A recent multicentre study has identified scrub typhus as the most common infectious cause of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) among children in southern India. Conducted across three states—Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—the study involved 587 children and was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia.

The research team, which included experts from NIMHANS, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, and other institutions, sought to investigate the infectious causes of AES, a condition characterized by fever, altered mental status, and seizures. The findings reveal that scrub typhus, caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, accounts for 44% of AES cases, far surpassing the historically dominant Japanese encephalitis virus at 11%.

Scrub typhus has emerged as a significant public health concern, with the incidence of AES in India reported at between 3.5 and 13.8 cases per 100,000 patient-years. Over 10,000 cases of AES are documented annually, according to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). The study’s lead author, Dr. Tina Damodar, emphasized that the recognition of scrub typhus as a major contributor to AES has been limited by inadequate surveillance efforts.

Dynamic Landscape of AES in India

The research analyzed data from children aged 28 days to 18 years presenting with AES at three tertiary care hospitals in Bengaluru. During the study period from March 2020 to February 2023, 714 children were screened, with 587 ultimately included in the analysis. A microbiological diagnosis was established for 315 cases, revealing that scrub typhus was responsible for 138 infections.

In addition to scrub typhus, the study identified other notable pathogens, including dengue (10%), leptospira (5%), and chikungunya (5%). Dr. Damodar noted that these findings illustrate a diverse and evolving landscape of AES in the region.

Key predictors for both scrub typhus and other doxycycline-treatable infections included age, illness duration, and specific clinical signs such as lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly. Notably, the study found that over 60% of microbiologically confirmed cases were linked to infections treatable with doxycycline, yet this antibiotic is not routinely included in AES treatment protocols.

Recommendations for Treatment Protocols

In light of these findings, the researchers recommend integrating doxycycline or azithromycin into the initial treatment for children presenting with AES or acute febrile illness in southern India. This recommendation has already been implemented at the participating referral hospitals.

Dr. Reeta S. Mani, head of Neurovirology at NIMHANS, highlighted the urgency of timely treatment, noting that nearly 40% of the children diagnosed with scrub typhus experienced severe outcomes, including death or neurological complications, largely due to delayed diagnosis. To mitigate this, the study advocates for the wider availability of diagnostic tests for scrub typhus, such as IgM ELISA or PCR, at primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

Additionally, the research team developed a clinical prediction model—a simple point-based tool designed to assist frontline clinicians in identifying children who are likely to benefit from doxycycline treatment, even before laboratory confirmation is available.

The emergence of scrub typhus as a key player in AES underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and revised treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes in southern India.

Hypertension, a condition affecting approximately 1.28 billion people worldwide, is increasingly prevalent, with nearly half of those affected unaware of their condition. In India alone, over 220 million individuals are living with hypertension, highlighting a significant public health challenge. Detection and management rates are particularly low among younger adults and rural populations, raising concerns among healthcare professionals.

Dr. T.S. Srinath, a senior consultant in cardiology at SIMS Hospital in Chennai, emphasizes the growing trend of early hypertension in individuals in their twenties and thirties. “But they don’t get tested until symptoms appear, often too late,” he says, underscoring the urgency of early detection and intervention.

Movement as a Preventive Measure

Recent studies, including those published by the American Heart Association, suggest that incorporating brief activity breaks can significantly lower average blood pressure and enhance vascular health. Specifically, taking just two minutes of activity every 30 to 60 minutes can yield substantial benefits, especially for those leading sedentary lifestyles.

Dr. Surya Prakash S., a consultant at the Institute of Cardiac Sciences at SRM Global Hospitals, explains, “Physiology is cumulative.” Simple actions like walking during phone calls, using stairs, or pacing while watching television can contribute to better long-term blood pressure control. For a country grappling with increasing sedentary behavior, these low-cost interventions present scalable solutions that can be easily integrated into daily routines.

Alongside movement, the two-minute walk test (2MWT) is gaining recognition as a useful tool for identifying early cardiovascular dysfunction. Initially designed to assess endurance in elderly or cardiac patients, this simple exercise test has been repurposed by clinicians to detect potential hypertension risks.

Dr. Madan Mohan B., an interventional cardiologist at MGM Malar Hospital, notes, “We check how much the blood pressure rises, how fast heart rate recovers, and whether the person reports symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or breathlessness.” He highlights that a systolic increase over 20 mm Hg or a slow heart rate recovery can indicate poor autonomic control and vascular stress, both of which are early signs of potential health issues.

Integrating the 2MWT into Routine Care

Healthcare professionals advocate for the incorporation of the 2MWT into standard health assessments, particularly in primary care settings where access to advanced diagnostic tools may be limited. Dr. Prakash Ayyadurai, a consultant in orthopaedics and sports medicine, shares his experiences using the 2MWT to identify exercise intolerance in patients who typically present normal resting vital signs.

“A lot of people pass routine tests but struggle when asked to walk even two minutes,” he explains. Symptoms like palpitations or fatigue during this brief exertion can reveal underlying conditions such as prehypertension or vascular rigidity.

Dr. Srinath adds that the 2MWT is not only beneficial for screening but also for monitoring treatment progress in patients with mild or labile hypertension. “If blood pressure response improves and heart rate normalizes faster over time, it indicates that the patient is improving,” he says.

The call for integrating simple physical activity-based screenings into routine health checks is urgent. Dr. Surya Prakash states, “Two minutes of walking can be far more revealing than sitting in a chair for a BP reading.” This approach costs nothing, requires no specialized equipment, and provides valuable insights into cardiovascular fitness.

Even if not diagnostic, the 2MWT can help categorize patients into low, moderate, and high-risk groups, facilitating further testing such as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or echocardiography.

