Articles tagged with Medical Imaging
Computer scientists have developed a new AI tool called RNAbpFlow that can map RNA structures with high accuracy, rivaling Google's AlphaFold 3. The method uses flow matching and can generate complete 3D structures from scratch, making it useful for drug discovery and targeting specific RNA folds.
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme has supported the creation of 691 businesses, generating 5,184 jobs and raising over £1.27 billion in investment. The programme continues to play a critical role in retaining talent within the NHS by enabling clinicians to develop their ventures alongside their clinical careers.
Researchers evaluated two somatostatin receptor PET tracers for breast cancer treatment, found SSTR-positive tumors in many estrogen receptor-positive cases. A new PET tracer showed promise for detecting Staph infections, while an interim PET scan may help track response to PSMA therapy in advanced prostate cancer.
Researchers have introduced laser reflective tomography to overcome the speed-resolution trade-off in NLOS imaging, achieving kilometer-scale high-resolution imaging without scanning mechanisms. This innovative approach combines single-point detection with multi-angle projection data for accurate scene reconstruction.
A new study suggests that functional brain imaging can help guide accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression, leading to improved symptoms and response rates. The approach uses resting-state functional connectivity analysis to identify individualized treatment targets.
Mary Beth Farrell has been honored with the 2026 SNMMI-TS Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long dedication to elevating the nuclear medicine profession. Her leadership in accreditation, research, and education has shaped national standards and driven quality improvement initiatives that continue to impact patient care.
Researchers developed a method combining AI and mathematical models to accelerate MRI scans for breast cancer imaging, achieving improved tumor visibility and high diagnostic sensitivity. The ELITE method has the potential to improve not only MRI scans but also other imaging platforms.
Researchers have developed a polymer-based microring resonator array with over 40 elements, demonstrating broadband acoustic detection and fine spatial resolution. The system achieved strong correspondence with biological structures, including blood vessel regions, in imaging mouse prostate tissue.
Research on targeted radioactive gold nanoparticles shows promise against aggressive brain tumors. Ultra-high-resolution PET scanners provide detailed views of mouse brains. New imaging tracers target key drivers of prostate cancer growth.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has announced the recipients of five Drs. Jane & Abass Alavi Mars Shot Research Awards, supporting studies on inflammatory bowel disease, artery inflammation, and other conditions.
Researchers at MIT developed an ultrasound system that creates a real-time 3D representation of the object being imaged, making it easier to identify and analyze. The AR-VIU technology can be deployed in hospitals for tasks such as placing needles during biopsies, reducing training time and increasing accuracy.
A study published in Radiology found that three commercially available AI-based computer-assisted detection (AI-CAD) systems can identify early mammographic signs of breast cancer up to 6 years before diagnosis. This could help radiologists spot potential future cancers and allow for earlier intervention.
Researchers used advanced MRI techniques to evaluate kidney blood flow, oxygen utilization, and inflammation in patients undergoing surgery for kidney tumors. The study found that MRI measurements could help predict both kidney function decline and the future development of chronic kidney disease.
FireANTs, an open-source algorithm, combines AI optimization and geometry to quickly match complex medical images. The new method can accomplish what took weeks in minutes, detecting subtle changes that signal disease or cognitive decline, making it practical for clinical practice.
A neural network-based machine learning model accelerates diffuse optical tomography by over a million-fold, enabling real-time diagnosis. The model accurately reproduces signals even for unseen parameter combinations, with each inference taking approximately 2 milliseconds.
Researchers created a detailed atlas of human brain-vessel morphology, revealing subtle changes linked to stroke prognosis and suggesting that small-vessel features may help explain worse recovery outcomes. The atlas, MARVAL, provides a standardized tool for measuring the vascular network in large populations.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has published several groundbreaking studies on targeted radiotherapy approaches for various types of cancer. Researchers have successfully identified tumors using fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeting compounds and explored the potential of PET/MRI scans in detecting endometriosis and recurrent ...
Researchers summarize recent developments in terahertz biophotonics, highlighting its potential for overcoming technical limitations in fields like skin cancer diagnosis, wound assessment, and drug discovery. The study provides a roadmap for future research to improve the field's practical applications.
