Diseases

Brain atlas, From perfume to plastic, Stable solar power, Plant aging switch, Anti-cancer droplets, Greener gold, Extreme star factory and How research shapes sustainability policy. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Scientists have developed a new computational tool that maps multi-gene pathways more comprehensively than ever before. The study uncovered a previously unknown protein pathway that, when blocked, kills blood cancer cells. The discovery could lead to new therapies for patients with drug-resistant blood cancers.

Elastic fiber component level in human hepatic stellate cells may predict liver damage

A research group led by Associate Professor Islam MD Parvez and Professor Kenji Hato of the Graduate School of Agriculture at Ehime University has developed "Hort-YOLO," a real-time monitoring system for horticultural crops. This system is an advanced object detection network focused on accurate and context-aware analysis of crops, and simultaneously achieves a balance between annotation speed and scalability of supervised learning, making it practical for deployment in real-world environments.

A new scoring system using common clinical parameters accurately identifies chronic liver disease patients with a significantly increased risk of developing liver cancer. This tool acts as a universal predictor, helping doctors guide surveillance recommendations for patients with diverse liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Researchers from National Taiwan University Hospital and collaborating institutions have demonstrated that finerenone, a new-generation nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), significantly reduces the risk of death and major heart and kidney events compared with spironolactone in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Scientists from National Taiwan University and the National Institutes of Applied Research of Taiwan develop a rapid and accurate microfluidic device that generates precise drug gradients and outperforms manual dilution, enabling reliable multi-drug screening for high-throughput and personalized medicine.

A seven-year study of 470 patients revealed that a severe fungal lung infection once mainly seen in specific high-risk groups is increasingly affecting elderly patients and those with common cancers who are not receiving traditional high-risk treatments, suggesting current prevention strategies may be missing vulnerable populations.

Untangling cosmic knots, Samurai jellyfish, Controlling rogue antibodies, Search for anti-ulcer vaccine & Metal-recovering yeast. Plus next SciCom coffee talk on experiences in science journalism in the AI era and WHO guide to reporting on non communicable diseases. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A novel study from scientists at National Taiwan University challenges the long-held view of ketone bodies as mere energy substrates, revealing instead that those produced during lactation act as epigenetic signals that promote beige adipocyte formation and protect against obesity.

Researchers at National Taiwan University have discovered how light, electricity, and tiny forces can work together to help wounds heal naturally and leave fewer scars, offering new hope for chronic wound care.

Duke-NUS scientists have built one of the largest and most comprehensive maps of the developing human brain, marking a major step forward in testing new therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided researchers with a wealth of information on contemporary successes and failures in combating an emerging pathogen. This study outlines a total of 22 opportunities and strategies based on urban functionality and typology to help communities better prepare for and mitigate the effects of the next pandemic.

Female individuals may experience a three-fold reduction in mortality risk from coronary heart diseases, when following recommended exercise guidelines, compared to male individuals, according to a study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research.

A new report from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI), supported by the Octava Foundation, has mapped Singapore’s programmes supporting children’s mental health.

A new study suggests that the same henna pigments that change your skin or hair that distinctive orange-red color could be used for another purpose: treating liver disease.

SOSE researchers are looking at a possible vaccine for H. pylori, a widely common bacterium that causes stomach ulcers and raises the risk for stomach cancer.

Scientists from National Taiwan University have created a new light-based imaging technology that can trace a person’s blood sugar history by analyzing individual red blood cells. This breakthrough could improve diabetes care and help detect certain cancers earlier through simple, noninvasive testing.

A team of international researchers has developed alternatives to antibiotics that prevent infection of cow udders, called bovine mastitis, to address rising antibiotic resistance and concerns around milk contamination from antibiotic residues.

Ancient black holes, How good cholesterol is made, Self-healing plastic, Dengue’s genetic imprint, Korean mussel power & Space clean-up. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A new study led by National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) researchers shows that while scarless thyroid surgery preserves delicate structures better, it requires longer operative time, higher costs, and may compromise specimen integrity.

In a bold step toward climate action, leading microbiology societies and organizations have unveiled their first joint global strategy to harness the power of microbial science in addressing the climate crisis. This landmark strategy has been published across 6 scientific journals, including Sustainable Microbiology.

Researchers from National Taiwan University Hospital and Academia Sinica have identified a simple blood marker that can reliably pinpoint chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients at negligible risk of developing liver cancer.

Duke-NUS study reveals that better data, smarter treatment plans and more realistic targets are needed to tackle anaemia, which affects nearly two billion people worldwide and remains a major obstacle to global health goals.

Research helps explain why vaccines work better for people with prior infection and why even an imperfect vaccine can be used safely to prevent dengue.

Self-healing hydrogel, Cool crawler, AI and world's longest crop experiment & Freeze-framing cells. Plus how media interest helps engineers and society. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination both prevents JEV and lowers dengue severity.

A drug called lubiprostone - typically used for constipation - was remarkably shown to help patients with chronic kidney disease.

• International researchers led by Duke-NUS identify rare mutations in the SPNS1 gene as the cause of a previously undiagnosed multi-organ disorder • Faulty fat recycling in cells triggers damaging build-up in muscles and liver • Findings lay the groundwork for new therapies for affected families

Researchers at National Taiwan University developed a biodegradable, electroconductive self-healing hydrogel combined with acupuncture that restores motor function and protects brain neurons in Parkinson’s disease models.