A new study found that demand for abortion and miscarriage hotlines increased by double digits before the Dobbs decision, with states later enacting abortion bans seeing a significant surge. The hotline saw a 210% spike in use from June 2022 to June 2023.
The FUTURE-D project combines data science with clinical expertise to identify warning signs of depression earlier, enabling more targeted interventions. Researchers will integrate longitudinal cohort data from the MACS and NESDA studies to better understand depressive disorders.
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.
Researchers used an open-source AI model called Mirai to quickly identify high-risk patients and expedite their diagnostic process. This led to a significant reduction in wait times, with some women receiving biopsy results within days of having their mammograms done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The American Cancer Society has endorsed two new types of stool tests and recommends limiting the use of blood tests for colorectal cancer screening. The guidelines aim to encourage people to get screened while improving detection rates.
3D printed anatomical models are being used to improve surgical outcomes in complex and delicate structures. Medical 3D printing technologies also create highly personalized implants and prostheses, supporting better surgical outcomes and post-operative results.
The American College of Cardiology has issued a new Expert Consensus Decision Pathway to guide postpartum cardiovascular care, emphasizing comprehensive visits and effective management of CV emergencies. The guideline aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by optimizing cardiometabolic outcomes.
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...
The MAF Test predicts breast cancer prognosis and helps identify patients who may benefit from treatment. In South Korea, the test could improve survival rates for approximately 34,000 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients each year.
Philip Tai, PhD, received a $1.6 million grant to investigate AAV vector mechanisms using high-resolution DNA sequencing technology. His findings could lead to new vector designs that improve gene therapy treatments' safety. The goal is to remove mutations that cause cancer-causing integration into host cells.
A machine-learning guided lifestyle coaching program based on data collected via personal devices reduced depressive symptoms by six weeks. Participants who implemented the program experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms and the treatment effect persisted during three months after the intervention ended.
The UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science has received a seven-year, $50 million grant from the NIH. The funding supports collaboration among researchers at multiple UMass campuses and clinical partners.
A new study by the University of Southampton has found that reusable catheters are just as safe for patients as single-use ones and do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections. The study followed hundreds of patients for a year and discovered that those who tested reusable catheters used 35 per cent fewer antibiotics.
The Alliance A082402 study evaluates the effectiveness of involved-station I²-PORT in reducing NSCLC recurrence without long-term side effects. Participants will undergo randomized treatment with or without targeted radiation therapy after surgery.
A study published in Chinese Neurosurgical Journal shows that heat-based therapy, such as RF-TC, alters brain network connectivity in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. This may help predict treatment response and guide personalized interventions.
Recent studies published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine investigate the safety of kidney treatments, effectiveness of radioactive iodine for dialysis patients, and the use of new PET imaging agents to detect breast cancer spread. Researchers also explored emerging techniques like FAPI PET scans for improved detection and treatment ...
Researchers have developed a targeted radiopharmaceutical treatment that can effectively slow tumor growth in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, achieving complete remission in preclinical models. The treatment targets CD44v6 expression and has shown promise as a new option for patients with this highly aggressive cancer.
IEC-HS is a rare but potentially fatal complication of CAR-T therapy, characterized by sustained inflammatory response and distinct biochemical differences from CRS. Targeted therapies, such as interleukin-1 blockade, are gaining attention for its management.
A Phase 2 trial found that combining opaganib with abiraterone and enzalutamide showed promising results in slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes. The treatment's tolerability was also well-tolerated, with most side effects mild to moderate.
A major international study has identified ways to detect patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at serious risk of sudden death, heart failure or other dangerous outcomes. The findings will help save lives by improving the ability to determine who is at greatest risk and spare low-risk patients from unneeded heart implants.
The Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network now spans 62 centers across the US, offering specialized care and support for individuals with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. The network aims to improve quality of life for those affected by these conditions.
The ERASur clinical trial is investigating whether total ablative therapy can improve overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed, limited metastatic colorectal cancer. The study has reached one-third patient accrual milestone, signaling strong momentum.
Researchers developed a framework to study the impact of genetic variants on neurodevelopmental disorders. By analyzing induced pluripotent stem cells, they found that genetic background can lead to different clinical outcomes in individuals with the same deletion on chromosome 16.
A new study published in Eye and Vision finds that one drop of low-dose atropine can produce daylong effects in managing myopia. The researchers found that the drop showed clear changes in pupil size and focusing ability, but no short-term structural effects on the eye.
Recent research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has made significant advancements in brain imaging and cancer treatment. A new wearable brain imaging system, SmartBrain, enables real-time imaging beyond the lab, capturing high-resolution images of brain activity without requiring patients to remain still.
The ASPIRE trial aims to enroll 1,200 participants with advanced prostate cancer and assess the impact of chemotherapy on overall survival and disease progression. Genetic profiling is included to identify patients who benefit most from intensified treatment.
A new pretargeted radioimmunotherapy technique has been shown to be effective and safe in eradicating tumors from a preclinical colorectal cancer model. The multi-step theranostic approach delivers alpha-emitting radiation directly to tumors while limiting exposure to healthy tissues.
Researchers have discovered that the CCDC6-RET protein can activate itself, accelerating its function and making it a promising target for cancer therapy. The study also reveals a new mechanism of action, where the protein can utilize both ATP and ADP as energy sources.
A phone-based teach-to-goal program improved correct inhaler use in Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with COPD. The study found that nearly 40% of participants used their inhaler incorrectly initially, but after the program, only about 7% were incorrect, resulting in a significant reduction.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in prostate cancer treatment with new imaging techniques and targeted therapies, including a PSMA-targeting antibody and a CD44v6-targeting radiotherapy. These advancements aim to improve patient outcomes by tailoring diagnosis and treatment to individual needs.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC and Tempus are creating a system-wide framework to integrate clinical care, clinical trials, and research through AI-powered precision medicine tools. The goal is to enhance patient care and accelerate research and innovation.
Researchers developed a microfluidic platform that squeezes individual breast epithelial cells to measure their mechanical age, revealing an unexpected insight: older cells are stiffer and at higher risk of cancer. The AI-powered platform provides a non-genetic test for women with unknown genetic risks.
The SNMMI 2026 Annual Meeting will showcase the latest scientific developments driving advances in nuclear medicine, including earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment, and improved disease management for various conditions. The meeting will feature over 150 scientific sessions, satellite symposia, and a cutting-edge exhibit hall.
Researchers outline blueprint for precision nutrition and sustainable diets, integrating AI, multi-omics and digital twin technology to provide personalized dietary recommendations and address environmental impact.
The UNITE project has selected three joint interregional projects to tackle health data sharing and personalized remote care. The selected projects will focus on heart failure, neonatal intensive care, and radiation exposure in medical imaging.
A new study by MIT researchers uses advanced human cell cultures to model Rett syndrome, revealing distinct abnormalities caused by two different mutations of the MECP2 gene. The findings suggest that correcting key differences made by each mutation requires different treatments, paving the way for personalized therapies.
A clinical trial aims to evaluate whether laser therapy reduces vaginal dryness caused by breast cancer treatment. The study, REVITALIZE, plans to enroll approximately 250 women with a history of breast cancer who experience moderate to severe vaginal dryness.
A recent study found that 15% of Chinese immigrants use China-based telehealth apps for medical advice while living in the US. These apps are preferred due to lower costs, ease of access, and language support. However, reliance on foreign-based services raises concerns about patient safety, continuity of care, and regulatory oversight.