens … […]

03
Apr

Rising fungal diseases: WHO flags critical gaps in treatment and diagnosis

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged a critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, highlighting the increasing resistance to the treatment of the common infections, such as candida, which cause vaginal and oral thrush. Patients who are very sick or have compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, […]

03
Apr

Excessive sleepiness in older women linked to higher dementia risk

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

Excessive sleepiness is linked to an increased chance of developing dementia, a study by the University of California has found. The study, published in the journal Neurology, involved monitoring of sleep-wake cycles of 733 women over five years and the changes in their health. None of them initially had dementia or cognitive problems, and their […]

03
Apr

FACT-CHECK: Viral video claims 10 eggs a day won’t raise cholesterol—Here’s the truth

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Eating 10 eggs daily is good for health as dietary cholesterol does not significantly affect blood cholesterol levels. FACT: Though it is true that dietary cholesterol from eggs has a limited effect on blood cholesterol for most healthy individuals, eating 10 eggs daily exceeds safe limits for many. First Check came across an Instagram […]

02
Apr

World Autism Awareness Day: 7 common myths about autism busted

Allen Joe Mathew / 6 months
0
3 min read

As the world marks World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, here are some of the still prevalent myths on the condition. Myth 1: Autism can be cured It can’t. This misconception suggests that autistic individuals are ill and need treatment to become normal. In reality, autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental […]

02
Apr

World Autism Awareness Day: The urgent need for a national plan as India has over 1 crore autistic persons

Sneha Richhariya / 6 months
0
4 min read

With multiple estimates showing that well over one crore people are diagnosed autistic in India, the call for a national policy is gaining even more traction this World Autism Awareness Day, especially in the absence of even a central medical registry that captures the true prevalence of the condition in the country. World Autism Awareness […]

28
Mar

Obesity Epidemic: Can Mounjaro Be the Game-Changer?

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
4 min read

New Delhi – As India grapples with a growing obesity and diabetes epidemic, a new weight-loss drug, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), launched in the country on March 20 is generating buzz for its potential to aid millions. Manufactured by Eli Lilly, an American pharmaceutical company, the drug has shown significant weight loss and blood sugar benefits, leading […]

28
Mar

FACT CHECK: Can this weird head-pulling trick cure anxiety in adults born via C-Section?

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: C-Section babies suffer from anxiety later in life and it can it be cured by clamping and pulling on one’s head FACT: Wrong. The exercise might provide relief similar to a massage, it has no connection to how a person was born First Check received a video on our tipline where a man, @jasonvanblerk […]

28
Mar

FACT CHECK: Is your daily hot shower impacting your sperm count?

First Check Team / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Bathing with hot water frequently exposes your testicles to heat, which reduces your sperm count. FACT: Indeed! regularly bathing with hot water could result in a reduction in a man’s sperm count, albeit temporarily. Hot showers and baths are part of many people’s daily routines. However, now some claim that this practice could hurt your […]

27
Mar

India issues urgent health advisory as heatwave looms

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: With summer approaching and temperatures already climbing in parts of India, the Union Health Ministry has issued an urgent directive to state and union territory governments, urging them to implement heat-health action plans. The move comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of above-normal maximum temperatures across most of the country in […]

27
Mar

STUDY: Extreme heat makes you age faster

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

Extreme heat may be silently speeding up biological aging in older adults, a new study from the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has warned. The study, led by gerontology experts Eunyoung Choi and Jennifer Ailshire, analyzed data from over 3,600 U.S. adults aged 56 and older. The research team used advanced […]

27
Mar

Household air pollution affected 2.67 billion people in 2021, killed 3.11 million

First Check Team / 7 months
0
3 min read

Household air pollution (HAP) affects over 2.67 billion people worldwide and contributes to millions of deaths, according to a new study published in The Lancet as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 project. Although the percentage of people exposed to HAP has fallen by 56.7% since 1990, the absolute decline has been […]

26
Mar

Diabetes, hypertension leading causes of kidney disease in India: Dr Vijay Kher

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
4 min read

Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney disease in India, accounting for nearly 60% of cases, says Dr Vijay Kher. a noted nephrologist with over 40 years of experience. However, Dr Kher reassures that diabetic kidney damage typically develops gradually, providing opportunities for intervention. “It usually takes 10 to 15 years for diabetes […]

25
Mar

FACT CHECK: Do men really lose fat faster than women? Here’s what science says

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Men lose fat faster than women FACT: True. This is due to men’s higher muscle mass, metabolism, and hormonal differences compared to women First Check came across an Instagram reel claiming that men lose fat faster than women. The video contends that men burn fat up to 12 hours after exercise, whereas […]

25
Mar

WHO partnering with Thailand, Sri Lanka on new tool to counter infodemics

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
2 min read

New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a collaboration with the Ministries of Health in Thailand and Sri Lanka to pilot a new tool to counter infodemics—the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation that hinders access to credible health information. Named the ‘Information Environment Assessment’ (IEA), this tool is currently under trial in […]

25
Mar

UN: Funding cuts threaten hard-won gains in child survival

First Check Team / 7 months
0
2 min read

Geneva/New York/Washington — The United Nations has warned that progress in reducing child mortality is at risk due to global funding cuts. According to new data from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 4.8 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2023, while 1.9 million stillbirths occurred. “Millions of children […]

24
Mar

World TB Day: Surviving tuberculosis in Delhi’s night shelters

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
12 min read

Forty-year-old Ranjit Singh stays at the night shelter on Asaf Ali Road in New Delhi where residents were recently screened and tested for tuberculosis (TB), as part of the Union Government’s 100 Day Intensified Campaign on TB Elimination, which started on 7th December, 2024. Singh, one among the 200 residents at the shelter, had been […]

24
Mar

Real costs of health misinformation: UP man performs surgery on self watching YouTube videos

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
4 min read

On March 19, 2025, Raja Babu, a 32-year-old resident of Sunrakh village near Vrindavan, Mathura, took a drastic step: he attempted to perform surgery on himself after watching YouTube tutorials. Driven by chronic abdominal pain—possibly linked to an appendectomy 18 years prior—he locked himself in a room, injected a numbing agent, and made a seven-inch […]

22
Mar

Climate change-induced Solastalgia fuels anxiety, depression, PTSD, says psychologist

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
12 min read

Rural communities are closely tied to their environment, with traditions and daily activities shaped by the natural world. As climate change disrupts these environmental patterns, it is causing significant emotional and psychological distress. This distress is often linked to ‘Solastalgia’, a psychological experience triggered by degradation of the environment around oneself. Research examines the emotional […]

21
Mar

FACT CHECK: Should you brush your teeth as soon as you wake up?

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Brush your teeth at night and then after you eat breakfast in the morning. FACT: True; doctors First Check spoke to advised that brushing two times, at night before going to bed and after breakfast in the morning is the most ideal practice. Since childhood, we have been repeatedly told that we […]

20
Mar

FACT CHECK: Does rosemary oil promote hair growth?

First Check Team / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Rosemary oil helps treat hair fall. FACT: Indeed, Rosemary oil is found to arrest hair fall and stimulate fresh hair growth. Today, hair loss is a widely discussed problem online. With people constantly on the lookout for a solution to address these issues, the latest super cure for hair loss is rosemary, […]

19
Mar

Study: Your cells have a secret weapon against cancer

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
2 min read

A study from the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Sydney has revealed a surprising mechanism that helps cells protect themselves from cancer. The research, published in Nature Communications, highlights the active role of telomeres—protective structures at the ends of chromosomes—in preventing tumor development. Telomeres are often likened to the plastic tips on shoelaces, shielding […]

19
Mar

New Apollo initiative to focus on non-invasive therapies for joint pain and arthritis

First Check Team / 7 months
0
3 min read

Apollo Hospitals on Tuesday launched the ‘Apollo Joint Preservation Program’, offering early intervention and personalised treatment for patients with joint pain, arthritis, inflammatory conditions and ligament injuries to help them maintain mobility. “The Joint Preservation Program at Apollo is built around patient comfort and support, designed to benefit individuals of all ages who may not […]

19
Mar

Merilog, first FDA-approved rapid-acting insulin biosimilar for diabetes

First Check Team / 7 months
0
3 min read

With the FDA approval of Merilog in February, the number of the biosimilar insulins has risen to three. Other two are Semglee and Rezvoglar which were approved by the regulatory agency in July and September 2021 respectively. However, Merilog is the first rapid-acting insulin biosimilar product approved by the FDA. The approval is for both […]

18
Mar

Dragon Copilot: Microsoft’s AI tool to reduce clinician burnout

Pallav Vyas / 7 months
0
3 min read

Tech giant Microsoft has launched a new AI product—a voice-activated AI assistant that would assist healthcare workers perform their professional duties more efficiently. The tool has been named Dragon Copilot and is designed to listen to and create notes based on clinical visits. The system has incorporated voice-dictation capabilities from Dragon Medical One, a speech-recognition […]

18
Mar

FACT CHECK: Iodine deficiency making a comeback due to trendy salt alternatives?

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: The trend of switching to pink salt, rock salt, and Himalayan salt without iodine is bringing the iodine deficiency back. FACT: The growing popularity of plant-based diets, which often lack key animal-based iodine sources, combined with the rising consumption of non-iodized salts like Himalayan pink salt, is increasing the risk of iodine deficiency. […]

17
Mar

Survey reveals healthiest processed foods for Americans

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: Snacking plays a significant role in modern diets, but many packaged snacks are loaded with excessive sodium, added sugar, and saturated fats, posing risks to metabolic health. A large scale clinical trial revealed that frequent consumption of ultra-processed snacks such as cookies, candy, and chips is linked to increased visceral fat, elevated blood […]

17
Mar

Fact Check: Are A, B and AB blood groups more prone to blood clotting, raising heart attack, stroke risk?

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: A, B and AB blood groups are more prone to blood clotting, raising the risk of heart attacks and early strokes FACT: Misleading. While A, B, and AB blood groups have higher clotting tendencies, their link to heart attacks and strokes is still under investigation, as cardiac risk depends on multiple factors […]

13
Mar

FACT CHECK: Does wearing bras for long hours increase risks of breast cancer?

First Check Team / 7 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Wearing bras for more than 12 hours a day can significantly increase the risks of developing breast cancer FACT: No association, whatsoever, is found between wearing bras and the extended risk of breast cancer Ask most women, and they will tell you that the constrictive bra can be uncomfortable, frustrating and restrictive. But can […]

13
Mar

FACT CHECK: Does black coffee really dissolve liver fat? Here’s what experts say!

