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Nature Medicine

All articles tagged with #nature medicine

AI chatbot links patients to brain monitors, cutting false seizure alerts by 80%
health2 days ago

AI chatbot links patients to brain monitors, cutting false seizure alerts by 80%

A University of Pennsylvania team published a study in Nature Medicine describing a new AI platform that allows epilepsy patients to chat with their medical devices in real time. In a pilot study with 13 inpatients, the system used patient feedback to retrain seizure detection algorithms, reducing false alarms by 80%. The platform, powered by a HIPAA-compliant version of GPT-4o-mini, aims to bridge the gap between passive monitoring and active patient engagement, with future applications planned for Parkinson’s disease and other conditions.

Shingrix may offer heart protection comparable to blood pressure medication, new study suggests
health1 month ago

Shingrix may offer heart protection comparable to blood pressure medication, new study suggests

A large observational study in Nature Medicine finds that the recombinant shingles vaccine Shingrix is associated with a 9% lower cardiovascular burden over seven years compared to the older Zostavax vaccine. Researchers suggest this could prevent hundreds of thousands of heart events globally if confirmed, though causality is not yet proven.

Under-50s show accelerated biological ageing amid rising early cancers
health3 months ago

Under-50s show accelerated biological ageing amid rising early cancers

A study published in Nature Medicine reports that people born in the 1960s–70s and again in the 1990s display higher biological ageing than earlier cohorts, a pattern that may be linked to the increasing rates of cancers diagnosed in younger adults. While the research shows a correlation and highlights the body’s systemic aging processes, it does not establish causation, and experts call for further investigation to understand what drives these changes and their connection to cancer and other chronic diseases.

Nature retracts time-of-day immunotherapy claim in NSCLC trial
health3 months ago

Nature retracts time-of-day immunotherapy claim in NSCLC trial

Nature Medicine has retracted the February LungTIME-C01 trial, which claimed morning immunotherapy with chemotherapy improved outcomes in advanced NSCLC. After a four‑month investigation, editors cited design changes, protocol discrepancies, unusual data patterns, and timing-related issues—leading to loss of confidence in the results. While experts urged replication, mid-trial changes and data concerns undermine the claim that time-of-day governs outcomes until independent validation is achieved. The authors either agreed with the retraction or did not respond to comment.

Experimental pancreatic cancer drug doubles one-year survival in trial
health6 months ago

Experimental pancreatic cancer drug doubles one-year survival in trial

An experimental drug called elraglusib, added to chemotherapy, doubled the one-year survival in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a phase 2 trial of 286 patients: 42% were alive at one year versus 22% with chemotherapy alone. Elraglusib inhibits GSK-3 beta, increasing tumor permeability to immune cells and chemotherapies, and may complement other therapies. While overall survival improved, progression-free survival did not, and some patients progressed or moved to palliation early; researchers say the drug could be a useful adjunct and warrant further study, with the findings published in Nature Medicine.

Microplastics Found in Donated Brains; Dementia Patients Show Higher Burden
science7 months ago

Microplastics Found in Donated Brains; Dementia Patients Show Higher Burden

A Nature Medicine study of 52 donated brains found higher microplastic levels in brains from people with dementia than in those without; 2024 samples contained more microplastics than 2016, suggesting an association (not causation) between microplastics and neurodegenerative conditions and underscoring the need for further research and stronger plastic-reduction efforts.

Small DMT Trial Signals Potential Depression Treatment
health8 months ago

Small DMT Trial Signals Potential Depression Treatment

A small UK Phase IIa randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that a single dose of DMT with psychotherapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms for up to three months (some participants up to six); 47% reached remission at three months. DMT appeared safe and well tolerated, but the study's small size means larger, longer trials are needed before it could become a standard depression treatment.

Single-Dose DMT Triggers Rapid Depression Relief in Early Trial
health8 months ago

Single-Dose DMT Triggers Rapid Depression Relief in Early Trial

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 34 adults suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, a single intravenous dose of DMT with psychotherapeutic support produced a rapid and meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms within a week, with effects lasting up to three months (some in remission for six months); the dose appeared safe with mostly mild side effects, though blinding was challenged by noticeable psychedelic effects and the small sample size calls for larger trials.

AI Health Chatbots Fall Short on Real-World Medical Advice
technology8 months ago

AI Health Chatbots Fall Short on Real-World Medical Advice

UK researchers tested GPT-4o, Llama 3, and Command R+ against a control group and found AI health chatbots identified health problems only about one-third of the time and suggested a correct course of action roughly 45% of the time—no better than internet searches. They attribute the gap to miscommunication between humans and AI and warn that chatbots can give wrong diagnoses or miss urgent care cues. With about 1 in 6 US adults asking chatbots about health monthly, the study argues AI isn’t ready to replace clinicians.

Preventive Cancer Vaccine Sparks Hope for Lynch Syndrome Carriers in Early Trial
health8 months ago

Preventive Cancer Vaccine Sparks Hope for Lynch Syndrome Carriers in Early Trial

A phase 1b/2 trial of a preventive cancer vaccine for Lynch syndrome carriers, including Kevin Heyink, showed the vaccine is safe and elicits a lasting immune response. In a 45-participant trial, vaccinated individuals had fewer precancerous lesions and no advanced tumors; Heyink has since had three cancer-free colonoscopies in a row. The vaccine uses a modified adenovirus to train the immune system to recognize Lynch-related proteins, offering hopeful potential to reduce cancer risk, though larger trials are needed before wider use.

science9 months ago

Doubts Grow Over Microplastics in the Human Body

Researchers are questioning how microplastics are detected in human tissues, pointing to contamination and lack of validation in key studies. An International Science Council review catalogs about 7,000 studies on the topic; meanwhile new detection methods from the Medical University of Vienna aim to improve accuracy, though broad consensus may take years. While some scientists defend findings, experts urge cautious interpretation and measured policymaking to avoid alarm.

Long-Term Health Risks Persist 3 Years After COVID Infection, Study Finds
health2 years ago

Long-Term Health Risks Persist 3 Years After COVID Infection, Study Finds

A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that COVID-19 survivors, especially those hospitalized, face persistent health risks and symptoms even three years post-infection. Researchers from the VA St. Louis Health Care System and Scripps Research found that hospitalized patients had a 29% higher risk of death and significant long COVID symptoms across various organ systems. Non-hospitalized patients also reported new health issues, though their risk of death normalized after the first year. The study underscores the long-term impact of COVID-19, challenging the perception of it as a short-term illness.