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Early cleft palate surgery gives better speech results

According to a new international study, cleft palate surgery at the age of six months provides better conditions for speech and language development compared to surgery at twelve months, according to a new study.

New study

Increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms observed when family member or close friend contracts COVID-19

Family members and close friends of people with COVID-19 have elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety, a new study reports. According to the researchers, the results of the study indicate a possible unmet public health need.

Fanfare for 154 new doctors

The air is buzzing with anticipation. Floral displays, long gowns and evening dress, and almost 900 chairs waiting for the graduands and their guests. It is the 15 September, and time to celebrate the graduation of 154 of KI’s new doctors in Stockholm City Hall.

Spotlight on forensic psychiatric care

Sentenced to care - punishment or opportunity?

In 2022, roughly 350 people were sentenced to forensic psychiatric care. There is a unique borderland between the judicial system and healthcare, in which a person who has completed their medical treatment can be prevented from being discharged. At the same time, many patients are saying that they have benefited from the care. And fewer people relapse into crime after they have received forensic psychiatric care than they do after being imprisoned.

New study

Early treatment of child obesity is effective

The early treatment of obesity in children is effective in both the short and long term, researchers from Karolinska Institutet report in a study published in International Journal of Obesity.

New study

Researchers present novel principle for nitric oxide-mediated signalling in blood vessels

Although a simple molecule, nitric oxide is an important signal substance that helps to reduce blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. But how it goes about doing this has long been unclear.

New study

No increase in cancer risk for most patients with reflux disease

Reflux disease manifests as acid regurgitation and heartburn and is a known risk factor for oesophageal cancer. However, new findings published in The BMJ show that the cancer risk is only elevated in patients with inflammation in the oesophageal mucus membrane.

New study

Risk of brain haemorrhage appears transmissible via blood transfusion

A major study published in JAMA led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet suggests that a possible cause of spontaneous brain haemorrhage could be transmitted via blood transfusion. At the same time, it is very unlikely that anyone should suffer a brain haemorrhage after receiving donated blood.

KI climbs furthest in this year’s university Reputation Index

KI has climbed the furthest of all universities in this year’s Kantar Public Reputation Index, notching up a eight-point recovery from 58 to 66.

Lecture

This year’s Ulf von Euler lecture; "The wide wild world of human GABAa receptors”

The Ulf von Euler Lecture is an official annual named lecture of Karolinska Institutet. It was instituted by decision of the faculty at KI upon an initiative taken by Ulf von Euler's former students at the time of his passing away in 1983.

More cases of breast cancer can be found with the help of AI

One radiologist supported by AI detected more cases of breast cancer in screening mammography than two radiologists working together, reports the ScreenTrustCAD study from Karolinska Institutet in The Lancet Digital Health. The researchers say that AI is now ready to be implemented in breast cancer screening.

New study

Liver cancer and severe liver disease more common if a close relative has fatty liver disease

Close relatives of people with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease have a higher risk of developing liver cancer and dying from liver-related diseases.

Protecting researchers and academic freedom

Since 2015, Karolinska Institutet has been a member of Scholars at Risk, a network that offers protection for researchers whose lives are in serious danger. Thanks to a request granted by KI and a donation by the Olle Engkvist Foundation, a researcher from Afghanistan has been given a position at KI.

People illustrating addiction in family.

Intellectual disability more common in families with substance use disorder

Children of a parent with alcohol or drug use disorder have a greater risk of intellectual disability, even if the problem only lies with the father.

Professor Jan Albert appointed pandemic Inquiry Chair

The government has appointed Jan Albert, professor of infectious disease control at Karolinska Institutet and senior consultant at Karolinska University Hospital, to lead a government inquiry looking into strengthening the country’s preparedness for future pandemics.

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection

Researchers have developed a novel method using DNA Nanoballs to detect pathogens, aiming to simplify nucleic acid testing and revolutionize pathogen detection. The study's results could pave the way for a straightforward electronic-based test capable of identifying various nucleic acids in diverse scenarios quickly and cheaply.

Grants, Prizes and Donations

They are awarded ERC Starting Grants 2023

Two researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded ERC Starting Grants, totalling 3 million euro over five years. Kasper Karlsson and Juan Pablo Lopez will each receive EUR 1.5 million for projects that aim to fight cancer in children and understand how psychedelic compounds can be used to treat psychiatric disorders.

Method of improving young people’s wellbeing tested in more cities

In a three-year project coordinated by Karolinska Institutet, researchers will test and evaluate a method used to improve young people’s wellbeing in India, Kenya, the U.S. and Colombia. The method will be tested in Stockholm and three other cities.

Banknotes and coins in front of the flag of the European Union

Millions to KI from EU for new research projects

Since the summer of 2022, KI has been granted approximately SEK 280 million for a total of 33 different projects. The funds come from several research programs within the EU, of which Horizon Europe, EU's framework program for research and innovation, is the largest.

Precarious employment conditions can increase risk of early death

People without a secure job contract can reduce their risk of premature death by 20 percent if they gain permanent employment, a new study reports. According to the researchers, the results indicate that job security in the Swedish labor market needs to improve.

The Conversation

Decorative image of a woman watching the sea and bathing people.

Why a holiday is good for you – even before you take time off

You have spent the past few days on a cloud over your forthcoming, well-deserved holidays, and will go back to daydreaming about them as soon as you finish this article. And the truth is that the benefits of a good holiday can be felt even before the trip begins.

Baby deaths in Tanzania: being born in a city no longer increases their chances of survival

Babies born in urban areas in Tanzania are less likely to survive than babies born in rural areas, writes a group of researchers including from KI in The Conversation. Several policy areas for action are presented.

Why understanding how spiders spin silk may hold clues for treating Alzheimer’s disease

KI researchers Michael Landreh and Anna Rising explain in The Conversation why they are studying spider silk to find important insights into diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.