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Black coffee can treat fatty liver FACT: Misleading. While black coffee may offer some liver-protective benefits, it cannot “dissolve fat” or cure fatty liver disease on its own. First Check came across an Instagram reel claiming black coffee can treat fatty liver. “Do you know how coffee impacts liver?” says the […]

12
Mar

Measles outbreak strikes Southern US, over 250 cases reported

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
3 min read

The United States is facing an outbreak of measles, a disease declared eliminated in the country since 2000. Over 250 cases have been reported across multiple states with Texas hardest hit. Two fatalities, a child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, have also been recorded. “CDC issues Health Alert Network (HAN) Advisory to […]

12
Mar

Vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer: Is your sunscreen sabotaging your body’s defense?

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

In an era of growing skin cancer concerns, Vitamin D is drawing some attention for its emerging role in preventing certain cancers. Studies show that vitamin D may trigger the natural death of malignant cells, inhibit the growth of blood vessels feeding tumours, and promote the differentiation of skin cells. But unprotected exposure to sunlight […]

11
Mar

FACT CHECK: Is sleep deprivation making your brain ‘eat itself’?

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Lack of sleep can cause the brain to “eat itself” FACT: Misleading. While sleep deprivation could lead brain disorder including Alzheimer’s, ‘brain eating itself’ is an oversimplification First Check came across an Instagram post claiming that “lack of sleep causes your brain to eat itself”. “Studies show that sleep deprivation causes your […]

10
Mar

FACT CHECK: Should you give sanitary pads a pass to escape toxic shock syndrome?

Pallav Vyas / 7 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Menstrual products, such as sanitary pads, can cause infections and even lead to potentially fatal toxic shock syndrome. FACT: Sanitary pads are not associated with toxic shock syndrome. Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is the only guarantee against bacterial infection of the vagina. Holistic living, going back to your roots, and trying […]

10
Mar

FACT CHECK: Are you taking your supplements the wrong way?

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: Taking certain supplement combinations hinders their absorption and cancels out each other’s effects FACT: Misleading as most supplements are a combination of multiple metals and minerals A Youtube video has claimed that intake of supplement combinations can interfere with their absorption or “cancel out each other’s effects.” “If we take calcium […]

08
Mar

Your brain literally changes during pregnancy and childbirth- Here’s how it may affect your mental health

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

A new study has found a connection between brain changes during pregnancy and postpartum depression. Published in Science Advances, the study examined how structural changes in two key brain regions—the amygdala and the hippocampus—correlate with postpartum depression symptoms. Researchers observed that women who developed moderate to severe postpartum depression exhibited an increase in the volume […]

07
Mar

FACT CHECK: Does stress really cause cancer? Here’s what science says

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Chronic stress can cause cancer FACT: Misleading. No proven link exists between stress and cancer, though research is ongoing. At around five minutes into a YouTube video posted by content creator Raj Shamani, Dr. Tarang Krishna, an oncologist, claims that long-term emotional stress can cause cancer. The video has amassed nearly two […]

07
Mar

Women are 30 times more susceptible to UTIs than men

Pallav Vyas / 7 months
0
3 min read

Women contract Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) up to 30 times more often than do men, a susceptibility attributed to female anatomy: A woman’s Urethra – the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the bod – is shorter than a man’s, so bacteria need lesser time to invade the bladder. Further, […]

06
Mar

The gender gap in clinical trials: How women are left behind in medical research

Pallav Vyas / 7 months
0
3 min read

Historically, medical research has largely excluded women from clinical trials for drugs and medical devices. As a result, their participation remains disproportionately low in studies on critical health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cancer. The gap has led to a lack of gender-specific data, potentially impacting the effectiveness and safety of treatments […]

06
Mar

FACT CHECK: Is this chemical in plastics destroying female fertility?

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in everyday plastics, significantly harms female fertility by reducing viable egg count, disrupting hormonal balance, and affecting implantation. FACT: True. BPA exposure can negatively impact female fertility, particularly through oral ingestion and skin contact. First Check came across an Instagram reel posted by @foundmyfitness, […]

05
Mar

Women twice as likely to die after a heart attack

Pallav Vyas / 7 months
0
3 min read

Although the average age for heart attack among women is 72 compared to 65 among men, women are more than twice as likely to die after a heart attack than men, studies have found. One such research presented at Heart Failure 2023, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), found that “women […]

04
Mar

FACT-CHECK: Is there a link between air fryers and cancer risk?

Allen Joe Mathew / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Air fryers cause cancer FACT: No, they do not, they are better than frying on a pan using oil or cooking over an open flame A claim that refuses to die down is that air fryers cause cancer. Social media is filled with such videos and posts. A random search on X […]

04
Mar

Swine flu outbreak: 20,414 cases, 347 deaths in India

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: India is witnessing a sharp rise in swine flu (H1N1) cases, with government data reporting 20,414 infections and 347 deaths as of last December. “The government is keeping a close watch on the rising influenza cases and monitoring the trend through its integrated Disease Surveillance Programme,” an official told the media. Swine flu […]

03
Mar

EXPLAINER: NAFLD and its hidden risks—what you need to know

Pallav Vyas / 7 months
0
4 min read

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a range of conditions caused by fat build-up in the liver. It silently spreads through the organ over a period of time and disrupts its normal functioning. A similar condition in which the fat deposit in the organ is accompanied by inflammation is termed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can […]

03
Mar

Happy Women’s Day

Mariyam Alavi / 7 months
0
2 min read

“Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women.” -Michelle Obama Welcome to another newsletter from First Check– your one-stop shop for all the latest credible, verified, and useful health-related information. This month I wanted to speak to you something that is very close to our hearts […]

03
Mar

FACT CHECK: Is high alcohol tolerance a red flag?

Sneha Richhariya / 7 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: High alcohol tolerance is a red flag FACT: True. People with high tolerance tend to drink more to feel the same effects as others who consume less, increasing their risk of addiction and long-term health complications A reel posted by @breakfreewithabhi, a growth and wellness influencer on Instagram, highlights the dangers of alcohol tolerance. […]

28
Feb

Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
10 min read

In a swanky complex in Gurgaon, Tanav Handoo fiddled with his wheelchair’s control buttons and spun in a full circle, looking both startled and amazed as the door to his apartment opened. He maneuvered his wheelchair with practiced ease, effortlessly controlling his movements. “Go slow!” his parents reminded him. Full of energy and chatter, he […]

28
Feb

Rare Disease Day: High costs of treatment, difficulty in diagnosing remain a challenge

Pallav Vyas / 8 months
0
6 min read

The last day of February is celebrated as ‘Rare Disease Day’ the world over to focus attention on rare diseases and highlight it as a public health emergency—but what are rare diseases? Though some countries have their own definitions of what makes a disease ‘rare,’ according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a rare disease […]

28
Feb

Unknown disease outbreak in DR Congo causes panic; claims 60 lives

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
3 min read

An unknown disease outbreak in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo has set alarm bells ringing in the medical community with the speculation that it might be severe malaria, but doctors have not yet been able to draw a definite conclusion. The unknown disease has claimed at least 60 lives as of publishing […]

27
Feb

FACT CHECK: Women can’t maintain abs for long as they need fat

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Women’s bodies need fat stores to maintain healthy hormone production FACT: True. Women need body fat for hormone production, and very low body fat levels can disrupt menstrual cycles and overall health. Maintaining abs can risk hormonal imbalances. Speaking on a podcast, actress Tanishaa Mukerji claimed that women can’t maintain abs for a long […]

26
Feb

Heart disease, stroke claim more lives in US than cancer, respiratory disease

First Check Team / 8 months
0
3 min read

Heart disease and stroke claimed more lives in 2022 in the United States than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, an American Heart Association (AHA) report said. In 2022 alone, 9,41,652 deaths in the US had cardiovascular disease listed as the underlying cause. Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the […]

23
Feb

Cervical cancer prevention among women gets a boost with new government vaccine

First Check Team / 8 months
0
2 min read

The vaccine being introduced by the union government in the next six months to safeguard women against some cancers will also cover cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer in India, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the world’s cervical cancer deaths despite being largely preventable. The other two cancers that the vaccine is designed to […]

21
Feb

Explainer: What’s double pneumonia afflicting Pope Francis

Pallav Vyas / 8 months
0
4 min read

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church has been suffering from a condition called double pneumonia, also known as bilateral pneumonia. According to the Vatican News, the pope has been hospitalized with a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract on February 14. “A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father […]

20
Feb

Fact Check: Is losing 33 kg in 5 months, as claimed by Sidhu, healthy?

Pallav Vyas / 8 months
0
3 min read

The cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed in a January 29 Facebook post that he had lost 33 kgs within five months through lifestyle changes and dietary modifications. “Before and after … have lost 33 kilograms in less than 5 months since August last year … it was all about willpower, discipline, process and […]

19
Feb

GOI starts massive information campaign on GBS as cases rise

First Check Team / 8 months
0
2 min read

As Maharashtra state continues to see rising cases of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS), the Ministry of Health government of India has started social media awareness about understanding the causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), underlining that it is rarely linked to vaccinations.” GBS is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder that can affect peripheral nervous system. The condition […]

19
Feb

Beyond Valentines: The health costs of intimate partner violence

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
5 min read

Valentine’s Day is touted to be the day of love, with roses, chocolates, gifts and words of affirmation used to symbolise this love. However, there is a darker, many a times unspoken side of love that lurks in the corners of many Indian households- intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence refers to any behaviour within […]

18
Feb

FACT CHECK: Are there health benefits to drinking one’s own urine like Morarji Desai did?

