Experts from the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine will discuss advances in personalized medicine for neuromuscular care, as well as treatment strategies for traumatic brain injuries. They will also explore the integration of handheld technologies into practice management.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that cancer cells use autophagy, a natural recycling process, to obtain energy. By blocking this process, the study found that tumor growth and metastasis can be stopped, providing potential new strategy for cancer treatments.
A multidisciplinary research program aims to study the origins and pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus, focusing on chronic inflammation and bile acids. The team will develop preventive and therapeutic treatments targeting stem/progenitor cells.
Recent research highlights that faster diagnostic tests are necessary but not sufficient to improve health outcomes for tuberculosis and HIV patients. The study emphasizes the need for thorough evaluation of diagnostics to ensure technical advancements translate into better patient care.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 promotes a national comparative outcomes research project agenda to optimize evidence-based medicine. High-quality associations will identify research topics for pragmatic clinical trials, while systematic reviews of clinical trials provide optimal evidence-based medicine.
The Boston University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $316,875 training grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate inflammatory disorders. The program will provide students with a solid academic background in immunology and multi-disciplinary approaches.
The Chem-TCM database, developed by King's College London researchers, provides a comprehensive tool for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to explore age-old remedies. The database features four major parts, including chemical identification and predicted activity against Western therapeutic targets.
Michael LeFevre, a renowned family medicine leader, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. As a distinguished expert in prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure, he will contribute to evidence-based medicine and improve health care outcomes.
A new study conducted by two seventh-grade students found that over one in four kindergarten children and one in five teachers struggled to distinguish between medicine and candy. The most common mistakes included mixing M&Ms with Coricidin, SweeTARTS with Mylanta, and Reese's Pieces with Sine-off.
A new testing program coupled with a year-long clinical experience improved internal medicine resident scores on the Internal Medicine In-Training Exam. The study found that residents who participated in the program showed a significant increase in median individual percentile rank, outperforming control groups by 8.5 percentile points.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that $6.7 billion was spent on unnecessary tests or medications, with brand-name statins accounting for 86% of the cost. Excess spending included blood work, bone density scans, and antibiotic prescriptions.
Researchers from Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health are part of a $10 million grant to examine the consequences of alcohol on HIV disease. The study aims to understand how alcohol affects HIV clinical manifestations and develop more effective treatments.
A new study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine reveals that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) directly influences bone growth, contrary to its usual thyroid functions. The findings suggest TSH may be a novel method for addressing bone production and could lead to innovative treatments for osteoporosis.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine will identify genetic markers for each patient enrolled in the study, inputting them into electronic medical records for tailored treatment. The study aims to improve management of heart disease risk factors and prevent onset.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a way to remove pluripotent human embryonic stem cells from their progeny before transplanted into patients. The technique uses antibodies to recognize and bind to only pluripotent cells, eliminating the risk of teratomas.
Elsevier presents awards to exceptional wilderness medicine professionals who demonstrate dedication to saving lives in austere environments. Recipients receive an e-reader pre-loaded with critical medical content, including Dr. Paul Auerbach's 'Medicine for the Outdoors and Wilderness Medicine.'
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered that high doses of progesterone can inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cancer cells. In laboratory research, progesterone was found to cut tumor growth in half over eight days without causing harm to healthy neurons.
A study of 256 patients found that younger patients with grafts less than 8mm were more likely to require future revision surgery. The researchers hope to improve ACL reconstruction outcomes for young athletes, particularly those who engage in high-activity sports.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) has presented nine research awards and two grants to recognize cutting-edge research in key areas of orthopaedic sports medicine. The award recipients include researchers studying molecular mechanisms in meniscal injury, tendon-to-bone repair, and osteoarthritis.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that traditional Korean medicine SCRT treatment alleviates asthma-like pulmonary inflammation via suppression of specific chemokines or proteins. The study, published online in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, suggests a potential mechanism for reduced inflammation.
Advancements in telemedicine, medical robots, biomarkers, neural engineering, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine are transforming patient care. Five key areas of convergence will drive healthcare's future.
