Acute Otitis Media (AOM) — a painful middle-ear infection — is one of the most common illnesses in children worldwide. In West Java, it represents a significant cause of doctor visits, missed school days, and in severe cases, long-term hearing problems.

Dr. Arif Dermawan from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran conducted a case-control study to identify the key factors contributing to AOM in children. The study involved carefully comparing children diagnosed with AOM to healthy peers, analyzing their living conditions, medical histories, and environmental exposures.

The results revealed a combination of determinants: exposure to cigarette smoke, lack of exclusive breastfeeding, frequent upper respiratory tract infections, and overcrowded living environments significantly increased the risk. Each factor, when isolated, showed a measurable impact; when combined, they created a higher vulnerability.

This analysis helps health authorities and parents prioritize preventive actions. Reducing indoor smoke exposure, promoting breastfeeding, and improving ventilation in homes could sharply decrease the incidence of AOM in the region.

The research supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, showing how targeted interventions based on data can reduce disease burden. It also highlights Universitas Padjadjaran’s capacity to conduct clinically relevant, evidence-based research that informs public health strategies and advances the THE Impact Rankings agenda.

West Java, Indonesia — Researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) have identified a natural compound in oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) that may help prevent obesity by reducing the body’s ability to form fat. The study, led by Dr. Eko Fuji Ariyanto from the Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Unpad, was recently published in the journal Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.

Obesity is a growing public health concern worldwide, including in Indonesia, where changing diets and urban lifestyles have contributed to rising rates of metabolic diseases. One key player in fat cell development is a gene called PPARγ (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma), which plays a central role in turning precursor cells into fat cells.

The Unpad research team explored the potential of ethanolic extract from oyster mushrooms to interfere with this process. Laboratory testing on 3T3-L1 cells, a commonly used model for studying fat accumulation, showed that the mushroom extract significantly suppressed the expression of PPARγ. This suggests that certain bioactive compounds in oyster mushrooms may act as natural inhibitors of fat cell formation.

“This finding offers a promising direction for developing functional foods or supplements from local natural resources that support weight control,” said Dr. Ariyanto. “Oyster mushrooms are widely available and affordable—making them a practical part of a healthy diet.”

Beyond their culinary value, oyster mushrooms contain polysaccharides, proteins, antioxidants, and phenolic compounds that have been associated with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects. This study adds anti-obesity potential to the list of health benefits.

The implications are substantial: if further studies confirm these effects in humans, oyster mushroom-based products could be developed as natural, plant-based interventions for obesity—offering a safer and more accessible alternative to synthetic weight-loss drugs.

This research supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, by addressing non-communicable disease prevention through affordable nutrition solutions. It also aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by utilizing sustainable food sources. The innovation underscores Universitas Padjadjaran’s commitment to translational research that bridges traditional foods and modern health—contributing to the university’s standing in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

West Java, Indonesia — A research team from Universitas Padjadjaran has made a significant discovery in the field of cancer biology by uncovering how disruptions in a key cellular mechanism may contribute to tumor formation. The study was led by dr. Andri Rezano, M.Kes., Ph.D., from the Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, and was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, a high-impact international journal.

The research focuses on GANP (germinal center-associated nuclear protein), a gene involved in transporting genetic information within cells. GANP is part of the TREX-2 complex, which helps move mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. However, when GANP is overexpressed or behaves abnormally, it may interfere with the cell’s ability to repair damage to its DNA—especially damage that occurs during transcription, the process where genetic instructions are read and copied.

This malfunction leads to a failure in the transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) pathway. As a result, damaged DNA is not properly fixed, allowing harmful mutations to accumulate. Over time, this can promote tumorigenesis, the process by which normal cells turn into cancerous ones.

“We found that aberrant GANP expression affects how cells respond to transcription-blocking DNA damage,” explained Dr. Rezano. “This disruption may be one of the underlying causes of genome instability that eventually leads to cancer.”

The study used both mouse models and human cell lines to show how GANP abnormalities impact cellular repair processes and accelerate the transformation into cancer-like cells. These findings highlight the dual nature of GANP: while essential for normal gene expression and immune development, its uncontrolled activity poses a risk to genome integrity.

This research opens the door to potential early detection methods or targeted therapies for cancers linked to transcription-coupled DNA damage. By identifying GANP as a key molecular trigger, scientists can begin to explore ways to control or correct its function before cancer progresses.

This scientific contribution supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly in the area of non-communicable disease prevention through biomedical innovation. It also strengthens Universitas Padjadjaran’s position as a center for impactful molecular research, further contributing to the university’s visibility in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

Bandung, Indonesia — A pioneering study from Universitas Padjadjaran has found that hyponatremia—dangerously low sodium levels in the blood—is a key warning sign in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM), one of the deadliest forms of tuberculosis.

Dr. Sofiati Dian from the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, led the prospective study at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital. The team followed over 140 TBM patients and analyzed their clinical symptoms alongside blood sodium levels. They found that over half of the patients had hyponatremia, which was strongly associated with poorer clinical outcomes such as seizures, coma, or death.

The research carefully classified types of hyponatremia, including syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS). Patients with more severe sodium imbalances had significantly higher risks of adverse neurological events.

“Routine sodium testing can save lives by identifying high-risk TBM patients earlier,” said Dr. Dian. “It’s a simple, affordable step in resource-limited settings.”

This discovery promotes changes in hospital protocols, urging clinicians to perform routine electrolyte checks for all suspected TBM patients. It enables quicker diagnosis and targeted fluid management, potentially saving lives and reducing hospital stays.

The study contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving infectious disease management through low-cost diagnostic tools. It also strengthens Unpad’s position as a leader in neurological and tropical medicine research, showcasing its global contribution through the THE Impact Rankings.

, Indonesia — A team from Universitas Padjadjaran has revealed how maltreatment—such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse—can significantly harm teenagers’ mental health. The study focused on Indonesian adolescents and presents clear evidence that abused youth are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Led by Dr. Nita Arisanti from the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, the school-based study surveyed adolescents in West Java, offering one of the few large-scale datasets highlighting the long-term psychological effects of abuse in Indonesian youth. The research used structured questionnaires to assess the correlation between various forms of maltreatment and mental health outcomes among over 1,000 students.

The study found that emotional abuse had the highest correlation with psychological distress. Emotional abuse, often hidden and unreported, includes verbal insults, rejection, and humiliation—experiences that leave deep psychological scars. Physical and sexual abuse were also significantly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, underscoring the urgent need for preventive interventions.

“Teenagers are often silenced. Our findings prove we must listen and act early,” said Dr. Arisanti. “Preventing abuse and promoting emotional resilience must be a shared responsibility across families, schools, and policymakers.”

The research team advocates for the development of mental health curricula in schools, safe reporting mechanisms, and family-based education programs. The study also recommends early screening and psychosocial support systems in schools to identify at-risk students and intervene before problems escalate.

This work enhances public health by encouraging trauma-informed practices, promoting resilience in schools, and empowering communities to break cycles of abuse. By focusing on accessible mental health tools and education, it helps build stronger youth support systems that are culturally grounded and locally scalable.

It reflects Unpad’s deep commitment to vulnerable populations and reinforces its role in global health and education conversations through the THE Impact Rankings as it contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).