The US Food and Drug Administration has approved TNKase or Tenecteplase, which is a thrombolytic or clot-dissolving agent, for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in adults.

Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your brain. It can cause permanent brain damage and death. If enough brain cells die, you can also lose the abilities or body functions those cells control. They are also the most common types of stroke, with 80% of all strokes being ischemic strokes.

How is TNKase administered?

It is delivered as a single five-second intravenous bolus, which is faster than the standard of care Activase or alteplase, which is administered as an intravenous bolus followed by a 60-minute infusion. The manufacturer of TNKase, Genetech said a new 25-mg vial configuration will also be available in the coming months.

How Was TNKase approved?

The approval came at the backdrop of a study that compared TNKase to Activase in patients with acute ischemic stroke. These patients also presented with a disabling neurological deficit. Results show that TNKase was comparable to Activase in terms of efficacy and safety.

How Common Are These Strokes?

In the United States it self, it affects more than 795,000 people each year and is the leading cause of long-term disability. It is also the fifth leading cause of death. Since brain damage can happen if this progresses rapidly, one needs an immediate, fast-acting medical care.

TNKase thus provide a faster and simpler administration which can be critical for anyone. The chief medical officer and head of global product development at Genetech, Levi Garraway, MD., PhD., said, "Today's approval is a significant step forward and underscores our commitment to advancing stroke treatment options for patients."

What Are The Symptoms Of Ischemic Strokes?

Some of the most common symptoms include weakness or paralysis on one side of your face and body. You may also feel trouble speaking or have loss of speech, also known as aphasia. You may faced slurred or garbled speaking, also known as dysarthria. Other symptoms include loss of muscle control on one side of your face, or sudden worsening or loss of your senses, including vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

Other symptoms include:

• Loss of coordination or clumsiness
• Blurry vision or double vision
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Mood swings or sudden personality changes
• Confusion or agitation
• Seizures
• Memory loss (amnesia)
• Headaches which are sudden and severe
• Passing out or fainting
• Coma

Are There Any Warning Signs?

While these are symptoms one has who is prone to this condition. However, often, many may confuse it with other illnesses. It is best to keep an eye out for warning signs. These could be looking out for yourself or your loved one. Note if there is a sudden loss of balance. Look out for sudden vision loss or changes in one or both eyes. Look for a droop on one or both sides of your face, especially when you smile. Raise both arms and see if one arm sags or drops in a way it usually does not. Note for your speech. Are you as fluent? Are you have trouble speaking? If you see any of such signs, start tracking it and talk to your healthcare provider.

If you thought that the worst in terms of the heatwave was coming to an end, you were wrong. While heatwaves are an unfortunate common occurrence in India, this year is different. Earlier, in 2025, the summer brought India to its knees, with temperatures soaring as high as 50 degrees Celsius in parts of the country. And this year, temperatures have already crossed the 47 degrees Celsius mark—and reports suggest that the worst is yet to come. This year, experts are expecting the possibility of a “Super El Niño." Ever heard about it? Let’s find out what it means.

What is Super El Niño?

Super El Niño is a climate phenomenon occurring once every two to seven years. It occurs when ocean surface temperatures rise in the eastern and central Pacific. As a result, a strong event occurs, known as “Super El Niño”, which can intensify global heat.

Has India entered the El Niño phase?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued advisories for people living in heatwave-struck parts of the country. Recently, a report from AQI.in found that, out of the 100 hottest cities in the world, India is home to 95. This, in a way, makes India the hottest country in the world. Several heatstroke-related deaths have been reported in the country in the month of April itself —andthe heatwave is likely to worsen in May and June. Cities in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are at the top of the list, as the top 10 hottest ones are in these states. Temperatures have consistently been over 40 degrees in these cities. Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala are also in the grip of this severe heatwave.

While it cannot be conclusively said that India is in its El Niño phase, the current scenario mimics the effects already. The IMD is therefore urging people, through its advisories, to stay safe and hydrated. Extended hot days can lead to various impacts, including an increased risk of health issues like heatstroke, higher electricity consumption, and water shortages,” the advisory suggests. Experts say that India is particularly vulnerable to this heat stress due to its monsoon and high pre-monsoon temperatures. However, human-related factors worsen this situation, such as urban development and diminishing green cover.

Some experts, however, are saying that the ongoing heatwave is not an El Niño; rather, it is an anti-cyclonic pressure over northern and central India, which is working like a heat dome. However, the possibility of a stronger El Niño cannot be completely ruled out. Previously, it occurred in 1997–1998 and 2015–2016, resulting in drought-like conditions.

Can the heatwave trigger heart attacks?

