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Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) Gold prices fell moderately, while silver lost over 3 per cent on Friday due to a stronger dollar and a rout in global technology stocks.

MCX gold February futures fell 0.97 per cent to Rs 1,50,590 per 10 grams around 10.40 am on an intraday basis. Meanwhile, MCX silver March futures plunged 3.71 per cent to Rs 2,34,775 per kg.

On the MCX, silver prices had declined as much as 6 per cent to their day's low of Rs 2,29,187 per kg earlier during the session before a strong rebound.

Commodities denominated in dollars became more expensive for holders of other currencies as the US dollar got poised for its strongest weekly performance since November, hovering close to a two-week high.

Silver’s sharp correction has reignited concerns over stretched valuations and heightened volatility, even as analysts maintained that the white metal's longer-term fundamentals remain constructive.

Investment banker JP Morgan warned that silver's rich valuations could trigger disproportionate downside during bouts of market stress, adding that downside may be cushioned in the near term, with prices stabilising for a recovery next year.

Analysts called the sharp drop in precious metals a "technical correction" due to longer-term drivers such as geopolitical uncertainty, central-bank buying, and macro uncertainty remaining intact.

The broader uptrend in COMEX gold remains intact, with the recent decline reflecting profit booking and healthy price digestion rather than trend reversal, they said.

Market watchers advised investors to do staggered allocations rather than lump-sum investments to reduce entry risk.

Strong support is seen in the Rs 1,37,000 to Rs 1,42,000 zone for MCX gold futures, while resistance is anchored around the Rs 1,65,000 to Rs 1,75,000 zone, they said.

Regarding COMEX silver, they said that a sustained move beyond $85–$92 could lead to an upside momentum up to $95–$105, with the medium- to long-term outlook remaining constructive on steady industrial demand and structural supply constraints.

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New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS) Amid several claims of vaccination and reduced fertility, a study of nearly 60,000 women showed that the Covid vaccine played no role in a decrease in childbirth.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, unfounded rumours have circulated, especially on social media, alleging that vaccination impairs chances of becoming pregnant.

In the later stages of the pandemic, there was a decrease in the number of children born in some countries, including Sweden. This raised the question of whether this could be due to the new vaccines.

"Our conclusion is that it's highly unlikely that the mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 was behind the decrease in childbirth during the pandemic," said Toomas Timpka, professor of social medicine at Linköping University, Sweden.

The study, published in the journal Communications Medicine, found no statistically significant difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated women in childbirths and miscarriages.

"We see no difference in childbirth rates between those who have taken the vaccine and those who haven't. We've also looked at all registered miscarriages among those who became pregnant, and we see no difference between the groups there either," Timpka said.

Their analysis is based on a study of almost 60,000 women aged 18 to 45 years in Sweden.

Of these women, 75 per cent were vaccinated once or more against Covid from 2021 to 2024. The researchers used data on childbirths, vaccinations, miscarriages, and deaths from health care records.

The results are in line with several previous studies that have not found any association between the Covid vaccine and fertility.

Importantly, the study examined conception and pregnancy in the general population, unlike most previous research, which “focused on couples undergoing fertility treatment.”

The researchers also adjusted their findings for factors other than Covid that could have affected conception rates, such as age and underlying illness.

Several studies have shown that Covid infection can be dangerous for pregnant women, but vaccination can reduce that risk substantially.

“Present scientific evidence is clear that the protection against severe disease a Covid-19 shot provides clearly outweighs possible risks,” Timpka said.

“Women who want to start a family and who are on the fence about whether to get a Covid-19 shot should not hesitate about having the vaccine,” Timpka added.

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New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Doctors at AII India Institute of Medical Sciences successfully performed a complex medical procedure to save the life of a 14-month-old girl who had swallowed a 2-inch-long metal spring, it said on Thursday.

The metal spring stuck in the oesophagus, also known as the food pipe, was successfully removed after an endoscopic surgery, AIIMS said in an official statement.

he child, a resident of Yamunanagar, was brought to the hospital after suffering from continuous vomiting for about a week and not eating for two days.

“During the examination, an X-ray revealed a large metal spring lodged in the upper part of the child's oesophagus,” AIIMS said, "with ulcerations extending along the mucosa".

“The spring was stuck on the upper part of the food pipe. And the thickness of the spring was much more than the normal spring, which we see in our pens. It was approximately half an inch wide and at least 1.5 to 2 inches long,” Professor Dr. Vishesh Jain, from the Paediatric Surgery Department, told IANS.

