A four-month-old boy in New Delhi underwent a rare minimally invasive lung-sparing surgery. Surgeons removed only the affected areas of the lung, which suffered from a congenital anomaly affecting both lungs. The child recovered without complications and was discharged two days after the procedure.
Medical staff reported that the operation was aimed exclusively at the affected part of the right lung. Since the congenital anomaly also affected the left lung, the child will undergo a second operation in the coming months after further growth and recovery.
Before the baby's birth, Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM) was diagnosed—a rare condition where part of the lung develops abnormally, forming cystic tissue that does not function normally. Although CPAM usually affects only one lung, this child's condition was complicated by involvement of both lungs, which significantly complicated the treatment.
Instead of the standard approach, which would have involved removing an entire lobe of the lung and could have substantially reduced healthy lung tissue and affected long-term function, the surgical team opted for a much more complex lung-sparing segmentectomy. Only the diseased part of the right lung was removed.
The operation involved excising two segments (9 and 10) of the lower lobe of the right lung. These segments are considered among the most technically challenging because the blood vessels and airways are located deep within the lung tissue.
Dr. Sandeep Agarwal, head of the Pediatric Surgery Department at AIIMS, New Delhi, noted that 'both segments are among the most difficult to remove throughout the lung because their vessels and airways are buried deep in the tissue. Performing this procedure safely via minimally invasive surgery on a four-month-old infant is a significant technical achievement.'
The operation was led by Professor Vishesh Jain from the Pediatric Surgery Department. A crucial part of the procedure was selective lung ventilation, during which anesthesiologists temporarily ventilated one lung while surgeons worked on the other. This technique is particularly difficult when working with infants due to their tiny airways, and it was performed by Dr. Abhishek from the Anesthesiology Department. The operation concluded without complications, allowing the infant to be discharged after only 48 hours.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new global guidelines stating that up to 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or slowed down by eliminating several risk factors. These factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, insufficient physical activity, and, for the first time, air pollution.
The updated guidelines, which represent the first major revision since 2019, reflect a growing scientific understanding that lifestyle, management of chronic diseases, and environmental exposure can significantly affect brain health. The inclusion of air pollution is an important addition to the WHO's guidance on dementia prevention, as evidence accumulates linking prolonged exposure to polluted air with reduced cognitive function.
Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that impairs memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily tasks. Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 60–70% of all dementia cases. Although there is currently no cure for this disease, the WHO asserts that a significant portion of the risk can be reduced through a healthier lifestyle and improved management of chronic illnesses.
These recommendations are particularly relevant for India, where the burden of dementia is expected to rise as the population ages. A national study published in the peer-reviewed journal Alzheimer's & Dementia showed that about 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and over suffer from dementia, based on a prevalence of 7.4% among the elderly. The WHO's guidance on air pollution is supported by a growing body of data. The 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment identified air pollution as one of 14 modifiable risk factors that, combined, could account for up to 45% of dementia cases. Furthermore, a 2024 study in BMJ Public Health found both external and internal air pollution to be significant risk factors for dementia in the Indian population.
Globally, over 57 million people live with dementia, and nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed annually. Recommendations include regular physical activity, quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet, staying socially active and cognitively stimulated, and effectively managing high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Using hearing aids may also help reduce dementia risk if clinically indicated.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: 'Today we know more about what causes dementia risk than ever before, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into practical action.' He added that countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations that can be immediately applied to protect people's cognitive health.
WHO also cautions against the routine use of Vitamin B or E, omega-3 fatty acids, or multivitamin-mineral supplements to prevent dementia in individuals without a diagnosed deficiency, citing insufficient evidence of benefit. Dementia also creates a significant economic burden: WHO estimates that the disease costs the global economy approximately $1.3 trillion annually, with about half of that burden borne by family and friends in the form of unpaid care.
With the advancement of age, the immune system decreases its response capacity, making vaccine updates a crucial strategy to prevent serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and deterioration of quality of life. After turning 60, the body undergoes natural changes that compromise the functioning of organic defense, facilitating infections and their consequences.
