19, Jun 2026
Fish Oil Supplements May Not Prevent Alzheimer’s-Related Decline
LOS ANGELES: Americans spend more than $1 billion annually on fish oil supplements, in part due to purported cognitive benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids they contain, essential nutrients that help form brain cell connections needed for cognition.
However, a new Keck Medicine of USCstudy published today in eBioMedicine suggests that increasing omega-3 levels via supplements has little effect on brain health despite showing evidence that the nutrients directly reach the brain.
The two-year, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of older adults with an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s showed that high doses of omega-3s did not improve memory, cognitive function or brain cell loss in areas of the brain related to Alzheimer’s.
“We all wish there was a silver bullet for preventing Alzheimer’s, but our findings showed that fish oil supplements do not appear to protect brain health,” said Hussein Naji Yassine, MD, director of the USC Center for Personalized Brain Health and lead investigator of the study. “While omega-3s play an important role in forming brain cell connections needed for cognition, our results do not support fish oil supplements as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s.”
How the study was conducted
Researchers recruited 365 adults, ages 55 to 80 who rarely ate fish, which is rich in omega-3s, and who study authors considered at risk for Alzheimer’s. About half (47%) carried an APOE4 gene, the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s. Participants were randomly chosen to receive either daily fish oil supplements or a placebo. The supplements contained 2,000 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a key omega-3 involved in brain function.
Researchers were first interested to learn whether the omega-3 in the supplement was able to reach the brain.
They measured DHA levels in cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain, and found an average 17% increase of DHA levels in patients’ brains after six months, confirming the omega-3 reached its intended target.
Next, researchers tested participants’ memory and cognitive abilities at the beginning of the study and again two years later. Study participants who took DHA supplements did no better on the tests than those who took a placebo. Brain scans also showed that supplements did not prevent shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory that is often used as a marker of brain aging and Alzheimer’s risk.
Looking beyond supplements
Now, Yassine and his team are focused on solving why omega-3 supplements can reach the brain but not affect brain health. Based on their previous research, they believe omega-3s may work better as a part of a Mediterranean-style diet, which is naturally rich in omega-3s and linked with lower Alzheimer’s risk, than in a standalone supplement.
“We’re focused on better understanding how the brain processes omega-3s and whether factors, such as poor health, dietary pattern, genetic risk and age, may change the brain’s ability to effectively absorb and use omega-3s,” said Yassine. “We are working to develop medications that may help the brain better utilize these nutrients to preserve cognitive function.”
Holistic lifestyle remains the best prevention
While out of scope of the study, the researchers stress that overall healthy living — rather than relying on fish oil supplements alone —is the best way to protect brain health.
“Staying healthy throughout life remains the most powerful tool we have for reducing Alzheimer’s risk, including regular exercise, quality sleep and a balanced diet,” said Yassine. “Living a healthy lifestyle is the brain’s equivalent of getting regular car maintenance and high-quality oil changes. The brain is more likely to lose greater function if health issues in other parts of the body go unaddressed, in the same way that car engines stop working if regular maintenance is skipped.”
Other USC authors for the study include Lina D’Orazio, PhD, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychology specialist with Keck Medicine; Lon Schneider, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC; Michael Harrington, MD, a professor of research neurology at the Keck School; and Meredith Braskie, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology at the Keck School.
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- By Neel Achary
19, Jun 2026
Sambhav Launches First-Ever Sustainability E-Book for Students After Odisha Olympiad Success
Bhubaneswar, June 19: In a pioneering step to promote environmental awareness among schoolchildren, Sambhav has launched a first-of-its-kind E-book on Survival and Sustainability following the successful completion of Odisha’s inaugural Olympiad on Survival and Sustainability in Bhubaneswar.
The Olympiad was held at DAV Public School, Unit-8 Campus, and saw enthusiastic participation from 147 students representing both Odia- and English-medium schools from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The event highlighted growing interest among young learners in environmental issues and sustainable living practices.
