A new prediction model, MMRpro, assesses a person's probability of carrying a particular defect in mismatch repair genes, which predisposes families to colorectal cancer. The study found that MMRpro outperformed existing assessment tools in identifying mutation carriers and predicting colon cancer risk.
A study found that direct-to-consumer advertising of Vioxx increased the proportion of osteoarthritis patient visits for which a prescription was written for Vioxx. However, Celebrex ads were associated with higher rates of Vioxx prescribing, but not significant changes in Celebrex prescriptions.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found no increased risk of pregnancy loss related to drinking water disinfection by-products. The research, led by David A. Savitz, Ph.D., used data from 2,409 women and 258 pregnancy losses, concluding that tap water DBPs do not pose a measurable risk to fetal health.
Two new breast cancer risk models use breast density to predict individual risks, outperforming the existing Gail model. The models identify high breast density as a significant predictor of breast cancer, with some studies suggesting it may be as powerful a risk factor as age.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has developed a new statistical technique that enables researchers to statistically analyze results of clinical trials without traditional control groups. This novel approach allows for the early adoption of new treatments and validates the use of interim analyses in clinical trials.
A massive 10-year study in Sardinia found no connection between Type A personality and heart disease, contrary to previous studies. The research measured the genes and traits of over 6,000 people aged 14-102, finding a strong genetic component for many traits.
A new kidney test, cystatin C, has been found to accurately predict higher risk of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and death among elderly people. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that a normal creatinine level should not reassure patients of normal kidney function.
Researchers at Indiana University are working on a project to craft messages that encourage women to be tested for HIV and enroll in research clinical studies. The study aims to identify barriers to testing and develop persuasive messages to overcome them.
The median age of San Francisco's homeless population has increased significantly over 14 years, shifting from 37 to 46. Chronic diseases related to homelessness are a major contributor to this trend. Researchers at UCSF have found worsening health status and chronic conditions among aging homeless adults.
A sociologist argues that computerized physician order entry systems (CPOE) have many virtues, but also significant problems. CPOE is often seen as irrational impositions rather than helpful tools, and its supporters need to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that smoking increases the risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), while a higher intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk. The research, conducted on 681 male twins, highlights the importance of prevention over limited treatment options for AMD.
University of Rochester experts discuss how flu invades and responds to the body, with a focus on understanding its pathogenesis. The research aims to prevent potential modification of the flu virus for lethal use and develop more effective treatments.
A new study found that infants born to mothers who took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester had a significantly higher risk of major birth defects. The study examined over 29,500 infant records and showed a clear increase in birth defects following first-trimester-only exposures.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) fired Editor-in-Chief John Hoey and senior deputy editor Anne Marie Todkill due to irreconcilable differences. However, Peter Singer and Gordon Guyatt argue that the burden of proof should be on medical journal publishers to show that termination was not related to editorial decisions. Th...
Researchers studied 140 infants with mild bilirubin levels and found no significant differences in IQ, behavior, or neurological diagnoses compared to control group. The study suggests proper treatment can prevent long-term neurological issues, providing reassurance for parents.
A recent MUHC study found that Vioxx-related heart attacks can happen as early as two weeks after starting the medication. The risk of cardiovascular events decreases with longer duration of use and returns to normal after one month of stopping the drug.
A six-year study analyzing data from 1 million mammograms reveals racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer screenings. African-American women are more likely to have inadequate screening before diagnosis, whereas Asian and Native American women tend to underutilize mammography, leading to higher advanced-stage tumor rates.
Research reveals chemotherapy works better for ER-negative tumors, with significant survival benefits, while tamoxifen is effective but less impactful for ER-positive tumors. Modern chemotherapy regimens show promise for treating ER-negative patients.
David Michaels is recognized for his efforts to protect workers' health, particularly those exposed to toxic materials. He successfully advocated for stricter limits on exposure to beryllium and played a key role in establishing the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act of 2000.
A Dutch study published in European Heart Journal reveals that 43% of total heart attacks had been clinically unrecognised. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms and may be less likely for their symptoms to be recognized by doctors.
