Articles tagged with Randomization
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A systematic review of 31,085 deliveries found that induced labor is associated with a lower risk of cesarean delivery. Prostaglandin E2 is linked to significant reductions in cesarean risks.
Researchers found that almonds can help curb appetites, improve nutrient intake and reduce abdominal fat mass in adults. Snacking on almonds may be a weight-wise strategy depending on the foods consumed, with their nutrient profile supporting a healthy weight.
A study published in JAMA found that restricting blood transfusions reduces healthcare-associated infections by 18%, saving lives and costs. The research suggests that a more restrictive approach to transfusions could alleviate patient suffering and reduce hospital costs.
Depression patients showed characteristic path length and node attributes differences compared to healthy controls. An artificial neural network algorithm demonstrated the effectiveness of brain network metrics in machine learning research and clinical diagnosis of depression.
A web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention program was found to be ineffective in reducing the amount of alcohol consumed per episode or frequency of drinking among university students. However, it did show a modest reduction in alcohol consumption per typical drinking episode.
Approximately 25 percent of randomized clinical trials were discontinued between 2000 and 2003, mainly due to poor recruitment, with only 38 percent reported to research ethics committees. Discontinued trials were less likely to be published, especially those sponsored by industry.
A lack of evidence on effective de-escalation techniques has been identified by researchers, who are now calling for a randomized controlled trial to establish best methods. The NHS reports a rise in reported assaults, highlighting the need for research to identify the most successful approaches.
A 4-year follow-up study found that patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units who require renal replacement therapy do not benefit from higher-intensity treatment. Albuminuria was common among survivors, indicating ongoing risk of chronic kidney disease and mortality.
A recent EORTC study found that health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments provide relevant information in small-cell lung cancer trials, even when treatment efficacy is similar. The study highlights the need for improved HRQOL reporting in randomized clinical trials to optimize their value.
A multicenter study found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts significantly reduced the risk of peripheral artery disease. The study, published in JAMA, included over 7,400 participants and followed them for nearly five years.
A survey of 3,000 triathletes found a significant association between physical doping and brain doping, with 13.7% of men and 8.0% of women reported doping. The study also revealed that athletes who use legal performance-enhancing substances are more likely to engage in brain doping.
A unique study on Oregon's citizens found that adults covered by Medicaid use emergency rooms 40% more than those without health insurance. The research sheds light on the inner workings of healthcare in the US, challenging traditional economics frameworks suggesting that insurance would decrease medical care usage.
The NeoALTTO trial analyzed event-free and overall survival in patients with HER2-positive primary breast cancer. The study found improved pathologic complete response rates, which may translate to better long-term outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found that surgical removal of the primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes did not improve overall survival in women with metastatic breast cancer. The study suggests that conventional wisdom may need to be revised for patients who have metastatic breast cancer.
A large systematic review found no link between vitamin D supplementation and reduced risk of acute and chronic diseases, casting doubt on its benefits. Decreases in vitamin D levels are likely a marker of deteriorating health rather than a cause of disease.
A randomized controlled trial found that early surgery for hip fractures in older adults can significantly reduce complications and improve outcomes. The study involved 60 patients aged 45 or older who received either accelerated care or standard care, with the former resulting in shorter wait times and improved surgical results.
Researchers found that lowering blood pressure within the first 48 hours after an acute ischemic stroke did not impact death and major disability outcomes. The study suggests individual clinical judgment should guide the decision to lower blood pressure in these patients.
The HYBRID trial found that combining minimally invasive CABG with percutaneous coronary intervention is feasible and safe for patients with multi-vessel disease. At one year, 89.8% of the hybrid group was free from major adverse cardiac events.
The TATORT-NSTEMI trial found that aspirating blood clots does not significantly reduce microvascular obstruction or the risk of death in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Standard PCI without thrombectomy was shown to be equally effective.
The SAFE-PCI for Women trial found that radial access reduced bleeding and complication rates compared to femoral access, with a significant benefit seen in the overall cohort. The study's findings suggest that radial access is a reasonable strategy for women undergoing cardiac catheterization.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that administering higher doses of the ADHD drug methylphenidate can be effective in treating individuals with both ADHD and substance dependency. The treatment led to reduced relapse rates, fewer ADHD symptoms, and improved adherence to treatment regimens.
