| Karolinska Institutet

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Neanderthal gene variant may increase muscle mass in people living today today

A gene variant inherited by modern humans from Neanderthals causes the body’s cells to respond more strongly to growth hormone. In a study, researchers report that adults who carry the variant have, on average, slightly greater muscle mass.

Illustration of immune cells in the blood

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New study

New method distinguishes between healthy and diseased immune cells in blood samples

Researchers have developed a new method to analyse the condition of immune cells in the blood. The method has been tested on patients with atherosclerosis and can distinguish their immune cells from those of healthy individuals, a new study shows.

Photo: Fredrik Persson

Equal opportunities

Record number celebrated equal opportunities with KI in the Pride parade

The late-summer sun shone down on Stockholm as Karolinska Institutet took part in this year’s Pride parade on 1 August. Together with KI President Annika Östman Wernerson, students, staff and alumni, the parade once again filled the streets with colour and enthusiasm during what was perhaps the most inclusive celebration of the year. The tragedy in Berlin cast a sombre shadow over the parade, serving as a reminder of why the event is so important.

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New study

Somatic mutations linked to vascular damage in progeria

In the rare disease progeria, blood vessels deteriorate prematurely. A study shows how different cell types in the vascular wall undergo progressive changes and accumulate mutations over time.

teenage girl talking to healthcare staff

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New study

Digital visits may reduce inequalities in sexual healthcare

Young people with ADHD are more likely to visit youth clinics than their peers, while autistic individuals are less likely to do so, a new study shows. The results also suggest that digital healthcare consultations could help reduce these disparities.

Anna Mia Ekström is showcasing pieces from the ‘HIV Unwrapped’ collection.

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AIDS 2026

KI researcher behind fashion creation that highlights challenges posed by HIV

As the 26th International AIDS Conference opens in Rio de Janeiro, KI will be represented in an innovative global initiative that brings together science, art and public engagement. The exhibition HIV Unwrapped pairs leading HIV researchers with emerging fashion designers to transform complex scientific concepts into wearable works of art.

Grants, awards and donations

Photo: Ulf Sirborn

Juliette Foucher awarded prestigious international ALS grant

Juliette Foucher, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, KI, has been selected as one of only three recipients worldwide of the 2026 ALS Scholars in Therapeutics grant. The grant recognises promising young researchers who are shaping the future of ALS research.

Gonçalo Castelo-Branco and Janne Lehtiö.

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Two KI researchers receive innovation funding from Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation

Professor Gonçalo Castelo-Branco and Professor Janne Lehtiö at KI have been awarded funding under the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and SciLifeLab’s Proof-of-Concept Program. The aim of the program is to strengthen the pathway from academic research to innovation and commercial application in life science.

Photo: Subash Chandra Malik

Helena Karlström receives a Novo Nordisk grant for research into a new treatment for small vessel disease

KI researcher Helena Karlström has been awarded a Pioneer Innovator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The project aims to develop a new antibody-based treatment for the inherited cerebrovascular disorder CADASIL, for which there is currently no effective treatment.

Photo: Francois Lallemend

Saida Hadjab receives second Novo Nordisk Foundation grant to advance chronic pain research

Karolinska Institutet researcher Saida Hadjab has received a second prestigious grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop a new type of therapy that could help reverse the biological processes that drive persistent pain.

Portrait of the researcher Emma Andersson.

Photo: Ulf Sirborn

ERC Proof of Concept Grant to Emma Andersson will lead to fewer laboratory animals

Emma R. Andersson has been awarded the prestigious ERC Proof of Concept Grant to further develop her technique to create mice with specific genetic signatures. “This innovation can lead to a drastic reduction in the number of animal experiments worldwide, not just in my lab,” she says.

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Prevention

KI researchers contribute to new WHO guidelines on dementia risk reduction

Professor Miia Kivipelto and other researchers at Karolinska Institutet have contributed to the development of the World Health Organization’s updated guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The recommendations could help address risk factors associated with up to 45 per cent of dementia cases worldwide.

Teenagers looking at their mobile phones

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New study

Adolescent social media use not linked to later mental ill-health

The amount of time Swedish teenagers spent on social media could not be linked to symptoms of depression or anxiety five years later. This according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

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New study

Postnatal collapse is rare but can have deleterious consequenses

Sudden unexpected postnatal collapse during the first week of life is rare but can have deleterious consequenses. A new study shows that the condition is more common than previously estimated and highlights measures that may reduce the risk.

