Tuesday, September 9, 2025

WHO Updates Essential Medicines List




WHO Updates Essential Medicines List



The World Health Organization (WHO) released the 24th edition of its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the 10th edition of the Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) in 2025. These updates reflect new treatments for cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. The lists guide over 150 countries in medicine procurement and healthcare policies. This edition aims to improve access to life-saving drugs worldwide.

Significance

WHO’s EML and EMLc identify medicines that meet priority health needs. Launched in 1977, they support public health systems globally. The lists influence government procurement, insurance coverage, and reimbursement schemes. Regular updates ensure inclusion of effective and affordable medicines for emerging health challenges.

New Additions and Revisions

The Expert Committee reviewed 59 applications and added 20 new medicines to the EML and 15 to the EMLc. Seven existing medicines received new use indications. The lists now include 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children. These medicines address urgent issues like cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, haemophilia, and blood disorders.

Cancer Medicines and Access Strategies

Cancer causes nearly 10 million deaths annually and is a leading cause of premature mortality. The Committee included only cancer drugs with proven benefits of extending life by four to six months. Notable additions include PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and cemiplimab for metastatic cancers. Emphasis was placed on clinical and health system strategies such as dose optimisation to improve affordability and accessibility, especially in resource-poor settings.

Diabetes and Obesity Treatments

Diabetes affects over 800 million people, and obesity impacts more than 1 billion globally. The Committee added glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, and the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist tirzepatide. These medicines improve blood sugar control, reduce heart and kidney complications, aid weight loss, and lower mortality risk in type 2 diabetes patients with comorbidities. High costs limit access, prompting calls for generic competition and integration into primary care.

Challenges in Access and Affordability

Out-of-pocket spending on essential medicines remains high, especially for noncommunicable diseases. WHO stresses the need for strong political will, multisectoral cooperation, and people-centred health programmes to ensure equitable access. The organisation will continue monitoring pricing and support countries in expanding availability of these medicines.

Expert Committee and Process

The 25th WHO Expert Committee met in Geneva in May 2025. It assessed medicines on effectiveness, safety, cost, and cost-effectiveness. The Committee also reviewed antibiotic classifications under the AWaRe framework. The biennial update process ensures the lists remain relevant to current global health priorities.

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Monday, September 8, 2025

Israel Launches Ofek-19 Military Satellite




Israel Launches Ofek-19 Military Satellite


The launch of Israel’s Ofek-19 satellite on 2 September 2025 marks a major leap in regional intelligence and defence capabilities. This advanced reconnaissance satellite uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, enabling continuous, all-weather surveillance day and night. It strengthens Israel’s independent space-based intelligence and enhances security cooperation with allies like the United States.

Ofek-19 Satellite and SAR Technology

Ofek-19 is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar, which sends radar pulses to the ground and analyses the echoes to create detailed images. Unlike optical satellites, it can operate through clouds, fog, rain, and darkness. This capability allows Israel to monitor hostile activities continuously, including military movements and infrastructure changes in neighbouring countries.

Strategic Importance for Israel

Israel is one of the few nations able to design, build, and launch its own satellites independently. Using the Shavit launcher from Palmachim Airbase, Israel controls the timing and secrecy of its launches. The satellite is launched westwards over the Mediterranean Sea to avoid debris falling on populated or hostile areas, despite requiring more rocket power.

Regional Security

Ofek-19 enhances Israel’s ability to track threats from Iran, Syria, and militant groups like Hezbollah. It provides high-resolution images with better than half-metre accuracy. The intelligence supports rapid military decisions without risking personnel. The satellite also strengthens intelligence sharing with the United States, reinforcing their strategic partnership.

Technological Evolution

This launch concludes the Shavit launcher’s operational era. Israel is developing a new, larger launcher for heavier satellites to improve capabilities further. Alongside large satellites, Israel is investing in small satellite constellations to increase revisit rates and provide near-real-time coverage. The hybrid approach combines high-resolution imaging with persistent surveillance.