Pallav Vyas / 8 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Drinking your own urine can have multiple health benefits. FACT: There’s no scientific evidence to substantiate these claims. You have all heard the story perhaps- former Prime Minister Morarji Desai used to drink his own urine. The revelation caused such a stir, when as the Prime Minister of the country he spoke of drinking […]

18
Feb

Global pandemic pact talks in final stretch, WHO chief says, ‘now or never’

First Check Team / 8 months
0
3 min read

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that time is running out to finalize a global pandemic agreement, urging world leaders to act decisively. Addressing the Thirteenth Intergovernmental Negotiating Body meeting on Monday, he called it a “now or never” moment, emphasizing the urgent need to prepare for future pandemics. The high-stakes negotiations, set […]

17
Feb

FACT CHECK: Does consuming fish and milk together cause vitiligo?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Consuming fish and milk together or one after other can lead to vitiligo. FACT: This is a myth; there is no scientific evidence supporting this idea, as vitiligo is primarily caused by autoimmune factors, not dietary combinations. ‘Don’t have milk and fish together!’ This is a common warning that many of our elders have […]

17
Feb

FACT CHECK: Industrialist’s viral tweet challenges popular weight loss remedy, experts weigh in

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka has sparked debate over a widely touted weight loss remedy, once again drawing attention to the scientific validity of drinking lemon juice and honey for weight management — a practice that has gained significant traction on social media platforms. “I was told that if you drink lemon juice with honey every morning for […]

17
Feb

FACT CHECK: Is it safe to dress in just a T-shirt as Rahul Gandhi does during the winters?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

Since his Bharat Jodo Yatra a couple of years back, Rahul Gandhi’s choice of ‘winter clothes’ has been a matter of great discussion. This year too, we saw the Indian National Congress leader all over our Television screens and on social media in just a white T-shirt during the Delhi election campaign and parliament sessions […]

16
Feb

A heart for humanity: in conversation with Padma Bhushan Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
6 min read

On January 25, 2025, a day before the country celebrated Republic Day, Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram, one of India’s pioneering cardiac surgeons, received a phone call from a Secretary in the Home Ministry. It was a phone call that he probably would not forget any time soon—he had won the Padma Bhushan for ‘revolutionising surgical […]

15
Feb

FACT CHECK: Is beer good for bone health, as claimed by PETA? Experts say no

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Drinking beer is good for bone health, and can prevent osteoporosis. FACT: Medical experts have criticized the PETA advertisement calling it a dangerous misrepresentation of scientific research that could mislead consumers. In fact, alcohol consumption is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Medical experts are strongly criticizing a PETA advertisement that claims beer consumption […]

15
Feb

The perils of online remedies: Did a viral weight-loss cure cost a UP leader his life?

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
5 min read

Last week, multiple media organisations reported on the death of a local Samajwadi Party leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, claiming that the leader passed away after he took a weight-loss drug he ordered online—highlighting the real-world consequences of health-related misinformation found online. According to regional and national media reports, Furkan Pahalwan, the 35-year-old local […]

14
Feb

Making space for patients: the urgency of listening in healthcare

First Check Team / 8 months
0
3 min read

In health-care services, spaces should be allocated for private conversations and listening can be incentivised with more time for consultations and patient feedback on whether they felt heard, argues a researcher in her latest article in the Lancet. Laying stress on listening to patients, the author argues that primary care should be allowed to more […]

13
Feb

Impact of US President Donald Trump’s health policy reversals

First Check Team / 8 months
0
6 min read

US President Donald Trump has been in office just a over two weeks now, and he has already passed multiple executive orders and made announcements that would have profound impact on global and domestic health policies, healthcare institutions and humanitarian aid organisations. Many of these roll back key health care and global health policies established during the […]

13
Feb

FACT CHECK: Should people reduce 10% of their oil intake as suggested by PM Modi?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Cut down oil intake by 10 percent to improve health. FACT: True, doctors First Check spoke to agreed with the suggestion, and stated to us that if adopted this would help improve the health of people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his inaugural speech for the 38th National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand advised people […]

13
Feb

Even light alcohol consumption increases cancer risk

First Check Team / 8 months
0
5 min read

You might ask, what is the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer? The truth is, even one drink a day can increase the risk, and the US Surgeon General has issued an advisory highlighting this link between cancer and alcohol consumption. Data on alcohol and health in humans show a strong link between alcohol consumption […]

13
Feb

Dual burden of malnutrition and obesity: India faces $440 billion economic threat by 2060

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
4 min read

There is a silent ‘pandemic’ that is taking over the world, including India, and costing lives—obesity. World Obesity Atlas report from the World Obesity Federation, predicted that 51% of the global population will be living with overweight or obesity by 2035 if current lifestyle trends continue. In recent years, developing countries are experiencing a more dramatic rise in the […]

12
Feb

Karishma Mehta, founder of ‘Humans of Bombay’, freezes her eggs. Is it the right choice for you?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
6 min read

At the beginning of February, Karishma Mehta, the Founder and CEO of the popular Humans of Bombay Instagram page, shared that she chose to freeze her eggs the previous month. She shared the news in a post on Instagram where she shared the important events in her life in the first month of 2025, sparking a conversation about […]

12
Feb

FACT CHECK: Can inserting fingers into the mouth treat tonsillitis without medical care?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Inserting fingers into the mouth can treat tonsillitis. FACT: This practice is unsafe and can introduce new infections; proper medical treatment is necessary First Check came across a viral video on Facebook in which a man claims to cure tonsillitis by inserting fingers into mouth. “I treat tonsils and jaundice free of cost here,” […]

11
Feb

FACT CHECK: Does winter raise BP and heart attack risk for the elderly?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

First Check received a WhatsApp tipline request from a reader regarding a video circulating on WhatsApp. In the video, a person claims that winter causes a rise in blood pressure and urges elderly not to get out of the bed before 8 AM lest it lead to paralysis or heart attack. “We see more cases […]

11
Feb

Pakistan, Afghanistan a ‘perfect storm’ for polio spread: WHO

First Check Team / 8 months
0
2 min read

The WHO has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in wild poliovirus (WPV1) cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the world’s last endemic reservoirs, warning that geopolitical, infrastructural, and security challenges are fueling its spread. With cases surging by 283% in Afghanistan and 550% in Pakistan compared to 2023, the WHO has launched emergency measures […]

10
Feb

FACT CHECK: Is paracetamol really the world’s most dangerous medicine?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Paracetamol is the most harmful medicine in the world and should be avoided FACT: Paracetamol is safe when used as directed by medical professionals; risks arise only from overdose or misuse A podcast shared by @vatsalasingh in a tweet on December 3, 2024 describes paracetamol as the world’s most harmful medicine. The account has […]

10
Feb

Fighting Shadows: A Journey of Strength, Struggles and Survival

Kritika Kamthan / 8 months
0
4 min read

It was a balmy August afternoon when I found myself in a plush New Delhi hospital, waiting for my biopsy report. The sterile white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic evoked a rush of surreal memories – rushed doctors, hushed whispers, intimidating operation theaters, and an endless cycle of blood tests. I had never […]

08
Feb

FACT CHECK – Ivermectin for cancer: A promising drug or premature hype?

Pallav Vyas / 8 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Ivermectin has 15 powerful anti-cancer mechanisms and can effectively treat various types of cancer. FACT: While laboratory research shows promising results, medical experts emphasize that Ivermectin has not undergone clinical trials for cancer, and its use as a treatment remains unproven. A post on the popular social media platform X, formerly Twitter by @bensmithlive […]

07
Feb

‘Increase negligible, allocation short of policy targets’: Healthcare experts on the Union Budget 2025-26

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
5 min read

Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, 2025, which featured a big push for the health sector. The budget allocated Rs 99,858.56 crore for health, which is almost 10 per cent more than what the government had allocated the previous financial year. Adding 75,000 new medical seats over the […]

07
Feb

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS): What do we know so far?

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
8 min read

Pune is currently experiencing a surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, a rare but severe neurological condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. On Sunday, the Maharashtra health department confirmed that the number of GBS cases in Pune surpassed 100, with one suspected death reported in Solapur. The Director General Indian Council of Medical Research Dr […]

06
Feb

FACT CHECK: Are 80% of high blood pressure patients just experiencing ‘white coat syndrome’?

First Check Team / 8 months
0
3 min read

Does a patient’s blood pressure rise when visiting a doctor? A YouTube video claims it does, referring to the condition as White Coat Syndrome. “The more qualified the doctor, the higher the rise; the more prestigious the hospital, the more expensive the treatment,” says Dr Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, a popular online figure who reportedly has […]

06
Feb

How AI tool “DeepMerkel” is improving treatment predictions for aggressive skin cancers

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
4 min read

In what is being called a major leap forward for cancer care, researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of predicting the course and severity of aggressive skin cancers like Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Named “DeepMerkel”, this AI tool can help doctors tailor treatments to individual patients, ensuring they receive the most effective […]

06
Feb

World Cancer Day: Recent cancer misinformation trends that swept the internet

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
6 min read

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide, with approximately 1 crore lives lost in 2022. By 2040, annual new cancer cases are projected to increase to 2.9 crore, while cancer-related deaths are expected to reach 1.5 crore. Diseases like cancer need fact based diagnoses and evidence backed therapies and treatment protocols prescribed by […]

04
Feb

Lung cancer in non-smokers rises amid declining smoking rates: study

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: Despite a global decline in smoking rates, lung cancer cases among non-smokers—particularly women and Southeast Asian populations—are rising, a new study has found. Lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in the glands producing fluids like mucus, has emerged as the most common form of cancer in non-smokers, accounting for over half […]

04
Feb

FACT CHECK: Does Ivermectin harm reproductive health? What studies actually show

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Ivermectin reduces the ability to conceive and grow babies, causing infertility FACT: Misleading. Ivermectin’s safety during pregnancy remains inconclusive An Instagram channel @simone.gisondi with a following of 275,000 has recently posted a video of a British anti-vaccine activist and an ex-Pfizer scientist Dr Mike Yeadon where he terms Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, as “one of the most violent fertility toxins.” “Ivermectin is […]

03
Feb

USAID is a criminal organization, time for it to die: Elon Musk

First Check Team / 8 months
0
3 min read

Tesla CEO and key Trump administration adviser Elon Musk has termed the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as necessary, calling the agency a “criminal organization” that is “beyond repair.” Speaking in a live session on X Spaces, Musk said he had discussed USAID in detail with the president, who agreed that […]

03
Feb

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025: Where does India stand in its fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
6 min read

World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day is celebrated on January 30 every year and this year the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments, leaders, communities and individuals to unite, act and eliminate these diseases through “bold, sustainable investments.” Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 21 infectious diseases that primarily impact over a billion […]

03
Feb

New Year, New Collaborations!

Mariyam Alavi / 8 months
0
2 min read

Hello! We have some great news for our readers; you can now read selected stories by First Check on THE WEEK as well! THE WEEK, published by the 137-year-old Malayala Manorama group, is India’s bestselling news magazine in English and is known for over 40 years of award-winning journalism. First Check will be providing exclusive […]

03
Feb

FACT CHECK: Would drinking from plastic bottles make you consume a credit card’s worth of plastic a week?

