Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered a protein called free C3d that stops cancer's ability to prevent the immune system from destroying cancer cells. The study showed an 80-90% decrease in cancerous tumors, and free C3d has potential as a cancer vaccine and treatment.
Research suggests that access to IUDs and implants immediately after childbirth increased sevenfold between 2008 and 2013, but still remains less than 2% of sterilization rates. The service is largely unavailable at non-teaching hospitals, affecting poorer women delivering in urban areas.
A new pilot study reports that Mexican-American stroke survivors are less likely to receive inpatient rehabilitation than non-Hispanic whites. The research team found that only 30% of Mexican-Americans received inpatient rehab while 73% of non-Hispanic whites did.
A clinical trial found that the drug teprotumumab significantly reduces eye bulging, pain, and swelling in patients with moderate-to-severe active thyroid eye disease. The treatment, which blocks an autoimmune attack on muscles around the eyes, showed rapid therapeutic benefits within six weeks of infusions.
The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program has received a $5 million gift commitment from the World Heritage Foundation - Prechter Family Fund, which will double donations to bipolar disorder research. The program aims to identify effective solutions for people with bipolar disorder through long-term studies and DNA analysis.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 'visual abstract' graphics on Twitter can nearly triple the number of people who click the link in a tweet to read a full research paper. The study showed that tweets with visual abstracts were retweeted more than eight times as often and seen by nearly eight times as many people.
Researchers developed a virtual reality program to teach medical students advanced communication skills, including delivering difficult news and managing patient reactions. The study found that the simulation was an effective tool in teaching these skills, which transferred to real-life clinical situations.
A mouse study reveals that Clostridia bacteria provide key protection against infection, in addition to aiding digestion. Newborn mice lack these beneficial bacteria, making them more vulnerable to pathogens. The findings suggest that the introduction of protective bacteria may hold promise for preventing gut infections in human newborns.
A new database, Virtual Microscopy Database, launches to provide high-quality images of human body structures, making it easier for educators and researchers to access and use digital microscopic images. This resource is expected to benefit schools in the developing world by reducing the need to purchase microscopes and glass slides.
A large study found patients with follicular and medullary thyroid cancer had the highest rate of bone lesions and fractures, and increased risk of death. Researchers suggest targeting this high-risk population with specific drugs to prevent or treat complications.
People taking oral corticosteroids for less than 30 days are at higher risk of broken bones, dangerous blood clots, and sepsis. Researchers call for better education on the potential risks and most appropriate uses of steroids.
A study published in Surgery found that basic fitness and wellness coaching can reduce surgical patients' average hospital stay by two days and cut medical costs by 30 percent. The program, which includes walking and stress reduction, was shown to improve physical healing and provide emotional benefits.
A new study finds that patients with certain pre-operative conditions, such as smoking or depression, are more likely to become long-term opioid users after surgery. The research suggests that other factors contribute to the risk of prolonged opioid use beyond the normal recovery period.
Researchers developed a clinical risk index tool to gauge future firearm violence risk among urban youth, considering peer and partner violence, community exposure, and family influences. The SaFETy score demonstrates superior predictive power, helping emergency physicians identify high-risk individuals and tailor preventative services.
A new study found that language barriers, information overload, and cultural differences disadvantage some Latina breast cancer patients. However, no significant inequities were recorded in how doctors provide information. The research highlights the need for providers to be more culturally sensitive and patient-centered.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers identified that younger age, female gender, higher severity of illness, fewer days of corticosteroid treatments, and treatment with GM-CSF were associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms. The study found that more days of corticosteroid treatments seemed to be protective from anxiety, ...
A new study found that surgeons' recommendations against contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) did not increase the likelihood of patients seeking a second opinion or receiving surgery from a different surgeon. In fact, many patients were satisfied with their treatment despite no discussion about CPM. The study surveyed 1,140 pat...
Researchers found metreleptin treatment improved liver function and reduced fatty liver disease progression in patients with partial lipodystrophy. Patients with lower baseline leptin levels showed higher response rates to the treatment.
Researchers compiled a list of over 40 online programs with evidence from randomized controlled trials, finding nearly 80% were unavailable to the public. The sites address various health issues, including depression, weight loss, and chronic pain, and offer interactive modules and assignments to complete.
A new study finds that hospitals' self-reported safety protocols can greatly impact their Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. Hospitals that report perfect compliance on these measures receive little grade advantage, while those with imperfect scores risk lower grades.
A study found that midazolam was more effective in treating seizures than other benzodiazepines and was adopted by ambulances across the country, increasing from 26.1% to 61.7% between 2010 and 2014. The rate of adoption accelerated after a clinical trial's publication, with EMS agencies adopting midazolam at a rate of 8.9% per year.
Researchers from Michigan Medicine have identified a novel strategy to target the genetic anomaly that occurs in half of all prostate cancers. They developed large molecule peptides that can effectively target and degrade the ERG fusion with little impact on regular cell function.
A recent study by Asheesh Bedi at the AAOS Annual Meeting highlights that ACL reconstruction surgery can fail in up to 20% of cases, requiring repeat surgery. The surgeon is working on identifying correctable factors to reduce failure rates and improve outcomes for young active athletes.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is directly linked to excess weight gain during pregnancy, especially among young mothers. The research also showed that Hispanic women are less likely to experience excessive weight gain compared to non-Hispanic women.
New research reveals a significant gap in statin eligibility for African Americans under different guidelines, highlighting the need for personalized treatment. The study found that stricter USPSTF guidelines may miss some individuals with vascular calcification and low or moderate risk.