Researchers found that hypothermia treatment did not improve outcomes for adults with severe bacterial meningitis. In fact, the study suggests that moderate hypothermia may be harmful. The trial stopped early due to concerns over excess mortality in the hypothermia group.
A study by researchers at the University of York found that combining acupuncture or counselling with usual care improved depression symptoms in patients after three months. The study showed significant reductions in average depression scores for both acupuncture and counselling interventions, but not between the two groups.
The ASSURE study found that the experimental apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) inducer RVX-208 failed to incrementally impact atherosclerotic plaque, despite promising earlier findings. The lack of efficacy was attributed to adverse events and liver enzyme elevations in the treatment group.
Researchers found that losartan significantly reduced aortic enlargement after three years compared to those who did not receive treatment. The study confirms previous findings in mouse models and suggests the drug may postpone or prevent aortic rupture in Marfan patients.
The TASTE trial found that aspiration of the blood clot causing a heart attack does not improve survival rates compared to balloon dilation and stenting alone. The study enrolled over 7,200 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland.
A study of 2,238 CAD patients found that statin treatment reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events across all three groups: very low, low, and high LDL-C levels. Statins also showed significant benefits regardless of LDL-C level, suggesting their potential to reduce cardiovascular risk for all CAD patients.
Researchers analyzed over 350,000 patients in 860 phase III trials and found that new treatments outperform existing ones around half the time. The study suggests the randomized controlled trial system is working as intended despite needing tweaks for better design and reporting.
A 12-week aerobic exercise program showed no significant reduction in hot flashes among postmenopausal women. However, white women and those with initial fitness levels improved with exercise. Exercise had small positive effects on sleep quality, insomnia, and depression.
A study published in JAMA found that daily soy protein supplementation for two years did not reduce or delay the development of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. In fact, the supplement may even accelerate the onset of recurrence by a few weeks.
A University of North Carolina study found that 47% of medical decisions in radiation oncology were made without available randomized clinical trial data. This highlights the need for well-designed observational studies and alternative clinical trial designs to inform patient care.
A randomized clinical trial found that early tracheostomy within the first 4 days after admission was not associated with improved survival among critically ill patients. In contrast, delaying tracheostomy until at least day 10 resulted in lower mortality and reduced procedure-related complications.
Treatment with A1-PI slows the progression of emphysema in patients with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency by preserving lung density. The study showed significant clinical and statistical benefits, confirming the efficacy of augmentation therapy.
A new colonoscope allows doctors to see more of the colon, significantly improving adenoma detection rates and reducing polyp miss rates by up to 80%. The Full Spectrum Endoscopy (FUSE) colonoscope also optimizes withdrawal times during colonoscopies, decreasing polyp miss rates by almost twice as much with longer procedures.
New research suggests healthcare professionals are not utilizing patient self-management support effectively, despite its potential to improve sustainability and reduce costs. The study found that while some patients benefited from the approach, it did not lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes or service usage.
A large multicenter trial showed that adding lutein and zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to an antioxidant vitamins formulation did not reduce the risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration. No significant effects were observed on vision loss development either.
Researchers found that critical access hospitals (CAHs) had higher mortality rates for patients with heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia compared to non-CAHs. CAH admissions were associated with 10.4 excess deaths per 1,000 admissions during the study period.
A study of 126 inactive older adults with cognitive complaints found significant improvement in cognitive function after 12 weeks of physical and mental activity. However, there was no difference between the intervention and control groups, suggesting that the amount of activity may be more important than its type.
A phase 3 trial found that eritoran did not significantly reduce all-cause 28-day mortality or 1-year mortality in patients with severe sepsis compared to placebo. The study, conducted in 197 intensive care units, showed no significant difference in treatment-emergent adverse events between eritoran and placebo groups.
A joint Swedish-UK study found that men who participated in biennial PSA-based screening had lower risks of being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer for up to 9 years. After 9 years, the rates in both groups converged, but mortality was significantly lower in the screening group initially.