He noted that an attempt was made to remove it endoscopically at a private hospital in Dehradun, but due to swelling and lesions in the oesophagus, the procedure was deemed risky, and the child was immediately referred to AIIMS.

Jain and his team used advanced endoscopic techniques in the operating room. The spring was carefully rotated and removed, preventing any perforation, the statement said.

“After the surgery, the child's condition improved rapidly, and she was started on oral feeding the next day,” AIIMS said.

Jain advised parents to keep items such as springs, batteries, coins, and small toy parts out of reach of young children, as swallowing them can be fatal. He also said that if parents see a baby swallow something, they should take the baby to a doctor immediately so the doctor can assess the size of the object and decide on the proper treatment.

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Pune, Feb 5 (IANS) The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) celebrated its 74th Foundation Day with a science outreach programme with school students to nurture scientific curiosity, it said on Thursday.

On February 4, scientists from the ICMR-NIV led a two-phase outreach programme in coordination with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) and engaged with 1,180 school students from classes 6-12.

The experts engaged with 1,130 students through visits to three schools across Pune and welcomed another 50 students along with their teachers for an interactive campus experience at ICMR–NIV, Pune.

“Students were introduced to key concepts of virology, including different types of viruses, insect and bird specimens, and diagnostic kits. Interactive videos, posters, and presentations showcased ICMR-NIV’s contributions to public health while guided laboratory tours and demonstrations of diagnostic tools and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kits sparked scientific curiosity among young learners,” said an official statement.

Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director, ICMR-NIV, highlighted the institute’s remarkable achievements, upcoming research projects, and future research vision.

The Director emphasised NIV’s mandate to focus on basic virology, the development of medical countermeasures, and pandemic preparedness.

He also noted that the upcoming zonal NIVs will concentrate on outbreak investigations within their respective zones.

Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, in his keynote address, spoke about “the development of vaccines and new medical countermeasures against the diseases while underscoring the importance of institutional and industry collaborations in advancing India’s vision of Viksit Bharat”.

Appreciating ICMR-NIV’s contributions to eliminating viral diseases, Prof. Shekar C. Mande, President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), emphasised the need for collective action for building a healthier and sustainable world for the next generation.

In August last year, the Institute organised an Open School Day at two of its campuses in Pune to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

A total of 369 school students, studying in standards IX to XII, from 26 different schools in Pune, attended the session. They were accompanied by 36 teachers coming from the participating schools.

Key research themes showcased included vector-borne diseases, respiratory infections, and zoonotic threats.

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New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) The Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption of lifesaving cancer drugs and higher taxation on tobacco products are the steps aimed at strengthening public health in the country, according to a new study led by oncologists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The GST council, in its 56th meeting in September last year, recommended the total exemption of 33 lifesaving drugs, including those used in cancer care, from GST altogether (from 12 per cent to zero, and three critical drugs for rare diseases and cancer from 5 per cent to zero).

The study noted that the measures are making healthcare more affordable and accessible, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Earlier this week, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slashed the basic custom duty on 17 cancer drugs in her Budget presentation.

“India’s recent GST reforms mark a significant step toward making cancer care more affordable and accessible. By exempting 33 life-saving cancer and rare-disease drugs from GST and reducing taxes on medical equipment, the government has directly eased the financial burden on patients and families,” Dr Abhishek Shankar, from the Department of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, told IANS.

In another significant step, the GST council also increased the tax slab for tobacco products to 40 per cent, which is the highest for any class of goods in the country.

The benefits of such taxation, which became effective from February 1 this year, can lead to gains in life years, averting treatment costs and premature mortality as well as avoiding catastrophic expenditure on health and poverty, the study said.

Tobacco is also known as the leading preventable cause of cancer globally. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on World Cancer Day stated that tobacco is responsible for 15 per cent of all new cancer cases.

“A higher taxation on tobacco products reinforces prevention by discouraging consumption and generating revenue that can be redirected toward public health,” Shankar said.

The study noted that the economic structural policy changes can also serve as guidance for other countries in the region with similar socio-economic and disease burden characteristics, which might benefit from adopting or adapting these measures in terms of policy layout, tax structure, and outcome monitoring.

“While timely pass-through of benefits to patients remains crucial, these reforms signal a balanced policy approach, one that supports treatment, promotes healthier behaviour, and strengthens India’s commitment to equitable cancer care,” Shankar said.

