A new national poll reveals that most people over 50 feel their health is as good or better than before 2020, but a sizable minority say their health has declined. Key findings highlight the importance of social connections, hobbies, and getting outdoors in helping older adults age well.
A new lymphoma treatment, zanubrutinib, has been found to be effective in 80% of patients with marginal zone lymphoma, resulting in significant cancer shrinkage. However, its impact on follicular lymphoma is less pronounced.
A new study reveals massive variations in hospice medication prescriptions, with treatment agency being the primary factor. Patients in agencies with high prescription rates were up to 50 times more likely to receive benzodiazepines or antipsychotics.
Researchers found that targeting both tumor and lymph node microenvironments with nanomedicine improves treatment response for metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Long-term tumor remission was achieved in mice models using nanoparticles to deliver immune-modulating drugs.
A recent poll found that menopause symptoms significantly impact older women's sex lives, with 84% of women experiencing symptoms in the past year. Despite this, only 44% have discussed treatment with their healthcare provider, while 28% reported symptoms interfering with sexual activity.
Researchers developed a novel 'Wikiguideline' approach to establish medical guidelines, leveraging online collaboration and high-quality data. The method was tested using osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, and found sufficient data for only two recommendations: increasing oral antibiotic therapy and limiting therapy duration.
A study published in JCI Insight reveals that epigenetic drugs targeting BRD4 significantly reduce scarring in patients with scleroderma. The findings could lead to repurposing these drugs for faster relief from debilitating symptoms of this chronic disease.
Surgeons-in-training suggest reducing waste, switching to reusable devices and gowns, optimizing OR energy use, and delivering care via telemedicine to lower climate impact. Implementing these changes can help extend patient lifespan and expand access to timely care while addressing climate change.
Researchers found that normal-appearing lupus skin contains the same inflammatory signals as skin with rashes, suggesting a primed state for inflammation. The study's findings provide new insights into how UV light triggers rashes in lupus patients and highlight the potential for precision medicine in treating the disease.
Two new studies found that surgical interns and LGBTQ physicians-in-training experience higher rates of depression than their peers. Surgical interns who identified as female or had a history of adverse childhood experiences were also at increased risk. The studies add to the growing body of knowledge about mental health concerns in me...
More than half of Michigan pharmacies offer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, without requiring a prescription. The standing order allows pharmacists to dispense the drug in emergency situations.
A recent study found that an artificial intelligence-based system improved providers' assessments of bladder cancer patients' response to chemotherapy. The AI tool helped doctors from different specialties and experience levels make more accurate diagnoses, with those in academia showing the greatest gains.
A new Michigan Medicine study found that for children with a pelvic tilt and lower lumbar spine tilt of fewer than 10 degrees, the pelvis did not need to be included when inserting growing rods. This could help avoid painful complications such as skin breakdown and infection.
ACOs with higher percentages of minority patients have lower quality performance and poorer preventive care outcomes. In contrast, ACOs with lower out-of-network primary care rates show no differences in quality performance among different racial and ethnic groups.
A new study reveals that a specific bacterium breaks down xanthan gum in the human gut, leading to the production of short-chain fatty acids. The widespread consumption of xanthan gum may alter the gut microbiome, potentially affecting intestinal health and total caloric intake.
A new poll by the National Poll on Healthy Aging finds that many older adults are not prepared for aging in place, despite wanting to live independently. The poll highlights the importance of planning for home modifications and social support, particularly for those without family members to care for them.
Raising awareness about cardiac radiation exposure reduced the number of patients receiving high heart doses in lung cancer patients. The study found that standardized cardiac dose constraints improved patient care without minimizing tumor treatment or increasing dosage to other at-risk organs.
A recent study suggests that many older adults with rheumatoid arthritis are not prescribed disease-modifying medications, despite guidelines calling for early and aggressive treatment. Only 45% of patients over 65 were prescribed these medications, highlighting the need to improve prescribing practices among primary care physicians.
A randomized controlled trial found that community health workers (CHWs) employed by Medicaid plans can help low-income individuals rely less on emergency rooms and more on outpatient care. The study showed significant reductions in acute care visits and costs, while outpatient visits increased among participants who connected with a CHW.
A new study reveals that nearly half of all older adults now die with a dementia diagnosis listed on their medical record, a 36% increase from two decades ago. This rise may be attributed to better public awareness, more detailed medical records, and Medicare billing practices, rather than an actual increase in the condition.
A new study found that non-medical first responders, such as police and fire departments, are associated with higher cardiac arrest survival rates. They initiated CPR in 31.8% of incidents and AED use in 6.1% of cases, leading to significantly improved chances of survival and hospital discharge.
A rehabilitation psychologist's role is to guide patients through the process of rehab and recovery, addressing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional barriers that hinder progress. These experts can help individuals adjust to a new diagnosis, stay motivated during recovery, and deal with the emotional aftermath of hospitalization.
Researchers create detailed 'atlas' of fallopian tube cells to better understand fertility and disease. The study identifies 10 epithelial cell subtypes and reveals new insights into ovarian cancer origins.
Researchers collected hundreds of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma, tracking changes in cell-free tumor DNA over time. The findings suggest that this method could provide data about tumors sooner than MRIs alone, allowing clinicians to address aggressive brain cancer more effectively.
Researchers identified common features of pediatric antiphospholipid syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease causing inflammation and recurring blood clots. Nearly half of children with APS experienced recurrent blood clots despite treatment, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and prevention.
