Medicine

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.

Wireless signals do not travel well through the human body, especially in high-frequency bands, such as the UWB band, making it difficult for swallowable medical devices to reliably send data outside the body. By accounting for how different frequencies behave in the body, researchers adjusted each part of the signal to match how it is absorbed and distorted by tissue, creating a stronger, clearer signal at the receiver.

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.

Lingnan University today, 13 April, hosted its University Assembly with guest of honour Prof Arieh Warshel, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry in 2013 and widely recognised as one of the founding figures of computational chemistry. In his lecture Electrostatic Basis of Biological Actions, Prof Warshel shared insights from his decades of research and presented an integrated account of his life’s work, from fundamental physical principles and the laws governing electrons to the construction of the “microscopic world” of biological systems. He further extended this framework to the study and application of biomolecules, and highlighted the role of computational tools and artificial intelligence in advancing medical and pharmaceutical research.

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.

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

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 platform could improve reproductive toxicity testing by enhancing both efficiency and ethical standards

A new international survey reveals clear differences in how veterinarians and animal welfare scientists in Japan and the UK perceive animal welfare, particularly animal behaviour.

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

Scientists at CityUHK achieved a breakthrough in recent months with the discovery a novel compound, named MF-8. The compound and its associated pharmaceuticals demonstrate significant potential to provide safer, more effective treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as memory impairment, depression and anxiety, while effectively mitigating the side effects associated with existing medications.

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.

The possible existence of a new phosphate regulatory mechanism through estrogens biosynthesized by aromatase in adipose tissue

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.

A new method that uses nanoparticles could help overcome a manufacturing challenge that has slowed the development of advanced cell-based treatments

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.

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.

Changes in male hormones and excessive sugar intake work together in progressing liver damage

Wearable medical devices, like exoskeletons, often rely on soft actuators, materials that convert electrical energy into motion. But traditional actuators often use stiff metallic materials that limit mobility. Now, an international research group has developed soft yarn actuator fibers that can bend, contract, and produce complex movements when electricity is applied.

HBsAg seroconversion, durable HBsAg loss, and the presence of anti-HBs are considered indicators of an almost complete cure of chronic HBV infection, which is viewed as a goal that is rarely achieved with current antiviral treatments. Researchers from the College of Medicine of National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital identified that the undetectable circulating HBV RNA after HBeAg-seroconversion is an important predictor of HBsAg seroconversion.

A team of researchers from Taiwan has developed PanMETAI, an AI-powered platform that analyses metabolic fingerprints in a simple blood sample to detect pancreatic cancer at its earliest stages—when treatment is most effective—achieving up to 94% diagnostic accuracy.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have found that potassium KCNQ2/3 channels in the brain, which are important for suppressing cell excitability, need to be fully functional to be trafficked to the appropriate part within the nerve cell and work properly. This link between channel functionality and localization may have important consequences for the development of therapies against KCNQ2/3-related epilepsy.