A new study finds that patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who undergo moderate-intensity exercise training experience a small but statistically significant increase in peak VO2 max. This improvement is associated with reduced mortality risk and improved self-reported physical functioning.
A new study finds that veterans with substance use disorders, especially those who also have mental health conditions, are at a higher risk of suicide. Women veterans with opioid misuses have a particularly high rate of suicide, more than five times that of their peers.
A new study suggests that ER visits can be effective 'teachable moments' for reducing drug use, with brief chats with counselors or virtual therapists showing promise. Participants who received the intervention had 21% fewer days of drug use compared to those in the control group.
A new study suggests that pre-surgery opioid use is a significant risk factor for post-operative problems, including longer hospital stays and higher medical costs. Researchers recommend considering pre-op opioid use as a modifiable risk factor to improve patient outcomes and surgical experience.
A new framework uses math to understand how genetic information and cell interactions give rise to tissue function, potentially aiding in understanding diseases like cancer. Researchers aim to apply this approach to real-world genome and cell biology experiments to inform future work on cancer and cell reprogramming.
Researchers recommend that doctors exclude common liver issues before testing for rare conditions. Directed testing means ordering tests for the most common causes of sudden severe liver issues first, followed by tests for rare, dangerous autoimmune or genetic disorders that attack livers.
A study found that fewer than three out of five women with locally advanced cervical cancer received guideline-based care, with black and Hispanic women receiving lower rates. Despite an increase in guideline-based care over time, disparities persist, highlighting the need for further investigation into barriers to treatment.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that cells from lung transplant patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) can become activated and promote scarring. The team identified a chain of upstream signals starting with autotaxin, an enzyme that generates lysophosphatidic acid, which stimulates collagen production.
Researchers from U-M Medical School and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System studied the DNA of bacteria in healthy volunteers' lungs, finding most bacteria arrived through microaspiration. The study confirms that bronchoscope-based techniques can be used to study the lung microbiome in both healthy and sick individuals.
A recent survey found that more than two-thirds of non-foot-specialist clinicians are unaware of Charcot neuroarthropathy, a rare form of foot damage. The condition can lead to significant disability and morbidity if not diagnosed early. Improving education on this topic is crucial for better patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered that disruption in Schwann cells, which make myelin, leads to hidden hearing loss. This finding may help diagnose and treat the condition, which affects individuals exposed to high levels of noise. The discovery could lead to new treatments for hidden hearing loss.
A new study from Michigan Medicine identifies a protein in the microenvironment of metastatic breast cancer cells that promotes their spread. The researchers found that this protein, DDR2, plays a key role in fueling the growth and migration of cancer cells, and that inhibiting it may prevent metastasis.
A new study reveals that nearly one in four people who seek emergency care for eye problems have mild conditions, such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis, that don't require emergency treatment. The researchers recommend ways to reduce inappropriate ER visits, including telemedicine and after-hours appointments.
A team of researchers has identified a common regulatory grammar in islet cells that affects the activity of Regulatory Factor X, a master regulator involved in gene expression. Many Type 2 diabetes-linked DNA changes disrupt this grammar, leading to a range of health problems.
A study found that seniors taking three or more brain-affecting medications increased by over 100% between 2004 and 2013, with falls and driving problems being major concerns. The combination of opioids, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics carries special risks for older adults.
A new laser-based camera has been developed to improve the view of the carotid artery, allowing physicians to detect potential problem areas and monitor atherosclerosis. The technology uses high-resolution imaging to identify lesions and biological markers associated with increased stroke risk.
Experts suggest taking social risk factors into account to deliver high-quality care to vulnerable populations. The Medicare system can start using existing data on factors like dual eligibility, rural/urban residence, and birthplace to adjust payments and quality measurements.
A new approach to surgical pathology in brain tumor patients uses stimulated Raman histology, improving speed and diagnostic efficiency. The method, tested in an operating room, produces accurate results faster than conventional methods.
A new study found that people with higher BMIs are less likely to receive hospice care, die at home, or receive high-quality end-of-life care. Those who did use hospice services spent fewer days in hospice due to differences in home hospice usage.
A new treatment approach uses a single dose of chemotherapy to select patients for chemo-radiation or surgery, resulting in near-80% survival rates. This method tailors treatments to individual tumor biology and patient characteristics, improving quality of life and reducing complications.
The American Diabetes Association and Michigan Medicine have released updated guidelines for the prevention, treatment, and management of diabetic neuropathy. The guidelines provide recommendations for primary care physicians on preventing this complication and suggest guidelines to manage and treat each form of diabetic neuropathy. Th...
Researchers identified distinct changes in bone mineral content and area among midlife women transitioning through menopause, contradicting previous assumptions about bone expansion. The findings suggest that individual variability in bone structure can be used to identify women at risk of fractures far in advance.
A study from Michigan Medicine reveals significant disparities between patients' self-reported eye symptoms and their electronic medical records. The study analyzed 162 Kellogg patients and found that only 38 had exact agreement between their survey responses and medical records, with symptom reporting driving the inconsistencies.
A study found that nearly half of women treated for early stage breast cancer experienced at least one severe or very severe side effect from their treatment. The most common side effects were pain, skin irritation, and constipation, with Latina women being 30% more likely to report a severe side effect.
A multicenter study found that therapeutic hypothermia and active temperature control have similar outcomes in young patients after in-hospital cardiac arrest. The study included 329 children between two days and 18 years old, who experienced cardiac arrest in the hospital setting.