Allen Joe Mathew / 8 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: A viral video suggests drinking from plastic bottles leads to ingesting a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly. FACT: False. While an earlier 2019 study did claim so, more recent research from 2022 shows that the actual microplastic intake is about one millionth of that amount, and comes from various sources, not just plastic […]

01
Feb

FACT CHECK: Is frequent déjà vu harmless or a red flag for illness?

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Repeated and chronic experiences of déjà vu are a sign of neurological or psychological illness, such as temporal lobe epilepsy or psychiatric conditions FACT: True. Déjà vu is harmless in healthy individuals. But if experienced repeatedly along with seizures, it could indicate temporal lobe epilepsy or other neurological disorders A reel posted by @docpriyankasehrawat […]

01
Feb

AAP’s Health Report Card: Did the government deliver on its earlier poll promises?

Sneha Richhariya / 8 months
0
5 min read

New Delhi: As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) gears up for a possible fourth term in office, the party released their manifesto for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections on Monday, featuring 15 key “Kejriwal ki guarantee.” The promises or ‘guarantees,’ as the party calls it, ranged from employment for youth to 24/7 clean drinking water […]

31
Jan

FACT CHECK: Can CT coronary angiogram detect potential heart issues without the need for a traditional angiogram?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: CT coronary scans can detect heart blockages quickly, non-invasively, and with precise detail, eliminating the need for traditional angiograms. FACT: This claim is misleading. While CT coronary angiograms (CTCA) are a valuable diagnostic tool, they do not replace traditional angiograms in all scenarios. Both procedures serve distinct purposes and are applied based on the […]

30
Jan

FACT CHECK: Do pomegranate, watermelon, guava seeds, and Isabgol improve gut health?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

A YouTube short posted by @ReadersBooksClub claims that eating pomegranate, watermelon, and guava seeds improves gut health. “People say don’t eat pomegranate seeds because it is believed that they aren’t digested, but that’s exactly why they’re good. These seeds provide food for gut bacteria, which would otherwise starve,” says the expert in the video. He […]

29
Jan

Will DeepSeek AI drive a healthcare revolution?

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

The unexpectedly powerful Chinese AI model DeepSeek has shaken up the artificial intelligence industry, with experts online predicting it will profoundly impact even the healthcare sector. According to analysts, DeepSeek’s advanced capabilities could enable smaller hospitals and research groups to run sophisticated models on their own hardware, eliminating the need for large-scale infrastructure. This shift could reshape […]

28
Jan

‘Donald Trump right on US being top WHO contributor, but wrong on China’s contribution’

First Check Team / 9 months
0
8 min read

In one of his first orders after assuming office last week, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing the international body’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic, lack of political independence, and the disproportionate contributions the US makes to the organisation financially. The executive order said, “The United States noticed […]

28
Jan

Films can promote positive parenting and reduce violence: The Lancet

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

Educational films can help parents reduce child violence and improve parenting, especially in low-income areas, according to a new one-of-a-kind study publsihed in the well regarded journal, The Lancet. “Universal parenting interventions using a film-based entertainment-education approach can effectively reduce physical violence against children and increase positive parenting, with potential for scalability in low-resource settings,” […]

28
Jan

FACT CHECK: Does Benzoyl Peroxide treat acne?

Allen Joe Mathew / 9 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Benzoyl Peroxide is effective for acne, particularly inflammatory acne. FACT: Benzoyl Peroxide should only be used under a dermatologist’s guidance, as improper use or concentration may cause irritation, burns, or allergic reactions. A video posted on Instagram by skincare and lifestyle influencer @banya_biswas.00 recommends using Benzoyl Peroxide for treatment of acne has drawn drawn.3,000 […]

26
Jan

FACT CHECK: Is paracetamol the right first-aid for fever?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

In a viral Instagram reel posted by @behind_of_truth.ing, Acharya Manish, an ayurvedic expert and influencer, claims that commonly used fever medications like paracetamol, Dolo, Calpol, and Brufen are harmful. The video, which has garnered about 10 lakh likes and about 3 crore views, features him making statements such as, “If you have fever, never take […]

25
Jan

India’s uneven caesarean delivery rates: Telangana tops, Nagaland lags

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

While the national average caesarean delivery rate in India is 21.5 per cent, a report published in the peer-reviewed medical journal ‘The Lancet’ shows there are stark disparities based on regions, wealth and sector. Regionally, Nagaland had the lowest rates of caesarean deliveries, 5.2 per cent while Telangana topped the charts with 60.7 per cent. […]

25
Jan

FACT CHECK: Does cow urine have ‘anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties’, as IIT Madras director claimed?

Allen Joe Mathew / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti claims cow urine has medicinal properties including the ability to cure fever in 15 minutes and help with digestive issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, citing an anecdote about a monk who used it. FACT: Medical experts, including gastroenterologists who First Check contacted, state there is no scientific evidence or […]

24
Jan

FACT CHECK: Is Elon Musk right about ketamine as treatment for depression?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Ketamine can help manage symptoms of depression FACT: Ketamine is an anaesthetic with growing evidence supporting its potential for treating Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the drug is not yet FDA approved for psychiatric applications. Its off-label use requires medical supervision due to potential risks and side effects. With Tesla CEO and […]

24
Jan

FACT CHECK: Can alcoholic drinks like wine, beer and rum boost your skin’s health?

First Check Team / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Wine, beer, and rum can help your skin by balancing its natural acidity, fighting bacteria, and keeping it youthful by restoring collagen FACT: Studies suggest limited skincare benefits from wine extracts, but alcohol’s overall adverse health effects outweigh these benefits Can your favorite alcoholic drink double as a beauty booster? A […]

23
Jan

FACT CHECK: Is maida safe to consume in a balanced diet?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Refined flour (maida) is not unhealthy if consumed with fruits, vegetables, and protein. FACT: Expert opinions and studies agree that maida is nutritionally inferior and linked to health risks like blood sugar spikes, nutrient deficiencies, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Small quantities, however, may not cause significant harm, so limiting […]

23
Jan

FACT CHECK: Should you get a tetanus vaccine after every deep wound, not just rusty ones?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

An Instagram reel posted by @dr_richa_tiwari provides guidance on the ideal timing for getting a tetanus shot. The video, which has amassed over 1.7 million views and 45,000 likes, features Dr. Richa Tiwari recounting an incident where she advised tetanus vaccination to a neighbour following a minor injury. “A lady in my neighborhood got pricked […]

22
Jan

No fact-checking in Facebook and Meta: Time to ring the doom-bell in social media?

Dr Debanjan Banerjee / 9 months
0
5 min read

Mark Zuckerberg’s recent decision to scale back or even shut down the fact-checking operations on Facebook and other Meta platforms is a move that has far-reaching consequences for the integrity of information shared across social media. This decision has ignited a debate over the responsibility that platforms like Facebook hold in curbing the spread […]

21
Jan

‘Woo! That’s a big one’: Trump as he decides to withdraw US from WHO

First Check Team / 9 months
0
4 min read

Days after the World Health Organization (WHO) sought US$ 1.5 billion to provide life-saving health care to millions of people in emergencies across the World, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the WHO, while calling it a “big one.” After returning to the White […]

20
Jan

FACT CHECK: Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain AIDS causing viruses?

Allen Joe Mathew / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: HIV is part of the composition of COVID-19 vaccines FACT: False. An experimental vaccine developed by Professor Keith Chappell, a molecular virologist, in 2020 incorporated a small HIV protein segment but posed no risk of HIV transmission. The vaccine never progressed beyond initial Phase 1 trials and was never distributed publicly. Reports about […]

20
Jan

Indoor air pollution: How slum dwellers breathe air more toxic than others

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
9 min read

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Thirty-two-year-old Besaniya works as a domestic worker in Noida, and lives in a slum called Chaura Basti near the Delhi-Noida border with her two kids. Her husband Ram Deen, who worked as a daily-wage labourer, has been sick with respiratory issues for the past few years. People in her neighbourhood jhuggis also […]

18
Jan

‘Meta’s decision to stop fact-checking will fuel more health-related misinformation’

Dr Sabba Mehmood / 9 months
0
4 min read

Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that instead of relying on fact-checkers, Meta’s social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, will leave it to people to fact-check information on their own. While fact-checkers around the world have raised alarms about the move, as a physician, I am afraid that public health may be one of the […]

18
Jan

FACT-CHECK: Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy the leading cause of sudden deaths in young gym-goers?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of sudden deaths among young gym-goers during exercise FACT: Further studies are required to determine the true incidence of HCM-related sudden cardiac deaths and its risk factors, with no comprehensive data on HCM prevalence in India An Instagram reel posted by @dr.arshad01 attributes the sudden death […]

17
Jan

FACT CHECK: Vidya Balan claims inflammation caused her weight gain—is it true?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

A viral reel by @GalattaIndiaOffl shows the renowned Bollywood actress Vidya Balan candidly sharing her lifelong struggle with weight loss and the distinction between body fat and inflammation. “All my life, I have struggled to be thin. All my life, I have dieted like crazy, I have exercised like crazy, sometimes I would lose […]

17
Jan

FACT CHECK: Should Keralites give up milk?

