A study by Annette J. Johnson, MD, MS, found that direct patient access to imaging test results could increase anxiety and workload for physicians. Radiologists and referring physicians agreed on potential benefits, but also raised concerns about patients' ability to understand written reports and the impact on physician time.
Advanced imaging techniques like CT scans and MRI can shorten hospital stays and decrease costs. Studies found that early imaging on the day before or day of admission resulted in a one-day shorter length of stay for certain patients.
A recent study by OHSU researchers explains how cytomegalovirus (CMV) can overcome the immune system's defenses to re-infect individuals. The virus is able to evade a key portion of the immune system called CD8+ T cells, allowing it to re-infect despite a strong and long-lasting immune response.
A new imaging technique using FDG PET can help doctors plan cardiac procedures, reducing cost and improving patient outcomes. The study found a trend toward better patient outcomes when FDG PET is used in diagnostic work-up.
Researchers have discovered a type of soy protein that inhibits fat accumulation and reduces inflammation. Soybeans with high levels of beta-conglycinins are found to limit lipid accumulation in fat cells by suppressing an enzyme called fatty acid synthase.
A new study found that certain HIV drugs can inhibit a retrovirus linked to prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome. Raltegravir and other antiviral medications showed effective virus replication inhibition, suggesting possible treatments for these devastating illnesses.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute have identified key proteins involved in the development of prostate cancer. Understanding their interaction could lead to more effective treatments by targeting this molecular link.
The US health care reform bill aims to extend access to healthcare and narrow the gap between expenditure and health outcomes. The bill will provide coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans by 2014 and 95% of the population by 2019, while also promoting preventive care through measures such as calorie labelling.
A study has identified genes that contribute to heart function and disease, shedding light on the genetic underpinnings of heart disease. The researchers found nearly 500 genes associated with heart problems in flies, including a protein complex called CCR4-Not.
Researchers found that four HIV anti-drugs inhibit XMRV replication, potentially offering a new treatment for prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome. Combination therapies may also delay or prevent the virus from mutating into drug-resistant forms.
According to a study by Ulrich Orth and colleagues, self-esteem rises steadily as people age until retirement, then declines. Higher income, better health, and satisfying relationships contribute to maintaining self-esteem throughout life.
Researchers found that single-walled carbon nanotube coatings can develop irreversible changes when bent, reducing conductivity. They suggest ways to engineer the films to minimize these effects and achieve deformability.
Two clinical trials found SE5-OH with Natural S-equol to be safe and well-tolerated in both pre- and post-menopausal women, with no significant impact on reproductive hormones or menstrual cycle length. The supplement showed promise in reducing hot flashes in post-menopausal women.
The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation has recognized Dr. Marilyn M. Li's efforts in advancing the field of medical genetics. She is being supported by a $100,000 grant to promote safe and effective genetic testing services.
A team of nanotechnologists used friction force microscopy to study the nanoscale frictional characteristics of four atomically-thin materials. They found that friction increases as the number of atomic layers decreases, regardless of material differences.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) affects one ear, often associated with tinnitus and vertigo. Short-course corticosteroids are recommended for patients with suspected SSNHL after ruling out life-threatening causes.
Professor Citrome's new theory of evidence-based flying aims to apply medical decision-making principles to frequent flying, analyzing flight delays and upgrade rates. By incorporating factors like airline competition, food service, and passenger loyalty, he hopes to develop a more precise predictive model for optimal flying decisions.
Researchers used EMR systems to extract phenotypes from DNA samples, replicating previously reported genetic associations for diseases such as atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes. The study supports the use of DNA resources coupled to EMR systems for rapid generation of large datasets.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to obesity, heart disease, depression, diabetes, and fibromyalgia. Dr. Michael F. Holick's book outlines a 3-step strategy to attain optimal Vitamin D levels.
Researchers have identified Asian landrace accessions with high levels of Fusarium head blight resistance and low mycotoxin production. These findings could help avoid future FHB disasters and improve U.S. wheat varieties' defenses against the disease.
The Lancet Editorial highlights improved NHS trust standards in England, with registration and inspections required. Continuous monitoring and enforceable penalties ensure trusts meet benchmarks.
Researchers found that rapamycin improved learning and memory in Alzheimer's-susceptible mice, correlating with lower brain damage. The study used two different mouse models of early Alzheimer's, both showing similar results.
A new study reveals that the utilization of minimally invasive aneurysm repair varies by region due to patient risk factors and physician experience. The study found a strong correlation between higher-risk patient populations and physicians more experienced in treating aneurysms.
