A new study from the University of Tokyo suggests that greying hair could serve as a natural defense mechanism against cancer. According to researchers, hair color is determined by melanocyte cells that produce pigment. When these cells experience DNA damage or stress, they stop dividing and enter a state of rest instead of continuing to replicate. This process, known as senescence-coupled differentiation, prevents damaged cells from turning into cancerous ones. Lead researcher Dr. Shige Sukeshi explained that greying hair is not merely a sign of aging but an internal warning signal indicating the body’s protective response against potential cell mutations. The study also highlights that chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and unhealthy lifestyles accelerate melanocyte damage, leading to premature greying. Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental well-being can help preserve normal cell function and delay hair greying. The findings encourage viewing grey hair as a sign of the body’s resilience rather than simply a mark of aging.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. In an interview with The Times, the 59-year-old said he underwent medical tests after his wife, entrepreneur Samantha Cameron, encouraged him to do so following a BBC interview with entrepreneur Nick Jones, who had also battled prostate cancer. Cameron’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test showed elevated levels, prompting further MRI scans and a biopsy that confirmed the disease. He subsequently received focal therapy, a targeted treatment that uses ultrasound and other technologies to destroy cancer cells in specific areas of the prostate. Cameron stated that sharing his experience was important to raise awareness and encourage men to undergo regular health checks. He served as the UK’s Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and is currently under intensive observation by a team of doctors. According to her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, she was admitted around 8 p.m. on Sunday after developing multiple health complications. Professor FM Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, stated that Khaleda Zia is suffering from infections in her heart and lungs, leading to respiratory distress. The 80-year-old former prime minister, who has a pacemaker and a history of heart procedures, is being treated with antibiotics and other emergency care. A medical board, including local and international specialists, is monitoring her condition closely and will reassess her treatment within 12 to 24 hours. Family members, including her son Tarique Rahman and daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman, are in constant contact with the medical team. Khaleda Zia has requested prayers from the public for her recovery.

A free medical camp was organized in the Kashipur area of Homna upazila, Cumilla, on Sunday, providing healthcare services to several hundred underprivileged people. The initiative was taken by Monowar Hossain Sarkar, vice president of the UK-based Zia Parishad and a BNP nomination aspirant for the Cumilla-2 constituency. The event was attended by Zia Parishad Secretary General Professor Dr. Md. Emtaz Hossain as the chief guest, with senior joint secretary Abdullahil Masud, organizational secretary Robiul Islam, and Motijheel Thana president Engineer Abu Raihan as speakers. Among the special guests were local BNP leaders, including Monir Hossain and Shariat Ullah. The camp aimed to provide free medical consultations and basic treatment to disadvantaged residents, reflecting ongoing community outreach efforts linked to political and social organizations in the region.

Medical experts have raised alarm over the rapid rise of antibiotic resistance, warning that the world could soon enter a post-antibiotic era where even minor infections become deadly. According to data from India’s ICMR and NCDC, common bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas are increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics. Dr. Sunil Havannavar of Manipal Hospital explained that misuse and overuse of antibiotics, along with poor infection control, are accelerating the crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the top ten global health threats. If antibiotics lose effectiveness, surgeries like heart transplants, joint replacements, and cancer chemotherapy will become highly unsafe. Experts emphasize that responsible antibiotic use, public awareness, and systemic healthcare reforms are essential to prevent a catastrophic medical future where modern treatments could fail.

Bangladesh, located in a seismically active region, often experiences earthquakes that can cause panic among children. Health experts explain that panic attacks occur when intense fear triggers abnormal physical and emotional reactions. To help children cope during or after an earthquake, parents are advised to remain calm, speak gently, and reassure them of safety. Redirecting the child’s attention to familiar or soothing activities, offering water or juice, and encouraging slow, deep breathing can help reduce anxiety. Physical reassurance, such as hugging, can also provide comfort and a sense of security. If a child remains unresponsive or distressed for more than an hour, parents should seek immediate medical or psychological assistance. Experts emphasize that early emotional support can prevent long-term trauma and help children recover from earthquake-related fear more effectively.

Feeling dizzy after an earthquake is a common physiological reaction, experts say. During a quake, the body’s balance system—particularly the vestibular system—becomes hyperactive as it tries to stabilize against the shaking. Even after the tremors stop, the brain may continue to perceive movement, leading to dizziness or imbalance. Research from the University of Tokyo (2022) and Stanford Psychology Lab indicates that both physical and psychological stress responses, including elevated cortisol levels, can cause lightheadedness, nausea, or disorientation. A 2023 study in Nature Human Behaviour found that prolonged exposure to vibration can make the brain temporarily misinterpret stillness as motion. Mild dizziness that resolves within 10–30 minutes is normal and can be eased by sitting down, closing the eyes, drinking water, breathing deeply, and eating light snacks. However, if dizziness persists for more than 24 hours, or is accompanied by vomiting, numbness, or difficulty walking, medical attention is advised.

A one-year-old girl named Fatema was killed when a wall collapsed during an earthquake in Rupganj, Narayanganj, on Friday morning. Her mother, Kulsum Begum, and neighbor Jesmin Begum were seriously injured in the incident. Fatema’s father, Abdul Haque, could not attend his daughter’s burial as he was accompanying his injured wife from hospital to hospital in search of proper treatment. Despite visiting three hospitals, including US-Bangla Medical College, Dhaka Medical College, and Dhaka National Hospital, Kulsum was denied admission due to a lack of available beds. The family, struggling financially, expressed frustration over the lack of medical support for the poor. They were later advised to transfer Kulsum to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon for further treatment. The earthquake struck at around 10:38 a.m., causing the wall to collapse on the victims while they were walking along the road.

