Microwaves are a common appliance in every household now. You will see it in kitchens of not just houses, but offices, cafeterias, and co working space. However, there are studies that show that heating food in a microwave could be a health concern. While it does come handy, there are questions about harmful radiation and nutrient loss and heating safety that still linger.
Some research suggests that microwaving may cause nutritional loss, particularly in vegetables. For example, studies have shown that microwaving broccoli with water diminishes its flavonoid content, which are anti-inflammatory compounds. However, experts note that cooking method and duration have a significant influence on nutrient retention.
Surprisingly, several studies indicate that microwaving preserves more nutrients than traditional cooking methods. A study comparing microwaved versus oven-cooked ready meals found that the microwaved version contained somewhat more vitamin C. Another study discovered that microwaving some vegetables, such as broccoli and green beans, may retain more beneficial compounds than boiling.
Ultimately, the nutrient loss really vary on the type of food which is being heated and how it is being cooked. Experts also recommend using minimal water and shorter cooking times to maximize the nutrient retention.
Plastic containers and heating food in it, has always been a topic of debate. While containers do come with microwave-safe stamps, is it really safe to heat them with food?
According to research, when certain plastics are subjected to heat, they produce compounds such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). These substances have been associated to hormonal disturbance, metabolic problems, and perhaps reproductive concerns.
A study also took in account over 400 plastic food containers that were microwave-safe and found that most of them leaked hormone-disrupting chemicals. These are phthalates, warn experts, which are commonly used in food packaging and can interfere with body's hormonal balance, and increase risk of diabetes or even high blood pressure.
Additionally, BPA exposure has been associated with fertility issues and immune system disruptions.
To minimize this risk, experts recommend using glass or ceramic container when microwaving foods. If you must use a plastic container, make sure the container is not damaged or old, as they are more prone to leach harmful chemicals.
Concerns about microwave radiation have been largely debunked by decades of research. Microwaves use non-ionizing radiation, which does not have enough energy to damage DNA or cause cancer. The electromagnetic waves used in microwaves are similar to those from radios and light bulbs.
Experts emphasize that microwave ovens are designed to contain radiation, preventing exposure. As long as the microwave is in good condition and the door seals properly, there is no significant health risk from microwave radiation.
Microwaving food could sometimes also lead to uneven cooking and it can create some risks to food safety. Thus, experts advertise to use microwave only to reheat the food and not to actually cook raw food. For safe reheating, food should reach at least 82°C (176°F) throughout to kill bacteria.
Credit: iStock
India’s cell and gene therapy ecosystem is beginning to attract a different kind of attention that is driven not just by healthcare demand, but by proprietary science and platform-led innovation.
For investors, however, the larger story may not be the funding round itself. It may be the problem the company is trying to solve.
CAR-T therapies have transformed outcomes for several difficult-to-treat blood cancers globally. But despite strong initial responses, relapse remains one of the field’s biggest limitations. One reason is antigen escape, which means cancer cells can change the markers that therapies use to identify them, making them harder to detect over time.
In an analysis of 4,129 CAR-T treated patients, relapse remained a substantial issue after single-target therapy, with 42.1% of relapses associated with loss of the CD19 target itself. The finding points to a larger issue: precision may not be enough if therapies lose visibility over time.
The response increasingly appears to be a move toward multi-target and more durable platforms. A bispecific CAR-T platform designed to recognize more than one tumor marker, to reduce relapse is crucial.
The science itself is becoming increasingly platform-oriented. Beyond broader targeting, recent work explored why immune cells themselves lose effectiveness over time and identified pathways associated with stronger persistence and memory. While still early, the broader implication is that future therapies may need to be designed not only to attack disease, but also to remain active longer.
For India, that creates a larger opportunity. Historically, advanced therapies such as CAR-T have remained expensive and heavily dependent on technologies developed elsewhere. The aim is to significantly reduce treatment costs while building indigenous capabilities across design and manufacturing.
The shift matters because biotech investing is increasingly moving beyond services and generics toward intellectual property and platform science. The transition from bedside observations to translational platforms may be where the next phase of healthcare innovation and investment gets built.
Credit: iStock
Colon cancer, medically known as colorectal cancer, was historically typical for people aged 50 or older. However, in recent years, the cancer that forms in the tissues of the large intestine has been increasing in prevalence in young adults. As many as one in five colorectal cancer patients today falls into this younger age group.
