Health

News

Compounds from nucleic acids derived from salmon milt DNA and torula yeast RNA showed effects against cancer cell growth.
27 Aug 2024
Specific nucleosides hinder replication of tumor cells in step toward cancer prevention
Compounds found in citrus and coconut could be the solution to oral disease in children and the elderly.
26 Aug 2024
A nonirritant, antibacterial solution to prevent oral inflammation may lie in citrus and coconut chemical compounds
23 Aug 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how playing video games can help you feel better, how we age rapidly in two “bursts”, and a spider that tricks male fireflies into its web.
The presidents of the three medical societies pose for a photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to renew the Alliance and reiterating their intention to collaborate closely, together with the signatories of the first MoU signed virtually in 2021 // Credit: Courtesy of TriMedSoc Alliance
23 Aug 2024
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.
Improvement effects of MOD06051. In the glomeruli of the disease group, neutrophils (green) that are positive for the NETs marker citrullinated histone H3 (Cit-H3; red) are observed. Cit-H3 was not observed in neutrophils infiltrating in the low-dose and high-dose treatment groups. (Yuka Nishibata, et al. Nature Communications. August 22, 2024)
22 Aug 2024
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.
Comparing the diagnostic accuracy of ChatGPT and radiologists
21 Aug 2024
ChatGPT’s diagnostic capabilities evaluated in comparison to radiologists
20 Aug 2024
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.
20 Aug 2024
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.
16 Aug 2024
It is the first study to estimate informal caregiving time and its monetary value in Singapore in the context of seniors requiring day-to-day care. Study findings highlight the need to acknowledge the contributions of informal caregivers—family members or friends providing unpaid help to seniors for their daily living activities.
02 Aug 2024
- DGIST-Sungkyunkwan University research team successfully develops a next-generation bioelectronic suture that can monitor inflammation around wounds in real time - Maintains the functionality of traditional surgical sutures while monitoring inflammation... Expected to contribute to advances in wound care and related medical fields
02 Aug 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are gene transplants that help flies live longer, a COVID-19 treatment using embryonic stem cells, and how a frog named after Darwin likes to get it on.
Ecklonia cava is a seaweed that may hold the key to Parkinson’s disease prevention. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University
02 Aug 2024
Ecklonia cava, a brown algae seaweed, is shown to have the ability to protect against neurodegeneration
Associate Professor Daiju Ueda on sustainable AI
31 Jul 2024
Growing use of AI reveals the need for global sustainability initiatives
30 Jul 2024
Applied Microbiology International has announced that it has recruited 11 new Global Ambassadors from around the world.
30 Jul 2024
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.
A new assessment tool has been developed to estimate fall risks in older populations.
29 Jul 2024
Researchers develop method to calculate the probability of a fall for older adults
26 Jul 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the smallest and lightest drone that can pave the way for new models, how good intentions may have provoked a heatwave, and how eating fruit can stave off depression.
The resistance mechanism of indisulam by YAP/TAZ activation
26 Jul 2024
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.
R-EDByUS score: quick and precise prediction model for neurological prognosis in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
25 Jul 2024
New scoring model enhances early prognosis prediction using prehospital resuscitation data only
Artificial hip and two types of replacement stems
22 Jul 2024
Detailed analysis of bone density changes and stem-femur contact after total hip replacement
How venetoclax helps body fight leukemia
16 Jul 2024
Combination of venetoclax and azacitidine helps patients with AML who relapse after hematopoietic cell transplant
16 Jul 2024
Evaluation of developmental toxicity of early chicken embryos exposed to chlorinated paraffins
12 Jul 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how diversity in genetics and our microbiome influences our health, and how the shape of ice makes it slippery
Endolysin, a phage-derived antibacterial enzyme demonstrated specific activity against pathogenic Enterococcus bacteria.
10 Jul 2024
Researchers from Japan discover a new enzyme with promising antibacterial activity
Chronic allergic disorder eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
09 Jul 2024
First epidemiological study on incidence of EoE in Japan
 Chest radiographs and average saliency maps
08 Jul 2024
Potential benefits of method include subjecting patients to fewer exams and reducing health care costs
Diagram of skin incision and extent of craniotomy
01 Jul 2024
Results compare favorably with conventional microscopic method, with added benefit of shorter operative times, less blood loss
28 Jun 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how to reach your 100th birthday, a (slightly unnerving) robot covered in human skin, and a feline urine test.