A POSTECH research team developed a haptic device that can operate inside MRI scanners, enabling the measurement of brain activity during VR experiences. The study found that adding tactile feedback increased brain activation in areas responsible for motor control, attention, and cognitive processing.
A simple, seven-second X-ray scan can accurately detect the severity of pulmonary valve regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot. The test uses dynamic chest radiography and requires minimal radiation, offering a more accessible diagnostic option for those who cannot undergo traditional methods.
The SNMMI 2026 Annual Meeting showcased significant advancements in precision nuclear medicine, AI, theranostics, and molecular imaging. The meeting featured over 1,500 abstracts, a 25% increase from last year's meeting, and presented new educational sessions alongside networking opportunities.
Heather Jacene, MD, has been named president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), with a focus on strengthening the organization and advancing nuclear medicine. She plans to create new opportunities for members to participate actively in SNMMI and conduct multidisciplinary collaborations.
A new PET imaging approach measures synaptic density in the spinal cord, allowing physicians to monitor disease progression and evaluate treatment effectiveness. This technique detects widespread reductions in synaptic connections across the brain and spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Jason Lewis, PhD, FSNMMI, has been elected as SNMMI's vice president-elect. He aims to strengthen education, scientific exchange, and outreach efforts to integrate basic scientists into SNMMI programs. Lewis holds various academic and research positions.
A new end-to-end PET imaging approach for osteosarcoma distinguishes tumor tissue from normal tissue and assesses surgical margins in real-time. The platform enables precise tumor resection, reducing the risk of local recurrence and preserving maximum limb function.
Gary Ulaner, a renowned nuclear medicine expert, has been elected president-elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). He aims to advance SNMMI's Mars Shot initiative, expand educational activities for professionals, and increase funding for training new radiochemistry and physics specialists.
Researchers have identified RET as a biomarker for neuroendocrine prostate cancer and developed a theranostic pair for PET imaging and radioligand therapy. The approach demonstrates high uptake in tumors and shows promise for treatment, offering an alternative to current PSMA-based imaging.
A new PET radiotracer, 18F-GP1 PET/CT, accurately detects deep vein thrombosis in the legs and reveals lung clot migration. The approach may support faster diagnosis and improve patient care by detecting disease early.
A newly developed portable point-of-care PET technology provides high-quality results for guiding biopsies, tumor ablations, and other interventional procedures. The bedside device offers real-time visual feedback, making it a cost-effective approach for hospitals to perform procedures in constrained clinical environments.
A new PET radiotracer can effectively image overactive adrenal glands, allowing for a non-invasive approach to diagnose primary aldosteronism. This could enable physicians to tailor treatment plans for patients with this condition.
Researchers highlight latest developments in pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of MASLD and IPFD, revealing correlations with chronic diseases like liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. Innovative treatments, such as AI-driven approaches and organ-targeted therapies, show promise for precision prevention and therapy.
A new PET tracer targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) has demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and high tumor-to-background contrast in detecting clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The tracer successfully identified additional metastatic lesions missed by standard imaging while reducing abdominal background noise.
Dr. Martin G. Pomper has been awarded the 2026 Benedict Cassen Prize for his outstanding contributions to nuclear medicine, particularly in the development of PSMA-targeted agents. His work has led to significant advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the creation of commercial PSMA-targeted PET agents.
A novel PET imaging framework reveals bariatric surgery induces coordinated changes in metabolic function across organs, including fat, liver, pancreas, muscle, and immune-endocrine organs. These findings support the use of whole-body PET/CT as a tool to map organ-level metabolic health.
Researchers developed a new tau PET radiotracer that can accurately detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living patients. The tracer's ability to bind to tau pathology was confirmed in post-mortem CTE tissue, and preliminary results suggest it could provide an early diagnostic biomarker for the disease.
PSMA PET scans have been shown to detect bone metastases that conventional imaging misses, resulting in faster disease progression and worse overall survival. Patients with these undetected lesions are at a higher risk of progressing to treatment-resistant cancer and dying sooner.
Shannon Youngblood has been elected as the new president of the SNMMI Technologist Section. She will focus on amplifying visibility through advocacy, building a more inclusive workforce through educational opportunities, and streamlining professional development to stay current with advancements in theranostics and cardiac PET-CT.
