Barkha Mathur

What alcohol does to your body in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond

As metabolism slows and disease risks rise with age, doctors explain how the same drink affects your brain, hormones, liver and long-term health very differently across decades

ChatGPT may soon show ads as OpenAI tests monetisation model: Reports

A recent leak from ChatGPT's Android beta app, along with public signals from OpenAI's Sam Altman, points to the company preparing for an advertising-supported version of its AI assistant

Screens, carrots and cataracts: Experts bust common myths about eye health

From screen distance and spectacle numbers to cataracts, eye drops, and make-up, specialists bust the misconceptions that harm vision and delay treatment

Spicy food may burn your mouth, but your brain still craves it. Here's why

Spicy food sets your mouth on fire and speeds up your heartbeat, yet people worldwide love it. A gastroenterologist explains why discomfort turns into pleasure, reward and craving

Insulin without needles: Can a simple skin cream replace injections?

A breakthrough Nature study shows that a specially engineered polymer can carry insulin through the skin, lowering blood sugar in animals and raising hopes of a painless, needle-free diabetes treatmen

Good old kalonji may help control fat and cholesterol, says new study

A new clinical trial shows that kalonji, long used in Indian kitchens, may help lower cholesterol and slow fat formation, offering a natural metabolic boost alongside regular diet and lifestyle habits

Is excessive chewing hurting your spine and posture? Orthopaedists explain

From jaw fatigue to neck stiffness, orthopaedists explain how continuous chewing places stress on the jaw-neck chain and may affect long-term spinal comfort and alignment

Are you the eldest child? Here's what it does to your mental health

Why do so many first-borns feel both pride and pressure? Psychologists explain how family dynamics, gender expectations and cultural norms shape what people now call the "eldest child syndrome"

How starting exercise in your 40s can reduce dementia risk by nearly half

A major long-term study tracking adults for 37 yrs finds that regular physical activity in your 40s, 50s and beyond can cut dementia risk by up to 45 per cent, even in those with genetic vulnerability

Watching a lot of reels, short videos? It hurts your brain, says study

Heavy use of Reels, Shorts and TikTok may impair attention, increase stress and anxiety, and disrupt sleep, according to a new review of 98,299 people examining the cognitive toll of short-form videos

Five skincare red flags dermatologists say shoppers routinely overlook

From viral hype to '100% results' claims, dermatologists outline five subtle yet crucial red flags that often mislead shoppers into buying products that overpromise and underdeliver

Even two cigarettes a day raise heart failure risk by 50%, study finds

Even smoking two cigarettes a day can stiffen blood vessels, raise clotting, sharply increase the risk of heart failure and early death, new global research warns about the dangers of 'light' smoking

Why your itch gets worse when you scratch it, and what actually helps

Dermatologists explain why scratching offers instant relief but triggers a deeper itch-scratch cycle that damages your skin, and the safer science-backed ways to calm an itch without making it worse

Infertility is not just her problem: Experts bust common myths for couples

From sperm count and irregular periods to IVF and birth control pills, fertility doctors explain the misconceptions that add stigma, delay treatment, and fuel anxiety for couples trying to conceive

Why so many men avoid therapy even when struggling, according to doctors

Across age groups, men continue to avoid mental health support even when they are struggling. Experts explain why this happens and what needs to change to make help accessible

The early prostate symptoms men ignore, and why they matter for health

Doctors say subtle shifts in bladder habits and pelvic comfort can reveal early prostate issues long before complications arise, making awareness crucial for men of all ages

Can weight-loss drugs like Ozempic help reduce alcohol and drug cravings?

Research suggests GLP-1 injections like Ozempic and Zepbound may dampen alcohol and drug cravings by lowering dopamine reward responses, but larger human trials are still underway

Brain-eating amoeba: Why Karnataka has warned pilgrims visiting Sabarimala

Kerala's sharp rise in Naegleria fowleri infections has led Karnataka to caution Sabarimala pilgrims, urging awareness of symptoms, risks, water-safety measures to prevent the highly fatal infection

Why alcohol may hit harder for people on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy

A Yale study suggests GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide slow alcohol breakdown in the liver, raising blood alcohol levels even as they reduce toxic byproducts linked to inflammation and liver damage

International Men's Day: Can men have hormonal issues too? Doctors explain

Men face hormonal shifts that influence mood, libido, fertility, metabolism and energy, yet these imbalances often go unnoticed. Doctors explain the signs, risks, and why awareness matters