News

New Blood Test Developed to Detect Early-Stage Colon Cancer Washington, 10 Jul (ONA) – A team of researchers from the University of Chicago has developed a new, more accurate liquid biopsy test capable of detecting colorectal cancer in its early stages with 95% accuracy.Unlike traditional biopsies that require the removal of tissue samples, liquid biopsies analyze a simple blood sample to detect cancer markers. However, these tests often face challenges in early detection due to the limited amount of cancer-specific DNA present in the blood during the initial stages of ...

Chinese Researchers Discover Mechanism Lead to Treat Congenital Disorders in FetusesBeijing, 23 Jun (ONA) --- Chinese researchers have identified a crucial signaling region in early mammalian embryonic development, providing essential theoretical insights to address congenital disorders such as heart defects and to advance regenerative medicine. The research team analyzed single-cell spatial omics in mouse embryos, enabling them to map the dynamic process of organogenesis and identify a tissue specification zone, a crucial region that reveals early organ tissues and is the first rudimentary ...

Chinese Study Reveals Link between Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and DepressionBeijing, June 22 (ONA) --- A study from the University of Science and Technology of China, the Kunming Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Hefei University of Technology has revealed that exposure to artificial light at night can lead to depression-like behaviors by activating a specific neural pathway in the brain. The study, conducted on a group of hedgehogs, diurnal mammals closely related to primates, provides insight into how nighttime light can disrupt mood ...

Oman, Belarus Sign MoU on Healthcare Cooperation Minsk, 18 Jun (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Belarus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of healthcare in Minsk, the Belarusian capital today. The agreement was signed by Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, and Alexander Khodzhayev, Belarus’ Minister of Health. The MoU outlines cooperation in several medical fields, including healthcare services, medical education, personnel training, and joint professional development initiatives. It also facilitates the exchange of ...

Chinese Scientists Develop System for Early Diagnosis of Parkinson's DiseaseBeijing, 11 Jun (ONA) --- A research team has successfully developed a fully integrated wearable sweat sensing patch for online analysis of multiple Parkinson's disease-related biomarkers. A study conducted by a team from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, demonstrated that the system enables real-time detection of biomarkers in sweat, allowing non-invasive, dynamic tracking of the disease's progression. This offers new possibilities for early intervention during the ...

Daytime Naps May Increase Health Risks Washington, 10 Jun (ONA) --- A recent study has warned that napping before sunset may increase the risk of death among middle-aged and elderly people. The study, published in Sleep journal, showed increased risks associated with midday and early afternoon naps, contradicting the prevailing belief about the importance of naps, which calls for further research. Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States analyzed data of more than 86,000 people who were fitted with small devices to measure ...

Study Reveals Link Between Consuming Butter, Margarine, Reducing Diabetes, Heart Disease Risks Washington, 10 Jun (ONA) --- A recent study conducted by researchers in Boston University in the United States has revealed that decades of medical warnings that saturated fats, such as butter and margarine, affect heart health and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes were inaccurate. The study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, included around 2,500 men and women over the age of 30. They were followed for years, monitoring their dietary patterns and incidence ...

Royal Hospital Launches Comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management Program Muscat, 2 June (ONA) --- The Royal Hospital today officially launched its Comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program under the auspices of Dr. Ahmed Salim Al Manthari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Organization. In his keynote speech, the Undersecretary emphasized the strategic and national importance of risk management in the health sector. He highlighted the impact of implementing comprehensive ERM on governance, transparency, healthcare service quality ...

WHA Adopts Resolution Urging Unhindered Medical Access in Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesGeneva, 22 May (ONA) --- The World Health Assembly (WHA) has adopted a resolution addressing the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, in light of the worsening health challenges resulting from the occupation. The resolution, submitted by the Arab Group during the 78th session of the WHA currently taking place in Geneva, calls for the lifting of the blockade and restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical supplies, as ...

First Degenerative Scoliosis Surgery Performed at Nizwa Hospital Nizwa, 18 May (ONA) —— A specialized medical team from the Spine Unit at Khoula Hospital, in collaboration with a medical team at Nizwa Hospital, successfully performed the first surgical procedure to treat a case of degenerative scoliosis at Nizwa Hospital. This achievement is part of ongoing efforts to enhance medical cooperation and localize specialized healthcare services in the governorates’ health institutions. Dr. Sultan Saif Al Kalbani, Head of the Spine Unit at Khoula Hospital, Consultant in ...