A Penn-led study has identified common clinical activities where changes in practice could lead to higher quality care and better use of finite clinical resources. The 'Top 5' list for internal medicine includes practices such as not overimaging, not overscreening, and using generic statins.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that ancestral genetic heritage is not fixed at the individual level for African-American and Hispanic patients, but rather varies widely within each group. This research challenges traditional ethnic labels and highlights the importance of considering individual genotypes in personalized medi...
Researchers from Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine have demonstrated that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into definitive endoderm cells in vitro, with similar functional potential to embryonic stem cells. This finding is significant given the controversy surrounding iPSCs and their potential...
The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine will establish an extension campus in Columbus to address the shortage of primary care physicians and the growing diabetes epidemic. The new campus will enroll 50 new students annually, with plans to graduate 200 students by 2019.
A recent study examines changes in medical students' views about internal medicine careers from 1990 to 2007. The proportion of students planning general internal medicine training declined, while those attracted by primary care physicians' appeal increased. Bolder reform is needed to improve the educational pipeline and practice of ge...
New training program aims to improve communication skills among healthcare providers and between providers and patients, leading to better medical outcomes and reduced errors.
A new study by the University of Cincinnati reveals that urban adolescents with asthma who use integrative medicine like prayer or relaxation experience improved mental and physical health outcomes. The research found that spiritual struggles contribute uniquely to a patient's quality of life, beyond demographic variables.
Two articles in PLOS Medicine emphasize the importance of addressing issues that restrict open access to information in developing countries. Experts propose improvements to journal quality assessment standards and increased collaboration between publishers, authors, and readers from these regions.
A national survey of US family medicine residency programs found that most limit pharmaceutical and industry interactions with residents, while some exclude all interactions. This shift aims to reduce the influence of industry on prescribing patterns and promote evidence-based prescribing.
A review of medical studies confirms that social and emotional context of the doctor-patient relationship are crucial for healthcare outcomes. Effective communication, like in aviation, is critical to safety and success in medicine.
A new Northwestern Medicine study shows that standardized medicine prescriptions into doses at four clearly identified periods of day, can improve health outcomes for older patients. The study found that low health literacy was the greatest predictor of patients taking their medications more times per day.
Early data suggests molecular medicine can restore normal retina architecture and improve visual function in severe cases of macular degeneration. Researchers are now calling for larger human trials to validate the approach's reliability and safety.
A study by Northwestern Medicine found that CD34+ cells can stimulate new blood vessel formation in ischemic limbs, reducing the risk of amputation. The treatment also showed significant repair of cardiac and vascular tissues, providing evidence for its potential to treat previously irreversible conditions.
A new approach called Desktop Medicine involves clinicians gathering and analyzing risk factor information to prevent disease onset. This model has substantial implications for educating, training, and practicing medicine, including incorporating bedside and desktop medicine in office visits.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that patient navigation services significantly improved biennial mammography screening rates among inner city women. The study showed a significant increase in adherence rates to 87% in those who received patient navigation, compared to 76% in the non-navigated group.
Researchers at Penn Medicine measured the collaborative nature of translational medicine using network analysis, finding that ITMAT members' collaborative papers doubled since 2006. They also discovered that researchers were more likely to collaborate within their own departments and institutions rather than across them.
The European Board of Intensive Care Medicine aims to increase recognition of intensive care medicine within European legislation. The ESICM launches the 'Linking Intensive Care to Family Experience' (LIFE) campaign to improve quality by including patient and family views.
Researchers Paula Gardiner and Robert Saper at Boston Medical Center have been awarded NIH grants to investigate the effectiveness of integrative medicine in treating chronic lower back pain in low-income minorities. Their studies will expand knowledge on the use of herbal supplements and yoga as treatments for this common condition.
Two Elsevier medical titles, Color Atlas of Clinical Hematology and Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine, won first prize in their respective categories at the BMA Medical Book Competition. The awards recognize the quality and expertise in these medical texts.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has awarded $100,000 to Mo Salman, Nikkita Patel, and Brittany Gross for their innovative projects advancing veterinary medicine. Salmon's work focuses on infectious disease management, while Patel and Gross develop public outreach initiatives and sustainable dairy farms.
