Researchers have identified a biomarker called ST2 that can predict the risk of graft-versus-host disease in stem cell transplant patients. Patients with high ST2 levels are more likely to experience severe immune responses and die within six months of the transplant.
A new mobile platform will facilitate treatment of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension in Kenya's western region. The technology provides secure and interoperable solutions to improve healthcare systems.
A study found that many family caregivers of older adults with dementia are willing to consider stopping cancer screening, which can reduce patient burden, healthcare costs, and family caregiver distress. Caregivers are most open to discussions when focusing on quality of life and burdens and benefits for the person with dementia.
Researchers found that individuals released from the justice system have a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections within the first year. Specifically, ex-offenders had a 16% incidence rate of contracting an STI within the first 365 days of release.
A new study suggests that STD clinics can provide essential access to cervical cancer screenings for underscreened women. The majority of women participating in the study were eager to receive the screening, and most reported not having had a pap smear in at least three years.
Researchers found community pharmacists want a more active role in HIV treatment, aiming to build relationships with customers during test sales. Pharmacists believe their role can help strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where stigmatized feelings hinder testing and care.
A review of 50 studies on substance abuse by street children in 22 resource-constrained countries found that lifetime substance use is highly prevalent, posing serious health and social threats. The most commonly used drugs are inhalants, tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
Researchers at Indiana University have successfully created the inner ear from stem cells using a three-dimensional cell culture method. The discovery provides insights into the sensory organ's developmental process and offers potential for laboratory models of disease and treatments for hearing loss and balance disorders.
A new study conducted by Indiana University found that postmenopausal women who quit smoking reduced their risk of heart disease, with benefits starting to show within years. The study analyzed data from 104,391 women ages 50-79 and found a significant drop in heart disease risk among those who quit smoking, regardless of diabetes status.
Indiana University has received a $910,000 grant from the Defense Department to study critical security issues and vulnerabilities associated with software-defined networking. The team will analyze possible threats and develop solutions to improve network resilience and security.
A systematic review of studies on long-term-stay patients' care found that interdisciplinary teams involving the patient's own physician and a pharmacist had better odds of improving nursing home care quality. The review, published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, highlights the importance of team-based car...
A recent study by Indiana University found that while academics' TED Talks receive more comments and views than non-academics', the videos do not lead to an increase in citations among peers. The researchers suggest the Matthew Effect may be at play, where already recognized scholars are chosen for TED presentations.
Researchers at Indiana University have developed a five-sided macrocycle called cyanostar, which can bind large negatively charged ions. The molecule has unprecedented properties, including the ability to form dialkylphosphate rotaxanes and demonstrate applications in environmental remediation and lithium ion battery processes.
Researchers at Indiana University found that titanium dioxide coatings, used in air-pollution-removal technology, convert abundant ammonia to nitrogen oxide, increasing harmful ozone pollution. The study's findings call into question the effectiveness of this technology in reducing pollution.
Two IU studies reveal that workplace and financial stress can lead to increased smoking, decreased exercise, and unhealthy eating habits. Researchers call for workplace wellness programs to address work-family conflict and financial strain as a way to promote healthier behaviors.
Researchers found that viruses like HIV and Ebola hijack the same protein complexes as archaea and humans, using ESCRT machinery for cell division. The study presents a new model system to understand virus-host interactions.
A team of Indiana University neuroscientists has identified GLT1, a protein clearing glutamate from the brain, as critical to cocaine craving. The researchers found ceftriaxone, an antibiotic, increases GLT1 production and decreases craving in rats withdrawing from cocaine. This combination may lead to new treatments for addiction.
Researchers found that senior athletes outperformed their junior counterparts in most events, with a significantly greater percentage of improvement in lifetime best performance. Only 23.6% of junior athletes went on to medal in the Olympics, while 29.9% of Olympians won medals earlier in their career.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that highly active college-age individuals and middle-aged men and women do not exhibit arterial stiffening, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This suggests exercise may have beneficial effects on vascular health in young populations.
Researchers at Indiana University found that a simple pedometer program increased physical activity and decreased sitting time among participants. The study showed significant improvements in weight loss and overall health.
An Indiana University study found that a unique omega-3 supplement, Lyprinol/Omega XL, significantly improved lung function and reduced airway inflammation in asthmatics. The supplement, derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, was effective in reducing symptoms and potentially improving athletic performance.
Researchers will develop procedures to help underinsured people efficiently get care for common health problems. The study aims to identify and address barriers to accessing care, prioritizing care access strategies based on patient experiences.
Geologists at Indiana University studied the 'Eternal Flame' in Erie County, N.Y., which may feature high concentrations of ethane and propane. The researchers identified natural gas seeps in the region, suggesting they could contribute to atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.
A study of 3,690 older adults found that even short-term use of strong anticholinergics causes memory problems. Taking multiple drugs with weaker anticholinergic effects also has a negative impact on cognition over time.
A study published in PNAS Early Edition identifies a cellular change in the brain that accompanies obesity, involving a switch in neurons within the hypothalamus. Activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors stimulates orexin A release, increasing food consumption. The findings suggest potential targets for new treatments to address obesity.
