PLOS Medicine

As part of #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, we’re showcasing research and perspectives that contribute to improving #breastcancer care, supporting earlier #diagnosis, informing treatment decisions, and advancing equity for patients worldwide🎗️🧪 #MedSky

In an observational study, Benjamin Singer and colleagues estimate the effects of changes in antibiotic use and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, finding that a 10% decrease in global antibiotic use would reduce total bacterial infection deaths by only a very small percentage. 🧪 #MedSky

Jonathan Polonsky and colleagues compare outcomes of home- and facility-based care during a major diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria. Home-based care was not associated with increased mortality or transmission, and could be an option for mild disease when facility capacity is overwhelmed. 🧪 #MedSky

🗒️In this Guidelines and Guidance article, Xiangji Ying and colleagues provide updated guidance—including a six-element framework with worked examples—for defining outcomes completely and consistently in clinical trials🧪 #MedSky #clinical #clinicaltrials plos.io/4ij2BST

In this Perspective, Daniel Tardo & Sanjay Sharma discuss evidence that supports cardiac screening in the young as a preventative strategy for #CVD & sudden cardiac death. They also discuss the potential of #AI enabled technologies for enhancing disease detection & risk prediction🧪🫀 plos.io/4dWmX30

In a global systematic review and meta-analysis, Joshua Dawe and colleagues report that experiences of violence among female sex workers associate with increased odds of #HIV infection and worse HIV treatment outcomes🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4ijSo8P

Shigella vaccines are soon to be evaluated in large field trials. In this modelling study, Avnika Amin and colleagues assess the effect of acquired #immunity by natural #Shigella infection on trial-derived estimates of #vaccine efficacy to help inform trial design🧪💉 #MedSky plos.io/4z8Qf7c

🫀 In this accompanying Perspective, Xun Tang & Pei Gao discuss how #cardiovascular risk prediction is simultaneously advancing on two axes: broadening predictors toward molecular omics, & expanding outcomes toward earlier subclinical atherosclerosis and later #heartfailure🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4Bs1uZZ

In this study, Juang, Gao & co developed plasma protein-based risk scores linked to progression of subclinical #atherosclerosis, reporting that combining these risk scores with traditional risk factors could improve prediction of #CVD risk, but further validation is needed🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4z8Extg

🎗️Next up for #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth is this study by Andrew Walker & co, which examines proximity and consistency of CD8+ T cells as spatial metrics within the immune microenvironment to better understand their prognostic significance in both ER+ and ER- #breastcancer🧪 #MedSky plos.io/48cD5Kd

In this study, Pisică, Mikolić, Yue and co evaluate whether the new CBI-M framework for traumatic brain injury meaningfully reflects how patients are diagnosed, treated, and recover, and identify clinically relevant endpoints, including diagnosis & hospital care pathways🧪🧠 #MedSky plos.io/4yZVe9U

In this Perspective, Notini &co discuss why the rapid expansion of antibody-drug conjugates, while redefining treatment options in advanced #breastcancer, has also resulted in several unresolved challenges for trial design & drug development programs🧪🎗️ plos.io/3Mc25dp #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

In this study, Ieuan Scanlon and co @saildatabank.bsky.social found that children with major congenital anomalies were less likely to meet national academic standards in Wales. However, educational attainment was more strongly associated with socioeconomic deprivation🧪 #MedSky plos.io/3TRebwt

Do ultra-processed foods raise colorectal cancer risk? In a study led by Leila Abar and colleagues, overall ultra-processed food intake was not linked to colorectal cancer incidence, highlighting the importance of specific dietary components rather than processing alone. 🔗 plos.io/4jNVMv9

🚨Conference attendance! Our Senior Editor Alison Farrell @alisonfarrell.bsky.social will be attending the Infectious Disease Week (www.idweek.org) meeting in Washington D.C.! If you want to chat about your research or publishing with PLOS Medicine, do reach out and arrange a 1:1!🧪 #IDWeek #MedSky

Is there an association between #ultraprocessedfood intake & #colorectal #cancer incidence?🍔 Leila Abar &co answer this Q in a prospective cohort study, finding no overall association & suggesting that nutritional composition may be more relevant than food processing levels🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4ysUKIq

