A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that rural communities have seen a dramatic increase in newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome due to opioid exposure. The rate of diagnosis increased by nearly 80% between 2003 and 2013, compared to urban areas.
A new study finds that women who have implant reconstruction following radiation therapy had more complications from the surgery and were less satisfied with the result. Autologous reconstruction showed similar results, regardless of radiation treatment. The study suggests alternative approaches for breast cancer patients
A new study found that only half of highly rated mHealth apps for people with asthma and stroke, and a quarter for elderly users, responded appropriately to dangerous health values. Many apps offered useful tracking functions and reminders but lacked tailored guidance or ongoing engagement.
A new review of 55 kidney stone studies suggests alpha blockers may be useful in facilitating stone passage, particularly for patients with larger stones. The findings indicate a 57% higher risk of stone passage for larger stones with an alpha blocker, but no benefit for smaller stones.
A new study highlights the importance of medical evaluations in refugee asylum cases, but notes a shortage of doctors to conduct them. Lawyers say independent, thorough exams can provide corroboration and reveal additional details, strengthening cases.
Researchers identified altered proteins affecting gene expression as the driving force behind childhood ependymomas. This discovery provides a critical marker for predicting prognosis and offers a potential new therapy target.
A survey of 1,976 adult radiology outpatients found that most patients want to meet with a radiologist and have limited understanding of their role. Radiologists should make themselves available to address patient concerns and improve communication.
A new study finds that dementia rates are decreasing in the US, particularly among those with more years of education. However, three risk factors – diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity – are on the rise and could offset these gains.
Researchers found that starving gut microbes of natural fiber leads to erosion of the mucus layer, making them vulnerable to infection. A high-fiber diet helps maintain a healthy mucus barrier, protecting against invasive bacteria.
Scientists at the University of Michigan are studying protein degradation in pancreatic beta cells to better understand diabetes at the molecular level. They found that proinsulin misfolding can lead to diabetic disease and identified a way to stimulate the degradative pathway to restore normal insulin secretion.
A new study suggests that social determinants of health and disability significantly impact readmission risk for patients with heart failure, pneumonia, or a heart attack. The factors that make the most difference vary greatly from condition to condition, and are largely not something a hospital can change through treatment.
A five-year project is building on longstanding partnerships with Flint community collaborators to boost stroke awareness and get treatment to more stroke patients. The 'Stroke Ready' program will address barriers to timely evaluation and treatment, helping to reduce the risk of disability by over 30 percent.
A new study found that heart surgery patients' chances of survival depend on the overall level of teamwork among all physicians who cared for them. Tight 'social networks' of physicians are linked to improved patient outcomes, including lower readmission rates and reduced mortality.
A new U-M vaccine using siderophore molecules prevents E. coli growth in mouse bladders and kidneys, offering hope for a treatment against UTIs. The approach has shown success in mice but is still years away from human trials.
A new review suggests that testing for inherited thrombophilia is often unnecessary and can be costly. Experts argue that hospital patients who have already had dangerous clots don't need the test to justify medication and preventive measures, and there's no evidence it helps prevent future clots.
A review of medical literature found only 92 gold-standard clinical trials on immediate cardiac arrest treatment over the last 20 years, despite 535,000 annual cases in the US. The study highlights a significant lack of research on post-arrest care and long-term survival outcomes.
A new analysis suggests that Medicare's current system is misaligned, penalizing hospitals for low readmission rates while allowing high mortality rates. The researchers propose a revised incentive structure that would incentivize both good outcomes and patient survival.
A new study found that a genetic test assessing breast cancer recurrence risk is being used to guide chemotherapy decisions in early-stage breast cancer patients. The test, which looks at 21 genes known to increase the risk of cancer recurrence, has been shown to align treatment recommendations with individual patient profiles.
Michigan Medicine launches initiative to help doctors and hospitals across the state care for surgical pain without setting up chronic opioid use or addiction. The network will collect data on opioid prescribing patterns to combat the epidemic.
Research reveals that 35% of patients presenting to emergency departments in Ghana tested positive for alcohol, with certain groups showing higher rates. The study highlights the need for low- and middle-income countries to conduct their own research on alcohol-associated injuries, as global estimates may not accurately reflect local t...
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting digital media to one hour a day for children aged 2-5, while avoiding it in children under 18 months. Parents should also engage with their children during use, using devices as tools to support family connection and promote healthy habits.
A new measurement system, HDQLIFE, captures the effect of Huntington's disease on physical, mental and social health through patient-centered 'smart tests'. These tests allow clinicians to evaluate specific quality of life concerns for individuals with the disease.
The University of Michigan will train junior faculty scholars in emergency critical care research through a new NIH K12 Career Development Program. Scholars will receive broad training in modern clinical and translational science, as well as expertise in grant writing and research mentoring.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $7.5 million grant to researchers at the University of Michigan to study chronic pain. The team aims to investigate how peripheral damage, inflammation, and central nervous system factors interact to cause chronic pain, with potential breakthroughs in treating high levels of chronic pain
A new study suggests that parents' excessive use of smartphones around young children can lead to internal tension, conflicts, and negative interactions. The study's findings highlight the need for parents to set boundaries and prioritize family time to maintain emotional well-being.
