The Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC) project, led by SMART in collaboration with MIT, NTU, NUS and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, is developing the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system for continuous, real-time monitoring of chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart failure. Supported by advanced tools like Southeast Asia’s first sub-micrometre 3D printer and cutting-edge ultrasonic imaging technology, WITEC aims to shift healthcare from hospital-based interventions to proactive, home-based care, enabling earlier detection, personalised diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

Researchers have published a comprehensive review exploring the critical role of the "immune microenvironment" in the progression of major chronic diseases. The study details how interactions between immune cells, cytokines, and the extracellular matrix contribute to conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The review emphasizes that targeting this microenvironment offers promising new avenues for diagnosis and immunotherapy, potentially shifting the paradigm of chronic disease management.

With a four-year, $3.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, a team from Pen State College of Medicine will develop a small, durable ventricular assist device (VAD) designed specifically for young, growing children between the ages of one and 11 years old. Currently, there are no heart pumps approved for long-term use for this age group. The device, called the PSU Child VAD, could provide long-term support for children with heart failure while waiting for a heart transplant, greatly improving quality of life and outcomes.