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In caste-ridden India, genetic isolation may be harmful to health

Published

9 years ago

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]~By Dinesh C Sharma

The occurrence of genetic diseases in certain subpopulations in India and other countries in South Asia is well known. Indian scientists now suspect that this could be due to genetic isolation caused by endogamous marriages over generations.

Endogamous marriages – meaning people marrying within a subpopulation based on caste, gotra, language or culture – lead to reduced genetic variation. They are different from marriages among close relatives (consanguineous marriages) – which is also prevalent in parts of South India.   

In genetics, the phenomenon of a small number of ancestors giving rise to many descendants is known as ‘founder event’ or a population bottleneck. A study of anthropologically different subpopulations in South Asia has revealed that many of them are a result of strong ‘founder events’. In each of such groups, large stretches of DNA originates from a common founder in the last about 100 generations.

There is less genetic variation because these subpopulations have lived in genetic isolation despite co-living with other groups for centuries due to various factors including caste. Such populations are vulnerable to recessive genetic diseases (in which an offspring gets disease-causing genes from both parents). This risk, researchers say, is very different from that due to marriages among close relatives.

The study, led by scientists at Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), appeared in scientific journal Nature Genetics on Tuesday. Scientists analysed samples from over 2800 individuals from over 275 distinct South Asian populations belonging to various social and linguistic groups from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They developed an algorithm to quantify impact of ‘founder events’ in each group based on stretches in DNA shared from a common founder over generations.

“We found that 81 out of 263 unique South Asian groups, including 14 groups with estimated census sizes of over a million, have a strong founder event,” said Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj, who led the study along with David Reich of Harvard Medical School.  These large population groups with founder events include Gujjar (Jammu & Kashmir), Baniyas (UP), Pattapu kapu (AP), Vadde (AP), Yadav (Puducherry), Kashtriya Aqnikula (AP), Naga (Nagaland), Kumhar (UP), Reddy (Telangana), Kallar (TN), Brahmin Manipuri (Manipur), Arunthathiyar (TN) and Vysya (Telangana).

Researchers have highlighted the problem through example of Vysya population which has size of more than 3 million. The Vysyas have about 100-fold higher rate of a metabolic disorder called Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) deficiency compared to other groups. Such people are highly sensitive to anesthesia administered prior to surgery.

“The next step would be to identify specific recessive diseases among various subpopulations and identify genes responsible for them,” Dr Thangaraj told India Science Wire. The research can have significant public health applications, as has been done with some population groups like Ashkenazi Jews, Finns, Amish, Hutterites, Sardinians, and French Canadians in the West. Once recessive genetic diseases specific to different groups are mapped, preventive steps like prenatal testing, premarital counseling and screening can help decrease burden of such diseases in communities.

The team of researchers came from Columbia University; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Manipal University; Centre for Human Genetics, Bangalore; Mangalore University; Fetal Care Research Foundation, Chennai; Amity University, Noida; Genome Foundation, Hyderabad; Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata; and Birbal Sahani Institute of Paleosciences, Lucknow. The research was funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (India Science Wire)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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OnePlus Freedom Sale 2026 brings discounts on 15, 15R, 13, Nord 5 and tablets

OnePlus Freedom Sale 2026 begins Jan 16 with discounts on phones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline stores.

Published

3 weeks ago

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January 13, 2026

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OnePlus has announced its Freedom Sale, offering discounts on smartphones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline platforms. The deals include the recently launched OnePlus 15 series, Nord lineup, Buds audio devices, and other gadgets.

When and where to shop

The OnePlus Freedom Sale starts on Jan. 16 and will run both online and offline. Shoppers can purchase smartphones through OnePlus.in, OnePlus Experience Stores, Amazon, as well as offline retailers including Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and others. Tablets are available on Flipkart during the sale period.

Discounts on OnePlus smartphones

  • OnePlus 15: Launched at Rs 72,999, buyers can get an instant Rs 4,000 discount, lowering the effective price to Rs 68,999. Additional benefits include six months of no-cost EMI and a bundled OnePlus Nord Buds 3.
  • OnePlus 13: Originally priced at Rs 69,999, the phone receives an Rs 8,000 price drop, plus a bank discount of Rs 4,000, bringing the price down to Rs 57,999.
  • OnePlus 15R: Listed at Rs 47,999, buyers can avail Rs 3,000 off until Jan 26. After the date, the effective price is Rs 45,999.
  • OnePlus 13R: Launched at Rs 42,999, this device gets up to Rs 6,000 price cut and an additional Rs 1,000 bank discount.

