A new study reveals that people with sickle cell disease are nearly two times less likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to those without the disease. Vaccination rates were particularly low in children and teens with sickle cell disease, who face a higher risk of hospitalization and death if infected.
Research from Michigan Medicine found that widespread pain with nociplastic features can make physical activity challenging for patients with multiple sclerosis. The study suggests tailoring exercise plans to individual needs by considering underlying pain mechanisms, aiming to maintain functional independence and reduce pain intensity.
Researchers found that cognition scores remained stable two years after bariatric surgery, while secondary executive function tests showed improvement. However, one memory assessment declined following surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand how best to treat cognitive decline associated with obesity.
Researchers studied cellular functions in medulloblastoma to understand its genetic causes and develop targeted therapies. The study identified essential microproteins that play a crucial role in the survival of cancer cells.
Cancer immunotherapy can cause severe colitis due to hyper-activated immune T cells and deleted regulatory T cells. Researchers at Michigan Medicine have identified a new mouse model that develops colitis after treatment with antibodies used for tumor immunotherapy, revealing the mechanism behind this side effect.
A recent study reveals that two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease are born in areas scoring high or very high on the scale of social vulnerability. This highlights the need for targeted efforts to support families affected by this genetic blood disease.
A large study published in Psychiatry Research reveals that individuals with bipolar disorder are 4-6 times more likely to die prematurely than the general population. In contrast, smokers are only twice as likely to die, highlighting the need for targeted preventive efforts to address mental health risks.
A new study published in Neurology found that nearly 30% of caregivers for severe stroke patients experience high levels of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress during the first year after hospital discharge. Post-traumatic stress was particularly common among Mexican American caregivers.
A study found that clinicians can be fooled by biased AI models even with provided explanations, leading to serious declines in accuracy. While accurate AI models improved diagnostic decisions for some demographics, biased models worsened decisions for others.
Researchers found rivaroxaban associated with nearly 40 bleeding events per 100 patients over a year, while apixaban had similar bleeding events as warfarin but more major bleeds. Apixaban also showed lower mortality rates compared to the other medications.
A new poll found that 83% of older adults believe health insurers should cover medications to help people with obesity manage their weight. Nearly as many, 76%, also believe Medicare should cover these drugs, which are currently not covered under law.
A new U-M study found that 72% of adults in the US have heard of CBD, while fewer are aware of other hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8-THC and CBG. The products' lack of regulation and inadequate safety testing pose health risks to consumers, especially young people.
A study of first-year college students reveals that pandemic stress triggers a rise in clinical depression, even among those with genetic factors that previously shielded them. The research identifies potential predictors of psychological resilience and provides a tool to identify at-risk students for targeted support.
Post-surgery pain relief has shifted away from opioids since 2016, with a 36% drop in prescription rates and 46% decrease in average amount of opioids. However, the rate of decline slowed after 2020, suggesting ongoing efforts are needed to right-size prescribing.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that telemedicine patients with hyperlipidemia experienced significant decreases in LDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels. Virtual appointments were shown to be as effective as in-person visits in improving cholesterol levels, overcoming barriers to access for patients.
A new study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research found that 12% of people aged 50-80 have consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year. Those who drink alcohol at risky levels have a higher rate of cannabis use, highlighting the need for education and screening for older adults.
A novel prescription wristwatch uses photoplethysmography to detect atrial fibrillation with high accuracy, even in participants with darker skin tones. The Verily Study Watch bridges the gap between long-term monitoring and consumer devices, enabling clinicians to effectively use wearable data for Afib management.
Researchers have developed a new mixture, organ agar, that enables them to screen bacteria more efficiently than traditional methods. This innovation allows for the testing of over 1,700 mutants of the UTI-causing bacteria Proteus mirabilis using only a quarter of the mice typically required.
A recent study found that COVID-19 transmission rates in child care centers were only about 2% to 3%, with 1 in 20 symptomatic children testing positive. Vaccination is still highly recommended, as vaccines are a safe and effective way of preventing serious infection.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 can leave a lasting impact on older adults living in nursing homes, causing them to need more help with daily activities and experience a decline in brain function. The study found that those who tested positive for COVID had effects that lasted up to nine months.
A U-M study links increased physical independence, gut microbiome disrupting antibiotics, and hand contamination to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) environmental contamination in nursing homes. The study suggests that reducing antibiotic use and improving hand hygiene could control VRE spread.
A mouse model study found that testosterone treatment decreased egg yield without affecting quality, but outcomes improved with a washout period. This research provides evidence to inform fertility care for transgender and gender diverse people who wish to become parents.
Researchers developed a method to measure transepidermal water loss to detect anaphylaxis before epinephrine injections are necessary. The study showed that skin water loss increases before anaphylaxis occurs and can predict food challenge outcomes.
A national study of approximately 3,500 women found that those with a history of stroke are more likely to believe they won't receive adequate emergency care due to their gender and race. This perception may lead to delays in treatment for stroke patients, highlighting the need for improved healthcare equity.
A University of Michigan team found that vaccinating people over 65 against COVID-19 will save the US money, while younger adults may not see significant cost savings. The analysis, commissioned by the CDC, focused on costs to insurers and the government.