20 Jun 2024
WSA's Office of Research in Clinical Amplification (ORCA) Asia will be a research laboratory dedicated to conducting audiological research for the Asian population.
A therapist and an older patient with cognitive impairment, shot from the chest down, play with building blocks and a digital tablet,
18 Jun 2024
A study from Duke-NUS Medical School and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) estimates that the yearly additional costs of about S$700 per person are mainly due to emergency and subsequent hospital admissions. In total, these costs are set to rise to S$106 million annually in 2030 as the population ages.

Events

18 Oct 2021
Now in its 14th installation, the HIMSS21 APAC Conference will converge under the theme of Future-Proof Healthcare: The Emergence of Asia Pacific.
01 Nov 2021
We invite scientists, doctors, students and other delegates engaging in scientific research related to cancer to join us at Singapore’s preferred cancer conference.
12 Oct 2021
The Asia's Largest Partnering “BioJapan” will be held both digitally and physically. Meet your potential business partners in this Partnering Event!
07 Oct 2021
The National Healthcare Group (NHG) is proud to present the 19th Edition of the Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress (SHBC).
25 Oct 2021
First in the region focused on recognizing innovations, initiatives, programmes and ideas which contribute to sustainability, eradicating poverty, improving well-being, protecting our planet, and building peace and prosperity.
07 Apr 2021
Join us from 7 to 9 April 2021 at the Precision Public Health Asia 2021 Conference to find out how precision public health can improve health outcomes and equity to deliver ‘personalised’ public health.
24 Feb 2021
INTERPHEX Week Osaka is Asia's leading exhibition for pharmaceutical industry, consists of 2 exhibitions for pharmaceutical technologies - INTERPHEX OSAKA (Manufacturing & Packaging) and PharmaLab Expo OSAKA (Pharma R&D and Drug Discovery).
21 Oct 2021
Call for Papers for 2021 conference: People, Power, Politics, Pandemics and Other Perils in Southeast Asia. The event will take place on 21-24 October 2021 at University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada. Deadline: Thursday 8 April 2021. Submit from the link below.
18 Nov 2020
The Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit will focus on accelerating innovation in supply chain resilience, urban food systems, alternative proteins, and affordable nutrition. Will you be joining the conversation virtually on November 18-20?
27 Nov 2020
ACRLS 2020 aims to contribute to strengthening cooperation and relationship among members worldwide and forming a strong global network by providing various benefits to robotic clinics in rapidly growing nations throughout Asia.
25 Nov 2020
Asia's Leading Pharma & Bio Tech Show will be held as scheduled from November 25-27, 2020 at Makuhari Messe, Japan. It will be held both on-site and online.
10 Nov 2020
A gathering of healthcare leaders, key government representatives and healthcare IT experts, this conference provides an exclusive platform for you to network with your important stakeholders in Singapore’s healthcare industry.
16 Nov 2020
Optimising Clinical Trials | Commercialising Great Science | Partnering for Growth
02 Nov 2020
We invite scientists, doctors, students and other delegates engaging in scientific research related to cancer to join us at Singapore’s preferred cancer conference.
01 Oct 2020
The 6th annual RNA Biology Symposium jointly organized by the RNA Biology Centre of CSI Singapore (NUS), Skin Research Institute of Singapore (A*STAR), Duke-NUS Medical School, School of Biological Sciences (NTU) and Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
The Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) acknowledges the efforts made by researchers, innovators and inventors from across the globe and to appreciate their high quality research work and contributions to different fields of science and technology.
26 Jun 2020
Flattening the Curve with Digital Health: Episode 7 - Australia
18 Jun 2020
Flattening the Curve with Digital Health: Episode 6 - Thailand
10 Jun 2020
Flattening the Curve with Digital Health: Episode 5 - Japan
23 Sep 2020
Adapting to COVID 19, and driving a pivotal change in drug trials, market penetration, pricing and regulatory compliance
02 Sep 2020
Celebrating and learning from COVID 19 success stories to shape new frontiers in patient experience, healthtech and innovation.
