Research modeling biology as interacting systems. Covers tumor-response prediction, engineered bacteria, living-matter physics, and behavior in model organisms.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that one in five physicians was unaware a patient had a central venous catheter, which can lead to life-threatening complications such as bloodstream infections and blood clots. The study suggests that improving device awareness is crucial for preventing these complications.
Harvard researchers found that only 26% of psychiatrists offered appointments despite making multiple calls, highlighting the challenges faced by patients seeking mental health care. The study also reveals a significant difference in success rates between cities, with Houston having the most accessible psychiatric services.
A new study from BIDMC found that while patients didn't message doctors more over time, the overall number of messages per doctor increased as more patients enrolled in secure patient web portals. Primary care doctors received 85% of email traffic, despite representing only 40% of the system.
The study developed a prediction tool that uses laboratory and vital-sign data to identify hospital patients at risk for sepsis. The tool resulted in faster sepsis identification, increased orders for diagnostic tests, and more timely administration of antibiotics and intravenous fluids.
Researchers at UT Arlington are creating a wearable interface that uses sensors to monitor the fitting of prosthetic devices and adjust accordingly. The interface aims to improve comfort and reduce discomfort for users, who often experience issues such as blistering and ulcers due to volume changes in their residual limbs.
A new patient management system at Kelowna General Hospital has reduced stroke bed days by over 25% and saved the hospital up to $800,000 per year. The program, called Proprietary Physician, involves coordinating care between doctors, nurses, and family members.
A UT Arlington multi-disciplinary team is optimizing and integrating volumes of data to help physicians make better decisions about treating patients' pain. The project aims to remove bias in assessing treatment effects, providing doctors with more accurate information.
The IU-Regenstrief CHICA system significantly increased the number of children screened for developmental delay at ages 9, 18, and 30 months. The system also improved developmental delay surveillance by eliciting concerns from parents during visits.
Researchers identify butorphanol's target areas in the brain responsible for relieving itch, shedding light on its effectiveness against histamine-mediated and nonhistaminergic types of itch. The study's findings suggest that opioid receptors play a crucial role in modulating itch transmission.
A new study reveals that the US physician payment system is not inherently biased towards surgeons and procedure-performing doctors. The difference in pay between specialties arises mostly from differences in the number of minutes allocated to each service by Medicare's formula, which takes into account estimated times for work.
Despite Congress's adjournment, the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 remains a crucial issue in healthcare finance. Experts, including Dr. Eli Adashi, advocate for bipartisan efforts to address the SGR law and promote reforms to move Medicare towards quality-based compensation.
The Edge Radiosurgery Suite provides sub-millimeter accuracy with extreme precision in targeting cancer tumors. The study demonstrates its high accuracy, outperforming robot- or frame-based radiosurgery systems, making it a highly effective treatment option for patients.
A mandatory employee vaccination policy at Henry Ford Health System resulted in a significant increase in flu vaccination rates, reaching 99% among health care workers. The system's success can be attributed to effective communication, education, and sufficient vaccine availability.
The Microphysiological Systems Program is developing human-on-a-chip models to study cell-cell, drug-cell, and organ-drug interactions. These models have the potential to revolutionize experimental biology and medicine by increasing efficiency and human relevance in pharmaceutical development and testing.
According to a study by American College of Emergency Physicians, discharged patients often return to the emergency department because they're anxious about their symptoms. The main reasons cited are fear or uncertainty about their medical condition, distrust in the healthcare system, and difficulties accessing care due to lack of insu...
Researchers at UC San Diego have sequenced the complete genome of the EDL933 E. coli strain, a common cause of food poisoning outbreaks in the US. The full genome sequence provides precise locations of jumping genes, potentially aiding in tracking and treating future outbreaks.
Researchers design a network-like cell system that reproduces dynamic behavior of protein synthesis, allowing for control over genetic content and protein production. The system enables the study of gene network design and emerging protein dynamics, potentially paving the way for controlling protein synthesis for various applications.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital discovered a biomarker linked to PTSD development, centered around the glucocorticoid receptor. This receptor is found in stressed animals with PTSD and may be targeted for new treatments.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine developed an effective treatment for the rare disorder, which causes continuous feelings of swaying or rocking. The treatment re-adapts the vestibulo-ocular reflex, a mechanism in the inner ear that maintains balance, and achieves significant recovery rates in patients.
