The journal is very prestigious and has an impact factor of 3.4. It was published in early February.

The students and their supervisor did a survey of 1,200 patients and 3,000 control cases in Vietnam. They found that too little or too much iron can increase the risk of stomach cancer.

A group of students from Hanoi Medical University published a recent cancer study. They are Pham Hoang Thanh, Nguyen Trong Tan, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Nguyen Nhi Bac, and Hoang Huy Anh.

Previous studies on this topic had different results. This new study provides clearer data for designing nutrition programs for different groups of people.

The Vietnamese students led the project, including reviewing literature, developing a hypothesis, analyzing data, and writing the manuscript.

The project had global support. Doctors in the US helped with statistics, and collaborators in Japan helped with proofreading.

For Bac, the biggest challenge was coordinating the team. The team had to study research methods to ensure everyone was at the same level.

The research group attended a science conference at Hanoi Medical University in 2025.

The team had to balance the project with their class schedules and hospital practice. Tan, the youngest member, joined the project a year ago and was responsible for data analysis.

Bac said Tan was instrumental in processing data and navigating English-language medical literature. It is rare for a student to participate in such high-level research so early.

The group navigated a rigorous international peer-review process before the paper was accepted for publication.

The group suggests that students should start research in their first or second year when workloads are more manageable. By the fourth year, coursework and hospital training make consistent research difficult.

Research provides a vital bridge for students to connect with lecturers and engage in real-world medical projects. The group believes this is essential for growth and development.