Now, a study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology shows that marathons, which are one of the most celebrated physical activities, may be increasing the risk of the disease.
The team at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Virginia, US, initiated the study after observing multiple “ultramarathoners” present to their cancer center with advanced colorectal cancer.
To probe the link, they recruited 100 runners to undergo colonoscopies — the gold standard for screening and preventing colorectal cancer. The team then looked at runners ages 35 to 50, who had either completed at least five marathons or two ultramarathons (any runs of 50 kilometers or more).
Presenting the findings at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Dr. Timothy Cannon, an oncologist at the Institute, stated that
Also read:Colorectal Cancer: UK Surgeon Warns Of 5 Silent Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Almost always, colon cancers start as small growths called polyps or precancerous lesions on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
Moreover, the study found that the rate of advanced adenomas nearly tripled among the marathon runners, compared to the general population, at 4.5 -6 per cent.
In general, running and other forms of exercise are known to reduce the risk of developing colon and other cancers. At the same time, exercise-induced gastrointestinal injury is also believed to be associated with reduced blood flow to the intestines during long-distance running.
Notably, to date there is no evidence that definitively shows running causes polyps.
The new study presents a correlation — an increasing relationship between long-distance running and advanced adenomas. It does not prove that running directly causes the adenomas.
Read More: Europe Sees Record Surge In Gonorrhea, Syphilis Cases In Over A Decade, Says ECDC
The new results suggest that “intensive long-distance running is a risk factor for advanced adenomas of the colon", said Dr. Timothy, in the paper. The team also called for "refining screening strategies" for marathon runners.
It is because runners put their bodies through a lot, which can raise the risk of chronic inflammation, enabling cancerous cells to grow.
Their high-caloric foods for immediate energy can slow down digestion and impact your overall colon health.
The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data.
It is a disease of the large bowel and a type of cancer that originates from the rectum or colon. A person's colon, cecum, rectum, and anus make up the large intestine.
According to experts, if you are above 45 years of age or have high-risk factors, you need to take the initiative to be screened, as the symptoms appear late, impacting treatment outcomes.
The common red flags for colorectal cancer include:

Credit: Instagram
From being a macho dude, Bruce Willis’ personality has changed to becoming more ‘tender’ even as the 71-year-old action hero continues to battle dementia, according to his daughter Rumer.
“I’m so grateful I get to go see him,” Rumer, 37, said during a podcast interview. “Even though it’s different now, I’m so grateful.”
“There’s a sweetness. He’s always been this kind of macho dude, and there’s like a — fragile is not the right word, but — just a tenderness that maybe being Bruce Willis might not have allowed him in a certain way,” she added.
Bruce Willis is continuing into his third year living with the condition.
In March 2022, Bruce Willis, the media legend who dominated Hollywood in his prime, was diagnosed with dementia, and since then, his family has been sharing their struggle with his diagnosis and how slowly it has been taking a toll on his health.
The following year, his diagnosis was confirmed as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is a degenerative disease that slowly chips away at your motor skills, communication skills, etc. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, noted early signs were subtle changes in his speech, initially mistaken for a resurgence of his childhood stutter.
Rumer is the eldest daughter of Bruce and The Substance star Demi Moore, who were married from 1987 to 2000. The former couple also had Scout Willis, 34, and Tallulah, 32, together.
Although FTD is considered to be one of the rarest forms of dementia, Rumer said the disease is more “prevalent” than she realized.
“It’s wild to me. So many people come up to me now, and they say, ‘My uncle had FTD. My dad had this,” she said.
Also read: Vanessa Trump Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Earlier this year, in March, a hoax news of Bruce Willis’ death circulated. However, his representatives confirmed that the news is fabricated and that the actor is alive.
"He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well. Stop believing what you see on the Internet," his official representative stated.
Frontotemporal dementia is a less prevalent type of dementia that mainly occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It tends to affect behavior, personality, language, and movement more than memory, particularly in its initial stages.
In contrast to Alzheimer's, which generally strikes older individuals, FTD can hit at an earlier age—sometimes as young as 40. The symptoms can range from changes in personality, emotional flatness, or the inability to show empathy to impulsiveness, so it is especially hard for spouses and children to cope.
Read More: US Doctor With Ebola Admitted To Hospital In Germany
The Mayo Clinic states that the symptoms of FTD vary depending on the most affected part of the brain. The progression is gradual but relentless.
Behavioral symptoms:
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited