Medicine & Healthcare

Cosmic hide-and-seek, Controlling quantum light, Thinking face robot, Live DNA folding & Menopause-dementia link. Plus latest SciCom Coffee talk. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Examines how patient voices impact decision-making

Scientists have identified a brain molecule called NEAT1 that appears to play a central role in triggering light sensitivity (photophobia), a common and debilitating symptom of migraines

The Philippines faces a chronic shortage of nurses and physicians, and many health graduates are unprepared for real-world public health work.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that the Wnt5a protein, secreted by inflammatory fibroblasts within cancerous tumors, inhibits angiogenesis and consequently promotes hypoxia within tumors. Hypoxic conditions help sustain the inflammatory fibroblasts, which also secrete the growth factor epiregulin, thereby promoting tumor growth. This newly proposed mechanism for tumor growth offers a promising new target for cancer therapies and possibly other conditions linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Higher maternal selenium levels during pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of streptococcal infections in children, suggesting a potential protective effect.

A research team at The University of Osaka has identified a crucial brain region involved in motor learning during reaching movements. The parvocellular division of the red nucleus, a small but specialized structure in the midbrain, was found to generate and transmit “error signals” necessary for adapting hand movements. This discovery clarifies a long-standing question in neuroscience about how the brain detects and corrects motion inaccuracies, with potential applications in developing new rehabilitation methods.

The combination of estrogen-blocking treatment with immunotherapy enhanced immunotherapy efficacy in ER+ metastatic breast cancer.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that mass photometry can accurately distinguish full and empty rAAV particles in cell lysates and conditioned medium, without prior purification. This convenient and rapid approach is likely to improve manufacturing of rAAV-based gene therapy products by accelerating the screening steps.

A research team from The University of Osaka has made a significant breakthrough in cancer radiotherapy by identifying conditions under which carbon ion beams—delivered at ultra-high dose rates (uHDR)—can protect normal cells. This phenomenon, known as the “FLASH effect,” could revolutionize cancer treatment by reducing side effects and improving patients’ quality of life.

Space-saving version of Paralympic sport increases motivation, mobility among older adults

New research shows that the gum disease bacterium P. gingivalis can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup—distorting the heart’s architecture, disrupting electrical signals, and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation.

How does obesity affect insulin production? Researchers at Tohoku University are shining light on new stages of the ERK pathway.

A breakthrough to tackle the long-standing challenges of heterogeneity and scarcity in extracellular vesicle (EV) research.

Method’s anticancer effects verified at cellular and organismal levels without obvious side effects

Smart neural electrode, "Rhinoceros beetle" robot, Halting the thief of sight, Together at last & Lighting hardy plants. Plus latest SciCom Coffee talk. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A set of digital interventions can spur consumers to pick healthier options and reduce their intake of calories and nutrients that should be consumed sparingly when implemented in online grocery stores. Public health bodies and retailers could leverage these tools to improve diet quality and reduce rising rates of non-communicable diseases

Raccoons considered to be a source of zoonotic pathogens were monitored

Functional cure, defined as durable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titers below the lower limit of detection (LLOD), is associated with better clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection and regarded as the preferred treatment endpoint of novel therapeutic agents against HBV. Scientists from the College of Medicine of National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital identified that the Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in childhood, high-genetic-barrier nucleos(t)ide analogue(s) therapy before HBeAg seroconversion, and the HBsAg titer < 1000 IU/mL after HBeAg seroconversion are predictors of functional cure. Findings demonstrated the merit of the follow-up and treatment of chronic HBV infection from childhood.

Colder temperatures are linked with increased risk of diarrhea among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for climate-sensitive health strategies in refugee settings.

Meta-analysis of medical research with LLMs reveals diagnostic accuracy

Widespread contamination by emerging foodborne pathogen detected in retail chicken meat

Why does dementia affect more women than men? To help solve this mystery, researchers uncovered a new risk factor: age of menopause onset.

Researchers discover that inflammation and aging contribute to non-viral liver cancer development. Green tea's role in reversing some of the pathway dysregulation that may contribute to the cancer development and other therapies explored.

Light conditions in the morning before waking up affect restfulness

New research in model mice suggests low-dose opioids may help improve social interactions in people with autism spectrum disorder.

Duke-NUS Medical School has appointed Professor Patrick Tan as its next and fourth Dean, effective 1 January 2026, marking a new chapter for the School as it builds on its legacy of medical education, research and innovation.

An Osaka Metropolitan University-led team report on the development of a highly selective isolation medium CT-PS-XR-MacConkey agar for efficient isolation of E. albertii.

The rising trend of high-risk colorectal neoplasia rates in people under 50 in Taiwan is prompting a policy of early colorectal cancer screening.

SS 705 provides a first-of-its-kind Singapore-developed assessment to test the effectiveness of antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potency, as well as durability of surface disinfectants and coatings.