This phenomenon is called immunosenescence, characterized by the progressive reduction of the organism's defensive capacity. According to Dr. Alfredo Gilio, coordinator of the Immunization Clinic at Einstein Israelite Hospital, just as muscle strength is lost, the immune system ages, increasing susceptibility to infections and decreasing the effectiveness of the body's response to them.
Dr. Isabela Ballalai, director of the Brazilian Society of Immunization (SBIm), emphasizes that vaccines help the body produce antibodies, offering protection upon contact with infectious agents.
In addition to immunosenescence, many elderly people deal with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems, factors that intensify the danger of complications. Gilio points out that the flu in a young, healthy adult differs significantly from the flu in someone over 60, since the risk of pneumonia, need for hospitalization, and even death is higher.
Among immunizers, the influenza vaccine is the main suggestion for this group, especially during months of higher circulation of respiratory viruses. This annual application is part of the national immunization schedule established by the Ministry of Health. Pneumococcal vaccines aim to prevent pneumonias caused by pneumococcus and are relevant in this age group. However, in the public network, this immunizer is only accessible to bedridden elderly or residents of long-term care institutions.
COVID-19 vaccination remains recommended for those over 60 and is available only through the Unified Health System (SUS). Alfredo Gilio highlights that a large portion of COVID deaths and severe cases concentrates in this population, justifying the importance of boosters every six months.
Within the SUS framework, the National Technical Vaccination Schedule for the Elderly covers immunization against hepatitis B, and, in specific situations, double bacterial vaccines (tetanus and diphtheria), yellow fever, triple viral (measles, mumps, and rubella), and varicella. For those with access to the private sector, vaccination against herpes zoster, a painful disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), responsible for severe respiratory infections in the elderly, is recommended.
Although children present the highest volume of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases, individuals over 65 years old register the highest mortality rate, predominantly due to influenza A. Reports from the Infogripe Bulletin, from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), dated July 2, indicate an increase in SARS cases among the elderly in the cities of Belém, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Manaus, and Rio de Janeiro.
The outlook is worsened by low vaccination coverage rates: according to the Ministry of Health's Influenza Vaccination Strategy panel, immunization of the elderly over 60 did not reach 50% in the 2026 campaign.
Several factors contribute to this reality. A doctor from Einstein mentions the persistent belief that vaccines are an exclusive topic for children, ignoring that immunization is part of healthcare in adulthood and aging. Ballalai adds that many people over 60 are unaware of the existence of a specific vaccination schedule for this age group, as they grew up without vaccines directed at adults. She stresses that it is vital for health professionals to review the vaccination history in every consultation.
Low risk perception is also an obstacle, as, according to the SBIm director, it is difficult to seek prevention when the disease ceases to be seen by people. However, Alfredo Gilio concludes that it is never too late to update the vaccination record, as preventing diseases through immunization is a way to preserve autonomy, quality of life, and promote healthier aging.
The Otter device, developed by the non-profit organization Design that Matters in collaboration with Vietnamese medical equipment manufacturer MTTS, is designed to prevent hypothermia in newborns in hospitals with limited resources.
The creation of Otter took eight years and was the result of collaboration with neonatologists, infection control specialists, and frontline healthcare workers in Africa and Southeast Asia. The project aimed to address one of the primary causes of newborn mortality—hypothermia.
Unlike standard incubators that circulate heated air, Otter uses conductive heating. This reduces energy consumption while providing stable thermal impact through direct contact. The device's casing is made of seamless polycarbonate, making it durable and easy to disinfect, and its appearance resembles a crib, allowing medical staff free access to the child during treatment.
The intuitive touchscreen minimizes the need for extensive staff training. Furthermore, the built-in battery ensures the heater operates even during power outages or transportation. Every aspect of the product reflects a deep understanding of the usage context, which is a result of meticulous refinement.
The team's philosophy is that medical equipment should be 'difficult to use incorrectly,' and Otter's design adheres to this principle, being both effective and intuitive. The project recently received awards, including the Core77 Social Impact Award in 2026 and the Autodesk Fusion Prize for its unique combination of engineering solutions, human-centered design, and manufacturing innovation. Otter is affordable, easy to clean, simple to operate, and sufficiently resilient to unreliable electricity without compromising clinical outcomes.
