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A team of scientists is developing male contraceptive pills: Here’s what we know so far

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2 years ago

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A team of scientists on Wednesday said that they have developed a male oral contraceptive that was 99% effective in mice without any side effects.

By the end of this year, the drug will enter human trials. With this, scientists could finally rope in men to share some of the burden of birth control – most of which is currently shouldered by women. The research was presented at the American Chemical Society’s spring meeting.

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Male contraceptive pill: A helping hand to women

It’s actually quite uncanny that the first female birth control pill was approved in the 1960s and men still don’t have many birth control options. The most common options for men are wearing condoms or getting vasectomies to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Contraceptive pills for women depend on hormones that effectively disrupt the menstrual cycle. Scientists earlier tried to develop a pill for men that targeted testosterone, the male sex hormone.

However, scientists noted a variety of side effects including weight gain, depression, and increased levels of a cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein that increases risks of heart disease. The pills for women, too, have multiple side effects including the potential for blood clots but often such pills are the only option available to women.

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Non-hormonal pill with no side effects

The new pill for men is non-hormonal and was developed by University of Minnesota graduate student Md Abdullah Al Noman. It targets a a protein called “retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha.” This protein is behind conversion of vitamin A into retinoic acid that plays a key role in growth of cells, sperm formation, and development of embryo.

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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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2 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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