CT "5-Star" Image Quality Scoring May Help Reduce Radiation Dose

A multinational study involving the International Atomic Energy Agency and Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States shows that a standardized 5-star scoring system that considers both radiation dose and CT image quality can produce relatively consistent evaluations across different radiologists and help identify opportunities to reduce patient radiation exposure. This retrospective study included 2,737 adult CT examinations performed at 6 hospitals across 5 European countries, including 1,247 chest CTs and 1,490 abdominal CTs, involving 13 CT scanners. At each hospital, 3 radiologists independently evaluated the examinations using the 5-star framework. Unlike traditional image quality assessments that may favor lower noise...

2026-08-12

Dong Nai Province, Vietnam: Nuclear Medicine Applications Drive Modern Medical Development, Focusing on Early Cancer Diagnosis and Precision Treatment

In the development of modern medicine, atomic energy technology is moving from the laboratory to the clinical frontline, becoming an important pillar for early disease screening, precise diagnosis, and effective treatment. In recent years, Dong Nai Province has continuously applied nuclear medicine technology to medical examinations and treatments, particularly in areas such as cancer, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cardiovascular diseases, and bone and joint injuries. Through equipment such as X-ray, gamma rays, CT, and MRI, doctors can observe deep structures and lesions of the human body within a relatively short time, giving patients the opportunity for earlier detection and faster intervention. At Dong Nai General Hospital, approximately 500 patients undergo X-ray or related imaging examinations each day, with digital X-ray systems and multi-slice spiral C...

2026-08-12

First batch of experimental stations at Russia's Siberian Circular Photon Source expected to be operational by end of 2026

On August 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting of the Council for Science and Education that the first research stations of the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026. At the meeting, Putin noted that the Siberian Circular Photon Source is currently one of the world's most powerful particle accelerators, with some parameters being unique, capable of helping researchers conduct in-depth studies of the structure of matter at the atomic and molecular levels. He also stated that Russia needs to accelerate the development of future technologies, concentrate efforts on priority tasks, and make more efficient use of national strategic scientific resources, including research institutions, advanced digital computing resources, and unique biological resources. The Siberian Circular Photon...

2026-08-12

Curium Acquires Belgium's Abscint, Expanding HER2-Targeted Gallium-68 PET Oncology Radiopharmaceutical Diagnostics Pipeline

On August 10, 2026, radiopharmaceutical company Curium announced the completion of its acquisition of Abscint SA, a Belgian clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company. The transaction grants Curium global development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights to ABS-011, further expanding its oncology PET radiopharmaceutical diagnostics portfolio. ABS-011 is an investigational gallium-68-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceutical diagnostic tracer targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). HER2 is an important biological target in multiple cancers, including breast cancer and gastric cancer. Based on available information, ABS-011 is designed to enable whole-body quantitative imaging of HER2 expression, and following further clinical development and regulatory approval, has the potential to provide more comprehensive HER2 status information for patient characterization and clinical assessment.

2026-08-11

Siemens Healthineers Introduces Next-Generation CT Technology in Vietnam, Bringing Imaging Diagnostics Closer to the Clinical Frontline

At the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Vietnam Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Siemens Healthineers showcased two new advances in CT: the second-generation photon-counting CT system NAEOTOM Alpha Class, and the SOMATOM On.site mobile CT system, making its debut in Vietnam. These two product lines target high-precision imaging diagnostics and point-of-care bedside examinations respectively, reflecting how CT technology is moving beyond the mere pursuit of image quality toward greater clinical scenario adaptability and workflow optimization. The NAEOTOM Alpha Class is the next-generation product following the global launch of NAEOTOM Alpha in 2021. Photon-counting CT provides physicians with richer diagnostic information through higher detail visualization and multi-energy data acquisition...

