Heterogeneous glacier mass loss has occurred across High Mountain Asia on a multi-decadal timescale. Contrasting climatic settings influence glacier behaviour at the regional scale, but high intra-regional variability in mass loss rates points to factors capable of amplifying glacier recession in addition to climatic change along the Himalaya. Here we examine the influence of surface debris cover and glacial lakes on glacier mass loss across the Himalaya since the 1970s. We find no substantial difference in the mass loss of debris-covered and clean-ice glaciers over our study period, but substantially more negative (−0.13 to −0.29 m w.e.a −1) mass balances for lake-terminating glaciers, in comparison to land-terminating glaciers, with the largest differences occurring after 2000. Despite representing a minor portion of the total glacier population (~10%), the recession of lake-terminating glaciers accounted for up to 32% of mass loss in different sub-regions. The continued expansion of established glacial lakes, and the preconditioning of land-terminating glaciers for new lake development increases the likelihood of enhanced ice mass loss from the region in coming decades; a scenario not currently considered in regional ice mass loss projections. Glacier mass loss has occurred across large parts of High Mountain Asia over at least the last four decades 1-4 , although substantial spatial variability has been documented in the magnitude of glacier mass loss in the region. Glaciers in the Karakoram, Kunlun Shan and eastern Pamir have maintained mass balance to the present day 3,5-7 , whereas glaciers located in the Himalaya, in the Tien Shan and Nyainqentanghla have experienced substantial mass loss in recent decades 2,6. The disparity in regional mass loss rates has been attributed to the diminished sensitivity to warming of glaciers in the Karakoram, Kunlun Shan and eastern Pamir due to their accumulation of snowfall in winter months, rather than during the summer monsoon along the Himalaya 8. However, large intra-regional variability in glacier mass loss is evident along the Himalayan arc 6,9 , which suggests factors exist that are capable of exacerbating glacier recession in addition to climatic change here. Glaciers situated in the Himalaya commonly have extensive debris cover 10 , and an increasing number terminate into a glacial lake 11. A continuous debris mantle thicker than a few centimetres dampens sub-debris ablation rates 12. Modelling studies have shown how debris cover enables the persistence of greater glacier area in comparison with clean-ice in a changing climate 13,14. However, comparable thinning rates have been observed for clean-ice and debris-covered glaciers at similar elevations 15-17 at several locations in the Himalaya. Glacial lakes amplify ice loss from their host glaciers through mechanical calving and subaqueous melt 18,19. There are currently more than 700 proglacial lakes in the Himalaya 11,20 , which are all capable of directly influencing the behaviour of their host glacier. Progla...

Knowledge about the long-term response of High Mountain Asian glaciers to climatic variations is paramount because of their important role in sustaining Asian river flow. Here, a satellite-based time series of glacier mass balance for seven climatically different regions across High Mountain Asia since the 1960s shows that glacier mass loss rates have persistently increased at most sites. Regional glacier mass budgets ranged from −0.40 ± 0.07 m w.e.a−1 in Central and Northern Tien Shan to −0.06 ± 0.07 m w.e.a−1 in Eastern Pamir, with considerable temporal and spatial variability. Highest rates of mass loss occurred in Central Himalaya and Northern Tien Shan after 2015 and even in regions where glaciers were previously in balance with climate, such as Eastern Pamir, mass losses prevailed in recent years. An increase in summer temperature explains the long-term trend in mass loss and now appears to drive mass loss even in regions formerly sensitive to both temperature and precipitation.

ABSTRACT. Thinning rates for the debris-covered Gangotri Glacier and its tributary glaciers during the period 1968-2014, length variation and area vacated at the snout from 1965 to 2015, and seasonal variation of ice-surface velocity for the last two decades have been investigated in this study. It was found that the mass loss of Gangotri and its tributary glaciers was slightly less than those reported for other debris-covered glaciers in the Himalayan regions. change is a delayed response to climate change and, in addition, is affected by debris cover, whereas glacier mass balance is a more direct and immediate response. Therefore, it is recommended to study the glacier mass balance and not only the glacier extent, to conclude about a glacier's response to climate change.

Diabetes is associated with declining sexual function in both male 1) and female 2) individuals. In case of female, diabetic symptoms consistent with autonomic neuropathy associated with decreased subjective sexual arousal. 3) In recent study Erol et al. noted that women with type 2 diabetes experienced higher prevalence rates of sexual dysfunction when compared to non diabetic. 4) Approximately 80% of diabetic patients complained loss of libido, 60% had diminished clitoral sensitivity, 50% experienced organic dysfunction, 40% experienced vaginal discomfort, and 40% experienced vaginal dryness. 5) Type 1 diabetic women experienced higher prevalence of reduced vasocongestion and reduced vaginal lubrication to erotic stimuli. 6) Thus these clinical studies suggest that both type 1 and type 2 impede the sexual arousal responses in women.Male reproductive alterations have been widely reported in model animals and human with diabetes. 7) Streptozotocin induced diabetes in male rats resulted atrophy of sex organ, changes in histoarchitecture of ventral prostate, 8) diminution in sperm count, 8) along with low levels in plasma gonadotrophins 9,10) and testosterone. 11) The copulatory behavior of diabetic rat has been collapsed 12) along with low fertility in induced normal mating. 12) In human, diabetes is associated with erectile dysfunction 13,14) along with loss of libido 1,5) and abnormal morphology of sperm, low plasma levels of gonadotrophins and testosterone. 15) Though there are several reports about dysfunctions of the male reproductive activity in diabetic state but the data are confusing, and the exact role that insulin plays in the regulation of male reproductive function is still unclear.In traditional practice, medicinal plants are used in many countries to control diabetes mellitus. The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, established in 1998 by the United States Government where development of herbal medicine is one of the important subjects of study. 16,17) Moreover the herbal drug is of first choice at present because plant drugs are to be less toxic and more free from side effect than synthetic one. 18) M. paradisiaca is a tree like herb belonging to the Musaceae family and different parts of the plant have medicinal value. 19,20) T. indica LINN is tree type of plant belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae family was used as a traditional medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus. 21) E. Jambolana is used as traditional medicine for the management of diabetes. 19) This plant is found all over India and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Jambu bark cure hemorrhages, burning sensation, dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, excessive thirst, dyspepsia, cough and asthma and is used in preparation of astringent decoction for gargles and washes. 20) Seeds are used for the treatment of diabetes. 20) Coccinia indica is under Cucurbitaceae family and has medicinal importance as observed earlier by others. 22) In our previous work we have reported the antidiabetic effect of some of these plant pa...