Research suggests that obesity is linked to accelerated type I diabetes onset in patients with severely compromised pancreatic beta-cell function. Low birth weight also appears to be a contributing factor, with advanced age at diagnosis observed as birth weight decreased.
A new public information campaign is launched to educate patients and doctors about the benefits of diuretics in controlling hypertension. The campaign aims to reduce serious illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure by promoting lifestyle changes and diuretic use.
A nationwide study of vaccinating school children against influenza could reduce community transmission and improve vaccine production. The authors suggest a collaboration between academia, government, and industry to conduct such a study.
A new study suggests that heartburn medications may be contributing to the spread of community-acquired C. difficile (C. difficile) infection. Over a 10-year period, community C. difficile cases increased from less than one case per 100,000 people in 1994 to over 22 cases per 100,000 by 2004. The study also found that most patients who...
Researchers have found that women are increasingly represented among pediatric medical subspecialties, with more than 70% of practitioners in certain areas such as adolescent medicine and neurodevelopment being women. The trend is seen in 17 out of the 16 specialties studied.
A new study suggests that investing in existing medical treatments could be more effective in saving lives than developing new ones. The research highlights the importance of addressing system barriers and improving access to care for underprivileged patients.
Dr. Shiriki Kumanyika has won the first-ever American Heart Association Population Research Prize and the 2005 Dr. Herbert W. Nickens Epidemiology Award from the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., for her tireless efforts in preventing heart disease, stroke, and related disorders.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has received two new grants to fund research on preparing for a bioterrorist attack. The grants aim to develop mathematical models and computer simulations of the human immune system's response to influenza A and smallpox, two of the worst threats. Researchers will also focus on finding ways t...
Researchers found that breast cancer death rates decreased by an estimated 25-38% due to the combination of screening and adjuvant therapy. The study used advanced statistical models to determine the contribution of each method, finding greater uncertainty with screening mammography estimates.
The five-site network will identify genetic and environmental determinants of premature birth, utilizing advanced genomic technologies and statistical methods. The study's goal is to gain a deeper understanding of preterm births, a leading cause of infant mortality.
The university will use the grant to enhance its Clinical Scholars Program, which supports young investigators in a three-year educational and training program. The initiative aims to create an environment for career development of young faculty in clinical research.
A high-vegetable diet rich in onions, garlic, beans, and yellow vegetables was associated with a 50% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Fruits were also found to be protective, but to a lesser extent.
A new study suggests that investing in tuberculosis control programs in high-incidence countries like Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic can reduce TB cases and deaths in the US. The research predicts that $35 million in funding would result in net savings of $108 million over 20 years.
A study found that an abstinence-only sex education program increased teens' knowledge of HIV/STDs and their commitment to abstinence. However, it had mixed effects on sexual behavior, with no impact on the likelihood of having sex or using condoms. The program may reduce casual sex encounters among sexually active students.
A new epidemiological study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found a protective relationship between non-aspirin, non-steroidal drugs (NANSAIDs) and heart attacks. The study used patient surveys instead of administrative databases, which may have skewed previous results.
Researchers studied over 13,000 people from five diverse sites to investigate dementia incidence. The study found no convincing evidence of variation in dementia incidence across sites or age groups, challenging previous proposals for public health policy.
Researchers found that breast cancer detected by mammography has a substantially better survival prognosis, even after adjusting for stage of disease and tumor characteristics. The study suggests that this is due to the detection of slower-growing tumors, which are more likely to be node-negative.
A new study shows that combining parathyroid hormone and alendronate for a year followed by a year increases bone density significantly more than other treatments, providing sustained gains. The treatment has the potential to offer the largest gains in bone density yet available at a lower cost than using parathyroid hormone alone.
Researchers criticize activist groups for derailing PREP trials, citing concerns about drug's efficacy and safety. The pause in trials may hinder development of female-controlled prevention technologies.
