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Study shows inappropriate antibiotic prescribing differs by patient age, insurance, race

A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that patient age, insurance, and race are associated with risk of receiving an unneeded antibiotic prescription. Advanced practice providers were 15% more likely to prescribe antibiotics than physician providers, highlighting the need for tailored education.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJan 30, 2018

Speech analysis software predicted psychosis in at-risk patients with up to 83 percent accuracy

A computer-based language classifier predicted psychosis in at-risk youths with up to 83% accuracy, identifying disturbances in speech flow and tangential thinking as indicative of psychosis. The technology has the potential to improve prediction and prevention of psychosis by targeting cognitive deficits.

Study says some nursing homes gaming the system to improve their Medicare star ratings

A new study by Florida Atlantic University found that some nursing homes in California inflate their self-assessment reporting to improve their Medicare star ratings. The researchers identified key predictors of inflating ratings, including financial gain and lack of direct correlation with on-site inspection results.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateJan 17, 2018

Default setting in electronic medical records 'nudged' emergency department physicians to limit opioid prescriptions to 10 tablets

A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that implementing a default option for lower opioid tablet quantities in electronic medical records increased compliance with prescribing guidelines, resulting in fewer prescriptions written for larger quantities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 17, 2018

Making waves

A new approach identifies and measures changes in thousands of proteins as Xenopus eggs undergo fertilization, revealing details of protein destruction and release to prevent multiple fertilization. This method enables comprehensive analyses of protein dynamics and sheds light on cellular changes driving disease.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2017

Entangling biological systems

A Northwestern University team creates quantum entanglement from a biological system using green fluorescent proteins. This finding advances scientists' understanding of biology and opens doors to exploit quantum mechanics for new applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2017

When the doctor's away

A study published in JAMA found that patients treated by substitute doctors had similar death rates as those treated by regular hospital staff. However, hospitals that used substitute physicians less often had poorer patient mortality outcomes, possibly due to geographic remoteness or limited financial resources.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA·DateDec 5, 2017

Sight-saving imaging technology secures funding

The University of Liverpool's Ultra-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (Ultra-OCT) system is developing a state-of-the-art imaging technology to revolutionise the detection, diagnosis, and management of corneal eye conditions. The system boasts a resolution of 2 micrometres and can scan 1,000 times faster than existing OCT machines.

Five health indicators are enough to predict cardiovascular risk in healthy people

A new study finds that a simple tool, Fuster-BEWAT score, can predict cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals using five health indicators: blood pressure, physical activity, body-mass index, fruit and vegetable intake, and smoking status. The Fuster-BEWAT score is as effective as the American Heart Association-recommended ICHS index.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 13, 2017

Study: Lupus patients endorse PROMIS assessment tool as relevant, valuable and potentially useful in improving clinical care

PROMIS is a patient-reported outcomes measurement system that evaluates physical, psychological, and social well-being to provide information on the subjective patient experience. Lupus patients endorse PROMIS assessments as reflecting their experience with lupus, highlighting its potential utility in validating symptoms, tracking dise...

Computer program helps doctors detect acute kidney injury earlier to save lives

A new computer program has been developed to help doctors detect acute kidney injury earlier, reducing its severity and improving survival rates. The program, which was tested in over half a million patients, showed a significant reduction in hospital mortality, length of stay, and dialysis rates.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 2, 2017

'Choosing Wisely' movement: Off to a good start, but change needed for continued success

The Choosing Wisely movement has successfully started conversations about low-value care, but its impact is limited by the difficulty in changing doctor behavior. Researchers recommend prioritizing recommendations, consolidating guidelines, and evaluating efforts to make a greater difference in quality and value in healthcare.

Augmented tongue ultrasound for speech therapy

A team of researchers developed a system that displays tongue movements in real time, using machine learning algorithms to control an articulatory talking head. This 'visual biofeedback' system can help patients with articulation disorders correct pronunciation problems faster.

SourceCNRS·JournalSpeech Communication·DateOct 13, 2017

Rapid imaging of granular matter

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new technique using magnetic resonance imaging to study granular systems, enabling real-time imaging and measurement of particle velocities. This breakthrough has potential applications in fields such as carbon capture and could lead to higher efficiency and energy savings.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 21, 2017

Life-long blood production depends on hundreds of cells that form prior to birth

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that hundreds of precursor cells, not just a handful, are involved in establishing the blood system before birth. This discovery has clinical implications, as understanding how the blood system emerges can help unravel the origins of disease and identify susceptible cells.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateSep 18, 2017

Telemedicine visits save families time and money

A study by Nemours Children's Health System found that telemedicine visits for sports medicine appointments saved patients and families an average of $50 in travel costs and 51 minutes in waiting time. Each telemedicine visit also reduced the health system's costs by $24 per patient.

Patients to benefit from new 3-D visualizations of the heart

Researchers have developed a new technique to visualize the human cardiac conduction system in 3D, providing unprecedented details. This technology will aid cardiologists in placing prosthetic valves near the heart's conduction system, reducing risks and improving surgical outcomes for patients with congenital heart diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 11, 2017

Scientists reveal source of human heartbeat in 3-D

A team of scientists has developed a way to produce 3D data showing the cardiac conduction system, enabling more accurate computer models of the heartbeat. This breakthrough will improve our understanding of troublesome heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation and help surgeons design operations with less risk of damaging precious tissue.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 4, 2017