A new study by Ilana Gershon found that American college students tend to focus on the medium used for a breakup, rather than justifying why it ended. The research reveals a cultural preference for emphasizing the process of ending relationships over exploring underlying reasons.
A recent Indiana University study found that mothers in male-dominated occupations are more likely to leave their jobs due to overwork. The study reveals how these women face discouragement despite being committed to work, and highlights the need for labor policies that minimize work-family conflicts.
Dr. Susan E. Clare's research aims to deliver chemotherapy directly to brain metastases using immune cells and nanoparticles, targeting HER2 positive and triple negative breast cancers. The system uses nanoshells coated with gold to release drugs at will in the appropriate spot in the brain.
Kristina Fasteson Simacek, an Indiana University doctoral candidate, has won the Regenstrief Institute's People's Choice for Healthcare Delivery contest with her proposed computer application that translates doctor visits into actionable items. The app aims to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs by providing a customized s...
While computer-based decision support systems can help reduce testing costs by 9%, they are unlikely to overcome the root causes of unnecessary medical testing and cultural issues within the healthcare system.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that tasting beer without alcohol stimulates dopamine release in the brain, associated with drinking and other drug abuse. Participants with a family history of alcoholism showed increased responses, suggesting an inherited risk factor for alcoholism.
A new IU study suggests that feeling powerful can protect against the debilitating effects of negative stereotypes. Researchers found that when women felt high in power, they performed better in math tests despite having threat instructions.
A global study found that a common backbone of prejudice exists in 16 countries, unfairly painting people with conditions like depression and schizophrenia as undesirable for close relationships and positions of authority. The study, led by Indiana University sociologists, analyzed data from 19,508 participants across diverse cultures ...
A new study found that higher levels of mercury exposure in young adults increase their risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. The study, led by Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington epidemiologist Ka He, established the link between mercury and diabetes in humans.
Researchers are enrolling 4,000 participants in a 5-year trial to determine whether routine dementia screening reduces individual and societal burdens. The study aims to provide critical data on the effectiveness of routine screening for adults aged 65 and older.
A new study introduces an automated decision-support system that enables care coordinators to track the health of older adults' brains and provide personalized care plans. The software captures and monitors various symptoms and provides evidence-based non-pharmacological protocols.
Two Indiana University researchers, Mark R. Kelley and Melissa L. Fishel, receive a $3.2 million grant to develop new therapies for pancreatic cancer. They aim to block a protein called Ref-1, which is involved in signaling between the tumor and its environment.
A study by Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Center for Aging Research found that many older adults resist stopping cancer screenings, even when they may not be beneficial. The researchers suggest developing specific messages for older adults to address concerns about screening and trust in physicians.
A randomized controlled study found that computer-generated reminders significantly improved compliance with patient care guidelines in a pediatric HIV clinic in Eldoret, Kenya. The study resulted in a four-fold increase in completion of overdue clinical tasks, including laboratory tests and referrals.
Indiana University neuroscientists have found evidence of source memory in rats, which has implications for future research into the biological underpinnings of memory and the treatment of diseases marked by memory failure. The study provides converging evidence that rats rely on source memory to recall how they acquired information.
A new Regenstrief study found that half of infection preventionists are unaware of health information exchange participation, while only 10% are engaged. The researchers also discovered that most preventers lack access to designed tools for sifting through electronic medical record data.
A recent genome-wide imaging study has discovered a new gene, BCHE, associated with Alzheimer's plaques. The study found that variants of the BCHE gene are significantly linked to increased levels of amyloid plaque deposits in the brains of patients and those at risk for the disease.
Researchers at Indiana University found that people playing rock-paper-scissors subtly influence each other, converging on similar ways of reasoning over time. This 'cyclic game dynamics' occurs when individuals try to anticipate others' decisions, leading to synchronized behavior in various real-world situations.
A new AI framework using Markov Decision Processes and Dynamic Decision Networks has been developed to simulate treatment paths, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. The approach outperforms traditional models in both cost reduction and quality improvement.
A recent study published in Kidney International found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of patients starting hemodialysis were associated with a lower risk of sudden cardiac death. The five-year survival rate for dialysis patients is 35%, with sudden cardiac death being a major cause of mortality.
Researchers at Indiana University have discovered a rare genetic interaction between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA that reduces reproductive fitness and delays development in fruit flies. This finding has important implications for understanding genetically complex human diseases, such as neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found that nearly 3% of pediatric acute kidney injury cases can be directly linked to the use of common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. The study identified four young patients who needed dialysis and at least seven who may have suffered permanent kidney damage.
A recent study co-authored by health care and law expert David Orentlicher examines the evolution of concussion understanding over several decades. The study finds that both the NFL and neurologists were slow to respond to concussions, with many viewing them as a 'benign phenomenon.'
Researchers at Indiana University identify a molecular 'switch' in clathrin that may play a role in suppressing tumors. The discovery could lead to new strategies for controlling cancer.
A study by Indiana University researchers found flame retardants at global locations, with high concentrations detected in tree bark samples, particularly in urban areas and near manufacturing facilities. The technique of using tree bark as a sampling medium proves effective in detecting these pollutants.