A statewide effort in Michigan resulted in a 56% reduction in opioid prescriptions after six common operations and a 26% drop in persistent opioid use. The achievement surpassed national trends, driven by voluntary prescribing guidelines and surgical team involvement.
Researchers developed an AI-based diagnostic screening system called DeepGlioma to analyze tumor specimens and detect genetic mutations rapidly. The system identified molecular subgroups with high accuracy and has the potential to improve access and speed of diagnosis for patients with deadly brain tumors.
Research suggests Medicare reimbursements for complex cataract surgery are far lower than simpler procedures, resulting in a 'negative' margin. This disparity affects ophthalmologist practice patterns and patient accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Researchers found that women with multiple sclerosis were more likely to report sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and sleepiness. Insomnia mediated more than 10% of the cognitive problems reported by women with MS, while sleep apnea accounted for 34%.
A new poll shows a decline in loneliness and isolation among older adults, but one-third still experience these feelings, especially those with poor health or disabilities. The study highlights the importance of social interaction for overall mental and physical health, and the need for a concerted effort to address these issues.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that racial inequities in newborn drug testing rates remained similar after recreational cannabis legalization in Michigan. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 births between 2014-2020 and found that Black newborns were more likely to receive a drug test than white newborns. Impl...
A new algorithm predicts female patients are at higher risk for kidney damage after aneurysm repair, with those having reduced glomerular filtration rate facing a 4.7 times increased risk. The algorithm could help identify patients at risk and optimize them before surgery.
A University of Michigan study suggests that exhaled breath contains unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can mark distinction between COVID-19, variants and non-COVID illnesses. The researchers developed a portable gas chromatography device to analyze breath samples with high accuracy.
A study found that RNA methylation plays a pivotal role in TDP-43-related neurodegeneration in ALS. The researchers observed highly abundant RNA methylation in the end-stage tissues of patients with ALS. This discovery opens up new avenues for research into the disease, which is linked to environmental exposure.
A new protein degrader, AK-2292, shows promise against STAT5, a key player in leukemia and other cancers. By targeting the protein's degradation, researchers have overcome previous challenges in designing small molecule inhibitors.
A new study found that a medication previously used to treat seizures can reprogram donor hearts to boost the production of beneficial enzymes, increasing storage time and improving post-transplant function. This technology could lead to a paradigm shift in extending heart storage and reducing primary graft dysfunction.
Researchers discovered that glucose takes longer to reach the nucleus accumbens in obesity-prone rats, leading to excess glutamate levels. This defect in neurotransmitter recycling process may contribute to overeating behavior and obesity.
A new study reveals rural pregnant individuals are less likely to have adequate health insurance before, during, and after pregnancy compared to urban residents. This disparity affects access to quality care and increases the risk of adverse maternal health outcomes.
A new poll by Michigan Medicine and U-M found that 13% of people aged 50-80 experience addiction to highly processed foods, with higher rates among women and those in poor physical or mental health. The survey used a standardized questionnaire to measure addictive eating habits.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered a gene, ZMYND8, that contributes to the survival of mutant IDH1 glioma cells in response to radiation. Knocking out ZMYND8 renders the cells radiosensitive, offering a new therapeutic avenue for patients.
A Michigan Medicine study found that hospitals with the highest stroke care designation reported significantly higher rates of stroke detection after TAVR. The study suggests that comprehensive stroke centers are better at detecting smaller strokes, but this does not necessarily mean they are finding more strokes overall.
A study led by Robert Dickson found that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, both in health and during sepsis. The researchers discovered that certain bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum were strongly associated with increased fever response.
Researchers found that certain gene signaling pathways, such as interferon γ and beta-catenin, can lead to tumor hyperprogression after immunotherapy. Targeting these pathways may prevent hyperprogression in preclinical models.
A recent study found that social support has a significant impact on depression risk, particularly in individuals with high genetic risk scores. The research used data from two groups: first-year doctors and recently widowed older adults, showing that those who gained social support during stressful times had lower depressive symptoms.
A recent study found that patients treated at centers that don't perform transplants have a 79% higher odds of being denied bridge-to-transplant designation. This change could exacerbate existing disparities in access to heart transplantation, according to the research team.
A new study maps consciousness to brain geometry, revealing three cortical gradients that align with dimensions of consciousness. The findings have potential for developing brain-based diagnoses or assessments for neurologic patients.
A new study found that nearly a third of patients with chronic pain use cannabis to manage their symptoms, leading to decreased use of pain medications. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis for chronic pain management.
APS patients often experience internal feelings of poor health despite normal lab values, with significant impairments in physical and cognitive function linked to lifestyle factors and mental health medications. Researchers are now working to better understand these impacts through systematic patient-reported outcomes measures.
Research from Michigan Medicine reveals that high levels of ammonia in colon tumors can lead to reduced T cell growth and immunotherapy resistance. A study published in Cell Metabolism found that using an FDA-approved drug to lower ammonia levels made tumors more sensitive to treatment.
A recent study found that 1 in 5 children and teens who visit emergency departments due to mental health crises will still be there after 12 hours. Another 1 in 13 will remain after a full day, with over 60% being suicidal or having self-harmed.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new biomarker-based strategy to screen for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis, which can cause muscle damage and liver injury. Early detection of these biomarkers can lead to earlier treatment and improved survival rates.