Researchers propose that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results from disrupted context processing, which affects the brain's ability to recognize and respond to stimuli. This disruption can lead to symptoms such as hypervigilance, sleeplessness, and intrusive thoughts.
A new study reveals significant variation in care costs for patients with the same surgery complication, with high-cost hospitals often having higher rates of complications. Medicare payments for rescued patients at high-cost hospitals were two- to three-fold higher than at low-cost hospitals.
A pair of experts, Mark Fendrick and Michael Chernew, propose altering consumer cost-sharing in health insurance plans to make services more affordable based on individual patient and provider factors. They suggest changes to IRS rules, Medicare plan design, and encouraging value-based cost-sharing to promote high-value clinical services.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that the brain chemical serotonin guides fruit flies' protein-rich food choices, which can affect their lifespan. The research found that blocking serotonin's reward system extended the flies' lifespan by nearly twice as long.
A new study found that Medicare's mandatory bundled payment program could cause financial difficulties for hospitals caring for older, sicker patients. Introducing risk adjustment to the program could mitigate this impact and ensure fairer reimbursement.
Researchers found that adults who spent eight hours in bed daily showed greater improvements on all fronts, including faster response to treatment and higher remission rates. In contrast, those who spent six hours in bed experienced no significant differences in treatment response.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that African Americans and Hispanics have higher Medicare costs for end-of-life care, despite controlling for individual factors. The researchers conclude that disparities are rooted in the healthcare system as a whole.
Researchers found that patients are willing to participate in telemedicine for diabetic retinopathy screening if it is convenient and tailored to their needs. The study suggests that telemedicine could ease the burden on patients who face high costs, lack of access, or difficulty with transportation.
A new study found no clear common characteristic of microbe populations in obese individuals, disappointing those hoping for a solution to weight loss through gut bacteria alteration. The researchers suggest that a more complex relationship exists between the microbiome and health, warranting further investigation.
A new study suggests that genomic sequencing research may be missing key mutations in different racial and ethnic groups due to a lack of tumor samples from minorities. This could lead to unequal treatment opportunities and worsen disparities in cancer care.
A study by the University of Michigan's Kellogg Eye Center found that low-income children are less likely to be diagnosed with strabismus, a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. The study highlights the importance of ensuring access to eye care professionals and necessary services for all children.
The Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Core Center will support researchers and clinicians from three major universities in developing new treatments and understanding the causes of dementia. The center aims to provide training opportunities across many areas of research and facilitate collaboration among experts.
Two-part series of studies examines health behaviors and management challenges in spinal cord injury patients, highlighting strategies for overcoming obstacles and improving quality of life. Recent research findings emphasize the importance of proactive health management and resilience after a spinal cord injury.
African-American adolescent girls prefer straightened hair and avoid sweating during exercise due to concerns about ruining their hairstyle. The study explores the impact of cultural pressure on physical activity among black teens, finding a consistent theme across three states.
Researchers identify citron kinase as key to building a normally sized human brain, finding mutations associated with severe microcephaly and lissencephaly. Studying stem cells and human brain tissue provides clues to the condition's origins, paving the way for further research into its causes.
A new study found that hospitals with high ICU use perform poorly on measures of quality care for patients with heart attacks and congestive heart failure. These hospitals tend to have smaller numbers of heart attack and failure patients, are more likely to be for-profit, and serve low-income ZIP codes.
A study published in Stroke found that elderly stroke survivors require nearly double the caregiving hours of non-stroke patients. The estimated annual cost of caregiving is around $40 billion due to a need for approximately $11,000 per week in assistance. Caregivers can include family, friends, and paid caregivers.
A study from Michigan Medicine found that women who engaged on social media after a breast cancer diagnosis expressed more deliberation about their treatment decision and more satisfaction with the path they chose. However, the researchers also identified significant barriers to social media use among certain groups of patients.
A new study shows that a non-drug approach combining behavioral therapy and social support can effectively manage chronic pain in individuals with addiction, improving their ability to function and reducing substance use. The low-cost approach, called ImPAT, has the potential to be widely adopted by addiction treatment centers worldwide.
A universal one-time HCV screening based on age can bypass discomfort and democratize preventive care, increasing screenings among all demographics. The screening test detects the virus antibody, with fewer than 1% of targeted baby boomers testing positive, yet helping identify those who benefit from curative treatment.
A new analysis of hospital data reveals 17 patient characteristics associated with developing postoperative pneumonia after cardiac surgery, including age, race, smoking habits, and white blood cell count. The study identifies proactive measures that can help patients reduce their risk of pneumonia through prehabilitation.
Late preterm babies, born between 34 and 36 weeks, were developmentally on track with peers at age two. However, by preschool and kindergarten, they showed less than optimal math and reading scores compared to full-term infants.
A new study found that while more imaging after thyroid cancer treatment identifies recurrence, it does not always lead to improved survival. Radioiodine scans, however, were associated with better outcomes.
Researchers discovered gut bacteria in the deepest reaches of failing lungs, which was previously thought to be an impossible environment for them. The more severe critical illness, the more gut bugs outnumbered usual lung bacteria.
A new study found that 50% of disabled seniors had some form of in-home help in 2012, up from 30% in 1998. The sharpest rise was among those with milder disabilities, suggesting a trend towards 'aging in place'.