Medicine & Healthcare

The surprising discovery that cellular protein Gα13 may actually protect against—rather than promote growth of—the most commonly relapsing type of breast cancer signals potential for more effective and innovative treatments.

This alliance by the student bodies of Singapore’s three medical schools continues to unify and represent the voice of the local medical student community through regular dialogue, engagement and collaboration with external stakeholders, including the Singapore Medical Association and Ministry of Health.

A newly developed compound that reduces harmful inflammation in rats caused by overactive neutrophils shows great potential as a safer treatment for various inflammatory diseases in humans.

ChatGPT’s diagnostic capabilities evaluated in comparison to radiologists

Researchers from Osaka University developed an antibody that prevents the activation of the Dickkopf 1–Cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (DKK1–CKAP4) pathway, which is important for tumor growth in several cancers, including pancreatic cancer. On the basis of an antibody derived from mice, the researchers developed an antibody that could be used in humans (Hv1Lt1). Hv1Lt1 successfully prevented tumor formation in experimental mice. When given in combination, it improved the effect of chemotherapy drugs.

A clinical trial conducted by Tohoku University researchers has lead to the approval of a treatment for patients with a rare, muscle-weakening disease called GNE myopathy.

Recent advances in medical science have complicated clinical decision-making, raising ethical issues. Hospitals have set up clinical ethics consultation systems, but their effectiveness is limited due to low awareness and communication difficulties. To address this, a research group initiated by Osaka University studied proactive ethics consultation practices, proposing strategies like “inter-professional ethics rounds" and "patient note reviews." These methods aim to resolve ethical issues, improve care, and alleviate moral dilemmas facing medical staff.

Collaborative study by Duke-NUS and NUS Mechanobiology Institute offers new hope for treating neurodevelopmental disorders by activating dormant neural stem cells and uncovering other mechanisms behind brain development.

Cell–cell adhesion-induced patterning in keratinocytes can be explained by just starvation and strong adhesion, Hokkaido University researchers find.

Ecklonia cava, a brown algae seaweed, is shown to have the ability to protect against neurodegeneration

A violinist, an athlete, engineers and architecture graduates highlight the diversity and drive of Duke-NUS Medical School’s 18th cohort of medical students.

Growing use of AI reveals the need for global sustainability initiatives

A research group led by Associate Professor Katsuya Sakai, Researcher Nichole Marcela Rojas-Chaverra, and Professor Kunio Matsumoto of the Cancer Research Institute and Nano-Life Science (WPI-NanoLSI) at Kanazawa University has developed a long-acting, subcutaneously injectable artificial hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetic molecule using a fusion technology of cyclic peptides and protein engineering. They demonstrated in a mouse model that it improves liver fibrosis, lipid accumulation, and inflammation caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This research result provides an option for the development of NASH therapeutics as well as a technology for creating growth factor and cytokine mimetic molecules with improved pharmacokinetics.

Researchers develop method to calculate the probability of a fall for older adults

Applied Microbiology International has announced that it has recruited 11 new Global Ambassadors from around the world.

A new treatment combining tiny iron particles and nitric oxide gas shows promise in targeting oral cancer cells for destruction.

The anti-tumor drug indisulam has shown promise both in cell cultures and in animal studies. However, clinical trials have shown fewer clear-cut results. Scientists from Hiroshima University Hospital have been researching the reasons behind this resistance to it.

A randomised trial conducted by health economists at Duke-NUS Medical School found that a bit of peer influence can nudge us to select healthier groceries.

- Recipient Associate Professor Lena Ho spearheads groundbreaking research to develop first- in-class therapeutics to target inflammatory diseases; Collaboration between 65LAB and Duke-NUS aims to advance promising innovation from academic institutions with potential to build new therapeutic companies from Singapore; S$1.85 million funding comprises US$1.5 million from 65LAB and US$350,000 from Duke- NUS' newly established incubator, LIVE Ventures

New scoring model enhances early prognosis prediction using prehospital resuscitation data only

Detailed analysis of bone density changes and stem-femur contact after total hip replacement

Duke-NUS Medical School today launched LIVE Ventures, a S$20 million incubation programme designed to catalyse the commercialisation of innovative academic research. Focused on translating scientific breakthroughs into clinical applications, LIVE Ventures will provide Duke-NUS scientists conducting high-impact research with essential commercialisation expertise and resources and partner with both public and private sector entities to co-fund these projects.

Researchers from Osaka University interviewed Japanese women using oral contraceptives (OC) in Korea, revealing clinical and ethical issues faced by transnational patients. The study identified new health care types and highlighted differing perceptions of OC between patients and doctors upon returning to Japan, creating dilemmas. Ethical implications were proposed, and future access to patient-centered medicine and drug reclassification was investigated to improve SRHR issues in Japan.

Combination of venetoclax and azacitidine helps patients with AML who relapse after hematopoietic cell transplant

A method to screen a wide variety of drug candidates without laborious purification steps could advance the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.

Researchers from Japan discover a new enzyme with promising antibacterial activity

First epidemiological study on incidence of EoE in Japan

Decoding dead stars’ “heartbeats”, Why do females live longer? DNA controller for molecular robots, Earliest twin quasars found. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus July's SciCom Coffee with A*STAR's Lisa Chong and get the early bird price to be in Asia Research News 2025.

Potential benefits of method include subjecting patients to fewer exams and reducing health care costs

Osaka University researchers developed molecules, called splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) that bind to the RNA molecules encoding a protein known as REST. In neuroendocrine tumors, these RNAs are incorrectly spliced together, which supports the cancerous phenotype. When injected into tumors in laboratory mice, SSOs could help restore normal REST function, leading to reduced tumor size. This novel approach is a promising new tool for treating neuroendocrine tumors that do not respond to conventional therapies.