Winner 2025
Research Entering the Phase of Translation into Practical Application
Comfort, Shame, Innovation
The Challenges of Reinventing Gynecological Speculum in the 21st Century
Contribution to a Feminist-Inspired Redefinition of MedTech
Authors
Victoria Juretko,
Academy of Art and Design, Basel, Switzerland
Livia Simoni,
University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Abstract
The gynecological speculum, first popularized by J. Marion Sims in the 19th century, remains largely unchanged despite its widespread use in routine examinations. Historical accounts reveal that the instrument emerged within contexts of power asymmetry, gender stereotypes, and unethical medical practices on enslaved women (Ojanuga, 1993).
Beyond its technical function, the speculum symbolizes broader cultural, historical, and gendered dynamics (Butler, 1991; Hülst, 1999; Heinsohn & Steiger, 1987).
Patients frequently describe its use as cold, painful, or shaming (Seehusen et al., 2006; Pérez et al., 2021).
This project adopts a feminist and critical design perspective to question the neutrality of medical instruments and seeks to explore how design can mitigate discomfort, challenge stigma, and reframe gynecological care as both a medical and symbolic experience.
The study combines literature analysis from feminist theory, gender studies and medicine, and medical ethics with interviews with gynecologists in Switzerland. An online survey (n=50) investigated patient perceptions of speculum use, while competitor analysis and iterative prototyping integrated symbolic reflection and user-centered design. Results show that 100% of survey participants supported the idea of an alternative design and 90% requested softer forms and temperature-neutral materials. Gynecologists acknowledged limitations of current devices and expressed openness to innovation. Early prototypes suggest pathways toward reconciling clinical requirements with patient comfort.
Medical instruments are not neutral but embedded in cultural and historical narratives.
Through feminist design, the project reframes the speculum as more than a technical tool, making it an interface of power, care, communication and potential to foster more empathetic examinations
Gender-sensitive treatment in clinical setting
Sex differences in symptoms following the administration of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in children aged below 5 years in Germany
Authors
Dr. Jeanne Moor,
CLINTEC Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Institute of Primary Health Care, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
PD Dr. Nicole Töpfner,
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus,
Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang C. G. von Meißner,
Europäische Fachhochschule, Brühl, Germany
Institute of Family Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Berner,
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus,
Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
PD Dr. Matthias B. Moor,
LABMED Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
CLINTEC Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Prof. Dr. Karolina Kublickiene,
CLINTEC Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Dr. Christoph Strumann,
Institute of Family Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
PD Dr. Cho-Ming Chao,
Department of Pediatrics, Helios University Medical Center, Witten/Herdecke University, Wuppertal, Germany.
University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rostock,
University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany,
Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC),
Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
Abstract
Background:
Sex differences exist not only in the efficacy but also in adverse event rates of many vaccines.
Objectives:
Assessment of the safety of BNT162b2 vaccine administered off-label in female and male children younger than 5 years in Germany.
Methods:
We performed a post-hoc analysis of a data from an authentication-based Germany-wide survey. Primary outcome was comparison in frequencies of 4 common post-vaccination symptom categories such as local, general, musculoskeletal symptoms and fever. Data were analyzed according to sex in bivariate analyses and regression adjusting for age, weight, and dosage. Interaction between sex and BNT162b2 dosage was assessed. An active-comparator analysis was applied to compare post-vaccination symptoms after BNT162b2 versus non-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Results:
The dataset for the present analysis consisted of 7801 participants including 3842 females (49%) and 3977 males (51%) with an age of 3 years (median, interquartile: 2 years). Among individuals receiving 3 µg BNT162b2, no sex differences existed. After 5-10 µg BNT162b2, injection-site symptoms were more prevalent in girls. In logistic regression, female sex was associated with higher odds of local symptoms, odds ratio (OR) of 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.55, p < 0.05) and general symptoms with OR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01-1.44, p < 0.05). Following non-BNT162b2 childhood vaccinations, female sex was associated with a lower odds of post-vaccination musculoskeletal symptoms (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11-0.82, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Sex differences exist in post-vaccination symptoms after BNT162b2 even in young children. These are of importance for the conception of approval studies, post-vaccination monitoring and future vaccination strategies.
Data Science, Big Data & AI
MiSleepS: The Role of Sleep and Stress as Triggers in Migraine -
A Prospective Study on Sex and Gender Differences
Authors
Marie Therese Kleinsorge
University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Lea Salome Jaberg
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Lukasz Kolakowski
University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
PD Dr. med. Heiko Pohl
University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. med. Susanne Wegener
University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract
Background:
Migraine affects over one billion people globally and is a major cause of disability, especially among women. Despite new therapies, treatment responses remain inconsistent, often overlooking individual factors such as sleep, stress, sex, and gender. Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, are frequently reported among migraine patients, yet their predictive role and bidirectional relationship with migraine remain unclear.
Objectives:
Primary: Assess whether a personalized behavioral intervention targeting sleep and stress reduces migraine burden.
Secondary: Identify predictors of migraine onset and severity, analyze sex- and gender-specific effects, evaluate how migraine impacts sleep, and monitor changes in sleep and stress post-intervention.
Methods:
This is a prospective, two-phase study enrolling 80 adults with episodic migraine. Phase A (5 weeks): observation using the WHOOP wearable and app-based questionnaires. Phase B (6 weeks): personalized non-pharmacological intervention targeting sleep and stress. Questionnaires and wearable data assess sleep quality, circadian rhythms, stress, and migraine characteristics. Inclusion of the first participant is expected in mid-2025.
Expected Results:
We expect a ≥30% reduction in monthly migraine days post-intervention. Correlations between sleep, stress, and migraine patterns are anticipated, with distinct sex- and gender-specific differences in predictors and treatment effects.
Conclusion and Impact:
This study aims to advance personalized migraine care by integrating real-world data on sleep and stress. Findings may guide tailored, non-pharmacological interventions and promote a more inclusive understanding of sex and gender differences in migraine management.