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a simpler and more efficient method to recover immune cells grown in the lab for T-cell–based cancer therapies.

In immunotherapies such as CAR T-cell, T-cells (a type of immune cell) are taken from a patient’s blood and modified in large numbers in the laboratory and infused back into the patient’s bloodstream to help fight cancer.

These cells, grown outside the body, must be collected gently so that they remain alive and functional when returned to the patient. Finding safe and efficient ways to grow T-cells and retrieve them is therefore an important part of making these therapies work.

“Cell recovery sounds simple on paper, but in practice it turns out to be one of the biggest challenges,” said Prof. Prakriti Tayalia, from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the IIT Bombay

“Without enough healthy cells, you cannot test them properly or use them for therapy,” she added.

To better mimic the body’s natural environment, Tayalia’s team worked with a specific type of scaffold made using a process called electrospinning. These electrospun scaffolds look like thin mats made of very fine fibres, similar to a dense fishing net.

The team grew Jurkat T-cells (a human cell line grown and used in the laboratory to study T-cell biology, cancer, and HIV) inside electrospun scaffolds made from a material called polycaprolactone.

Under a microscope, the researchers observed that the cells actively moved into the scaffold and became tightly lodged between the fibres.

Further, the research showed that collecting the cells using trypsin, an enzyme, led to higher cell death.

In contrast, cells recovered with accutase, a milder enzyme, survived in greater numbers and behaved more like healthy T-cells. They formed clusters, an essential step before T-cells divide, and continued to grow well after recovery.

“Harsh treatments to cells, using enzymes such as trypsin, can damage key surface proteins needed for immune signalling and activation, reducing the cell’s therapeutic usefulness. Accutase appears mild enough to avoid this problem,” Tayalia said.

The study's findings, published in the journal Biomaterials Science, could help laboratories use such scaffolds when preparing cells for therapies such as CAR T-cell treatment.

“If we want these advanced therapies to reach patients, every step matters. How we grow cells, and how we retrieve them, can make a real difference,” Tayalia said.

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New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) A world-first Australian trial has found that a simple fingerstick test for hepatitis B DNA is as accurate as standard lab testing, paving the way for wider access in remote and resource-limited settings.

Published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, the study showed that the point-of-care test can deliver results within an hour and be performed in decentralised clinics, Xinhua news agency reported.

The fingerstick test can help overcome delays caused by laboratory-based testing, according to a statement from the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

"The results of our trial found that the fingerstick point-of-care test is highly accurate, closely matching the accuracy of traditional tests," said Professor Gail Matthews, who led the research at the Kirby Institute.

The finding has the potential to "expand access to testing and treatment globally," especially where access to testing is limited, Matthews said.

Hepatitis B, a viral infection that attacks the liver, affects an estimated 254 million people worldwide and causes over 1 million deaths annually, as per global statistics.

Though preventable by vaccine, only about 8 per cent of those living with chronic hepatitis B receive treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Currently, hepatitis B DNA testing, for both diagnosis and monitoring, requires collecting a venous blood sample to be processed in centralised laboratories, meaning patients can need to travel long distances to take the test, and then often wait days or weeks for results. This delay and the multiple clinic visits involved can hinder timely treatment and care.

In comparison, the new point-of-care test can be done in small health clinics using a finger stick blood sample, which can be performed by a broader range of health care workers, and provides a result within 60 minutes.

It is an effective alternative to laboratory testing for many infectious diseases, including hepatitis C, but until now, its efficacy for hepatitis B DNA using finger stick blood has been unknown.

The new test could also support global efforts to meet the WHO target of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030, the researchers said.

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday launched the first open call of the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

The Minister said that nearly 191 proposals have been received, with a significant majority coming from the private sector.

“This response reflects growing confidence among private enterprises in the government’s commitment to support innovation-led growth,” Singh said.

“It is important to ensure that applications are aligned with the spirit of the scheme and that funding is utilised for genuine technology development and scale-up,” he added.

The first TDB Call under the RDI Fund focuses on supporting projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above. Funding support will be provided through Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) in the form of loans, equity, or hybrid instruments, depending on project requirements.

The maximum funding support will be up to 50 per cent of the total project cost, with matching contributions from companies or private investors.

The RDI Fund, part of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025, aims to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by supporting the commercialisation of indigenous technologies through structured and long-term financing.

The RDI Fund enables private enterprises to scale technologies in sectors that were earlier largely confined to the public domain.