A University of Iowa study found that one-third of sexual relationships in the Chicago area lack exclusivity, with 17% of men and 5% of women admitting to being with someone else. The research also shows that individuals involved in friendships or acquaintances are more likely to have multiple sex partners.
The Hastings Center Report examines the ethics of sports enhancement, including gene doping, sex typing, and biological passports. Athletes, ethicists, and former athletes share their perspectives on the pressures to cheat in elite sports.
A fast and efficient detection method for melamine in dairy products has been developed by the University of Miami researchers using gold nanoparticles. The new method can detect melamine within seconds and is completed in under 15 minutes.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a bacterium, Wolbachia, that can stop the dengue virus from replicating in mosquitoes, blocking disease transmission. The study provides new hope for controlling dengue fever, which affects 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Researchers found that bees with artificially reduced insulin receptor substrate (IRS) in abdominal fat cells preferred pollen over nectar. This suggests an alternative mechanism for insulin's impact on eating behavior beyond the brain.
The guidelines provide a framework for evaluating the economic burden of visual impairment, ensuring consistent methods and high-quality estimates. This simplification will facilitate comparisons between studies and inform policy decisions.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that can safely remove large brain tumors from an area at the bottom of the skull, near the sinus cavities. The study found that this approach resulted in complete tumor removal in 96% of patients and could be a game-changer for patients with pituitary macroadenomas.
A Tel Aviv University study found that young men who smoke cigarettes have lower IQs compared to non-smokers, with an average difference of seven points. The study tracked over 20,000 Israeli army recruits and found a strong correlation between cigarette smoking and lower cognitive function.
A wireless healthcare system for diabetes management enables patients to monitor their blood glucose levels and receive timely feedback from healthcare workers. The system has been successfully tested in a pilot study with twenty patients, demonstrating its potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
A study analyzing oxygen in snail shells reveals climate-driven environmental change in Tibet's Zhada basin over the last 6 million years. Geophysical data also reveal the geological history of Pahrump and Mesquite Valleys, USA, with two distinct phases of extension and tectonic shearing.
A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that maintaining regular daily routines is associated with improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia in older adults. Stability in basic activities such as bathing and eating was more strongly linked to better sleep quality than stability in instrumental activities.
A study published in Sleep found that a woman's perception of poor sleep and its impact on daytime functioning are stronger predictors of immediate postpartum mood disturbances than actual sleep quality and quantity. Poor subjective nighttime sleep during pregnancy and after delivery is associated with worse postpartum mood.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developed two advanced broadband acoustic systems to improve interpretation of echoes. These systems measure sound scattering across a continuous range of frequencies, generating broadband acoustic spectra that can distinguish between different fish sizes and densities, as well as ide...
Scientists have discovered that the aging gene DAF-16 plays a crucial role in determining lifespan, immunity, and stress resistance. The gene is highly active in species with longer lifespans, such as Caenorhabditis remanei, and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying healthy aging.
Dr. Ayman W. El-Hattab, a Medical Genetics fellow, received the 2010-2011 Genzyme/ACMG Foundation Clinical Genetics Fellowship in Biochemical Genetics. The award supports his research on glucose kinetics in patients with MELAS syndrome via stable isotope technology.
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered that a tail module in a calcium channel protein controls its sensitivity to calcium, potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases. This finding has implications for conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Christopher Fasano successfully derived floor plate tissue from human embryonic stem cells, a crucial signaling center in brain development. This achievement paves the way for better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
Dr. Von Hoff, TGen's Physician-in-Chief, has been recognized with the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture at ASCO's Annual Meeting. He is a renowned physician-scientist who has contributed to developing numerous anticancer agents.
Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center discovered that brain stem cells in the subventricular zone are characterized by Protein Tlx, which stimulates gene activity. When Tlx is increased, tissue stem cells turn into cancer stem cells, leading to glioblastoma formation.
A new study by the RAND Corporation finds that small soda taxes have no significant effect on reducing consumption among children. However, larger taxes may be more effective in curbing obesity among high-risk groups, such as those with access to soft drinks at school.
Physicists at NIST create a device that can trap dozens of ions with versatile control, advancing the quest for practical quantum computers. The racetrack ion trap features 150 work zones and can be scaled up for mass fabrication.
Researchers will measure BPA levels in over 1,000 people with heart disease undergoing bypass surgery and thousands of individuals from Norfolk studied for over 10 years. The study aims to clarify whether BPA is linked to heart disease, which could impact public health by leading to controls on its use.
Researchers at MGH Cancer Center found reversible drug tolerance in some cancer cells, associated with changes in chromatin structure. This nongenetic mechanism may be a fundamental property of many tumor cell populations, and potential therapeutic strategies are being explored.