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.

In a remarkable emergency response, Dubai paramedics revived a man who collapsed from a heart attack, earning widespread praise on social media.

The man reportedly collapsed suddenly and showed no signs of consciousness or a pulse. People at the scene immediately alerted emergency services, who responded within minutes. The team began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using an advanced CPR machine.

A video now going viral on social media shows paramedics arriving within minutes and performing CPR using the LUCAS 3 automatic chest compression device. The machine, which delivers high-quality chest compressions more consistently than manual CPR, helped circulate blood to vital organs and revived the man within minutes.

“Dubai’s emergency response looks like the future: a man collapses from a heart attack, paramedics arrive within minutes, strap on the LUCAS 3 automatic CPR device, and revive him right there,” a social media user wrote.

“If there were a machine like this, it would be a huge help because people wouldn’t have to perform CPR for a long time,” another user added.

How The LUCAS 3 Device Saves Lives

The LUCAS 3 chest compression system is a mechanical CPR device originally developed by Swedish startup Jolife AB in collaboration with Norwegian inventor Willy Vistung and cardiologist Stig Steen. The device and company were later acquired by medical technology company Stryker in 2016.

The device is designed to deliver continuous, high-quality chest compressions while reducing physical strain on caregivers.

According to the company, studies have shown that the LUCAS device can improve blood flow to the brain and achieve higher EtCO2 values compared to manual chest compressions. With more than 50,000 devices in use worldwide, including within the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, a patient is reportedly treated using the device approximately every minute, it added.

What Is CPR? How To Give CPR?

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is an emergency life-saving technique used when a person stops breathing or their heart stops beating. Quick action is critical, as CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival.

Steps to keep in Mind While Giving CPR

Step 1: Check The Surroundings

Ensure the area is safe by checking for dangers such as traffic, fire, or falling objects.

Step 2: Position The Person

Lay the person on their back on a firm surface and open the airway by tilting the head back slightly. Check the mouth for any visible obstruction and remove it carefully if possible.

Step 3: Check Breathing

Listen for breathing sounds for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately.

Step 4: Chest Compressions

Place the heel of one hand at the center of the chest, slightly below the nipple line. Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers. Keep your elbows straight and push hard and fast — about 2 inches deep — at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to rise fully between compressions.

Step 5: Rescue Breaths

After 30 compressions, tilt the person’s head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose shut, and seal your mouth over theirs. Give two rescue breaths, each lasting about one second, while watching for chest rise. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and try again.

Step 6: Repeat The Cycle

Continue alternating 30 chest compressions with 2 rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or emergency medical professionals arrive.

Key Considerations For CPR

• CPR should be used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest, drowning, choking, or severe trauma.

• Always confirm that the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally before starting CPR.

• CPR is intended for emergency situations. If a healthcare professional is nearby, seek their assistance immediately.

Excessive screen time use is harming sleep, mental health, learning, and development of children, according to a new advisory by the US surgeon general’s office, which urged parents to limit children’s screen time.

Even as President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general awaits confirmation, the "Harms of Screen Use" bulletin warns that children and teens are spending more time on their digital devices than on sleep or school, the USA Today reported.

It noted that excessive screen use is linked to heavy or compulsive screen use

• anxiety,
• depression,
• poor academic performance,
• behavioral problems
• developmental delays.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said evidence of risks to children’s physical and mental health is “mounting,” even though screens can also provide some benefits.

The advisory promotes the slogan “Live real life,” encouraging children and families to replace excessive screen use with in-person activities and healthier routines.

Alongside the report, the officials also released a toolkit recommending steps for parents, schools, healthcare providers, and policymakers to help reduce screen dependence and encourage safer technology habits among young people.

The advisory also links excessive and "compulsive" screen use to

• poor sleep and school performance,
• mental health issues like anxiety and depression,
• behavioral and social issues, substance abuse, and developmental disruptions.

The report aligns with recent studies, which show how too much screen time affects developing minds.

Recent findings from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, suggest that early digital exposure to children before the age of one increases the baby's risk of autism.