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New study

Metabolic syndrome linked to faster brain ageing

People with metabolic syndrome tend to have brains that appear older than their actual age, according to a new study. The new findings provide fresh insights into the biological processes that may link metabolic health to the brain.

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New study

Simple tools accurate in predicting older adults' health

Several tools are currently used to assess the health of older people and their risk of future health problems, but it is unclear which ones perform best. A new study compares seven widely used geriatric assessment tools.

Illustration of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells in blood flow

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New study

Epigenetic mapping provides deeper insight into leukaemia

Researchers have identified new subgroups of the blood cancer acute myeloid leukaemia. The study shows that changes in the regulation of genes within cells can help explain the variation in the disease and influence prognosis and treatment choices.

Photo: Andreas Claesson

New initiative

New centre to reduce drowning incidents in Sweden

Drowning is a much bigger problem in Sweden than many people realise. The Centre for Drowning Research is established at Karolinska Institutet to consolidate knowledge and help reduce the number of people injured or killed in water-related incidents.

A mother helping her son doing his homework

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New study

Children of mothers with congenital heart defects are at increased risk of developmental vulnerability

Children whose mothers have congenital heart defects are more likely to experience difficulties in areas such as language, communication and social skills when they start school, according to a new study.

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New study

Biological heart valve option for women who want to become pregnant

Choosing a new heart valve is particularly difficult for young women who wish to become pregnant. A new registry study shows that a biological aortic valve offers advantages over a mechanical heart valve during pregnancy and childbirth.

Ett äldre par sitter i bakgrunden och äter. Längst fram på bordet står olika skålar med mat.

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New study

Healthier diet linked to lower dementia in older adults at risk

A healthier diet may be associated with a lower risk of dementia among older adults, including those with blood biomarkers indicating increased biological risk, including of Alzheimer's disease pathology, a new study shows.

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New study

Brain tau spreads differently in early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease

The amount and distribution of the tau protein in the brain differs between early and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, a new study shows. The results also indicate that blood tests do not always reflect changes in the brain.

The Conversation

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What vegan and vegetarian diets can and can’t tell us about eating disorders

Many people worry that following a vegetarian or vegan diet may signal an eating disorder. But a systematic review found no clear overall association, suggesting that the reasons behind dietary choices matter far more than the diet itself. Read the article in The Conversation.

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A single dose of psilocybin eased depression symptoms for months

A single dose of the psychedelic substance psilocybin, found in so-called magic mushrooms, can provide rapid relief from recurrent depression, with the effects lasting for over three months, according to a new study. However, the researchers also caution that the results may have been influenced by the placebo effect. Read the article in The Conversation.

Photo of man and woman on exercise bikes.

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New study downplays the risk of atrial fibrillation in fit people

New research suggests that the risk of atrial fibrillation in highly fit people is lower than previously thought. The benefits of high fitness levels, including lower rates of cardiovascular disease, clearly outweigh any potential downsides. Read the article in The Conversation.

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Why has PCOS been given a new name?

After decades of research, PCOS is now being renamed PMOS. The new name reflects a growing understanding that the condition is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting far more than fertility.

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New drug for chronic heart failure tested in early study

An early clinical study shows that a new oral drug is safe and well-tolerated in patients with chronic heart failure. The study has been published in the scientific journal The Lancet.

Photo: Erik Flyg

Strategic recruitment

KI continues its strategic initiative – new recruitment of 21 Assistant Professors

On 1 June, Karolinska Institutet launches a major international recruitment campaign for 21 Assistant Professor positions. The aim is clear: to bring in the very best early-career researchers and strengthen KI’s position as a world-leading medical university.

Photo: Per Groth

Academic freedom

“We must continue to fight for Ahmadreza Djalali”

Ahmadreza Djalali has been imprisoned in Iran for ten years, facing the threat of execution. The case of this KI researcher highlights a growing threat to academic freedom – even in Western countries such as Sweden.

