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Karolinska Institutet


New technology facilitates delivery of advanced medicines

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a technique to deliver gene editors and protein therapeutics to cells using engineered extracellular vesicles. The method shows promising results in animal studies, highlighting the potential for treating genetic diseases and neurological disorders.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2025

Urine test could reveal prostate cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified new biomarkers in urine that can indicate the presence and severity of prostate cancer with high precision. The findings surpass current blood biomarker PSA in terms of diagnostic accuracy.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCancer Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2025

Blood test may rule out future dementia risk

A new study published in Nature Medicine has investigated the potential of specific biomarkers to predict dementia risk up to ten years before diagnosis. The study found that low levels of certain biomarkers may rule out future dementia, but elevated levels alone are not reliable for identification.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 2, 2025

Protein in the nose provides information about COPD

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to diagnose COPD by analyzing protein levels in nasal lavage. The study found that elevated IL-26 levels can indicate an early phase of the disease, and may lead to new treatment strategies targeting this cytokine.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2025

Three out of ten breast cancers are detected between screenings

A new study found that interval cancers, which are detected between two screening sessions, account for 30% of all breast cancers. Women with high breast density, hormone therapy, and a family history of breast cancer are at increased risk. More frequent or improved screening methods could significantly improve early detection rates.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2025

Antidepressants linked to faster cognitive decline in dementia

A new observational study suggests that antidepressants can accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia, while certain medications appear to be less harmful. Researchers analyzed data from 18,740 patients and found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with the fastest cognitive decline.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Breathing and vision may be linked

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered a fundamental mechanism linking breathing to pupil size, which affects vision. The study shows that the pupil is smallest during inhalation and largest during exhalation, impacting visual perception.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 21, 2025

Children with ARFID face increased risk of disease

A new study found that children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are at a higher risk of developing intellectual disability, autism, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, epilepsy, and chronic lung diseases. They also experience more medical diagnoses and require longer hospital stays than other children.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2025

Treatment for children with obesity has lasting effect

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that childhood obesity treatment can reduce the risk of serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia in young adults. However, it did not have a lasting impact on depression and anxiety, which remained unchanged regardless of treatment outcomes.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2025

AI can improve ovarian cancer diagnoses

A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that AI-based models can accurately identify ovarian cancer in ultrasound images, achieving an accuracy rate of 86.3%. The models also reduce the need for expert referrals and misdiagnosis rates by 63% and 18%, respectively.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 2, 2025

Poor vascular health accelerates brain ageing

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used AI to analyze brain images from 70-year-olds and found that factors like inflammation and high glucose levels are associated with an older-looking brain. A healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, was linked to brains with a younger appearance.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2024

New method could improve cervical cancer screening

A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Queen Mary University of London has developed a method to divide HPV-positive women into three risk groups, based on the variant of the HPV virus and the amount of virus present in the self-test. This method could enhance cervical cancer screening for high-risk women.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 13, 2024

Combined screening can detect liver damage in diabetes patients

A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that a combined screening approach can detect liver damage in people with type 2 diabetes. The method involves elastography, an ultrasound-based technique, which was found to be willing to be adopted by most patients. Early detection of liver fibrosis is crucial, as ...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateDec 12, 2024

New research reveals two types of fatty liver disease

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified two types of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a liver-specific type and a systemic type that affects other organs. The discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of this growing patient group, with potential benefits for cardiovascular health.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 9, 2024

The heart has its own ‘brain’

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Columbia University identified a mini-brain within the heart with its own nervous system that controls the heartbeat. This discovery challenges current views on how the heartbeat is controlled and may lead to new insights into heart diseases and treatments.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024

Cardiovascular drugs may reduce dementia risk

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that long-term use of common cardiovascular drugs is associated with a lower risk of dementia. The study, which analyzed data from over 880,000 people, shows that these medications can reduce dementia risk by 4-25%.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateNov 19, 2024

Very early medication abortion is effective and safe

A large international study found that very early medication abortion is equally effective and safe as waiting for intrauterine pregnancy confirmation. The study included over 1,500 women who received two drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol – in either a delayed or early abortion group.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 6, 2024

Heart failure mortality declining in Sweden

A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals a decline in heart failure mortality in Sweden over the last 20 years. Despite improvements, the prognosis for heart failure patients remains concerning, with 25% of those diagnosed in 2022 dying within a year.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure·DateOct 28, 2024

Sweden meets UN targets for HIV epidemic

Sweden has surpassed the UNAIDS and WHO targets for the HIV epidemic, with 96% diagnosed, 99% on treatment, and 98% having undetectable virus levels. The country's effective infrastructure and comprehensive data collection have made it possible to reach these ambitious targets.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEurosurveillance·DateOct 17, 2024