News & Stories

Rise in gastric issues during hot weather: How to prevent tummy troubles

​The Straits Times cited a study by researchers from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine suggesting that the diet and nutrition supplements consumed by highly active individuals may potentially elevate the risk of exertional heat stroke. A/Prof Jason Lee and Dr Beverly Tan, affiliated with the Human Potential Translational Research Programme, have found that the consumption of high quantities of carbohydrates can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea, resulting in fluid loss.

Damanhuri Bin Abas departs from Muhammadiyah Islamic College amid speculations of political influences

​Prior to his departure from Muhammadiyah Islamic College, former Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member Damanhuri Bin Abas shared about a lunch meeting with Prof Paul Tambyah of National University Health System. Mr Damanhuri stated that even as chairman of SDP, this did not affect Prof Tambyah’s employment and position in National University Hospital (NUH) or National University of Singapore (NUS). He further highlighted Prof Tambyah’s achievement of getting Ministry of Health’s Distinguished Senior Clinician Award in 2021, lauding the professional integrity of NUH and NUS.

SMART researchers find new therapy for antibiotic-resistant infections

​Researchers from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), in collaboration with NUH and NTU, found that rifaximin, an antibiotic used for gastrointestinal bacterial infections, enhances the effectiveness of clarithromycin in treating M. abscessus – a bacteria that causes chronic lung-related infections and is resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

How to get your kids away from screen time and outdoors for more “green time”

​A Women’s Weekly guide on encouraging children to get outdoors more referred to a study conducted by NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, which found that children under four years old had reduced physical activity and sleep while increasing their screen time. Screen time for preschool-aged children increased by 23 per cent per day. Excessive screen time in children under 12 has been linked to various issues, including depression, difficulties in connecting with others in the real world, sleep disturbances, problems with concentration, and vision-related complications.

Semakin ramai lelaki tolak stigma, sedia dapatkan rawatan kesuburan (More men overcome stigma, ready to get fertility treatment)

​Dr Huang Zhongwei, Consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NUH, said in his study involving more than 3,500 couples from 2016 to 2020, more than 50 per cent of men were found to have abnormalities in their semen samples. He said some of the reasons for this include more men having children later. Asst Prof Joe Lee, Senior Consultant, Department of Urology, NUH, said male infertility is often undiagnosed until after marriage and that those who experience symptoms may notice poor libido, weak erections or abnormal ejaculations.

Beroleh zuriat selepas jalani IVF (Having offspring after undergoing IVF)

​Mr Muhammad Zulfeqar Samsuri, 32, and his wife, Miss Nur Arini Suratman, 33, welcomed their baby boy in December 2022 through in-vitro fertilisation. When they failed to conceive after they got married in July 2019, they sought help with NUH’s Dr Huang Zhongwei, Consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. They learnt that she has polycystic ovary syndrome and he has low sperm count. She conceived at her third embryo transfer.

每天久坐超过八小时 高血压患病率高出1.7倍 (Sitting for over eight hours increases risk of hypertension by 1.7 times)

​Researchers from Institute of Mental Health, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health conducted an analysis of local population data collected from February 2019 to March 2020. Their findings revealed a high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes or hypertension among individuals who did not participate in physical activity either at work or during leisure time. The study demonstrated that individuals who spent more than eight hours per day sitting were 1.7 times more likely to develop hypertension compared with those who sat for no more than five hours. 

Received mum's kidney at age 5

Recognising autism in children - At what age can you spot the signs?

​Women’s Weekly reported that approximately one in 150 children in Singapore are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, with around 400 new cases diagnosed each year. The article explained that developmental paediatricians at NUH Child Development Unit and KK Department of Child Development would be able to assess parents’ concerns and, if necessary, refer the child for an autism assessment.

男子颈痛一周 心脏骤停离世 (Man with neck pain for a week died of cardiac arrest)

Commenting on a rare case of a man who died of cardiac arrest after suffering from a week of neck pain, Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of the Singapore Heart Foundation and Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology at National University Heart Centre (NUHCS), Singapore, explained that the man’s death was due to a spinal nerve tumour rather than his heart. However, Prof Tan highlighted that there can be atypical coronary heart disease symptoms, and they should not be ignored. 

Shin Min also cited a study led by researchers from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and NUHCS highlighting that obesity will become the most important risk factor for heart attacks within three decades.

Maternity hospitals in Singapore: A guide for new parents

​Guide featured NUH among a list of maternity hospitals, and indicated that NUH was Singapore's first hospital certified under the WHO Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Charity of former Singapore Foreign Minister’s wife aims to improve survival rate of children with cancer

​Mrs Jennifer Yeo, Chair of VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer (VIVA Singapore) and the VIVA China Children's Cancer Foundation Limited (VIVA China), shared that the aim of these charities is to raise the survival rates of children affected by cancer. In 2019, VIVA Singapore, VIVA China, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Kandang Kerbau Hospital and the Shanghai Children's Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the field of childhood cancer research. 

• Red Hot Singapore, 2 June 2023, Charity of former Singapore Foreign Minister's wife aims to improve survival rate of children with cancer
  

医聊大小事：心律不齐 (Let’s Talk About Health: Arrhythmia)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of the Singapore Heart Foundation and Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology at National University Heart Centre, Singapore, was on the first episode of a new Channel 8 talk show, where he addressed questions on arrhythmia, including how it is diagnosed and who are the individuals at risk. 

Physiotherapists help cut waiting time at TTSH emergency department

Since January, the physiotherapy team at National University Hospital has had same-day consultations on weekdays for patients referred by the Emergency Department, as part of the National One-Rehab Framework. Dr Ng Tze Siong, Senior Principal Physiotherapist, Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital, elaborated on the patients who are suitable for the same-day consultation.

In Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, a care management scheme was started in August 2020 for frail, elderly people who frequently visit its Emergency Department. Ms Lee Chiew Lan, Head, Department of Physiotherapy, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, explained that under this scheme, case managers intervene with all at-risk elderly people, and patients of any age who are functionally and socially challenged.

本地研究：到了2050年 肥胖将成为引发急性心肌梗塞最主要风险因素 (Singapore study: By 2050, obesity will be the leading risk factor for acute myocardial infarction)

​A study by researchers from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and National University Heart Centre, Singapore has predicted that obesity will become the leading risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) among Singaporeans by 2050, surpassing hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. They estimated that the number of heart attacks in Singapore would nearly triple from 482 per 100,000 population in 2025 to 1,418 per 100,000 population in 2050.