TOPIC

Medicine

Medicine
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Medicine. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Salt therapy, or halotherapy, is often offered in salt rooms and caves at saunas, day spas, fitness and wellness centres, yoga studios, and medical facilities around the world. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

Breathing problems? How salt therapy could help your lungs and skin

Salt therapy, or halotherapy, is a wellness trend claimed to have many breathing benefits. Doctors weigh in on the scientific evidence.

Science

Chinese scientists investigate whether microbe in food eases autism symptoms

videocam
United States

FDA approves GSK vaccine to combat meningococcal infections

Donald Trump

Vaccine sceptic RFK Jnr confirmed as Trump’s health secretary

The Republican-controlled Senate backed his nomination 52-48 despite concern over his promotion of medical misinformation.

Robert F. Kennedy Jnr testifies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be Health and Human Services Secretary in Washington in January. Photo: AFP
Wellness

She got breast cancer, then married. Survivor in her 20s spreads hope

When Miyabi Kuroiwa learned she had stage 4 cancer at 26 her partner proposed and they began enjoying life. Now she counsels others online.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo launches another ‘quick-win priority’ – free health checks

The programme provides a free voucher of basic health screening for every Indonesian and is set to cost US$287.3 million this year.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China's population

As rising costs hit health insurance funds, how can China stem the bloodletting?

What happens when China’s ageing population meets a rising reluctance among healthy people to pay for voluntary insurance?

In China’s most affluent cities, basic medical insurance funds have come under rising pressure as the population lives longer and costs increase for the treatment of chronic diseases. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong touts free medical tests in deal with Antony Leung’s New Frontier

Significant Greater Bay Area footprint a factor in government’s decision to partner with firm co-founded by former finance minister.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong fund invests in medical firm to nurture city’s innovations

Government fund invests in New Frontier Group, co-founded by former financial secretary Antony Leung.

Wellness

How to safely take your medication and avoid dangerous mistakes

People with chronic diseases and the elderly often have complex medication regimens, and mistakes are easily made.

Older people may have multiple chronic conditions needing complex medication regimens, with a higher risk of drug interactions or other challenges. Photo: Shutterstock
Biomedicine: Companies

Hong Kong biotech start-up Alephoson eyes global trial for eye-drug delivery

Hong Kong biotech start-up works with university partners to conduct global clinical trials studying prevalent eye diseases.

Benjamin Lee, a founder and CEO of Alephoson. Photo: Edmond So
Wellness

How men with breast cancer are more likely to die than women who have it

Around 8 in 10 women with breast cancer are still alive 5 years after diagnosis, but only 7 in 10 male patients, study of German data shows.

Wellness

Home-testing kits for cervical cancer can end discomfort, save more lives

Pap smears save many lives, but many women avoid the uncomfortable and intrusive procedure. New self-test kits could change this.

New medical drugs

ClouDr shares rise on DeepSeek integration with medical AI platform

Chinese company says DeepSeek’s AI model will enhance data mining in its platform, delivering efficiency to hospitals and pharmacies.

videocam
ClouDr’s medical AI platform enables remote consultations and prescriptions. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

‘Don’t ignore the signs,’ says super fit man who had heart attack at 39

A fitness instructor left hospital just three days after open-heart surgery and was running soon after, thanks to his cardiovascular health.

5
After 12-hour open-heart surgery, Jason Shaw made the fastest recovery his nurses had seen after any surgery, let alone a double bypass. His overall cardiovascular health made a big difference. Photo: daywonindy.com
Wellness

Welcome to the ‘golden age’ of cancer research. It is saving lives

On World Cancer Day, we look at advances in cancer research, prevention and treatment that bring new hope and are extending or saving lives.

Wellness

Are microplastics behind some premature births? US study raises the prospect

More microplastics and nanoplastics found in placentas of babies born early than delivered full term; a causal link is possible, doctors say.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Wellness

What your resting heart rate signifies, and how to monitor it

If your resting heart rate is abnormally high or low, it could signal risks that need the attention of a doctor, say heart experts.

Your heart rate should be 50 per cent to 85 per cent of your maximum during moderate physical activity. Your resting heart rate should be significantly lower, but not too low. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

How to slow or reverse ageing? Experts reveal latest longevity trends

We can’t all spend millions a year on longevity like Bryan Johnson. Specialists explain how they help people live longer, healthier lives.

videocam
4
US-China relations

Will ‘unpredictable’ Trump bring chaos or calm to US-China relations?

Voices from Washington reveal deep divisions on how to deal with Beijing, with Trump 2.0 adding another layer of uncertainty, analysts warn.

videocam
30
Wellness

How ancient bones reveal secrets to old diseases such as plague

Anthropologist Alice Roberts describes how secrets of diseases can be uncovered from old skeletons building workers and archaeologists find.

videocam
Palaeopathologist Alice Roberts at an excavation of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in southeast England. Photo: facebook.com/ProfessorAliceRoberts
Wellness

False online health claims and lies fuel distrust of medical science

From anti-vaccine claims to fake cures, social media and politics are awash with disinformation, fuelling mistrust of medical science.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jnr testifies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination. Photo: TNS
Donald Trump

Trump’s health pick RFK Jnr grilled over vaccines and abortion in US Senate

Kennedy has made false claims about Covid jabs and is known for controversial stances on Aids and the role of germs in disease.

Fame and celebrity

Meet OB-GYN to the stars Dr Thais Aliabadi, who delivered Kylie Jenner’s babies

Aliabadi moved to the US at 17 after fleeing Iran and learned English while pursuing her university degrees; now she’s a female-health advocate, OB-GYN to the stars – and sometime TV star.

Wellness

Paper tissues or handkerchiefs, which is better for you and the planet?

Cloth handkerchiefs are more sustainable than disposable tissues, although they can harbour germs if not washed or stored properly.

Good reasons to use a cloth handkerchief (left) rather than disposable tissues (right) include saving natural resources. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Don’t delay seeking help for children with flu symptoms, Hong Kong parents urged

Warning from leading medical expert follows spate of severe cases complicated by other viruses and bacterial infections.

People wait at the Prince of Wales Hospital’s accident and emergency department. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

5 years after first Covid case, why can’t Hong Kong make home-grown vaccines?

Home-grown vaccines stuck at animal trials need hefty funding to move to next stage of tests on humans.

6
Wellness

She can deadlift 102kg at 64. How building muscle helps women as they age

Building muscle through resistance or strength training helps protect from sarcopenia, an age-related condition women suffer more than men.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
loading