A new study explores how people make medical decisions, revealing that stepping into others' shoes can lead to better choices. By considering multiple perspectives, including those of doctors, parents, and medical directors, participants made treatment decisions that were more informed than their own self-interest would suggest.
Researchers have gained insights into the genetic mechanisms of Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium causing kidney stones and complicated urinary tract infections. The complete genome sequence, including 3,693 genes and 4.063 megabases of DNA, will help scientists identify potential targets for new vaccines.
Researchers at U-M aim to develop new treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by understanding the role of fibrocytes and signaling pathways involved in the disease. They found that lipid mediators called cysteinyl leukotrienes may be responsible for inappropriate activation of fibrocytes.
A new study from the University of Michigan finds that patients often struggle to access reliable medical information online. Librarians play a crucial role in helping patients find quality resources, providing expertise and accessing specialized databases not available to the general public.
Researchers have identified NRL as the earliest marker of rod precursors, allowing them to pinpoint the exact time at which rods are formed. This discovery provides a new vantage point for understanding healthy visual system development and raises the possibility of re-directing cell production to stave off eye disease.
A U-M study found that non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) can be effectively treated with lumpectomy and radiation, with only 8% of women experiencing recurrence. Regular follow-up mammograms are a reliable way to detect any return of cancer.
Researchers found that aspirin significantly reduces the risk of hearing loss when paired with gentamicin, a commonly used antibiotic. The study, conducted in China and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a 75% lower incidence of hearing loss in patients given aspirin compared to those receiving placebos.
A national study reveals that nearly 60% of older diabetics are not taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs, despite clear signs of problems. The study's findings highlight the need for improved awareness and incentives to encourage responsible prescribing and increased use of these life-saving medications.
A team of University of Michigan researchers used fMRI to capture the brain's instant response to costly mistakes. They found that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) becomes more active when errors carry consequences, suggesting a key role in emotional responses and decision-making processes.
A study by University of Michigan researcher Raymond De Vries found that everyday problems in scientific research are most common, including struggles with data interpretation and adherence to scientific rules. The study also found that unbridled competition and organizational injustices contribute to scientific misconduct.
Researchers found that ginger causes both apoptosis and autophagic cell death in ovarian cancer cells, potentially circumventing resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The study suggests ginger may be a promising new treatment option for ovarian cancer with minimal side effects.
A new study found that children with behavior and sleep problems were more likely to have improved symptoms after undergoing tonsillectomy. The research suggests a link between sleep-related breathing problems and daytime behavior issues, but notes that the procedure is not a cure-all for ADHD.
A study by U-M researchers found that patients with delayed surgery (more than 93 days) had worse survival rates and lower three-year survival rates compared to those with timely surgery. Scheduling issues were the most common cause of delay, which can lead to micrometastases and poor outcomes.
A 10-year federally sponsored flu vaccination promotional program aimed at the elderly could increase vaccination rates by 20 percentage points within its first five years and achieve a 90% vaccination target. The study found that such a program would save more than 6,500 lives at a cost of $37,600 per life-year saved.
A new automatic system at the Ann Arbor VA hospital kept eight patients with serious scan results from falling through the cracks, including five who had cancer. The system, which uses electronic tags to alert doctors to potential problems, was developed after a similar issue occurred at the institution.
Researchers discovered a key gene associated with psoriasis, which is the first genetic determinant identified in a large-scale study. The discovery could lead to new treatments for psoriasis without the risks of current therapies.
A four-year study of 772 people with pre-hypertension found that early blood pressure treatment can postpone true hypertension by 15.6%. The study suggests that drug treatment interrupted blood-vessel processes that raise blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Researchers suggest using a microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) test to help determine which patients need implanted defibrillators, reducing costs for Medicare. The study estimates that this approach could save $690 million annually.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that tight blood glucose control can reduce the risk of nerve problems and foot amputations in diabetics. The study involved 1,441 people with Type 1 diabetes who had controlled their blood sugar tightly for at least five years.
A national analysis of local TV news health coverage reveals opportunities for improvement in accuracy and perspective. The study found that health and medical stories comprised 11% of late-evening newscasts, but often lacked specific information about disease prevalence and prevention methods.
A new study suggests that regionalizing heart attack care, similar to trauma care, could be feasible for the US. Nearly 80% of Americans live within a 60-minute ambulance trip of an angioplasty-performing hospital, with most being able to reach one within 30 minutes.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that radiofrequency catheter ablation significantly improved heart rhythm and quality of life for patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. The procedure was effective in returning 74% of patients to normal rhythm, even in those with difficult-to-treat cases.
A new study from the University of Michigan Medical School found that a particular surgical procedure, the middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach, can preserve hearing in patients with small acoustic neuromas. The study examined 73 patients and reported a high rate of success, with three-quarters retaining useful hearing after tumor removal.
A University of Michigan study suggests that 96% of the gender difference in death risk after coronary artery bypass surgery may be due to differences in infection. Women were more likely to have infections, but once infected, men had higher mortality rates.
A new study suggests that people who are overweight or obese may have better results with the prescription pill sold as Singulair than with a type of inhaled steroid, while leaner people may have better luck with an inhaled steroid. The findings indicate that obesity may influence individuals' responses to asthma medications.
