Feed Your Mind: Unlocking the Power of the Gut-Brain Axis through Daily Diet
Reading Time: 2 minutesHave you ever felt butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous about something? Do you know that there is a strong connection between the gut and cognitive function? Food delivers a multitude of interconnected signals, rich in sensory, nutrition, and other information to the brain as it enters the mouth and travels through the digestive […]
Takeda’s Qdenga® Dengue Vaccine Approved for Use in Malaysia
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe fight against dengue fever in Malaysia takes a significant leap forward with the introduction of Takeda’s Qdenga® (Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine [Live, Attenuated]). This innovative vaccine, recently approved by the Drug Control Authority (DCA) Malaysia, offers protection against all four dengue virus serotypes for individuals aged four years and above. It is now available in […]
Revisiting the importance of childhood immunisation
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe measles outbreak in Penampang, Sabah this past January is an example of suboptimal vaccine coverage in a population. This further emphasises the importance of immunisation, which saves millions of lives every year and prevents many children from disability. Locally, the Ministry of Health has ensured that every child in Malaysia has access to the […]
Mesenchymal Stem Cells : Pioneering regenerative medicine
Reading Time: 4 minutesStem cell research holds immense potential for advancing our understanding of human biology, developing new treatments for various diseases, and revolutionising regenerative medicine. Cell biologist and The Petri Dish science journalist Dr. Muganti Rajah gives the low down on mesenchymal stem cells – also known as medicine’s blank cheque, for their ability to be turned […]
Screening for Risks of SCA
Reading Time: 2 minutesA recent UK study shows that the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in athletes is still unknown. It may be due to hidden heart problems at a molecular level that can cause arrhythmias. Even though SCA during sports is rare, it can have serious consequences. This highlights the need for pre-participation health screenings, […]
Researchers identify mechanism behind drug resistance in malaria parasite
Reading Time: 3 minutesResearchers from the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have discovered a link between the malaria parasites’ ability to develop resistance to antimalarial drugs – specifically artemisinin (ART) – through a cellular process called transfer Ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modification. In collaboration with MIT’s research enterprise in […]
Catching up with an IT hypnotherapist
Reading Time: 2 minutesIN the intricate labyrinth of our minds lie vast reserves of untapped power waiting to be discovered. Our minds are vast repositories of our past experiences – shaping our perceptions of both, present realities and future possibilities. “If left unattended, our minds may dwell on unpleasant memories, keeping us preoccupied. It will require mindful effort […]
Malaysian haematologist among four winners of the Shaw Prize
Reading Time: 2 minutesAMONG the four scientists who won the 2024 Shaw Prize is a Malaysian haematologist and alumna of Universiti of Malaya (UM). Dr Swee Lay Thien of the National Institutes of Health, United States and Dr Stuart Orkin from the Harvard Medical School were awarded the prize in equal shares for the Life Science and Medicine […]
I want science in the country to do well, says new CRMY chief
Reading Time: 2 minutesCANCER Research Malaysia (CRMY) announced the retirement of Professor Datin Paduka Dr Teo Soo Hwang, the founding Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), effective April 30, 2024. Serving as the Founding Chief Executive from January 2001 to March 2003 and again from July 2006 to February 2020, she has been a driving force […]
Study: Potential carcinogens present inside your car
Reading Time: 3 minutesTHE air inside all personal vehicles is polluted with harmful flame retardants—including those known or suspected to cause cancer—according to a new peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology. Car manufacturers add these chemicals to seat foam and other materials to meet an outdated federal flammability standard with no proven fire-safety benefit. “Our research […]