Although the RSV season (November 2024 to April 2025) is not a topic in the summer, protection against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) remains crucial for expectant mothers. Prof. Dr. Holger Stepan, Head of Perinatal Medicine at Leipzig University Hospital, recommends that pregnant women think about RSV prevention for their babies early on, as the risk of infection increases with the onset of the cold season. More than 50% of children are infected in their first year of life, and nearly all by their second birthday. Newborns are particularly at risk in the first six months due to their immature immune systems and small airways. RSV is a common cause of respiratory illnesses in infants, which can range from cold symptoms to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In the last season, 68,000 cases were reported nationwide, and about 23,000 infants required hospitalization. Severe cases often require oxygen therapy, as only symptoms can be alleviated. An effective protective measure is maternal immunization:…

The financial situation of statutory health insurance (GKV) is strained, but savings could dampen the burden of contributions. According to a Deloitte analysis, health insurers could save eight to 13 billion euros in the next two to four years, which corresponds to about 2.5 to 4% of their total expenses of 327 billion euros. This could lower the contribution rate by 0.4 to 0.7 percentage points. Despite limited influence on benefit expenses of 312 billion euros, which are regulated by the Social Code Book, experts see savings potential here of seven to 12 billion euros. Optimized processes and digital technologies, for example in the processing of hospital and drug bills or the approval of sick pay and aids, could make this possible. For administrative expenses of 13 billion euros, savings of up to one billion euros are realistic through consolidation, efficient office concepts, and automation. The use of artificial intelligence could accelerate processes and relieve employees. For example, with a…

Many cat owners believe their pets are healthy – yet studies show that older cats, in particular, often suffer from diseases without being diagnosed.1 Under the motto “Because she can’t say when something is wrong,” Boehringer Ingelheim is launching a nationwide screening campaign for better early detection. From June 15 to August 15, 2025, cat owners can download a voucher for a free blood test online at www.tierisch-gutes-team.de/katzendiagnostik and redeem it at a participating veterinary practice. Many older cats develop illnesses without recognizable symptoms: A prospective study with 259 seemingly healthy cats aged seven and older, showing no symptoms for their owners, revealed that over 20% already had a chronic disease at the beginning. Within two years, more than half of older cats (> 10 years) developed serious illnesses such as kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes.1 “Cats often hide their ailments so well that even experienced owners don’t notice anything,” explains… 

The world is facing a new dimension of threat: the possibility that Iran may have developed a so-called “dirty bomb” raises not only questions of regional security but also harbors global escalation potential that urgently needs to be addressed. This report highlights the risk of such a weapon, the associated geopolitical tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel, and possible paths to de-escalation. Based on official data, facts, and scientific studies, an objective overview is provided that factually presents the complexity of the situation. What is a dirty bomb? A dirty bomb, also known as a radiological dispersal device (RDD), is not a classic nuclear weapon but a conventional bomb enriched with radioactive material. It does not aim for a nuclear chain reaction but rather to disperse radioactive material over an area to cause panic, health damage, and long-term environmental contamination. According to a report by the…