Medical Bulletin 5/February/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Study Explains Growing Genetic Impact on Human Lifespan Over Time

How much of a person’s lifespan is determined by genetics has long been debated. For decades, research suggested that genes account for about 20–25% of how long people live, with the remaining influence coming from lifestyle, environment, and healthcare. However, a new study published in Science suggests that the genetic contribution to lifespan may be significantly higher.

Researchers argue that earlier estimates did not fully consider how causes of death have changed over time. In the past, many deaths occurred due to external factors such as infections, accidents, and poor sanitation. In modern, developed societies, most deaths are now linked to ageing and age-related diseases like heart disease and dementia.

To better understand genetic influence, scientists analyzed large datasets of Scandinavian twins, excluding deaths from external causes. They also examined twins raised apart and siblings of centenarians in the United States. When deaths caused by accidents and infections were removed, the genetic contribution to lifespan increased sharply to around 50–55%.

This increase does not mean that genes have suddenly become more powerful. Instead, environmental risks have reduced. As living conditions improve, differences in lifespan increasingly reflect biological ageing processes, which are more strongly influenced by genetics.

Researchers explain this using the example of height. In the past, poor nutrition limited growth, but today most people reach their genetic height potential. As a result, height now appears highly genetic—not because nutrition no longer matters, but because environmental differences have narrowed.

The same principle applies to lifespan. Heritability is not fixed and depends on population conditions. Even today, about half of lifespan variation is still shaped by lifestyle, healthcare, environment, and random biological events.

The study highlights that genes and environment work together. Understanding how they interact may help explain why some people live much longer than others and guide future research into healthy ageing.

REFERENCE: Max Kozlov,Longevity is in the genes: half of lifespan is heritable, Nature, (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00300-w

Why Carnivore Diet Benefits Fail to Outweigh Serious Health Risks

A recent review published in Nutrients evaluated the nutritional adequacy and potential health effects of the carnivore diet (CD), a dietary pattern based almost entirely on animal-derived foods.

The carnivore diet consists primarily of minimally processed animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, seafood, animal fats, and full-fat dairy products, while excluding plant-based foods. As a result, it is considered a low-carbohydrate, high-fat dietary pattern. Proponents claim that the diet supports weight loss, improves physical and cognitive performance, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders.

These proposed benefits are often attributed to the elimination of antinutritional compounds found in plants, including lectins, phytic acid, oxalates, tannins, and other secondary plant metabolites that may interfere with nutrient absorption. However, excluding plant foods also removes important sources of dietary fiber, phytochemicals, and essential micronutrients. In addition, high consumption of red and processed meats has been consistently linked in broader epidemiological research to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and mortality.

The researchers systematically reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025 that examined the carnivore diet. Studies were excluded if more than 10% of energy intake came from plant foods, or if they were animal studies, reviews, preprints, or unpublished reports. In total, nine eligible studies were included, comprising case reports, surveys, modeling studies, and exploratory research conducted in Europe and the United States.

Across studies, several micronutrient deficiencies were identified, with intakes below dietary reference values for thiamin, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iodine, folate, and vitamins C and D. Fiber intake was consistently low, while vitamin A intake often exceeded recommended levels, particularly in diets high in liver consumption.

Some studies reported short-term improvements in metabolic markers, including triglycerides, glycated hemoglobin, and inflammatory indicators. However, increases in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were also commonly observed. Isolated cases reported adverse outcomes, including kidney stone formation.

The review suggests that while the carnivore diet may produce short-term perceived or metabolic benefits, it carries potential risks related to cardiovascular health, kidney function, and nutrient deficiencies. Due to limited and low-quality evidence, long-term adherence to the carnivore diet cannot be recommended.

REFERENCE: Lietz, A., Dapprich, J., & Fischer, T. (2026). Carnivore Diet: A Scoping Review of the Current Evidence, Potential Benefits and Risks. Nutrients 18(2); 348. DOI: 10.3390/nu18020348. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/2/348

Landmark Study Suggests AI Could Revolutionize Breast Cancer Screening

A new study from Sweden suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly improve breast cancer screening by detecting cancers earlier and reducing diagnoses after routine screening. Published in The Lancet, the research involved nearly 100,000 women who underwent mammography between April 2021 and December 2022. This represents the first large randomized trial assessing AI’s performance in real-world screening programs.

Participants were randomly divided into two groups. In the standard screening group, mammograms were read by two radiologists. In the AI-supported group, an AI system initially evaluated all scans. Low-risk cases were reviewed by one radiologist, while higher-risk cases were assessed by two radiologists, with AI highlighting suspicious areas.

The findings were notable. Fewer women in the AI group were diagnosed with breast cancer in the years following screening—1.55 cases per 1,000 women versus 1.76 per 1,000 in the standard group, representing a 12% reduction. AI-supported screening also detected a higher proportion of cancers during the screening itself (81% compared with 74%) and reduced aggressive cancer subtypes by 27%.

Dr. Kristina Lang, lead author and researcher at Lund University, said the study demonstrates that AI can improve early detection while easing the workload for radiologists. However, she emphasized that AI should support clinicians rather than replace them, and its use must be carefully monitored to ensure accuracy and safety.

Experts welcomed the results but noted that additional studies are needed in different countries and healthcare systems to confirm these findings and evaluate long-term effectiveness.

Overall, the study highlights AI’s potential to enhance breast cancer screening, enabling earlier diagnosis, reducing late-stage disease, and potentially improving patient outcomes. With careful integration into clinical practice, AI-assisted mammography may become an important tool in the fight against breast cancer.

REFERENCE: Gommers, Jessie et al.; Interval cancer, sensitivity, and specificity comparing AI-supported mammography screening with standard double reading without AI in the MASAI study: a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority, single-blinded, population-based, screening-accuracy trial; The Lancet, Volume 407, Issue 10527, 505 – 514; doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)02464-X