A new study found that nearly two-thirds of pneumonia patients in Michigan hospitals received excessive antibiotic prescriptions, with most written during the discharge process. This over-treatment can lead to physical side effects and does not improve patient outcomes.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that hospital readmission rates for hip and knee replacement patients have slowed to nearly half their previous rate despite expanded penalties. The study suggests that the program may have hit its 'floor' and raises questions about the power of expanding it.
A new poll suggests that many grandparents are storing their medications in easy-to-reach places, posing a risk of accidental poisoning or intentional misuse. The poll found that nearly 80% of grandparents keep their medications in the same place as usual when their grandchildren visit, and 72% store them in purses or bags.
A review of 117 efforts to reduce low-value care found that most measured only the reduction of test and treatment use, while few assessed intended patient benefits or unintended consequences. Only half of ongoing studies aim to measure patient-reported outcomes, highlighting a need for more comprehensive evaluation.
A Michigan Medicine study found that white women and those with higher education levels are more likely to seek fertility treatment than other groups. Nearly 12.5% of women reported experiencing infertility, but only 33% of those with lower education levels sought care.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine highlights the potential for emergency departments to reduce low-value imaging tests and associated costs. By analyzing data from a statewide quality network, researchers estimate that implementing benchmark standards could avoid $3.8 million in annual spending on unnecessary care.
A study led by Michigan Medicine has revealed the presence of naturally occurring DMT in mammalian brains, sparking interest in its role within human brains. The discovery was made possible by detecting DMT in brain neurons using techniques such as in situ hybridization.
The study identified three ways in which the FOXA1 gene mutates to trigger prostate cancer: FAST, FURIOUS, and LOUD. Class 1 mutations cause rapid DNA traversal, class 2 mutations prevent normal FOXA1 from binding, and class 3 mutations create duplications of oncogenes. These alterations have different clinical implications for patients.
Researchers found that levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood contribute to stroke risk in diabetic patients. The study discovered a strong association between NfL levels and stroke occurrence, suggesting that adding this protein to existing stroke risk scores can increase accuracy.
The M-RISE program aims to develop innovative therapies to prevent brain damage caused by cardiac arrest, with a focus on early treatments delivered by bystanders and first responders. The program will explore neuroprotective agents and strategies to improve survival rates and outcomes for patients affected by cardiac arrest.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that one-third of ophthalmic patients have discrepancies between clinician notes and EHR-generated medication lists. This inconsistency may lead to avoidable medication errors, threatening patient safety.
A new scoring system measures the impact of living with multiple chronic illnesses, revealing a faster decline in thinking and memory abilities for those with higher scores. People with higher multimorbidity scores are also more likely to die by suicide and experience poor mental well-being.
A new study aims to develop safe throwing amounts for young baseball players by tracking their total number of throws and intensity. The research team will use sensor technology to capture data on 10-11 year old male competitive pitchers over 12 months.
A new study shows that children who received all doses of the rotavirus vaccine had a 33% lower risk of getting diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used nationwide health insurance data and found that the vaccine was associated with a 94% lower rate of hospitalization for rotavirus infection.
A team of experts from the Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS) consortium has published a list of 26 urgent questions for rigorous studies to address pediatric firearm injury prevention. The questions cover various aspects, including access, storage, and exposure to firearms, as well as the effectiveness of programs and tec...
A pain management protocol called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing opioid prescriptions after C-sections. The protocol involves a combination of long-acting opioids and non-narcotic medications to limit inpatient morphine use, resulting in shorter hospital stays and improved patient satisfaction.
A U-M study analyzed 3,870 clothing items and found that one in 11 featured food graphics, with two-thirds being unhealthy. The analysis suggests that food graphics on kids' clothes may influence children's eating habits and reinforce obesity-promoting messaging.
A new Michigan Medicine research found that intensive care unit admission was associated with improved 30-day mortality rates for patients who had a STEMI heart attack and weren't clearly indicated for an ICU or non-ICU unit. The study analyzed Medicare data from over 100,000 patients hospitalized with STEMI and showed a clear benefit ...
A new technique using laser angiography illuminated blood flow during laryngectomy surgery, identifying patients at highest risk of wound healing issues. This approach may enable surgeons to adjust during surgery or recovery to improve outcomes, with potential interventions including wider tissue removal and extended hospital stays.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered a previously unrecognized link between inflammation and deep vein thrombosis, finding that blocking a key inflammatory molecule reduced clot formation in mice.
A recent study shows a dramatic rise in opioid overdose deaths among American veterans, mainly caused by heroin and synthetic opioids. The research emphasizes the need to provide care to veterans with non-prescription opioid use disorder, independent of prescription opioid use.
Researchers discovered that removing a pair of negative immune signals can stimulate beta cell proliferation, allowing the pancreas to produce more insulin. The findings, made in mice, could lead to new treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Many Americans in their 50s and early 60s worry about declining brain health, taking supplements or doing puzzles to stave off brain decline. However, few have talked with their doctors about evidence-based ways to prevent memory loss, potentially missing out on proven strategies.
At SAEM 2019, experts like Rebecca Cunningham emphasized the need for gun safety beyond 'gun control', focusing on injury prevention. Meanwhile, a study found opportunities to reduce over-testing in emergency departments through data analysis and targeted quality improvement initiatives.
