A new study analyzed four years' worth of data from two million patients and found that those having dental procedures on Fridays or before holidays were more likely to fill opioid prescriptions. Non-opioid painkillers are equally effective at controlling pain with lower risks.
Researchers developed TransPRECISE to combine molecular data, drug profiling, and cancer cell lines to understand tumor behavior. The tool accurately predicted potential therapeutic efficiency of drugs and identified key targets.
A new poll reveals that one in seven adults between 50 and 80 experience food insecurity due to cost or other issues. Older adults with lower household incomes and education face significant disparities. The pandemic may have worsened these disparities, highlighting the need for increased access to nutritious food and health resources.
A new guide from Michigan Medicine provides data-driven insights to help hospitals decide which operations can restart first. The guide analyzes seven years' worth of data from dozens of hospitals, showing that certain procedures require more resources, such as intensive care beds and ventilators.
A recent study found that nearly two-thirds of teens and young adults use e-cigarettes due to social factors, despite widespread knowledge of the risks. The survey, conducted by the University of Michigan's MyVoice study, also revealed that most respondents believe vaping is dangerous and can lead to substance use.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 72% of patients with private insurance could face surprise bills for out-of-network air ambulance services, with average total costs up to $20,000. Ground ambulances also pose a significant risk, with 79% of patients facing surprise bills for non-emergency rides.
A clinical trial has identified a gene program active in metastatic prostate cancers that failed to respond to enzalutamide treatment. The study found that these tumors had lower androgen receptor activity and higher stemness, making them more adaptable and resistant to treatment.
Researchers found a link between higher blood levels of NETs and a more severe disease course in patients with COVID-19. NETs, a product of neutrophil cell death, may be relevant to understanding the inflammatory storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A survey of Michigan nursing homes reveals significant improvements in pandemic preparedness since the last study in 2007. Nearly all nursing homes now have a plan in place, staff trained on response protocols and communication lines established with hospitals and public health departments.
Adults with spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders (19.3% vs 14.1%) and depressive disorders (29.3% vs 9.3%). The study highlights the need for understanding mental health needs in this patient population to improve quality of life.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center identified the binding site where drug compounds can activate a key braking mechanism against cancer. This discovery paves the way for developing new anti-cancer drugs that enhance tumor suppressor proteins.
Researchers found that distinct microbiomes composed of different types of bacteria contribute to varying levels of colorectal cancer in genetically identical mice. The study suggests that certain bacteria promote inflammation and exhaust immune cells, increasing susceptibility to cancer.
A new study found that sugammadex significantly reduced rates of pulmonary complications and respiratory failure in patients undergoing surgery compared to neostigmine. The drug works by removing the molecule of rocuronium from muscle receptors, resulting in fewer side effects and a more complete reversal of muscle relaxation.
New Medicare rules lowered procedural volume requirements for hospitals offering TAVR, increasing access for people with aortic stenosis and low surgical risk. However, concerns exist about whether the increased access will be in areas where it is truly needed, particularly in rural regions.
Researchers have discovered a molecular accelerator of leptin action in the brain called Sh2b1, which promotes the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and activates brown fat. This activation increases energy expenditure and protects against obesity and metabolic disease.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum communicate in brown fat cells, affecting heat production and leading to dysfunctional mitochondria. Without this complex, mice become cold-sensitive and develop abnormal lipid droplets.
A national poll reveals that nearly all older Americans support adding a dental benefit to the Medicare program, with 93% favoring inclusion in traditional Medicare. The poll also finds that cost plays a significant role in dental decisions, with one in five respondents delaying or forgoing dental care due to financial constraints.
A new study highlights that appendicitis is often missed in emergency department visits, with a diagnosis rate of 3.8% to 15% in children and 5.9% to 23.5% in adults. The study found factors such as symptoms mislabeling, patient demographics, and diagnostic tests played a role in the missed diagnoses.
A new study found that racial and ethnic minority women are more likely to experience gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy, leading to increased risks of maternal morbidity and mortality. The study suggests that extending Medicaid coverage to one year after birth could reduce disparities in postpartum health.
Research finds that the dorsal attention network (DAT) and default-mode network (DMN) are anti-correlated, with suppressed activity during unconscious states. The study uses fMRI data to uncover temporal circuits of brain activity supporting human consciousness.
While the number of treatments for rare diseases affecting children has grown, nearly 7,000 conditions still lack treatment options. Federal incentives are being used more often to expand use of existing drugs rather than creating new ones.
A new study finds that the Affordable Care Act has reduced racial and ethnic gaps in access to health insurance, but significant disparities remain. The analysis shows that Black and Hispanic Americans are still less likely to have health coverage and more likely to avoid care due to cost, compared to non-Hispanic whites.
A new study highlights the need to balance research benefits with patient privacy concerns as big data is increasingly used in medical care. Researchers suggest improved education and legislation are necessary to protect consumers' sensitive health data.
A new study finds that ER patients rate their satisfaction with care equally for female or African-American doctors, contradicting fears about physician diversity. The study's results may alleviate concerns about quality reporting and patient biases in emergency medicine.
A new therapy called antisense oligonucleotide (ASOs) has shown dramatic effects in a mouse model of SCN8A-related encephalopathy, reducing mRNA expression by half and increasing lifespan by four-fold.
A study found that paying for low-value vitamin D tests was stopped in Ontario, leading to a nearly 93% drop in testing. In contrast, US patients covered by Veterans Health benefits or commercial insurance saw only an 14% reduction after Choosing Wisely guidelines were issued.
