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Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan


Pulmonary embolism deaths, disparities high despite advancements in care

A Michigan Medicine study found that pulmonary embolism death rates remained unchanged over the past decade, with higher mortality rates among men, Black patients, and those from rural areas. The study analyzed over 100,000 deaths related to pulmonary embolism between 2006 and 2019.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2023

How bacteria surf cargo through the cell

Researchers discovered that bacteria employ 'surfing' proteins called ParA/MinD ATPases to transport cargo across the cell. These systems interact with each other, enabling complex movements before cell division. The findings provide a basis for developing synthetic biology tools and understanding bacterial pathogens.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2023

Few children – especially those with safety-net insurance – get vision checked at checkups

A new study found that fewer than a third of children have had their vision checked in the past year, with uninsured and public-insured kids having lower rates than privately insured peers. The disparity in screening rates is linked to disparities in primary care visits focused on prevention and early detection.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2023

Study finds improved survival for incurable brain tumor, providing ‘a crack in the armor’

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a potential treatment for diffuse midline glioma, a type of childhood brain tumor with no effective treatments. The compound ONC201 nearly doubled survival rates in patients with the disease, and the underlying mechanism behind its success has been explained.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 16, 2023

Experts: Chronic pain patients who take opioids need better care & coverage

Chronic pain patients who take opioids need access to gold-standard multi-modal pain care, including physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and integrative medicine techniques. The experts recommend restructuring insurance models, enhancing provider education, and addressing racial inequities in care.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Pain Research·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 14, 2023

Can AI help hospitals spot patients in need of extra non-medical assistance?

A new study shows that a rule-based natural language processing tool successfully identified patients with unstable access to transportation, food insecurity, social isolation, financial problems, and signs of abuse or exploitation. The tool performed better than deep learning algorithms in identifying these social determinants of health.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 14, 2023

Majority of older adults with cognitive impairment still drive

A Michigan Medicine study in Texas found that 61.4% of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, but one-third of caregivers have concerns about their care recipient's ability to drive safely. Researchers emphasize the need for open discussions between caregivers and healthcare professionals to ensure safety.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 20, 2023

Cardiac rehabilitation reduces risk of death years after heart surgery, still underutilized

A Michigan Medicine study finds that patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have a decreased risk of death years after surgery. The greatest reduction in mortality was found in patients who completed 36 or more sessions, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to improve participation and adherence.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2023

Artificially grown ‘mini-brains’ without animal components bring opportunities for neuroscience

Scientists have created human brain organoids free of animal cells, which could greatly improve the study and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The novel method uses an engineered extracellular matrix to support stem cell growth, resulting in more accurate models of brain development.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Expanding Medicaid improved care without crowding out other patients

A new study found that people with low incomes in states that expanded Medicaid received more preventive care and overall health care compared to those in non-expansion states. The likelihood of high-value care, such as medications for heart problems or osteoporosis, increased in expansion states.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBMC Health Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 7, 2023

Study suggests need for iron tests in teen girls & young women

A new study reveals that nearly 40% of teen girls and young women have low iron levels, with higher rates among Black, Latina, low-income, or low-BMI individuals. The study recommends considering routine screening for iron levels in adolescents and young women to prevent life-limiting symptoms associated with iron-deficiency anemia.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

Researchers discover new opportunities for preventing kidney injury following cardiac surgery

A study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that lower oxygen delivery thresholds are associated with reduced risk of kidney injury. Researchers recommend reevaluating current guidelines for oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass to minimize unnecessary blood transfusions and improve patient outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Annals of Thoracic Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

‘Concerning’ CT scans may cause unnecessary hospitalization for some pulmonary embolism patients

Researchers found that 'concerning' CT imaging results were associated with lower clinical outcomes and shorter hospital stays in low-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism. This suggests that emergency physicians may be managing these patients differently, leading to unnecessary hospitalizations.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 15, 2023

During the pandemic, hospital transfers were complex and distressing

A study of hospital transfers during COVID-19 found that decision-makers, environmental factors, and patient characteristics played a significant role in transfer decisions. The researchers identified three categories of factors affecting these decisions, which often resulted in moral distress for healthcare workers.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 13, 2023

Life stressors may contribute to multiple sclerosis flares, disability

A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that life stressors across the lifespan, including childhood trauma and adult abuse, contribute significantly to worsening health and functional outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis. The findings highlight the importance of analyzing the impact of life stressors on MS patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBrain and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 24, 2023

You’ve got some nerve

Researchers developed a new metric to analyze the relationship between nerve density and oral cancer progression. Normalized nerve density was found to be associated with poor survival rates for patients with tongue cancer, highlighting its potential as a tool for identifying aggressive tumors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2023

Adolescents, young adults with advanced heart disease show desire to take active role in medical care decisions

A new study found that young adults with advanced heart disease desire to be actively involved in their medical care decisions, despite their parents' preference for a shared decision-making approach. The research highlights the importance of understanding individual preferences and personalizing communication methods with each patient.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 5, 2023

State study: labor induction doesn’t always reduce caesarean birth risk or improve outcomes for term pregnancies

A new Michigan statewide study found that inducing labor at 39 weeks of pregnancy does not necessarily reduce the risk of cesarean births. In fact, for some birthing individuals, it may even have the opposite effect if hospitals don't take a thoughtful approach to induction policies.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Perinatology·DateMay 1, 2023