Medicine & Healthcare

What shapes student health? A recent study from Tohoku University reveals that it is not just access to care, but how well health information is understood and used. Better health starts with better understanding, which is why improving health literacy can help all students live healthier lives.

Hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 5-10% of all CRC cases, influencing familial risk and early onset. This study revealed the genetic landscape of CRC in Taiwan, identifying novel and population-specific variants that enhance hereditary risk assessment.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have discovered a new class of antibodies, called iTabs, that naturally suppress specific immune responses by blocking immune cell activation. These antibodies can reduce autoimmune disease severity in mice, suggesting a new way to treat conditions like multiple sclerosis without weakening the immune system overall.

A subset of bat alphacoronaviruses are found to have the potential to enter human, according to a study published in Nature.

A picture (of the eye) is worth a thousand words to this AI system that predicts the risk for major diseases like diabetes, based on the gap between the patient’s real age and the estimated retinal age.

Matcha surprise, Smart sea urchin spines, Breaking biomass bonds, Hybrid air-conditioning, Alga in gloom & A touch of tech. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus Early Bird submissions for Asia Research News 2027

Researchers from The University of Osaka have shown that the MIC11 gene of Toxoplasma gondii is essential for the parasite to egress, or exit, the host cell, a key part of the lifecycle. Deletion of MIC11 caused parasites to be unable to permeabilize host cell membranes and prevented egress. This study identifies potential new therapeutic targets for human diseases caused by parasites, such as toxoplasmosis and malaria, which represent a major global health problem.

Carbohydrates affect weight gain and metabolic energy

By conducting the world’s first randomized clinical trial, researchers have demonstrated that, while overall survival rates remained comparable in this initial phase, TEE-guided precision CPR enhances end-tidal CO2 levels (indicating better CPR quality and forward blood flow), transforming traditional "blind" compressions into a data-driven science. This groundbreaking research published in JAMA Internal Medicine paves the way for individually customized resuscitation—challenging global standards to maximize survival for millions worldwide.

Stem cell transplantation could be a rapid and effective way to restore haemoglobin production in individuals with the blood disorder β-thalassaemia, which affects more than 40,000 children annually worldwide.

AI-driven tests jointly developed by Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Duke-NUS capture patients’ quality of life in minutes, helping doctors and researchers make faster, better-informed decisions.

Assessing the toll of elongated working hours in community-dwelling, middle-aged adults

Researchers have mapped how genetic switches are regulated in East Asian populations, identifying tens of thousands of unique markers linked to complex diseases. This massive dataset bridges a crucial diversity gap in genetics, paving the way for more inclusive translation of genetic discovery worldwide.

A mitochondrial enzyme, Ak4, strengthens immune defense by promoting mitochondrial DNA synthesis and enhancing macrophage antibacterial activity.

Natural experiment along new railway reveals unexpected correlation between location and healthcare costs

A collaborative research group has shown that biological neurons can be trained to perform a temporal pattern learning task that was previously carried out by artificial systems

Researchers at Tohoku University have imagined a future where you can assess eye health at a local supermarket, train station, or in remote regions without hospital access using a portable, inexpensive eye scanner.

Hiroshima University researchers have developed a practical framework to identify candidate pathogenic variants hidden among the large number of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) detected in comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of cancers. This framework could improve the accuracy of precision oncology by more reliable prioritization of VUS.

A poor diet remains a leading contributor to ischaemic heart disease, according to an analysis from 204 countries over a 30-year period

Researchers develop a system that inflates human lung organoids from within to analyze lung mechanics

A new global review shows countries taking very different approaches to regulating polygenic embryo testing

National Taiwan University researchers have engineered a dual-targeting nanocarrier that safely sneaks potent chemotherapy past the blood-brain barrier. By homing in on a specific protein (FAP) expressed by both the glioblastoma cells and their protective “helper” cells, this approach directly shrinks the deadly tumor while reprogramming the immune system to join the fight.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that leukemia caused by NUTM1 rearrangements is distinguished from other forms of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) by a unique pattern of gene activity and gene regulation. Unlike the common form of B-ALL caused by KMT2A rearrangement, which is resistant to treatment, leukemic cells with NUTM1 rearrangements are highly sensitivity to chemotherapy.

A research team at National Taiwan University found that abnormal blood flow activates CB1 receptors in endothelial cells, promoting vascular inflammation and dysfunction. Soy-derived isoflavone prodrugs that inhibit CB1 may help protect blood vessels and prevent atherosclerosis.

Researchers from The University of Osaka studying simple cyanobacteria found that one protein keeps their internal clock ticking reliably, even outside a living cell. By testing over 20 variants with clock periods ranging from 15 to 60 hours, they discovered that timekeeping precision appears to be built directly into the protein itself, independent of cell activity or environmental changes.

Scientists discovered a natural “brake” protein in immune cells that stops harmful overreactions during serious infections. When this brake is missing, the body’s defense cells go out of control and damage organs, but restoring it could open the door to better treatments for life-threatening sepsis.

This study shows that MFSD2A transports key lipids (fat molecules) from the blood into the skin, a process critical for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

We identified Mrep macrophages that repair muscle but trigger heterotopic ossification in FOP, advancing muscle and FOP therapy development.

Through protein binding, molecular heavy drugs are effectively transported to cancerous tissues

A Taiwan-oriented study in Gut shows that gastric cancer is shaped by complex interactions between environmental exposure, microbes, host, and tumor biology. The findings reveal distinct cancer routes and targets linked to prognosis and potential treatment opportunities.