14 Oct 2020
Asia's Premier Partnering Event for the Global Biotechnology Industry. This year’s exhibition will be held as originally planned at Pacifico Yokohama. BioJapan partnering is available both physically and virtually. Plus some seminars will be available online.
22 Jul 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting international travel, this year's event will be a unique blend of online and live gatherings — BIO Asia–Taiwan 2020 Online + Live, to be held July 22-26 in Taipei, Taiwan.
09 Dec 2020
Singapore's long-running Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry learning and networking event, featuring a stellar profile of C-suite experts and firms.
03 Nov 2020
Your go-to event to reach out to key decision makers in the pharmaceutical industry. The event will be delivered digitally from 3-5 November 2020.
17 Jul 2020
Asia’s annual premier healthcare platform CAREhab 2020 and conference element 6th Singapore Rehabilitation Conference, will now be held online on the 17 – 18 July 2020.
07 Jul 2020
IMAPAC is bringing to you 3 focus areas: Bio-Manufacturing, Bio-Analytics, and Cell Therapy Bioprocessing as part of Asia's biggest, most focussed annual bioprocessing virtual conference!
09 Dec 2019
The ASEAN Emerging Researchers Conference is a flagship programme of the ASEAN Young Scientists Network; the official platform for young researchers in the region.
08 Dec 2020
Asia's pharma & biotech virtual festival - Phar-East is the premier meeting place for senior executives from Asia’s pharma and biotech industry.
26 Nov 2019
Vaccine World Asia 2019 will bring together leading experts to discuss the latest technological advancements and spearhead scientific innovation in the development and manufacture of vaccines for key diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, Tuberculosis etc.

Researchers

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Robert Mitchell of UNIST
Dr. Mitchell is a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). His primary research interest is the study of bacterial strains that attack and prey on other bacteria, including antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
Dr. Soojin Jang
Dr. Soojin Jang heads the Antibacterial Resistance Research Laboratory at Institut Pasteur Korea, where her team focuses on discovering new antibacterial agents for “superbugs” or bacteria resistant to most antibiotics.
Dr Kanimolli Arasu is a lecturer and a dietitian at the International Medical University, Malaysia.
Professor Gail Tripp is a neurobiologist who established the OIST Children’s Research Center to undertake research on the nature, etiology and management of ADHD with English and Japanese speaking children and families.
Dr Singh is working as an Additional Professor of Radiology. Besides specializing in medical Imaging, he has received certifications in Global Health, Science Diplomacy and Biomedical Research. His areas of interest and expertise are as follows: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Medicine, Health, Public Health, Global Health, Health Policy, Health Systems, evidence-based healthcare and Healthcare leadership.
A PhD student in the health sciences department, studying population studies in health. A graduate student researcher at the University of Lethbridge, under the guidance of Dr. Olu Awosoga and Dr. Hendrika Beaulieu. Majoring in Indigenous health and conducting research on perceived mental and general health status of Indigenous women with chronic illnesses, relating to past experiences of discrimination, trauma and racism. Also focusing on the impact of health policies on the perception of wellness and health. Prior to coming to Canada, worked under the supervision of the UNHCR in Malaysia in project on the access and utilization of healthcare services among refugees. Holds an MSc in public health from the International Medical University and a Bachelor degree in Dental Surgery from Sana’a University.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Professor Winnie Mak Wing-sze
Professor Winnie Mak Wing-sze is the director the of Diversity and Well-Being Laboratory and currently a Professor at the Department of Psychology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Dr. Randolph Chan's research areas focus on the mental health and positive development of youth from marginalized populations with a particular emphasis on sexual and gender minorities.
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
Dr. Iyaswamy Ashok
Dr. Iyaswamy Ashok is currently a Research Assistant Professor at School of Chinese Medicine.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
Minseok S. Kim
Minseok S. Kim is an Assistant Professor of New Biology at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST)
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Henry Ho Chun-yip
Dr. Henry Ho is a Registered Psychologist (RP) of the Hong Kong Psychological Society and a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) of the British Psychological Society. His current research aims to examine the impact of psychological capital on work performance and well-being.
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
Prof. Cai Zongwei is now the Chair Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Director of both State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis as well as Dioxin Laboratory, Hong Kong Baptist University.
