Medical Bulletin 17/April/2026

Here are the top medical news for today:

NIMHANS Study Finds Yoga May Help Reduce Gaming Addiction and Improve Control

What if the solution to gaming addiction isn’t switching off the Wi-Fi—but helping the mind switch off?

A new study from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) suggests that structured yoga could be an effective way to tackle internet gaming disorder (IGD) among adolescents—a growing concern in today’s hyper-connected world.

Internet gaming disorder is marked by an uncontrollable urge to game, often at the cost of academic performance, relationships, and mental well-being. In this study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, researchers worked with 120 adolescents aged 14–15 who showed symptoms of gaming addiction. Participants were split into two groups: one underwent a structured yoga program with 24 sessions over eight weeks, while the other engaged in conventional recreational activities like sports and crafts.

The results were striking. Teenagers in the yoga group showed significantly greater improvements across multiple psychological measures, including reduced gaming dependence, better quality of life, improved focus, and lower levels of loneliness and mind-wandering.

Researchers explain that gaming addiction activates the body’s stress response—keeping it in a constant “fight-or-flight” mode, similar to substance dependence. Over time, this can escalate from stress to anxiety and even depression. Yoga, by contrast, works in the opposite direction—calming the nervous system and restoring balance.

The intervention was thoughtfully designed to address both physical and mental strain caused by prolonged gaming. It began with simple exercises targeting the wrists, fingers, neck, and eyes, and progressed to postures like Surya Namaskar, Veerabhadrasana, and Vrikshasana to rebuild concentration and stability.

With Internet gaming disorder affecting up to 10% of adolescents globally—and even higher rates among boys—this study highlights yoga as a promising complementary approach alongside therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy. The takeaway: managing gaming addiction may require more than restrictions—it may need restoration of balance from within.

REFERENCE: Rao NS, Bhat R and Sharma MK (2026) Effect of an eight-week yoga program on adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder in an Indian school setting: a randomized controlled trial. Front. Public Health 14:1750580. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1750580

Study Explores Simple Way to Predict Breast Cancer Using Images and Genes

What if your genes and your mammogram could team up to predict your breast cancer risk more accurately?

A new study, published in British Journal of Cancer, suggests that combining artificial intelligence with genetic information could make breast cancer prediction smarter and more personalized. Researchers looked at a deep learning model called Mirai, which analyzes mammogram images to estimate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer within the next five years.

Traditionally, doctors rely on tools like the Gail Model, which uses factors such as age, family history, and reproductive history. But these methods don’t always capture the full picture.

In this study, scientists added something new: a polygenic risk score (PRS). In simple terms, this is a number based on many small genetic changes in your DNA that together influence your cancer risk. Think of it like adding up tiny risk signals from your genes.

The study included over 900 women. Researchers compared how well the AI model worked on its own versus when it was combined with genetic data. The results showed a clear improvement. The AI model alone had moderate accuracy, but when combined with PRS, it became better at identifying who was more likely to develop breast cancer.

Even the traditional Gail model improved significantly when genetic information was added—but the AI + genetics combination still performed the best overall.

What does this mean in real life? Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, doctors could soon offer more personalized screening plans. Women at higher risk might be monitored more closely or start screening earlier, while those at lower risk might avoid unnecessary tests.

It’s important to note that this approach is still being studied and is not yet standard practice everywhere. But it shows a promising future where your scan and your genes work together—helping detect risk earlier and potentially saving lives through smarter prevention.

REFERENCE: Azam, S., Lamb, L.R., Eliassen, A.H. et al. Performance of an image-only deep learning breast cancer risk model with the addition of a polygenic risk score. Br J Cancer (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-026-03415-z

Ultra-Processed Food Intake Associated with Decline in Muscle Quality, Study Finds

What if junk food isn’t just adding fat to your waist—but also silently weakening your muscles?

A new study published in Radiology suggests that diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be linked to poorer muscle quality, particularly in people at risk of knee osteoarthritis. These findings highlight a lesser-known effect of diet—how it may influence not just body weight, but the health of muscles themselves.

Researchers analyzed MRI scans of 615 adults and found that those who consumed more UPFs had greater fat infiltration in their thigh muscles. In simple terms, healthy muscle tissue was increasingly replaced by fat—a change that can reduce strength and physical function over time. This association remained significant even after accounting for body mass index (BMI), and became even stronger when abdominal fat (waist size) was considered.

UPFs include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant meals, and processed meats—foods typically high in salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives. These foods often replace more nutritious options, leading to lower intake of protein and essential nutrients that muscles need to stay strong and functional.

The study focused on individuals already at risk of knee osteoarthritis, a condition where joint damage can be worsened by weak muscles and excess body fat. Interestingly, the link between UPF intake and muscle fat was consistent across both men and women, and followed a clear pattern: the more UPFs in the diet, the higher the fat infiltration in muscles.

One key takeaway is that where fat is stored in the body matters. Central obesity—fat around the abdomen—appeared to play a stronger role than overall weight, suggesting that diet quality and fat distribution together may impact muscle health.

Improving diet quality—by reducing ultra-processed foods and focusing on whole, nutrient-rich options—could be a simple yet powerful step toward protecting both muscle and joint health over time.

REFERENCE: Akkaya, Z. et al. (2026). Ultra-processed Foods and Muscle Fat Infiltration at Thigh MRI: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Radiology, 319(1). DOI: 10.1148/radiol.251129, https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.251129