A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that genetic testing and dietary modification can save the lives of children born with a defect in fatty acid breakdown. The research team identified 24 infants with liver, heart, or muscular abnormalities and found that dietary treatment was crucial for survival.
A study published in The American Journal of Managed Care found that insurance companies are losing money by requiring prior authorization for all tretinoin prescriptions for patients over 25 years old. In fact, the restrictions can lead to a high administrative cost due to the drug's applications beyond acne treatment.
Researchers link destruction of proteins to destruction of messenger RNA, a breakthrough that could lead to development of pharmaceuticals to control protein production.
A Wake Forest University study found that US dialysis patients are more likely to miss treatment sessions compared to their European and Asian counterparts. Factors contributing to this discrepancy include differences in dialysis prescription, patient health, medical system eligibility, and patient independence.
A study published in Injury Prevention reveals that pediatricians can curb violent behavior during well-child examinations by educating families about youth violence, counseling children directly, and advocating for gun safety. The study also highlights the importance of community resources and supports parents' discipline practices.
A recent study found that low-level inflammation in adults is connected to measures of insulin metabolism. The loss of sensitivity to insulin contributes to diabetes, which in turn is a major cause of heart disease. High levels of C-reactive protein indicate low-level inflammatory status and are associated with increased risk of cardio...
A new screening tool combining CT scans and electrocardiograms has promise to be a highly effective and relatively inexpensive way to detect blood vessel disease. The test measures calcium in the heart's arteries, identifying signs of atherosclerosis that can block arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes.
A recent study suggests that heart attack severity is decreasing in the US, with possible reasons including increased preventive measures and better treatment for heart attacks. The analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study found a decline in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital coronary heart disease mortality.
Two studies presented at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting suggest that primary care doctors often refer patients with skin problems to dermatologists, wasting time and resources. Dermatologists diagnose skin diseases more quickly than other doctors, saving money for both patients and healthcare systems.
A recent study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that middle school-aged adolescents who begin smoking cigarettes at age 11 or younger engage in twice the number of risky behaviors that could end their life. These risk behaviors include substance abuse, violence, and suicidal thoughts.
A three-year study found that state and federal laws have helped older or sicker individuals obtain health coverage if they can afford it. However, the study revealed mixed results regarding the impact of these laws on health insurance affordability and enrollment in small employer and individual markets.
A national pilot study is testing whether soy supplementation can reduce prostate cancer risk in African-American men. The $494,588 study, led by Electra D. Paskett, Ph.D., will evaluate the effect of soy on markers for prostate cancer risk and assess its impact on cardiovascular health and quality of life.
The Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence will focus on improving patient outcomes and offer hope to the more than 10,000 men in North Carolina diagnosed with the disease. The $5 million grant will fund new positions, labs, and studies addressing prevention and treatment aspects.
The center has reduced the number of patients having major strokes during bypass surgery to 1%, and less severe injury to 18%, significantly below national averages. The research aims to make a safe operation even safer by exploring additional ways to avoid brain injury.
Research suggests that soy supplements may decrease breast and endometrial cell proliferation, potentially lowering cancer risk. However, individual differences in metabolism and response to estrogens limit the benefit.
A recent study found that 5% of North Carolina middle school boys carried guns, while 20.2% carried clubs or knives, with both linked to substance use and violence. The study suggests that similar prevention programs should be introduced in elementary schools, along with substance use prevention.
A Wake Forest University professor will assess a national campaign against smokeless tobacco, which has been linked to rising sales of moist snuff among baseball players. The study aims to determine the program's impact on major league baseball and its partners.
The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse has awarded a $7 million grant to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to study the causes of alcohol addiction. The studies will provide insights into brain processes that lead to alcoholism, with a focus on understanding the fundamental actions of alcohol on the brain.
A study by Westwood Squibb Center for Dermatology Research found that Medicare policies contradict medical practice for treating actinic keratoses, which can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. In most cases, doctors prefer to remove lesions immediately, but Medicare won't reimburse doctors who do so on the first visit.
A recent study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center shows that radiologists can accurately detect breast cancer using digital mammography technology as effectively as traditional film-based methods. The technology has the potential to improve detection rates and reduce deaths from breast cancer.
A study found that despite high awareness of chest pain as a heart attack symptom, many people are unaware of other critical symptoms like arm numbness and shortness of breath. The research highlights the need for targeted education about complex heart attack symptoms to reduce delay in seeking medical care.
Researchers found that polyunsaturated fat in vegetable oil may lead to less hardening of arteries than monounsaturated fat in olive oil. The grant renewal supports studies on the effects of dietary fat type on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and coronary artery disease.
A large clinical trial found that amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, did not prevent the progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis but slowed it in the carotid arteries. Amlodipine significantly reduced angina pectoris and related procedures like bypass surgery.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center demonstrated a gene-diet interaction that affects cholesterol absorption in humans. The study found that individuals with the apo A-IV-2 gene variant absorbed less cholesterol than those without the variant, particularly on diets high in polyunsaturated fat.
Researchers found that the thalamus, a key brain region, can remodel its connections after sensory nerves are severed, potentially leading to recovery of function after stroke or nervous system damage. The discovery sheds light on the brain's ability to reorganize and challenges scientific dogma that it is fixed after infancy.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards Wake Forest University School of Medicine a $1.9 million grant to develop a national technical assistance program for adult day centers, building on successful programs from 1987 and 1992.
