Category: Features
Zika virus can also kill deadly brain cancer stem cells
The Zika virus – which shocked the world in recent years as it infected and killed cells in the brains of fetuses, resulting in babies born with tiny and misshapen heads – may one day lead to an effective treatment […]
Fears rise over malaria’s possible comeback in Italy after decades
A four-year-old girl in Italy has died of malaria, raising fears over the comeback of the mosquito-borne disease decades after it has been eliminated in the country. Sonia Zago developed a high fever after returning home from a vacation in […]
NUS president Tan ChorhChuan is Singapore’s first Chief Health Scientist
Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has chosen National University of Singapore (NUS) president Tan Chorh Chuan to be the country’s first Chief Health Scientist beginning January 1 next year. He will concurrently serve as executive director of the new Office […]
745,000 Abbott pacemakers confirmed to have cyber-security issues
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that 465,000 pacemakers, manufactured by global healthcare company Abbott, have cyber-security issues. There were a further 280,000 devices elsewhere that are affected, the company said. The cyber-security flaws could theoretically be […]
Quick mindfulness training may help heavy drinkers reduce consumption
A small experiment in the UK suggests that brief mindfulness training exercises could help heavy drinkers lessen their alcohol consumption by helping them focus on what’s happening in the present moment. Sixty-eight heavy drinkers who weren’t alcoholics were randomly assigned […]
New meningitis test gives results in under an hour for speedy diagnosis
A new meningitis test could speed up the diagnosis of the disease and save lives as it gives results in just under 60 minutes. The new test will be implemented in an accident & emergency (A&E) department in a hospital […]
US foreign aid cuts to HIV treatment programs may do more harm than good
The negative impact of the proposed cutbacks in US foreign aid for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs could outweigh any potential savings, according to a report by an international team of investigators. The study is the first to document the […]
Brazil releases millions of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to fight dengue
Scientists in Brazil have begun to release the first wave of millions of mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria to prevent them from spreading dengue. Thousands of Aedesaegypti mosquitoes carrying the bacteria were released in front of journalists by scientists […]
Singapore to improve training, salary of clinical research coordinators
As clinical research takes on an increasing and more vital role in the search for healthcare solutions that are specifically tailored for the needs of Singapore’s population, its Health Ministry is putting in S$35 million to fund training programs and […]
New smartphone app could detect pancreatic cancer with just a selfie
Doctors may be able to detect pancreatic cancer and other diseases earlier in people with just a snap of a smartphone selfie using a mobile app developed by researchers at the University of Washington in the US. BiliScreen uses a […]