Shifting Perspectives on Hypertension

The burden of hypertension in India is exacerbated by changing lifestyles. Data from the World Health Organization and the Indian Council of Medical Research indicate that younger populations are increasingly stressed, inactive, and consuming high levels of sodium and processed foods. Dr. Srinath observes, “Many still think hypertension is a disease of the elderly,” highlighting a misconception that needs addressing.

On a more positive note, Dr. Ayyadurai reports a growing interest in preventive fitness among urban youth. “In the last five years, I’ve seen more 20- and 30-year-olds coming in not with problems, but to learn how to stay fit. It’s an encouraging sign,” he states.

From mitigating vascular strain through micro-movement to identifying hidden dysfunction via the 2MWT, these brief interventions are becoming integral to preventive healthcare. As awareness grows and simple measures are embraced, there is potential for significant improvement in managing hypertension and enhancing overall cardiovascular health.

India has reached a significant milestone by achieving that 50% of its total electric power capacity, which stands at about 484 gigawatts, now comes from non-fossil fuel sources. Despite this achievement, data reveals that the actual contribution of clean energy to the electricity supplied remains below 30%. According to Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, this advance occurred five years ahead of the target set under the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.

“This significant milestone underscores the country’s steadfast commitment to climate action and sustainable development,” Joshi stated. He emphasized that India’s clean energy transition is not only tangible but also accelerating under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

In 2014, renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, and nuclear power, accounted for approximately 30% of India’s installed electricity capacity. By June 30, 2025, this figure increased to 50%. However, the share of electricity generated from these sources rose from 17% in the 2014-15 period to 28% from April 2024 to May 2025.

While the volume of clean energy produced has significantly increased—from 190 billion units in 2014-15 to 460 billion units in 2024-25—experts highlight that the slower increase in utilization is attributed to the “capacity utilization factor” (CUF). This factor indicates how much of the available energy can actually be used.

Challenges in Clean Energy Utilization

The CUF for renewable sources is notably lower than that for coal or nuclear energy. “While solar and wind now make up a large share of installed capacity, their CUFs are much lower,” said Arunendra Kumar Tiwari, Fellow at The Energy Resources Institute. He noted that solar energy has a CUF of approximately 20%, while wind ranges from 25% to 30%, compared to coal’s 60% and nuclear’s 80%.

Coal continues to dominate India’s energy mix, providing around 75% of the total energy demand. Although there has been an increase in solar energy utilization, the reliance on coal remains strong, particularly during the evening hours when solar generation is not available.

To enhance solar energy utilization, experts suggest two key improvements: flexibility in the grid and enhanced battery storage. “Right now, we pay the same rate for electricity, whether at night or during the day. Just like with early telecom, when night calls were cheaper, we need to explore differential tariffs for electricity, which will require smart grids and better management,” explained Saurabh Kumar, vice-president at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.

Future Directions for Energy in India

Looking ahead, the development of ‘hybrid’ power projects that integrate solar, wind, hydro, and storage elements is being viewed as a crucial step in meeting India’s growing peak and continuous power demands. A policy note from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis highlights that these hybrid systems, when paired with battery storage, can effectively store surplus energy and release it during peak demand hours, especially in the evening.

Despite their potential, the deployment of hybrid systems faces challenges, including land aggregation issues, a lack of coordinated transmission planning, and high costs associated with storage components. As India continues to navigate its energy transition, addressing these challenges will be vital for achieving a more sustainable and reliable energy future.

NASA has released a collection of seven remarkable images showcasing star clusters captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. These stunning photographs reveal bright groups of stars, each presenting a unique perspective of the universe’s beauty and complexity beyond our own galaxy.

Mesmerizing Displays of Cosmic Beauty

One of the standout images features the star cluster known as NGC 1805. Located near a small galaxy close to the Milky Way, this tightly packed group of colorful stars showcases a dynamic environment. The close proximity of the stars makes it challenging for planets to form around them, resembling a swarm of bees in flight. This image highlights the intricate structures and luminous beauty of star formation.

Another captivating image captures NGC 1866, a massive star group held together by gravity. Found near the edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a nearby galaxy, this cluster was first discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop in 1826. Hubble’s advanced imaging technology allows for an in-depth view of this stellar assembly, revealing the intricate interplay of light and gravity in space.

Active Star-Forming Regions

The Hubble Space Telescope has also documented the vibrant star formation area known as N11 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This image, composed of five separate captures, highlights one of the most active star-forming regions near our galaxy. The colorful display of young stars and glowing gas clouds illustrates the dynamic processes of star creation, offering insights into the life cycles of stars.

Another intriguing depiction is of blue straggler stars, which are unusually bright and massive. These stars gradually migrate toward the center of their respective clusters, changing the dynamics of star populations over time. The Hubble’s ability to visualize these stars sheds light on their unique evolutionary paths.

The image showcasing a colorful nebula features thick clouds of gas and dust with a bright orange core. Here, a thin filament traverses the scene while streams of gas swirl outward. Bright blue stars shine prominently in the foreground, capturing the essence of cosmic beauty.

At the heart of the bright nebula NGC 6357, the star cluster Pismis 24 resides within the Scorpius constellation. This cluster is notable for its young, massive blue stars that emit strong ultraviolet light, heating surrounding gas and forming a glowing bubble. The thick gas clouds surrounding this area present challenges for clear observation, yet the Hubble’s capabilities allow for stunning imagery.

Lastly, an image depicting a globular cluster reveals a very dense assembly of stars tightly packed together. Some stars shine brightly, exhibiting cross-shaped spikes, while the core glows with a radiance that captivates the viewer. This image emphasizes the intricate beauty of star clusters and their formation.

These spectacular images, produced by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, exemplify the incredible capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope. They invite viewers to contemplate the vastness of the universe and our place within it, highlighting the ongoing exploration and understanding of cosmic phenomena.