UKE Research News: Cannabis, MERS Vaccine & More – January 26, 2026

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<em>
January 26, 2026 4:00 PM
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<h4>Research News</h4> 


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Study: No Detectable Effects Eight Months After Cannabis Partial Legalization | MERS Vaccine Candidate Shows Durable Immune Response | Non-Invasive Tuberculosis Diagnosis from Face Masks | Even Moderate Heat Impacts People with Chronic Illnesses | Regulation of Super-Fast Signals During T-Lymphocyte Activation Deciphered | Funding for CONtraCEPT Collaborative Project to Improve Cycle Tracking Apps | UKE Neurologist Receives Barancik Prize from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation Extends Funding for UKE’s “iPrime-Clinical Scientist” Program
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A new study from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) found no significant changes in cannabis use following Germany’s partial legalization of the drug for adults. This research provides early insights into the public health impact of the policy change.
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Researchers analyzed data from a population survey conducted in both Germany and Austria – where cannabis possession remains illegal – before and after the German law took effect. The study revealed a slight increase in cannabis consumption in Germany, from 12.1% to 14.4% among adults aged 18 to 64.  Austria saw a comparable increase despite maintaining its prohibition. 
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Among monthly cannabis users, there was a slight decrease in driving under the influence in Germany after the law changed and a new blood-THC limit of 3.5 nanograms per milliliter was established for drivers. However, researchers found no significant difference compared to Austria. Approximately 22% of drivers under the influence of cannabis also consumed alcohol or other substances. Driving solely under the influence of cannabis was more common among daily users.
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Germany partially legalized the cultivation and possession of cannabis for adults in April 2024. The new THC limit for drivers was implemented in August 2024. The study’s findings were published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101593" target="_new">The Lancet Regional Health – Europe</a>.
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<strong>Publication:</strong> Schranz, Short-term effects of cannabis legalisation in Germany on driving under the influence of cannabis: a difference-in-differences analysis using Austria as a control. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. 2026.<br/>
DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101593" target="_new">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101593</a>
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An experimental vaccine developed by researchers at the UKE against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) triggers a stable and functional immune response in humans for up to two years after a booster shot. This finding, published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-68248-5" target="_new">Nature Communications</a>, is a significant step forward in the search for effective MERS prevention.
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The vaccine candidate, MVA-MERS-S, is based on a weakened smallpox virus. MERS causes severe respiratory illness with a high mortality rate, reaching up to 36%. While human infections are currently rare, the virus is considered a potential threat for future outbreaks and is on the World Health Organization’s list of priority diseases.
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The study was led by the UKE and conducted by an international research team from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), with funding from DZIF and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
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Researchers at the UKE have demonstrated that face mask sampling (FMS) could be a promising, non-invasive addition to current tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics. This method involves collecting DNA from the TB-causing bacteria, <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em>, directly from a patient’s breath using a specialized mask.
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In a study of 117 adults with suspected or confirmed lung TB, researchers detected <em>M. tuberculosis</em> DNA in the masks of nearly 60% of participants. Importantly, in about 6% of cases, the molecular detection was possible *only* through FMS, while standard sputum tests were negative. The findings, published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2025.12.017" target="_new">Clinical Microbiology and Infection</a>, suggest FMS could improve TB detection rates.
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The study was conducted in collaboration with the Research Center Borstel and clinical partners in the Republic of Moldova, at the Chiril Draganiuc Institute of Pneumology in Chișinău.
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Even moderate heat can significantly impact the health of individuals with chronic illnesses, particularly those with limited social support, low self-efficacy, or difficulty navigating the healthcare system, according to results from the second wave of the CLIMATE-II study at the UKE. The research, published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04622-4" target="_new">BMC Medicine</a>, highlights the vulnerability of this population to rising temperatures.
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The study found that even mild to moderate heat can cause substantial health problems in people with chronic conditions, with symptoms increasing by around 80% on very hot days compared to cooler temperatures.  Psychosocial factors played a key role: good health literacy, high self-efficacy, and social support were associated with fewer complaints.  Negative expectations about heat and increased awareness of physical symptoms worsened health effects. “In short, the effect of heat changes depending on how good or bad the psychosocial situation of the patients is,” said study leader Priv.-Doz. Dr. Ingmar Schäfer, Institute and Polyclinic for General Practice.
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Researchers have deciphered the regulation of super-fast signals involved in activating T-lymphocytes, a crucial step in the immune response. Building on previous work identifying these rapid calcium-ion signals, the UKE team discovered that a key enzyme (DUOX2) is activated through multiple independent processes, acting as a biological coincidence detector.
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“The newly identified signaling pathway opens promising approaches for new therapies for autoimmune diseases,” explained study leader Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas H. Guse, Director of the Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology at the UKE. The findings, published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scisignal.adp4326" target="_new">Science Signaling</a>, could lead to new therapeutic targets for autoimmune disorders.
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The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research will fund the interdisciplinary research consortium CONtraCEPT, involving the UKE, with a total of €2.8 million (approximately $3.05 million USD) starting in February 2026. The UKE’s Clinic for Gynecology and Prenatal Medicine will receive around €520,000 (approximately $566,000 USD) of the funding.
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The consortium aims to identify biomarkers and integrate them into digital technologies to determine the fertile window in the female cycle, optimizing natural family planning options. The project is motivated by a decline in hormonal contraceptive use and increasing reliance on cycle tracking apps, which often lack the precision needed for reliable contraception or family planning.
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UKE neurologist Prof. Dr. Manuel Friese has been awarded the Barancik Prize from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The prize, worth $125,000 USD, includes a new $250,000 USD scholarship that Prof. Friese can use to support a UKE researcher early in their career.
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The prize recognizes outstanding scientists whose work in MS research demonstrates exceptional innovation and originality. Prof. Friese was honored for his work exploring the interactions between inflammation and nerve cell degeneration, which drive MS progression.
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The Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation has extended funding for the UKE’s “iPrime-Clinical Scientist” program for another three years, with a total of €1.3 million (approximately $1.42 million USD). The program focuses on the molecular understanding of immune regulation and dysregulation in kidney and autoimmune diseases, aiming to develop new preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.
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The program is interdisciplinary and involves leading UKE experts for various organ systems. Researchers will characterize and comparatively analyze overlapping immune reactions, infections, and resulting tissue responses in these different systems.
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<strong>Characteristics of this press release: <br/></strong>
 Journalists<br/>Medicine<br/>regional<br/>Research results, Scientific Publications<br/>German  
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