The new reference sets out guidelines for clinical investigations of medical devices, clarifying design control and documentation expectations. It aims to streamline the ethics review process, supporting participant safety and making review more predictable for innovators and ethics committees.
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School analyzed 3.8 million immune cells from nearly 2,000 people to uncover how healthy immune cells change differently in men and women as they age. The study found distinct waves of immune ageing and sex-specific changes, shedding light on why some autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women.
A nationwide study in Singapore found that short-term increases in fine-particle air pollution are associated with more asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related emergency department visits. The study analyzed 6.5 years of national air quality data and found a clear relationship between PM2.5 levels and admissions.
A pre-clinical study has identified a distinct mechanism in a mouse model that may help explain why high-salt diets can trigger fatty liver disease in people with normal body weight. The study suggests that treatments designed for obesity-associated fatty liver disease may not work as effectively in lean patients.
A new framework for understanding how AI companions shape social inequality has been introduced, highlighting the importance of equitable safeguards. The study found that AI companions can reinforce existing inequalities, leaving those who most need human support vulnerable to harm. Practical recommendations are proposed to maximize te...
Three teams from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Thailand won the hackathon with innovative digital health platforms and decision-support tools to support maternal and child nutrition. The winning teams will participate in the Asia-Pacific Global Health Innovation Hackathon Incubation Programme to further develop their ideas.
Chronic kidney disease affects 844 million adults worldwide, with up to 70% of cases remaining undiagnosed in the community. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to halt or delay disease progression, and simple urine and blood tests can detect the condition.
The Class of 2030 includes 38 former working professionals and nearly two-thirds women, bringing skills and experiences from fields like social services, population health, traditional Chinese medicine, and engineering. This diverse cohort aims to bring a broader perspective to patient care.
A Duke-NUS study found that mandatory Nutri-Grade front-of-pack labels on beverages redirected household consumers to healthier drinks and encouraged manufacturers to reformulate products with less sugar. The study resulted in an 18% reduction in sugary drink consumption and a 44% decrease in purchases of unhealthy drinks.
Most adults in Singapore living with anxiety or depression are open to receiving support from peers, even if they haven't sought professional help. Peer support is identified as a potentially important complement to existing healthcare infrastructure, offering a community-based pathway to encourage more people to seek help earlier.
Duke-NUS scientists have discovered that ageing muscle contributes to cancer growth by releasing fewer extracellular vesicles, which can be restored through exercise. The study also found changes in the composition of these particles with age, weakening protective signals against tumour development.
Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Awareness (PBSTA) Day brings together patients, families, clinicians, and volunteers for a day of respite and connection. The event aims to raise awareness of paediatric brain tumours and their impact on families.
Duke-NUS Medical School has expanded its Pathways to Medicine program to welcome students from Nanyang Technological University and NUS College. This move allows students to explore diverse academic interests before joining medical school, with conditional admissions to Duke-NUS' Doctor of Medicine program upon graduation.
Brano Therapeutics has secured $6.8 million in seed funding to develop new treatments for heart failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), a condition with limited treatment options. The company will leverage Duke-NUS' scientific expertise and research platforms to accelerate the development of these therapies.
A Duke-NUS study shows that pairing a web-based decision-aid with counselling significantly shifts patients' decisions towards conservative management, which focuses on symptom relief and quality of life. The myKIDNEY app reduced patients' decisional conflict and raised awareness of conservative management as an accepted alternative to...
A new AI-driven test, PROMinsight, captures patients' quality of life in minutes, helping doctors make faster, better-informed decisions. The test is tailored for various eye conditions and translates insights into precise data that informs both care and research.
Researchers have identified MFSD2A as a transporter protein that enables skin cells to take up lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), essential fats in the bloodstream. The study found that LPCs supply linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid needed to maintain and repair the skin barrier.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School found that testing air and surfaces can detect a broader range of poultry viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza strains, which traditional surveillance may miss. Environmental sampling can provide a more comprehensive view of viral circulation in live poultry markets.
Researchers identified a key gene GATA6 that helps control the 'switch' between aggressive and manageable states in pancreatic cancer cells. By targeting this pathway, combination therapies with standard chemotherapy may improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers identified three master regulator genes on chromosome 21 that disrupt normal brain activity in individuals with Down syndrome. Overactivating these genes was linked to disruptions in hundreds of other genes involved in learning and memory, providing new insights into the condition.
The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss evidence-based strategies for ageing in place. Duke-NUS studies found that programmes aligned with older persons' routines and interests are more effective at reducing loneliness and fostering meaningful relationships.
The Singapore Global Health Film Festival brought together clinicians, policymakers, and partners to focus on outbreak preparedness and planetary health. The two-evening programme featured documentary screenings and panel discussions on pressing global health challenges in Asia.
Researchers adapted an AI model to predict neurological recovery after cardiac arrest in a resource-limited setting, achieving 80% accuracy. AI holds promise across various healthcare applications in low-and middle-income countries, including improved diagnostics and clinical decision-making.
Research found that genetic mutations, age-related blood changes, smoking, and infection by oral bacteria increase the risk of stomach cancer. The study identified 47 significantly mutated genes in intestinal metaplasia cells, including a gene linked to poorer prognosis.
Researchers create powerful computational tools, sCCIgen and QuadST, to map how cells communicate in diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer. These tools provide a controlled environment to test methods for detecting cell communication, enabling the discovery of new mechanisms and therapies.