Discounts on OnePlus tablets

  • OnePlus Pad 2: Rs 2,000 instant bank discount reduces the price to Rs 34,999.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: Eligible for a Rs 3,000 instant discount, making the price Rs 44,999. Purchases until Jan 26 include a free Stylo 2 stylus.
  • OnePlus Pad Go 2: Rs 1,000 price drop plus Rs 2,000 bank discount, now Rs 23,999.
  • OnePlus Pad Go: Price reduced to Rs 13,999 after Rs 3,000 cut and Rs 1,000 bank discount.
  • OnePlus Pad Lite: Available for Rs 11,999 after a Rs 2,000 price drop and Rs 2,000 bank discount.

Audio devices on offer

  • OnePlus Buds 4: Rs 700 price cut with Rs 300 bank discount, bringing the effective price to Rs 4,999.
  • OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Now Rs 9,999 after Rs 1,000 price drop and Rs 1,000 bank discount. No-cost EMI options are available for both Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3.

Additional discounts are also applicable to the Nord Buds series — including Nord Buds 3, Nord Buds 3 Pro, and Nord Buds 3R — and neckband devices such as Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC and Bullets Wireless Z3.

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Oppo Reno 15 likely to launch in India soon with upgraded camera and performance features

Oppo is preparing to launch the Reno 15 series in India, focusing on camera improvements, performance stability and a refined design. Here’s what to expect from its pricing and features.

Published

2 months ago

on

December 8, 2025

By

Oppo is gearing up to introduce its Reno 15 lineup in India, with the series expected to focus heavily on enhanced imaging, performance stability and creator-friendly tools. The smartphone, which has already been launched in China, is anticipated to reach the Indian market in the coming weeks although the company has not yet shared an official date.

Expected price range in India

Industry estimates suggest the standard Oppo Reno 15 will fall in the upper-mid price bracket. While the Reno 15 Pro was launched in China at CNY 3,699 (roughly Rs 46,000), the Reno 15 base model is expected to be more affordable, likely between Rs 32,000 and Rs 38,000, depending on RAM and storage configurations.

Expected features and specifications

The Reno 15 series is expected to highlight Oppo’s improvements in sustained performance, camera capabilities and thermal management. Globally, the models run on ColorOS 16 and feature advanced cooling, particularly aimed at gaming and continuous live-streaming use.

For India, the upcoming Oppo Reno 15 is likely to offer:

  • A high-refresh-rate AMOLED display
  • Triple-camera setup with a primary sensor optimized for better low-light clarity
  • Secondary wide-angle and portrait cameras
  • Front camera with autofocus and AI-led enhancements for live streaming
  • Around 5,000mAh battery with fast wired charging support
  • AI-driven system optimization for smoother long-term performance

Design-wise, it is expected to follow the Reno 15 Pro’s flat-frame style, offering a slim profile, improved durability and brighter display output. With growing demand for creator-focused smartphones in the country, the Reno 15 is being positioned for users interested in mobile photography, vlogging and gaming.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE India price leak suggests launch similar to S24 FE

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE India price has surfaced online, hinting at a similar launch price as the S24 FE. The phone brings a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Exynos 2400 chip, triple rear cameras, and a 4,900mAh battery.

Published

5 months ago

on

September 11, 2025

By

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, which was unveiled globally on September 4, is yet to receive official pricing for the Indian market. However, a fresh leak indicates that the handset could debut in India at the same price point as its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 FE.

Expected price and availability in India

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may be priced at ₹59,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant in India. This matches the launch price of last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, which started at ₹59,999 for the same configuration. The higher 8GB RAM + 256GB model of the S24 FE was earlier priced at ₹65,999.

Globally, the Galaxy S25 FE has been introduced at $650 (around ₹58,000) for the base variant and $710 (around ₹63,000) for the 8GB + 256GB version. In India, the smartphone is expected to go on sale in October, similar to last year’s rollout schedule for the S24 FE.

The phone is offered in Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, and White colour options.

Key specifications

  • Display: 6.7-inch full-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,900 nits peak brightness, Vision Booster, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.
  • Processor: Exynos 2400 SoC.
  • RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM standard, up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage.
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP wide-angle + 8MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide; 8K video recording at 30fps.
  • Front Camera: 12MP selfie shooter.
  • Battery: 4,900mAh with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
  • Build: 7.4mm thick, 190g weight, IP68-rated water and dust resistance.
  • Cooling: 10% larger vapour chamber compared to the Galaxy S24 FE.

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