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New research reveals the brain’s adaptations and neurological changes during motherhood. While “mommy brain” is real, it may be a sign of the brain’s incredible rewiring to excel at nurturing a child.

Complementing these findings, a new study in China proved that improving air quality significantly declined suicide rates. By meticulously analysing data over several years, researchers found a clear, inverse relationship between air quality improvements and suicide incidences. This statistical study estimates that PM2.5 reductions under China’s Air Pollution Action Plan prevented 13,000–79,000 (95% confidence interval) suicides over 2013–2017. Therefore, environmental policies and concerted efforts to cleanse the air can yield significant mental health benefits.

These studies serve as a reminder of the urgent need for countries across Asia and the globe to address air pollution as a multifaceted health hazard and emphasise the importance of considering environmental risk factors, including air pollution, in understanding and addressing the causes of psychiatric disorders.

In an exclusive interview at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, the venerable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at the ripe age of 98, shared insights into his illustrious career, the secret to a long, fulfilling life, and his views on the evolving landscape of medicine and social media in Malaysia. Dr. Mahathir, synonymous with Malaysia’s transformation over the last four decades, began the day with his routine, embodying the discipline he credits for his longevity. “The most important thing is not to grow fat,” he quipped, sharing wisdom from his mother about stopping when food tastes nice to avoid overeating. He remembers his mum saying, “When the food tastes nice, the tendency is to eat too much.”

Singapore’s Project Wolbachia began as a small-scale project involving the release of male mosquitoes that carry a natural parasite called Wolbachia, which prevents the eggs of female mosquitoes from hatching. This approach led to a dramatic 90% reduction in the A. aegypti mosquito population and a 77% decrease in dengue cases in the targeted areas. The project has been expanding steadily since its inception.

Recently, with a striking increase in dengue cases over the past ten weeks, Singapore’s government has urged for immediate action. In just the past week, the project released a further 350,000 Wolbachia-carrying males in an area and are planning to extend this initiative to four more regions within this first quarter. This means stepping up to produce a whopping 11 million male Wolbachia mosquitoes weekly and coverage from 26% to 35% of all households in Singapore.

A Singapore study using electroencephalography showed that infants who spent more time on screens had increased electrocortical activity and worse executive functions later in life, such as memory, attention, and inhibition, than those who had less screen exposure. The researchers warned that screen time in early life might affect children’s learning and behaviour.

With the emergence and increasing popularity of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists for the treatment of obesity in recent years, it might be worth investigating if these agents are able to reduce the cardiovascular risks associated with overweight and obesity, especially since they have been shown to reduce risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high cardiovascular risk.

Psoriatic disease, recognized as a serious noncommunicable disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), impacts millions worldwide. A pioneering advocacy tool, the Psoriatic Disease Response Index, has emerged to facilitate a vital policy discussion, driving transformative change.

Summary: The recent MULTISTARS AMI trial reveals significant findings, indicating that immediate multivessel PCI is non-inferior to staged procedures for patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease. This approach potentially alters the course of treatment by reducing serious cardiac events, thereby influencing guidelines on the optimal timing for such interventions.

On October 12th, 2023, Fapon, a leading life-science organization, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Halodoc, the largest telehealth platform in Indonesia. This partnership brings together Fapon’s expertise in in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) technologies and integrated solutions with Halodoc’s strong sales channels and local service provisions. The partnership aims to enhance the healthcare standards in Indonesia, benefit local communities, and propel the country’s IVD industry.