It has a total corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore and offers financing at concessional interest rates of around 2-4 per cent, with long tenures of up to 15 years, including moratorium provisions.

Singh stated that the structure has been designed to make access to capital easier for technology developers while maintaining financial discipline.

The funding framework provides for collateral-free financing, with no requirement for personal or corporate guarantees. Proposal evaluation will be based on scientific, technological, financial, and commercial merit, with defined timelines for evaluation and disbursement, the Minister said.

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Government-led digital platforms supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), including the U-WIN and eVIN, have strengthened India’s immunisation ecosystem, said a report from the UN agency on Wednesday.

In its annual report 2025, launched at UN House at the Country Programme Management Board meeting, the UN agency noted that U-WIN helped track immunisation services for 32 million pregnant women and 97 million children.

The eVIN, on the other hand, enabled monitoring of vaccine stocks and cold-chain temperatures across 30,000 cold-chain points, covering over 650 million doses.

Further, the immunisation platforms also expanded insurance coverage to 42 million farmers, while supporting 63,000 people with climate-resilient livelihoods in the country.

The report also demonstrated UNDP’s role in progress in areas including SDG localisation, acceleration, and financing, digital healthcare solutions, childcare support, crop insurance, and climate action.

“India’s development progress in 2025 reflects strong government leadership in delivering at scale through public systems. These systems are delivered across health, insurance, care, and climate action, reaching women, children, farmers, waste workers, and low-income households,” said Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India.

"UNDP is proud to have supported these efforts by strengthening technical expertise, helping public programmes function more effectively and respond faster when support was needed," she added.

Further, the report noted that the UNDP worked with national and state governments to strengthen how the Sustainable Development Goals move from policy to delivery.

The SDG Coordination and Acceleration approach is now institutionalised across key ministries, supporting more aligned implementation.

At the subnational level, SDG monitoring frameworks are operational in 33 of 36 States and Union Territories, improving how data informs planning and budgeting.

Further, economic security was reinforced through stronger social protection and risk mitigation.

India’s crop insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), expanded coverage to 42 million farmers. These measures helped farming households recover faster from climate and income shocks, the report said.

Community-based childcare models enabled women in low-income urban areas to take up paid work, while also creating jobs in the care economy.

In 2025, UNDP supported India in designing its National Adaptation Plan and a gender-responsive Biodiversity Finance Plan.

Community-led restoration initiatives supported more than 63,000 people with climate-resilient livelihoods, helping reduce vulnerability to environmental shocks while sustaining incomes, the report said.

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) The government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has significantly improved access to complex spine surgeries and eliminated out-of-pocket costs, reducing the financial burden on patients from a lower economic background, according to a new study.

The study conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, demonstrated a substantial increase in the utilisation of PMJAY for spine surgery, with a concurrent decline in self-financed procedures.

The retrospective, single-centre observational study was conducted, analysing all spine surgeries performed from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 410 patients (249 males and 161 females) underwent spine surgery during the study period.

The majority of cases included degenerative spinal disorders (46.1 per cent) and traumatic injuries (33.4 per cent).

Overall, 276 procedures (67.3 per cent) were funded under PM-JAY, while 110 (26.8 per cent) were self-financed.

“PM-JAY utilisation increased from 58.7 per cent (101/172) in 2023 to 73.5 per cent (175/238) in 2024. Correspondingly, self-financed procedures declined from 37.8 per cent in 2023 to 18.9 per cent in 2024,” said the team from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, PGIMER.

“By eliminating out-of-pocket costs for 73.5 per cent of our 2024 cohort, the scheme has engaged the economically disadvantaged population that was previously excluded,” they added.

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, suggest that “publicly funded insurance is effectively improving financial access to implant-intensive spine care across a broad spectrum of pathologies. However, robust clinical governance remains essential to ensure equitable implementation and prevent overutilisation”.

ABPMJAY, launched in 2018, represents the world's largest publicly funded health insurance programme, providing coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care to eligible households.

The scheme aims to reduce catastrophic health expenditure and improve access to essential healthcare services by empanelling both public and private hospitals across the country. Since its inception, PM-JAY has been increasingly utilised for high-cost surgical interventions, including orthopaedic and spine procedures.

“Expansion of coverage to include postoperative rehabilitation and essential orthotic devices could improve continuity of care and long-term functional outcomes. Additionally, standardised data capture and reporting across empanelled institutions would facilitate ongoing evaluation of utilisation patterns, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness,” the researchers said.

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