This is our top 10 most popular scientific news releases of 2023

Increased coronary artery calcification in 50+ men, an alternative for mammography, chest pain, artificial intelligence as diagnostic tool in hereditary developmental disorders, and much more. This is our top 10 most popular scientific news articles of this year. 

1. Facial recognition aids diagnosis of hereditary developmental disorders

The hereditary cause of rare developmental disorders in children is often unknown. As a result, a diagnosis cannot be made. Lex Dingemans and colleagues from Radboud university medical center have found a way to change that. They developed a computer model based on facial recognition. This allows doctors to make the correct diagnosis more often.

2. Hospital visit for chest pain not always necessary

Not every patient with chest pain needs to be referred to the hospital. Pre-hospital troponin measurement in low-risk patients significantly reduces healthcare costs while incidence of a major adverse cardiac event was low in both the pre-hospital strategy and the standard strategy. This was shown by research led by Radboud university medical center.

3. Brain works better after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery not only leads to weight loss, but has also a positive effect on the brain. In a study exerted by the Radboud University Medical Center and Rijnstate Hospital in collaboration with TNO Leiden, nearly half of the participants scored significantly better on a variety of brain tests six months after surgery.   

4. Ancient and inexpensive drug promising for the future of patients with osteoarthritis

Patients with osteoarthritis have painful and stiff joints. The current treatment consists of painkillers or major joint replacement surgery. A study conducted by Radboud university medical center and Sint Maartenskliniek now shows that colchicine, an ancient remedy for gout, is probably effective against osteoarthritis. 

5. Ultrasound can replace mammogram to assess breast abnormality 

An ultrasound examination is a reliable first step when investigating local breast complaints such as lumps or sores. Large-scale Dutch research, coordinated by Radboud university medical center, shows that a breast radiologist can almost certainly rule out breast cancer with ultrasound. Radiologist Linda Appelman: ‘An important additional advantage is that we can immediately reassure four out of five women that they do not have breast cancer.’

6. Increased coronary artery calcification in 50+ men

Middle-aged male athletes who play high-intensity sports have more coronary artery calcification than men who exercise less. This is according to research by Vincent Aengevaeren of Radboud university medical center, supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation. The findings are remarkable because athletes live longer than people who do not play sports.

7. More complications when pregnant within three months of discontinuing oral contraceptives 

Among women who become pregnant within three months of discontinuing oral contraceptives, preeclampsia and preterm birth are more common. The occurrence of these complications also depends on the type of contraceptive pill used, demonstrates a study conducted by the Radboud university medical center including over 7,000 pregnancies. 

8. Higher level of antibodies when influenza vaccine and COVID-19 booster are administered intermittently

Elderly have more antibodies against COVID-19 when they receive a COVID-19 booster and influenza vaccination subsequently than when they receive them at the same time. This possibly means that concurrent administration of the COVID-19 booster and influenza vaccine provides lower protection against COVID-19, but follow-up studies are necessary to confirm. No additional side effects occur with concurrent administration.    

9. Surgery for torn meniscus still too often unnecessarily performed

A surgery for a torn meniscus caused by wear and tear is rarely beneficial, this was already known. Now a study from Radboud university medical center shows that there are no smaller groups of patients who do benefit from this procedure. ‘We should not perform this surgery anymore, but offer a policy focused on prevention, combined with a personal approach with a focus on physiotherapy.’ This saves between 11 and 26 million euros in healthcare costs per year. 

10. New Nijmegen method reveals hidden genetic variations

Many hidden genetic variations can be detected with Chameleolyser, a new method developed in Nijmegen. The information is already yielding new patient diagnoses and may also lead to the discovery of as yet unknown disease genes, write researchers of Radboud university medical center in Nature Communications.

• Want to know more about these subjects? Click on the buttons below for more news.

  News homepage news & media