As a key outcome of the initiative, Sambhav introduced an interactive digital learning resource titled the “Info-Action Picture Book.” Available in both Odia and English, the E-book is designed to go beyond traditional learning formats by integrating concepts, practical insights, and activity-based guidance. It aims to encourage critical thinking, environmental awareness, and reduced screen dependency through experiential learning approaches.
Students who emerged as winners of the Olympiad were felicitated with certificates and trophies during the 5th Memorial Programme of Padma Professor Radhamohan. In addition, each winner will receive an Experiential Learning Fellowship of ₹10,000, enabling hands-on exposure to nature-based learning and sustainability practices.
Speaking on the occasion, noted environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Sabarmatee said the initiative is intended to inspire children to become active environmental stewards rather than passive learners. She emphasized the importance of nurturing young minds that can think critically, act responsibly, and contribute to environmental protection.
The E-book will be distributed across schools in Odisha to support environmental education and help students develop a deeper understanding of ecology and sustainability. Volunteers Tushar and Prapti, who were instrumental in the initiative, noted that the project aims to bridge classroom learning with real-world environmental action.
Through this initiative, Sambhav hopes to nurture a generation of environmentally conscious students equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to address future sustainability challenges.
19, Jun 2026
Bharat Buildcon 2026 Inaugurated to Boost Construction Sector
New Delhi, June 19: The government on Thursday inaugurated Bharat Buildcon 2026, a major industry platform aimed at deepening engagement and collaboration among builders, developers, and key stakeholders in the construction and infrastructure sector.
The initiative seeks to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and promote best practices in construction and urban development. Officials said the platform will help accelerate knowledge sharing and strengthen coordination within the rapidly growing infrastructure ecosystem.
Bharat Buildcon 2026 is expected to focus on modern construction techniques, sustainable building practices, smart infrastructure solutions, and innovation-driven growth in the real estate and construction sectors. The event will also highlight opportunities for investment and partnership across housing, commercial development, and infrastructure projects.
Government representatives emphasized that the construction sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth, generating employment, and supporting urban transformation. Strengthening industry interaction is expected to improve project efficiency, reduce delays, and enhance overall quality standards.
From an economic perspective, increased collaboration within the construction ecosystem is likely to boost capital formation, stimulate demand across allied industries such as cement, steel, logistics, and engineering, and contribute to broader infrastructure-led growth.
The government reiterated its commitment to fostering a transparent, efficient, and innovation-friendly environment for the construction sector, aligning with its vision of modern and sustainable urban development.
19, Jun 2026
Amit Shah Reviews Steps to Strengthen Cooperative Banks and Boost Exports
New Delhi, June 19: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday reviewed a set of ongoing measures aimed at strengthening the cooperative banking sector and enhancing India’s export competitiveness.
Pic Credit: https://x.com/AmitShah
The review focused on improving the financial stability, governance, and operational efficiency of cooperative banks, which play a key role in providing credit support at the grassroots level, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. Discussions also highlighted the need to deepen financial inclusion and expand the reach of cooperative institutions.
Alongside this, the meeting assessed strategies to boost exports by improving global competitiveness, supporting diversification of export products, and ensuring better institutional coordination for trade promotion. Emphasis was placed on enabling stronger linkages between financial institutions and export-oriented industries.
Officials noted that modernising the cooperative sector is essential to strengthening rural credit systems and supporting economic activity at the grassroots level. The Minister underlined the importance of ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability within cooperative banking institutions.
The review forms part of the government’s broader effort to reinforce the cooperative sector as a pillar of inclusive growth while simultaneously advancing India’s export-led economic expansion.
19, Jun 2026
Barracuda Unveils Integrated Email Protection – An Evolution in Email Security Delivering Cyber Resilience Made Easy for the Agentic AI Era
India, June 19 : Barracuda Networks, Inc., the cyber resilience platform leader making security easy for all size business, unveiled Barracuda Integrated Email Protection, an Integrated Cloud Email Security solution delivering high-efficacy protection against evolving AI-driven threats. Powered by AI, the solution continuously and autonomously detects and remediates threats across the full attack lifecycle, clearly explains Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace verdicts and enables rapid post-delivery message clawback. Built on BarracudaONE® platform telemetry across domains – including email, identity, network, data, and applications – and designed for single and multi-tenant environments, it also enables MSPs to quickly identify, investigate and eliminate risk, simplifying operations, strengthening resilience and accelerating growth.
