Stethoscope News and Research

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AI-enabled stethoscope frequently misses heart murmurs in companion animals

Fourth-year veterinary students matched - and experienced clinicians outperformed - an AI-enabled digital stethoscope in diagnosing heart murmurs and arrhythmias in cats and dogs, according to a new study from North Carolina State University.

12 Aug 2026

Traveling for cosmetic surgery may carry hidden infection risks

A CDC review highlights serious infection risks linked to cosmetic surgery tourism, emphasizing the need for improved safety and infection control measures.

9 Jun 2026

Enforcement gaps in Medicare Advantage raise questions about plan accountability

Research reveals that Medicare Advantage enforcement tools are insufficient, highlighting the need for stronger oversight to protect beneficiaries effectively.

7 May 2026

Why heart risk is hard to predict in type 1 diabetes

A European study reveals cardiovascular risk patterns in type 1 diabetes, highlighting the need for tailored prevention strategies to catch complications early.

20 Apr 2026

Schools and families may not be fully prepared to respond to teen cardiac emergencies

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, including teens, and a new national poll suggests many schools and families may not be fully prepared to respond.

16 Feb 2026

Clinics sour on CMS after agency scraps 10-year primary care program only months in

On a 15-degree morning in January, a clinic in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina began to fill up with patients.

13 Feb 2026

AI-powered stethoscopes enable early detection of heart valve disease

Artificial intelligence could help doctors detect serious heart valve disease years earlier, potentially saving thousands of lives, a new study suggests.

10 Feb 2026

Most statin side effects are not backed by trials

Research indicates that many statin therapy side effects are not supported by evidence, suggesting a need for revised labeling to improve treatment decisions.

9 Feb 2026

Public health workers are quitting over assignments to Guantánamo

Rebekah Stewart, a nurse at the U.S. Public Health Service, got a call last April that brought her to tears. She had been selected for deployment to the Trump administration's new immigration detention operation at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

9 Feb 2026

AI stethoscope doubles detection of serious valve disease in primary care study

A prospective primary care study found that an AI-enabled digital stethoscope substantially improved sensitivity for detecting clinically significant valvular heart disease compared with standard auscultation. The technology identified more previously undiagnosed moderate-to-severe disease but showed reduced specificity, highlighting a trade-off between earlier detection and potential false positives.

8 Feb 2026

AI-enabled stethoscope doubles detection of valvular heart disease

New research shows that the use of an AI-enabled digital stethoscope more than doubled the identification of moderate to severe valvular heart disease during routine clinical examinations, compared to a traditional stethoscope.

5 Feb 2026

FIU establishes hub for cardiovascular innovation

With cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death in the United States, this Heart Month (February), FIU is establishing an interdisciplinary center designed to accelerate breakthroughs in heart disease research, education, and innovation.

30 Jan 2026

Doctors increasingly see AI scribes in a positive light. But hiccups persist.

When Jeannine Urban went in for a checkup in November, she had her doctor's full attention.

27 Jan 2026

Sperm RNA aging shift that may explain paternal age effects

Study reveals an 'aging cliff' in sperm RNA, linking age-related changes to early development and highlighting risks associated with advanced paternal age.

22 Jan 2026

A routine blood test may reveal who is most at risk of osteoporosis

A routine creatinine blood test may identify individuals at higher risk for osteoporosis and fractures, highlighting its potential as a risk assessment tool.

22 Jan 2026

UK patients seeking surgery overseas are returning with complications the NHS must treat

Outward medical tourism for surgery results in serious complications, creating challenges for the NHS and highlighting the need for better patient awareness.

16 Jan 2026

One in three women miss postpartum check-ups

Findings from a Norwegian study reveal that comprehensive postpartum care by GPs improves women's satisfaction and addresses key health concerns effectively.

7 Jan 2026

Washington’s homeless hide in plain sight, growing sicker and costing taxpayers more

Every night, Abdullah Ibrahim retreats from the streets into a wooded stretch along the Potomac River.

18 Dec 2025

Digital and AI innovations in cardiology take center stage at ESC Digital & AI Summit

Smartphone stethoscopes, voice-detected heart failure, training using 3D-printed and virtual hearts and early detection of cardiovascular disease using blood spots are among the innovations being presented at the ESC Digital & AI Summit taking place in Berlin, Germany, 21–22 November.

21 Nov 2025

Portable ultrasound improves diagnosis and patient outcomes

When hospitalized patients struggle to breathe, doctors typically reach for their stethoscopes, but results from a Rutgers and RWJBarnabas Health clinical study in JAMA Network Open suggest they should diagnose the problem with portable ultrasounds instead.

5 Sep 2025