5, May 2026
New Study Finds Low-Dose Eye Drops Successful in Managing Adult Myopia for 24 Hours UH Researchers Say One Drop of Atropine is All it Takes for Beneficial Effects
HOUSTON, May 5 – Groundbreaking research from the University of Houston shows that a single low-dose atropine eye drop can produce daylong effects in managing myopia, or nearsightedness, which affects roughly one-third of U.S. adults.
Professor of Optometry Lisa Ostrin and postdoctoral researcher Barsha Lal are reporting that even one drop in the eye of low-dose atropine (0.01%–0.1%) produces clear changes in pupil size and focusing ability that persist for at least 24 hours. Importantly, they also found that the drop shows no short-term structural effects on the eye, with only temporary changes in blood flow inside the retina.
Ostrin’s latest research is published in the journal Eye and Vision. It adds to a growing body of vision research from David Berntsen, Golden-Golden Professor of Optometry at the University of Houston, who is co-leading a national $25 million NIH-funded clinical trial to delay the development of myopia in children by using the atropine drops.
Low concentration atropine is widely prescribed to slow myopia progression in children, yet its short-term retinal and choroidal effects remain incompletely understood. Ostrin’s new study evaluated short-term effects of a range of low atropine concentrations on the length of the eye, the blood vessels in the retina and the thickness of the retina and choroid, which sits just behind the retina. These are important measurements because longer eye length is associated with myopia and as it gets longer, the retina and choroid are stretched.
“These findings indicate that a single instillation of atropine does not alter axial length or retinal or choroidal thickness over 24 hours but may transiently affect superficial retinal perfusion in a time-dependent manner,” said Ostrin.
In the double-masked, randomized study, twenty healthy adults received a single instillation of either a placebo or atropine in the right eye during five separate sessions. Researchers then checked the eye structure, thickness, and length in the central retina both one-hour and 24-hours later.
“Characterizing these short-term effects is important for a better understanding of the physiological responses to atropine in clinical and research settings,” said Ostrin who previously published research results of a study investigating the short-term effects of a range of low-dose atropine concentrations on the pupils of young adults. In that study, she found similar results with a single drop of atropine inducing significant changes in the pupils.
Together, the studies indicate that atropine induces early functional and vascular effects in the eye, in the absence of structural change.
“By linking objective ocular responses with subjective visual experience, this work advances our understanding of how atropine works and supports more precise, evidence-based, and individualized approaches to myopia management,” said Ostrin.
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- By Neel Achary
5, May 2026
BIS-IIA Delhi Initiative Highlights Role of Standards in MSME Growth
New Delhi, 05 May 2026
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in collaboration with the Indian Industries Association (IIA), Delhi State Chapter, organised a high-impact industry awareness programme today at Crowne Plaza, Rohini, New Delhi, under the joint chairpersonship of Smt. Sneh Lata, Deputy Director General, Central Region, BIS, and Dr. Mamtamayi Priyadarshini, State Chairperson, IIA Delhi. The event drew an overwhelming response, with nearly 200 MSME leaders, manufacturers, exporters and entrepreneurs from Delhi-NCR participating.
The programme commenced with a ceremonial Lamp Lighting Ceremony led by senior dignitaries from BIS, Indian Industries Association, and prominent industry leaders, symbolising a shared commitment towards quality, standards, industrial excellence and nation-building.
Smt. Sneh Lata, Deputy Director General, Central Region, BIS, highlighted the vital role of standardisation in strengthening the economy and ensuring consumer trust. She reaffirmed BIS’s commitment to supporting industries, especially MSMEs, through simplified certification processes, awareness initiatives and technical guidance. She added that standards-driven growth is key to India’s development journey.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mamtamayi Priyadarshini said that quality, certification and compliance are essential for sustainable business growth in today’s competitive economy. She stated that Indian MSMEs have immense potential and, with proper standards adoption, can successfully scale from local markets to global platforms. She urged entrepreneurs to see certification as an investment in credibility and long-term success.
Sh. Ved Prakash, Director & Head, Delhi Branch Office-II, welcomed the participants and reaffirmed BIS’s commitment towards industry partnership, quality awareness and responsive facilitation for enterprises.
Sh. V. Ramesh, Director & Head, Delhi Branch Office-I, stressed that standardisation and compliance help industries reduce inefficiencies, improve product acceptance and strengthen brand confidence.
Sh. Kartick Pal, Assistant Director, BIS, delivered an insightful presentation on the overall functioning, mandate and industry support ecosystem of BIS.