A new study shows a significant decline in dental opioid prescriptions, with 45% fewer opioids dispensed between 2016 and 2022. However, progress slowed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be attributed to dentists being more cautious due to limited follow-up appointments.
A specific nucleotide metabolite called GTP controls responses to radiation and chemotherapy in an unexpected way. Increasing GTP levels makes cells resistant to treatment, while lowering them makes cells more sensitive.
Researchers developed an environmental risk score to assess ALS risk and survival using a blood sample, associating several individual pollutants with disease risk. A mixture of pesticides in the blood significantly increased ALS risk, with those in the highest group having twice the risk as those in the lowest.
Researchers found that presenting adults between 76 and 85 with personalized information about the benefits and harms of colon cancer screening decreases excess screening. The study involved 431 older adults who received either standard or personalized care, with no significant differences in screening orders between the two groups.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that older adults from distressed communities are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation after coronary revascularization. The study found that only 26% of patients from these areas used cardiac rehab, compared to 46% from prosperous areas.
People with dementia experience a rapid rise in unpaid and paid home care, and major erosion of net worth. Family members face significant demands, providing an average of 45 hours of care per month.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum shows that implementing a five-day limit on opioid prescriptions for surgery patients did not lead to increased pain levels or decreased satisfaction. However, the amount of opioid pills patients received dropped significantly after the limit went into effect.
Researchers discovered five types of macrophages in fat tissue, with one subtype promoting inflammation and another quelling it. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that pro-inflammatory macrophages are solely responsible for obesity-related inflammation.
A recent study found that less than one-third of TAVR patients participate in cardiac rehabilitation within 90 days after discharge. Factors such as age, frailty, and medical complexity contribute to lower enrollment rates. The study highlights the need for improved education and hospital protocols to promote post-procedure care.
A new NIH grant will survey healthcare workers caring for people with dementia, gathering data to inform better care and policy. The study aims to understand workforce shortages, payment policies, and regulation, with a focus on direct care workers often overlooked.
A new poll found that 62% of people aged 50-80 disagree with using life expectancy as a factor in determining cancer screening guidelines. The majority also believes that some older adults should still receive cancer screenings even if guidelines don't recommend them.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that postpartum individuals in low-income neighborhoods are more likely to accumulate medical debt due to high out-of-pocket costs. Researchers suggest policies to reduce maternal-infant healthcare spending can ease financial hardship and improve birth equity.
Researchers have discovered a unique adhesin in Candida auris that enables it to stick to surfaces and cause disease. The study found that this adhesin, SCF1, is essential for colonization and virulence, suggesting a potential target for anti-fungal therapy.
A recent study identified 17 genetic changes contributing to MASLD, revealing seven disease subgroups that can be targeted with new treatments. The research also found high-risk individuals who may benefit from early screening and targeted care.
A Michigan Medicine-led report found that adding a mobile health application to wearable devices did not significantly improve physical activity levels in patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. However, some short-term outcomes showed an increase in walking distance over six minutes for Fitbit users.
Researchers have developed a new method to analyze protein production in cells using ribosome profiling, which has the potential to advance cancer research. The technique identifies previously unknown protein coding regions and allows for a clearer picture of protein production rate and location.
A new study found that most C. diff infections are caused by characteristics associated with the patient themselves, not hospital transmission. Researchers analyzed fecal samples from over 1,100 ICU patients and discovered only six genomically supported transmissions during a nine-month period.
A new study in PNAS discovers a protein, Iditarod, that regulates autophagy in fruit flies, linking exercise to cellular maintenance and cold tolerance. Flies lacking the gene exhibit impaired exercise endurance and reduced ability to tolerate cold.
A new study suggests that people who bought firearms during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have higher rates of recent suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, and intimate partner violence compared to other firearm owners and non-gun owners. Pandemic firearm buyers also tend to hold extreme beliefs, including anti-vaccination view...
A new study reveals that over half of adult patients skip questioning about firearms on screening questionnaires, while surveyed primary care providers are often uncomfortable discussing firearm safety with most patients. The study suggests a need for more research and improved training on firearm-related topics for primary care clinics.
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that older adults with digestive diseases are more likely to report loneliness, moderate to severe depression, and poor-or-fair health. The research emphasizes the importance of considering psychosocial factors in gastrointestinal health care.
Researchers found that patients with HPV-positive cancers develop recurrent disease significantly later than those that were HPV-negative, and also are more likely to spread to the lungs. A new, highly sensitive blood test has been developed to detect cancer earlier, using a framework for combining routine blood testing and imaging.
A new study published in Genome Biology analyzed the genomes of 2000 dogs from 321 breeds, revealing 25 major groups that match expected breed origins. The research found significant genetic variation among breeds, with wolves exhibiting 14% more variation than dogs.
A free online tool can help prostate cancer patients save thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket drug costs by comparing Medicare Part D prescription plans. The Medicare Part D Plan Finder identifies significant savings for patients taking abiraterone or enzalutamide, two common prescription drugs for advanced prostate cancer.
A new study from the University of Michigan Department of Neurosurgery and Rogel Cancer Center shows promising early results that a therapy combining cell-killing and immune-stimulating drugs are safe and effective in extending survival for patients with gliomas, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. The treatment improved survival...