This special edition of The Hastings Center Report examines the promise and pitfalls of personalized medicine, from direct-to-consumer genetic testing to hospice care. Key findings include the need for thousands of human biospecimens for genetic studies, as well as debates over individual mandates in healthcare reform.
A centuries-old traditional Chinese medicine, PHY906, may reduce intestinal side effects of chemotherapy by stimulating gut cell division and reducing inflammation in cancer patients. Researchers found that PHY906 triggers Wnt signaling, which drives the replacement of damaged intestinal stem cells with healthy ones.
A study by Dr. Paul Frenette reveals a unique 'partnership' between bone marrow stem cells, which could lead to advances in regenerative medicine. The partnership involves hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells, with the latter playing crucial roles in maintaining HSCs and facilitating regeneration.
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed recommendations for advancing regenerative medicine. The key focus areas include recognizing regenerative medicine as a priority at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), re-examining clinical trial methodologies, and improving communication between basic and clinical scientists.
Experts in pathology are advocating for a comprehensive training program to integrate genomics and personalized medicine into daily practices. The proposed curriculum would cover laboratory medicine, genetic counseling, and health information technology, enabling pathologists to serve as primary consultants for physicians and patients.
A survey by Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that 91% of physicians believe 'defensive medicine' is necessary due to malpractice concerns. The study suggests that tort reform can decrease unnecessary testing and rising healthcare costs.
The meeting showcased groundbreaking research and development worldwide in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine, with a focus on using molecular imaging to understand disease mechanisms and improve patient health. Key findings included advances in Alzheimer's disease identification and recurrent prostate cancer detection.
Bengt Roland Långström, a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, has been recognized for his work in nuclear medicine. He is being honored with the Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for his over 20 years of experience in synthesizing and applying radiolabeled tracers for PET.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that osteopathic manipulative medicine significantly reduced hospital stays for pneumonia patients. Additionally, the study showed a slight decrease in intravenous antibiotics needed and respiratory failure.
A new research facility at Riley Hospital for Children will improve the process of turning laboratory research into new treatments for sick children. The IU School of Medicine will conduct comprehensive phenotyping studies and test the safety and effectiveness of potential new treatments.
A survey of 2,058 physicians found that 17% of general internists and 4% of internal medicine subspecialists have left their practices by mid-career. The study suggests that the 'general' nature of general internal medicine may give internists more options for careers outside of medicine.
The journal will support high-quality continuing professional development and enable travel medicine practitioners to share research and recent developments. The partnership aims to promote best levels of health and high standards of healthcare worldwide.
Dr. Marwan Khaled Tayeh was awarded the 2010 Richard King Trainee Award for his groundbreaking research on targeted comparative genomic hybridization array analysis. The award recognizes his contribution to the identification of deletions and duplications responsible for human diseases.
A recent WHO report reveals 1.2 million annual road deaths, with driver obesity linked to higher injury risk in motor vehicle crashes. PLoS Medicine publishes research and magazine articles discussing policies to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists from injury.
Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified potential heart problems in responders on-site at the World Trade Center collapse. They found impaired diastolic function, particularly in middle-aged men, which can lead to shortness of breath and heart failure.
The study proposes a national model for addressing unhealthy substance use in internal medicine residents, integrating curricula into existing teaching venues. Researchers believe this approach mirrors effective clinical management and improves residency training.
Springer has partnered with the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) to publish the journal Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. The journal will be available in both print and electronic formats, providing a platform for high-quality research and discussion on nuclear medicine and related sciences.
A new study provides clear pediatric PET dose guidelines, allowing clinicians to calculate the optimal radiotracer dose based on a child's weight. The findings suggest that patients can receive high-quality images with reduced scan time or lower doses, minimizing radiation exposure for young children.
James A. Hamilton, PhD, received the 2010 Avanti Award in Lipids for his work on NMR methods to detect vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and specific components in plaques. The award recognizes his contributions to biomedical engineering and medicine.