Sh. Aakash Singh, Assistant Director, BIS, gave a practical presentation on the BIS certification process and important digital resources available on the BIS website for applicants and industry stakeholders.
Dr. L.K. Pandey, CEC Member, IIA, emphasised agripreneurship as a strong avenue for employment generation and rural economic growth. He encouraged youth and MSMEs to explore agriculture-linked entrepreneurship for India’s self-reliant future.
Ms. Renuka Aghav, Branch Manager, ECGC Limited, said that ECGC supports exporters through credit risk protection and financial security. She highlighted that MSMEs can expand confidently into global markets with ECGC assistance and risk coverage.
One of the key highlights of the programme was an extensive and highly engaging interactive session with industry participants. A total of 45 questions raised by industry leaders were taken up in detail, along with supplementary queries, reflecting the seriousness and enthusiasm of the participating entrepreneurs. Experts and officials responded comprehensively on issues relating to certification, standards, compliance, export facilitation and operational challenges.
The programme received an overwhelming response with packed attendance and active participation, reflecting growing industry awareness towards quality, market readiness and global competitiveness. It concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration between institutions and industry to build a future-ready, quality-driven industrial ecosystem for India.
Other dignitaries and representatives present included Aditya Raj, Devesh Sharma, Md. Israfil and Rahul from BIS; Mrigendra Kumar, Vice Chairperson; Neeraj Bajaj, Secretary; Rishabh Gupta, IYC Convenor; Convenors Jatin Sharma, CA H K Gupta Narendra Kothari and Sushil Tiwari; and organising committee members including Manish Chawla, Anoop Aggarwal Mohan Nirwan, along with other distinguished members of IIA Delhi and other industry associations of Delhi-NCR.
5, May 2026
St. Charles to Host 31st Annual Mosaics Fine Art Festival
Family-friendly celebration to feature 100+ artists, live music, children’s activities, and more.
(St. Charles, Mo., May 5, 2026) The 31st annual Mosaics Fine Art Festival will take place Fri., Sept. 11 from 4 to 9 p.m., Sat., Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sun., Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free family-friendly event will be held along several blocks of North Main St. in Historic St. Charles, Mo., home to more than 30 restaurants and over 75 shops are located.
The three-day festival will feature over 100 juried artists from more than 15 states exhibiting and selling their original artwork. Media categories include clay, drawing, glass, leather, metal, pastel, oil/acrylic, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, and wood. A total of $5,000 will be presented to the top nine artists.
Children can enjoy hands-on art experiences in the popular Children’s Village where they can create their own make-and-take art masterpieces on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mary Hediger’s Memorial Art Shop for Kids allows children 14 and under the opportunity to purchase professional artwork. Designed to foster art appreciation at an early age, all pieces are donated by participating festival artists and can be purchased for a nominal fee.
Festival entertainment will include live performances throughout the weekend on the H. Robert Pank Memorial Music Stage. Families interested in pet adoption can visit the Artists for Adoption Pet Pavilion, located at the north end of the festival, to meet animals from Stray Paws Adoptables.
The nonprofit Mosaics Fine Art Festival highlights local and regional artists while inspiring community engagement with the arts. The festival features a vibrant mix of emerging, mid-career, and established artists across all media. For more information, call (314) 406-2067 or visit http://www.
4, May 2026
ten23 Health, West Partner for Synchrony™ S1 Syringe Manufacturing Readiness
ten23 health and West collaborate to ensure manufacturing readiness for West Synchrony™ S1 Prefillable Syringe System filling
Basel, Switzerland. May 4th, 2026 — ten23 health®, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in sterile fill-finish and advanced drug delivery systems, today announced that it has already successfully tested and ran the newly launched West Synchrony™ S1 prefillable syringe (PFS) system on its manufacturing equipment. The announcement follows West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.’s global commercial availability of the West Synchrony S1 PFS system, an innovative platform that uniquely integrates the syringe barrel, plunger, and needle shield/tip cap into a fully harmonized, verified system from a single supplier.
By evaluating the container system early on its fill-finish lines, ten23 health enables biopharma customers to rapidly adopt the West Synchrony S1 PFS system for clinical and early commercial programs, reducing technical risk and accelerating development timelines.
“Having already implemented and tested the West Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe system on our equipment, we are well positioned to support our partners with operational readiness,” said Hanns-Christian Mahler, Chief Enablement Officer, ten23 health. “Early hands-on experience with new container systems is critical for de-risking development, particularly as combination products and home-based administration continue to grow.”