Interim government health adviser Nurjahan Begum stated that most injuries from the recent 5.7-magnitude earthquake in Dhaka were caused by panic rather than the tremor itself. During a visit to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, she explained that many victims were hurt while jumping or colliding in fear. Among the injured are several university students, one of whom is in critical condition. Two patients arrived from Narsingdi, including a child who died and whose father remains in intensive care. Three deaths were reported at Mitford Hospital, including a medical student. Nurjahan Begum emphasized that despite the moderate strength of the quake, the number of injuries was unexpectedly high due to panic-driven reactions. She assured that all public hospitals have been instructed to ensure proper treatment for the injured and that no lapses in medical care will occur.

Health experts have warned that thermal paper receipts commonly used in shopping malls may pose serious health risks due to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS). These chemicals can quickly be absorbed through the skin, sometimes within 10 seconds of contact, and the absorption rate increases significantly if hand lotion or sanitizer is used beforehand. Studies suggest that BPA and BPS can disrupt hormonal balance, potentially causing irregular menstrual cycles and increasing the risk of breast cancer in women. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as exposure may affect fetal development, leading to low birth weight, weak immunity, or premature birth. Experts recommend opting for digital receipts instead of printed ones, washing hands immediately after handling receipts, and avoiding the use of sanitizers before touching them to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

Bangladesh is facing a renewed dengue threat as Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus, continue to spread from urban to rural areas. Public health experts, including Professor Mushtaq Hossain, have emphasized that eliminating Aedes mosquitoes is crucial to controlling dengue outbreaks, but current efforts remain insufficient. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reported around 77,000 dengue hospitalizations and 307 deaths so far this year, following a record 350,000 cases and nearly 2,000 deaths in 2023. Entomologists note that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes can be identified by their black-and-white striped bodies and hairy antennae. These mosquitoes typically breed in clean, stagnant water found in flower pots, containers, or urban gardens, though recent studies show they can adapt to polluted water as well. Experts warn that climate change and rapid urbanization are accelerating the spread of dengue across Bangladesh, making community engagement and preventive measures more urgent than ever.

Government Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Friday afternoon to assess the condition of those injured in the recent earthquake that struck across Bangladesh. Arriving at the hospital’s emergency department around 1:45 p.m., she spoke with patients receiving treatment and inquired about their progress. During her visit, she also met an injured student from Dhaka University and expressed condolences to the family of a child killed in Narsingdi, assuring them of government support. According to hospital authorities, the earthquake has so far left 39 people injured, with two admitted for treatment and one child confirmed dead. Nurjahan Begum emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring prompt medical care and necessary assistance for all victims. Hospital officials briefed her on the ongoing treatment efforts and the overall condition of the patients.

Twelve-year-old Aryan Afif, who suffered severe burns in the Uttara Milestone School and College plane crash in Dhaka, has finally returned home after 122 days of intensive treatment. Admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with 40% burns, Aryan underwent 34 surgeries and spent multiple periods in the ICU, including three days on life support. Doctors initially feared for his survival, but Aryan’s determination and the relentless efforts of medical staff led to his remarkable recovery. On November 20, he was discharged and reunited with his mother, who expressed deep gratitude and emotion. Institute Director Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin described Aryan’s case as one of the most challenging in their careers, emphasizing both physical and psychological healing. The institute will continue to provide follow-up care, while Dr. Uddin urged society to support Aryan’s long-term rehabilitation.

The Bangladesh government has issued the 2025 gazette amending the Organ Transplantation Act, introducing major reforms to curb fraud and illegal trade. The new law expands the definition of donors to include emotional donors—such as spouses, adopted relatives, or long-term friends—alongside biological and cadaveric donors. It mandates strict verification, psychological evaluation, and ethical approval for emotional donations. The amendment also legalizes swap transplants between mismatched donor-recipient pairs under national registry oversight. For the first time, the law defines 'brain death' medically to facilitate cadaveric donations. A national transplant registry will record all donor-recipient data, hospital authorizations, and ethical committee decisions under the Health Ministry’s supervision. Only government-approved hospitals and surgeons can perform transplants, meeting international standards. The law imposes severe penalties for organ trafficking, coercion, or falsification, including license cancellation and up to ten years’ imprisonment. While cadaveric donation remains voluntary, the law encourages it to build a donation culture respecting ethical and religious values.

Speakers at a reception for the newly elected 2025 executive committee of the Bangladesh Midwifery Society (BMS) emphasized that recognizing and empowering midwives can significantly reduce maternal and newborn mortality in Bangladesh. The event, organized by BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health at BRAC University, highlighted the growing acceptance and importance of midwives in maternal and neonatal care. Officials from the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery and UNFPA called for expanding midwifery positions and responsibilities nationwide. BRAC University representatives reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening midwifery education, leadership, and professional standards. The new BMS leadership pledged to promote midwife-led care centers, ensure proper protocols in labor rooms, and improve training and career advancement opportunities. Experts agreed that evidence-based practices, safe working environments, and professional recognition are crucial to transforming Bangladesh’s maternal and newborn health services.