The new peer-reviewed journal Systems Medicine captures leading research in medical systems biology, emphasizing molecular mechanistic biomarkers. This approach aims to drive innovations in new drug discovery and preventive therapies based on healthy aging research.
A recent study found that transfusing older stored red blood cells can lead to adverse effects in critically ill patients. Free heme, a breakdown product from degraded red blood cells, is thought to be the key culprit behind this toxicity.
Scientists from NIAID exposed research mice to brain samples from three people who died from a familial prion disease. Two mutations, Y226X and G131V, were found to be transmissible to mice. The finding highlights the hardiness of prion infectivity and potential risks associated with prion transmission.
The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine has launched a new quarterly column in JACM, discussing strategies to advance health justice through integrative medicine principles. The inaugural column highlights the need to address bias and discrimination in intrapersonal attitudes and behaviors.
A study of US hospital inpatient discharges from 1993 to 2014 found a decrease in red blood cell and plasma transfusions between 2011 and 2014. This trend may be attributed to the implementation of restrictive transfusion practices aimed at improving patient outcomes and conserving blood.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new mechanism for controlled, sustained drug delivery using self-assembled nanomaterials. The system can slowly release drug carriers over months, reducing systemic side effects and inflammation.
A $3.4 million grant will help researchers study endocrine-disrupting chemicals in medical devices, with a focus on improving transfusion safety and understanding the impact on cardiovascular health.
The Biogerontology Research Foundation and its partners emphasized the importance of AI in precision medicine at the Precision Medicine World Conference. Two startups, Abreos and Immusoft, emerged as semifinalists for their innovative approaches to precision medicine, including point-of-care assays and immune system programming.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reports significant improvements in HHT patients with severe bleeding treated with intravenous bevacizumab. The treatment reduced nose and gastrointestinal bleeds, allowing patients to stop or reduce blood transfusions, improving quality of life.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that cell salvage did not significantly reduce the need for donor blood transfusions during caesarean sections. However, it showed promise in reducing transfusions in emergency caesareans. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.
Patients with advanced leukemia who rely on blood transfusions face barriers to quality end-of-life care, including limited hospice services and higher hospital deaths. Research suggests that improving access to blood transfusions could increase hospice care use among these patients.
Research found that leukemia patients who rely on blood transfusions face difficulties enrolling in hospice care, leading to shorter hospice stays and delayed access to palliative care. The study suggests that adding support for transfusions to the Medicare hospice benefit could maximize its benefits.
Acupuncture has strongest evidence for effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, while yoga and other therapies also show positive preliminary evidence. These integrative medicine approaches can help improve pain and reduce opioid use, according to a review of current evidence.
Experts recommend restrictive blood transfusion practices for stable patients with hemoglobin levels of 7 g/dL or higher, reducing mortality and blood clot risks. The study found significant reductions in blood use by 40-65% in largest randomized trials.
A global study of over 5,000 patients found that restrictive blood transfusion practices are safe and effective, reducing deaths, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failures. The study also reduced the number of transfusions by 28% and the amount of blood transfused by 30%.
The new Special Focus Issue explores key perspectives on regenerative medicine innovation, including regulatory developments and challenges to international harmonization. The issue aims to facilitate discussions among stakeholders, ensuring safe, ethical, and regulated translation of research from bench to bedside.
A new study has identified a promising treatment to reduce brain injury in newborns who have suffered from hypoxia-ischemia, a condition that can cause severe complications. The treatment involves combining standard cooling therapy with a selective Src kinase inhibitor to block a regulatory enzyme of apoptosis.
A new study has found that a pioneering heart valve repair device is safe and effective, reducing the need for open-heart procedures and resulting in improved quality and frequency of repairs. The Harpoon Mitral Valve Repair System repaired the heart while it continued to beat, with no deaths or major complications.
A systematic review of 18 trials found that delayed clamping reduced hospital mortality by a third and increased neonatal hematocrit, confirming placental transfusion. Delayed clamping can save up to 100 additional lives per thousand very preterm babies born prematurely.
A new study found that precision medicine for oncology is less precise for people of Latin American, African, and Asian ancestry due to the lack of diverse genetic population data. A computational tool called LumosVar was created to help researchers sort out potentially inaccurate results and improve precision medicine.