A study by Michigan Medicine team discovered that repeat expansions cause neurodegenerative diseases but also found normal functions of these repeats in regulating protein production in healthy nerve cells. The research suggests a potential pathway for treating Fragile X syndrome and other disorders.
A new study found that one in five operations could lead to unexpected bills from out-of-network providers, including surgical assistants who were not part of the patient's insurance plan. The average potential surprise bill was $2,011, with some states experiencing much higher rates of surprise billing.
Nearly half of middle-aged adults in their 50s and early 60s lack confidence they can afford health insurance in the next year. Two-thirds worry about potential changes to health insurance policies affecting them. Many avoid seeking care due to cost concerns, with those in fair or poor health being four times more likely.
Researchers found that 50% of lupus skin rashes contained high levels of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A protein called interferon increases the stickiness of staph to the skin. This discovery highlights the increased risk of infection and spreading in lupus patients.
A new study found that breast cancer treatment among women who test positive for an inherited genetic mutation is less in line with practice guidelines, particularly for radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The researchers found distinct differences in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments among BRCA-positive patients.
Researchers have discovered that heterotopic ossification, a painful complication of trauma, is caused by macrophages sending errant signals to bone-forming stem cells. A new study suggests that targeting TGF-beta expressing macrophages may prevent this abnormal bone formation
A study of Medicaid expansion enrollees in Michigan found a six-point increase in employment or student status in one year, with larger gains seen among African-Americans, men, and those with low incomes. The findings suggest that expanding Medicaid coverage can help achieve fuller employment among low-income residents.
A recent study discovered a connection between glioma cells expressing the protein TAU and better patient outcomes. The presence of TAU helped regulate blood vessel formation, contributing to tumor aggression. Researchers suggest TAU levels could serve as a biomarker for tumor progression in IDH1/2 mutant gliomas.
A new antiviral compound based on a protein found in bananas has been shown to safely protect against multiple strains of the influenza virus in mice, with over 80% survival rate. The compound also shows promise against Ebola, HIV and other deadly viruses, including a synergistic effect with Tamiflu.
Researchers found a neuron in mice that can suppress appetite without causing nausea, potentially leading to new treatment options for obesity. The study discovered that activating this CALCR neuron increases food intake and contributes to obesity, while deactivating it decreases food intake and body weight.
A prehabilitation program that encourages patients to move more, eat healthier, cut back on tobacco, breathe deeper, reduce stress, and focus on their goals after surgery has been shown to reduce hospital length of stay and total costs. The study involved hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals across Michigan and found that prehab patien...
A study by University of Michigan researchers sheds light on the role of WDR5 and p53 proteins in influencing stem cell fate, with implications for cancer research and potential treatments for heart disease. The team found that inducing a short delay in WDR5 expression steered embryonic stem cells towards different tissue types.
Researchers found that Sestrin, a naturally occurring protein, can improve endurance and respiration in flies and mice. It may also help prevent muscle atrophy, potentially leading to new treatments for aging-related muscle wasting.
States with Medicaid work requirements have higher opioid overdose death rates and fewer substance use disorder treatment facilities. Increasing access to evidence-based opioid addiction care is crucial for individuals with these conditions.
A new study found that less than 2% of people at risk for an opioid overdose received naloxone, a life-saving drug. The study suggests that there are significant gaps in naloxone prescribing, particularly among high-risk groups such as those who have survived previous overdoses or have a history of opioid use disorder.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that a person's BMI measurement from 25 years ago is a better predictor of their current BMI than a polygenic risk score. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,500 young adults and found that baseline BMI explained 52.3% of BMI variation over time.
Children with public and private insurance are both likely to receive unnecessary medical services, highlighting the need for global efforts to reduce waste. Researchers estimate that up to 4% of publicly insured and 3% of privately insured children receive low-value care at least twice.
A new poll suggests that while older adults use online physician ratings, they are cautious in their approach, prioritizing factors such as wait time and doctor experience over the number of stars. Meanwhile, only a small percentage of those polled have actually posted reviews or ratings of doctors online.
A new study found that out-of-pocket health care spending for maternity care increased significantly between 2008 and 2015, with 98% of women paying some costs. The Affordable Care Act requires full coverage of preventive services but leaves room for plans to impose co-pays, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
Researchers used rats to demonstrate that EEG doesn't always track with being awake, raising questions about interpreting EEG data in medical decisions. The study suggests certain EEG features may not accurately capture consciousness levels, but still have value in detecting unconsciousness.
Adolescents and young adults ages 12-21 are at similar risk for prescription opioid overdose as adults, with mental health or substance use disorders increasing overdose odds by three times. Safe prescribing practices include using short-acting opioids and avoiding concurrent prescriptions with benzodiazepines.
A research team discovered that dendritic cells play a crucial role in the immune system's response to disease-causing pathogens, which may explain why TNF inhibitors carry a risk of serious infections and cancer. The study suggests that programming dendritic cells could lead to better treatments for persistent infections and cancer.
Aging adults are more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease due to narrowed, hardened arteries. The study reveals a novel pathway where mitochondrial dysfunction and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 co-exist with aging to promote atherosclerosis.
A recent study found that young doctors experienced significant mood changes in response to major political events, but not non-political events. The study suggests that the current generation of physicians are deeply engaged with politics and may be more likely to engage in public discussions about medical issues.