Research modeling biology as interacting systems. Covers tumor-response prediction, engineered bacteria, living-matter physics, and behavior in model organisms.
A team of researchers at the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology has identified thousands of gene products expressed in planarian flatworms, revealing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of regeneration. This study, which combined two existing sequencing methods, expands and refines planarian research.
Researchers developed a new technique for using multi-core chips more efficiently, enhancing computer models of biological systems by over seven-fold. This could impact areas like drug development and biofuel engineering.
The study presents promising results for the clinical use of a new integrated PET/MRI system, which provides diagnostic information on soft tissues and physiological functions. The technology has been shown to be comparable in detecting cancerous tumors as conventional PET/CT methods.
Researchers will study the effects of carbon tetrachloride and dichloroethylene on engineered liver tissue. The goal is to understand cell-and organ-wide effects of toxic substance mixtures, a crucial step in preventing chronic health problems.
Researchers found that clinicians created shadow processes to support their work when the computer system didn't meet their needs. Paper and pen workarounds were common, involving printed consultation notes or electronic spreadsheets outside of the electronic health record.
A new IOF position paper advocates for coordinator-based systems to optimize outcome in fragility fracture patients, improving diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This approach has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures and save money in healthcare systems.
A new article suggests changes to compassionate release guidelines to address medical-related flaws, including the development of standardized guidelines and the assignment of advocates to help navigate the system. The authors propose palliative care for critically-ill prisoners awaiting decision on compassionate release or approval.
Three Virginia Tech researchers, T.M. Murali, Padma Rajagopalan, and Rich Helm, are developing innovative solutions to study inter-cellular signaling in complex environments. They aim to provide a comprehensive picture of how cells communicate to maintain their phenotypes and optimize functions.
Vaccine development for 'big three' diseases is being accelerated by new approaches like systems biology and structure-based antigen design. Systems biology enables the capture of massive biological data to predict vaccine behavior.
P&G is pioneering the 'Omics' revolution in beauty and grooming by applying genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics tools to map the entire biological system. This approach enables scientists to identify molecular pathways associated with common concerns in skin and hair biology.
A Queen's University study found that Canadian doctors enjoyed a windfall in earnings during the early years of Medicare and that the universal system continued to enhance physician income after adjustment. Despite lower fees for services, Canadian doctors remain the top-earning profession.
The CHEO Research Institute has developed a secure protocol to protect patient identity while facilitating the sharing of health data for public health purposes. The new system enables providers to report diseases to authorities without fear of retribution, promoting accurate disease control and outbreak detection.
The American Institute of Physics has posted lay-language summaries of recent research presentations at the Acoustical Society meeting. These summaries cover a wide range of topics, including biomedical ultrasound, reducing underwater noise, and new car mufflers. The online collection offers easily approachable explanations of complex ...
A miniature ventilation system with a simple nasal mask can help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) become more active. Advanced COPD patients improved their distance walked by an average of 38 meters, comparable to full pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
Virginia Tech researchers aim to fuse top-down and bottom-up approaches to study cells, combining computational models with experimental analysis to understand cellular responses.
University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered the molecular system involved in weight gain linked to a class of diabetes drugs, finding it's also triggered by high-fat foods. The study may lead to modification of existing therapies and dietary recommendations.
The MarginProbe System detected positive margins in 72% of cases, compared to 22% without the device, reducing patients' need for re-excision procedures. The technology improved traditional breast cancer surgery outcomes by providing immediate feedback on excised tissues.
The Society of Interventional Radiology prioritizes patient safety through education and research on radiation dosage reduction. New articles explore techniques to optimize radiation use without compromising quality care.
A new study found that implementing a system to upload CD images of emergency transfer patients into the receiving institution's picture archiving and communication system (PACS) decreased subsequent imaging rates by 17%. This reduces unnecessary medical imaging tests, some of which expose patients to radiation.
Implementing ACOs effectively has the potential to achieve better care, population health, and lower costs. The Commission's recommendations for ACOs include strong primary care foundation, accountability for quality, informed patients, commitment to serving the community, and innovative payment methods.
A new system allows for the measurement of power that cells employ to assemble into three-dimensional tissue. The research helps engineers evaluate how quickly cell types will combine into desired structures.
A new point-of-care clinical trial approach is being tested, combining statistical validity with real-world applicability to compare treatments. The approach aims to deliver the best care to patients while learning from each experience, reducing costs and time involved in traditional clinical trials.
A collaborative quality improvement program between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System has improved safety and quality in several clinical areas, resulting in significant cost savings. The program achieved measurable drops in surgical complications, with a reduction of $20 million annually.