Researchers from Duke and Duke-NUS are investigating genetic features controlling infection susceptibility across populations to develop new treatments. They will compare cohorts in Singapore and the US, analysing how genetic variants shape disease vulnerability.
A new computational tool has discovered a previously unknown protein pathway that triggers the death of blood cancer cells when blocked. This finding could lead to new treatments and improved survival rates for patients with aggressive acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
PathGen is an AI-powered platform that integrates diverse data sources to provide enhanced situational awareness and decision-making support. It enables countries to respond faster to outbreaks while strengthening trust and sovereignty, reducing lives lost and livelihoods disrupted.
The Duke-NUS Health Innovator Programme (DHIP) will be strengthened by industry partners, guiding teams through innovation pipeline from idea to prototypes. Industry mentors will provide guidance and networking opportunities to cultivate future MedTech talent.
A new study by Duke-NUS reveals that almost all community-dwelling older adults with advanced dementia experience at least one potentially burdensome intervention in their last year of life. The study highlights the need for new strategies to support families and reduce unnecessary interventions at the end of life.
A new study from Duke-NUS Medical School reveals how AI can revolutionize medical education by personalizing learning experiences, simulating clinical scenarios, and supporting research. Stronger collaboration across schools, hospitals, and regulators is needed to make AI safe, responsible, and effective.
Researchers built a comprehensive atlas of the developing human brain, capturing nearly every cell type and their genetic fingerprints. The study provides a precise benchmark for testing new therapies for Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions.
A new report maps Singapore's programs supporting children's mental health, revealing a strong foundation but also areas for improvement. The study identifies key recommendations to enhance coordination, funding, and child-centered practice, aiming to create a seamless support pathway for every child.
The new Singapore Standard (SS) 718 leverages Near-Infrared spectroscopy to authenticate edible bird’s nest, providing a fast and non-destructive on-site method. This standard strengthens consumer trust and levels the playing field for producers in the industry.
A study found that declining Japanese encephalitis (JEV) immunity increases the risk of severe dengue disease. Researchers linked this to antibody-mediated enhancement, where partially effective antibodies from JEV vaccination make dengue worse. The findings offer new insights into cross-reactive immunity between related viruses.
A new evidence-based plan tackles anaemia, a major obstacle to global health goals. The study recommends cost-effective strategies and calls for better data systems to track anaemia and its causes.
Researchers found that dengue infection can reprogram the body's immune system, leaving a lasting genetic imprint that influences future infections. This effect is not seen with vaccination, but rather with gene activity patterns in specific types of immune cells that the dengue virus infects.
Duke-NUS Medical School is sharpening its focus on population health, driven by the need to address rising healthcare costs and chronic diseases in Singapore. The Health Services Research and Population Health (HSRPH) Programme aims to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions that improve patient outcomes and inform national policies.
Researchers discovered mutations in the SPNS1 gene disrupt cellular recycling, leading to progressive liver and muscle damage. The study offers fresh hope for treatment and sheds light on the importance of phospholipid recycling in maintaining energy balance.
A Duke-NUS platform has been awarded US$1.5 million to develop new antifibrotic therapies for lung and kidney diseases, conditions with no effective treatment. The project aims to deliver first-in-class antifibrotic therapies using a cutting-edge computational biology approach.
Scientists discovered a precise communication system in the gut, where telocytes deliver signals directly to intestinal stem cells using fine extensions. This finding challenges long-standing assumptions about gut healing and repair, potentially leading to better treatments for conditions like IBD and colon cancer.
A Duke-NUS-led team compiled a comprehensive review of over 200 studies on immune cells and scarring, identifying macrophages as key drivers of fibrosis. The 'handbook' aims to accelerate scarring research and transform treatment for millions affected by fibrosis.
The Class of 2025 represents Duke-NUS' commitment to broadening the skillset and experience of its students. This cohort includes five MD-PhD graduates and PhD candidates from various programmes, showcasing the school's dedication to diversity and multi-disciplinary skills.
A $10m national effort led by SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre will advance understanding of sarcopenia in Asian populations and explore new methods of diagnosis and treatment. The initiative, MAGNET, has already recruited over 400 patients with sarcopenia for studies.
A Duke-NUS study found that digital interventions can spur consumers to pick healthier options when implemented in online grocery stores. The study showed a significant improvement in nutritional quality and reduction in calories and nutrients purchased.
The collaboration enables point-of-care assays that simplify the analysis of T-cell responses, providing rapid results for doctors and researchers. This technology has been successfully applied in various research studies, including those on Hepatitis B Virus and SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Duke-NUS Medical School appoints Professor Patrick Tan as its next Dean, effective January 2026. He brings experience in research, science, and education, aiming to drive innovative healthcare solutions and academic excellence.
The new Singapore Standard (SS) 705 provides a comprehensive assessment framework for surface disinfectants and coatings, covering microbe selection, culture preparation, test methods, and result analysis. This standard equips manufacturers with credibility for their claims, offers regulators consistency in monitoring product quality, ...
Researchers created a highly detailed map of gastric cancer tissues using advanced mapping technologies, identifying distinct subgroups of cancer cells and evolutionary pathways that influence tumour behaviour. These insights could lead to more precise, targeted treatments that improve survival rates and reduce side effects.
The International Women in STEMM Symposium 2025 discussed strategies to sustain and elevate women in research, leadership and policy-making. Key findings include the need for systemic barriers embedded in institutions and processes to be addressed to promote gender equity.