“Email is no longer a human-centric communication platform; it’s an operational fabric where humans and AI interact, making it a much bigger target and amplifying the speed, scale and impact of attacks when threats go undetected,” said Rohit Ghai, Chief Executive Officer at Barracuda. “In the agentic AI era, effective security requires a platform approach that delivers continuous visibility and response across the full attack lifecycle. Barracuda Integrated Email Protection is fundamentally different because it correlates cross-domain signals in real time and turns them into automated, explainable action partners and customers can trust and control. The result is measurable, high-efficacy protection that stops threats as they evolve and makes cyber resilience dramatically easier.”
Barracuda Research Exposes the Speed and Scale of Modern Email Attacks
New findings released today by Barracuda Research highlight how quickly modern email attacks escalate. A single phishing email progressed to identity theft, multifactor authentication bypass and endpoint compromise in minutes, demonstrating the speed at which attacks move beyond the inbox. These results come from the Barracuda Red Team’s end-to-end recreation of a multi-stage AI-powered attack.
One in seven compromised accounts is now used to launch additional attacks – a figure expected to rise with AI-driven threat automation – fueling lateral movement and expanding risk across identities, systems and data. As threats evolve after delivery and at machine speed, organizations face increasing pressure to understand risk, detect threats and respond in real time.
Modern AI–Powered Security for Today’s Evolving Threats
As email evolves into a high-value data and orchestration layer in the agentic AI era, traditional point-in-time security approaches can no longer keep pace. Barracuda Integrated Email Protection meets this shift with continuous, autonomous full attack lifecycle protection that leverages cross-domain signals to detect, re-evaluate and eliminate threats as they evolve – stopping attacks that emerge or activate long after message delivery. As part of the BarracudaONE platform, the solution also integrates natively with Barracuda Managed XDR and data protection offerings, providing unified visibility, coordinated response and 360-degree resilience across the broader attack surface.
Barracuda’s Bailey™ AI assistant enhances this approach by providing clear, plain-language explanations for every decision and enabling teams to easily review or reverse actions. This gives teams visibility and control to manage every automated action – differentiating Barracuda from opaque, black-box ICES solutions.
Barracuda pairs autonomous remediation agents with rich, cross-domain telemetry – including threat intelligence, URL activity and BarracudaONE signals – giving agents the context needed to detect and respond to sophisticated, multi-stage attacks. These advanced AI agents deliver breakthrough capabilities that secure evolving email workflows and provide continuous protection against fast-moving, AI-driven threats. New capabilities include:
●Agentic threat investigation and response: AI agents triage threat activity, correlate signals across environments and execute real-time clawback with tenant-wide remediation as threats evolve, eliminating hours of manual cleanup.
●Agentic AI explainability: Bailey unifies Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Barracuda verdicts in one conversational interface and clearly explains how decisions differ across vendor.
●Unified quarantine: Consolidates Microsoft-quarantined emails into Barracuda for faster, safer decisions with automatic rescanning before release.
●Integrated value reporting: Quantifies threats stopped before, during and after delivery, demonstrating measurable protection effectiveness.
Powered by the Barracuda IQ engine and enriched by one of the largest threat intelligence datasets in the industry, spanning hundreds of threat feeds, Barracuda delivers high-efficacy detection by continuously learning from real-world data across hundreds of thousands of customer environments. As part of this intelligence, Barracuda analyzes approximately 1.5 billion URLs each day, proactively identifying threats before users click and strengthening detection accuracy over time.
Barracuda Integrated Email Protection strengthens Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace with full attack lifecycle protection. It easily deploys in minutes via an API-based architecture with no Mail Exchange record changes, mail-flow disruption or manual configuration, delivering immediate, full-lifecycle protection with minimal operational overhead.