Allen Joe Mathew / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: A majority of Keralites are lactose intolerant, while 70% of West and North Indians can easily digest milk. FACT: Studies show that while Indians in general are lactose intolerant, more South Indians were prone to the condition than those from Northern parts of the country. A popular reel on Instagram claims that a majority […]

16
Jan

Deaths in J&K’s Rajouri linked to toxins, not communicable disease: Govt

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

The Jammu and Kashmir government today announced that the recent deaths in Rajouri are not linked to any communicable disease- bacterial or viral. Instead, toxins detected in the biological samples taken are believed to be the cause of the 14 unexplained deaths in the district. “Clinical reports, lab investigations, and environmental samples indicate that the […]

15
Jan

Mysterious disease claims 14 lives in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, minister reports inconclusive tests

First Check Team / 9 months
0
2 min read

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday described recent deaths in the Rajouri district as “mysterious,” saying that investigations are ongoing and no definitive conclusions have been reached. Health Minister Sakina Masood Itoo said that the deaths began in December 2024 but subsided by the first week of January. During a function in Badhaal village […]

14
Jan

FACT CHECK: Should you chew disprin, clopidogrel and atorvastatin tablets in case of a heart attack?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Disprin, clopidogrel and atorvastatin tablets should be chewed in case of a heart attack FACT: This claim lacks context and can be misleading for some viewers. First Check reviewed an Instagram reel posted by @healthwithreels which talks about first aid that should be given to people if they suffer a heart attack. The video, […]

14
Jan

Treat stillbirths as lives lost, not just as births without life: Lancet to India

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

The Lancet has called on India to recognize stillbirth as a loss of life rather than merely a baby born without life, emphasizing that improved stillbirth data can transform healthcare outcomes, reduce disparities, shape effective policies, and combat the social stigma surrounding stillbirth. “By harnessing accurate and comprehensive data, India can take significant strides toward […]

13
Jan

Fact-Check: The truth about ginger’s health benefits and cancer risk

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Ginger is a powerful metabolism booster that helps reduce cancer risk, supports immunity, and aids digestion FACT: Ginger provides health benefits supported by research, but terming it as the top metabolism booster or claiming it prevents cancer oversimplifies its impact A thread on X, posted by Harry Psaros (@PittGuru), has highlighted the potential […]

13
Jan

Women in Indian cancer research are underrepresented: Lancet report

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

The field of oncology in India faces a stark gender imbalance, with a Lancet report highlighting that only one of the four major oncology societies has ever had a woman president, underlining male dominance in leadership. Similarly, in authorship roles, only 26% of 558 publications in two of the leading oncology journals of the […]

11
Jan

FACT CHECK: Do underarm puffs indicate toxin buildup in the body?

Allen Joe Mathew / 9 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Puffy underarms signify toxin buildup in the body FACT: There is no scientific evidence that underarm “puffs” indicate toxin buildup. Variations in armpit appearance are normal and related to factors like body composition and anatomy An Instagram reel from the channel @excelled.health uploaded on 23 December, 2024, asserts that a puffy underarm, rather than […]

10
Jan

WHO 2024 report: Immunization saves 154 million lives, Noncommunicable Diseases surge

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

Geneva, Switzerland – In 2024, the WHO celebrated significant immunization achievements, saving 154 million lives, but warned that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes remain a growing global challenge. “Today immunization is the single greatest contribution of any health intervention to ensuring that babies not only see their first birthdays but also […]

10
Jan

FACT CHECK: Can a posture corrector improve your posture

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Using a posture corrector can improve your posture FACT: Posture correctors may improve posture in the short term, but exercise is a more effective long-term solution A YouTube reel posted by @manmidadhich3759 claims that using a posture corrector can “transform your posture and boost your confidence,” describing it as “perfect whether you are […]

09
Jan

STUDY: China’s hearing loss cases set to reach 623 million by 2060

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

The number of people with hearing loss in China is projected to rise by 34.72%, from 462.88 million in 2015 to 623.60 million by 2060, driven by aging and socioeconomic factors. “The number with moderate-to-complete hearing loss will increase by 110.04%, from 115.14 million in 2015 to 241.84 million in 2060,” says a latest […]

09
Jan

FACT CHECK: Can cancer be treated without chemotherapy

First Check Team / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Cancer can be cured without using chemotherapy FACT: The claim is not supported by scientific evidence An Instagram reel posted by @chikitsaguru and @healthknowledgeindia with over 2.7 lakh views features a conversation with an alleged former cancer patient advocating alternative treatments. The interviewer asks the woman how she managed to overcome the disease […]

08
Jan

WHO monitors China’s rising respiratory illnesses, including HMPV, finds no unusual outbreaks

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received reports of any unusual outbreak patterns, even as data from China shows a rise in acute respiratory infections, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), in northern provinces in recent weeks. In its report, WHO has advised member states […]

08
Jan

Debunking the HMPV panic: Expert explains risks, symptoms, and precautions

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
8 min read

India has been reeling with shock, concern and panic, as seven cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) among children have been reported in the country in the past two days. Experts and government officials and ministers have been quick to assuage concerns, urging people to stay calm, elaborating that this was not a “new” virus, […]

07
Jan

Stay calm, no need to panic: Experts urge as HMPV cases trigger concerns in India

First Check Team / 9 months
0
5 min read

Experts, officials and ministers have urged people to remain calm, and not panic, as reports of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) confirmed cases in India triggered widespread concerns and questions about whether this was the start of another pandemic, reminiscent of COVID times. On January 6, panic gripped India after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) […]

06
Jan

FACT CHECK: Does walking on grass enhance your sixth sense?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Walking barefoot on grass boosts your sixth sense FACT: This claim is FALSE and lacks context. While walking barefoot may help energy levels and reduce fatigue, it does not enhance any “sixth sense.” The body’s response is physiological rather than extrasensory An Instagram reel posted by a verified account with over 600,000 followers, […]

06
Jan

Two Bengaluru infants test HMPV positive, health ministry assures preparedness

First Check Team / 9 months
0
2 min read

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka as part of its nationwide surveillance for respiratory viral diseases. The Union Health Ministry gas said it is closely monitoring the situation through established surveillance networks, while the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to provide timely updates on […]

04
Jan

India tracks China’s HMPV outbreak amid rising concerns, says no significant spike locally

First Check Team / 9 months
0
2 min read

India is closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases after social media reports of a Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms, outbreak in China. India said it is in communication with international agencies to stay updated on developments. Director General of Health Services, Dr. Atul Goel, described HMPV as a respiratory virus […]

04
Jan

India records 9.1M dog bites annually, survey highlights vaccination gaps

First Check Team / 9 months
0
2 min read

A Lancet study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research revealed 9.1 million annual dog bites in India and urged a One Health approach to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. “Integrating human and animal surveillance, ensuring timely administration of the full course of post-exposure prophylaxis, and accelerating dog vaccination across the country are […]

03
Jan

FACT CHECK: Can traditional remedies like applying chilli, onion juice prevent rabies after a dog bite?

First Check Team / 9 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: A viral video suggests traditional remedies can treat rabid dog bites. FACT: Experts confirm only medical interventions can prevent rabies. A video on social media says that local remedies can treat dog bites including bites by rabid dog “Friends, whether you live in a village, a city, or a town, you must have […]

03
Jan

FACT CHECK: Can fermented foods reduce, remove, or eliminate microplastics from our bodies?

Sneha Richhariya / 9 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Fermented food can reduce, remove and even eliminate microplastics and Bisphenol A from our tissues. FACT: Fermented foods with probiotics may support gut health, which could help mitigate some effects of microplastics indirectly. However, there is no scientific evidence proving they can remove or eliminate microplastics from the body. An Instagram reel flagged by a First Check […]

03
Jan

FACT CHECK: Amla is ayurveda’s most powerful medicine against diabetes

Pallav Vyas / 9 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Amla (Indian Gooseberry) is Ayurveda’s most powerful medicine against Diabetes FACT: Multiple studies have shown that Amla can in fact help control one’s blood sugar levels A First Check reader recently shared an Instagram reel with us on our WhatsApp tipline, where the user is seen promoting the Indian Gooseberry or Amla as a […]

02
Jan

FACT CHECK: Does your child’s body possess innate healing prowess?

Pallav Vyas / 9 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Your child’s body is born with everything it needs to heal, and we mess it up with pharma products FACT: Children are born with minimal immunity, which is not sufficient enough to protect the baby from deadly diseases A First Check reader recently shared a Threads post by user free.range.momma, on our WhatsApp […]

02
Jan

In a hottest decade on record, 2024 was warmest, with 41 dangerous heat days: WMO

First Check Team / 9 months
0
3 min read

2024 was the warmest year on record, capping a decade of unprecedented heat driven by human activities, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported, warning that greenhouse gas levels continue to grow to record observed highs, “locking in even more heat for the future.” The WMO will publish the consolidated global temperature figure for […]

01
Jan

FACT CHECK: Do we really need a skincare routine?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: A YouTube reel claims that a multi-step skincare routine, including a morning face wash, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and lip balm is a must have for healthy skin. FACT: While a multi-step skincare routine may benefit individuals with specific skin concerns, its necessity for everyone lacks dermatological evidence A YouTube reel shared by […]

01
Jan

FACT CHECK: Are tea bags leaking billions of microplastics into your cup of tea?

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
4 min read

A claim circulating on social media has raised concerns about the potential health risks posed by microplastics in tea bags. The claim, posted by user @MonaElizabeth56 on X (formerly Twitter), has garnered 250 views and features a video alleging that typical tea bags are sprayed with plastic to prevent tearing. According to the video, […]

31
Dec

COVID: 5 years after outbreak, WHO calls on China to share data ‘to understand the origins’ of the pandemic

First Check Team / 10 months
0
2 min read

On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization’s country office in China picked up a media statement from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission’s website reporting cases of “viral pneumonia” in Wuhan. Five years later, the WHO has reiterated its call for China to share critical data and grant access to researchers to uncover the origins […]

30
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can a mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder and black tea darken your grey hair?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: A mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder, and black tea can permanently darken grey hair after one application FACT: False. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that this mixture can permanently darken grey hair An Instagram reel posted by @abhi.healthguru suggests that applying a homemade mixture of aloe vera […]

30
Dec

Influenza vaccines are a lifesaver against severe flu, says WHO expert

First Check Team / 10 months
0
4 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted influenza vaccines as the most effective tool against severe illness and death, with nearly one billion doses administered globally each year. Dr. Shoshanna Goldin, from WHO’s World Health Emergencies Programme, emphasized the need to stay ahead of the constantly evolving virus during a recent broadcast, underscoring the critical […]

28
Dec

India exits WHO’s high-burden malaria list, aims for zero cases by 2030

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

India has officially exited the World Health Organization’s (WHO) high-burden to high-impact (HBHI) group for malaria, with the country aiming for zero cases by 2030, the World Malaria Report 2024 has revealed. India celebrated the achievement. “The WHO report recognized India’s advancements as a model for other nations aiming to combat malaria. With sustained efforts, […]

28
Dec

FACT CHECK: Does frequent ejaculation reduce prostate cancer risk?