A recent study found that less than 20% of eligible elderly patients with high cholesterol received treatment, despite being at risk for death from coronary heart disease. The Cardiovascular Health Study suggests that older patients and their physicians may have preferred dietary therapy over pharmacological treatment.
A recent international study involving 842 patients found that statins significantly raised high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, particularly in those with low HDL. The study's results challenge the long-held emphasis on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, suggesting that increasing HDL may be a crucial facto...
The Westwood-Squibb Center for Dermatology Research will examine the impact of managed care on dermatology and advance the specialty through dissemination of information and examination of ethical practices. The center aims to improve skin care and address economic, ethical, and policy issues in dermatology.
A Wake Forest University School of Medicine study found that patients with skin problems receive inadequate comprehensive care from primary care doctors, who focus solely on the skin issue. Dermatologists provide superior treatment due to their specialized expertise, and previous studies have shown they are cost-effective as well.
A study by pediatricians from Wake Forest University found that gay teenage boys with multiple male partners are more likely to experience violence, drug abuse, and absence from school. The researchers suggest that clinicians can apply these findings to provide targeted support for these adolescents.
Researchers found that non-dermatologists prescribed less-effective yet more costly medications for fungal skin diseases. Dermatologists prescribed single agents with lower failure rates and costs. The study has implications for health maintenance organizations limiting access to specialists.
Three experts recommend establishing a national office of drug safety to track and reduce prescription drug-related injuries, which could be the fourth-leading cause of death in the US. The proposed office should develop reliable estimates of deaths and serious injuries from prescription drugs.
A small-scale study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can hasten recovery from stroke and save millions of dollars annually in healthcare costs. The treatment, which combines hyperbaric oxygen with diagnostic testing, may give patients an extra hour to receive treatment, potentially extending the window for intervention.
Dr. David Stump's research reveals a significant impact on patients' lives, with long-term effects on motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and daily functioning. The study highlights the importance of early detection and addressing post-operative deficits to prevent decline in brain function.
Treating people with epilepsy or seizures who are in remote locations like space, underwater or extended airline flights may be possible through telemedicine. Sleep deprivation and weightlessness can provoke seizures during travel.
Researchers have made significant strides in reducing post-surgical brain deficits by modifying surgical technique and using ultrasound monitors to detect emboli. The team has cut the number of patients experiencing confusion, memory loss, and personality changes after coronary artery bypass surgery.
Biosphere 2, a closed system that supported eight scientists for two years, offers valuable lessons for long-term space missions. The system's life support and agricultural systems will be crucial for future space travel.
Research suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could save millions in treating victims of stroke, epilepsy, and spinal cord injury. The therapy increases blood oxygen levels and may prevent reperfusion injuries by modulating the immune system.
Dr. Philip James reports that high-pressure chambers can increase oxygen levels in damaged spinal nerves, potentially preventing paralysis. The treatment has been used on divers with decompression sickness and shows promise for spinal cord injuries.
The Aerospace Medical Association has issued medical guidelines for air travel to help doctors advise patients with illnesses. These guidelines provide recommendations for patients with conditions such as pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema, emphasizing the importance of stable health before traveling.
A new technique developed by Dr. John Absher may help prevent strokes among Americans with high blood pressure. By adapting a space shuttle technique that simulates zero gravity, doctors can determine the risk of stroke for patients taking medication to lower their blood pressure.
A recent study revealed that 11% of the general population has silent cerebral infarcts, with current cigarette smoking and hypertension being significant risk factors. The findings suggest that these lesions may be associated with a poor prognosis in the general population.
The meeting explores hyperbaric oxygen therapy's potential in minimizing damage from strokes and preventing paralysis after spinal cord injuries. Dr. Mary Anne Frey will discuss the results of the Neurolab Space Shuttle Mission, while Sen. John Glenn will talk about his upcoming space-based research on aging.
A study found that teenagers who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual are more likely to report engaging in multiple risky behaviors and starting them at an earlier age. These teens also experience higher rates of emotional distress, including missed school due to fear and physical threats.
Researchers will present findings on prevention, treatment of neurological problems like stroke, epilepsy, and brain injury. The meeting aims to develop international collaborations and transfer lessons learned in space and undersea research to patient care.
A study found that soy protein with phytoestrogens significantly reduced atherosclerosis progression in postmenopausal monkeys, similar to mammalian estrogen therapy. The treatment also improved cholesterol profiles, including increased HDL levels and reduced LDL/VLDL levels.
A recent study found that soy phytoestrogens provided equivalent stroke-prevention benefits to standard Premarin therapy in postmenopausal monkeys. The treatment reduced internal carotid artery atherosclerosis by more than half, preventing the development of an 'atherogenic plasma lipid profile'.
A study of 975 older adults with hypertension found that about 40 percent maintained diet and exercise changes, enabling them to stop taking medication for high blood pressure. Participants who made moderate changes in body weight and salt intake showed impressive results, controlling blood pressure without medication.
A large-scale study shows that estrogen replacement therapy, with or without progestin, consistently and sustainably reduces plasma lipoprotein (a) concentrations, a high-risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. The results also confirm hormone therapy's broad-scale impact on cholesterol metabolism.