A new study reveals that small physician practices serving children are unprepared to become recognized as 'medical homes', which prioritize quality improvement and comprehensive care. This limitation may hinder efforts to improve healthcare for children, particularly those with higher medical needs.
A new study finds that more than one-third of ER physicians are unsure if their department provides child passenger safety information to parents. Fewer than half said they would provide discharge instructions with advice on car seats for a 2-year-old child.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that scoring methods for evaluating Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU) are inconsistent, leading to unreliable comparisons. The research suggests that these scores may not level the playing field well enough and can be unfair to hospitals with high numbers of sick infants.
A new University of Michigan study found that the protein HER2 plays a role even in breast cancers traditionally classified as HER2-negative. The research suggests that the drug Herceptin may have a greater impact on treating breast cancer and preventing its spread, particularly when given early to prevent tumor recurrence.
A team of University of Michigan doctors analyze the shortcomings of the Affordable Care Act and Reagan-era emergency access law, emphasizing the need for preventive care and coordinated care. The authors conclude that modern healthcare reform must address these gaps to bring the nation closer to a goal of comprehensive care for all.
Researchers combined police reports, drug offenses, and alcohol availability data to identify 'hot spots' of violence. The analysis showed that types and densities of alcohol outlets were directly related to violent crimes, despite typical demographic factors.
Researchers discover that tranylcypromine can reverse the effects of sickle cell disease in mice and human red blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for the life-threatening condition, which causes misshapen red blood cells to cause vascular damage and premature death.
Researchers analyzed Boston data and found correlations between alcohol availability, drug possession, and violent crimes. The study aims to help policy makers and police focus resources on areas with higher risk factors for violence.
A new poll from the University of Michigan found that only 25% of parents consider doctor rating websites very important in their search for a pediatrician. However, younger parents (under 30) are more likely to say online ratings are very important, with mothers being more likely than fathers. Despite this, nearly one-third of parents...
Researchers have identified novel gene variants linked to Behçet's disease, a chronic condition causing painful ulcers and brain inflammation. The study also reveals multiple independent genetic risk regions within the HLA region, which could lead to better understanding and treatment options for this devastating illness.
A study mapping the landscape of kinases in cancerous and non-cancerous tissue identified outlier kinase expression that can be targeted with existing drugs. Researchers found promising combinations, including adding a FGFR4-inhibitor to Herceptin for HER2-positive breast cancer tumors.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that Mary Ingalls likely suffered from viral meningoencephalitis, which caused her blindness, rather than scarlet fever. The study analyzed historical records and Laura Ingalls' memoirs to reach this conclusion.
Researchers found that patients' severity of illness is not always strongly associated with their likelihood of being admitted to the ICU. Electronic health records can calculate which patient has the highest risk of death, providing a powerful tool to efficiently use scarce and costly health resources.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that public awareness and matching research needs with participant characteristics are key barriers to participation. The study suggests that effective community engagement can help attract more participants to medical research.
A new technique called Bru-Seq allows researchers to label newly created RNA, enabling them to analyze the synthesis and stability of RNA in cancer cells. This breakthrough has the potential to provide deeper insights into gene expression and identify early warning signs of disease.
A University of Michigan study reveals how certain genes activate cells that cause rheumatoid arthritis in mice, potentially leading to new treatments for both arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The discovery challenges long-held theories on the association between HLA genes and autoimmune disorders.
A new poll from the University of Michigan found that only 35% of parents are very concerned about misuse of narcotic pain medicines by children and teens. Despite rising rates of abuse and overdoses, most parents do not support policies to discourage misuse or return unused medications.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing a decision-making aid to support parents in making informed decisions about their child's diagnosis and treatment. The guide will educate families about sex development, genetic testing, and possible consequences of decisions on their child and entire family.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a genetic anomaly that could improve diagnosis and treatment of rare solitary fibrous tumors. The NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion was found in every tumor sample analyzed, providing a potential target for therapies.
The REVIVE-IT study will investigate the potential benefits of left ventricular assist devices for patients with advanced heart failure. Researchers aim to determine if implanting these devices earlier can improve patient outcomes.
A study by Michigan Medicine found that two-thirds of mothers with sick babies in Ghana are at risk of postpartum depression. This condition can lead to poor infant growth and nutrition, as well as increased mortality rates for both mothers and babies.
A new NIH-funded study shows that inexpensive education efforts can increase safe use of clot-busting drug tPA at local hospitals, improving stroke care. Community hospitals across Michigan saw a significant improvement in tPA use rates after receiving educational support and round-the-clock treatment assistance.
Patients who quit smoking and took aspirin and statin before undergoing treatment for blocked leg arteries were less likely to suffer complications six months later. The study found that more than half of patients studied failed to receive minimal medical therapy, despite doctors' efforts.
Patients with diabetes may receive high-dose cholesterol-lowering medications unnecessarily, increasing the risk of adverse side effects. The new study suggests adopting a more personalized treatment approach based on each patient's risk profile, combining blood pressure and prescription data in electronic records.
A new study suggests that the University of Michigan Health System's (UMHS) approach to medical errors, known as the "Michigan Model," has helped reduce malpractice claims and costs. The model focuses on compensating patients quickly and fairly, supporting clinical staff, and reducing patient injuries by learning from experiences.
