Medicine

The study reviews existing scientific methods for detecting methanol in lambanog, a traditional Filipino alcoholic beverage.

In a comprehensive review published in Nature Reviews Immunology, a Duke-NUS-led team compiled a 'handbook' of key insights from over 200 studies on immune cell types, their location and their behavioural changes over time, providing an evidence-based start line to accelerate scarring research.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that PM2.5 air pollutants negatively affect mucociliary clearance, a protective mechanism of the respiratory tract. Air pollution led to the formation of lipid peroxide-derived aldehydes, known to damage protective cells in the airway and increase the risk of infections. ALDH1A1 was found to play an important role in protection against aldehydes, making it a potential therapeutic target to diminish the negative effects of air pollution.

Duke-NUS Medical School’s Class of 2025 graduates 121 medical and doctoral students, including MDs, MD-PhDs, PhDs, and masters’ degrees; Landmark first batch of Masters in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality graduates, unique to Southeast Asia; Inaugural graduates from conditional admissions pathways with National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Technology and Design; 41% of MD and MD-PhD graduates made bold mid-career shifts from fields such as law, PR, accounting and mental health support

Cosmic hide-and-seek, Controlling quantum light, Thinking face robot, Live DNA folding & Menopause-dementia link. Plus latest SciCom Coffee talk. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Scientists have identified a brain molecule called NEAT1 that appears to play a central role in triggering light sensitivity (photophobia), a common and debilitating symptom of migraines

The Philippines faces a chronic shortage of nurses and physicians, and many health graduates are unprepared for real-world public health work.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that the Wnt5a protein, secreted by inflammatory fibroblasts within cancerous tumors, inhibits angiogenesis and consequently promotes hypoxia within tumors. Hypoxic conditions help sustain the inflammatory fibroblasts, which also secrete the growth factor epiregulin, thereby promoting tumor growth. This newly proposed mechanism for tumor growth offers a promising new target for cancer therapies and possibly other conditions linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

A research team at The University of Osaka has identified a crucial brain region involved in motor learning during reaching movements. The parvocellular division of the red nucleus, a small but specialized structure in the midbrain, was found to generate and transmit “error signals” necessary for adapting hand movements. This discovery clarifies a long-standing question in neuroscience about how the brain detects and corrects motion inaccuracies, with potential applications in developing new rehabilitation methods.

The combination of estrogen-blocking treatment with immunotherapy enhanced immunotherapy efficacy in ER+ metastatic breast cancer.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that mass photometry can accurately distinguish full and empty rAAV particles in cell lysates and conditioned medium, without prior purification. This convenient and rapid approach is likely to improve manufacturing of rAAV-based gene therapy products by accelerating the screening steps.

A research team from The University of Osaka has made a significant breakthrough in cancer radiotherapy by identifying conditions under which carbon ion beams—delivered at ultra-high dose rates (uHDR)—can protect normal cells. This phenomenon, known as the “FLASH effect,” could revolutionize cancer treatment by reducing side effects and improving patients’ quality of life.

New research shows that the gum disease bacterium P. gingivalis can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup—distorting the heart’s architecture, disrupting electrical signals, and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation.

How does obesity affect insulin production? Researchers at Tohoku University are shining light on new stages of the ERK pathway.

A breakthrough to tackle the long-standing challenges of heterogeneity and scarcity in extracellular vesicle (EV) research.

Method’s anticancer effects verified at cellular and organismal levels without obvious side effects

Smart neural electrode, "Rhinoceros beetle" robot, Halting the thief of sight, Together at last & Lighting hardy plants. Plus latest SciCom Coffee talk. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Researchers from The University of Osaka discover that specific white blood cells and the amount of an inflammation protein in the blood can predict relapse of an autoimmune blood vessel disease.

- DGIST Prof. Yea Kyungmoo and team significantly improve fatty liver, inflammation, and fibrosis in cellular and animal disease models using exosome surface/internal engineering - Therapy displays high biocompatibility, maximizing treatment efficiency as liver-specific drug delivery - Research results are published in the internationally acclaimed journal Biomaterials

- A joint research team from DGIST and Kyungpook National University has developed a tailored protein adapter technology for the surface modification of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) - Recognized for its precision drug delivery platform capable of attaching diverse therapeutics, the study was published as a supplementary cover article in ACS Nano

Functional cure, defined as durable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titers below the lower limit of detection (LLOD), is associated with better clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection and regarded as the preferred treatment endpoint of novel therapeutic agents against HBV. Scientists from the College of Medicine of National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital identified that the Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in childhood, high-genetic-barrier nucleos(t)ide analogue(s) therapy before HBeAg seroconversion, and the HBsAg titer < 1000 IU/mL after HBeAg seroconversion are predictors of functional cure. Findings demonstrated the merit of the follow-up and treatment of chronic HBV infection from childhood.

Colder temperatures are linked with increased risk of diarrhea among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for climate-sensitive health strategies in refugee settings.

Meta-analysis of medical research with LLMs reveals diagnostic accuracy

Shin-Etsu Chemical and Hokkaido University have developed system for the production of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that incorporates a microfluidic device.

Researchers discover that inflammation and aging contribute to non-viral liver cancer development. Green tea's role in reversing some of the pathway dysregulation that may contribute to the cancer development and other therapies explored.

New research in model mice suggests low-dose opioids may help improve social interactions in people with autism spectrum disorder.

Duke-NUS Medical School has appointed Professor Patrick Tan as its next and fourth Dean, effective 1 January 2026, marking a new chapter for the School as it builds on its legacy of medical education, research and innovation.

The rising trend of high-risk colorectal neoplasia rates in people under 50 in Taiwan is prompting a policy of early colorectal cancer screening.

The presence of T cells with low-levels of Bach2 contributes to the worsening and/or prolongation of allergic dermatitis symptoms

Researchers from The University of Osaka identify a molecule that can support specific therapeutic targeting of AML with chimeric antigen receptor therapy