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.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that parents of newborns with sickle cell anemia are less likely to receive genetic counseling than those whose babies are cystic fibrosis carriers. This disparity may be due to physicians' perceptions of the risks associated with each condition.
Researchers studied 980 children undergoing cardiac surgery and found no benefits from tight glycemic control using insulin. The study suggests that routine control of blood sugar levels in pediatric cardiac intensive care units should not be standard practice.
A study published in American Journal of Pathology found that two genetic mutations, beta-catenin and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), cooperate to induce adrenal cancer. The research provides new insights into the rare and deadly disease, which affects about 600 Americans annually, and may lead to targeted therapies.
A U-M analysis shows that removing payment for hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections had negligible financial impact on hospitals. The study highlights the inaccuracies of billing data used to implement the policy, leading to unfair penalties for some hospitals.
Researchers found that patients at hospitals with longer resuscitation attempts have a higher likelihood of immediate survival and survival to discharge. However, the study does not recommend an optimal duration for resuscitation, emphasizing the need for careful clinical judgment.
A simple assessment checklist improves the predictive accuracy of inexperienced psychiatrists when assessing violence risk in patients. The tool, called HCR-20-C, is a brief and straightforward checklist with five items that can be assessed by trained mental health professionals.
Scientists have restored the sense of smell in mice through gene therapy, providing a hopeful sign for those born without or losing their sense of smell due to disease. The breakthrough may also aid research into other cilia-related diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease and retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers used an experimental cancer drug to treat abnormal brain cell growth in mice with neurofibromatosis 1. The study showed that early treatment can prevent learning disabilities in these children by promoting normal neural stem cell development.
A team of researchers warns that the US may lose its position as a hub for medical discovery due to Asian nations' increased funding and long-term plans. This could lead to a 'brain drain' of top young researchers and economic damage for the US.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered the crucial role of Mof in preserving stem cells' ability to become any type of cell. By regulating DNA access, Mof enables stem cells to maintain their 'stem-ness' and differentiate into specialized cells.
According to a US national poll, a lack of exercise is the biggest child health problem in the country. Obesity ranks second, while smoking and tobacco use are also major concerns. The results highlight the importance of public programs and communication initiatives to address these issues.
Researchers demonstrate that bacteria can form antibiotic-resistant clumps in a short time, even in a flowing liquid such as the blood, leading to severe infections. These clumps persist even when two different types of antibiotics are added, suggesting that sticking together protects the floating bacteria from the drugs' effects.
Pregnant women experiencing depression may benefit from mindfulness yoga, which can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve attachment to their babies. This study provides promising evidence that yoga could be an effective alternative to pharmaceutical treatment for pregnant women showing signs of depression.
New research from the University of Michigan found that a 10-percentage-point increase in federal matching funds for Medicaid and CHIP is associated with an increase of 1.9 percent in the number of children enrolled in Medicaid nationwide. This translates to approximately 500,000 additional children gaining health insurance coverage.
A U-M study reveals that natural killer cells, a crucial part of the immune system, are not fully matured until adulthood. By blocking a specific cell signaling pathway, infants' immune systems can be boosted, potentially reducing their susceptibility to infections.
A University of Michigan Health System study found that women with vulvodynia are at a higher risk for other chronic pain conditions. The study showed that millions of women suffer from unexplained vulvar pain that can severely impact daily life.
The combination of anastrozole and fulvestrant improved overall survival and progression-free survival in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. The study showed a six-month extended median survival time compared to anastrozole alone, and improved median time to disease progression.
Researchers have identified a compound that could prevent damage to the retina in diabetic retinopathy by targeting two important pathways: inflammation and blood vessel weakening. The finding is promising for developing a new therapy.
A new cause of congenital myopathy has been identified through research published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The discovery of a previously uncharacterized gene provides a genetic explanation for the disease and may lead to the development of therapies.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a safer method for steadying abnormal heart rhythms, using photodynamic therapy to target specific cells causing the arrhythmia. This cell-specific approach aims to decrease unwanted cell injury and inflammation, paving the way for more effective therapies.
Researchers have identified RhoC as a key driver of breast cancer stem cell metastasis. High levels of RhoC are associated with worse patient survival rates. Targeting this molecule may lead to more effective treatments for certain types of cancer, potentially managing cancer stem cells and invasive behaviors.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that an inflammatory pathway involving Interleukin-6 drives resistance to Herceptin in HER2-positive breast cancers. Blocking this pathway with a drug improved the treatment's effectiveness, and also prevented cancer stem cells from forming.
A University of Michigan study reveals that spouses of severe sepsis patients are nearly four times more likely to experience substantial depressive symptoms. Greater mental health screenings may be necessary for these individuals to support their loved ones' rehabilitation and decision-making.
New research reveals that adolescents and young adult cancer patients often lack access to the necessary psychological, social support, and information resources. Studies found significant proportions of patients in this age group report unmet needs for mental health services, camp programs, and age-appropriate online resources.
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement addressing varied cardiac evaluation policies in transplant patients. The guidelines aim to standardize cardiac evaluation practices before kidney and liver transplantation, reducing unnecessary testing and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new single-gene cause of chronic kidney disease, which implicates DNA damage response signaling. The study found that mutations in Fanconi anemia-associated nuclease 1 (FAN1) lead to increased DNA damage and apoptosis in patients with CKD.
The $100,000 Taubman Prize is awarded to Dr. Harry Dietz for his pioneering work on modifying genetic defects in connective tissue, potentially leading to new treatments for Marfan syndrome and other disorders. The prize recognizes the clinician-researcher who has transformed laboratory discoveries into clinical applications.
The University of Michigan will use the funding to train researchers, provide tools and services, and involve more volunteers in their work. Over 11,000 people have already signed up for the registry.
A new 'adaptive' way of designing medical studies could help patients and researchers. Adaptive design assigns patients at slightly less than random chance, allowing for more personalized care. This approach may be most beneficial in emergency care or situations with high medical stakes.
A new study by U-M researchers found that residency programs vary in their interpretation of National Residency Matching Program rules, leading to stress for both OB-GYN residents and program directors. The study suggests that frequent communication with candidates may create an unfair advantage, undermining the original purpose of the...
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a surprising finding about WNT signaling and its role in fat cell growth. They discovered that Sfrp5, a molecule previously thought to have an opposing effect, actually stimulates fat cells to grow larger and burn fat slower.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that patients who receive a mid-urethral sling during prolapse repair have less than half the risk of urinary incontinence. The study suggests that inserting a sling during surgery can significantly reduce urine leakage, but also increases the risk of certain side effects.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine developed a new method to generate cardiac muscle patches from stem cells, which can mimic the heart's crucial squeezing action. The engineered cells displayed activity similar to most people's resting heart rate and could potentially be used to help 2.5 million people with arrhythmia.