Researchers found that patients with elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels at seven days post-transplant were more likely to develop graft vs. host disease and had lower one-year survival rates. Elevated TNF levels were tied to a higher risk of this deadly complication, suggesting potential targets for prevention and treatment.
A multi-hospital project led by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center improved angioplasty care, increasing preventive medication use, reducing heparin and dye, and lowering complication rates. The study found a strong association between quality improvement efforts and patient outcomes.
A majority of patients with small kidney tumors have their entire kidney removed, despite the availability of organ-sparing surgery. Studies show that partial nephrectomy is just as effective in controlling cancer while preserving long-term kidney function. However, its infrequent use may be due to surgeon expertise and hospital policies.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers demonstrates that a minimally-invasive procedure called endovascular thoracic aortic repair (ETAR) can successfully treat many patients with upper aorta problems, offering an alternative to open-chest surgery. The procedure uses stent-grafts inserted through small incisions in the leg or belly.
Researchers found that early identification of patients who would benefit from non-surgical treatment improved survival rates. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed a significantly better cure rate when matching the right treatment to the patient's tumor biology.
Researchers have identified individual, isolated hematopoietic stem cells at the edge of bone marrow using a novel gene expression technique. This breakthrough allows for the study of these rare cells in their natural environment, shedding light on how they maintain their pluripotency and function.
A study of focus groups with 73 participants found diverse views on healthcare, spirituality, family, and dying among different racial and ethnic groups. Cultural values and Western medical system's limitations influence these differences.
Researchers created a modified form of troponin I to improve cardiac function in mice and damaged human heart cells. The protein helps the heart respond to stress by boosting performance during periods of hardship.
Fecal incontinence affects 7.2% of US women aged 30-90, often accompanied by urinary incontinence and other medical conditions like diabetes or major depression. Treatment options include diet changes, medications, surgery, and biofeedback exercises.
Patients receiving emergency angioplasty at highly specialized hospitals have lower risk of death and faster treatment compared to those at less specialized institutions. This study found that hospitals with higher rates of emergency angioplasties perform better, despite the number of procedures not being a key factor in patient survival.
Researchers found that cryopyrin is activated by bacterial RNA and essential for the immune response against bacteria. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and potentially develop new treatments.
Women with the CYP2D6 genetic variant were more likely to experience breast cancer recurrence when treated with tamoxifen. Researchers also found that this group was less likely to suffer from hot flashes, which may predict the gene variation.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that women with similar levels of heart disease as men reported milder symptoms and perceived their disease as severe less often. Researchers suggest this may contribute to differences in heart care delivery between genders.
Researchers at U-M found that focused radiation combined with chemotherapy significantly improves survival rates for liver cancer patients. The new method delivers an intensive punch directly to tumors while limiting exposure to normal tissue.
A study of people with fibromyalgia found those with greater hour-to-hour and day-to-day variability in their pain levels were more likely to respond to placebos. The researchers used electronic diaries to track participants' pain levels, which proved more accurate than previous methods.
A study of 553 patients found that those with a history of heart problems were more likely to receive cholesterol-lowering drugs, while those without a history received less treatment. The lack of aggressive treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD) has significant implications for patient outcomes.
A two-year study involving over 2,500 heart failure patients found that hospitals that cooperated to deliver proven care and educate patients saw lower death rates and rehospitalization rates. The project used a toolkit of standard admission orders, clinical pathways, and discharge checklists to ensure optimal care.
A new study has successfully treated 99.1% of children with heart rhythm problems using a 3-D computer-assisted navigation system, reducing radiation dose by nearly half compared to traditional methods. The treatment also resulted in fewer RF applications and improved accuracy in finding specific locations.
A recent study suggests that current medical research methods are flawed and may miss signs of harm or benefit in subgroups of patients. Risk-stratified analysis, which considers multiple factors, can help detect these issues and provide more accurate information for doctors to discuss with patients.
A recent study found that 90% of adults with Alzheimer's disease would allow a family member to enroll them in studies with mild to medium risks. Surrogate decision-making for more invasive procedures like gene transfers and brain tissue sampling was also widely accepted, but participants were less willing to participate themselves. Th...
Researchers developed a functional diffusion map that tracks water movement in the brain, predicting tumor response to treatment. This non-invasive method identifies patients who will benefit from second-line therapy and those whose tumors are not responding, allowing for targeted radiation doses.
Researchers found a unique molecular signature of fused genes in most prostate cancer tissue samples but not in benign tissue. The discovery could lead to a diagnostic test that detects the fused genes or their protein products, making it more accurate than current screening tests.
A new study finds black women with chronic pain experience higher levels of disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, and emotional impairment compared to white women. The research emphasizes the need for improved access to quality pain care and a better understanding of minority patients' needs.
Researchers discovered a significant link between a genetic variation in the DRD4 gene and high blood pressure, which could help explain individual risk factors. The study also sheds light on how this gene affects kidney function and blood pressure regulation.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine reveals the importance of antigen-presenting cells in the graft-versus-leukemia effect, which occurs during bone marrow transplants. The discovery has significant implications for improving cellular immunotherapy and making it safer and more effective for cancer patients.