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: Frequent ejaculation doesn’t prevent prostate cancer FACT: False. Frequent ejaculation lowers prostate cancer risk A post by @Amerix on X (formerly Twitter), dismisses the claim that frequent ejaculation reduces the risk of prostate cancer. The post states, “Men, Frequent ejaculation doesn’t protect you from Prostate Cancer. These are institutionalized lies peddled by puppets […]

27
Dec

FACT CHECK: Do detox supplements actually help in removing toxins and improving health?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: The growing trend of detox diets and supplements claims that your body requires these to eliminate toxins and improve health FACT: False. The body has its own efficient detoxification system, primarily through organs like the liver, and doesn’t require external supplements or products to detoxify A growing number of videos (such as […]

26
Dec

2024: India marks major milestone in eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases

First Check Team / 10 months
0
2 min read

India achieved a significant milestone this year by eliminating neglected tropical disease, marking progress in the fight against conditions such as human African trypanosomiasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and trachoma. Meanwhile, Egypt declared itself malaria-free after a century-long battle, and Cabo Verde joined the list of malaria-free nations, showcasing global advancements in combating infectious diseases. In […]

26
Dec

WHO flags misinformation and disinformation as major threat to global health in 2024 review

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

Misinformation and disinformation are critical threats to global health, the World Health Organization (WHO) says in its 2024 review. The organization warns that inaccurate information about diseases, treatments, and vaccines not only undermines trust in science but also erodes public confidence in evidence-based health policies, posing a significant challenge to global health efforts. “During emergencies […]

25
Dec

Over 1 in 5 adults worldwide has a genital herpes infection

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

Around 846 million people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections – more than 1 in 5 of this age-group globally – according to new estimates released by World Health Organisation. In a statement, WHO said that at least one person each second – 42 million people annually – is […]

25
Dec

COVID toll so far: 7 million deaths, over 776 million cases, a surge in mental health issues

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

More than 776.8 million cases and 7 million deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded globally since the pandemic began in early 2020, according to the latest data released by WHO. While there are periodic waves of COVID-19 in some countries, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, largely circulates without clear seasonality and continues to infect, […]

24
Dec

Fact Check: Does drinking 8 litres of water daily boost health?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Drinking 8 litres of water daily boosts athletic performance, speeds up muscle recovery, improves joint mobility, and lowers the risk of injuries. FACT: False. Drinking 8 litres of water daily is not universally beneficial and can even pose health risks. While adequate hydration is essential for athletic performance and recovery, excessive water intake can […]

23
Dec

India’s air pollution problem is not just urban, rural areas also suffer: Dr Suganthi Jaganathan

First Check Team / 10 months
0
5 min read

A new study by the Karolinska Institute has revealed that long-term exposure to air pollution is a significant contributor to millions of deaths in India. The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, highlights the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations. It reveals that the entire population of India is exposed to PM2.5 […]

23
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can fasting for 3 days shield you from rabies after a dog bite?

First Check Team / 10 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Fasting for three days after a dog bite enables the body to produce antibodies against rabies. FACT: A 3-day fast cannot protect against rabies; only timely vaccination can prevent the deadly disease. If a dog bites you, you shouldn’t go for any vaccine and instead keep a fast for three days. The body […]

20
Dec

Social media platforms urged to share data to tackle science misinformation

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

Social media companies must prioritize the fight against science misinformation by offering free, non-commercial access to data for researchers studying its origins, spread, and effects, a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends. “Universities and research institutions should help connect researchers with social media companies to improve access to reliable […]

20
Dec

FACT CHECK – Why Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and Others Have Sons Taller Than Them

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
5 min read

CLAIM: Sachin Tendulkar is 5’5″, Anjali Tendulkar is 5’6″, so how is their son Arjun Tendulkar is 6’3″? FACT: A diet rich in high-quality protein can significantly contribute to how tall an individual gets, potentially getting taller than their parents, alongside the influence of genetics A trending video raises a question that many of us […]

19
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can swallowing papaya seeds prevent pregnancy

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Papaya seeds can act as a natural contraceptive if swallowed whole, without chewing FACT: While consuming unripe or semi-ripe papaya, which contains latex with papain, may pose risks during pregnancy, including uterine contractions and miscarriage, but their use for birth control remains unsubstantiated A post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), […]

19
Dec

FACT CHECK: Does sugar cause ADHD, dementia, glaucoma, aging, insomnia, or diabetes?

Allen Joe Mathew / 10 months
0
6 min read

A viral Instagram post by @daveymaher_fitness, who has 436,000 followers, claims that sugar has numerous harmful effects on the body, including the controversial statement that “sugar in a baby’s brsain is called ADHD.” The video titled “Truth about the effects of Sugar” has garnered 67 lakh views and 181,000 likes. “Sugar in a baby’s […]

18
Dec

India needs 6 million nurses by 2030 to ward of newborn care crisis

admin / 10 months
0
2 min read

India will need six million additional nurses by 2030 to meet rising healthcare demands, with a significant focus on addressing the growing need for newborn care, a recent study reveals. “Neonatal mortality rates are highest in rural and resource-limited settings,” the study published by Lancet reveals. “These challenges are compounded by inconsistencies in national […]

18
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can leaving your blanket quickly in cold weather trigger a cardiac arrest?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: People over 30 shouldn’t leave their blanket abruptly due to cardiac arrest risk FACT: False. There is no scientific evidence that waking up suddenly at night can cause death A viral WhatsApp forward claims that waking up suddenly at night, especially in cold weather, can lead to a lack of blood supply to […]

17
Dec

As Delhi’s mobility crisis deepens pollution levels, E-Rickshaw drivers bear the cost of clean commuting

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
9 min read

New Delhi: “Badi gaadiyaan aati hain aur dhool udaake chali jaati hain hamare upar. [Big vehicles come, stir up dust, and leave it settling on us],” Ashraf Ali, an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area laments. Ali leaves for work at 7 AM and drives his e-rickshaw in the city till 10 PM on all working […]

16
Dec

FACT CHECK: Is alkaline water good for health?

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Alkaline water is beneficial for health FACT: There’s no evidence to prove any significant benefits of drinking alkaline water A First Check reader recently posted a query on our WhatsApp tip line, asking if drinking alkaline water would afford any health benefits. “Is there any health benefits of alkaline water?, they asked on our […]

16
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can wearing a tight underwear lower a man’s sperm count?

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Wearing a tight underwear lowers a man’s sperm count FACT: True. However, its link to infertility remains uncertain A post by the handle @Men_Sex_Health, shared on the X platform warns people against wearing tight underwear, saying it would reduce their sperm count by up to 40%. “Stop wearing tight underwear: Wearing underwear increases […]

14
Dec

FACT CHECK: Should we be consuming multivitamins?

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Stop taking multivitamins as you can get dependent on them and they offer no health benefits FACT: Most research studies show little to no benefit from multivitamin use; however, some dieticians say that multivitamins can be a useful addition for individuals with restrictive diets, and busy lifestyles. A YouTube video with over 3 million views […]

13
Dec

FACT CHECK: Does consuming lemongrass aid in lowering cholesterol?

Pallav Vyas / 10 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: Consuming lemongrass aids in lowering cholesterol levels and improving heart health. FACT: Lemongrass may lower cholesterol, but effects have only been seen in laboratory rats, not clinical trials. Lemongrass can help lower cholesterol, according to a post shared on the popular social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “Lemongrass is anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-hyperlipidemic […]

12
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can staying in 40°C water cause a 1kg weight loss?

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Sitting in 40°C water can lead to 500g-3kg weight loss FACT: Medical experts say no evidence to support the claim A YouTube video by a person identifying himself as Dr Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury claims that in a temperature of 40°C, if a person sits in water with the water level rising up to […]

12
Dec

Think your body becomes resistant to antibiotics? Here’s why you’re wrong

Allen Joe Mathew / 10 months
0
4 min read

A major challenge in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) lies in the public’s fundamental misunderstanding of the issue, with many people mistakenly believing that the human body becomes resistant to antibiotics, when in fact, it is the bacteria themselves that evolve to withstand these medicines, says Dr Manica Balasegaram, a leading expert at the Global […]

11
Dec

‘They’ll destroy me’: Techie’s last words ignite national debate on men’s justice

First Check Team / 10 months
0
4 min read

A 34-year-old techie, Atul Subhash, died by suicide at his Bengaluru residence, leaving behind a 24-page note in which he blamed his wife and her family for harassment. The incident has taken social media by storm, with many voicing concerns about perceived injustices against men. The victim, who was a Bangalore-based software engineer, expressed his […]

11
Dec

FACT CHECK: Cancer misinformation gets new lease of life, after Sidhu’s ‘Diet-Based Cure’ for cancer claims

First Check Team / 10 months
0
7 min read

Last month, former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu made headlines, when he claimed that his wife, Navjot Kaur, overcame Stage 4 cancer in just 40 days through a simple dietary and lifestyle regimen. While healthcare professionals were quick to call Sidhu out for the dangerous misinformation, that could potentially take patients away from medically proven treatment […]

10
Dec

FACT CHECK: Did YesMadam fire ‘stressed’ employees, or was it a PR stunt?

First Check Team / 10 months
0
4 min read

YesMadam, an online beauty services platform, is facing a wave of criticism after an internal email surfaced, allegedly revealing that employees who reported high stress levels in a recent survey were fired. The email, which has gone viral on social media, has evoked mixed reactions and raised concerns about the company’s handling of employee […]

10
Dec

FACT CHECK: Is John Abraham right about veg protein superiority?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Non-veg food does not have more protein than vegetarian food FACT: False. Non-veg food offers more protein, better for protein needs A video clip from the famous Kapil Sharma Show features Bollywood star John Abraham suggesting that vegetarian food is also a rich source of protein and so can be preferred over non-veg […]

09
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can a single sip of alcohol increase your risk for cancer?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Even one sip of alcohol can put you at risk of cancer. FACT: While alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, the claim that a single sip leads to cancer risk oversimplifies the relationship. The risk depends on the amount and frequency of consumption, as well as individual health and […]

09
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can tamarind seeds cure arthritis or alleviate its pain?

Allen Joe Mathew / 10 months
0
5 min read

First Check came across a video on Instagram, from the channel “The Sassy Sorceress” with more than 199k subscribers, which has raked up 6.2 million views and has been shared over 115k times, with more than 250,000 likes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Sassy Sorceress (@the.sassy.sorceress) The […]

07
Dec

How just 1% weight change in Large Language Models can inject dangerous misinformation in healthcare

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

Large Language Models (LLMs) hold great promise for healthcare applications, but a new study published in Nature warns that even minor manipulations—affecting just 1% of a model’s weights—can introduce harmful misinformation, posing significant risks to patient safety. “In our study, we demonstrate that misinformation such as malicious associations can be effectively injected into pretrained […]

06
Dec

No, Himalayan salt is not healthier than iodized salt

First Check Team / 10 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Himalayan salt offers no significant health benefits compared to iodized salt FACT: No scientific evidence shows that Himalayan pink salt offers more health benefits than regular table salt A video posted on Instagram suggests that Himalayan pink salt is a superior alternative to regular table salt due to its mineral content. The video with […]

05
Dec

FACT CHECK: Is your daily cup of chai making you gain weight?

