A new study emphasizes the importance of standardized training for physicians during patient handoffs, highlighting the need for face-to-face interactions and effective communication to prevent medical errors. The researchers suggest that investing in additional physician training could be a cost-effective way to improve patient safety.
A 'Perception' gene tracked by scientists suggests regulation of this gene played a crucial role in the evolution of modern humans' mental capacity. The gene, prodynorphin, is implicated in pain perception, social attachment, learning and memory.
Patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer responded well to high doses of radiation administered through extracranial stereotactic body radiation therapy. The Phase I clinical trial treated 47 individuals with the procedure, which spared them from surgery and allowed for higher doses of radiation in a shorter period.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation has established an endowed chair in oncology at Indiana University, providing $1.5 million for research and program development. Dr. Einhorn, a renowned expert on urologic cancer, will lead the initiative to improve patient therapies and quality of life.
Researchers have discovered that two low-cost diuretics, amiloride and spironolactone, can significantly lower blood pressure in African-American patients. The study's findings suggest that these alternative drugs may be a more effective treatment option for patients who have not responded well to standard therapy.
The Linked Environments Atmospheric Discovery project aims to create a high-speed computing infrastructure for timely and accurate weather forecasts. The system will pool data from various sources, including ground sensors, satellites, and radars, to launch hundreds of simulations at the same time, resulting in more accurate predictions.
Indiana University is one of nine institutions receiving grants totaling $150 million to support the TeraGrid Project, a national cyber-infrastructure for scientific research. Researchers have used the TeraGrid to study genomes, brain function, and disease diagnosis, among other areas.
Doctors with poor communications skills struggle to engage patients due to computer placement, whereas those with good skills use eye contact and posture. The study emphasizes the importance of placing computers on moveable arms for optimal eye contact between doctors and patients.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that 434 out of 3,340 older adults screened positive for dementia, but only half received a definitive diagnosis. This highlights the need for improved follow-up care and awareness to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure timely treatment.
Researchers found that media violence exposure may be associated with alterations in brain function, particularly in the frontal cortex, which is linked to attention and self-control. High exposure to violent media was linked to reduced activity in this area, while low exposure showed increased activity.
Researchers identify TIR1 as the protein that works with auxin to influence plant cell growth and division. This discovery sheds light on the long-standing mystery of auxin's role in plant development, with potential implications for understanding human biology.
A study found that support groups improved depression symptoms and lessened death anxiety in patients with serious medical conditions, leading to better spiritual well-being. Patients were divided into three groups and received either standard care or participated in monthly support group meetings discussing challenging issues.
A new IU study supports the theory of a sensitive period for optimal language development during early childhood. Children who received cochlear implants earlier in life showed faster language gains and better speech perception skills compared to those who received implants later.
Researchers say virtual colonoscopy may be the answer to improving screening rates for colorectal cancer. The non-invasive test is highly sensitive and specific, while also being convenient and cost-effective, with minimal risk of side effects.
A recent editorial in the Journal of General Internal Medicine condemns the practice of ghostwriting in medical journals, citing issues with authorship and financial relationships. The authors highlight the need for transparency and accountability in academic publishing to maintain public trust.
Biologists find that garter snake nerve cell proteins undergo rapid evolutionary changes to detoxify the newt's potent toxin TTX, enabling the snakes to survive. This molecular arms race allows the garter snakes to evade their toxic prey.
A review article highlights the importance of engaging physicians-in-training in community health initiatives to combat issues like obesity, violence, and mental health disorders. The authors emphasize that each community and residency program has unique needs, requiring tailored training models.
Researchers at Indiana University have successfully transformed adult bone marrow stem cells into auditory neurons, offering new hope for treating deaf patients. The breakthrough involves the use of Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid molecules to stimulate the growth of nerve cells in patients with profound hearing loss.
Scientists propose that light's origin is tied to tiny violations of Einstein's relativity, which can be tested experimentally. This new view holds promise for alternative understanding of light's behavior in various environments, including empty space and gravitational fields.
The study found that Twist1 and Hand2 proteins couple to determine the number of digits on a hand, paw or wing, and whether these digits are webbed or not. Additionally, the researchers identified high-frequency mutations in patients with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome, which may lead to cardiac and placental tissue defects.
The Indiana University Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center has launched a new program to train teachers to support children with autism. The program, called HANDS in Autism, will provide intensive training for educators and other staff members in local school districts.
A new study finds that treating depression in older adults improves their ability to perform tasks critical to independent living and slows physical decline. The study used collaborative care management and found improved outcomes for patients with late-life depression.
Scientists have long puzzled over the origin of chondrules, glassy particles found in meteorites that formed in the solar nebula. New calculations suggest that spiral arms in the disk surrounding Jupiter may have generated shock waves that melted dust clumps to form these particles.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that existing school-based smoking prevention programs have little impact on long-term smoking prevalence among youth. Only one program, Life Skills Program, showed a reduction in smokers at long-term follow-up.
Stealth attacks on wireless networks pose a significant threat to personal information, online banking, and military communications. Jakobsson argues that developing new software is crucial to defending against these attacks in the civilian sector.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that parental attitudes toward STD vaccinations are not significantly influenced by the type of infection, with most parents prioritizing vaccine effectiveness and prevention of fatal infections. Only 6% of parents expressed an aversion to STD vaccines in general.
