Before you heal someone, you’ve got to ask them if they are willing to give up the things that make them sick. Hippocrates said that or something like that. I thought about it as I was editing the lead story on the stress of heat on our body.
 
Living in the first-world, tropical paradise of Singapore—minus the dreadful humidity—has probably lulled us into a false sense of security as we spend most of our time in temperature-controlled environments. If giving up fridges, cars, ACs, etc., could help heal the earth, are ready to give up our convenience and comfort?  

 

We are witnessing extreme weather events because of climate change around the world, and closer to home, Singapore is bracing for new record temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius by 2045—a trend that is alarming doctors and research scientists here. 

As my colleague Mark Leong from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Emergency Medicine Academic Clinical Programme says in our lead story, the heat creeps in on you subtly, and you can’t feel its impact until it’s much too late. The need to prepare for hotter days, therefore, is now. It is urgent. And we must be willing to give up things that make our home sick—convenient or not!

And speaking of giving up things we like, two news stories in this issue remind us that forgoing convenience is not only good for our planet but our bodies too.  We report on the latest guidance —including actionable advice—from the International Society of Hypertension, which felt spurred to embark on this consolidation of position statements because despite all efforts, rates of hypertension continue to rise around the world. 

And with rising rates of hypertension, we increase our risk of other chronic illnesses including kidney failure. But the latest results from Duke-NUS’ longest-running, publicly funded research collaboration DYNAMO, which is led by none other than our Dean Thomas Coffman, offer new hope. The team found that disrupted energy production in the kidneys and its contribution to progressive kidney disease in diabetes are a critical area for potential intervention. This finding could help clinicians and scientists develop new ways of better managing complications arising from diabetes, marking a crucial step forward in the ongoing battle against the disease.

But it is not just about giving up things that we’re contemplating in this issue. As the Society advises, we should add mindfulness to our heart care routine. And hand-in-hand with that, we launched a brand new column, where we invite our alumni to reflect on a pivotal moment in their lives. To kick off our “A moment with” column, we’ve invited two graduates from the Class of 2020 to reflect on the impact their choice to pursue their third-year research project at Duke, Durham, has had on them. And speaking of Duke, Durham, we also report back on the visit by Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung to our parent university. 

And continuing this thread of doing things differently, we are speaking with three special guests in our “In conversation with” column to offer a different perspective on the raging debate among AI experts whether the technology is a great innovation or the end of humanity. So we, at MEDICUS, thought of delving into the experiences of our students, providing a glimpse into their aspirations for an AI-enabled healthcare future. The exploration of their hopes, fears, and dreams illustrates the evolving landscape of healthcare and the pivotal role of technology in shaping its trajectory. 

Elsewhere in MEDICUS, you will read about the innovative strides made by researchers in the development of an AI-driven mobile game for combating dengue mosquitoes highlight the transformative potential of technology in public health campaigns.

From the engaging podcast discussion on successful scientific collaborations to the inspiring journeys of researchers like Lok Shee Mei, the magazine showcases the determination and innovation driving the medical community. Notably, the commendable efforts of Duke engineers, spearheading solutions to global sanitation challenges, and the groundbreaking initiatives led by public health experts, underscore the imperative of global cooperation in addressing critical health concerns.

As MEDICUS continues to highlight these groundbreaking stories, it reinforces the imperative of a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to healthcare. By integrating mindfulness, cutting-edge research and technological innovation, the medical community is well-positioned to usher in a future where wellness is not merely the absence of disease, but the harmonious balance of mind, body and spirit. 

As a medical school and research powerhouse integrated in Singapore’s biomedical ecosystem, we have a responsibility to continue the legacy of innovation in healthcare. The stories in this issue of MEDICUS showcase how we are contributing to the advancement of medicine and improving patient outcomes. 

So step in—or click on if you like—our world to the read the insightful stories we have curated for you. As always please let us know how you like (or not) about our magazine so we can truly make it a publication of choice for you. And I would like to encourage you to forward a story you like to a friend and invite them to subscribe to MEDICUS.

Anirudh Sharma
Editor-in-chief