Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Digital twins may help doctors prevent premature births
Digital twins are virtual copies of real things that let researchers simulate how they work and test possible changes.
In medicine, models of organs such as the heart can help doctors prepare for procedures or adapt treatments.
Stanford researchers modelled the immune systems of pregnant women to study how inflammation may contribute to premature birth.
Using artificial intelligence, they tested different drug combinations in the model.
One combination slowed the inflammation that can lead to premature birth.
The result could help prevent some premature births, but it has not yet been confirmed in people.
Clinical trials in humans are needed before the findings can show whether the approach works in practice.
Researchers at Stanford have developed a digital model of the immune system of pregnant women to investigate ways to prevent premature births.
Using artificial intelligence, they tested different combinations of medicines and identified one that could slow inflammation linked to premature birth.
The findings are promising but still need confirmation in clinical trials in humans.
Digital twins are virtual copies of real systems that let researchers simulate how they work and test solutions.
They are also used to model organs such as the heart, helping doctors prepare procedures or adapt treatments.
- Who
- Researchers at Stanford developed the model. Olivier Lascar of Sciences et Avenir explained digital twins in a franceinfo science segment.
- What
- The researchers used a digital model of pregnant women’s immune systems to test medicine combinations that might slow inflammation linked to premature birth.
- When
- The franceinfo article was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Stanford University.
- Why
- To help prevent premature births by identifying a medicine combination that could slow inflammation that may cause them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers developed a digital model of the immune system of pregnant women.
Researchers tested different combinations of medicines and identified one that could slow inflammation linked to premature birth.
The findings still need confirmation through clinical trials in humans.
- Research institution
- Stanford University
- Model
- Immune system of pregnant women
- Method
- Artificial intelligence tested different medicine combinations
- Potential finding
- A combination that could slow inflammation linked to premature birth
- Evidence status
- Human clinical trials are still needed for confirmation