Hälsa & medicin

Swedish researchers found that selectively screening 70-year-old women with a smoking history using ultrasound identifies most abdominal aortic aneurysms while avoiding unnecessary testing of low-risk populations. The approach could reshape screening guidelines and reduce healthcare costs while preventing potentially fatal ruptures in vulnerable patients.EN

Spain's aggressive antiviral treatment campaign reduced active hepatitis C infections by roughly 20,000 people between 2019 and 2022, bringing overall prevalence to 0.14%. The finding validates the public health strategy of scaling up direct-acting antivirals and could guide other nations seeking to measure treatment impact and eliminate viral hepatitis.EN

A major real-world study of 120,000+ patients reveals that people hospitalized for heart failure or heart attacks face nearly triple the risk of developing cancer within a year. The finding suggests shared biological pathways between cardiovascular disease and malignancy—potentially opening new treatment and screening strategies for a population already facing severe health challenges.EN

Researchers developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that identifies which heart patients will survive a minimally invasive tricuspid valve repair. The risk prediction tool could help cardiologists decide which patients are strong enough for the procedure, potentially steering sicker patients toward alternative treatments and improving overall survival rates.EN

Swedish researchers tested multiple definitions for severe heart failure to see which best predicts who will die or be hospitalized within a year. The findings could help doctors refer patients faster for advanced therapies and improve how drug trials are designed—potentially speeding up treatment access and reducing costs.EN

An international expert panel has catalogued dozens of measurable biological markers—from genetic signatures to brain imaging patterns—that could enable clinicians to diagnose and treat anorexia nervosa more precisely. The findings could reshape how healthcare systems screen for the disorder and personalize treatment, though experts warn most markers still need validation before entering clinical practice.EN

A Swedish study of 50,000 patients found that people who survive a pulmonary embolism face triple the death risk in the following year—even those without pre-existing conditions. The finding signals that PE survivors need aggressive long-term monitoring, reshaping how healthcare systems and insurers should manage this common but underestimated condition.EN

A new analysis projects that GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide could prevent roughly one in five heart attacks and strokes among obese people without existing heart disease. The finding expands the potential market for these drugs beyond diabetes and obesity treatment into primary prevention—a shift that could reshape prescribing patterns and insurance coverage decisions.EN

As psychedelic-assisted treatments for depression and PTSD move into mainstream clinical practice, a new paper argues that professional chaplains—specialists in spiritual care—should become core team members. The finding matters because most therapists lack training in spirituality, yet patients consistently report mystical experiences that appear tied to healing outcomes.EN

A two-decade study of 500,000+ Swedish diabetes patients reveals that tight blood sugar control in the first 18 months after diagnosis significantly reduces cardiovascular death and complications. The finding challenges passive management approaches and suggests early intervention could reshape treatment protocols and healthcare costs for the 37 million people globally with type 2 diabetes.EN

Researchers have identified shared genetic factors that increase risk for both ADHD and substance use disorders, particularly heroin addiction. The finding could reshape how clinicians screen and treat patients with both conditions, and may inform prevention strategies targeting high-risk populations.EN

A new study shows that a third dose of Strangvac significantly increases antibody levels against the bacterial disease strangles in sport horses, with only mild, temporary reactions. The findings could help equine veterinarians and horse operations optimize vaccination protocols to improve herd immunity and reduce disease outbreaks in competitive and commercial settings.EN

Employees working from home deliberately avoid activity-based flexible offices because they lack privacy and quiet spaces for focused work, a new study shows. The finding suggests companies betting on open-plan layouts to drive in-office attendance may be pushing workers further toward remote arrangements instead.EN

An international study found that cancer samples prepared for microscopic analysis vary wildly in quality depending on which lab method is used—with failure rates ranging from 4% to 80%. The inconsistency threatens diagnostic accuracy and could force costly repeat procedures, signaling an urgent need for standardized preparation protocols across pathology labs.EN

A new reanalysis of existing mindfulness studies reveals that widely cited findings connecting mindfulness practice to improved mental health may be less robust than previously believed. The finding raises questions about how organizations allocate wellness resources and could reshape corporate mental health program investments.EN

A survey of 529 healthcare workers across four Western European countries found that over half don't use formal assessments to detect delirium—a common but costly complication in older patients. The gap suggests hospitals are missing opportunities to prevent longer stays, functional decline, and higher treatment costs.EN

A new study finds that nearly 4 in 5 positive urine cultures from febrile infants under 3 months with negative dipstick tests don't represent true infections requiring treatment. The finding could reshape how pediatricians screen infants for UTIs, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotics and hospitalizations that drive healthcare costs and fuel resistance.EN

A new pilot program outsourcing oxygen supply to private providers increased functional equipment availability by 50% or more across Kenya, Nigeria, India, Tanzania, and Uganda. The finding could reshape how hospitals in resource-limited settings secure life-saving medical gases, with implications for healthcare supply chains and public-private partnerships across the developing world.EN

Scientists have identified biological signatures in blood samples that may predict which cancer patients are most vulnerable to developing a second cancer from radiation treatment. The findings could help oncologists personalize therapy plans and reduce long-term harm in a growing population of cancer survivors.EN

Abbott's AutoCapture algorithm reliably adjusts pacemaker energy output to match patient needs over extended periods, matching manual clinical measurements 97.6% of the time. The finding could reduce unnecessary device replacements and lower long-term care costs for the growing population of pacemaker patients.EN

Babies born at 22-24 weeks gestation require fundamentally different medical approaches than slightly more mature preterm infants, a new analysis concludes. The finding could reshape neonatal care protocols and training at hospitals nationwide, affecting roughly 7,500 U.S. infants annually—more common than Down syndrome.EN

Swedish emergency dispatchers juggle clinical urgency against operational reality when ambulance fleets run thin, balancing individual patient needs with system-wide readiness. The study reveals dispatchers use anticipation and constant reassessment to keep resources flowing—insights that could reshape how health systems staff and deploy emergency response during capacity crises.EN

Researchers analyzing over half a million men found that PSA test results trigger a feedback loop: doubling PSA levels doubles cancer diagnosis risk but also increases retesting by 16%. The finding could reshape screening strategies and help health systems predict testing patterns and resource needs.EN

Researchers examined over 500 schoolchildren and discovered that 83% had at least one foot condition—from ingrown toenails to bunions. The findings suggest pediatric foot care has been largely neglected, with treatment decisions based on guesswork rather than evidence, signaling an untapped market for clinical guidance and preventive care.EN

A validation study found that Sweden's national rectal cancer registry—used to guide clinical care and research—fails to capture 43% of local recurrences, particularly cases involving metastatic disease. The finding raises questions about data reliability for hospitals, regulators, and researchers who depend on the registry for treatment benchmarking and outcome tracking.EN