The findings led by the Department of Pediatric Neurology showed that infants exposed to high levels of digital media at around one year of age are significantly more likely to display autistic signs by the time they reach age three.

India has also issued pediatric and education guidelines advising parents to limit screen exposure for young children, though there is no nationwide ban. States like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have also taken up action against social media use and screen time.

Countries banning screen time

While countries are not fully “banning” screen time, several of them have introduced restrictions, guidelines, or proposed laws aimed at reducing children’s screen time, especially around smartphones and social media in schools.

• France banned smartphones in primary and middle schools in 2018 and has tested stricter “digital pause” policies for students under 15.
• China has some of the world’s toughest rules, including limits on video game play for minors, restrictions on nighttime gaming, and proposed limits on smartphone use for children.
• South Korea introduced laws targeting gaming addiction among minors, including past shutdown rules that blocked late-night gaming for children.
• Netherlands and Finland have encouraged schools to restrict phones in classrooms to improve concentration and learning.
• Australia has debated stronger social media age restrictions, and several states have tightened school phone bans.
• United Kingdom schools widely enforce smartphone bans, while lawmakers continue discussing stricter online safety rules for children.
• Sweden has pushed for reduced screen exposure in early childhood education, emphasizing printed books and traditional learning methods.

India has successfully linked the health records of more than 100 crore people with Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said today.

Implemented by the National Health Authority, the milestone marks a major step towards building an integrated, citizen-centric, and interoperable digital healthcare ecosystem in the country.

“The linking of over 100 crore health records with ABHA is an important milestone in the journey of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. ABHA-linked health records empower citizens with secure and consent-based access to their health information and support continuity of care across the healthcare ecosystem,” said Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO, NHA.

The Growing Adoption Of ABDM

According to the Ministry, more than 450 public and private health technology solutions have integrated with the ABDM ecosystem, enabling digitisation and seamless exchange of health records across healthcare facilities.

The ministry said ABDM doubled the number of linked health records from 50 crore in February 2025 to over 100 crore in just 15 months.

Nearly 10 crore health records are now being linked every two to three months. From fewer than 1,000 linked records during its initial phase to over 100 crore today, ABDM has evolved into one of the world’s largest digital health ecosystems.

Uttar Pradesh emerged as the leading contributor with over 15.03 crore ABHA-linked health records, followed by Andhra Pradesh with over 11.95 crore linked records.

Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat also recorded major progress by linking over 7.37 crore, 6.32 crore, and 4.77 crore health records, respectively.

Also read: Preeclampsia Is Preventable & Treatable. Yet It’s India’s 3rd Leading Cause Of Maternal Deaths, Says AIIMS doctor

Programs Contributing To The Milestone

Among the major government programs and digital platforms contributing to the milestone are:

• Non-Communicable Disease Program
• CoWIN
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
• Uttar Pradesh government’s eKavach platform
• Andhra Pradesh health programs
• Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program
• eHospital by National Informatics Centre
• eSushrut by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
• Gujarat government’s TeCHO platform
• Rajasthan government’s iHMS platform

Private health technology partners and ABDM-enabled digital solutions have also contributed significantly towards the creation and linkage of ABHA-linked health records.

What Is ABHA?

ABHA is a unique digital health identity that allows citizens to securely link and access their health records across hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and healthcare providers.

Through ABDM’s consent-based health information exchange mechanism, citizens can digitally share their medical records with registered healthcare providers while maintaining the privacy and security of personal health information.

“ABDM is designed to place citizens at the center of the digital health ecosystem. With consent-based sharing of health records, individuals can access their medical information whenever required and share relevant records with healthcare providers digitally. This will help make healthcare delivery more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric,” Barnwal said.

Key Digital Building Blocks Of ABDM

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is creating the digital public infrastructure required for an interoperable healthcare ecosystem through key digital building blocks such as:

• Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)
• Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)
• Health Facility Registry (HFR)
• Health Information Exchange and Consent Manager (HIE-CM)
• Unified Health Interface (UHI)
• National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX)

With over 100 crore health records now linked with ABHA, ABDM has marked another milestone towards creating longitudinal digital health records for citizens and enabling a more connected, paperless, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem in the country.