For #WorldFoodDay, @sarahjose.bsky.social explores research in @plosone.org on climate-proofing our crops, related to this year's theme of 'Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.' Key themes include stress-resistant crops, harnessing natural diversity, and encouraging farmer adoption. plos.io/47WnoH0

A new study looks at prenatal #opioid exposure & infant hospitalizations: Hyeon Jin Kim & co find an increased risk of hospitalization in children associated with opioid exposure during pregnancy & suggest postnatal monitoring during the first 5 yrs of life may be warranted🧪 #MedSky plos.io/47iwJJ7

New data suggest that medium-term protection of #typhoid conjugate #vaccine may wane after 5yrs in some settings In this study, Wenger &co perform a multi-model comparison to identify optimal typhoid vaccination strategies under different rates of waning immunity & incidence levels🧪 plos.io/47Z8Q9v

In this nationwide registry study, Xinya Li and colleagues compared the effectiveness of two calcium channel blockers, amlodipine and nifedipine, on patient functional outcomes on #stroke when prescribed at discharge of hospitalization🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4esQIZi

In a secondary analysis of a trial of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in pregnant women, Yan Ning Li and colleagues examine whether different genotypes of the FADS indel might influence the effects of a low or high DHA dose on the timing of birth🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4sfmkYp

In this modelling study, Sun Kim and co explore whether #tuberculosis active case finding can be more efficiently targeted using local Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunoreactivity survey data, highlighting that it could substantially improve health impact & cost-effectiveness🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4AWsXCG

In this cohort study, Zhengyang Zhu and colleagues developed a ML-derived cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) #aging index that outperformed established biological age measures in identifying high-risk CKM profiles and predicting mortality🧪 #MedSky #AI #cardiovascular plos.io/4rTLHyv

Nice to see the PLOS Medicine editors together in person for their team retreat/workshop! ☀️🙌 @alisonfarrell.bsky.social @acmdc.bsky.social @droutledge.bsky.social @helenlumbard.bsky.social

🚨In this systematic review and meta-analysis, Maureen Moyo-Chilufya and colleagues synthesize evidence from studies in children and adolescents examining differences in all-cause mortality by disability status. Higher mortality was found among children and adolescents with disabilities. 🧪 #MedSky

🔔 In this target trial emulation, Po-Huang Chen and colleagues compare outcomes between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and benzodiazepine users with solid tumors, and depression/anxiety. Patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors who initiated SSRIs had lower mortality. 🧪 #MedSky

📣In this RCT, Kavita Singh and colleagues evaluate a multicomponent quality improvement strategy for chronic cardiovascular disease care, in India. The intervention is feasible to implement, well accepted by patients and providers, and delivered with high fidelity across diverse settings. 🧪 #MedSky

In this study of over 167,000 children in Wales, Saraid McIlvride and colleagues examine links between prenatal exposure to maternal depression, antidepressants, and later neurodevelopmental outcomes. Children exposed to maternal depression had higher rates of special educational needs. 🧪 #MedSky

In this Policy Forum, Laura Magee and colleagues provide updated guidance for ‘inverted’ antenatal care, including optimal screening timepoints and the most accurate methods of screening. They also highlight recent advances in diagnostics and treatment, such as AI-assisted technologies. 🧪 #MedSky

In recognition of #WorldHeartDay, this Editorial by Manpreet Kaur discusses the opportunities and challenges of harnessing #cardiovascular data from smartwatches, which may be a powerful tool in informing equitable and actionable cardiovascular disease research 🫀 🧪 #CVD #MedSky plos.io/4xVyUNB

In this prospective cohort study, Kanna Hayashi and colleagues examine whether encampment sweeps are associated with transitions out of homelessness among unhoused people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Those exposed to sweeps were less likely to stop reporting homelessness over time. 🧪 #MedSky

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, Oladipupo Olalere and colleagues examine across 34 studies how lifestyle interventions relate to reproductive and metabolic outcomes in women in PMOS, and find these to be associated with improved menstrual regularity and metabolic outcomes. 🧪 #MedSky

