News

Chinese Team Devises Dual-Action Molecule to Redirect Immune Memory Against Tumors Beijing, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Chinese scientists have developed a novel synthetic molecule that acts as an "intratumoral vaccine," designed to overcome a key limitation of current immunotherapy by redirecting the body’s pre-existing immune memory to attack cancer cells. Researchers from Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and Peking University detailed the innovation in a study published online in the journal “Nature” today. While immune checkpoint blockade therapy has revolutionized cancer ...

Chinese Scientists Challenge Harm of Animal Fats When Consumed in ModerationBeijing, 5 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- A study conducted by Chinese researchers from Hunan Agricultural University (HUNAU) and South University has shown that a diet containing a moderate amount of fat reduces fat accumulation and inflammation in adipose tissue. The scientists confirmed that consuming fat within the recommended proportion, estimated at 25 percent of total dietary energy intake, improves metabolism by regulating the balance of adipose tissue. By contrast, the researchers noted that a traditional diet rich in ...

New Protein Molecule Emerges as Potential Game-Changer for Diabetes Treatment Beijing, 4 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- A novel protein molecule engineered to combat insulin resistance has been developed by an international research consortium. The molecule, designated "Aap2," has shown high efficacy in suppressing insulin resistance and regulating blood glucose levels, presenting a promising new avenue for treating both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Published in the journal PNAS, the research reveals that Aap2 functions by mimicking the activity of a protein known as ATG7. The team ...

Chinese Researchers Develop Model to Predict Human Organ Ageing Beijing, 31 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong University in China said they have developed a new model capable of predicting the degree of ageing in individual human organs, including the brain, allowing for a more precise assessment of how different organs age over time.The research team said previous studies had largely focused either on general characteristics of overall ageing or on ageing mechanisms in isolated organs. This, they noted, made it difficult to identify distinct genetic patterns and molecular ...

Researchers Pioneer Novel, Targeted Therapy for Aggressive T-Cell Blood Cancers Washington, 30 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- A research team from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has pioneered a new therapeutic strategy designed to combat rare and aggressive T-cell lymphocytic blood cancers, which often prove resistant to standard treatments. Scientists at the Baltimore-based institution explained that conventional therapies typically destroy both cancerous and healthy T-cells, leaving patients vulnerable to life-threatening infections. The novel approach, however, leverages a ...

Operation of New OR Expansion at SQU Hospital Commences Muscat, 29 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The University Medical City has commenced operation of the new operating rooms expansion at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Hospital, following the completion of execution and preparation requirements according to the highest technical standards. This step reflects an institutional approach based on effective governance, restructuring priority medical projects, and transforming them into effective operational assets that serve national healthcare needs. The expansion includes 7 advanced and ...

Breakthrough AI Model Predicts Patient-Specific Mortality Risks for Diabetes Patients Moscow, 15 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- A team of scientists at the Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky University in Russia has developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to predict the risk of all-cause mortality in diabetic patients. The advanced model is also capable of explaining the rationale behind its predictions to medical specialists. According to a university statement, the AI was trained on a comprehensive dataset comprising the physiological ...

UNICEF: Highly Processed Foods Endanger Children WorldwideNew York, 3 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Children worldwide are eating more and more highly processed foods - with dangerous consequences for their health, growth and mental well-being. This is the conclusion of a new analysis, released today by the United Nations children's fund UNICEF. It summarizes the extent to which so-called ultra-processed foods (UPFs) dominate the everyday lives of young people around the world. The report is based on a recently published series of studies in the medical journal The Lancet, which details the ...

Researchers Find Way to Restore Vision in People with 'Lazy Eye'Washington, 24 Nov 2025 (ONA) --- Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US have discovered a method that could restore vision to people suffering from amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, by reactivating the retina to its original state, allowing it to grow and heal itself. The study indicates that temporarily disabling the affected retina through anesthesia led to the recovery of the affected eye. After comparing the treated sample to a control group, the percentage of nerve signals coming from the ...

Medical City for Military, Security Services Signs MoU with Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Seoul, 30 Oct (ONA) --- The Medical City for Military and Security Services has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Republic of Korea, as part of the visit of the Medical City’s delegation to the Republic of Korea. The MoU was signed by Brig. Dr. Saleh Saud Al Abri, Director-General of the Medical City for Military and Security Services—Muscat, and Prof. Ji Youl Lee, President of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. The signing of theMoUwas in ...

