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Statins for heart disease prevention could be recommended for far fewer Americans if new risk equation is adopted

A new risk equation could lead to a significant reduction in statin prescriptions, with 28.3 million adults potentially eligible instead of 45.4 million under current guidelines. The PREVENT equations incorporate recent insights into the biology of cardiovascular disease and remove race as a factor.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2024

Cleveland Clinic risk calculator surpasses other clinical measures in predicting overall survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers developed a risk calculator using persistent homology scores from CT scans, which is the strongest predictor of overall survival among standard clinical measures. The calculator has the potential to guide clinicians in choosing treatment options and transform the way outcomes are predicted.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJCO Clinical Cancer Informatics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2023

Energy industry apps to improve accuracy and efficiency

University of Houston researchers have created digital applications to enhance energy efficiency, including calculators for hydrocarbon MMP, carbon dioxide MMP, and viscosity. These tools offer significantly higher accuracy than current methods, helping engineers save time and resources.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalGeoenergy Science and Engineering·TypeNews article·DateMay 25, 2023

A calculator identifies a group of cancer patients with favorable prognosis

Researchers developed a calculator to identify patients with multiple myeloma and primary systemic amyloidosis who have a more benign profile, allowing for personalized treatment. The tool predicts survival based on clinical-biological characteristics and has been validated in international series.

SourceCentro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) Universidad de Navarra·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2023

New machine learning models can predict adverse outcomes after abdominal hernia surgery with high accuracy

Researchers developed a procedure-specific risk calculator to encourage changes in patient behaviors before surgery. The machine learning models accurately predicted which patients were most likely to experience complications or hernia recurrence after ventral hernia repair.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 7, 2022

Nitrogen calculators not created equal, according to Illinois study

A new Illinois study compares performance of static and dynamic nitrogen recommendation tools, finding that complex dynamic tools do not consistently increase profits but offer a 15% reduction in nitrogen leaching. The researchers highlight the need to refine these tools and prioritize environmental outcomes over economic gains.

Goldilocks was right! No one-size-fits-all when it comes to kids’ health

Researchers developed a customisable time tool, the Goldilocks Day calculator, to help parents allocate hours and activities for optimal health outcomes. The tool considers physical health, cognitive abilities, and mental wellbeing, allowing parents to adjust daily schedules based on their child's needs.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Can a calculator predict your risk of dementia?

A new online calculator can predict an individual's risk of dementia in the next five years by assessing factors such as age, physical activity, diet, and stress. The tool, developed by Canadian researchers, aims to empower individuals to modify their lifestyle and reduce their risk.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJun 25, 2021

New online COVID-19 mortality risk calculator could help determine who should get vaccines first

The new risk calculator estimates mortality risk for individuals and communities, considering sociodemographic info and medical history. The tool will help public health authorities prioritize vaccination for high-risk groups, such as those with preexisting conditions or from vulnerable ethnic backgrounds.

Web-based calculator predicts risk of death, complications from diabetes and obesity

A new web-based calculator predicts a patient's likelihood of dying from complications or experiencing serious health issues due to type 2 diabetes and obesity, whether they undergo metabolic surgery or continue with standard medical therapy. The Individualized Diabetes Complication Risk Calculator provides a personalized risk score ba...

Hospital-wide scores underestimate readmission risk in neurocritical care patients

A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing found that hospital-wide scores significantly underestimate readmission risk in neurocritical care patients. The study used data from 279 patients and found that only 38 were readmitted within 30 days, but nearly two-thirds were misclassified as low-risk using existing models.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Nursing·DateNov 29, 2018

Calculator estimates success of kidney transplants with particular donor-recipient pairs

Researchers developed a calculator estimating graft survival after kidney transplant from living donors, accounting for mismatches in age, sex, HLA, and body size. The tool is particularly useful for kidney paired donation, allowing candidates to compare estimated graft survival with different potential donors.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 8, 2017

Internet crystal ball can predict risk of heart disease, diabetes, study finds

A new online metabolic calculator developed by a University of Virginia doctor predicts patients' risk of developing heart disease and diabetes with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The tool takes into account multiple factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, and ethnicity, to provide a more comprehensive risk assessment.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2017

Your blood can reveal your risk for heart disease

Researchers found that measuring specific microRNAs in blood can improve risk prediction for myocardial infarction by 15-20% compared to traditional risk factors alone. The study, published in Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, identified five key microRNAs that can help identify individuals at high risk for heart disease.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology·DateJun 29, 2016

Most clinical 'calculators' over-estimate heart attack risk

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that four out of five widely used clinical calculators significantly overestimate the likelihood of a heart attack. The researchers found that these algorithms calculate heart attack probability using factors such as gender, age, smoking history, and cholesterol levels, but may not accurate...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015

Version 2.0 of Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator now online, complete with emojis

The prostate cancer risk calculator has been updated to provide a more nuanced result, helping men understand their risk of low-grade and high-grade prostate cancer. The new calculator incorporates current risk factors and an advanced statistical model to distinguish between the prediction of low-grade and high-grade disease.

The aftermath of calculator use in college classrooms

A study by Pitt researcher Samuel King found that students relying on calculators to solve mathematical problems often lack a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. The research suggests that using calculators as a substitute for mathematical thinking can lead to surface-level learning, rather than true comprehension.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalBritish Educational Research Journal·DateNov 12, 2012