The West Synchrony S1 PFS system offers a broad portfolio of configurations for biologics and vaccines, including staked needle and Luer lock options, along with high-performance NovaPure® and FluroTec™ film laminated plunger components. ten23 health’s early evaluation focused on manufacturability, compatibility, and process robustness under representative fill-finish conditions.
As drug developers face increasing regulatory and technical complexity, early alignment between container systems and manufacturing processes has become essential. ten23 health’s proactive early adoption and testing approach allows clients to transition seamlessly from development into clinical supply using commercially available, validated delivery platforms and add to ten23’s toolbox for available container and delivery options for its customers.
ten23 health will co-host an event together with West today (May 4th) at its Basel premises, showcasing the filling of the Synchrony syringes on its pilot filling line.
4, May 2026
Dr. Bhargav Mallappa Celebrates Thalapathy Vijay’s Historic Breakthrough
Chennai, May 4, 2026
In the wake of a sweeping electoral victory by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, social entrepreneur & National Chairman and Founder of Akhilia Sevak Samaj Council, Dr. Bhargav Mallappa, extended his congratulations, calling the mandate a reflection of “aspiration-led politics and a decisive public shift.”
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in over 100 seats in the 234-member Assembly, marking a significant break from the long-standing DMK-AIADMK duopoly. The results indicate a strong voter endorsement of a new political narrative centred on governance reform and youth engagement.
Reacting to the outcome, Mallappa said the verdict goes beyond a routine change of government. “This is a mandate for accountability and forward-looking leadership. It shows that people are willing to place trust in new ideas when they are backed by credibility and connect,” he noted.
Known for his work at the intersection of social impact and grassroots innovation, Mallappa emphasised the opportunity ahead for inclusive growth. He highlighted that the incoming leadership would need to prioritise employment generation, digital access, and community-driven development to sustain public confidence.
He also underlined the importance of institutional continuity, adding that electoral success must translate into measurable governance outcomes. “The real test begins now, how effectively this mandate is converted into policy action that benefits the last mile,” he said.
The 2026 result is being viewed as a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics, with Vijay’s rise signalling the arrival of a new political axis. Stakeholders across sectors, including civil society voices like Mallappa, have expressed cautious optimism about the state’s next phase of governance.
4, May 2026
Vijay Hailed as ‘Jana Nayagan’ as TVK Leads; Celebrities Applaud Historic Surge!
Chennai,May 4 (BNP): Actor-turned-politician Vijay is being hailed as ‘Jana Nayagan’ (People’s Leader) as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, takes a commanding lead in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in over 100 of the state’s 234 seats as counting trends continue.
The strong electoral showing has triggered a wave of congratulatory messages from across the film industry. Prominent actors including Vikram, Vijay Deverakonda, Nani, Ravi Teja and Kajal Aggarwal took to social media to praise Vijay’s remarkable political debut.
Highlighting the underdog narrative behind Vijay’s rise, Nani lauded the development as a powerful moment in politics. In his message, he noted that Vijay’s journey—from being doubted to gaining widespread public support—resonates strongly with voters and reflects a clear mandate for change in the state.
The outpouring of support from the film fraternity underscores Vijay’s widespread appeal beyond cinema and his growing influence in the political arena. Analysts believe that such endorsements reflect a broader cultural shift, with new-age leadership gaining traction among younger and aspirational voters.
As trends continue to unfold, Vijay’s performance is being seen as a potential turning point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, challenging long-standing power structures and redefining electoral dynamics in the state.
Further updates are awaited as counting progresses.
4, May 2026
PM Modi to Address BJP Workers as NDA Gains Ground in Assam, West Bengal!
New Delhi, may 4 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address party workers at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in the national capital, as the National Democratic Alliance registers a strong surge in the Assembly election trends in Assam and West Bengal.
Early counting trends indicate a significant lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, positioning the NDA for a robust performance in both states. The developments have sparked celebrations among party workers, with preparations underway at the BJP headquarters for the Prime Minister’s address.
Sources within the party said Modi is expected to thank voters and party workers for their support, while outlining the alliance’s vision for governance and development in the states.
The surge in Assam and West Bengal is being viewed as a major political gain for the NDA, potentially reshaping the regional political landscape and strengthening the BJP’s footprint in eastern India.
Further updates are awaited as counting progresses and results are officially declared.
4, May 2026
End of an Era: CM M.K. Stalin Loses Kolathur Stronghold to TVK Newcomer V.S. Babu!