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Joy Shome, Head of TAVI/TAVR — CK Birla Hospitals, BM Birla Heart Hospitals, said, "An alarming rise in the number of young adults who experience cardiac events has been observed due to heatwaves that are becoming more common and more extreme (as outlined in the Beat by Beat report). The cardiovascular system is put under enormous strain by excessive amounts of heat. To help cool down the body, our blood vessels expand (dilate), and the heart must pump more blood through them; however, dehydration results in thicker blood, increasing your chance of developing a blood clot (a leading cause of heart attacks)."

Dr Shome also said that heart disease is no longer only affecting the elderly; a substantial number of cardiac deaths occur prematurely and affect younger populations. Lifestyle, stress and metabolic issues are all contributors to this trend. India has contributed nearly one in five cardiac deaths worldwide, and cardiovascular disease accounts for around 25% of all deaths in India — illustrating how large this crisis is. The ‘thin fat’ phenomenon is another factor; many Indian people may look thin but have significant amounts of visceral fat — meaning many young adults could be at risk of suffering a heart attack.

Is the heatwave making people in India fall sick?

States and Union Territories have been instructed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to create heatwave management units, issue early warnings, and maintain real-time reporting of heatstroke cases. These measures, however, may not be enough, especially for vulnerable groups of people. Severe heatwaves can lead to death, yes; however, there is a risk of heat stress, heatstroke and even dehydration.

The infant formula available on the US market is safe, according to results from the largest and most rigorous study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released today.

Breast milk is widely known as the gold standard and optimal source of nutrition for infants whenever possible. However, as per the CDC, roughly 75 per cent of US infants are dependent on formula for the first six months, and for nearly 40 per cent, it is the exclusive source of nutrition.

The FDA noted that across 300 samples tested, an overwhelming majority had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, affirming that the US infant formula supply is safe. But the federal agency plans to follow up with additional testing.

“We tested more infant formula than ever before, and the results are clear: most products meet a high safety standard—but even small exposures matter for newborns,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a statement.

“We will hold manufacturers accountable and give parents honest, transparent data they can trust. Protecting our children’s health is nonnegotiable," he added.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study included more than 300 infant formula samples representative of products sold at retail across the US and included powders, ready-to-feed liquids, and concentrated liquids.

The samples were rigorously tested and analyzed in FDA laboratories. The results show that the overall levels of contaminants in the infant formula samples tested were low.

However, the FDA noted that it is following up with additional testing as part of the agency’s ongoing robust monitoring and oversight efforts and will take additional action where appropriate.

This includes conducting further testing, including for additional contaminants, continuing to engage with manufacturers on measures to reduce the levels of contaminants to as low as possible, and working to establish action levels for contaminants in infant formula.

Also read: Young Kids More Vulnerable To Heat Stress; AIIMS Experts Caution Against Sugary Drinks And Chips

“You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable members. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to make sure our babies and infants have safe, high-quality formula options that are backed by a resilient supply chain,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

“The results of this study are encouraging. We will continue to advance formula innovation and safety for the millions of families who depend on it.”

Why Was The Baby Formula Tested?

Formula is made to imitate human breast milk and usually comes from cow milk or soy. According to the present FDA guidelines, every infant formula product is required to have 30 nutrients essential for infants in specific proportions.

Yet, the technology of infants' digestion and nutrition requirements has progressed immensely, leading experts to wonder if the standards are yet sufficient.

Read more: Donald Trump’s Discolored Left Hand Triggers Health Speculation: Expert Explains

In 2025, the FDA in 2025 began conducting a comprehensive review of infant formula ingredients in the face of increasing parental distrust and industry trends, which indicate that existing rules might not be completely in accordance with recent worldwide research on infant feeding.

Some of the main issues that were considered during the testing include the possibility of iron content, added sugars, and seed oils.

Australia has become the 30th country in the world to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, announced the World Health Organization (WHO).

Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, which is preventable but cannot be reversed.

According to the WHO, Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 2021–2030.

“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma," he added.

How Australia Eliminated Trachoma

Australia has achieved the milestone after decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.

The country established the National Trachoma Management Program in 2006 to boost efforts to fight the disease.

The program implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy:

• Surgery for trichiasis,
• Antibiotics to treat infection,
• Promotion of facial cleanliness,
• Environmental improvement.

Other measures undertaken include

• Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma
• Targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration,
• Prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation, and hygiene,
• Strong integration with environmental health programs.

“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia.

In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy, and scabies.

Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.

What is Trachoma?

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

It spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge.

Environmental risks like poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities can also lead to trachoma.

Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.

As per the WHO, trachoma is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.

Blindness from trachoma is difficult to reverse.

In areas where trachoma is endemic, active (inflammatory) trachoma is common among preschool-aged children, with the proportion of such children affected sometimes being as high as 90 per cent infection becomes less frequent and shorter in duration with increasing age.

Infection is usually acquired when living in close proximity to others with active disease, and the family is the main setting for transmission.

An individual’s immune system can clear a single episode of infection, but in endemic communities, re-acquisition of the organism occurs frequently.

Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by the WHO as NTDs.

Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.