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Science News for April 3, 2016


Trial offers objective evidence of muscle-related side effects with statins

A recent clinical trial provides objective evidence of muscle-related side effects associated with statins. Evolocumab was found to be superior to ezetimibe in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study's findings have significant implications for treating patients with statin intolerance.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016

Bone density lower with use of ADHD stimulant medicine

A new study by the Endocrine Society finds that children and teenagers taking ADHD stimulant medications may have lower bone density, a condition that can increase fracture risk or osteoporosis later in adulthood. The study suggests that these patients may need monitoring of their bone health during treatment.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateApr 3, 2016
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Elevated troponin linked to mental stress ischemia in heart disease patients

Research discovered that individuals with coronary artery disease exhibit higher baseline troponin levels independently of stress or chest pain, indicating repeated ischemic events. Mental stress tests revealed a significant increase in troponin levels, even after the event, suggesting psychological triggers play a role

SourceEmory Health Sciences·DateApr 3, 2016

Evacetrapib fails to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events

A large clinical trial of evacetrapib, a CETP inhibitor, showed no reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, despite significant increases in HDL and decreases in LDL cholesterol levels. The study's findings challenge conventional thinking on the benefits of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

International technology-based competition associated with more exercise

A technology-based competition increased daily physical activity levels by over 3,500 steps per day and led to significant weight loss. The study, which involved over 68,000 participants from 64 countries, found improvements in exercise frequency, sitting time reduction, and overall health.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016

JVIR, SIR Foundation honor studies that improve patient care

The Society of Interventional Radiology honored two research papers for their impact on patient care. Dong Il Gwon's study validated a rapid PARTO procedure for treating gastric varices, while Ron C. Gaba's research explored gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma for improved treatment outcomes.

SourceSociety of Interventional Radiology·DateApr 3, 2016

Genes causing high cholesterol are less common than previously thought

A study found that only 2% of people with very high cholesterol have a familial hypercholesterolemia mutation, but those with the mutation face a six times higher risk of early-onset coronary artery disease. Genetic screening could help identify and ward off cardiovascular disease in affected individuals.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

SSRI antidepressants promote bone loss during lactation

Researchers found that SSRI antidepressants cause decreased bone density in mothers during lactation, leading to higher risks of fractures. Folic acid supplementation may mitigate this effect, suggesting women may need more folic acid while breast-feeding.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateApr 3, 2016

BEAT hunger with safe, nonsurgical weight loss treatment

A safe, minimally invasive treatment called bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) has been shown to lead to sustained weight loss in severely obese people. BAE targets the stomach's hunger hormone production, reducing appetite and resulting in significant weight loss.

SourceSociety of Interventional Radiology·DateApr 3, 2016

SAPIEN 3 improves outcomes for major endpoints at 1 year

Intermediate-risk patients who received TAVR with SAPIEN 3 had improved outcomes compared to surgical aortic valve replacement after one year. The trial showed reduced rates of death, stroke, and moderate or severe aortic insufficiency in TAVR patients.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Deferred stenting shows no clinical benefit

The DANAMI-3-DEFER trial found that delayed stent implantation in STEMI patients did not reduce death from any cause, hospitalization for heart failure, or subsequent heart attacks. The study's findings contradict previous promising preliminary studies and may be due to the trial's limited sample size and patient selection.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation bestows annual awards

Renan Uflacker received the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation's Leaders in Innovation Award for his pioneering work in interventional radiology. The award recognized his contributions to transforming the field through innovative treatments for liver disease, peripheral vascular disease and aneurysms.

SourceSociety of Interventional Radiology·DateApr 3, 2016

Statin intolerance objectively identified in patients

A new study by the Cleveland Clinic has identified statin intolerance objectively, showing that evolocumab is a more effective option for lowering cholesterol in patients who are intolerant to multiple statins. The PCSK9 inhibitor reduced cholesterol levels by 52.8%, while ezetimibe had a smaller reduction of 16.7%.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJAMA·DateApr 3, 2016
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Higher volume of TAVR boosts key in-hospital outcomes

A higher volume of TAVR procedures is associated with improved patient outcomes, including lower death rates and vascular complications. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 50,000 patients, found that even hospitals performing fewer than 100 cases showed significant improvements in patient outcomes with higher procedure volumes.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateApr 3, 2016
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.