Operational Deployment

After launch, Ofek-19 entered orbit successfully and began transmitting data. It is currently undergoing tests by Israel’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development and Israel Aerospace Industries. Once operational, it will be managed by Unit 9900, the IDF’s visual and geospatial intelligence unit, tasked with utilising the satellite’s advanced capabilities.

Impact

Recent conflicts, including the Rising Lion war with Iran, demonstrated the critical role of space assets in modern warfare. Ofek-19’s launch aligns with Israel’s strategy to expand its space presence. The Ministry of Defence plans to invest billions in a satellite constellation to ensure continuous surveillance across the Middle East in the coming decade.



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ESA’s Solar Orbiter Reveals Origins of Energetic Solar Particles

ESA’s Solar Orbiter Reveals Origins of Energetic Solar Particles



The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter has made a breakthrough in understanding the origins of energetic particles emitted by the Sun. Launched in 2020 as a joint ESA-NASA mission, the probe has captured unprecedented images of the Sun’s poles and traced the sources of Solar Energetic Electrons (SEEs). These findings provide crucial vital information about space weather phenomena that impact Earth and space technology.

Solar Orbiter Mission Achievements

Solar Orbiter is the first spacecraft to image the Sun’s poles. It orbits closer to the Sun than any previous mission. Equipped with ten instruments, it measures solar wind and observes solar surface features remotely. Between November 2020 and December 2022, it detected over 300 bursts of energetic electrons. This data helps scientists link specific solar events to particle emissions.

Types of Solar Energetic Electrons

There are two main types of SEEs. The first type is associated with solar flares, which are sudden explosions on small patches of the Sun’s surface. The second type relates to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), large eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s outer atmosphere. CMEs release particles gradually but carry higher energy and greater potential for disruption.

Tracing the Source of Energetic Particles

Solar Orbiter flew through streams of energetic electrons while simultaneously observing their solar sources. Scientists observed a delay between solar events and particle detection in space. This lag occurs due to the time taken for particles to escape the Sun and the scattering caused by turbulence in space. This was the first clear evidence linking energetic electrons in space to their solar origins.

Implications

Space weather includes solar flares, CMEs, solar particle events, and solar wind. These phenomena affect satellite communication, GPS navigation, and power grids on Earth. CMEs are particularly as they carry more energetic particles and pose greater risks to technology and astronauts. Understanding particle origins helps predict and mitigate these effects.

Future Prospects and Scientific Goals

Solar Orbiter aims to answer fundamental questions about the Sun’s behaviour. It studies the Sun’s 11-year magnetic cycle and the heating of its corona to millions of degrees. It also investigates how solar wind forms and accelerates to high speeds. These insights will improve knowledge of how solar activity influences Earth’s space environment.




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Thursday, September 4, 2025

Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Report

Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Report



Air pollution has become the most critical health threat in India in 2025. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reveals that toxic air reduces the average Indian life expectancy by 3.5 years. This loss surpasses impacts from malnutrition, tobacco use, and unsafe water combined. The entire population of 1.4 billion lives in areas exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limits for particulate matter (PM2.5).

Impact of Air Pollution on Life Expectancy

Air pollution cuts 3.5 years off the average Indian life span. This is more than double the life lost due to childhood and maternal malnutrition, which reduces life expectancy by 1.6 years.
Tobacco use shortens life by 1.5 years, while unsafe water and poor sanitation cause a loss of just 8.4 months.
The data marks the extreme health burden posed by polluted air.

Geographical Concentration of Pollution

Northern India remains the world’s most polluted region. Around 544.4 million people, or 38.9% of the population, live under severe pollution levels. Delhi-NCR is the worst affected, where residents lose 8.2 years of life expectancy due to air quality. Other highly impacted states include Bihar (5.6 years lost), Haryana (5.3 years), and Uttar Pradesh (5 years). Even under India’s national PM2.5 standard, which is less strict than WHO’s, Delhi-NCR residents lose nearly 5 years of life.

National and International Standards

Shockingly, 46% of Indians live in areas exceeding India’s own air quality standards. Reducing pollution to meet national benchmarks could add 1.5 years to life expectancy on average. Stricter adherence to WHO’s guideline of 5 µg/m³ PM2.5 could increase life expectancy by up to 9.4 months, even in cleaner regions. These figures show the urgent need for stronger pollution control measures.

