Articles tagged with Systems Biology
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Houston are developing mathematical models to understand how cells in large colonies of bacteria communicate with each other. Their goal is to design colonies that can perform computations and make sophisticated decisions, mimicking the ability of tissues to maintain homeostasis.
A new technology developed at Purdue University can monitor patients more effectively during MRI scans by recording electro-physiological signals, reducing health risks. The smart device aims to provide better imaging quality and improve the safety of medical diagnostics for diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's.
UNC Health Care was honored as a national leader in health IT by the American Hospital Association (AHA) for leveraging technology to enhance patient care. The system has fully integrated its electronic health record (EHR) across all hospital entities and outpatient clinics.
A study applying machine learning techniques to the Look AHEAD Trial data found that 85% of participants experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity through intensive weight loss intervention. However, 15% of subjects had an increased risk of cardiovascular events due to weight loss.
A new study found that dying adults in the US receive almost twice as much caregiving support per week compared to those not at the end of life. Unpaid family caregivers, particularly spouses, report high levels of physical difficulty and time constraints.
A proposed solution to disrupt healthcare disruptions is the creation of a chief primary care medical officer. This position would lead hospital efforts to create systems ensuring a complete primary care continuum, even for complex patients, resulting in improved value, reduced costs, and better health outcomes.
The study found that men have a higher plaque burden than women, and that it increases with age. The 3D vascular ultrasound technique has the potential to become a key screening tool for identifying at-risk individuals.
A recent study by Medica Research Institute found that provider consolidation in the Minneapolis-St Paul market led to significant increases in physician prices. The study analyzed commercial claims data from 2006-2011 and found average physician prices to be 32-47% higher four years after the acquisitions.
Researchers discovered an ancient antiviral defense system in human cells that could be used to deliver targeted therapies using engineered viruses or simple self-replicating RNAs. This system, which dates back billions of years, was originally designed to defend against viral infection and may hold the key to new treatments for diseases.
A RAND Corporation study found that providing medical care to patients with opioid addiction using three quality measures can significantly reduce death rates. These measures include not prescribing opioids or common anxiety medications, receiving psychosocial counseling, and having quarterly visits with a physician.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new deep brain stimulation system that uses electrodes on top of the brain to sense movement and deliver targeted stimulation only when needed. This approach has shown promising results in reducing tremor symptoms, extending battery life, and improving patient performance.
Researchers found that wire-free electrodes and the round window surgical approach improved long-term hearing preservation in cochlear implant patients. The study's lead investigator notes that these findings have major implications for doctors and patients seeking to restore their hearing.
Computer scientists at MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital develop a new system to analyze hundreds of hours of laparoscopic surgery videos for training purposes. The system efficiently searches for events and visual features in the videos, enabling speedy analysis and improved surgical outcomes.
Researchers identify early stress as a molecular basis for lifelong depression susceptibility, revealing a critical role for the developmental transcription factor Otx2. Mice stressed in early life exhibit suppressed Otx2 levels and increased depression-like behavior in adulthood, highlighting a sensitive period for brain development.
A clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that TempTraq, a wearable Bluetooth patch, can detect body temperature changes up to 180 minutes earlier than the current standard-of-care method. This early detection empowers clinicians to intervene faster and improve patient outcomes.
Low-energy electrons affect insulators in electronic systems and cause radiation damage in human and biological tissue. Researchers have devised a technique called the aerosol overlayer method to measure electron movement, separating core and shell interactions.
The new UNOS system reduced disparities in national kidney transplant rates for blacks and Hispanics, with significant increases in transplant rates for these groups after implementation. However, disparities may return if the most disadvantaged patients are cleared from the list.
Researchers developed a tethered soft exosuit that reduces the metabolic cost of running on a treadmill by 5.4% compared to not wearing the exosuit. The study tested two different assistance profiles, one based on human biology and another based on simulation, with the latter outperforming the former in reducing metabolic cost.
Researchers at Cornell University have observed a previously unknown characteristic of water surrounding DNA, revealing a chiral water superstructure that follows the iconic helical structure of DNA. This discovery has significant implications for understanding reactivity and biology in biological systems.