A new study reveals that the SIRT6 gene plays a critical role in suppressing cancer growth by repressing aerobic glycolysis and inhibiting Myc activity. The loss of SIRT6 protein in mice increases tumor size and aggressiveness, highlighting its potential as a tumor suppressor.
A new poll reveals strong support for required hearing screening across all age groups, with 82% of parents backing it for 6- to 7-year-olds and 77% for 2- to 3-year-olds. Hearing loss from prolonged sound exposure is a concern, particularly among tweens and teens.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made skin cells in senior citizens act like younger cells again by adding more filler to the surrounding extracellular matrix. The study shows that this approach can trigger a signal for cells to wake up and respond positively to alterations in their environment.
A new class of drugs has been shown to reduce the risk of graft-vs.-host disease, a deadly side effect of lifesaving bone marrow transplants, by half. The study used vorinostat, a cancer drug with anti-inflammatory effects, and found it safe and tolerable for patients undergoing reduced-intensity bone marrow transplants.
A new drug demonstrated dramatic effects on prostate cancer that had spread to the bone, with two-thirds of patients showing improvements on their bone scans. Additionally, 67% of patients with bone pain reported improved pain control after treatment with cabozantinib.
A recent study found that 70% of women with breast cancer have both breasts removed despite a very low risk of recurrence in the healthy breast. The study suggests that concern about recurrence drives the decision, but this procedure is often associated with higher morbidity and unnecessary complications.
Researchers found that eccrine sweat glands store adult stem cells that can quickly aid wound healing. This discovery advances understanding of the normal healing process and paves way for designing better targeted therapies.
A recent study from Michigan Medicine found that 16% of emergency room patients aged 14-20 may have undiagnosed binge eating, bulimia, or other eating problems. Those with signs of eating disorders were also more likely to show signs of depression and substance abuse.
Researchers found that about one-quarter of placebo response was explained by personality traits such as resiliency, straightforwardness, altruism or anger/hostility. The study involved nearly 50 healthy volunteers and used brain scans to measure natural painkiller chemicals in the brain.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that physicians who commit suicide often have known mental health problems but fail to seek treatment due to stigma and lack of confidentiality. The study highlights the need for greater effort to address job stress, under-diagnosis, and treatment of depression among physicians.
A University of Michigan study found that automated calls and home blood pressure monitoring can significantly reduce blood pressures and depressive symptoms among hypertensive patients in Honduras and Mexico. The program showed promising results, especially among patients with limited literacy and income.
Physicians are facing the challenge of providing early treatment for fungal meningitis as cases continue to rise. The University of Michigan Health System physician authors recommend a high dose of voriconazole, but note the risk of visual disturbances, confusion, and liver test abnormalities. To avoid these effects, reducing the drug'...
A new study suggests that obesity can become a self-perpetuating disorder, making it harder to lose weight, especially if it persists over time. The longer mice remained overweight, the more irreversible their obesity became.
A recent University of Michigan poll reveals that one-third of parents with young children in child care are worried about losing their job or pay due to missing work to care for sick kids. Finding alternative or back-up care is also difficult for nearly two-thirds of these parents.
The University of Michigan will receive a $5.2 million federal grant to study the relationship between birth-related pelvic floor injuries and common disorders such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Researchers hope to develop new prevention strategies and treatment options for women suffering from these conditions.
New study reveals differences in how cocaine affects mother rats' brains compared to non-mother rats, with implications for human addiction treatment
The University of Michigan has been awarded a $21 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish the Center for HIV RNA Studies, which aims to better understand the HIV virus on a molecular level. Researchers hope that this breakthrough could lead to innovative treatment approaches for AIDS and other diseases.
A new approach to lung scanning, called parametric response mapping, allows for better distinction between early-stage small airway disease and emphysema in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The technique enables precise diagnosis and treatment planning, as well as tracking COPD progression over time.
A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that smoking and heavy drinking can lead to an earlier onset of pancreatic cancer. The study analyzed data from 811 patients with pancreatic cancer and found that those who smoked heavily or drank excessively were diagnosed at a younger age than those who did not.
A new program aims to improve the quality of breast cancer treatment decisions by studying how patients and doctors make choices. The researchers will develop an online decision tool to help patients weigh options and risks, with the goal of reducing unnecessary side effects and improving patient outcomes.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that women who start snoring during pregnancy are at increased risk for developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia. The research suggests that treating underlying sleep-disordered breathing may help mitigate up to 19% of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
A new study by the University of Michigan Health System and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System found a significant link between substance-use disorders and mortality in veterans with PTSD. Younger veterans, including those from Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, showed a stronger association between substance-use disorders and death.
A small subset of patients with open-angle glaucoma account for a large proportion of all glaucoma-related charges in the US. The costliest 5% of patients are responsible for 24% of total charges, with younger age and cataract surgery being significant risk factors.
A majority of adults believe schools should take action when kids bully for physical safety, humiliation, or rumors, but only half say isolating students socially is enough to prompt intervention. The poll highlights differing views on what constitutes bullying and the need for schools to address this important childhood health issue.
A University of Michigan faculty member argues that doctors can be conscientious providers of abortion care, motivated by deeply-held ethical beliefs. The author calls for recognition of 'conscientious provision' of care and a standard curriculum for handling conscience-based refusals.