Chennai,May 4 (BNP): In a landmark political upset, M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has lost his long-held Kolathur seat to first-time candidate V.S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
The unexpected defeat marks a significant turning point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, bringing an end to Stalin’s dominance in Kolathur, a constituency widely regarded as a DMK stronghold for years. The result underscores a shifting voter sentiment and the emergence of new political forces in the state.
V.S. Babu’s victory highlights the rapid rise of TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, which has made a strong impact in its electoral debut. The outcome is being viewed by political observers as a clear signal of evolving electoral dynamics and growing public appetite for change.
The development is likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of Dravidian politics, potentially reshaping traditional power structures in the state.
Further details are awaited as counting concludes and final results are officially declared.
4, May 2026
P.C. Chandra Group Confers 33rd Puraskaar on Javed Akhtar
P.C. Chandra Group, the parent company of P.C. Chandra Jewellers, conferred the 33rd P.C. Chandra Puraskaar upon Shri Javed Akhtar, The poetic luminary of the Indian literary world
Kolkata, 3rd May 2026: P.C. Chandra Group, an 85 plus-year legacy and one of the leading business houses from the East, with its esteemed luxury jewellery brand P.C. Chandra Jewellers, conferred the prestigious 33rd P.C. Chandra Puraskaar upon the legendary wordsmith Shri Javed Akhtar at a grand ceremony in Kolkata. Instituted by the P.C. Chandra Group, this award recognizes exceptional achievements across diverse fields, honouring the legacy of its visionary founder, Shri Purna Chandra Chandra.
The Puraskaar, carrying a tax-free honorarium of ₹20 lakhs, is among the most respected honours and is awarded annually on the founder Shri. Purna Chandra Chandra‘s birth anniversary. Since its inception in 1993, it has celebrated national icons, including Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi Ji, veteran singer Smt Asha Bhosle, Dr. Devi Shetty, Shri Kapil Dev, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Smt Mary Kom, and Shri Somanath S, Shri Leader Peas among others.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Suvro Chandra, Joint Managing Director of P.C. Chandra Jewellers, said, “Today, we honour Shri Javed Akhtar with the 33rd PC Chandra Puraskaar — a recognition that celebrates excellence, legacy, and enduring impact. Through his words as a poet, lyricist, and screenwriter, he has shaped generations and enriched Indian cinema and literature.”
He also added, “Much like the ethos of PC Chandra Group — celebrating stories, milestones, and moments that last — his work continues to inspire, resonate, and live on through time. We feel privileged to honour him. ”
The evening was also graced by the presence of Chief Guest Shri Goutam Ghosh, the renowned national award winning film director along with Shri Arun Kumar Chandra, Managing Director of P.C. Chandra Group; Mr. Suvro Chandra, Joint Managing Director of P.C. Chandra Jewellers; and Mr. Prosenjit Chandra, Director of P.C. Chandra Jewellers.
P.C. Chandra Group is a leading business conglomerate from East India, with a legacy of 85 plus years of trust and customer loyalty in jewellery through P.C. Chandra Jewellers, having over 75 plus showrooms across India. The Group has diversified into various sectors, including adhesives, chemicals, hospitality, software, environmental initiatives, real estate, rubber plantations, and rental services. With a strong reputation and trust among global consumers and prestigious clients, P.C. Chandra Group is a socially responsible corporation committed to numerous CSR initiatives. These include the J.L. Chandra Merit Scholarship, J.N. Chandra Anuprerna, Gyandhara, Neem Banani, and #StopTheDrop, focusing on education, environment, and community development.
4, May 2026
NSE Highlights Market Strength, Unveils PaRRVA and EGR Initiatives
Mumbai, May 4 (BNP): The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has highlighted the resilience of India’s capital markets while announcing the launch of two new initiatives—PaRRVA and EGR—aimed at improving transparency and expanding market participation.
Speaking at the event, NSE leadership said India’s financial markets have shown strong stability despite global uncertainties, reflecting investor confidence and structural strength.
A key highlight of the development is the rollout of PaRRVA (Past Risk and Return Verification Agency), a framework designed to validate performance claims made by market intermediaries. The system is expected to improve transparency by ensuring that historical performance data shared with investors is independently verified.
The initiative has been developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders and is aimed at strengthening trust and improving the quality of disclosures in the financial ecosystem.
Alongside PaRRVA, the exchange also introduced the EGR (Electronic Gold Receipts) segment, which is designed to modernise gold trading and improve ease of access for investors.
Officials said these initiatives are part of broader efforts to deepen India’s capital markets, enhance investor protection, and build a more transparent and efficient trading ecosystem.
