Research
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 […]
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 […]
Lost lung immune cells increases susceptibility to flu in older adults
Why are older people more likely to fall ill with influenza (flu)? Research from the University of Michigan Medical School (U-M Medical) has revealed how the first line of defense against foreign pathogens known as alveolar macrophages, in the lungs, […]
A sandy solution to obesity
Silica particles made from purified sand are able to soak up large amounts of digestive enzymes, fats, and sugars within the gastrointestinal tract, impeding digestive processes and ultimately, preventing obesity. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) introduced such […]
New interventions to help slow myopia progression
There is a broad consensus among experts that eye care professionals (ECPs) have a responsibility to prescribe interventions to slow down myopia progression, in line with the recent call for a global standard of care in myopia management.
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
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. […]
Strength training and cardio can help you live longer
Switching up aerobic exercise and strength training on the regular has been associated with a low mortality risk – even lower than when doing either aerobic exercise or strength training alone. New research using data from the US National Health […]
Women should eat more colourful fruits and veggies for better health
Women have noticeably higher rates of chronic illness despite living longer than men. These high rates of illness can be managed by prioritising a diet of brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach, yams, watermelon, bell peppers, tomatoes, oranges, […]
Community health
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 […]
Sunway Sanctuary upscale senior living facility to open in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur
Sunway Healthcare Group (Sunway Healthcare) is set to launch its flagship senior living residence in response to increasing demand for an exclusive and opulent senior living community in the Klang Valley. Sunway Sanctuary is a meticulously designed township with accessibility […]
Health alert
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 […]
Millennials and Gen-Z at risk of heart disease
Heart attacks are on the rise among young adults in Malaysia – those in their 20s and 30s, to be exact: experiencing a heart attack at this age is becoming more common. Additionally, a study on coronary artery disease (CAD) […]
Adding salt to foods amplifies risk of premature death
Extra sprinkles of salt to your food will increase your chances of dying prematurely – a study of more than half a million people found that those who always added salt to their food had a 28% increased risk of […]
Other health News
Male breast cancer: Putting your best chest forward
Breast cancer, like many diseases, does not discriminate based on biological sex. The view that breast cancer is a “women’s disease” is a common societal misconception. The truth is that men are also at risk of developing breast cancer, and […]
Lifesaving tip: Men need to speak up when feeling down
While it is definitely important to take care of one’s physical health, their mental and emotional health cannot be neglected as it contributes to their overall wellbeing. In conjunction with men’s health awareness month this November, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity […]
Babies born smaller-than-average risk developing obesity and other health conditions
Most babies seem small when they first come into the world, but for some, they truly are smaller when compared to their fellow babies-in-arms. This condition, known medically as small for gestational age (SGA). Gestational age is the length of […]
A look into type 1 diabetes
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has mentioned that diabetes claims about three lives every minute worldwide – to narrow it down, diabetes has been found to affect over 1 in 5 Malaysians. What is perplexing is that the Malaysian Diabetes […]
IMU the only Asian institution to receive excellence award for faculty development
International Medical University (IMU), the first private medical and health services university in Malaysia, has received the ASPIRE to Excellence Award from the International Association for Medical Education (AMEE) for its exemplary efforts in student engagement and in faculty development, […]
Measles cases surge in Africa, worldwide, post-COVID
Hospitals in remote parts of Africa and more ran out of measles vaccines during the frenzy of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving millions of children unprotected against one of the world’s most contagious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that […]
Sunway Medical Centre holds symposium for common eye conditions
While we often assume that a slight discomfort in the eye is something that will come and go, in fact, those tiny pair of monogram balls are more likely informing us about the condition of our eye health. In conjunction […]
Uganda struggling to contain outbreak of untreatable Ebola strain
A strain of the Ebola virus – for which there is no treatment – has been infecting people in the East African country of Uganda, with as many as 63 cases of infection and 29 deaths reported. The cases represent […]
COVID-19 likely to have caused personality changes
The coronavirus (COVID-19 pandemic affected every corner of the globe and upended life as we knew it – a new study suggests the lasting effects of the pandemic included personality changes across the US, especially in younger adults. Although previous […]
New antibiotic-based cement helps treat bone infections
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have developed a novel bone cement matrix loaded with antibiotics to treat bone infections common in post-surgical orthopaedic procedures, such as knee replacement surgery. A bone cement, in powder or liquid form, is […]