Chinese Researchers Develop Band-Aid for Organs to Facilitate Drug DeliveryBeijing, 4 May (ONA) --- Chinese researchers have developed smart "band-aids" for organs that are likely to make drug delivery more precise and efficient. A collaborative research team from Beihang University, Peking University, and other institutions has developed an electronic patch that acts as a band-aid for organs. The team integrated flexible electronics and micro-nano processing technologies to create the ultra-thin patch, which is as thin as a regular sheet of printed paper and can be attached directly to ...

Exercise Helps Mitigate Cancer Treatment Side Effects London, 30 Apr (ONA)--- A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine urges doctors to prescribe exercise to cancer patients as part of their treatment. The study highlights that physical activity can effectively counteract side effects of cancer therapies, such as heart and nerve damage, brain fog, and sleep disturbances. The research, based on an umbrella review of 80 systematic reviews conducted by scientists in China, found that regular exercise during cancer treatment not only reduces physical side ...

Breakthrough Tuberculosis Test Method Promises Major Detection BoostLondon, 24 Apr (ONA) --- new screening strategy for tuberculosis (TB), proposed by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, could significantly enhance the detection of both active and dormant TB infections, saving lives and reducing transmission rates.Published in the European Respiratory Journal, the study analyzed 13 different TB tests across 437 studies, concluding that combining diagnostic tests for both forms of the disease yields higher accuracy than current methods.Led by Dr. Dominik Zenner, the team ...

US Administration Vows to Ban Synthetic Food Dyes Washington, 23 Apr (ONA) --- The US administration announced plans to ban petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the food supply in the U.S., citing health concerns. "For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals," Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Marty Makary said at a news conference, citing evidence linking the additives to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, cancer and more. Makary said the agency would begin the ...

Researchers Develop New Technology That Could Lead to Vision Correction California, 23 Apr (ONA) --- Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have developed a new technology that allows the human eye to see colours not found in nature, potentially leading scientists to correct vision and treat colour blindness. A new study published in the journal Science Advances reports that, using this technology, five participants were able to see a new colour called "ulo," described as a blend of green and blue with an unprecedented degree of saturation. The ...

WHO Announces International Agreement to Tackle PandemicsGeneva, 16 Apr (ONA) --- The World Health Organization (WHO) today issued a statement, announcing that its members have reached an agreement to prepare the world for future pandemics after over three years of intensive negotiations. The proposal aims to strengthen global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemic threats. This legally binding agreement aims to strengthen the world's defenses against emerging pathogens, after the COVID-19 pandemic claimed millions of lives during ...

Study Confirms that Appendectomy Reduces Ulcerative Colitis RelapsesLondon, April 16 (QNA) --- A British scientific study has confirmed that appendectomy (appendix removal) may reduce the risk of ulcerative colitis relapse in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The study, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal, reported that the appendix plays a role by producing inflammatory proteins that stimulate the body to launch a series of immune responses. According to experiments conducted during the study, which included 197 ...

Vitamin D3 Reduces Activity of MS in Early Stages: StudyParis, 26 Mar (ONA) —- A French study has revealed that taking vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) orally at a dose of 100,000 international units every two weeks may significantly reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) activity in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The study, conducted by researchers from the Nimes University Center, the University of Montpellier, and several French centers specializing in MS, aimed to evaluate the role of high doses of cholecalciferol (a ...

WHO: Global Anti-tuberculosis Drive at Risk over Funding CutsGeneva, 24 Mar (ONA) —- A drastic drop in development aid funding is threatening success in the fight against the world's deadliest infectious disease, tuberculosis (TB), according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In a WHO report released today, the UN health agency said that TB still kills around 1.5 million people every year. Seventy-nine million lives have been saved through early diagnosis and treatment since the year 2000. But without more money, things look bleak for the poorest countries, the WHO said in the ...

Study Finds Early Tonsillectomy Improves Health Outcomes for Children with Mild Sleep ApneaWashington, 20 Mar (ONA) —- A new study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association for Pediatrics, has revealed that early surgical intervention to remove tonsils can be effective in improving the health of children suffering from mild sleep apnea, reducing the need for doctor visits and prescriptions. The study included 381 children aged 3 to 13 years with mild sleep-related breathing disorders. They were divided into two groups: one underwent early ...