The study highlights the potential of increased adoption of complex care management to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. However, several barriers, including fee-for-service payment systems and lack of resources in small practices, must be addressed.
Researchers identify mechanism explaining Zipf's law, a pattern found in complex systems. The study uses neural data from blowflies to demonstrate how the law arises when units respond to a hidden variable.
A recent study published in Critical Care Medicine found that heavier patients are more likely to survive sepsis, a life-threatening infection. This obesity paradox challenges conventional wisdom and may improve care for all patients with sepsis and other critical illnesses.
Researchers confirm a mathematical theory first proposed by Alan Turing in 1952 can explain the formation of fingers, revealing how signaling molecules act as the Turing system. The study uses systems biology and computational modeling to validate the theory, with be confirming results observed in limb bud tissue experiments.
A new study finds that consolidating recommendations and clear language are key to converting pediatric preventive care guidelines into computerized prompts. The guidelines currently lack organization to easily translate into electronic prompts, leading to missed or delayed visits.
Researchers have developed a single-pixel optical system that can overcome light scattering in tissue, enabling transmission of images through scattering media. The technique uses compressive sensing to compress large data files as they are measured, allowing it to reconstruct the image and penetrate deeper into tissue.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center introduced guidelines and changes to the computerized provider order entry system to reduce redundant biomarker testing. This led to a 66% decrease in tests ordered and saved an estimated $1.25 million in laboratory charges.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new class of walking 'bio-bots' powered by muscle cells, controlled with electrical pulses. The breakthrough allows for unprecedented control over their function, opening up possibilities for environmental and medical applications.
A team of CAS researchers developed biomimetic nanochannels to harness the power of confined water in biological systems. Inspired by nature's intelligent design, they created a strategy for designing smart nanochannels with applications in energy conversion systems.
Researchers analyzed data from 6.2 million Danes over 14.9 years to identify patterns and correlations between diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study provides insights into the complex interactions between genes, proteins, and diseases, paving the way for tailored treatment approaches.
Research at Umeå University reveals that low cortisol levels increase the risk of depression in people with bipolar disorder. The study found that both high and low cortisol levels impaired mental health, with those having low cortisol levels experiencing a chronic state of the disorder.
A new special section in Optical Engineering highlights optics research for human vision improvement. The studies showcase new techniques for earlier disease diagnosis and more accurate guidance for treatment.
A large, multi-site clinical trial will test new patient-centered strategies to prevent fall-related injuries. The trial aims to develop and implement individualized care plans for adults at high risk of falling.
A new study found that African Americans taking metformin saw greater improvements in blood sugar control compared to white individuals. The study suggests that metformin is more effective at controlling blood glucose in African Americans, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
A UC Davis study found that reducing criminal charges can prevent subsequent violent crimes among those with misdemeanor convictions who purchase handguns. Nearly 25% of handgun purchasers were arrested for a new firearm-related or violent crime within three years.
A NYU Langone expert suggests reforms to improve the VA health system's administration, staffing, and management. Key proposals include changing the culture, creating new scheduling systems, and hiring more primary care physicians to meet the growing demand.
A study of over 2,600 adults with hepatitis B found that antiviral therapy significantly reduced the occurrence of liver cancer (HCC) by 60%. The therapy was more effective than treatment in preventing HCC than untreated patients. Results suggest a potential new approach to preventing a common and deadly form of cancer.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital discovered that a protein called Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) is essential for maintaining healthy aging of blood stem cells. The study found that loss of SIRT1 leads to impaired regeneration and resembles aged, defective stem cells in mouse models.
The VA's decline in safe, effective patient-centered care can be fixed by refocusing on primary mission, ensuring quick screening of veterans on wait lists, and implementing a 'continuous healing relationship' strategy. Strong leadership and greater transparency are key to restoring trust in the system.
A new study found that healthcare providers are reluctant to discuss end-of-life care with heart failure patients, citing discomfort and lack of time. However, experts emphasize the importance of open communication in easing anxiety and improving patient outcomes.
A Penn study reveals how cells remove misfolded proteins, a crucial process for understanding brain diseases caused by toxic protein clumps. The research identified a two-stage recycling system involving proteins PML and RNF4 that tags misfolded proteins for degradation.
