Women with dense breasts are four times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low breast density and it’s also harder for cancer to be detected with existing screening methods. But now, the findings in a new study could dramatically improve the chances of having the disease spotted early on. We speak to the study’s lead author is Professor Fiona Gilbert to find out more.The 2025 World Health Assembly has just concluded, Devex Correspondent Andrew Green was there and tells us what the main takeaways were.Dr Cecilia Kanyama and Professor Thomas Harrison share their decades-long effort to improve treatment options for cryptococcal meningitis. The refined treatment regimen, discovered alongside Joe Jarvis and their team, gives hope to the hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive patients who are diagnosed with this fungal infection each year.Finally, researchers have developed contact lenses that enable to wearer to see near-infrared light. How do they work and what could they be useful for?Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Hannah Robins & Louise Orchard
Studio Managers: Mike Mallen & Andrew Garratt
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A promising new antimalarial
A new anti-malarial compound has been designed to target disease-causing parasites responsible for up to 90% of malaria cases in humans. Stephanie Tam reports on a new online training programme designed to help address the mental health care gap in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that is heavily impacted by conflict. Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at lowering the price the US pays for medicines. We look at what is included in the order, why drug prices vary around the world, and what impact this motion could have on US and global prices paid for medicines. Dr Cecilia Kanyama and Professor Thomas Harrison share their decades-long effort to improve treatment options for cryptococcal meningitis. The refined treatment regimen, discovered alongside Joe Jarvis and their team, gives hope to the hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive patients who are diagnosed with this fungal infection each year.Finally, ‘scorpionism’ - or the medical condition caused by a scorpion sting, is rapidly on the rise in Brazil, we look at what is driving this increasing health threat. Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Hannah Robins & Katie Tomsett
Studio Managers: Gavin Wong & Steve Greenwood
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Listening to your body's signals
Claudia is joined by Caroline Williams to learn about the cutting-edge science of interoception – that’s how the brain interprets signals that come from inside our body. We find out how honing this skill can sometimes be helpful and why at other times it can have a negative impact on us. Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide but in Malawi a stage 3 trial is under way to develop a new vaccine. Our reporter Carrim Mpaweni checks-in on the trial’s progress. Also on the show, Claudia speaks to psychotherapist Sophie Scott about how to persuade a loved one to get professional help when they don't want to.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Katie Tomsett & Helena Selby
Studio Manager: Giles Aspen
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Shingles vaccine lowers risk of heart disease
Receiving a specific type of shingles vaccine may provide a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like stroke or heart failure for up to 8 years. With reports of other shingles vaccines protecting against the risk of dementia, scientists are trying to understand the mechanism underlying these unintended benefits.The WHO aim to eliminate the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis from endemic countries by 2030, we investigate what might be standing in the way of this goal. After 18 years and over 200 snake bites, key protective compounds have been identified in Tim Friede’s blood with the potential to make a snake antivenom with “unparalleled” protection. Also on the show, a trial led by Professors Adalsteinn Gunnlaugsson and Per Nilsson has shown that a prostate cancer treatment regimen that takes two-and-a-half weeks is as safe and effective as longer 8-week courses, ten years on from treatment. Plus, if you have celiac disease should you be worried about kissing someone who has just eaten gluten? A new study looks at how much gluten is exchanged in a kiss. Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett
Researcher: Tabby Taylor Buck
Studio Managers: Cath McGee and Sarah Hockley
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Mycetoma’s only research centre destroyed
Amidst conflict in Sudan, the world-leading Mycetoma Research Centre in Khartoum has been destroyed. We talk to the centre’s founder to find out what this means for research into the neglected disease and the struggle to proving ongoing support for patients. As the Pan American Health Organization put into action lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic they share with us new telehealth services designed to reach the most remote communities across the Americas. Also on the show, a reversible and non-hormonal male contraception implant has proven effective in trials lasting two years. Plus, how does the body respond when switching from a Tanzanian heritage diet to a more processed diet? And can gradual exposure to peanuts desensitize adults with severe peanut allergies? Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett
Studio Managers: Emma Harth and Dyfan Rose
Ireland