Asian Scientist Magazine

Meat substitute products have received growing popularity around the world, but do we really understand the health impacts of this dietary shift? 🤔 In a recent study, scientists found that when it comes to improving heart and metabolic health, switching to plant-based meat analogues (PBMA) might not be as beneficial. Researchers from A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) studied whether adopting PBMAs as the main protein source provides any benefits for the cardiometabolic health of Asian individuals, particularly those at a higher risk of diabetes. Over eight weeks, the research team tracked changes in different heart and metabolic health factors of the 82 volunteers who were split into two groups: one on an animal-based meat diet (ABMD) and the other on a plant-based meat diet (PBMD). The findings showed no significant evidence to favor a PBMD over an ABMD for individuals with diabetes. What may be more beneficial is to strive for balanced and healthy diets rich in whole plant-based foods. For more insights and recommendations from the study, head to the link in the comments section. ⬇️ --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #plantbasedmeat #diabetes

Think you can make up for lost sleep on the weekends? Think again! 💤 We've all tried to compensate for those sleep-deprived days with a weekend lie in and the occasional early bedtime. But science says: That doesn’t fully restore our brain’s performance. A new study by researchers at the National University of Singapore found that while catching up for a few nights could blunt the negative effects of sleep-deprivation, it is not a complete solution. As the co-author of the study and Assistant Professor at the NUS Center for Sleep and Cognition, June Lo, said, “There’s no way you can cheat when it’s about sleep.” 😴 For optimal brain performance, the study emphasizes the importance of consistent and sufficient sleep based on age-specific recommendations. Head to the link in the comments section to learn more. 👇 --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #sleepdeprivation #brainperformance

Small and terrible—fine particulate matter does not only cause various health issues; it could also lead to premature deaths. In a study led by researchers from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, the findings linked PM2.5 pollution to about 135 million premature deaths worldwide, from 1980 to 2020. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These minuscule particles come from vehicle exhaust, industrial activities, and natural occurrences like wildfires and dust storms. The research team analyzed the levels of PM2.5 in Earth’s atmosphere and its impact on mortality rates. They also examined the air quality globally and how specific climate patterns impact air pollution in different regions. They found that changes in climate patterns could make air pollution worse. “When certain climate events happen, like El Niño, pollution levels can go up, which means more people might die prematurely because of PM2.5 pollution,” said Steve Yim, study lead and Associate Professor of NTU’s Asian School of the Environment and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. The study highlights that when tackling air pollution to protect global health, it’s necessary to understand and account for these climate patterns. Learn more via the link in the comments section. ⬇️ --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #airpollution #fineparticulatematter

Is it really a meal without rice? 🍚 For many cultures in Southeast Asia, a meal lacking rice is incomplete. In fact, most of the calories consumed in the region come from this staple. The challenge is that rice is particularly sensitive to extreme heat. So to address this and ensure food security in the region, agricultural scientists are developing heat-resistant crops. 🌾 In a hallmark study led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, researchers have adopted one notable technique to make heat-resistant rice: genome editing. Genome editing is a fast and cost-effective way for scientists to directly modify the plant’s DNA and introduce a desirable trait. “Compared to conventional breeding—which may take several generations of crossing—genome editing takes only one third of the time,” said Inez Slamet- Loedin, Head of Rice Genetic Design and Validation Unit at IRRI. Learn more via the link in the comments below. 👇 --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #agriculture #SouthEastAsia

Public service announcement: Adolescents are more likely to be influenced by internet addiction-related urges because of their brain structure and development. Internet addiction (IA) occurs when a person can’t resist the urge to use the Internet. This could negatively affect their psychological well-being and their social, academic, and professional lives. 📱 A recent study published in PLOS found why the teenage brain is particularly vulnerable to internet addiction. It’s because during adolescence: 💡 The brain undergoes significant changes in its social and thinking abilities. 💡 This period is also marked by heightened sensitivity to social cues and peer connections, as well as the development of improved social skills. “We would advise that young people enforce sensible time limits for their daily internet usage and ensure that they are aware of the psychological and social implications of spending too much time online,” said Irene Lee, senior author, and data manager at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. Head to the link in our comments section for more insights and recommendations from the study. ⬇️ --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #internetaddiction #adolescence

#TIL: An orangutan in Indonesia was discovered to be capable of self-medicating. 🦧 Meet Rakus, a male orangutan in his thirties, who was documented by scientists applying the sap of a pain-relieving plant to his open wound. Researchers from Max Planck Institute and Universitas Nasional Jakarta, who were working in a protected Sumatran rainforest, found Rakus with an open facial wound just below his eyelid. As they observed his behavior, they documented how Rakus used the leaves of Fibraurea tinctoria, a climbing liana plant, on his wound. The researchers said, “Thirteen minutes after Rakus had started feeding on the liana, he began chewing the leaves without swallowing them and using his fingers to apply the plant juice from his mouth directly on to his facial wound.” Five days after Rakus was first seen applying the plant poultice to his face, his wound had closed with no sign of infection. And within the next three weeks, it fully healed leaving only a small scar. 🤯 According to the researchers, the self-medication behavior exhibited by Rakus might provide clues about the origins of human wound care. Learn more by following the link in the comments below. 👇 --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #animalbehavior #woundcare

