EurekAlert! News by Subject: Medicine & Health

Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 16-Jun-2026 13:16 ET (16-Jun-2026 17:16 GMT/UTC)

5-Feb-2026

AI enabled stethoscope demonstrated to be twice as efficient at detecting valvular heart disease in the clinic

European Society of Cardiology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research shows that the use of an AI-enabled digital stethoscope more than doubled the identification of moderate to severe valvular heart disease during routine clinical examinations, compared to a traditional stethoscope. The US study, ‘Artificial-Intelligence-Enabled Digital Stethoscope Improves Point-of-Care Screening for Moderate to Severe Valvular Heart Disease’, was published today (Thursday, 5 February, 2026) in the European Heart Journal - Digital Health. It shows that the AI-assisted tool could help doctors identify patients who may otherwise go undiagnosed.

Journal: European Heart Journal - Digital Health

5-Feb-2026

Navigating academic integrity in biomedical research: The impact of large language models on current practices and future directions

FAR Publishing Limited
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The increasing adoption and recognition of LLMs within the academic community.

As a significant breakthrough in the field of AI, LLMs have introduced transformative advancements and innovations to academic research.

The academic community has increasingly acknowledged the potential challenges of LLMs to academic integrity, and the challenges posed by LLMs to academia are becoming increasingly diversified.

To systematically address the challenges posed by the application of LLMs in the academic domain, a comprehensive governance framework should be established from many dimensions.

Journal: International Journal of Surgery

5-Feb-2026

No association between COVID-vaccine and decrease in childbirth

Linköping University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

COVID-19 vaccination is not the cause behind a decrease in childbirth, according to a study from Linköping University, Sweden. The results speak against rumours about vaccination and reduced fertility. The findings have been published in the journal Communications Medicine.

Journal: Communications Medicine
Funder: the Swedish Research Council

5-Feb-2026

A rapid evolutionary process provides Sudanese Copts with resistance to malaria

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international study investigating the genomic diversity of the Sudanese population reveals that the Copts originating in Egypt –who settled in the country between the seventh and eleventh centuries– have acquired a genetic variant that protects them from contracting malaria. “The acquisition of this variant has taken place very quickly, in just 1,500 years, after a group of Copts mixed with Sudanese populations with sub-Saharan characteristics”, explains David Comas, principal investigator at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE: CSIC-Pompeu Fabra University) and a full professor and researcher at the UPF Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, who has led the research. The study of 125 high-coverage genomes representing five of the country’s ethnolinguistic groups has enabled describing more than a million novel genetic variants, 1,500 of which could have implications for diseases.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

5-Feb-2026

Family dinners may reduce substance-use risk for many adolescents

Tufts University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study from researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine finds that regular family dinners may help prevent substance use for a majority of U.S. adolescents, but suggests that the strategy is not effective for youth who have experienced significant childhood adversity.

Journal: Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma

4-Feb-2026

Innovation at a crossroads: Virginia Tech scientist calls for balance between research integrity and commercialization

Virginia Tech
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As federal policymakers weigh potential changes to how biomedical research is funded and regulated in the United States, a Virginia Tech scientist highlights the importance of preserving the nation’s ability to turn discovery into life‑saving therapies.

Journal: Nature Biotechnology

4-Feb-2026

136 schools nationwide awarded grants to improve student, faculty health

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

The American Heart Association and the National Football League award grants in 45 states to create healthier schools

4-Feb-2026

Major Arena Soccer League launches Play with Heart Initiative

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

League-wide effort during American Heart Month spotlights heart health and Hands-Only CPR education in arenas nationwide

4-Feb-2026

New consumer survey shows many still incorrectly believe CPR requires special training

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

The American Heart Association urges everyone to act fast with Hands-Only CPR during American Heart Month