A new type of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) shows promise in treating metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. The novel approach resulted in partial remission in the majority of patients with advanced cases, with manageable safety and encouraging antitumor activity.
Researchers developed a novel PET imaging approach to detect immune-related adverse events in patients receiving immunotherapy. The approach uses CCR2-targeted radiotracer to visualize both tumor progression and cardiac inflammatory responses. Co-treatment with itacitinib improved tumor response while reducing cardiac inflammation.
Dr. Richard E. Carson has made significant contributions to the understanding and application of nuclear medicine, particularly in neuroscience and neuropsychiatric disorders. His work led to the development of diverse tracer kinetic modeling techniques and innovative imaging systems like NeuroEXPLORER.
A study found that a specific pattern of brain metabolism visualized with PET imaging can predict which patients are most likely to benefit from Alzheimer's disease therapy. Patients with this pattern experienced stabilized cognitive performance, while those with other patterns had significant cognitive decline.
A new SPECT/CT imaging approach can accurately differentiate between inflammation and fibrosis in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. Researchers used the molecular imaging agent ⁹⁹ᵐTc-maraciclatide to visualize inflammation, which is crucial for determining treatment decisions.
Johnson aims to protect and advance the scope of practice for nuclear medicine technologists, strengthening the national workforce pipeline through education-driven partnerships with industry. She will also formalize standardized training resources as new technologies are introduced.
Irène Buvat, a pioneering researcher, has received the SNMMI's George Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for her groundbreaking work in molecular imaging quantification. Her contributions have led to improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer through the development of simulation and radiomics tools.
A new machine-learning model uses pre-therapy PET/CT scans to estimate radiation dose to tumors and healthy organs, improving patient selection and reducing toxicity risk. The study's findings suggest a promising ability to predict post-therapy dosimetry, which may optimize treatment plans for individual patients.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging recognized six new Fellows for their exceptional contributions to the field. The SNMMI Fellowship honors members who have demonstrated excellence in scientific discovery, educational efforts, or clinical practice.
Vasken Dilsizian, MD, has received the Minoshima-Pappas Transformational Leadership Award for his vision and leadership in advancing nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. He has made significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular diseases through his innovative scientific work.
A new brain imaging test can detect Alzheimer's disease pathology in twice as many people before symptoms appear. The test uses a new tau PET tracer that identifies more tau-positive cases than the current standard, leading to better decisions about who is on an Alzheimer's trajectory.
Researchers found that impaired virtual reality path integration was closely tied to brain structure and biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration. This suggests that VR-based navigation errors may reveal hidden changes in the brain long before symptoms arise, making it a promising behavioral marker for preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in nuclear medicine, with studies revealing uneven radiation doses in tiny kidney structures, improving survival rates for prostate cancer patients through targeted radiation therapy, and developing a new PET imaging approach to detect abdominal cancer spread. These advancements aim to im...
Researchers developed an AI system called CMR-CLIP that can interpret complex heart scans without manual labels, outperforming existing models by up to 35%. The system learned from over a million images and hundreds of thousands of motion sequences collected from Cleveland Clinic.
A new approach enables computers and machines to capture images at higher resolution and faster speed, making it impervious to reflective surfaces. The technology uses a virtual screen created by repurposing the surroundings of specular objects.
A systematic review of AI models for meningioma segmentation reveals that better model architecture is the key driver of improved performance. The top models achieved high accuracy and efficiency, while future research focuses on making them more generalizable and efficient for real-world clinical settings.
The study found that visual occlusion triggers brain compensation characterized by enhanced functional connectivity between the right precentral and middle frontal gyri. Walking activates multiple sensorimotor pathways to support basic locomotion, and visual occlusion further strengthens this connection as a compensatory mechanism.
A novel antibody, NG101, accelerates the regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissue by neutralizing a protein that blocks nerve fiber growth. This therapy enables new nerve fibers to form functional connections, allowing patients to become more independent and potentially recover arm and hand function.
Photoacoustic imaging uses lasers to reveal hidden blood vessels and nerve bundles, guiding surgeons for fewer complications. The technique enables real-time augmented reality video feeds during laparoscopic surgeries.