JAMA

JAMA presents 2025 “Research of the Year” selections

December 25, 2025

JAMA’s inaugural “Research of the Year” series highlights the most significant research published between October 2024 and September 2025—selected by the journal’s top editors for their clinical impact and novelty.

Top studies

Cardiometabolic and cardiovascular care

• GLP-1 agents associated with 40% lower heart failure death or hospitalization: Observational analysis finds semaglutide and tirzepatide reduce HFpEF mortality vs. sitagliptin in 58,000+ patients. Read more
• New hope for treatment-resistant hypertension: Lorundrostat, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, significantly reduced blood pressure in a phase 3 trial of patients on multiple medications. Read more

Prevention and screening

• Shingles vaccine linked to ~2-point lower dementia risk: Australian birth-eligibility design shows nearly 2% absolute dementia reduction over 7 years. Read more
• Sparing patients with low-risk breast cancer from surgery: COMET trial shows active monitoring for low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is noninferior to guideline-concordant care, reducing mastectomy rates. Read more

Technology and genomics

• AI evaluations in health care show major gaps: Systematic review finds only 5% of large language model studies use real patient data; most ignore bias and administrative utility. Read more
• Newborn genome sequencing detects treatable disorders: GUARDIAN study in 4,000 infants finds ~4% positive findings, 92% confirmed for conditions not covered in standard screening. Read more

Neurology, transfusion care, and vaccination

• Lifestyle changes may slow cognitive decline: U.S. POINTER trial finds structured multidomain lifestyle program improves cognition more than self-guided changes in older adults. Read more
• Blood transfusion strategy matters in brain injury: TRAIN trial supports a liberal transfusion strategy (hemoglobin <9 g/dL) to improve neurological outcomes vs. restrictive approach. Read more
• Enhanced hepatitis B vaccine boosts response in HIV: BEe-HIVe trial shows HepB-CpG vaccine provides superior seroprotection compared with conventional HBV vaccine in nonresponders. Read more

Source:

Abbasi J, et al. (2025, December 12). JAMA. Research of the Year 2025.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2842894