A randomized trial compared treatments for ectopic pregnancies, finding no significant differences in subsequent fertility between medical treatment and conservative surgery. The study suggests that medical treatment may be preferred for less active ectopic pregnancies due to fewer risks, while surgical treatment is recommended for wom...
A randomized controlled trial found that acupuncture with intense stimulation (de qi) improves facial muscle recovery, disability, and quality of life in patients with Bell palsy. The study suggests de qi is a key factor in achieving therapeutic effects in this condition.
Researchers found that preemptive treatment with Diclectin significantly decreases risk of severe nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. The study also showed a lower recurrence rate of hyperemesis gravidarum when treatment is started before symptoms appear.
A new study finds that a genetic variant in the inflammation gene interleukin-6 is associated with developmental problems in females after preterm birth, but not in males. The research may help identify prevention strategies for preterm brain injury and improve understanding of how it occurs.
A systematic review of 24 randomized clinical trials found significant observer bias in nonblinded outcome assessment, favoring a more beneficial treatment effect. The study recommends using blinded assessors to remove this bias and suggests that conscientious nonblinded assessors may overcompensate for expected biases.
Researchers at UCSF and the Australian Joint Registry expose loopholes in the 510(k) clearance process that allow untested high-risk medical devices to reach the market. The devices have failed at a dangerously high rate, requiring multiple surgeries and posing unknown risks to patients.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that patients receiving Guided Care rated their care quality higher than those in regular primary care, with 66% more likely to access telephone advice as excellent or very good.
A new meta-analysis of 10 studies involving over 203,000 patients with anemia and heart attacks found that liberal blood transfusions increased the risk of death by 12% and had twice the odds of another heart attack. The study calls for rigorous randomized trials to determine when transfusions are appropriate.
A new study published in the Journal of Urology found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) resulted in decreased estimated blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared to open radical cystectomy (ORC) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. RARC also showed a trend towards faster return of bowel func...
A recent study published in The Lancet found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) significantly reduced depressive symptoms in adults who had not responded to antidepressant medication. After six months, 46% of participants in the CBT group showed improvement compared to 22% in the control group.
A study by UK researchers found that attending physicians tend to rate borderline performances lower when previously exposed to good, rather than poor, performances. This contrast bias may result in biased judgments in competency-based education assessment systems.
The RESPECT trial found that PFO closure significantly reduces the risk of recurrent ischemic strokes, with a clinical benefit of 46.6-72.7% compared to medical management alone. The study also showed low device-related risks and no device-related thrombus or embolization.
Researchers identified a distinct patient population that may benefit from prasugrel, a novel anti-platelet therapy, in those triaged to medical therapy following angiography. This subgroup showed lower rates of cardiovascular events and bleeding compared to clopidogrel.
A randomized controlled trial found that daily sedation interruption did not improve outcomes, including duration of mechanical ventilation, among critically ill patients. The study also revealed increased use of opioids and benzodiazepines in the interruption group.
A comparative study of 80 patients found that coffee consumption reduced recovery time for bowel movements and tolerance of solid food after colon surgery. Coffee also helped patients pass stool sooner, with an average time of just over 60 hours.
A recent study published in JAMA found that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce the incidence or severity of colds in healthy adults. The researchers studied 322 participants who received either a monthly dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 or a placebo for 18 months.
A cluster randomized trial found that an intervention to enhance sense of coherence (SOC) improved oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), oral health beliefs, and gingival health in children. The study suggests that SOC may be an avenue for oral health promotion.
Researchers analyzed 70 press releases and 41 associated news stories, finding that 33 contained 'spin' in press releases and 28 in study abstracts, potentially leading readers to overestimate treatment benefits.
A large-scale synthesis of available randomized evidence found no association between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and major cardiovascular outcomes. Despite widespread recommendation, supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs is not associated with lower risk of all-cause death, cardiac death, sudden death, heart attack, or stroke.
A study of 29 randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment or sham acupuncture for managing some types of chronic pain. Patients who received acupuncture had lower pain scores compared to those in control groups.