A study of US military combat casualties in Afghanistan found that prehospital blood transfusions within minutes of injury or prior to hospitalization resulted in greater 24-hour and 30-day survival rates compared to delayed or no transfusion. Early transfusion also showed a reduced risk of death over 24 hours when administered up to 1...
Researchers are launching a national study to understand why fewer than 30% of children with sickle cell disease receive transcranial Doppler screening, which can prevent strokes. The goal is to identify barriers and implement strategies to increase access to the life-saving test.
A new study found that complementary and alternative medicine is being used by one in four Europeans to remedy various health problems. Women and those with higher education are more likely to use these treatments. The most commonly used forms of treatment were massage, homeopathy, osteopathy, and herbal remedies.
Receiving a blood transfusion from an ever-pregnant female donor is associated with increased mortality among male recipients, but not among female recipients. Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is also linked to transfusions from female donors, particularly those with pregnancy history.
A study published in JAMA found that receiving a red blood cell transfusion from an ever-pregnant female donor was associated with an increased risk of death among male recipients compared to male donors. In contrast, mortality rates were similar for female recipients of transfusions from pregnant or non-pregnant female donors.
A new statistical model uses hospital patient data to predict platelet transfusion needs, enabling optimal inventory management and reducing waste. The approach could save healthcare systems up to $80 million annually if adopted nationwide.
Collaborative nuclear medicine and radiology training options are proposed to address evolving practice needs, while an alternative view emphasizes the importance of independent training programs. Innovative theranostics advances in nuclear medicine are highlighted as a result of dedicated training programs.
A landmark trial found that older stored red blood cells are safe and associated with fewer side effects, including transfusion reactions. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, challenged common practice of allocating the oldest available compatible blood.
Women earn less than men regardless of rank or training, with women leaving careers due to advancement issues. Underrepresented minorities are underrepresented in senior positions and promotions across all levels
A study explored boundaries of parental choice in medical decision making for children, identifying thresholds of acceptable levels of harm and cost. More than half of participants were willing to provide treatment with a small increased risk of death and up to $500 in cost increase.
The University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine launched an online curriculum to train family medicine residents in integrative medicine. The 200-hour program improved residents' medical knowledge and clinical utility, with a high completion rate despite busy schedules.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that women with a history of C-section delivery had a higher risk of reoperation and surgical complications after undergoing a hysterectomy. Women with two or more C-section deliveries were also more likely to receive blood transfusions.
A new meta-analysis reveals that Indigenous Peoples are significantly more likely to contract viral hepatitis due to factors like poverty, injection drug use, and lack of access to healthcare. The study shows disparities in prevalence rates across North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Penn Center for Precision Medicine has awarded $565,000 in funding to eight research teams for their personalized medicine projects. The projects aim to improve treatment outcomes for various diseases, including idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Dr. Douglas W. Brown is being inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Hall of Fame for his groundbreaking work in sports medicine, spanning over four decades. He has served as a team physician for numerous national teams and has been an active member of AOSSM since 1981.
Jesse C. DeLee, MD, a prominent figure in the field of sports medicine, has been inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Hall of Fame. With over 50 peer-reviewed articles and numerous textbook chapters to his name, Dr. DeLee has made significant contributions to the advancement of sports medicine.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that integrating clinical decision support into electronic medical records decreases high-cost imaging utilization, especially among higher users. This standardizes care delivery and improves compliance with evidence-based guidelines.
The new journal will publish interdisciplinary research using systems biology and network medicine to personalize patient treatment. It aims to address the need for authoritative information on systems medicine and its integration in clinical care.
Researchers developed silver-silica nanoparticles with an ampicillin coating that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria while being inert to human cells. The nanoantibiotic showed efficacy against both resistant and non-resistant strains of E. coli, offering a promising strategy for combating drug-resistant infections.
Three Penn researchers, Elizabeth Grice, Vijay Bhoj, and Kara Maxwell, have been awarded $1.9 million in Burroughs Wellcome Fund grants to investigate skin microbiome functions and CAR T-cell immunotherapy for Hemophilia A. The grants aim to advance our understanding of human infectious diseases and cancer research.