Photo: Peter Gehrman

The AI frenzy in healthcare

AI is not just another technology. The magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap has spoken to researchers who describe their hopes and fears amid the current AI fever. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

Photo: Peter Gehrman

More and more people are turning to Dr AI for advice

Dr AI has become a colleague of Dr Google. Researchers see both benefits and risks in this development. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

Photo: Christian Gustavsson

How AI can accelerate drug development

Andreas Luttens has trained an algorithm that can explore the so-called chemical space – all conceivable combinations of atoms and bonds. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

Photo: Christian Gustavsson

New tools aim to improve risk assessment in psychiatry

John Wallert’s research aims to develop tools that can be used in psychiatry to predict the risk of serious incidents, so-called prediction models. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

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Breathing – a key to the body’s stress system

Breathing usually happens without us having to think about it. At the same time, conscious breathing exercises can have a calming effect during anxiety or stress, but there are also breathing techniques that are not without risks. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

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Researchers point to benefits of nose breathing

Does it matter whether you breathe through your nose or your mouth? Here’s how three researchers answer. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

She looks for answers among the perpetrators

By seeking to understand those who commit domestic homicide, Shilan Caman hopes to find ways to prevent future killings. Her research shows that one factor unites them all: the need for control. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

Photo: Linnea Bengtsson

Doctoral thesis

Working while unwell is common in the aviation industry 

Many pilots and cabin crew members go to work despite suffering from mental or physical health issues. This is shown in a new doctoral thesis by Filippa Folke at Karolinska Institutet. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2026.

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Appetite suppressants are reshaping the landscape

A minority of Swedes are within the normal weight range, while one in five is obese. New, effective drugs have drastically changed the possibilities for treatment. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 1 2026.

Photo: Liza Simonsson

Updates from the University Management

Selected top publications

Blood tests can provide more information about cancer
Mariano A. Molina Beitia et al, Genome Medicine, August 2026

New RNA method may improve islet transplantation in severe diabetes
P-O Berggren et al, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, August 2026

New clues to glioblastoma recurrence
Sten Linnarsson et al, Med, July 2026

Unexpected receptor role in T-cell development
Taras Kreslavsky et al, Science, July 2026

Selenite pushes pancreatic cancer cells toward a less aggressive state
Tímea Szekerczés et al, Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, July 2026

New method enables rapid analysis of antibodies to multiple viruses
Rasmus Gustafsson et al, Nature Protocols, July 2026

More high-impact publications

Neanderthal gene variant may increase muscle mass in people living today today

New method distinguishes between healthy and diseased immune cells in blood samples

Record number celebrated equal opportunities with KI in the Pride parade

Somatic mutations linked to vascular damage in progeria

Digital visits may reduce inequalities in sexual healthcare

KI researcher behind fashion creation that highlights challenges posed by HIV

Grants, awards and donations

Juliette Foucher awarded prestigious international ALS grant

Two KI researchers receive innovation funding from Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation

Helena Karlström receives a Novo Nordisk grant for research into a new treatment for small vessel disease

Saida Hadjab receives second Novo Nordisk Foundation grant to advance chronic pain research

ERC Proof of Concept Grant to Emma Andersson will lead to fewer laboratory animals

KI researchers contribute to new WHO guidelines on dementia risk reduction

Adolescent social media use not linked to later mental ill-health

Postnatal collapse is rare but can have deleterious consequenses

Metabolic syndrome linked to faster brain ageing

Simple tools accurate in predicting older adults' health

Epigenetic mapping provides deeper insight into leukaemia

New centre to reduce drowning incidents in Sweden

Children of mothers with congenital heart defects are at increased risk of developmental vulnerability

Biological heart valve option for women who want to become pregnant

Healthier diet linked to lower dementia in older adults at risk

Brain tau spreads differently in early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease

The Conversation

What vegan and vegetarian diets can and can’t tell us about eating disorders

A single dose of psilocybin eased depression symptoms for months

New study downplays the risk of atrial fibrillation in fit people

Why has PCOS been given a new name?

More articles by KI researchers published in The Conversation

New drug for chronic heart failure tested in early study

KI continues its strategic initiative – new recruitment of 21 Assistant Professors

“We must continue to fight for Ahmadreza Djalali”

The AI frenzy in healthcare

More and more people are turning to Dr AI for advice

How AI can accelerate drug development

New tools aim to improve risk assessment in psychiatry

Breathing – a key to the body’s stress system

Researchers point to benefits of nose breathing

She looks for answers among the perpetrators

Working while unwell is common in the aviation industry

Appetite suppressants are reshaping the landscape

Updates from the University Management

Selected top publications

KI in the media (Swedish only)

Research subjects wanted

Working while unwell is common in the aviation industry 