A new study reveals that medical residents experience accelerated telomere shortening, a marker of aging and disease risk, due to prolonged work hours. The research suggests that reducing stress through better work-life balance could help mitigate this effect.
A new study found that 1 in 167 opioid prescriptions were filled by patients whose family members had a history of 'doctor and pharmacy shopping', increasing the risk of misuse and overdose. The research highlights the importance of helping patients store and dispose of opioids safely to prevent family member misuse.
A new study reveals stark racial and financial divides in opioid addiction treatment, with white patients receiving nearly four times as many buprenorphine prescriptions as black patients. The study also found that three-quarters of buprenorphine prescriptions were given to those who paid cash or had private insurance.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine are investigating new treatments for autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma and lupus. The study aims to develop targeted therapies that minimize immune system impairment and reduce susceptibility to infections.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new method for detecting RNA fragments in blood plasma that were invisible to traditional methods. This breakthrough has potential applications in cancer detection, autoimmune side-effects monitoring, and understanding human gene activity.
A study by Kellogg Eye Center reveals that herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) cases tripled in 12 years, mostly affecting older adults. Shingles vaccination provides strong protection from HZO complications, but its use is not widespread.
Researchers found a new pathway to killing cancer cells by targeting ferroptosis, a type of cell death linked to immune cells. The study suggests that combining ferroptosis sensitizer and checkpoint inhibitor treatments creates a strong immune response that fights tumors.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine developed a smartphone-based tool that uses artificial intelligence to analyze retinal images and detect diabetic retinopathy. The device, called RetinaScope, achieved high sensitivity and specificity rates in a study, outperforming human graders in detecting the condition.
Researchers discover that inhibiting neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, can prevent blood clots in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. The study found that two drugs, CGS21680 and dipyridamole, reduced the formation of sticky structures called NETs that trigger blood clots.
Rehabilitation psychologists argue that avoiding the term 'disability' has unintended consequences, including reinforcing negative attitudes. They advocate for reclaiming the term as a valued aspect of diversity and identity, and encourage others to normalize its use.
Researchers found a critical structure within TDP-43 that causes nerve cell death in ALS and FTD. Modifying this structure could lead to new therapies for these devastating diseases.
Researchers have discovered that amplifying the amount of VGLL3 in skin cells pushes the immune system into overdrive, leading to autoimmune responses. This finding may help explain why women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases like lupus and could lead to new treatments.
A new tool, TBI-CareQOL Measurement System, standardizes the measurement of physical, mental and emotional effects experienced by caregivers of people with TBI. The researchers' findings could inform clinical care, caregiver training and support programs, and even caregiver reimbursement policies.
A new study found that nearly a third of hospital room surfaces had antibiotic-resistant bacteria on them, suggesting rapid transmission from patients to their environment. The research team suggests expanding hand hygiene efforts to include patients, as healthcare workers' hands remain the primary mode of microbe transmission.
A new study finds that an enzyme involved in liver function also triggers a protective response when liver cells are damaged. By boosting the levels of this enzyme, researchers hope to develop new treatments for acute liver injury.
A new CRISPR-Cas3 tool has been developed for long-range DNA editing in human cells, allowing scientists to target and delete large expanses of DNA. This technique harnesses a different type of CRISPR system than the widely used Cas9 tools, enabling precise control over DNA degradation.
A pilot study conducted in Kenya identified a safe and effective strategy to help women with HIV have children, despite the infection being passed on to their babies. The study showed six live births without HIV transmission among 23 couples participating in timed vaginal insemination.
A clinical trial shows promise of an immune-based therapy, which completely eliminated both the lesion and underlying HPV infection in a third of women enrolled. The shot triggers an immune system response to attack high-risk HPV types causing cervical cancer precursors.
A new national poll found that 55% of adults aged 50-80 have a pet, which reduces stress, gives them purpose, and encourages physical activity. However, some pet owners may prioritize their animals' needs over their own health.
A prototype wearable device can continuously collect live cancer cells directly from a patient's blood, offering a biopsy alternative. This innovation could help doctors diagnose and treat cancer more effectively by providing better information for planning treatments.
A new study suggests that giving surgery patients disposal bags to safely dispose of leftover opioids can double the percentage of patients who properly dispose of their unneeded pills within six weeks. The study showed that providing only an informational brochure had a much smaller effect on safe disposal rates.
Researchers found that tumor-associated macrophages release compounds that block the action of gemcitabine in malignant cells. The study suggests that patients with fewer macrophages in their tumors may respond better to chemotherapy. This discovery could lead to new approaches for treatment.
A national study reveals that young and middle-aged adults with hearing loss are twice as likely to misused prescription opioids and other substances compared to their hearing peers. Health care providers may need to take special care when treating pain and mental health conditions in deaf and hard-of-hearing patients.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that parents and toddlers interact less with electronic books compared to print books, leading to reduced verbalization and quality of interactions. Parents tend to focus on technology rather than the story, hindering parent-guided conversation.
A recent University of Michigan-led study found that mothers of fussy babies are at a higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study explored whether a baby's level of prematurity in combination with infant fussiness influences the severity of maternal depressive symptoms.
Researchers discovered that knocking out NLRP6 protein in mice led to better survival and less severe symptoms after bone marrow transplant. The study also found that NLRP6 played a non-microbiome dependent role in GVHD, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for reducing its effects.