Many of us believe that we are great drinkers and that alcohol does not affect us as much. People who are able to drink without showing any sign of inebriation are known as social drinkers. In short, they are not addicted to alcohol but will not turn down the opportunity to have a good time! While it may seem like it doesn’t affect you, new studies suggest that it is just an illusion, even if you have high tolerance, alcohol affects your cognitive and motor functions more than you think.

The study reveals the below implications and techniques:

• Researchers used a new MRI technique to precisely measure brain electrical activity.
• By comparing brain scans before and after drinking, scientists identified specific areas affected by alcohol and how much brain activity slowed down.
• Participants were chosen to be regular social drinkers without alcohol addiction, ensuring the study focused on the effects of alcohol alone.
• MRI technology provided reliable data on brain activity changes caused by alcohol consumption.

How does the brain react to alcohol?

Think of it as the foundation for your brain's performance. When brain conductivity is high, information flows smoothly, and that helps your brain in rapid processing and response. On the other hand, low conductivity can hinder cognitive function, leading to slower thinking, impaired memory, and difficulties with coordination.

A study conducted at the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Science unveiled a startling connection between alcohol consumption and brain conductivity.

What is the connection between alcohol consumption and brain activity?

While many people brush off the effects of alcohol as temporary changes in behaviour, the reality is much more complex. Beyond the obvious impacts on coordination and judgment, alcohol significantly alters brain function. Alcohol dramatically slowed down brain activity, especially in areas responsible for decision-making, planning, and physical coordination. This decline was so significant that it resembled the brain changes seen in normal ageing. This means even one drink could temporarily accelerate the ageing process of your brain.

Alcohol and Brain activity: What does the study Imply?

The implications of this research are far-reaching. It provides compelling evidence that alcohol consumption has a direct and measurable impact on brain function. The discovery that alcohol can significantly reduce brain conductivity opens new avenues for understanding the neurocognitive effects of alcohol abuse and dependence. While you may not feel like alcohol is affecting you and you have a high tolerance, it most definitely changes and affects your decision-making abilities and impulse control.

Furthermore, the MRI technique employed in the study could be a valuable tool for assessing the impact of other substances on the brain and for developing interventions to mitigate alcohol-related brain damage.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has now launched a nationwide crackdown on unapproved Fixed Dose Combination (FDCs) after 90 combination medicines that were being sold without mandatory central approval were busted last week.

CDSCO, India's apex drug regulatory body in the country, made the shocking discovery after scrutinizing drug samples uploaded on the SUGAM portal, the government’s online system for drug testing data.

Several of these samples were found to fall under the ‘new drug’ category but lacked approval from the central authority. As a result, the CDSCO wrote a letter to all states and union territory drug controllers, asking them to investigate manufacturers and marketers of these FDCs.

The letter reads: "The SUGAM lab testing data for the year 2025, a large number of drug samples (FDCs) are detected as unapproved and fall under the category of 'New Drug'. No new drug shall be manufactured for sale unless it is approved by the Licensing Authority 'as defined in Rule 3 of New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019, Further, as per Rule 80 of New Drugs & Clinical Trial Rules 2019, a person who intends to manufacture new drug in the form of API or Pharmaceuticals formulation, as the case may be, for sale or distribution, shall make an application for grant of permission to the Central Licensing Authority in Form CT-21 along with a fee as specified in Sixth Schedule."

"The presence of unapproved drugs in the supply chain is a matter of serious concern, posing potential risks to public health and safety. It also indicates non- compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and rules made thereunder.

"Accordingly, please initiate appropriate investigation and regulatory action against the concerned manufacturers, marketers, and other stakeholders, as deemed fit. Kindly ensure strict monitoring and enforcement to prevent manufacture, sale, and distribution of such unapproved drugs," the letter states, on appropriate action against the sale and distribution of unapproved drugs.

FDCs are drugs that contain two or more active ingredients in a single formulation. The CDSCO has asked states to investigate and submit reports on the action taken at the earliest.

What Made It To The Unapproved List Of FDCs?

Cough And Cold Medicines

Cough and cold combination medicines have formed the single largest group. At least 14 to 16 entries show combination of ingredients found in everyday pharmacy shelves: dextromethorphan, ambroxol, guaiphenesin, chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, terbutaline, and menthol in various permutations.

Several of these are sold as flavoured syrups for children. Budesonide-levosalbutamol inhalation suspension that is used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, too features in the list.

Nutritional Supplements

The next group is of the vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplement which has roughly 18 to 20 entries. They include:

• Multivitamin capsules
• Iron-folic acid syrups
• Calcium-vitamin D3-K2 combinations
• Abapentin-methylcobalamin preparation

This group has accounted for at least 10 entries, which include antifungal creams that could lead to potential misuse and skin damage when sold without prescriptions.

Anti-Diabetic Medicines

This has accounted for six entries, and the combination includes:

• Glimepiride paired with metformin or pioglitazone

What Is India's Rule For FDCs?

