Research
Rising air pollution: bad air days for pregnant moms, babies
Air pollution is hazardous to one’s health. However, expectant mothers must exercise extra caution because air pollution will not only harm her health but also that of her child. Air quality in Asia is deteriorating over time. According to an […]
Adequate hydration for healthy aging, longer life, study finds
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study published in eBioMedicine emphasized the importance of hydration in adult health. It found that adults who maintain a healthy level of hydration appear to be healthier, suffer from chronic illnesses like heart and […]
Less calorie intake may be more effective than intermittent fasting – study
Intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating patterns, has gained popularity among health-conscious people looking to lose weight naturally. However, according to a six-year study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), timing from first meal to […]
Study unearths anti-cancer benefit of gardening
Gardening is more than just good for your health. A recent study discovered a significant benefit of gardening, namely that the activity may indirectly reduce a person’s cancer risk. The University of Colorado at Boulder study found that those who […]
Load up on fermented foods for mental health
From East Asia’s Kimchi and Paocai to South Asia’s Gundruk and Goyang and Southeast Asia’s Tempoyak, Sayur Asin, and Achara, Asians’ love of fermented foods is not only for gastronomic pleasure but also for health. Fermented vegetables and fruits are […]
Technology & Devices
Jab-phobic? Furry robots come to the rescue!
It is no secret that there are individuals who are terrified of needles, injections, or even going to medical facilities. People with trypanophobia, who have a severe fear of needles, are all too aware of this. Thus, a novel haptic, […]
Sensors sewn into t-shirts and face masks for stylish health monitoring
Sensors sewn into t-shirts and face masks for stylish health monitoring HCA Facebook Sensors sewn into t-shirts and face masks for stylish health monitoring Sensors sewn into t-shirts and face masks for stylish health monitoring Researchers from Imperial College London […]
Heart valve repair device by Abbot flagged for apparent malfunction
Healthcare providers have been alerted to a potential clip-lock issue with one of Abbott Laboratories’ (Abbott) medical devices, by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The device in question, MitraClip, is used to treat mitral regurgitation, or heart valve […]
Sound TPE solution for hearing aid applications
Kraiburg TPE, a leading global manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for a variety of industries, offers its TPE compounds for hearing devices such as hearing aid applications. Hearing loss affects billions of people globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts […]
Walking setup used to power upper limb prostheses in the works
Scientists at Rice University (Rice) in Texas are developing a pneumatic “extra limb” that will be powered by the wearer’s footsteps. Prosthetics are incredibly useful to those with disabilities – they could, however, do without the bulky and heavy batteries […]
Pharmaceutical
Multi-acting compound a new solution to drug-resistant prostate cancer
The growth of tumours in prostate cancer are fuelled by testosterone, contributing to a vicious cycle that eventually becomes resistant to standard treatments. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, or WUSTL, have found a drug compound […]
New oral drug discovery for treatment of cholesterol
One of the primary forms of medications for managing cholesterol are known as PCSK9 inhibitors, which are delivered via injections, helping the body pull excess cholesterol from the blood. US investigators at University Hospitals (UH) and Case Western Reserve University […]
Repurposed drug promotes weight loss and cardiovascular health in adolescents
Overweight adolescents testing out an FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved drug for weight loss in adults reported an average weight loss of at least 5%, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, US. Treatment with […]
Indonesia first to approve use of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine
Indonesian Food and Drugs Agency (BPOM) has granted approval for the use of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine developed by a Chinese company, Walvax Biotechnology. Indonesia thus becomes the first country to grant emergency use approval for that vaccine, ahead of […]
Disinfecting surfaces to keep monkeypox virus at bay
With cases of monkeypox continuing to rise and spread around the world, government health departments are providing advice and guidance on how to help prevent transmission of the disease with hygiene and disinfection of the utmost importance. | Disinfecting. Health […]
Wellness and Complementary Therapies
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 […]
Better heart health, weight loss? Walk with poles
Walking has always been a natural exercise, and its health benefits have long been lauded, including increased heart health and lung fitness, lower risk of heart disease and stroke, better management of common health conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, […]
Hisential: a new, accessible healthcare and wellness brand for men
A newly-developed men’s healthcare and wellness brand, called Hisential, has just opened its first clinic at the prestigious Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The warm and luxe-inspired clinic is accessible to men of all ages, offering a […]
Daily almond consumption found to promote gut health
Eating a handful of almonds each day increases the production of a type of short-chain fatty acid, which in turn acts as a fuel source for the gut microbiota. According to researchers at King’s College London, eating specific types of […]
Boost physical activity with the help of an active friend
An individual’s social interactions have been noted to influence their exercise trends: new research by Ensela Mema of Kean University in New Jersey, and colleagues, suggests that interacting with moderately active people could influence sedentary people to become more active. […]
Community health
Oral health access inequality bites half of the world’s population – report