2026-08-11

Argentine CNEA Expert Appointed Vice Chair of European Working Group on Nuclear Medicine Isotope Supply Security

The Argentine National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) recently announced that Daniel Sestao, an engineer and the institution's radioisotope production manager, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Supply Security Working Group of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. CNEA, which operates under the Nuclear Affairs Secretariat of Argentina's Ministry of Economy, views this appointment as recognition of its technical capabilities in nuclear medicine and its role in international collaboration. The Supply Security Working Group is composed of international experts and focuses on the continuity and sustainability of the medical radioisotope supply chain, covering strategic isotopes such as molybdenum-99, technetium-99m, and lutetium-177. These radioisotopes are widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors and complex diseases, forming a critical component of the nuclear medicine system...

2026-08-11

Fujita Health University in Japan Advances Research on Expanding BNCT Indications for Deep-Seated Cancers, to Conduct 18F-FBPA PET Exploratory Evaluation

On August 10, Stella Pharma Corporation of Japan announced that it is collaborating with Fujita Health University and other institutions to advance research and development aimed at expanding Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) to deep-seated cancers. As part of this project, Stella Pharma will participate in an exploratory study on 18F-FBPA uptake capacity in deep-seated cancers conducted by Fujita Health University. The study will use 18F-FBPA PET to evaluate the tumor accumulation of boron drugs used in BNCT in deep-seated cancers, and based on the findings, explore the possibility of expanding BNCT indications in the future. The study plans to collect data from 50 cases, including pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and biliary tract cancer, to accumulate foundational evidence needed for the development of BNCT for deep-seated cancers. BNC...

2026-08-11

South Korea to Launch Real-Time Query System for CT and MRI Records in December to Reduce Duplicate Tests for Patients Transferring Hospitals

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) of South Korea announced on August 10 that it has established the "Appropriate Medical Utilization Review Committee" and, at its first meeting, included computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in the review scope of the real-time medical utilization management program. According to the plan, the program will be managed through the "Medical Care Benefit Details Confirmation System" following approval by the Minister of Health and Welfare. The system, built pursuant to Article 41-6 of the revised National Health Insurance Act, is expected to officially operate starting December 24. Once the system is in place, medical personnel will be able to query in real time the timing and relevant records of patients' CT and MRI examinations at other medical institutions before the patients undergo examinations, thereby reducing...

2026-08-11

Morehead State University Receives $50,000 Grant to Support Nuclear Medicine Technology Bachelor's Program

Morehead State University in the United States recently received a $50,000 grant to strengthen its Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology program, supporting the university's efforts to train medical imaging professionals for Kentucky's healthcare system. The funding was provided by the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy and administered by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The project funds were awarded through a competitive bidding process, with a focus on supporting nuclear medicine technology education programs in Kentucky, aiming to increase the number of qualified professionals entering the state's healthcare industry. The newly established nuclear medicine technology undergraduate program under Morehead State University's Department of Imaging Sciences will prepare students in the field of medical imaging...

2026-08-11

Rosatom launches project to bring medical students to closed nuclear cities

Rosatom and the Russian Student Teams (RSO) will launch a new medical project in Russia's closed nuclear cities starting in 2027, attracting medical students to work there. Mikhail Kiselev, Chairman of the RSO Supervisory Board and State Duma deputy, announced this to reporters at an event at the Siberian Chemical Combine. Kiselev stated: Starting next year, we plan to launch a large-scale medical project in nuclear cities together with Rosatom, the Russian Student Teams, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency, the Russian Youth Affairs Agency, and the Russian Ministry of Health. This will help systematically attract medical students...

2026-08-11

ITM Receives Complete Response Letter from FDA for ¹⁷⁷Lu-edotreotide New Drug Application

Radiopharmaceutical biotechnology company ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM) announced on August 10 that it had received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 7, 2026, regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for its investigational drug ¹⁷⁷Lu-edotreotide (ITM-11). The drug is intended for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).

2026-08-11

Former U.S. President Biden's Prostate Cancer Progress: Has Received Radiation Therapy and Hormone Therapy

The health condition of former U.S. President Joe Biden has recently drawn renewed attention. In an interview video, his son Hunter Biden stated that after Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer, the cancer cells had metastasized, spreading to the bones and other parts of the body, and described the process as extremely painful. According to relevant information, Biden, now 83 years old, disclosed in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with cancer cells confirmed to have spread to the bones at that time. In October, a Biden spokesperson announced that he was undergoing radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Radiation therapy is one of the common nuclear technology medical applications in tumor treatment, primarily using ionizing radiation on tumor tissue to...