Did you know that when construction materials absorb sunlight, they release excess heat into the city? This exacerbates the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which causes urban areas to experience warmer temperatures than their surroundings and may affect residents’ health and quality of life. 🥵 #GoodNews: Scientists in Singapore have found a way to make urban areas feel 1.5°C cooler. In a study conducted by researchers from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, the findings showed that applying cool paints to roofs, walls, and roads could reduce heat absorption and make the built environment more comfortable for people. “With global warming, people will increasingly look for ways to stay cool. Our study validates how cool paint coatings can be a strategy to reduce the urban heat island effect in future,” said Wan Man Pun, lead investigator and associate professor at the NTU School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE). The findings from the study are not only relevant for Singapore where it is hot all year round, but also for other urban areas around the world. Check out the link in the comments section for more insights. ⬇️ --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #globalwarming #urbanareas

Advanced lung cancer patients often experience sleep disturbances. These could aggravate physical and psychological symptoms and result in decreased quality of life and survival. #GoodNews: Researchers from The University of Hong Kong found an effective non-pharmacological intervention 👉 tai chi. According to a new study, tai chi could significantly improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue in patients with advanced lung cancer, and improve their survival rate by a year. Tai chi is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing. Lead researcher Dr Naomi Takemura explained: “Tai chi’s emphasis on the mind-body connection offers a holistic approach that goes beyond physical exercise alone. The meditative and mindful aspects of tai chi may help patients cope with psychological distress, reduce anxiety, and enhance their overall quality of life and one-year survival rate.” Head to the link in the comments below for more insights and recommendations from the study. ⬇️ --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #lungcancer #treatmentplan

The number of women in STEM university courses and the workforce are consistently rising, thanks to the programs that encourage women and girls to pursue their scientific passions! 🙌 #CaseInPoint: The L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science, a program that has helped women scientists globally advance their research over the last 25 years. The Singapore edition, launched in 2009, has assisted 27 women scientists and disbursed over S$270,000 worth of endowment to-date. 👏 This year, L'Oréal Singapore celebrated three outstanding women researchers in the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science 2023 program. Meet Dr Leow Wan Ru, Dr Yang Le, and Dr Xue Shifeng, who each received S$10,000 to advance their research in sustainable chemistry, material engineering, and biotechnology. 🌟 Dr Leow Wan Ru is a scientist at the A*STAR Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy & Environment (ISCE2). Her team pioneered a groundbreaking method to produce ethylene oxide—the 14th most produced chemical globally. Her innovation removes much of the environmental toll associated with traditional methods as it leverages renewable electricity and emits no carbon dioxide. 🌟 Dr Yang Le is a group leader at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE). Her work, the Wearable In-situ Sensorics for Health (WISH) technology, is a pioneering effort to create non-invasive, real-time, wireless and continuous chemo-sensing on the skin. This technology empowers patients to take proactive control of their wellbeing by providing them the opportunity to effectively monitor their health. 🌟 Dr Xue Shifeng is an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore. Her research focuses on the study of epigenetic repression in development and disease, specifically human congenital disorders. Her team identified the genetic mutations that cause individuals to be born without a nose—a discovery that represented a significant step towards understanding the gene’s role in early embryonic development. Check out the full feature to learn more about their work, motivations, and experiences! Link in the comments below ⬇️ --- #AsianScientist #scicomm #research #womeninstem #womeninscience #awards

Are you a culturally savvy leader? 🙋🏻♀️ Find out at the EcosySTEM Asia Summit for Leaders in STEM returning for its third year this June 2024 (back by popular demand)! 🗓️ 26 - 27 June 2024 (Wednesday & Thursday) ⏰ 9:30 am - 5:00 pm 📍 Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore Join this two-day in-person leadership summit that shines the spotlight on DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion) and how it plays a critical role in defining your leadership journey. 😎 💡 Are your leadership skills keeping pace with today’s multicultural woke society? 💡 Are you building a professional brand that stands out and showcases your authentic leadership style? 💡 How do you leverage cultural awareness to become a more impactful leader? TLDR: This transformative leadership summit is designed to empower and equip today’s culturally savvy leaders with branding, communication, leadership skills, and more! All STEM professionals (men and women) are invited to apply for the leadership summit and be part of the conversation. 🙌 For more details and to submit your application, head to the link in the comments section. ⏳ Applications will close on 31 May 2024 ⏳ This summit is co-organized by EcosySTEM: A community of STEM professionals in Asia and The Elsevier Foundation, and proudly supported by the James Dyson Foundation, EurekAlert!, and Asian Scientist Magazine. --- #leadership #leadershipsummit #leadersinstem #diversity #equity #inclusion #careerdevelopment #careersuccess #learning #growth #networking #stem #community #ecosystemasia #asianscientist #workshop #event #singapore