Lingnan University (LU)
Lam Woo & Co Ltd Chair Professor Siu Oi-ling is Chair Professor teaching psychology courses. Her research interests are in Occupational Health Psychology, specifically occupational stress, psychology of safety and work-life balance.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Dr. Brian Man Yu Bon
Dr. Brian Man Yu Bon is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Kwa is currently a Pharmacy Clinician Scientist and Assistant Director, Pharmacy (Research), at the Singapore General Hospital. She specializes in critical care medicine, infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance research.
Suraj Bhattarai
Suraj Bhattarai is a global health specialist and tropical medicine physician with research interests in infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance, health systems, and urban health. He is a co-founder and research fellow at the Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, a Kathmandu-based academic institute that promotes and conducts interdisciplinary research. He is a member of Global Young Academy and an Alumni steering committee member of IAP-Young Physician Leaders Programme. He obtained medical training in Nepal and masters in Tropical Medicine & International Health from the LSHTM, UK.
I am a Health Economist/Researcher, working with UN agencies in the development of policy documents for developing countries including Nepal, Ethiopia and Pakistan.
Osaka City University
Takashi Hashimoto's major expertise is clinical and basic research for both autoimmune bullous diseases and hereditary skin diseases.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Professor Chou has wide research interests in areas concerning geriatric psychiatry, elderly policies, population policy especially immigrant policy, poverty, welfare reform, income inequality and health policy.
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
Dr. Salizar Binti Mohamed Ludin is an Assoc. Prof at the Kulliyyah of Nursing of International Islamic University Malaysia.
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Department of Microbiology / Biomolecular Sciences Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Dr. Louisa Chung is a Registered Nutritionist of Association for Nutrition (UK) with ten years experience in weight management and physical fitness projects. She is now working on an innovative dietary intake method which aims better result in weight loss and nutrition education.
Osaka City University
Dr. Akira Kaneko
Akira Kaneko was appointed as Professor of Parasitology of Osaka City University in 2010. Since then, he has conducted global health research with a particular focus on malaria elimination on islands in Vanuatu, Oceania and Lake Victoria, Kenya.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Dr. Esther Lau Yuet-ying
Dr Esther Lau specializes in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology. Currently, her primary line of research aims to uncover some of the complex relationships between sleep, emotional and cognitive functioning.
Osaka City University
Picture of Prof. Jun-Seok Oh
Prof. Jun-Seok Oh is currently working at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka City University, He does research in Experimental Plasma Physics and is currently interested in atmospheric pressure plasma applications, 'Plasma Medicine' and 'Plasma Agriculture'.
Osaka City University
Picture of Prof. Eriko Kage-Nakadai
Eriko Kage-Nakadai is a professor at the Graduate School of Human Life Science of Osaka City University.
Osaka City University
Kazuhisa Asai
Kazuhisa Asai is currently an associate professor at the Graduate School of Medicine of Osaka City University.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Picture of Dr. Anna Kam Chi-shan
Dr.Anna Kam's research interests include advanced technologies in aural rehabilitation, automated hearing screening, tinnitus management and auditory processing.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Dr. Yuen has dual professional qualifications as an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist (or speech therapist). He is also an experienced cochlear implant clinical specialist audiologist.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Prof. Patrick Tan's research focuses on developing genomic approaches to unlock the molecular and clinical diversity of gastric cancer (aka stomach cancer)- a leading cause of global cancer mortality.

Giants in history

Filipina paediatrician and scientist Perla Santos-Ocampo (25 July 1931 – 29 June 2012) made important contributions to treatments and policies that curbed debilitating and sometimes deadly diarrhoea-related diseases and malnutrition in children.
Singaporean physician Oon Chiew Seng (1916 – 31 March 2022) advanced dementia care and research in Singapore, and co-founded the Apex Harmony Lodge, the nation’s first nursing home for residents with dementia.
Vietnamese surgeon Tôn Thất Tùng (10 May 1912 – 7 May 1982) developed a pioneering technique that reduced the risks and mortality rate of liver operations.
Chinese biochemist Chi Che Wang (1894 - 1979), one of the first Chinese women to study abroad, advanced to prominent research positions at American institutions including the University of Chicago and the Northwestern University Medical School.
Ruby Sakae Hirose (1904 – 1960) was a Japanese-American scientist whose research contributed significantly to our understanding of blood clotting, allergies and cancer.