2026-08-10

Yongin Severance Hospital in Korea to Review Introduction of Heavy Ion Therapy System

Yonsei University Yongin Severance Hospital is currently reviewing the introduction of a heavy ion therapy system to further strengthen its advanced cancer treatment capabilities. Heavy ion therapy is an advanced radiation therapy technique that typically delivers high-energy precisely to cancer cells by accelerating heavy ions such as carbon ions. This technology leverages the Bragg peak characteristics to concentrate radiation energy release at the tumor site, thereby minimizing exposure to surrounding normal tissues. According to relevant materials, heavy ion therapy is considered to offer new treatment options for certain refractory cancers with limited response to conventional radiotherapy, as well as tumors with high radioresistance. Yongin Severance Hospital hopes to leverage this technology to further...

2026-08-10

Grand Pharma's FAP-targeted diagnostic radiopharmaceutical GPN01530-2 receives FDA Fast Track designation

On August 9, 2026, Grand Pharmaceutical issued a voluntary announcement stating that its self-developed global innovative radionuclide drug conjugate GPN01530-2 has recently been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the diagnosis of solid tumors. Previously, the product had already been approved by the FDA to conduct Phase I/II clinical studies for the diagnosis of solid tumors. GPN01530-2 is a small-molecule radionuclide drug conjugate (RDC) targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Data shows that FAP is not expressed or is lowly expressed in normal tissues, but is highly expressed in tumor-associated fibroblasts within the tumor microenvironment of various cancers, and is considered a novel specific target in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment...

2026-08-10

South Korea to Resume Actinium-225 Production Next Year to Ease Shortage of Raw Materials for Anti-Cancer Radiopharmaceuticals

South Korea's domestic production project for actinium-225 (Ac-225), a radioisotope used in next-generation cancer treatment, is expected to resume next year after being stalled for more than a year. Funding was secured in the first half of this year, and the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) plans to complete facility construction and trial production before launching full-scale production in the second half of next year, aiming to alleviate the raw material shortage facing domestic clinical research and radiopharmaceutical development. KIRAMS is affiliated with the Ministry of Science and ICT. The institute received approval from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in May last year to produce Ac-225 using a cyclotron. The project first entered the review process in 2018 and took seven years to gain approval, with initial production originally planned by the end of last year. However, work on upgrading production facilities and procuring equipment was suspended after approximately 2 billion KRW in budget was not approved during parliamentary review.

2026-08-10

Fractionated radiotherapy did not significantly alter surface properties of two types of dental restorative composites

On August 5, a recently published in vitro study showed that under a simulated clinical head and neck cancer radiotherapy regimen, the surface microhardness and roughness of two modern dental restorative composites did not change significantly. The study focused on the effects of therapeutic ionizing radiation on the durability of dental restorative materials. After head and neck cancer patients receive radiotherapy, the oral environment may change, including reduced saliva secretion, mucositis, radiation caries, and other issues, which may affect the surface condition and long-term performance of restorations. To this end, the research team selected Giomer resin composite based on glass ionomer technology and Or...

2026-08-10

Japanese research team uses PET imaging to find tau protein pathology may be involved in onset of hallucinations and delusions in middle-aged and elderly

A research team comprising the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Keio University, Kyoto University, Tokyo University of Science, and other institutions recently announced that researchers used PET imaging to observe tau protein pathology in the living brains of middle-aged and elderly psychiatric patients, and believe that such pathology may be related to psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions that first appear after age 40. Proportion of positive tau PET and amyloid PET results Middle-aged and elderly psychosis generally refers to diseases in which psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions first appear after age 40. Previous epidemiological studies and postmortem brain tissue studies have suggested that such symptoms may be related to neurodegenerative changes associated with dementia, but due to limited techniques for precise visualization and quantification of abnormal proteins in living brains, relevant evidence has long been insufficient.