Researchers have identified a Vegf-Notch signaling system that enables Muller glial cells to regenerate retinal neurons in zebrafish. This discovery may help understand why the human retina does not regenerate and could inform treatments for blindness.
A new study reveals that older adults are hesitant to seek emergency care due to financial worries. Among those who may need care, 22% skip the visit altogether. Those in their 50s and early 60s, women, uninsured individuals, low-income households, and those with poor mental health are disproportionately affected.
A recent study discovered a link between soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the development of atherosclerosis, a hardening of arteries that affects over a billion people worldwide. SuPAR was found to cause inflammation in blood vessels, leading to cardiovascular events and increasing risk of heart disease.
A new study found that a machine learning-based blood test can accurately predict an individual's entire diet over 19 food groups, outperforming traditional methods. The test, which uses molecular profiling, also identifies who is more likely to develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease based on each food group.
A study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty found that prescribing smaller initial opioid prescriptions can reduce the risk of refill in patients after surgery. This approach also creates an opportunity for doctors and patients to discuss the risks of continuing opioids if needed.
A new study found that frequent use of digital devices to soothe young children ages 3-5 is associated with increased emotional dysregulation in kids, particularly in boys. Alternative soothing methods can help build emotion regulation skills and prevent tech-related tantrums.
A new poll finds that most older Americans (84%) have religious and/or spiritual beliefs important to them, with 71% citing religious beliefs. Many believe health care providers should respect their personal beliefs, but want them to discuss their faith with providers when needed.
Researchers found that activating the non-mutated form of P53 can change the fundamental makeup of cancer stem cells in mouse models of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This new therapy approach shows promise for treating this lethal form of salivary gland cancer.
A new study estimates that at least 2.5 million 'sandwich generation' caregivers are serving as primary caregivers for both older and younger family members. These women face higher rates of financial difficulty and emotional distress compared to their peers who only care for an older adult.
A new study published in JAMA found that choosing a Medicare Advantage plan does not significantly improve heart attack survival rates compared to traditional Medicare. Despite this, Medicare Advantage participants still had higher rates of certain care procedures and lower hospital readmission rates.
A study found that over 25,000 adult deaths in the US between 1999 and 2019 listed cerebral palsy as the underlying cause, often paired with respiratory illness. The incorrect labeling hinders understanding of how cerebral palsy interacts with other conditions.
A new study presents early data from an online prevention strategy aimed at reducing the risk of firearm injury and death in rural areas. The effort tailors messages about safe firearm storage and teen firearm suicide to a rural audience, with strong engagement reported by 86% of parents.
A new study reveals that children who survive firearm injuries are more likely to develop mental health diagnoses, particularly stress-related conditions and substance misuse issues. The research found that 35% of firearm-injured kids received a new mental health diagnosis in the year after the incident.
Researchers discover a shared genetic basis between fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), with males more likely to develop AAA when a family member has FMD. The study suggests that screening for AAA in male relatives of patients with FMD may be beneficial, along with established guidelines.
A new study suggests that blood tests can predict survival odds for patients with metastatic cancer by analyzing the proportion of tumor DNA in the bloodstream. Patients with higher levels of tumor DNA in their bloodstreams were found to have poorer survival rates across all cancer types studied.
A University of Michigan-led study found most heart transplant center websites are written at a college junior's reading level, making them difficult for patients to understand. Only 56% offered resources for non-English speakers, with the mid-Atlantic region performing poorly.
A Michigan Medicine study found that Black patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures for clogged arteries are more likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital months after the procedure. Social determinants of health, including community economic well-being and preexisting health conditions, played a significant role in the...
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that transgender youth are 5.4 times more likely to experience insomnia and three times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea compared to cisgender youth. Gender-affirming therapies may offer a protective effect against worsening sleep health, according to the researchers.
A low-protein diet blocks nutrient signaling pathways that fire up a master regulator of cancer growth, leading to massive cell death. Researchers found this approach could be an alternative way to shut down mTORC and increase the efficacy of chemotherapy.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan finds that patients with documented housing instability were more likely to receive diagnoses for mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental conditions, and had longer hospital stays. The study used data from 2017-2019 and found that caring for hospitalized people with housing is...
A recent study found that American transplant centers and organ procurement organizations were 5% less likely to choose organs from 70-year-old donors compared to those who were 69. This bias, known as left digit bias, has significant implications for the availability of deceased donor organs
Researchers found cannabis users had decreased patency and were 1.25 times more likely to require amputation one year after lower extremity bypass surgery. Cannabis use was also associated with a higher risk of opioid use after discharge.
Rates of complications, death, and subsequent surgery were similar for gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents with severe obesity. Adolescents who underwent sleeve gastrectomy had lower emergency room visits and hospital admissions compared to those who had gastric bypass surgery.
Researchers developed a mouse model of pediatric glioma with a histone mutation called H3.3-G34, revealing a promising outlook for long-term survival through radiation therapy combined with small-molecule inhibitors. The treatment approach also showed immune memory, allowing mice to eliminate new tumor growth without additional treatment.