Research
Study cracks new insights into ovarian cancer’s immune evasion
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a novel mechanism by which ovarian tumors hinder the immune system’s T cells, blocking their energy supply and limiting their effectiveness against cancer. This discovery, published in Nature, highlights a potential new immunotherapy […]
TekniPlex Healthcare launches first biobased medical-grade PVC compounds
TekniPlex Healthcare has pioneered the development of bio-based, medical-grade PVC compounds, offering the healthcare industry a sustainable alternative without compromising on performance. As the first company to introduce bio-based compounds for medical plastics that match the properties of conventional polyvinyl […]
Electro-Acupuncture Shows Promise in Obesity Management, Study Finds
A collaborative study by researchers from Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Hong Kong University (HKU) has unveiled promising evidence that electro-acupuncture, a variant of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), could aid in managing obesity. Electro-acupuncture involves inserting needles into […]
NTU Singapore, Oxford study discover new process for cells to repair DNA damage
A team of international researchers at the University of Oxford (Oxford) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), has discovered a new process for repairing damaged DNA that is particularly relevant for patients undergoing colorectal cancer treatments. Reporting their finding […]
OS+H Asia 2024: Southeast Asia’s Leading Exhibition on Workplace Safety and Health Returns for its 14th Iteration
Southeast Asia’s leading exhibition dedicated to workplace safety and health, OS+H Asia, returns for its 14th iteration in a new venue, the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Hall B. Showcasing more than 130 exhibitors from 17 countries, OS+H Asia is […]
Technology & Devices
Innovative Wheelchair Design Developed for Ease, Energy Efficiency and User Comfort
Navigating manual wheelchairs on uneven pavements can be an exhausting and joint-straining task. However, two researchers from ETH Zurich , Reto Togni and Stefan Villiger, have come up with an innovative solution that could make steering manual wheelchairs much easier […]
Panasonic tackles Southeast Asia’s haze with innovative air quality solutions
Japanese-headquartered electronics company Panasonic, through Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd , a sales, service and marketing company for the Panasonic brand , is taking a proactive approach to combat Southeast Asia’s recurring haze problem with innovative indoor air quality solutions. In […]
Asians flock to medical trade fair in Singapore; upbeat optimism on healthcare
With Southeast Asia’s ageing population and expanding middle class being key drivers of growth in the region’s healthcare industry, the medical fairs held in Singapore recently for the medical, healthcare, and medical technology (MedTech) sectors, the 15th edition of Medical […]
World’s First Robotic Heart Transplant Saves Teen in 2.5-Hour Procedure
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) has made medical history by successfully performing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant on a 16-year-old patient suffering from stage four heart failure. The groundbreaking procedure, led by prominent Saudi cardiac […]
Medical Fair Asia 2024: Join Us for Day 2 of Asia’s Premier Medical Expo!
The 15th edition of Medical Fair Asia (MFA) and 6th edition of Medical Manufacturing Asia (MMA), the region’s premier specialist trade fairs for the medical, healthcare, and medical technology (MedTech) sectors, is still ongoing! Rated #1 must-attend medical and healthcare […]
Pharmaceutical
Cancer Biologists Uncover a New Mechanism for an Old Chemo Drug
MIT cancer researchers have discovered surprising mechanism for the long-used chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), indicating a potential shift in cancer treatment protocols. Previously believed to work primarily by damaging DNA, this research demonstrates that 5-FU effectively kills colon and gastrointestinal […]
Philippine Researchers Develop Bitter Gourd Herbal Medicine to Combat Type 2 Diabetes
The Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM) at the University of the Philippines Manila has developed an ampalaya (bitter melon) tablet as a breakthrough treatment for type 2 diabetes, presented by Professor Daisy-Mae A. Bagaoisan. Ampalaya (*Momordica charantia*) is rich in bioactive […]
Allergy Care: New Modalities and Holistic Approaches
Rising food allergies challenging for Asian healthcare The prevalence of allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema, varies significantly worldwide. Studies, including the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), have shown considerable increases in […]
AbbVie expands biologics manufacturing in Singapore with US$223 mn investment
AbbVie, a US pharmaceutical company, is investing $223 million in expanding its manufacturing facility in Singapore’s Tuas Biomedical Park. This expansion is expected to create over 100 jobs and increase biologics manufacturing capacity by 24,000 liters. The Singapore plant, serving […]
Breakthrough drug claims to cure woman of stage 3 bowel cancer
Cancer used to be associated with grim prognosis, but significant advancements in cancer treatments have changed the narrative. Patients are now living longer and enjoying a higher quality of life. Every year, ongoing research and breakthroughs in treatment and technology […]
Wellness and Complementary Therapies
Balancing Emotions: TCM Approaches to Emotional Health & Wellbeing
By Dr Ong Siew Siew, Senior Lecturer , Centre for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, IMU University Health has rhythm and rhyme Ever wondered about the subtle dance of your mood and energy? While most days unfold with steadiness, when the […]
Is Coaching in Palliative Care Necessary?