Flora Zaibun Majid ( 1939–2018) was an accomplished Bangladeshi researcher in botany and nutrition science and the first female chairperson of the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Iranian physician and bacteriologist Azar Andami (8 December 1926 – 19 August 1984) developed a cholera vaccine to combat an outbreak that swept through the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and Africa in 1937.
Irene Ayako Uchida’s (8 April 1917 – 30 July 2013) strides to understand genetic diseases such as Down syndrome paved the way for early screening of chromosomal abnormalities in foetuses.
Baron Kitasato Shibasaburo (29 January 1856 – 13 June 1931) was a Japanese physician and bacteriologist whose work led to a new understanding of preventing and treating tetanus, diphtheria and anthrax.
Maggie Lim (5 January 1913 – November 1995) was a Singaporean physician who promoted family planning and expanded the access to clinics to improve the quality of life for mothers and children in Singapore’s early days.
By isolating soil microorganisms and studying the compounds they produce, Satoshi Omura (born 1935) discovered almost 500 organic compounds with unique properties that were produced by these microorganisms, including many new antibiotics.
The founder of the Adyar Cancer Institute in India, Muthulakshmi Reddy (30 July 1886 – 22 July 1968), fought to uplift women and girls from impoverished situations.
Chinese-American virologist and molecular biologist Flossie Wong-Staal (27 August 1946 – 8 July 2020) was the first scientist to clone HIV and determine the function of its genes.
Maharani Chakravorty (1937 – 2015) was one of India’s earliest molecular biologists whose research paved the way for advances in the treatment of bacterial and viral infections.
Archana Sharma (16 February 1932 - 14 January 2008) conducted research into plant and human genetics that expanded the understanding of both botany and human health. In relation to botany, she uncovered the means by which asexually-reproducing plants evolve into new species.
The first Thai woman to receive a degree in medicine, Margaret Lin Xavier (29 May 1898 – 6 December 1932), is best remembered for her compassion towards her less privileged patients.
In 1915, pathologist Katsusaburo Yamagiwa and his research assistant Koichi Ichikawa became the first to prove that chronic exposure to chemicals can cause cancer.
Filipino chemist and pharmacist Manuel A. Zamora (29 March 1870 – 9 July 1929) is best remembered for his discovery of the tiki-tiki formula to combat beriberi, a disease caused by Vitamin B1 deficiency.
After witnessing death and suffering as a youth in his home village during World War II, Nguyễn Tài Thu (6 April 1931 – 14 February 2021) set his sights on alleviating pain by becoming a doctor. After studying Traditional Chinese Medicine in China in the 1950s, Thu returned to Vietnam to serve in military hospitals. Eventually, he became the country’s foremost practitioner of acupuncture, a technique he first learned by inserting needles into himself.
David T. Wong (born 1936) is a Hong Kong-born American neuroscientist who is best known for discovering the antidepressant drug fluoxetine, better known as Prozac.
Indian organic chemist Asima Chatterjee (1917 to 2006) studied the medicinal properties of plant products, especially compounds known as vinca alkaloids.
Hsien Wu (24 November 1893 – 8 August 1959) is widely regarded as the founder of biochemistry and nutrition science in China. He was the first to propose that protein denaturation was caused by the unfolding of the protein, instead of chemical alteration.
Umetaro Suzuki (7 April 1874 – 20 September 1943) was a Japanese scientist best remembered for his research on beriberi, a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, characterized by limb stiffness, paralysis and pain.
Syed Qasim Mehdi (13 February 1941 – 28 September 2016) was a Pakistani molecular biologist who was a founding member of the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), which assessed human diversity by studying human migration, mutation rates, relationships between different populations, genes involved in height and selective pressure.
Tsai-Fan Yu (1911 – 2 March 2007) was a Chinese-American physician and researcher who was the first female full professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She discovered that gout, a condition characterized by the painful inflammation of joints, was caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream.
Min Chueh Chang (10 October 1908 – 5 June 1991) was a Chinese-American biologist who studied fertilization in mammalian reproduction.
A Japanese surgeon, Tetsuzo Akutsu (20 August 1922 – 9 August 2007) built the first artificial heart capable of keeping an animal alive.
Ogino Ginko (3 March 1851 – 23 June 1913) was the first registered female doctor to practise modern medicine in Japan.