A Stanford study found that most physicians choose a do-not-resuscitate status for themselves when terminally ill, yet tend to pursue aggressive treatment for patients facing the same prognosis. The study suggests that the medical system's focus on high-intensity care at end-of-life contradicts Americans' preferences.
Researchers at University of Southampton have developed a new hybrid energy transfer system that mimics the processes responsible for photosynthesis. The system enables efficient energy transfer over long distances, with potential applications in optoelectronic devices and synthetic systems.
The GME system faces transparency and accountability issues, with only 20.9% of residents practicing primary care. Recommendations propose fully funding the National Health Care Workforce Commission and requiring transparent spending of GME funds to support a more efficient physician workforce.
A cost-saving, coordinated brain care model developed by Indiana University researchers is attracting nationwide attention for its ability to improve health outcomes and quality of care while lowering costs. The ABC model, tested in large clinical trials, improves care at a lower cost than standard care.
A Stanford electrical engineer has invented a way to wirelessly transfer power deep inside the body, paving the way for new 'electroceutical' devices to treat illness or alleviate pain. The technology uses roughly the same power as a cell phone and can safely penetrate deep into the body.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that critical access hospitals have higher transfer rates after surgery compared to non-CAHs. However, the proportion of patients using post-acute care was similar between CAHs and non-CAHs, raising questions about the long-term implications for these facilities.
Researchers at the Mount Sinai Hospital identified subtle changes in inhibitory signaling in the reward pathway, affecting how animals respond to drugs like cocaine. The study highlights sorting nexin 27 as a promising target for treating addiction and may lead to new therapeutic options.
The LEADLESS study found that the leadless pacemaker demonstrated overall device performance comparable to conventional pacemakers, with no infections or failures to sense, pace, or communicate. The device's benefits may allow for less patient discomfort and device complications.
Researchers have identified the RAF1 gene as a cause of childhood-onset dilated cardiomyopathy, a progressive and potentially fatal heart condition. The study found that patients with this genetic variant showed increased activity of the protein mTOR, which can be inhibited with FDA-approved drugs.
The NeuroPace RNS System uses responsive stimulation to suppress seizures before they begin, reducing seizure frequency by up to 50%. The device is surgically placed and coupled with a unique electrode placement planning system that facilitates precise targeting of the seizure focus.
Beaumont researchers will investigate a stem cell-based technique to redirect cells to heal injuries without removing them from the patient's body. The goal is to develop new treatments for osteoarthritis and Achilles tendon ruptures.
The PETA science consortium will present a tiered-testing strategy for assessing nanomaterial hazards at the 7th International Nanotoxicology Congress. The proposed strategy involves multiple in silico and in vitro model systems, data sharing through web-based tools, and is cost-effective while reducing animal use.
A recent study by Allina Health found that sharing clinical information with other health systems can avoid duplicative diagnostic procedures, such as blood work and imaging. By using the Care Everywhere tool, providers were able to eliminate 560 potentially duplicative diagnostic procedures.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital propose a new Next-Gen Cytogenetic Nomenclature system to standardize chromosomal abnormality descriptions, improving clinical and research reports. The system focuses on nucleotide-level details, reducing errors and saving time in reporting.
Adam Arkin, director of Berkeley Lab's Physical Biosciences Division, has made significant contributions to systems and synthetic biology. He received the 2013 Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award for his work on cellular networks and populations.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that intranasal ketamine conferred an unusually rapid antidepressant effect within 24 hours and was well-tolerated in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. The results show promise for a new treatment class, targeting the NMDA glutamate receptor.
A study at a large academic community hospital system found that an increasing workload for hospitalists was associated with increased length of stay and costs, despite not affecting mortality or patient satisfaction. The results suggest that incentives aimed at increasing workload may lead to inefficient and costly care.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a computerized process that enhances image-based guidance in minimally invasive surgery, potentially replacing conventional tracking systems. The new system achieves high accuracy, often exceeding 2 millimeters, while using low-dose radiation, making it suitable for various procedures.
A new team approach has improved safety and reduced rates of major complications by two thirds for complex spinal reconstructive surgery. The standardized protocol before, during, and after the surgery involves two spine surgeons, a live preoperative screening conference, and monitoring bleeding during the operation.
Neurologists investigate the significance of the vestibular system in directing gaze, finding that patients with vestibular or cerebellar dysfunction have difficulty controlling eye movements. The study suggests that rehabilitation training based on active head movements can enhance gaze shift control and learning to find endpoints.