News archive

People who have had COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing certain inflammatory diseases of the airways, such as asthma, hay fever and chronic sinusitis. However, vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to reduce the risk, according to a comprehensive epidemiological study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet.

People who take medication for ADHD have a lower risk of suicide attempts, substance abuse, traffic accidents, and criminality than people with ADHD who do not take medication. This is shown in a new study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and University of Southampton, published in the journal BMJ.

Becoming an adult is challenging for most people, but for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, the transition to adulthood can be particularly demanding. In her dissertation, researcher Maria Löthberg at KI explored how the service support in daily living can be improved to better meet the needs of these young individuals.
-The TRANSITION program was an effective tool for making the support more individualized and for increasing participant user involvement, she says.

This intensive blended learning course equips PhD researchers with the entrepreneurial mindset, skills, and tools needed to transform scientific discoveries into viable innovations.

The purpose of this training is to increase knowledge about the salary-setting process and how to conduct the Result- and salary dialogs at KI. This training is provided by the HR Office at the Professional Services and is aimed for those who are salary-setting managers in both research, education and administration.

The Crafoord Foundation 2025

Laura Danti from the Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit (GUT), at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) defends her thesis titled "Modelling Ovarian Development Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells", on 15 August, 2025. Main supervisor is Juha Kere (MedH).

This Autumn series of presentations highlights cutting-edge research and practical applications in transforming and utilizing health data across systems and formats.

A new study has identified genetic variants linked to brain function, immune defence and metabolism that contribute to the development of frailty in older people. The study, published in Nature Aging by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, provides new biological insights into the onset of frailty.

Reaching the age of 100 does not necessarily mean a life fraught with illness. A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that centenarians not only live longer, they also stay healthier than other older people, with fewer diseases that develop more slowly.

The most important party of the summer took place on 2 August when KI's students, alumni and staff danced in the colourful Pride parade in Stockholm. For many participants, this was the best day of the summer when leading universities gathered under the Academic Pride flag and the focus was on inclusion and human rights.

A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that healthcare workers in Sweden have a higher risk of suicide compared to other occupational groups with similar professional levels. The study highlights the risks for physicians, registered nurses, and assistant nurses in particular.

A healthy diet can slow down the accumulation of chronic diseases in older adults, while inflammatory diets accelerate it. This is shown by a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Aging.

New research from Karolinska Institutet demonstrates a link between inflammatory bowel disease and faster cognitive decline among dementia patients. The study, which is published in the scientific journal Gut, indicates a need for personalised treatments, researchers say.

Every year, the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association's Research Fund awards the Kerstin Hejdenberg Scholarship to doctoral students in paediatric allergological research. Four of the recipients of this year's scholarship are researchers at Karolinska Institutet.

KI researcher Mai-Lis Hellenius has written several books with research-based advice for a healthy life that prevents cardiovascular disease and other ill-health. Her latest book has just won an important award linked to a health initiative with other KI researchers in Estonia, a country with a high mortality rate from cardiovascular disease.

ARC junior researchers, which includes research assistants, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, spent the day at Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden for a writing retreat on Friday 31 May 2024.

In a study conducted in Uganda and published in JAMA Surgery, researchers from Karolinska Institutet evaluated a new surgical method for treating groin hernias in women. The method could become an alternative in resource-limited settings where laparoscopic techniques are not generally available.

The Swedish Society for Virology has awarded the Pandemifonden Fenyö Prize for 2024 to Daniel Sheward, Assistant Professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet.

For the 13th time, International Week has been organized by the international team at the Division of Occupational Therapy at NVS. The initiative, which started in 2012 through a collaboration with Uganda via the Linnaeus-Palme program, aims to create a vibrant international learning environment with a focus on professional identity in healthcare from a global perspective.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified over 250 proteins that are strongly affected by malaria, which could help predict the severity of the disease and thus enable faster treatment for the most critical patients.

Professor Gonçalo Castelo-Branco at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, KI, has been awarded the ERC Proof of Concept grant by the European Research Council (ERC). This grant will support the MeTLAND project, which could lead to a fundamental change in the field of epigenomics and personalised treatments for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. This is the third time Gonçalo Castelo-Branco has been awarded an ERC grant.

David Moulaee Conradsson has been the new research group leader for the REACH research group since this spring.

Women diagnosed with premenstrual symptoms have a slightly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. This is shown by a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Cardiovascular Research.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a previously unknown molecule that may explain why people with type 2 diabetes often suffer from muscle weakness and muscle loss – a condition that has a major impact on quality of life and overall health.

Pete Williams, senior lecturer and research group leader at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, has been appointed professor of visual science. The professorship is funded by the Ulla and Ingemar Dahlberg Foundation and has the full name “Ulla and Ingemar Dahlberg's professorship in visual science with specialisation in ocular neurobiology”.

It was a full agenda when NVS hosted the traditional summer lunch on Wednesday, June 18. In addition to an interested audience, even the sun made an appearance.