By Dr Jesrina Ann Xavier, member of the Active Ageing Impact Lab at Taylor’s University/ Dr Liew Kean Yew, Palliative Care specialist at Hospital Ampang Globally, the need for palliative care is on an upward trend due to the ageing […]
Reforms Urged to Support Aging Population in Asia-Pacific – Report
Challenges that come with age Developing Asia and the Pacific are facing significant challenges in securing the well-being of its rapidly aging population. A recent report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), “Aging Well in Asia,” highlights the pressing need […]
12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle
Now that the world has returned to normalcy following the pandemic, everyone is back to their daily routines and encounters with stress. Some people may prioritize living a healthy lifestyle over others. A healthy lifestyle is built on a well-balanced […]
6 Simple Asian recipes to relieve cough and cold
It’s the cold season again, and we all know that along with the cool morning and evening breezes, flu, cough, and runny nose are also common. Traditional medicine is ingrained in the cultural DNA of many Asians. Medicinal herbs have […]
Community health
Calamities may dampen NR supply – ANRPC report
Philippine researchers have developed a smart polymer with promising biomedical applications. Their study, published on August 10, 2024, highlights the polymer’s adaptability to environmental changes. This team focused on “stimuli-responsive” polymers, which react to changes in temperature or pH, with […]
PH Senators Call for PhilHealth Funds to Remain in Health System Amid SC’s TRO
In a decisive move to protect the health care system’s resources, Philippine senators have voiced strong support for a Supreme Court (SC) decision that temporarily halts the transfer of excess Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to the National Treasury. […]
Japan, SoKor, and US unite to boost BARMM healthcare with investment
Japan, South Korea, and the US have committed Php1.6 billion (US$29 million) over five years to improve health outcomes and advance Universal Health Care in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines. Through a Memorandum of Cooperation signed […]
Agilent and NUS Launch Center of Excellence in Cell Metabolism to Improve Population Health
Agilent Technologies has announced a new strategic partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS), acting through the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), to establish the NUS-Agilent Center of Excellence (CoE) in Cell Metabolism. This scientific collaboration […]
Japan Considers Elderly Medical Cost Hile by 2028 to Address Aging Population
The Japanese government is evaluating the expansion of the pool of elderly people required to cover 30% of their medical expenses, as part of new measures adopted Friday to address the country’s aging population. Under the current public health insurance […]
Health alert
Hepatitis Awareness in Malaysia: A Quick Guide to Prevention and Management
Resource Person: Dr Chua Siew Houy, general physician and rheumatologist at IMU University. Many people do not realise that the hepatitis virus can cause chronic liver disease and even lead to liver cancer. When it comes to one’s health and […]
Critical Need for Education on Cyberbullying
Resource person: Lai Mun Onn, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Governance, Faculty of Business and Law, Taylor’s University Cyberbullying is not a matter that children face but adults can be victims too. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that there […]
Healthy Habits to Combat Fatty Liver Disease
The Hepatology Society of the Philippines reiterated the importance of food discipline and regular exercise in combating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). At a Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) forum, Dr. Jennielyn Agcaoili-Conde, Vice President of the society, highlighted […]
Healthcare, the costliest sector for cyberattacks – report
According to a cybersecurity assessment, the Asia Pacific healthcare sector is seeing an alarming increase in cyberattacks globally, indicating the critical need to give cybersecurity top priority. The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a surge in ransomware attacks on its healthcare […]
Increasing Screen Time Exposes Southeast Asian Children To Online Dangers
Estimates indicate that one in three internet users globally is a child. In Southeast Asia, school-aged children (ages 6 to 14) spend an average of 2.77 hours per day on screens, surpassing the recommended two-hour daily limit, according to a […]
Other health News
AI and interconnectivity propels SEA’s US$6 bn health market
Home to nearly 60% of the world’s population, the Asian region’s digital health market is expected to generate US$66.97 billion revenue in 2024 and reach a projected market value of US$99.57 billion by 2029, according to analysts Statista. The rapid […]
AI-Driven Tool to Predict Dementia Risk Using Brain Scans
A groundbreaking initiative in Scotland aims to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to predict dementia risk from brain scans. A team of 20 data scientists and clinical researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee is spearheading this effort, leveraging a […]
New MOU Formalizes Healthcare Worker Deployment to Singapore
The Philippines and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the recruitment and deployment of Filipino healthcare workers to Singapore. The MOU signed by Secretary for Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, […]
Asia Sees Rising Mpox Cases; Takes Action with Control and Treatment Measures
Bracing from another health crisis? Since May 2022, monkeypox (now named mpox), caused by Clade I and Clade II of the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus, has been reported in both non-endemic and endemic countries. Notably, many […]
Cambodia Reaffirms ASEAN Health Cooperation Pledge
Cambodia’s Minister of Health, Chheang Ra, reaffirmed the country’s dedication to improving the health and well-being of ASEAN citizens by strengthening cooperation with ASEAN and its dialogue partners. The commitment was announced during the 16th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting (AHMM) […]
WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak in Africa a Public Health Emergency of International concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). […]
An Urgent Need to Stop Diabetes in Its Tracks
There is no doubt that diabetes is a debilitating disease, making it essential to prevent its onset. Globally, an estimated 529 million people globally live with diabetes, with 90-95% having type 2 diabetes, according to research. This condition significantly increases […]
Taiwan’s Leading Medical Centers Tap Accelerated Computing Tech for Biomedical Research
Taiwan’s top medical institutions, the National Health Research Institute (NHRI) and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH), are pioneering the integration of accelerated computing and generative AI by US-headquartered technology company Nvidia to advance biomedical research and patient care. These technologies […]
Japan’s Health Ministry Mulls Wider Availability for Abortion Pill
Japan’s Health Ministry is exploring the expansion of availability for the country’s first approved abortion pill, potentially allowing its use in clinics without inpatient facilities. Currently, the medication is restricted to hospitals with inpatient capabilities. This consideration follows a national […]
Problematic Smartphone Use as Hidden Driver of Anxiety and Depression in Teens – Study
Researchers at King’s College London found that teens with problematic smartphone use (PSU) were twice as likely to have anxiety and nearly three times more likely to suffer from depression compared to those without PSU. The study aimed to assess […]