A machine-learning algorithm has been developed to predict severe sepsis and septic shock in hospitalized patients, utilizing data from electronic health records. The algorithm was validated in real-time and found to accurately identify patients at risk, with approximately 3% of all acute care patients screened as positive.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a neural stimulation system that improves walking ability for stroke and MS patients. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) significantly helped patients walk more effectively, with one patient covering nearly a mile and another gaining balance and confidence.
A new paper reveals that evolution has optimized two fundamental biological processes, DNA replication and protein translation, to prioritize speed over accuracy. The research suggests that a few mistakes are tolerable as long as the majority of biopolymers produced are correct, and energy savings can be significant.
Patients operated on by high-volume mitral valve surgeons experience lower one-year mortality and reoperation rates compared to those performed by lower-volume surgeons. High-volume surgeons are more likely to perform durable repairs, with repair rates ranging from 77% for 51+ cases to 48% for fewer than 10 cases.
Scientists at Temple University have developed a gene editing strategy that can excise HIV DNA from the genomes of living animals, eliminating further infection. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was successfully tested in three animal models, including one with latent HIV-1 infection.
Researchers connect classical acupuncture to advances in physiology, systems biology, and mechanotherapeutics. They explore the body's interconnectedness as a whole system, suggesting an exciting convergence in Eastern and Western medicine.
Researchers found that hospitals with better mortality rates receive lower Medicare payments, while those with higher readmission rates receive higher average payments. Health IT usage is positively associated with higher Medicare reimbursements due to improved efficiency in insurance claims.
Researchers at CHOP have developed a unique womb-like environment to support growth and organ maturation in extremely premature babies. The system, tested on fetal lambs, has shown promising results, with some animals remaining healthy after 28 days of operation.
A new study found that patients with opioid use disorder in general healthcare settings are more than 10 times as likely to die as those without substance abuse problems. The mortality rate was also higher among older patients and those with comorbid health conditions.
Researchers found that price transparency alone was not enough to change clinician behavior, but specific patient groups showed promising results. The study suggests that future interventions need to be better designed and framed relative pricing.
Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) use increased from 7.5% to 15.6% between 2011 and 2014, but disparities persist in certain groups. Patients from higher-income areas and those affiliated with Accountable Care Organizations were more likely to receive an AWV.
A study found that South Carolina hospitals that completed a voluntary program to implement the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist had a 22% reduction in post-surgical deaths compared to non-participating hospitals. The checklist improved patient safety by promoting operating room communication and coordination.
Research by Mary Carskadon shows that teenagers need more sleep than they get due to conflicting societal expectations. Studies have found that as children age, their circadian rhythms shift later, making it harder for them to wake up early. This can lead to sleep disorders and decreased academic performance.
Researchers found that the prefrontal cortex teaches the hippocampus to differentiate goal-related memories, enabling rapid integration of memories with goals. This cognitive flexibility is disrupted in neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and depression.
Researchers will create a software program that integrates MRI scans with navigational systems to build personalized 3-D maps of brain functions and anatomy.
Researchers found that pre-existing immunity to dengue and West Nile viruses can cause increased risk of severe Zika virus infection. High concentrations of antibodies from these infections offered protection, while lower concentrations led to enhanced morbidity and mortality.
A Loyola Medicine study found that electronic health record (EHR) systems can mitigate the weekend effect in urgent general surgery patients. Patients at hospitals with high-speed EHR connectivity and electronic bed management systems experienced lower hospital stays and mortality rates, with reductions of up to 35%.
A study led by Mount Sinai researchers found that knee replacement surgery provides only small improvements in quality of life, especially in patients with less severe physical function. The procedure's economic attractiveness increases when offered to those with more severe symptoms.
Researchers at SISSA used computer simulations to investigate knotted DNA passage through nanopores. The study found that DNA knots can pass through pores in two distinct ways, with the knot's size not affecting the passage time.
A man with quadriplegia has regained arm movements using a brain-computer interface and functional electrical stimulation system. The technology allowed him to perform simple functions like grasping and eating, marking a significant milestone in the restoration of motor function for individuals with paralysis.
A review paper suggests that clinical decision tools can influence pulmonary CTA use and yield, with physician nonadherence being a major obstacle. The study found that validated rules and integrated CDS systems can help appropriate use of CTAs, but further investigation is needed.