On July 7th at 12:19 PM, a fire alarm was triggered in the dining area C1012 due to smoke development in a microwave oven. The alarm required everyone in the atrium to evacuate to the assembly point (the area between Biomedicum and Aula Medica). The evacuation went smoothly, and no material damage or physical injuries occurred.

A new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital shows that patients diagnosed with the rare skin cancers mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome face a significantly higher risk of dying from lymphoma and infections compared to the general population. The study was recently published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

People who have survived cancer as children are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, even decades after their diagnosis. This is shown by a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.

Children born by planned C-section have an increased risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) later in life. This is shown by a study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The researchers emphasise that the risk remains low.

A study in the journal Science presents compelling new evidence that neurons in the brain’s memory centre, the hippocampus, continue to form well into late adulthood. The research from Karolinska Institutet provides answers to a fundamental and long-debated question about the human brain’s adaptability.

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, shows that artificial intelligence (AI) combined with portable digital microscopy improves the detection of intestinal worm infections, so-called soil-transmitted helminth (STH) in resource-limited settings. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, compared traditional manual microscopy with two AI-based methods for diagnosing soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in stool samples from schoolchildren in Kenya.

Pathologists' examinations of tissue samples from skin cancer tumours improved when they were assisted by an AI tool. The assessments became more consistent and patients' prognoses were described more accurately. This is shown by a study led by Karolinska Institutet, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Yale University.

A recent study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health reveals that physical activity and sedentary behaviour vary significantly by sex and educational level, but less so by the presence of chronic disease. The study, conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, provides important insights into how different populations engage in physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

The Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) has appointed Bahira Shahim at the Department of Medicine, Solna, as one of this year's "Research Leaders of the Future." A total of 213 applications were received, of which 16 were selected. The researchers receive a grant of 15 million SEK each over a five-year period and will participate in an extensive leadership training program.

Damola Bakare recently presented his PhD project plans during his ISP seminar. His project focuses on the implementation of improvised bubble CPAP (bCPAP) for treating severe pediatric pneumonia in Nigeria. In this article, we delve deeper into his project goals and explore the motivations driving his research.

On 24 June, Julius Salako presented his research plans in his ISP seminar. His research will focus on assessing adherence to pneumonia treatment guidelines in hospitals and identifying specific deviations in practices. In this interview, he describes his PhD project and shares his ambitious research goals.

PhD student Phuthumani Mlotshwa is dedicated to enhancing diagnostics for infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Through collaboration with local communities and the analysis of clinical data and biosamples, his project aims to improve disease management and develop sustainable biobanking practices. On 11 June, he successfully passed his half-time review. Here he reflects on his PhD journey up until now: progress, achievements and future goals.

Four researchers from FyFa, Sophie Erhardt, Harald Lund, Cristiana Cruceanu and Carl Sellgren Majkowitz, receive funding from the Swedish Brain Foundation. This year, the Swedish Brain Foundation is making its largest grant to date, totalling SEK 152.8 million.

The Swedish Brain Foundation (Hjärnfonden) is making its largest donation to date to Swedish brain research. This year, SEK 152.8 million will be awarded to research projects in neuroscience. A total of 112 research projects in Sweden receive funding, and 39 of these are run at KI.

The research group Global Disaster Medicine – Health Needs and Response has been commissioned by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare to monitor and analyse global disasters. This includes providing expert support during crises and serving as a resource for Swedish authorities. A new WHO report, based on data and testimonies from healthcare workers in the field, shows that medical efforts in Gaza during spring have been severely hampered by blockades, attacks, and entry restricttions

KI researcher and PhD supervisor Robert Harris is ranked number 5 on the list ‘Top 20 LinkedIn Influencers in Sweden in 2025’ by the AI-based ranking platform Favikon.

Zandra Milton will take up her new position as chief legal officer at Karolinska Institutet on 1 November 2025. She succeeds Helén Törnqvist, who will retire in August after many years of appreciated work. During the transition period, Helena Scarabin will be acting chief legal officer.

The University Board has decided to extend the terms of office by six months for all academic vice presidents, vice chairs, and faculty representatives in the Faculty Board and the three committees, from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026.

Gene therapy can improve hearing in children and adults with congenital deafness or severe hearing impairment, a new study involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet reports. Hearing improved in all ten patients, and the treatment was well-tolerated. The study was conducted in collaboration with hospitals and universities in China and is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet aim to improve care and recovery with the help of emerging technologies. A newly awarded research grant of SEK 29 million from Vinnova, will enable the launch of an XR Competence Center—paving the way for a new approach to rehabilitation for children and young people.

Josefin Ullberg at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health has been awarded a research grant from the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association for a project investigating tolerance development in both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated food allergies in children. The focus is on peanut allergy and the lesser-known condition FPIES.

Abdel El Manira has been elected as new member of EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization), a recognition that not only highlights his important contributions to the field of neuroscience but also provides him with a platform to influence scientific research and strengthen research communities globally.

A new study published in the journal PNAS by researchers at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, has identified 18 potential drug targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The study may pave the way for new treatment strategies and drug development.