WHO Warns of Danger of Insufficient Funds for Vaccination Programs Against Deadly DiseasesGeneva, 19 Mar (ONA) —- The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that cuts in funding for life-saving global health projects by some countries, such as the United States, could severely impact vaccination programs for children and adults against deadly diseases. The recent abrupt changes in donor budgets and capacity in global health has put a severe strain on immunization programs, particularly to measles prevention efforts, WHO said in a statement. It emphasized the ...

Health Ministry Introduces AI-Enabled Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy Patients Muscat, 17 Mar (ONA) --- The Ministry of Health today launched a project for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The project will help diminish the risk of vision loss and provide timely treatment to diabetic retinopathy patients. The national project targets all individuals diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The launch ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng. Said Hamoud Al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and ...

Chinese Scientists Reveal Key Mechanism Behind Heavy-Ion Cancer Therapy Beijing, 17 Mar (ONA) --- A recent study, led by researchers from the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and their collaborators, has made significant progress in uncovering the microscopic mechanism behind heavy-ion cancer therapy, which is expected to optimize cancer treatment strategies and promote the development of new radiotherapy technologies. The findings were recently published as a highlighted paper in the journal Physical Review X. Heavy-ion therapy, which is ...

Chinese Scientists Develop AI Tool to Predict Liver Cancer Recurrence Beijing, 16 Mar (ONA) --- A Chinese research team has developed an AI tool that predicts liver cancer recurrence risk with 82.2 percent accuracy, according to a study recently published in the journal Nature. Liver cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, has a postoperative recurrence rate as high as 70 percent. Accurately predicting recurrence was a critical challenge. Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, led by Sun Cheng, have ...

Parkinson’s Disease Expected to Drastically Increase in Future: Study Washington, 13 Mar (ONA) --- A new study warns that Parkinson’s disease cases could surge by 112% by 2050, rising from nearly 12 million to 25.2 million worldwide. In the U.S., cases are expected to increase by 60%. Researchers analyzed disease trends from 195 countries, considering factors influencing Parkinson’s prevalence. The disease primarily affects older adults, especially those over 80. With no cure available, early diagnosis is crucial to slowing progression. Parkinson’s occurs when ...

Genes Linked to Smoking During Pregnancy IdentifiedLondon, 12 Mar (ONA) --- Researchers have identified a genetic link to smoking during pregnancy. The study also showed men experience more long-lasting effects when their mother smokes while pregnant than women - including dying younger if they go on to smoke themselves. A team of researchers from the University of Aberdeen studied more than half a million people across the UK to understand the effects of smoking in pregnancy and how they can persist throughout adulthood. The group, led by Professor Paul Fowler, chairman in ...

Switching from Butter to Plant-Based Oils Linked to Lower Mortality Risk Washington, 11 Mar (ONA) --- A new study published in "JAMA Internal Medicine" has found that higher butter consumption is associated with increased total and cancer-related mortality, while plant-based oils such as olive, soybean, and canola reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer-related deaths. Researchers analyzed data from three large U.S. health studies, tracking over 221,000 adults for up to 33 years. The study found that individuals with the highest butter intake had a 15% ...

Chinese Scientists Reveal Key Mechanism behind Bacterial Cancer TherapyBeijing, 6 Mar (ONA) --- A new study by Chinese scientists has uncovered the mechanism behind bacterial cancer therapy using a genetically engineered bacterial strain in a breakthrough that offers new hope for the development of next-generation cancer therapies. The findings of the joint research team from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) and the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, both under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, were published online by the journal Cell. ...

Uganda Reports Second Death from Ebola OutbreakKampala, 2 Ma (ONA) --- A 4-year-old child became the second person to die of Ebola in Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, in a setback in efforts to end the outbreak that began at the end of January 2025. The child had been hospitalized at the main referral facility in Kampala, and died last Tuesday, the WHO said in a statement. The WHO added that response teams are working to strengthen surveillance and contact tracing in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. Contact tracing remains a crucial measure ...

South Korea Strengthens Anti-Ebola Measures on Travelers from 7 African CountriesSeoul, 26 Feb (ONA) --- South Korea seeks to bolster quarantine measures on people entering from seven African nations as part of efforts to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading in the country, South Korea's health authorities said today. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), inbound travelers from Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Ethiopia will be required to undergo enhanced quarantine measures. Under the ...