South Asia’s Pollution Crisis

South Asia is the most polluted region globally. PM2.5 levels rose by 2.8% in 2023 after a brief decline in 2022. Across the region, air pollution reduces average life expectancy by about 3 years. In the worst-affected zones, the loss exceeds 8 years. This regional crisis demands coordinated action to reduce emissions and improve public health.

Call for Policy and Public Action


The AQLI report warns that without bold interventions, millions will continue to lose healthy life years due to toxic air. Effective policies must target emission sources, enhance monitoring, and promote cleaner technologies. Public awareness and participation are crucial to drive change. The health and economic benefits of cleaner air are immense.



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Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Killer Whales Provisioning Humans

Killer Whales Provisioning Humans



Recent observations reveal an unusual behaviour among killer whales (Orcinus orca). These large dolphins have been seen sharing freshly caught prey with humans. Unlike typical wild animal interactions, killer whales wait for humans to respond before retrieving their offering. This behaviour has sparked scientific interest into the reasons behind such interspecies provisioning.

Uncommon Interaction Between Species

Killer whales are known for social prey sharing within their pods and occasionally with other species. However, interactions involving humans are rare. Researchers collected data from 2004 to 2024 across five oceanic regions. They analysed 34 confirmed cases where whales approached humans from a distance of at least 15 metres underwater and offered prey directly. In 33 cases, the whales waited for a human response before taking back the prey or leaving.

Varied Prey and Human Responses

The prey offered included seaweed, fish, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Some humans initially declined the offerings, often due to surprise and hesitation. When rejected, killer whales frequently shared the prey with other pod members. This sharing occurred in 76% of such cases. These findings suggest the behaviour is deliberate and involves social communication.

Intelligence and Social Structure of Killer Whales

Killer whales are apex predators with large brains relative to body size, a trait called encephalisation. This supports advanced cognition, learning, and social behaviours. Their groups are led by matriarchs whose personalities influence pod behaviour. Friendly and curious leaders may encourage more interaction with humans, while cautious ones may limit it.

Exploration or Play?

While some experts suggested the behaviour might be play, this is unlikely. Play is mostly observed in juveniles and occurs after nutritional needs are met. Here, adults and juveniles shared whole prey, indicating active exploration rather than play. Exploration helps animals reduce uncertainty about their environment and social partners, reflecting advanced intelligence.

Evidence of Learning and Possible Manipulation

In some cases, whales adapted their behaviour based on human reactions, such as reciprocating when prey was thrown back. This suggests a form of scientific thinking—posing questions and seeking answers. However, researchers caution the behaviour might also be Machiavellian, involving manipulation for personal gain, as seen in whales stealing fish or damaging boats.

Role of Citizen Science

Most observations came from amateur enthusiasts and citizen scientists. Despite anecdotal origins, such contributions are valuable for rare event documentation and increasing sample sizes. These efforts expand scientific understanding beyond what traditional research alone can achieve.

Implications

As human-killer whale interactions increase, whale behaviour may shift towards friendliness or hostility, influenced by pod leadership. These encounters can deepen human interest in killer whales and promote conservation. People tend to protect species they feel connected to, and killer whales appear to be reaching out in return.


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Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Blue Dragons Invade Spanish Beaches

Blue Dragons Invade Spanish Beaches



Several Spanish beaches faced closures in 2025 due to the sudden presence of blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus). These tiny sea slugs, known for their striking colours and potent sting, have appeared in large numbers along the Mediterranean coast. Their arrival has surprised locals and scientists alike, coinciding with rising sea temperatures in the region.

What Are Blue Dragons?

Blue dragons are small sea slugs measuring about four centimetres. Unlike most sea slugs that live on the seabed, blue dragons float upside down on the ocean surface. They maintain an air bubble in their stomach to aid flotation. Their blue upper side camouflages with the sea, while the white underside blends with sunlight from below. This helps them avoid predators.