Under India's New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules of 2019, any FDC is treated as a new drug and must have the central government's approval before it could be manufactured and sold. The regulator's letter noted that there were presence of unapproved drugs in the supply chain that could pose risks to public health. This also amounts to a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

“The presence of unapproved drugs in the supply chain is a matter of serious concern, posing potential risks to public health and safety. It also indicates non- compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules made thereunder," it said.

DCGI urged states and UTs "to examine the unapproved FDCs in generic name as mentioned in the attached annexure". This is done to check whether any approval has been granted by the local office. "Accordingly, please initiate appropriate investigation and regulatory action against the concerned manufacturers, marketers, and other stakeholders, as deemed fit. Kindly ensure strict monitoring and enforcement to prevent the manufacture, sale, and distribution of such unapproved drugs," the letter noted.

Breakbone Fever, also known as dengue, is a mosquito-borne disease that is once again on the rise, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issuing a travel alert across 17 Countries.

The federal agency flagged 'Level 1' risk for breakbone fever, calling for practicing usual precautions. It stated a higher-than-expected number of cases and urged people planning to travel to countries with an uptick in cases to be aware of the risk.

The CDC alert issued on March 23 identified 17 countries reporting an increased number of cases of dengue. These include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Guyana, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Samoa, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the United States territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, where local transmission is already common.

In 2026, the US reported a total of 496 dengue cases to date, and the vast majority of these cases were reported among people who contracted the illness while traveling abroad.

The CDC advised travelers to risk areas to prevent mosquito bites by

• using an EPA-registered insect repellent,
• wearing long-sleeved shirts
• long pants when outdoors,
• sleeping in an air-conditioned room or a room with window screens.

What Is Dengue? Why Is It Called Breakbone Fever

Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. It is transmitted through infected mosquitoes, primarily the species Aedes aegypti.

The breakbone fever is caused by an infection with any of four different dengue viruses. These include:

• Dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1 or DEN-1)
• Dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2 or DEN-2)
• Dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3 or DEN-3)
• Dengue virus type 4 (DENV-4 or DEN-4)

Common Symptoms of the dengue are:

• Sudden onset of high-grade fever.
• Intense headache
• Severe muscle, joint, or bone pain.
• Skin Rash that often appears 2–5 days after the fever starts
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Minor bleeding
• Fatigue.

The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop, with illness generally lasting less than a week.

However, it can quickly become severe within a few hours, usually requiring hospitalization.

In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death.

Breakbone Fever: Global Burden

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue.

It estimates that:

• About 390 million dengue infections occur annually worldwide
• Nearly 100 million people develop symptoms each year

The two main authorized vaccines in the world against dengue are Dengvaxia and Qdenga.

These vaccines are designed to protect against all four serotypes of the virus, with a focus on reducing severe disease and hospitalizations.

In addition, the Butantan-DV vaccine developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo has shown potential to be over 80 percent effective in preventing the risk of severe disease for up to five years. It also offers broader protection against all four dengue serotypes.

Sonia Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson, is under treatment for systemic infection, said the doctors treating her at the private hospital in Delhi, today.

The Rajya Sabha MP was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on March 24, 2026. As per initial reports, she was feeling unwell due to the change in weather and has been put under observation.

"Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on 24th March night for fever. As per Dr. Ajay Swaroop, Chairman of SGRH, she is undergoing treatment with antibiotics for systemic infection,” the hospital said in a statement.

She "is showing response to treatment", it added.

Earlier, the hospital noted that the doctors are conducting further investigations to check for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract.

What Is A Systemic Infection?

Systemic infection occurs in the bloodstream and affects the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part.

It occurs when pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the bloodstream and travel to multiple organs and tissues.

These infections can be life-threatening and common symptoms include:

• high fever,
• fatigue,
• rapid heart rate,
• confusion.

Earlier this year, in January, Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital after she suffered respiratory discomfort.

Also Read: COVID Variant BA.3.2 Spreads To 23 Countries: Is The Variant Under Monitoring A Cause Of Worry?

Did Delhi Pollution Make Sonia Gandhi Sick?

Due to an increase in population during the peak winter season in Delhi, the 79-year-old Parliamentarian had been regular with hospital visits and check-ups. Hospital source, while speaking to the news agency PTI, said that "it is a routine admission".

According to reports, she had complained of some respiratory discomfort. Once her medical examination was done, it was found that "her bronchial asthma had been mildly exacerbated", confirmed Dr. Swaroop.

A hospital source told PTI that this is due to the combined effects of cold weather and pollution.

As a precautionary measure, she was admitted to the hospital for further observation and treatment. The physicians who were treating her made a decision on her discharge based on her clinical progress.

Sonia Gandhi's Health History

On June 7, 2025, she was admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla for a routine medical check-up. She was also later discharged after her medical examination.

As per Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, she was brought in due to minor health concerns. However, he said that after being put under observation by doctors to assess her condition, she was stable.

Dr. Aman Chauhan, Deputy Medical Superintendent at IGMC, said, "Her blood pressure was slightly on the higher side, but there is nothing serious. No additional tests were conducted; only routine investigations were carried out. She was not given any special medical advice because everything was perfectly fine."

In the same month, on June 15, she was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital again under the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology for a stomach-related issue. Before that, she was again in the Delhi hospital on June 9 for a medical check-up.