Researchers identified genetic regions on chromosomes 6, 7, and 19 associated with prediabetes in response to aerobic exercise. The study found that individuals differ in their blood sugar equilibrium after exercise, allowing for unique analysis of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
A recent study found that the APOE e2 allele is associated with a moderately increased risk for chronic kidney disease, whereas the e4 variant provides protection. The study involved 14,520 middle-aged participants and confirmed previous findings on the role of genetics in kidney disease.
A study of 580 women found that nearly half experienced persistent lymphedema, a condition causing fluid buildup in arms and hands. Lymphedema affects quality of life, requiring lifestyle changes such as compression garments.
Research by Dr Amy Ferketich and Dr Philip Binkley found that men and women with heart disease in the US experience high levels of psychological distress, with only a third seeking mental health support. The study analyzed data from over 17,000 individuals with different forms of heart disease, highlighting the need for clinicians to c...
Researchers identified a link between chromosomes 7 and 21 and autism susceptibility, with new evidence suggesting chromosome 21 plays a role in the condition. This finding may help explain the increased prevalence of autism among children with Down syndrome.
A recent study published in Nature Methods found that different microarray systems are more alike than previously thought, yielding comparable results when used properly. The study involved 10 laboratories using various platforms and showed that with proper methods and reporting, the results can be reliable across different platforms.
A new kidney test using protein cystatin is more accurate than the standard test for serum creatinine in predicting risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease, especially among elderly people. The test measures kidney function independently of muscle mass, age, gender, and race.
A Canada-wide team led by Dr. Louise Pilote at the McGill University Health Centre is investigating key unknowns in cardiovascular disease manifestation between men and women. The project will address both biological and genetic factors as well as social and behavioural factors involved in the disease.
A new study found that nearly half of women perceived mammography screenings as unaffordable due to misperceptions about insurance coverage. The researchers suggest that private insurers can play a significant role in reducing these misconceptions by providing better educational efforts.
A recent study found that patients taking calcium supplements had a 36 percent reduction in polyp formation, with even greater protection against non-neoplastic hyperplastic polyps. However, the protective effect diminished over time, falling to a non-significant 19 percent after 10 years.
The ALLHAT study confirms diuretics are superior to newer drugs in lowering blood pressure and preventing complications. Diuretics were also found to be more effective in reducing high blood pressure and preventing stroke in black patients.
Dr. Hausen receives the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for his pioneering work in Community Dentistry and caries risk assessment prevention. His research has inspired junior faculty members and influenced public oral health policies in Finland and beyond.
A University of Pennsylvania study identified 22 ways in which CPOE systems facilitate medication errors, including information errors and human-machine interface flaws. The researchers recommend that institutions focus on the organization of work within the hospital and continuously evaluate and improve their technology.
A new program aims to reduce food-related illnesses by investigating the causes of these illnesses and identifying effective interventions. Led by Canadian researcher Jan Sargeant at McMaster University, this US-funded initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from 18 colleges and universities.
A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism reveals a significant association between serum hyaluronan (HA) levels and osteoarthritis severity. The research, conducted on over 3,000 volunteers, suggests that HA levels may serve as a biomarker for diagnosing osteoarthritis.
Researchers found that women with diabetes had over two and a half times the risk of heart disease compared to women without diabetes. Men with diabetes had about a 90% higher risk of dying from CHD as men without diabetes.
Researchers found that the Good Behavior Game reduced aggressive behavior and improved academic achievement, particularly among high-risk boys, with lower rates of criminal activity and delinquency.
A study found that the experimental test's effectiveness was undermined by technical issues and biological implausibility, casting doubt on its potential as a reliable diagnostic tool. The researchers emphasize the need for standardized protocols in proteomics research to ensure reproducibility of results.
A 14-year study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that quitting smoking can add years to life. The study showed a significant reduction in death rates among participants who quit compared to those who continued to smoke.
Researchers have identified two genomic regions associated with hypertension in African Americans, which can help locate genes affecting the condition. The study uses a genome-wide scan to compare genetic variations between African and European populations.
A recent study found that blacks in the southern US are more likely to die from stroke than whites, with African Americans aged 45-64 facing a 51% higher risk. The study analyzed stroke death data from 1997-2001 and compared regional differences in mortality rates.