Unique Feeding and Defence Mechanism

Blue dragons feed on venomous jellyfish and siphonophores such as the Portuguese man o’ war. They do not digest the stinging cells but transfer them to finger-like appendages on their bodies. This concentrates the venom, making their sting more powerful than their prey’s. The sting causes severe pain, redness, swelling, nausea, and vomiting in humans but is not fatal.

Reasons Behind Their Appearance in Spain

Blue dragons are native to warm tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. Their presence in the Mediterranean has been rare until recently. Scientists link their arrival to rising sea temperatures in the Mediterranean, which is warming faster than many oceans. Warmer waters bring more jellyfish, their primary food source, encouraging blue dragons to expand their range.

Impact on Tourism and Public Safety

The sudden influx of blue dragons forced the closure of beaches in Guardamar del Segura, La Línea de la Concepción, and Lanzarote. Local authorities banned swimming to protect residents and tourists from stings. Police urged caution and warned against touching these creatures, which might seem harmless but pose health risks due to their venomous nature.

Safety Measures and Public Awareness

Blue dragons’ bright colours serve as a natural warning to potential predators. For humans, the key safety advice is to avoid contact. Admiring these creatures from a distance is safe. Handling them, whether in water or on the shore, can provoke painful stings. Public awareness campaigns have been launched to educate beachgoers about the risks and necessary precautions.

Ecological Significance and Climate Change Link

The blue dragon’s expanding presence marks ecological shifts in marine life due to climate change. Rising sea temperatures alter species distribution and food chains. The Mediterranean’s thermal anomalies have created favourable conditions for tropical species. Monitoring such changes helps understand broader environmental impacts and informs marine conservation strategies.


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Monday, September 1, 2025

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rise Despite Power Sector Decline

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rise Despite Power Sector Decline



Recent data from 2025 reveals a complex picture of global greenhouse gas emissions. While some countries like India and China have reduced emissions in their power sectors, overall global emissions have increased. The main driver remains the continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels, especially in the United States. This trend poses serious challenges for meeting international climate targets and marks the urgent need for a global energy transition.

Global Emission Trends in Early 2025

Between January and June 2025, global greenhouse gas emissions reached 31 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent. This represents a 0.13 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. June alone saw emissions rise by 0.29 per cent year-on-year. Methane emissions also increased by 0.49 per cent in June, indicating growing concerns beyond carbon dioxide.

Fossil Fuels as the Primary Emission Driver

Fossil fuel use grew by 1.5 per cent, adding nearly 78 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions globally. More than half of this increase originated from the United States. Despite global calls for clean energy, the US continues to depend heavily on oil, gas, and coal. This reliance undermines efforts to curb climate change and offsets gains made in other sectors.

Power Sector Emissions Decline

The power sector saw a global emissions drop of over 60 million tonnes CO2-equivalent. China led this decline with a 1.7 per cent reduction, followed by India with a 0.8 per cent decrease. These reductions reflect progress in renewable energy adoption and efficiency improvements. However, these gains are insufficient to counterbalance overall emission increases.

Manufacturing and Other Sector Emissions

Manufacturing emissions rose by 0.3 per cent, mainly due to increased output in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil. Other sectors also contributed to emission rises in countries including the European Union and Indonesia. This marks the challenge of achieving comprehensive decarbonisation across all industries.

International Climate Commitments

The International Court of Justice has warned that failure to reduce fossil fuel production and consumption could constitute an internationally wrongful act. This adds legal pressure on governments to act decisively. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasises the need for emissions to peak before 2025 and decline sharply by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Challenges to Meeting Climate Goals

Despite warnings and commitments, fossil fuel consumption rose in 2024, driven by natural gas demand. The continued dependence on fossil fuels risks negating advances in renewable energy. Without faster action to reduce fossil fuel use, global emissions are likely to keep rising, making climate targets harder to achieve.


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Celebrating Dr. Narjes Sadeghiamirshahidi’s Remarkable Research Journey #GlobalBestAchievementsAwards #WorldResearchAwards

Celebrating Dr. Narjes Sadeghiamirshahidi’s Remarkable Research Journey Congratulations to Dr. Narjes Sadeghiamirshahidi on this distinguish...