Mr. Parag Khurana, Country Manager, India at Barracuda Networks said
“AI‑driven cyberattacks in India are moving faster than many security stacks can respond. Threat actors can now move from a personalised phishing lure to full account and endpoint compromise within minutes, often bypassing the legacy controls many organisations still rely on.
For CISOs and CIOs, the shift is clear: identity‑driven attacks are too fast for traditional point‑in‑time defences. Security architectures must move from static trust to ongoing behavioural validation. AI‑powered phishing will only become more personalised and harder to detect, and some messages will inevitably reach users. The priority must move to continuous, real‑time detection across email, identity and endpoints with the ability to contain compromised accounts at machine speed.”
Strong Market Response
“Barracuda Email Protection gives us genuine peace of mind in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. It goes beyond stopping attacks at delivery – proactively identifying and removing threats wherever and whenever they appear,” said Scott Harris, Chief Information Officer at TriRx Pharmaceuticals. “These new capabilities set a new standard for modern email security and give us confidence that we’re protected as threats continue to evolve. It’s a true game-changer for safeguarding our people and maintaining resilient operations.”
“Barracuda Integrated Email Protection will bring meaningful efficiency to how we manage email security,” said Ignace Quaghebeur, ICT Manager at Braem NV. “The new single-pane quarantine view lets us easily see and control both Barracuda and Microsoft Defender quarantines in one place, enabling us to strengthen our Microsoft security posture without maintaining two separate systems. It adds a smart, streamlined layer to our workflow that will further reduce operational overhead, improve oversight and support a more consistent, future-ready security posture across our environment.”
19, Jun 2026
Kolkata Metro to Begin Early Morning Services on June 21 for Yoga Day and NEET-UG
Kolkata, June 19: In a passenger-friendly move, Kolkata Metro Railway will commence services from 4:00 a.m. on June 21 to facilitate commuters on the occasion of International Yoga Day and the NEET-UG examination.
The early start has been planned to ensure smooth and timely travel for students appearing for the national medical entrance examination, as well as participants attending Yoga Day events across the city. Officials said the decision aims to reduce travel stress and provide convenient connectivity during peak early morning hours.
Metro authorities have advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance and make use of the additional services being introduced for the day. Security and operational arrangements will be strengthened to manage the expected rise in early morning footfall.
The special schedule reflects Kolkata Metro’s continued focus on passenger convenience, particularly during important national events and examinations, ensuring reliable and efficient urban transport for the city’s commuters.
19, Jun 2026
Strong Growth in Direct Taxes: Up 14.6 pc to INR 5.21 Lakh Crore
New Delhi, June 19: India’s net direct tax collections have registered a robust growth of 14.6 per cent, reaching ₹5.21 lakh crore in the current financial period, signaling sustained economic momentum and improved compliance across taxpayer segments.
The rise in collections has been supported by healthy advance tax inflows, steady corporate tax payments, and continued growth in personal income tax contributions. Officials said the performance reflects broad-based economic activity and strengthening financial discipline across sectors.
The data highlights improving tax buoyancy, driven by higher corporate profitability, stable employment trends, and widening participation in the formal economy. Enhanced digital compliance systems and stronger enforcement measures have also contributed to better reporting and revenue realization.
From a macroeconomic standpoint, the increase in direct tax collections is expected to strengthen the government’s fiscal position, providing greater flexibility to sustain capital expenditure, infrastructure development, and welfare spending without compromising fiscal prudence.
Economists view the growth in tax revenues as a positive indicator of underlying economic resilience, suggesting steady demand conditions and improving income levels. The trend also reinforces investor confidence in India’s medium-term growth outlook.
Authorities are expected to continue focusing on compliance expansion and broadening the tax base to maintain revenue momentum in the coming months.
19, Jun 2026
Gujarat Approves INR 1,567 Crore Industrial Incentives to Boost Manufacturing and Jobs
Gandhinagar, June 19: In a significant push to industrial growth, the Gujarat government has cleared incentive support worth ₹1,567 crore for projects in the chemical, automobile, and textile sectors, aiming to strengthen manufacturing capacity, attract investment, and generate employment across the state.