Chinese Researchers Develop 3D Microrobot for Precision TherapiesBeijing, 19 Oct (ONA) --- Researchers from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a 3D hand-shaped microrobot measuring 40 micrometers in diameter, smaller than the width of a human hair, capable of performing precise movements such as grasping, transporting, and releasing particles or cells. Microrobots play a crucial role in early diagnosis and precision medicine, amid increasing demand for controllability in biomedical applications and micro-manipulation, ...

Chinese Scientists Design Tiny Robot Sensor for Tasks Inside BodiesBeijing, 21 Sep (ONA) --- A team of Chinese scientists has managed to combine sensing and steering functions in one grain-sized machine, creating potential for more accurate drug dosing and in-situ physiological monitoring. The researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in central China's Hubei Province and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in south China have developed a 1.3-mm-wide magneto-ultrasonic tiny robot that can wirelessly detect and regulate environmental parameters such as force, vibration, ...

Researchers Leverage “Junk DNA” to Target Hard-to-Treat Blood Cancers London, 15 Sep (ONA) --- Researchers at King’s College London have uncovered a novel strategy for treating certain aggressive blood cancers by targeting a once-overlooked part of the genome—so-called “junk DNA”—using existing cancer drugs. The approach could offer new hope for patients with limited treatment options. The study, published in the journal “Blood”, focused on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These cancers are frequently driven by ...

AI System Analyzes Voice Patterns to Identify Psychological TraitsTbilisi, 9 Sep (ONA) --- Scientists from the Business and Technology University (BTU) in Georgia have created an artificial intelligence (AI) system called BTU that analyzes voice patterns to identify psychological traits. This can reveal the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of individuals with notable precision. According to the scientists, the AI ​​system, named after the university, examines the nuances of human speech, including tone, rhythm, resonance, tempo, pause, and emotional fluctuations, to ...

Russian Scientists Discover New Method to Treat Alzheimer’s DiseaseMoscow, 28 Aug (ONA) --- Russian scientists and researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Systems at the Polytechnic University in St. Petersburg revealed a new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. The method focuses on restoring the balance of calcium ions within nerve cells, which could contribute to developing a new strategy for dealing with one of the world's most common neurological disorders. Researcher Evgeny Gerasimov, one of the study's participants, explained that experiments on mice with the disease ...

Sleep Disorders Double Risk of Relapses in Heart Failure Patients: StudyWashington, 27 Aug (ONA) --- A new American study has revealed that disrupted sleep patterns in heart failure patients may double their risk of experiencing serious health relapses over a period of as little as six months, even after taking into account other sleep disturbances and co-morbidities. The research team from Oregon State University explained that improving sleep schedules may be a simple and effective way to improve recovery and survival, urging patients to pay attention to going to bed and waking up at ...

Gulf Health Council Launches Awareness-Raising Campaign on HPVRiyadh, 17 Aug (ONA) --- The Gulf Health Council (GHC) has launched an awareness-raising campaign on the importance of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a safety framework and protection against cancers linked to the virus. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of early vaccination against HPV, especially targeting adolescents and those approaching marriage of both genders. It also seeks to enhance knowledge among parents and the entire Gulf community, including teachers, healthcare practitioners, ...

Study Highlights Benefits of Osteoporosis Treatment for Seniors Over 80Washington, 17 Jul (ONA) —- Researchers at the Endocrine Society’s meeting in San Francisco emphasized that elderly individuals over the age of 80 who suffer from fractures due to osteoporosis can significantly benefit from initiating bone-strengthening medications, despite previous concerns about side effects in this age group. The findings are based on a study conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, involving more than 88,000 patients aged over 80 who had osteoporosis-related fractures. Half of the ...

Eating Two Eggs Weekly May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk in Older AdultsWashington, 16 Jul (ONA) --- A new scientific study has revealed that eating two eggs a week may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most common and widespread types of dementia globally. The study, conducted by American researchers based on a questionnaire developed at Harvard University, analyzed the role of nutrients, particularly choline, found in eggs in lowering the likelihood of dementia associated with Alzheimer’s. According to the British newspaper Daily Mail, choline is an ...

Military Services Medical City Conducts Vertebral Fixation Suergery Under Conscious Regional Anesthesia Muscat, 13 Jul (ONA) --- The Medical City for Military and Security Services has successfully performed a vertebral fixation surgery using conscious regional anesthesia (without the need for general anesthesia). The operation constitutes the first step forward in the field of advanced surgical care. It reflects the hospital's commitment to apply the latest international medical practices and the hospital's keenness to develop safe and modern options for treating ...

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 ...