News • Environmental medicine
New study links pesticide exposure to cancer risk
A new scientific study reveals a strong link between exposure to agricultural pesticides in the environment and the risk of developing cancer on a national scale.
Studies
News • Heart failure diagnostics
AI-enhanced MRI enables single-shot imaging of cardiac cycle
Imaging left ventricular function is challenging for patients who cannot hold their breath for long. A new AI-enhanced MRI technique captures the entire cardiac cycle in a single shot.
News • Study explores 30-year trends
Multiple sclerosis: survival rates improve, but inequalities remain
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) now live significantly longer, thanks to advances in treatments and care, a new study finds. However, inequalities remain, with higher mortality in deprived areas.
News • Treatment de-escalation
Patient-tailored radiotherapy effectively prevents breast cancer recurrence
The chances of breast cancer recurring remain very low when patients are treated with radiotherapy that is tailored to their individual risk following chemotherapy and surgery, new study results find.
News • Accelerated cognitive decline
Study: severe infections may raise dementia risk
Severe infections could increase the risk of developing dementia years later, independently of other coexisting illnesses, a new study from Finland suggests.
News • The rise of deepfake medical imaging
Real or fake? AI-generated X-rays have become suprisingly convincing (Quiz yourself!)
Neither radiologists nor multimodal large language models (LLMs) are able to easily distinguish AI-generated “deepfake” X-ray images from authentic ones, according to a new study.
News • Dolosigranulum pigrum
“Lazy” bacteria may protect against long Covid
Scientists have discovered the protective role of a bacterium that could prevent long Covid. Their discovery could lead to the development of new therapy approaches.
News • Impact on longevity and cancer
“The thymus has been overlooked for decades”
Two new studies explore the role of the thymus – a small organ in the chest, and possibly a missing piece in explaining why people age differently, and why cancer treatments fail in some patients.
News • Comparison study
Prostate cancer screening on par with breast cancer screening
Prostate cancer screening compares favourably to screening for breast cancer in identifying significant cancers, reducing mortality and avoiding unnecessary harms, says new research.
News • Artificial urinary sphincter
Trial puts new incontinence implant to the test
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects millions worldwide. A novel implant could provide patients with ease of use and a better quality of life than current options.
News • Nuclear imaging in urology
Prostate cancer: PSMA PET/CT could cut need for biopsies
A PSMA PET/CT imaging test could safely halve the number of people who need a biopsy for suspected prostate cancer following inconclusive or reassuring results from an MRI scan, new research finds.
News • Study on bacteria composition
Antibiotics leave a lasting mark on the gut microbiome
Antibiotics can affect the composition of the community of bacteria living in the gut, known as the gut microbiome, for as long as four to eight years after treatment, a new study shows.
News • Promising therapeutic approach
GLP-1 drugs could help prevent complications after heart attack
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may help prevent further tissue damage following a heart attack, significantly reducing the risk of further life-threatening complications, a new study finds.
News • Quantification of arterial calcifications
AI predicts heart disease risk from mammograms
Breast cancer screening could also be used to screen for cardiovascular disease, new research suggests: The risk of serious or fatal heart disease can be predicted with AI analysis of mammograms.
Article • Beyond drugs and surgery
Radiation for joint pain? Study validates low-dose approach for knee osteoarthritis
The concept of using radiotherapy for osteoarthritis may seem counterintuitive for many clinicians. Yet a well-designed randomised controlled trial presented at the 2025 ASTRO Annual Meeting in San Francisco suggests that low-dose radiotherapy deserves a closer look. The findings add robust evidence to a therapeutic approach that has long been underutilised outside of German-speaking countries.
News • At least 18 years of reduced risk
Cervical cancer: study confirms long-term protection from HPV vaccination
Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) reduces the risk of cervical cancer for at least 18 years, according to a new study. There were no signs of waning protection over time.
News • Combining stem cell therapy with surgery
Spina bifida: in-utero stem cell treatment approach shows promise
Combining stem cell therapy with standard fetal surgery before birth is a safe and promising approach to treat myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida, a new study has shown.
News • LLMs confirm delusions
Mental illness and AI chatbots: a dangerous match
Worsened delusions, mania, suicidal ideation, eating disorder: People with mental illness who use AI chatbots risk experiencing a worsening of their condition, a new study shows.
News • Treatment approach
How to improve cancer cure rates? “Kick it while it’s down”
Although tumours may at first shrink under therapy, they often regrow or even become resistant. A new study suggests switching to a second treatment while the tumour is still responding to the first.
News • Study shows stage-specific outcomes
Screening increases survival rate – even in advanced breast cancer
Study shows women with stage IV breast cancer detected through screening have a 60% chance of survival ten years after diagnosis – compared to under 20% for those not detected through screening.
News • Proof-of-principle study
Ultra low-field MRI shows promise for breast cancer screening
New research shows that using ultra-low field (ULF) MRI for breast imaging could offer an alternative to existing breast cancer screening methods and may reduce barriers to screening.
News • Cancer “chronotherapy”
Beating cancer by the clock: Why the time of day matters for radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is more effective when administered at the right time of day, according to new research. This discovery opens the door to cancer “chronotherapy”, the researchers hope.
News • Gait biomechanics analysis
AI predicts success of hip surgery
Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed an AI model to predict how well patients with hip osteoarthritis will be able to walk again after an operation.
News • Rehabilitation medicine
TBI: study reveals lasting impairments
People who suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have lasting difficulties returning to work and may need long-term, multidisciplinary care, a new study shows.
News • Alternative to anaesthesia
Mindfulness might be the key for more effective endoscopies
Less cancers missed, fewer complications: Mindfulness enables procedures to be done to a higher standard in awake patients than is currently possible under general anaesthesia or sedation.