In this population-level quasi-experimental study, Luan Nguyen Quang Vo and colleagues assess the effects of a public-private mix intervention implemented in Viet Nam and designed to increase tuberculosis notifications, with the aim that it could ultimately increase treatment coverage. 🧪 #MedSky

In an ecological and modelling study, Manman Chen, Wanzhou Wang and colleagues fing that infectious disease epidemics were linked to health workforce losses across 194 countries and territories from 1990-2019. The largest relative impacts were seen in low- and middle-income countries. 🧪 #MedSky

In this population-based study, Ernst Bergman and colleagues find that older adults receiving a health assessment and personalised counselling had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest even low-intensity primary care interventions may help prevent diabetes. 🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4yQWpYO

We publish impactful research that transforms global healthcare, prioritizing studies addressing critical health challenges that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health. 🔗 plos.io/4xC4UGk

🚨 Conference attendance! Front Section Senior Editor Daniel Routledge @droutledge.bsky.social will be at the World Cancer Congress in Hong Kong this week! If you're also attending and want to discuss your research, the journal, open science, or more, feel free to reach out or say hi!🧪 #WCC2026

I first heard Gemma and Jodie present at the @crick.ac.uk Rare Diseases conference earlier this year, and it was a pleasure working with them on this Perspective article that emphasises a valuable message: that lived experience can and does meaningfully inform (rare disease) research🧪👏

In this Perspective, Gemma Whyatt & Jodi Whitehouse—two women living with the rare condition Congenital Melanocytic Naevus—outline why lived experience must shape #raredisease #research, & discuss how genuine patient-researcher partnership transforms science, care & identity🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4yaxMqe

🚨 Conference attendance! Our Senior Editor Andreia Cunha will be at the World Congress of Psychiatry in Stockholm this week! If you're also attending and want to connect to discuss your research, the journal, open science, or more, feel free to reach out or say hi!🧪 #WCP2026

We would like to say thank you to all the researchers who review for PLOS. Your time, expertise and thoughtful feedback help authors strengthen their work and contribute to the quality of the research we publish across our journals 🤝 #PeerReviewWeek

🚨 Conference attendance! Our Senior Editor Manpreet Kaur will be at the Global Public Health and Epidemiology (G-PHEC) in London next week (21st-23rd Sept)! If you're also attending and want to discuss your research, the journal, open science, or more, feel free to reach out or say hi!🧪 #GPHEC2026

How much does sleep quality impact your health?😴 In this study, Shengzhi Sun &co examine #sleep pattern data in 95,559 participants from UK Biobank & find that differences in sleep stages, duration, regularity, & fragmentation are associated with future disease incidence🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4dE8Uib

#OpenScienceWeek 🔓 In this Perspective, Danny Maupin, Matt Spick & Nophar Geifman argue that while open data & transparency are a bulwark against unethical activities, freely available data can be exploited, & set out the case for the use of safeguarding practices🧪 #OpenScience plos.io/4rledZM

In this study, Jennifer Falbe &co show that the mandatory healthy checkout policy in Perris, California, is associated with more #healthy #food & beverage products displayed near cash registers, suggesting checkout policies can improve the healthfulness of retail food environments🧪 plos.io/3THtg3r

In this Policy Forum, Isabelle Munyangaju &co discuss why the roll-out & scale-up of #HIV self-testing over the last decade has been inadequate, & highlight what is needed—learning from past failures around governance, distribution and financing—to close the diagnostic gap🧪 #MedSky plos.io/3TAWReT

It's #OpenScienceWeek! 🔓 This Editorial by Helen Lumbard and Daniel Routledge calls for the scientific community to tackle research fraud and paper mills head on by creating robust systems of data sharing and transparency🧪 #MedSky #openscience plos.io/4xwAZPI

In this Perspective, Susanna Siri and colleagues examine ethical guidelines and governance principles relevant to the collection, use, reuse and storage of data for the Sámi population and Indigenous peoples, and provide recommendations on best practice🧪 #MedSky plos.io/4xVmI09