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Drinking chai daily leads to weight gain. FACT: Drinking chai in moderation does not inherently cause weight gain. Factors like added sugar, full-fat milk, and frequency of consumption determine its caloric impact. A YouTube short posted by internet sensation and nutrition coach, Ryan Fernando, claimed that consuming one cup of tea daily for a year can result […]

patharchatta as a remedy for kidney stones

05
Dec

FACT CHECK: Can patharchatta leaves dissolve kidney stones?

Allen Joe Mathew / 10 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Patharchatta leaves can dissolve kidney stones FACT: There is no scientific evidence to show that patharchatta leaves do not dissolve kidney stones. Experts warn against such unscientific home remedies for kidney stones, adding that if left untreated the complications could include urinary tract infections, severe pain, and in extreme cases, kidney damage. Recently a […]

04
Dec

FACT CHECK: Acidic foods increase cancer risk?

Florica Brahma / 10 months
0
4 min read

A popular video on Instagram, with about 20,000 likes and over a million views, claims that consuming acidic foods can raise the risk of cancer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjeev Batra (@dr.sanjeev27) “Do you know that the cancerous tumours that occur in your body, they are made of […]

04
Dec

Health of India Summit 2024 tackles heart disease, cancer, and AI challenges

First Check Team / 10 months
0
5 min read

Experts discussed evolving challenges and solutions for India’s health sector, focusing on heart disease, cancer treatment, and health misinformation, at this year’s Health of India Summit held in New Delhi on December 3. Madhukar K. Bhagat, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlighted the pressing challenges in India’s healthcare sector, including […]

03
Dec

How prepared is India for future diseases? Experts discuss at Health of India Summit

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: The Health of India Summit 2024 at Hotel Shangri-La, New Delhi, brought together leading healthcare innovators to discuss India’s potential as a global hub for biopharmaceutical innovation, emphasizing the need for collaborative, rapid, and cost-effective R&D strategies to address current and emerging disease challenges. The session titled “Accelerating R&D Innovation for India’s Current […]

03
Dec

HOI2024: Experts discuss AI’s role in transforming healthcare at Health of India Summit

Sneha Richhariya / 10 months
0
3 min read

New Delhi: At the Health of India Summit 2024 in New Delhi, experts highlighted the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing Indian healthcare, from early tuberculosis detection in rural areas to advanced cancer prediction models, while emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks, accurate data, and patient-centric integration. The session, titled “AI & Health: How AI […]

03
Dec

AI-fueled health misinformation, infectious diseases and natural remedy myths cause of concern: report

First Check Team / 10 months
0
3 min read

The “Health Misinformation Vectors in India” report, released at the Health of India Summit in Delhi, warns of AI-driven misinformation and the rise of infectious diseases like Marburg virus and Mpox, while highlighting a growing shift from evidence-based medicine to natural remedies influenced by local traditions. “Even on life threatening diseases like cancer, some of […]

02
Dec

Health of India Summit 2024 to Explore AI and Healthcare Innovations

First Check Team / 11 months
0
2 min read

The Health of India Summit 2024, a flagship event organized by First Check and DataLEADS, will take place on December 3 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Ashoka Road, New Delhi. The summit is set to gather a significant number of delegates, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and experts, to engage in pivotal discussions on […]

02
Dec

FACT CHECK: Should you stop drinking vegetable juice?

Sneha Richhariya / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Drinking vegetable juice is harmful and should be avoided. FACT: Vegetable juice can be a healthy addition to your diet when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced nutritional plan. The First Check team came across a YouTube short from the account “DietTube India,” where the presenter claims that drinking vegetable […]

01
Dec

UN report: Human rights key to ending AIDS by 2030

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

The world can end AIDS by 2030 if human rights are at the center of the effort, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said in a statement on the occasion of the World Aids Day. Titled “Take the rights path to end AIDS,” the report outlines how stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws hinder […]

01
Dec

India mandates snakebite reporting amid 50,000 annual deaths

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

In a significant move to combat underreported snakebite cases, the Indian Ministry of Health has made it mandatory for all government and private healthcare facilities to report suspected and confirmed snakebite cases and deaths. The decision follows concerns about the underreporting of such incidents, which has hindered efforts to understand and address the problem. In […]

30
Nov

‘Dangerous form of misinformation’: More medical experts weigh in on Sidhu’s cancer cure claim

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s recent claim that his wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, overcame stage four cancer through a strict diet regimen has sparked controversy, with medical professionals cautioning that such statements risk spreading misinformation and offering false hope to patients battling the disease. First Check consulted leading medical experts including Dr. Sameer Kaul, Senior Consultant […]

28
Nov

4 million Afghans battle addiction amid worsening health crisis: WHO

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm on Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis, calling it one of the most severe globally due to widespread food insecurity and a growing substance use epidemic affecting 4 million people. The warning follows a three-day visit by WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, who engaged […]

28
Nov

Will AI revolutionise Indian healthcare by enabling self-diagnosis?

Sneha Richhariya / 11 months
0
7 min read

New Delhi: In May 2024, Ankit Gupta, a Delhi resident woke up from his deep slumber, hearing a strong beeping sound; but he couldn’t find the source of the sound. Worried about his ears ringing, he entered some of his symptoms into ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot that scrapes the internet for information and […]

27
Nov

UK-India health tech bootcamp returns with six Indian startups

Sneha Richhariya / 11 months
0
3 min read

The second edition of the week-long UK-India HealthTech Bootcamp began in the United Kingdom, on Sunday, November 24, featuring six Indian startups, which aims at furthering innovation and building business partnerships in the UK’s healthcare ecosystem. Chosen from a competitive pool of 262 applicants, the participating startups—Backyard Creators, Onward Assist, Neodocs, Niramai Health Analytix, Ramja […]

26
Nov

FACT CHECK: Can a lung detox tea clean a smoker’s lungs?

Allen Joe Mathew / 11 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: A homemade tea can be used to detox lungs FACT: This is not true. Lungs cannot be detoxed by tea The First Check team came across a reel on Instagram with a claim that a “tea” can detox one’s lungs. Posted by @vaidyajayashreed, with 153,000 followers, the video has over 13.5 million views, 439,000 […]

26
Nov

Sidhu shares controversial diet plan for cancer recovery amid expert backlash

First Check Team / 11 months
0
6 min read

Former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday sparked criticism from health experts after claiming on social media that dietary and lifestyle changes cured his wife Navjot Kaur’s cancer. Despite the backlash, he has now gone ahead and shared a detailed diet plan. According to Sidhu, his wife’s cancer treatment involved surgeries, chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted […]

25
Nov

FACT CHECK: Was Bill Gates indicted in Netherlands over COVID-19 vaccines

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Bill Gates has been indicted in the Netherlands for lying to the public about COVID-19 vaccines FACT: Not true, a Dutch court has merely accepted jurisdiction to hear a civil case involving vaccine-related claims A recent Dutch court ruling that it has jurisdiction to hear civil claims against Bill Gates related to COVID-19 vaccines […]

25
Nov

COP29 highlights urgency of health action amid climate crisis

First Check Team / 11 months
0
4 min read

Health emerged as one of the major issues at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), which concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 22. Recognising the increasing risks that climate change poses to global health, the conference highlighted the importance of integrating health considerations into climate policies. A major highlight of COP29 was the establishment […]

23
Nov

FACT CHECK: Medical experts debunk Sidhu’s claim of curing his wife’s Stage-4 cancer through diet

First Check Team / 11 months
0
6 min read

CLAIM: Turmeric, neem water, apple cider vinegar, lemon water, and lifestyle changes can cure cancer, claims cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu FACT: Doctors debunk the claim, saying there is no medical evidence supporting dietary or lifestyle changes as a cure for cancer Former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed on Friday that his wife, Navjot Kaur, overcame […]

22
Nov

EXPLAINER: Is Virat Kohli’s steamed diet better than boiled or cooked?

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
0
5 min read

More often than not the media is abuzz with fad diets being endorsed by celebrities, such as a paleo diet, Keto diet, Atkins diet and the like. Recently, the former skipper of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli was featured in some prominent Indian dailies for advocating a vegetarian diet—to minimize the uric acid […]

21
Nov

Survey of 21,000 Delhi-NCR residents finds every family battling pollution-related health problems

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

Around 75% of families in Delhi-NCR have reported at least one member suffering from respiratory problems due to toxic air quality, according to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, a community-based platform that connects people with local issues and enables them to share information, provide feedback, and engage with others on various topics. The survey, […]

21
Nov

Newborn Care Week: Some Baby Myths and Facts

First Check Team / 11 months
0
4 min read

As Newborn Care Week is observed annually from November 15 to November 21, doctors and fact-checkers use this time to debunk common myths about newborn care. As part of this week, World Children’s Day is observed globally on November 20. The day serves as a platform to foster global unity, raise awareness of children’s issues, […]

21
Nov

FACT CHECK: Are teflon-coated aluminum utensils harmful to health?

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Teflon-coated aluminium utensils are not safe and should be discarded FACT: They are safe for everyday use when used under 500°F (260°C) temperatures An Instagram reel flagged by a First Check reader through our WhatsApp tipline, claims that the teflon-coated aluminium utensils are harmful to health and urges viewers to discard them. The […]

19
Nov

Vibrators or lipsticks? How India’s sex toys navigate legal gray areas

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

While there is no explicit legal provision in India barring the sale of sex toys, the lack of clear judicial guidelines has created a gray area, leaving businesses to navigate complex legal terrain. Companies often label sex toys as “massagers” to sidestep potential legal issues, but this practice raises concerns about consumer protection and could […]

19
Nov

FACT CHECK: Are figs non-vegetarian due to wasp pollination?

Allen Joe Mathew / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Figs (Anjeer) are non-vegetarian as wasps are involved in the pollination process FACT: Figs come in multiple varieties, many of them don’t require wasps for pollination A couple of recent social media posts have claimed that figs are non-vegetarian. The claim originated on November 2 with a reel by @shashikant_iyengar, a verified account on […]

19
Nov

STUDY: Drop the abbreviations in texting to build better connections

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

Next time you’re tempted to use shortcuts like “thanx” for “thanks,” “ttyl” for “talk to you later,” or “u” for “you,” think twice. A new study suggests that spelling out words instead of using abbreviations makes you appear more sincere and increases the likelihood of receiving better responses to your texts. According to new research […]

18
Nov

FACT CHECK: Is milk from hormone-injected cows a cancer threat?