A Family's Guide to Living with HIV is a comprehensive resource providing detailed information on the disease, its treatment, and its impact on daily life. The book also focuses on supporting psychological concerns, nutrition, education, and social activities for patients and their families.
EndGenitor Technologies Inc. will market test kits for researchers to detect endothelial stem and progenitor cells, which can be used to treat chronic degenerative diseases associated with aging. The company aims to create cell therapy products using the 'ancestor' cells discovered by Drs. Mervin C. Yoder Jr. and David A. Ingram Jr.
Recent studies suggest that brain avalanches, triggered by neurochemicals, may be optimal for information storage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for memory disorders.
Common antidepressants lower effects of tamoxifen in many women, with different SSRIs affecting active tamoxifen byproducts in the blood. Genetic testing may help identify groups that benefit more from one SSRI than another.
Scientists have uncovered skeletal fossils of a human ancestor believed to have lived around 4.5 million years ago in northern Ethiopia. The fossils, described in the journal Nature, provide new evidence about the transformation of primitive chimp-like hominids into more human forms.
A new genetic mutation on the LRRK2 gene is responsible for 5% of inherited Parkinson's disease cases, with patients having longer disease duration but less severe symptoms. The discovery has a broad implication for genetic screening for the disease, highlighting the need to include studies of the LRRK2 gene in future testing.
Astronomers have discovered a dwarf galaxy surrounded by a gigantic, pristine hydrogen gas disk. The large reservoir of unprocessed matter may hold clues to the early universe's formation.
A new device study shows spinal cord injury patients experiencing some degree of functional recovery after six months, with improved sensation and motor function recorded at one year. The oscillating field stimulator device has been shown to promote nerve fiber regeneration, offering a potential treatment option for severe injuries.
A recent study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that nearly all sexually active adolescent females aged 14-17 were infected with the human papillomavirus. The researchers also discovered that many of these participants had multiple HPV types, which are associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer.
A new stool DNA test has been found to detect a significant proportion of colorectal cancers, potentially overcoming barriers to screening among unwilling individuals. The test, which analyzes tumor-specific DNA, detected 52% of cancers in average-risk asymptomatic individuals.
Pharmacogenomics has the potential to improve treatment successes and reduce adverse reactions by targeting specific drugs at specific patients. The industry is expected to bear a larger share of costs associated with drug-treatment failures as well-targeted therapies become more commonplace.
The Lilly Endowment is providing Indiana University with a $53 million grant to enhance its life sciences research capabilities. The funds will be focused on metabolomics and cytomics, emerging fields that aim to better understand metabolism and cell function.
Indiana University geologists David Bish and Juergen Schieber will join NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, a rover mission set to launch in 2009. The rover will explore a local region as a potential habitat for past or present life, shedding light on the Martian surface's composition.
Researchers found that diabetics with mental disorders were more likely to have poorer diabetes control and experience complications. The study's findings highlight the need for comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental health needs.
Researchers suggest using geological carbon sinks to capture and store carbon dioxide from power plant emissions, providing an additional strategy to reduce greenhouse gases. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have reached an all-time high of 380 parts per million, a 36% increase since pre-industrial times.
Researchers found that increased fat reserves bolster immune systems in animals, providing extra insulation from cold and energy to fight pathogens. This study suggests a potential benefit of temporary weight gain during winter holidays.
A new study found that computer-assisted standing orders for nurses resulted in significantly better adult immunization rates compared to traditional physician reminders. The study showed that 42% of patients in the standing order group received influenza vaccine, while only 30% in the physician reminder group did so.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that high-quality CT scans can accurately determine which pancreatic cancers are treatable, rendering endoscopic ultrasound unnecessary. The study also revealed that CT scans were more accurate in detecting new cancers and determining the stage of the disease.
Researchers found a reduction in bone mass and size in mice administered an SSRI, highlighting the need for further research into its effects on children and adolescents. The study suggests that anything affecting normal bone development may have far-reaching consequences later in life.
Indiana University researchers found that genes can move from plant parasites to host plants, establishing parasitism as a medium for horizontal gene transfer. The discovery complements previous findings showing the opposite process, and suggests that plant parasitism has been a key mechanism of gene exchange between species.
The NIH awarded Indiana University a $7 million grant to establish the Midwest Sexually Transmitted Infections and Topical Microbicides Cooperative Research Center. The center will focus on researching epidemiology, acquisition, prevention, and pathogenesis of sexually transmitted infections in young women.
IU researchers aim to capitalize on human genome data and powerful bioinformatics approaches to develop better therapies for ovarian and breast cancer patients. The study will focus on genetic and molecular consequences of DNA modifications to improve predictive models.
Indiana University is a national leader in new federal funding for health information technology, aiming to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency. The state has received $6.5 million to develop and implement a statewide health information network.
A new study expands the dialogue on medical errors to include patients' perspectives, highlighting preventable problems like communication barriers, disrespect, and ignoring patient opinions. The research found that patients are more likely to report psychological and emotional harm than physical harm.