A new poll reveals that older adults aged 50-80 who consider elective surgery harbor concerns about costs, discomfort, caregiving needs, and more. Despite these concerns, most adults are satisfied with the result of their operation. Satisfaction varies depending on physical and mental health status.
A new study found that dual-eligible patients for Medicare and Medicaid have poorer outcomes and higher costs after cancer surgery, even in high-quality hospitals. These patients are more likely to experience complications, longer hospital stays, and lower chances of going home instead of a nursing facility.
A new study found that hospital-affiliated emergency physicians prescribed antibiotics to patients with acute respiratory infections nearly twice as often as contractor-supplied physicians. This disparity highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in telemedicine settings.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that a medium-chain fatty acid called octanoic acid can reduce further injury and improve heart function after a heart attack. This discovery could lead to the development of a new therapy to treat heart attacks, targeting the interplay between energy metabolism and epigenetics.
A biodegradable nanoparticle has shown promise in reducing skin and lung scarring in mice with scleroderma. The treatment targets specific immune cells responsible for the disease's chronic inflammation and scarring.
Researchers developed a microneedle treatment that increased desensitization rates to peanut allergy in mice, outperforming existing immunotherapy methods. The novel approach achieved significant results using lower doses of allergen, offering new hope for millions suffering from peanut allergy.
A U-M study defines how a cytokine and fatty acid combination triggers ferroptosis, a type of cell death previously studied with synthetic molecules. This natural mechanism could make immunotherapy treatments more effective, particularly for cancers where the treatments currently work for only about 30% of patients.
A survey of young adult cancer survivors found that crowdfunding provides relief in paying bills, but also involves compromises such as revealing personal health details and feeling uncomfortable asking for help. The study suggests that crowdfunding could be exacerbating racial and economic disparities.
A new Michigan Medicine study suggests that genes from oceanic bacteria have entered the human gut microbiome, enabling digestion of seaweed polysaccharides. The research found that these genes are more common than previously recognized and are linked to the ability to process certain seaweed-derived sugars.
A new study finds that nearly one in six older Americans undergo repeat hernia surgery, highlighting the need for more effective treatment options. The research suggests that minimally invasive procedures may be associated with a higher risk of subsequent operations.
Melanoma referral centers worldwide have adopted systemic therapies to treat high-risk melanoma, reducing the need for lymph node removal surgeries. The shift in treatment plans was driven by rapid adoption of effective treatments and a desire to avoid lifelong complications of surgery.
A Michigan study found that Black pregnant women were twice as likely to contract COVID-19 as white women, with all infected pregnant people at a higher risk of early preeclampsia. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective, protecting both mothers and babies.
A new study shows that ZIP code social vulnerability index is linked to COVID-19 severity, with more disadvantaged areas experiencing higher symptom rates. However, differences disappear when patients are discharged from hospitals, suggesting equal access to care plays a crucial role in reducing initial disparities.
Scientists at Michigan Medicine have developed a new way to grow tiny models of organs, called organoids, using a simple suspension culture. This breakthrough improves the understanding of human development and could lead to new insights into disease.
Researchers found higher-than-expected levels of antiphospholipid autoantibodies in COVID-19 patients, causing endothelial cell activation and promoting clotting. Removing these antibodies from blood samples lost the activation effect, suggesting a potential cause of severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Researchers developed a novel method of measuring aortic growth, called vascular deformation mapping, which outperforms standard manual rating methods. The technique uses high-resolution CT imaging to calculate three-dimensional changes in the aortic wall, achieving an accuracy of less than 1 millimeter.
A new poll of people aged 50 and older found that nearly 1 in 3 had a COVID-related delay for healthcare appointments in 2021. Many unvaccinated individuals still haven't rescheduled their appointments, posing concerns about preventive care, chronic condition management, and operations.
New studies from Michigan Medicine researchers aim to remove financial barriers for patients who receive abnormal test results, enabling them to complete the diagnostic process. The findings suggest that removing cost barriers could save lives by increasing screening uptake, particularly among women and underserved populations.
A new poll found that less than half of people aged 50-80 have ever used a health-related app, with those in poor health and lower incomes being even less likely. Only 28% of current users share information with healthcare providers, highlighting the potential for apps to support health behaviors and improve outcomes.
Adults with spinal cord injuries have a near-80% increased risk of developing psychological conditions compared to those without the injury. Chronic pain is equally negatively impacting mental health, associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions in most cases.
A randomized study of over 1,000 people with PTSD and/or bipolar disorder shows that telehealth and integrated care models can improve treatment engagement and outcomes. Patients who received guidance from local clinic team members and in-person follow-up with nurses or social workers had better results.
The US healthcare system is failing to provide adequate care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors, experts warn. A recent report recommends using a comprehensive classification system that incorporates the Glasgow Coma Scale score, CT scans, and blood tests to better assess the severity of TBI.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that people with diabetes have more macrophages in their fat tissue, particularly the anti-inflammatory CD206+ subtype. This subtype is unique in terms of gene expression and may play a role in the development of diabetes.
A new poll shows that most teens and young adults know it's possible to catch or spread a sexually transmitted infection by having unprotected oral sex, but over half underestimate the level of that risk. Young people also call for more education about the risks of oral sex and normalization of protection through popular culture.
A national survey of over 2,000 adults aged 50-80 found that most support steps to reduce firearm injury risk, including safety counseling and background checks. The study highlights opportunities to help older adults recognize and address risks in their homes, particularly for those living with children or experiencing cognitive decline.