A new OpenArray system offers simultaneous detection of multiple viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens in human blood samples, demonstrating a promising tool for flexible and accurate blood screening. The device was tested with 92 donor samples and showed 95% accuracy in identifying virus-positive samples.
A review paper suggests that certain traditional Chinese medicines show benefits for cardiovascular health conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These medications have antihypertensive effects and a good safety profile, making them a potential alternative for patients intolerant of or who cannot af...
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging recognized seven new SNMMI Fellows for their distinguished service and exceptional achievements in the field. The fellows include past SNMMI presidents, renowned experts, and leaders in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation has selected researchers Dr. Emerson Wickwire, Dr. Jessica Levenson, Dr. Benjamin Pliska, and Dr. Allen Firestone to receive research awards for their projects aimed at improving sleep health and advancing the field of sleep medicine.
Critical care is a constantly evolving field with a huge literature base. EM physicians must stay up-to-date on medical literature to provide the best care for their patients. The recent PEITHO 2 study has sparked debate on pulmonary embolism treatment, and sepsis care requires being mindful of fluid type, pressors, and culture data.
Michigan Medicine researchers explored best practices in EMS oversight to improve pre-hospital care. They identified seven key factors for high-quality EMS oversight: competition and collaboration, leadership, organizational structure, quality improvement culture and practice, relationships and communication, resources, and community-s...
A study published in The BMJ found that online telemedicine-based medical abortion is effective and safe, with low rates of adverse events. The research provides real-world evidence on the effectiveness of self-sourced medical abortion through telemedicine, supporting growing calls for reform of highly restrictive abortion laws.
A new study published in The BMJ found that medication abortion self-sourced and self-managed outside the formal healthcare setting was successful in 95% of cases. Women were able to recognize symptoms of complications and seek medical attention when needed, with only three percent requiring antibiotics.
A new study published in The BMJ found that medical abortions conducted through online telemedicine were successful in 95% of cases, with low rates of complications. Women were able to identify symptoms of potential issues and seek medical attention when needed, suggesting a safe and effective option for those seeking abortion access.
Researchers developed a new test combining International Normalized Ratio and thrombelastography to predict massive transfusion needs in trauma patients. The test was found to be highly sensitive and specific, reducing unnecessary transfusions by 97%.
Researchers connect classical acupuncture to advances in physiology, systems biology, and mechanotherapeutics. They explore the body's interconnectedness as a whole system, suggesting an exciting convergence in Eastern and Western medicine.
The WorldQuant Initiative combines advanced molecular profiling technologies with quantitative methods to analyze genomic data, enabling the prediction of disease risk and outcomes. Researchers will leverage predictive tools to improve diagnosis and treatment for various illnesses.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has announced the 2017 award recipients, including David F. Dinges for his dedication to the sleep field and significant contributions in administration, public relations, and government affairs. Susan Redline received the William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award for her exceptional initiative...
A study on reduced radiotherapy in young children with brain tumors found that deviations from the treatment protocol led to poorer outcomes. Children who received radiation therapy according to protocol had improved overall survival rates.
Researchers have discovered biological evidence of atypical chronic fatigue syndrome, a complex and debilitating disease. The study found lower levels of certain immune molecules in individuals with atypical ME/CFS compared to those with classical symptoms.
The journal highlights several notable research findings, including the benefits of quitting smoking abruptly, low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular prevention, and statins in rheumatoid arthritis. These updates aim to promote excellence in medicine and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have developed effective Zika virus nucleic acid amplification technology assays to screen donated blood supplies. The methods demonstrated excellent sensitivities and were substantially more sensitive than most other laboratory-developed and diagnostic Zika virus assays.
A Temple University Health System research team identified sex-based differences in the utilization and safety outcomes of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Female patients were less likely to receive CDT, while males experienced more bleeding complications, but with similar mortality rates.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that a widely adopted blood transfusion practice may not benefit patients without traumatic injuries and may even be harmful. The practice, which involves giving patients more plasma than red blood cells during massive transfusions, was previously studied only in trauma patients.
A study found that female emergency medicine residents receive lower scores than males across all sub-competencies, despite initial equality. The gap widens as training advances, with males receiving higher evaluations and milestone attainment rates.