The approved incentives are expected to speed up project execution and encourage new investments across key industrial clusters. Officials said the move reflects Gujarat’s continued focus on building a strong, diversified manufacturing base and reinforcing its position as one of India’s leading industrial destinations.
The chemical sector is set to benefit from expanded production capabilities and stronger downstream linkages. In the automobile segment, the incentives are expected to support component manufacturing and supply chain integration, while the textile industry—one of Gujarat’s core strengths—will see further modernisation and capacity expansion to improve competitiveness in domestic and global markets.
Beyond sectoral gains, the initiative is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and stimulate growth in allied industries such as logistics, engineering, packaging, and infrastructure. It is also likely to improve capital inflows and enhance overall industrial productivity in the state.
From an economic standpoint, the package is expected to have a wider multiplier effect by boosting manufacturing output, increasing exports, and strengthening MSME participation in supply chains. Higher industrial activity is also expected to support income generation and contribute to broader economic momentum in the region.
The state government reiterated its commitment to fostering a competitive and investment-friendly environment while promoting sustainable and inclusive industrial development.
19, Jun 2026
Government Approves Major Pulses & Oilseeds Procurement Drive Across 4 States; Uttar Pradesh Leads Beneficiary List
Pic Credit: Pexel
New Delhi, June 19, 2026: In a significant boost to India’s agricultural support framework, large-scale procurement of pulses and oilseeds has been approved across four states, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as the biggest beneficiary under the programme.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening minimum price support mechanisms, ensuring assured market access for farmers, and reducing price volatility in key agricultural commodities. By expanding procurement coverage, the government seeks to provide greater income security, particularly for pulses and oilseeds growers who often face fluctuating market prices.
Uttar Pradesh, with its large agricultural base and extensive cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, will receive the highest allocation under the procurement plan. Farmers in the state are expected to benefit significantly through improved price realization and timely procurement support.
Officials said the move will also help stabilize domestic supply chains for essential food items and reduce dependence on imports of edible oils and pulses, thereby improving overall food security.
From an economic perspective, the procurement drive is expected to have a positive multiplier effect. By increasing rural income, the initiative will boost farm liquidity, strengthen rural consumption demand, and support allied sectors such as transportation, warehousing, food processing, and agri-logistics. This, in turn, is likely to contribute to broader economic stability and reinforce growth in the agricultural economy.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair returns to farmers while promoting crop diversification and strengthening India’s self-reliance in key agricultural commodities.
Further details on procurement agencies, timelines, and state-wise allocations are expected to be announced by the concerned authorities shortly.
19, Jun 2026
Assam Strengthens Power Infrastructure, Targets Energy Surplus Status
Guwahati, June 19: Assam is making significant strides in strengthening its power infrastructure and is steadily progressing towards becoming an energy-surplus state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Underscoring the government’s commitment to building a robust and reliable energy ecosystem, the Chief Minister highlighted ongoing investments in power generation, transmission, and distribution networks across the state. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, meeting rising energy demand, and supporting Assam’s long-term economic growth.
Sarma noted that a stronger power sector is essential for attracting investments, promoting industrial development, and improving the quality of life for citizens. The state government has prioritized the modernization of energy infrastructure, expansion of grid connectivity, and enhancement of operational efficiency to deliver reliable power to both urban and rural communities.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Assam’s energy transformation is not only about meeting current demand but also about creating the capacity required for future growth. With several infrastructure projects underway, the state is laying the foundation for a self-reliant and sustainable power sector capable of supporting expanding industries, businesses, and households.
As Assam advances towards achieving energy-surplus status, the strengthened power network is expected to boost economic activity, generate employment opportunities, and enhance the state’s competitiveness as a preferred investment destination in Northeast India.
The government’s continued focus on infrastructure development reflects its broader vision of driving inclusive growth and ensuring that reliable energy remains a catalyst for Assam’s development journey.