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recently published Global Oral Health Status Report, 45% of the world’s population, or 3.5 billion people, suffer from oral diseases, with three out of every four affected people living in low- and middle-income […]
Malaysia’s first public-private child care centre opens in Penang
A new public-private child care centre is set to open in Batu Kawan, Penang, in December 2022, borne of a joint partnership between Micron Technology, an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, the Penang State Government and TalentCorp. […]
FDA approves artificial meat for human consumption
US regulators have just approved the culture and use of meat made from animal cells – the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) have deemed the meat product safe for humans to eat. The lab-grown invention was developed by Upside […]
100 million Covid vaccine shots destroyed in India
The Serum Institute of India (SII) has decided to dump 100 million doses of their now-expired COVID-19 vaccine. SII, the world’s largest vaccine maker, stopped producing the locally-administered Covishield vaccine in December last year due to low demand. “… people […]
Survey finds financial burdens hinder the treatment of psoriasis
Many Malaysians suffering from psoriasis have said financial woes due to treatment costs influences their adherence to treatment, according to an international joint survey on psoriasis patients in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Malaysia known as the “Psoriasis Patient Access […]
Health alert
Health experts: Osteoporosis in Malaysia, a serious threat that must be addressed
Older persons, people who are at risk such as heavy drinkers and smokers, those with hormone-related disorders, eating disorders, malabsorption problems, certain diseases like arthritis, family history of osteoporosis, on certain types of medications, experiencing long periods of inactivity and […]
Measles jab low amid Covid-19, puts nearly 40 million children at risk
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates have steadily decreased for measles, which is considered to be the most contagious virus but is a preventable disease. A record high of nearly 40 million children missed a measles vaccine […]
You risk developing multiple diseases if you sleep for a short time only
University College London (UCL) researchers have found sleep duration has significant impacts to health, especially in older adults – getting less than five hours of sleep each night could increase the risk of being diagnosed with multimorbidity i.e., two or […]
Lung cells become cancerous when exposed to airborne pollutants
A new mechanism has been identified through which very small pollutant particles in the air may trigger lung cancer development in people who have never smoked, according to the ESMO Congress 2022 reports from the European Society for Medical Oncology […]
Unhealthy teen eating influenced by certain ultra-processed foods
Candy, pastries and frozen desserts may be “gateway” foods for adolescents that prompts them to eat more ultra-processed food. Ultra-processed foods are high in sugar, salt, unhealthy trans fats and artificial flavours and colours – research by the American Heart […]
Other health News
6 Ways to improve your hearing and prevent hearing loss
Caring for your hearing health is essential regardless of your age. Not only does it reduce the risk of suffering from irreversible hearing loss. Keeping the ears in excellent shape also significantly impacts the quality of sound and other listening […]
Tackling the next global and public health threat after COVID-19 – Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
By Prof Dr. Sasheela a/p Sri La Sri Ponnampalavanar, Infectious Disease Professor, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). As Malaysia and most of the world transitioned to the endemic phase of COVID-19, it’s easy to forget that just two years ago, […]
Research uncovers danger of red food dye in gut, behavioral health
Red candies, soda, and snacks in bright red colors may appeal to both children and adults. However, this study may cause them to reconsider their favorite red-colored foods. Allura Red food dye, also known as FD&C Red 40 and Food […]
Regular breast cancer screening and self-examination helps your chances of survival
The prevalence of breast cancer is expected to cause more than 2.5 million deaths between 2020 and 2040, if nothing is done to avert it – the World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested that reducing global breast cancer mortality by […]
Normal activities can reduce risk of cancers – Research
A recent study found a correlation between engaging in leisure-time physical activity like swimming, running, or walking and a reduced risk of several cancer types. Physical activity is not only good for preventing heart disease and other lifestyle diseases, according […]
Equalize global HIV response global : WHO
In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) brings into focus and addresses inequalities in HIV response, which it has stated is critical to achieving the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Despite […]
Southeast Asian healthcare providers resolve cost pressures with single-speciality hospitals
Spending on healthcare in Southeast Asia is rising amidst inflation and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The 2020 INSEAD study showed that the region’s healthcare expenditure will grow to US$740 billion by 2025. Hospitals are coping with this by investing […]
Making sense of juvenile arthritis
Not to be mistaken with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile arthritis is an inflammatory condition affecting children and adolescents – complications and consequences of the disease include swelling, stiffness, and deformities of joints. While the exact numbers […]
Lung cancer and the importance of early detection
When it comes to lung cancer, there is a common misconception that it can only affect certain people such as those who are of an older age or those with a history of smoking. However, the reality is that even […]
Researchers discover AI tools can help regrow hair
Some men and women afflicted with hair loss also face significant blows to their self-esteem, as hair is often tied to perceived attractiveness and self-confidence. In the latest advancement to treat hair loss, Chinese researchers have sought out artificial intelligence […]