A new diagnostic model called Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) aims to correct limitations of traditional models like DSM-5 by using a dimensional and hierarchical approach. This approach can lead to more meaningful decisions and advance research efforts into the causes and treatments of mental disorders.
A Temple University Health System research team identified sex-based differences in the utilization and safety outcomes of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Female patients were less likely to receive CDT, while males experienced more bleeding complications, but with similar mortality rates.
A new study validates a novel classification system for identifying academic radiologists' subspecialties using Medicare claims data. The system correctly classified 90% of radiologists and has potential to improve value-based payment models.
The SURTAVI trial shows that TAVR is comparable to surgical aortic valve replacement for intermediate-risk patients, with similar all-cause mortality rates and better mean aortic valve gradient at two years. Near-term results also indicate improved outcomes for TAVR patients, including lower stroke rates and quicker hospital discharge.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed an algorithm that accurately predicts whether a child is on the Autism spectrum of disorder based on levels of metabolites found in a blood sample. The algorithm, which uses big data techniques, correctly identified 96.1% of neurotypical participants and 97.6% of children with ASD.
A study at Kern Health Systems found that pharmacists with expanded roles can reduce readmission rates for high-risk patients by up to 28% and 32%. The program, which included post-discharge counseling and medication management, also showed promise in reducing long-term hospital readmissions.
The use of computerized clinical decision support systems improves prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism among surgical patients, reducing the risk of developing a blood clot by up to 50 percent. Computerized systems also increase the rate of appropriate treatment ordering.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System will present their study on the predictive value of the Fuster-BEWAT score for predicting the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy individuals, and another study exploring determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis in the absence of cardiovascular risk factors.
A team of researchers is developing a wearable robotic system for minimally invasive surgery, which will offer surgeons natural movement and the ability to sense, see, control, and safely navigate through the surgical environment. The system will be equipped with exoskeletons that fit over the surgeon's hands, smart glasses with real-t...
Researchers are working to detect malware in implanted medical devices, which can pose risks to patients. UA engineer Roman Lysecky is pioneering technologies to enable IMDs to detect malware and continue functioning properly despite security breaches.
A novel technology platform has been developed to monitor organs-on-chips, enabling long-term studies that closely model human physiology and responses. The platform integrates multiple sensors to track temperature, oxygen levels, and pH values, allowing for more accurate and efficient data collection.
Researchers are developing control algorithms and imaging technology to harness MRI power for millimeter-sized robots to navigate the body's venous system. The goal is to use large numbers of mini-robots to target specific lesions, delivering chemotherapy or interventions.
Patients with carotid artery stenosis are more likely to undergo surgery when treated by fee-for-service physicians, compared to those treated by salary-based military physicians. This suggests that provider-induced demand may be at play, and policymakers should focus on aligning incentives to improve healthcare outcomes.
A recent study published in Medical Care found that nurse practitioners and physician assistants deliver care comparable to physicians in community health centers. The research has implications for healthcare systems, particularly in underserved areas where non-physician clinicians are increasingly relied upon for primary care.
The ASTER Trial shows no significant difference in revascularization rate and safety between Penumbra's aspiration system and stent retrievers for acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusions. The study provides evidence supporting the use of aspiration as a frontline thrombectomy approach.
Researchers have developed a new handheld instrument for minimally invasive surgery, providing the same benefits as robot-assisted surgery at a lower cost. The technology could increase access to advanced laparoscopic instruments in rural hospitals and medical centers.
Researchers developed nanostraws that can sample a single cell at a time without damaging it, allowing for long-term non-destructive monitoring of cellular processes. This technique could inform cancer treatments and help develop patient-specific organs by understanding how stem cells evolve.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created small biological robots called bio-bots that can move on their own using muscle cells. The researchers developed a method to seed cells into a scaffold and direct their behavior using electrical or light signals.
A new biocompatible 3D tracking system has shown promising results in improving the accuracy of robot-assisted surgery. The system, which uses near-infrared fluorescent markers, enables accurate tracking of tissue and surgical tools with millimeter accuracy.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that patient complaints can identify surgeons with higher rates of surgical site infections and other avoidable adverse outcomes. These physicians not only make patients unhappy but also impact the ability of other team members to do their work, leading to more complications.