Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.
This month, we’re focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), a topic that continues to capture attention everywhere. Here, you’ll find the latest research news, insights, and discoveries shaping how AI is being developed and used across the world.
Latest News Releases
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 29-Dec-2025 20:11 ET (30-Dec-2025 01:11 GMT/UTC)
Hollings researchers show how natural language processing can aid doctors
Medical University of South CarolinaPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics
Deep learning-based model enables fast and accurate stroke risk prediction
Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- European Radiology
Reporting guideline for chatbot health advice studies
JAMA NetworkPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- JAMA Network Open
The human touch of doctors will still be needed in the AI healthcare revolution, technology expert suggests
Taylor & Francis GroupBook Announcement
Intelligent assisted reproduction: Innovative applications of artificial intelligence in embryo health assessment
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterPeer-Reviewed Publication
Identifying embryos with the highest likelihood of successful implantation is a critical component of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. Visual assessments are limited by the subjectivity of embryologists, making consistent evaluation of embryo health challenging with traditional methods. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI)—particularly in computer vision and deep learning—have enabled the automated analysis of embryo morphology images, reducing subjectivity and improving evaluation efficiency. Through an extensive literature search using keywords such as “embryo health assessment” and “artificial intelligence,” the present review focuses on AI-driven approaches for automated embryo evaluation. It examines AI techniques applied to embryo assessment across the early development, blastocyst, and full developmental stages. This review indicated the promising potential of AI technologies in enhancing the precision, consistency, and speed of embryo selection. AI models have been reported to outperform manual evaluations across several parameters, offering promising opportunities to improve success rates and operational efficiency in reproductive medicine. Additionally, this review discusses the current limitations of AI implementation in clinical settings and explores future research directions. Overall, the review provides insight into AI’s growing role in advancing embryo selection and highlights the path toward fully automated evaluation systems in assisted reproductive technology.
- Journal
- LabMed Discovery
New AI tool illuminates “dark side” of the human genome
Salk InstitutePeer-Reviewed Publication
Salk Institute researchers launch machine learning framework ShortStop, which explores overlooked DNA regions in the "dark side" of the human genome in search of microproteins that may play roles in health or disease. They already used ShortStop to analyze a lung cancer dataset and find microproteins that may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
- Journal
- BMC Methods