Allen Joe Mathew / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Hormones injected into cows linked to human cancer risk FACT: FALSE! There is no conclusive scientific evidence to support this The First Check team came across an Instagram post from the account “Satvik Movement, where they attribute a person’s recovery from cancer to the diet and lifestyle changes prescribed by Satvik Movement practitioners. […]

17
Nov

Antimicrobial resistance as urgent as climate action: WHO chief

First Check Team / 11 months
0
4 min read

The action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is “equally as urgent as climate action,” Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the Fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance which began Friday in Jeddah. “AMR doesn’t just threaten to make the medicines on which we depend less effective; it’s happening […]

16
Nov

Fact Check: Does loud snoring signal restful sleep?

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
0
4 min read

CLAIM: Loud snoring is a deep and restful sleep FACT: No, it could signal serious breathing issues The quality of one’s sleep is contingent on many factors such as ageing, depression, medications, and circadian rhythm disorders. There’s an anecdotal account that snoring indicates a deep and restful sleep. However, medical evidence doesn’t support this. […]

15
Nov

FACT CHECK: Does eating fish and milk together harm your health?

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: The consumption of fish and milk leads to white patches on skin FACT: Medical evidence supporting this claim is non-existent There’s a lot of anecdotal wisdom that claims that consuming the fish and milk two together, or within a short interval of each other, could lead to white patches on one’s skin, […]

14
Nov

STUDY: Quarter of world’s 828 million diabetes patients now in India

First Check Team / 11 months
0
4 min read

India is now home to over a quarter of the world’s diabetes cases, with 212 million adults affected, as global diabetes numbers reached 828 million—more than four times the count in 1990, according to a new analysis in The Lancet. India is followed by China with 148 million diabetes cases, and the USA (42 million), […]

14
Nov

FACT CHECK: Can certain food help neutralise the “toxins” in food?

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
0
5 min read

A First Check reader recently shared a video with us on our newly launched WhatsApp tip line, where a patron of ayurvedic treatment is seen saying that seven food spices can ward off the poisonous and toxic effects of all the food we consume, asking us to verify the claims. The video was shared with […]

13
Nov

US obesity rate doubles since 1990, hits 208m in 2021, to reach 260m by 2050

First Check Team / 11 months
0
2 min read

By 2050, the number of US children and teens with overweight or obesity is expected to reach 43.1 million (up by 6.74 million from 2021), and adults 213 million (an increase of 41.4 million), highlighting the urgent need for nationwide action to reverse these trends and address significant geographical and sex disparities, according to […]

12
Nov

FACT CHECK: Can clove-studded apple ease migraines, acidity?

Allen Joe Mathew / 11 months
0
2 min read

CLAIM: Eating an apple with cloves inserted overnight on an empty stomach can cure acidity, migraines, and other ailments. FACT: The claim is false. No scientific evidence supports the idea that eating a clove-laced apple can cure health issues. A viral video on Instagram shows a Hindi speaking man handing out apples inserted with cloves to people at a […]

12
Nov

Uneven vaccine access in India slows down immunisation for children

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

India has made exceptional advances in child immunisation, but differences in coverage across regions are holding back important goals, says a recent Lancet study. India ranked first in 2021 and second in 2023 for the highest absolute number of Zero Dose children globally and figures among the top 10 countries home to children missing […]

11
Nov

Trump’s second term: RFK Jr. to lead health policy overhaul amid expert warnings

First Check Team / 11 months
0
3 min read

As concerns rise about the implications of a second Trump administration on global health, experts caution that his return to office could be “among the most destructive” for public health, potentially undermining trust in critical areas such as vaccines and medicine. Lawrence Gostin, Director of the World Health Organization’s Center on Global Health Law, cautioned […]

09
Nov

Study: Demand for cannabis as pain reliever spurs calls for reliable YouTube content

First Check Team / 11 months
0
2 min read

As more people turn to cannabis for chronic pain relief, a new study reveals that only 22.7% of YouTube videos on the topic provide reliable, clinically accurate information. Researchers are calling for a verification process on the platform to prioritize accurate educational content, aiming to reduce misinformation and guide patients toward informed choices on cannabis […]

08
Nov

FACT CHECK: The brown Vs white egg conundrum

First Check Team / 11 months
0
2 min read

Claim: Brown eggs are much healthier than white eggs Fact: There is no difference between the nutritional value of a brown or white egg Eggs are an excellent source of high nutrition, since they provide all vitamins except Vitamin C. They also contain macronutrients such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. Further, eggs are also […]

08
Nov

FACT CHECK: Are broiler chickens injected with hormones and steroids?

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
0
3 min read

CLAIM: Are hormonal injections like steroids used in the production of broiler chicken? FACT: While there have been reports of the practice continuing in some parts of India despite a ban on growth hormones’ use in poultry, this does not appear to be the norm. Experts have said selective breeding, immunizations, and the use […]

07
Nov

Report: Majority of adults view, trust and act on TikTok health content

First Check Team / 11 months
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2 min read

Around 53% of TikTok users aged 18-29 say they trust health information on the app, with 19% following up with a doctor and 26% seeking mental health treatment based on content they’ve seen on the app, reveals a report by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Mental health (66%) and weight loss (66%) were the most watched health […]

06
Nov

FACT CHECK: Which is safer and healthier- raw milk or pasteurized milk?

First Check Team / 11 months
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4 min read

Should you be drinking raw milk over pasteurised milk? A social media user on X (formerly Twitter), claimed that raw or unpasteurised milk is a healthier alternative to pasteurised milk (milk that has been heated to a specific temperature for a pre-determined interval of time). Did you know this? Pasteurized milk is dangerous and should be […]

05
Nov

Fact Check: Does poor oral hygiene cause heart attacks?

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
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3 min read

Claim: Poor oral hygiene over time can lead to an increased risk of heart disease Fact: Poor oral hygiene affects health but has no direct link to heart attacks, experts say Teeth are an integral part of the human body, but they are often overlooked when analysing one’s health. That is, as long as […]

05
Nov

Not just skin deep: Psoriasis also hits nails, joints

Pallav Vyas / 11 months
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3 min read

Psoriasis is generally considered a skin condition with the itchy, flaky, and scaly patches of skin dominating all conversations around the disease. The fact that psoriasis also affects the nails and may simultaneously be the cause of arthritis is rarely mentioned, or known outside the medical fraternity. What is Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic condition […]

05
Nov

Early-life sugar restriction can protect against diabetes and hypertension later in life

First Check Team / 11 months
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2 min read

Reducing sugar intake during the first 1,000 days after conception—from conception through age two—may lower a child’s risk of developing chronic illnesses in adulthood. a new study published in Science has found. Leveraging data from post-World War II sugar rationing in the UK, the findings highlight critical long-term health benefits from reduced sugar intake […]

04
Nov

The public health impact of gambling is large and increasing: Lancet

First Check Team / 11 months
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5 min read

The Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling in a recent report has pointed out the prevalence of commercial gambling in over 80% of countries globally, with lower- and middle-income countries witnessing a particularly rapid growth in the activity. The gambling, the Commission warns, seriously undermines progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a “heavy […]

04
Nov

SAVE THE DATE: The Health of India Summit is back!

Mariyam Alavi / 11 months
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2 min read

Hello! 👋 Welcome to another First Check newsletter! We hope you had a happy, bright and healthy Diwali! 🪔🎉 While you were busy with the festival season, we have also had an eventful couple of months at First Check, with more fact-checks, more stories, and more engaging content and products- all for YOU. 🫵 The […]

04
Nov

Report: Heat-related deaths among seniors rise 167% in 2023 vs. 1990s

First Check Team / 11 months
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3 min read

In 2023, global heat-related deaths among people over 65 soared by an unprecedented 167% compared to the 1990s — well beyond the 65% rise anticipated without climate change, finds the Lancet Countdown 2024 Report. What is more, the number of health-threatening heat days added by climate change is higher in countries with a low […]

03
Nov

Report: Fossil fuel deaths drop 7% as global coal phase-out gains ground

First Check Team / 11 months
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3 min read

Despite the severe health impacts of climate change, there are some reasons for cautious optimism. Deaths from fossil fuel-derived air pollution fell almost 7% from 2.25 million in 2016 to 2.09 million in 2021, with 59% of this decline due to efforts to reduce pollution from coal burning, demonstrating the life-saving potential of coal […]

02
Nov

Study: Political polarization a major threat to public health

First Check Team / 12 months
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3 min read

There is growing evidence that political polarization poses a substantial risk to individual and collective well-being, says a new study published in the journal Nature. Political polarization, according to the study, refers to “a state in which the opinions, beliefs or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but […]

01
Nov

2023: TB surpasses COVID-19 as leading global killer, India worst affected

First Check Team / 12 months
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4 min read

In 2023, Tuberculosis (TB) reclaimed its position as the world’s leading cause of death, surpassing COVID-19, which had caused almost twice as many fatalities as HIV/AIDS during the previous three years, reveals the WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024. “Most of the people who develop TB disease each year are in 30 high TB […]

31
Oct

FACT CHECK: Does sweetened lemonade have lower health benefits?

Pallav Vyas / 12 months
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3 min read

CLAIM: Sugar in lemonade restricts the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin C from lemon juice FACT: Indeed! Glucose from sugar is readily absorbed by the body, blocking the absorption of vitamin C In many cultures a glass of lemonade is the beverage of choice to beat the summer heat. The humble Shikanji or Nimbu […]

30
Oct

Election results to affect patient, community health, health care delivery system in US: Medical journal

First Check Team / 12 months
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2 min read

As the election date approaches in the USA, the outcome is expected to affect patient and community health, as well as the health care delivery system, in profound ways, a latest article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) says. The journal identifies key health-related issues likely to influence voters, including […]

30
Oct

Fact Check: Can drinking too much coffee trigger hair loss?

Pallav Vyas / 12 months
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3 min read

CLAIM: A popular social media post claims that coffee consumption leads to hair loss FACT: There’s little evidence to firmly link excessive caffeine intake to hair loss in people A Redditt user going by the name ArachWitch claims that he is convinced of the hair-thinning effects of consuming coffee. “I’m convinced caffeine consumption increases hair […]