2026-08-10

Consolidating Foundations·Sichuan: Accelerated Localization of Nuclear Medical Equipment Benefits the Public

On August 9, 2026, CCTV's "Morning News" program aired a feature titled "Consolidating Foundations·Sichuan: Accelerated Localization of Nuclear Medical Equipment Benefits the Public," reporting on Jiuyiyuan Company. Founded in February 2017, Sichuan Jiuyiyuan Particle Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, and services of high-end nuclear medical equipment, committed to providing overall solutions for radiopharmaceuticals. A cyclotron is a device that uses magnetic and electric fields to drive charged particles in a circular motion, repeatedly accelerating them via high-frequency electric fields during their movement. Low- and medium-energy cyclotrons applied in the medical field are devices that produce positron-emitting radionuclides, generating a variety of radionuclides that not only meet clinical PET/CT examination needs but also support the clinical positron drug and new drug development demands of the molecular imaging and precision medicine era. The report noted that core nuclear medicine equipment has long relied on imports, which is a key bottleneck constraining the development of nuclear medicine in China. In 2021, Jiuyiyuan successfully developed the first domestically produced medical cyclotron, breaking foreign technological monopoly. In June this year, the company launched the first domestically produced 30MeV multi-particle medium-to-high-energy cyclotron with fully independent intellectual property rights, with mass production planned for September, achieving internationally advanced product performance.

2026-08-10

PETRA III Synchrotron Radiation Study Reveals New Clues to Aging Mechanisms of the Uterine Broad Ligament

Austrian and German research teams recently used the PETRA III facility at the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) to conduct X-ray analysis of the broad ligament, an important ligament supporting the uterus, providing new biomechanical clues for understanding the mechanisms of pelvic organ prolapse. The findings were published in *Acta Biomaterialia*. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common but poorly understood issue in women's health, affecting approximately 40% of women, and predominantly occurring in the latter half of life. Medical researchers have previously speculated that age-related loosening of the ligaments surrounding the uterus may be a significant contributing factor to prolapse. The broad ligament connects the uterus to the pelvic wall, and its strength and elasticity primarily derive from collagen...

2026-08-09

228 Research Reactors Worldwide in Operation, Supporting Medical Isotope Production and Neutron Science Innovation

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency on August 7, research reactors continue to drive innovation in science, medicine, and industry worldwide. Currently, 228 research reactors are in operation across 54 countries, with another 23 under construction or in the planning stage. Unlike nuclear reactors used for power generation, these reactors primarily produce neutrons to support medical, industrial, agricultural, geological, forensic, and nuclear science research. A research reactor pool photographed from above. (Photo: IAEA) In the medical field, research reactors are a vital source of medical radioisotopes. Among them, technetium-99m is widely used for diagnosing cancer and diseases of the heart, brain, and bones; a large number of medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures worldwide rely on this isotope. Other radioisotopes such as iodine-131 are also used in the treatment of cancer and thyroid diseases. The IAEA states that radioisotopes produced by research reactors serve millions of patients globally and are an essential component of modern nuclear medicine systems.

2026-08-09

Jiangsu's First uLinac HalosTx Integrated Ring-Gantry CT Linac Enters Clinical Use

On August 7, the first uLinac HalosTx integrated ring-gantry CT linear accelerator in Jiangsu Province was officially put into clinical use at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Changzhou Second People's Hospital). The system integrates a diagnostic-grade CT scanner and a ring-gantry accelerator on a single platform, shifting regional tumor radiotherapy from the traditional step-by-step positioning approach to a same-platform real-time model. Radiotherapy is one of the important modalities for cancer treatment. In the conventional split-system radiotherapy workflow, patients typically need to be transported between the CT room and the treatment room, and treatment plans are mostly formulated based on static images acquired beforehand. In cases such as tumor regression or changes in patient weight, previous images may not fully reflect the actual condition on the day of treatment...

2026-08-08