The GERONTOSHIELD project aims to understand the aging immune system and develop personalized therapies for the elderly. Researchers investigate how immune responses in young and old mice differ from each other and identify risk markers predicting increased susceptibility for infectious diseases.
A new study published in Gastroenterology found that an automated colonoscopy reminder system significantly improved adherence to endoscopic follow-up recommendations, particularly in minority populations. The system, which included a letter and telephone call, nearly doubled the rate of recommended exams.
A recent study by UCSD researchers found a significant inverse association between surgeon availability and road traffic injury-related deaths. Regions with more surgeons showed lower mortality rates, suggesting timely surgical treatment can reduce death risk.
Researchers created a computational model that describes how intestinal cells in mice respond to TNF, revealing the importance of location and protein interactions in cell fate. The study demonstrates the power of systems biology in modeling complex biological systems and predicting disease outcomes.
A new motion sensor system developed by MU researchers uses sensors on a horse's head, limbs, and tail to detect lameness. This system improves early detection and treatment outcomes for horses with lameness by removing human bias and increasing frequency of motion sampling.
Trauma patients who arrive at hospitals on weekends are more likely to survive, according to new research. The study found that the unique organization and staffing of trauma systems provide a built-in protection for these critically injured patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that coupling electronic prescription drug ordering systems with computerized adverse event reporting dramatically reduced medication errors in a psychiatric unit from 27.89 to 3.43 per 1,000 patient days over four years. The system's integration of decision support and safety net tools furth...
The current US kidney allocation system prioritizes wait time over post-transplant survival, leading to higher repeat transplantation rates. Researchers propose ranking kidneys by potential post-transplant survival and matching them with candidates who have the longest expected survival.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab are advancing systems biology research to improve understanding of cellular networks and their behavior. By integrating experimental and computational technologies, they aim to bridge the gap between correlative analysis and mechanistic insights.
Researchers tested first-generation x-ray equipment from 1896 and found significantly higher radiation doses and longer exposure times compared to modern systems. The setup produced surprisingly good images despite image blurring, highlighting the significant health risks faced by early x-ray pioneers.
The US may adopt the FHT model to manage its growing healthcare system. Developed by Queen's University professor Walter Rosser, the model combines experts from various disciplines for more efficient care. Preliminary observations suggest improved patient and doctor happiness with FHTs.
Researchers discovered that human mammary epithelial cells possess lineage-specific intrinsic abilities to self-organize into domains of lineage specificity, maintaining healthy bi-layered branching organization. The study provides insights into the coordination of stem cell differentiation and tissue architecture maintenance.
A study in Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the need for an e-health policy to guide the implementation of health information technologies. The policy should align with major strategic priorities, such as patient safety and chronic disease management, to promote electronic health record adoption and data exchange.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a computer system that accurately determines a patient's level of sedation and notifies medical staff of changes. The algorithm achieved a high level of agreement with clinical assessments, showing promise for enhancing patient safety and improving drug delivery in ICU units.
The University Hospitals system has implemented a successful approach to stroke care, increasing the use of tPA therapy for ischemic stroke patients by 13.5 times. The System Stroke Program (SSP) educated community hospital staff and ensured timely treatment, resulting in better patient outcomes.
Researchers have developed a system that recognizes hand gestures as commands to control a robotic scrub nurse or display medical images during operations. The technology aims to reduce surgery lengths and infection risks, while also having potential applications in emergency response activities.
Doctors argue that current hospital quality-improvement programs have little evidence to show improved patient outcomes, despite high administrator buy-in. A formalized 'physician management infrastructure' is proposed to encourage doctors to take leadership roles in quality improvement.
Researchers propose a new classification system for SOD based on anatomy, symptoms, endoscope tests, and radiological imaging. This four-type classification demonstrates significant advantages in guiding diagnosis and treatment in China compared to the conventional Milwaukee criteria.
Research by Dr. Sébastien Sauvé and André Lajeunesse found that antidepressants accumulate in fish tissues, affecting brain activity and potentially causing long-term harm to the Saint Lawrence River's ecosystem. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into the impact of chemical pollution on aquatic organisms.
A new program aiming to bridge the gap between body and mind has received a $3.9 million grant to create comprehensive, integrated healthcare systems in Colorado. The program, ACT, will engage local leaders to tackle fragmentation in healthcare and produce best practice models for whole-person care.
Scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that sodium handling in the distal nephron is controlled by a local regulatory system. This system helps set blood pressure and its dysfunction leads to hypertension.
Implementing a computerized radiology workflow with customer service representatives leads to faster report delivery, reduced anxiety for patients, and increased productivity for radiologists. The study's findings support the cost-benefits of adding these representatives to alleviate administrative burdens.
A commentary highlights the shortcomings of Canada's current drug surveillance system, citing the off-label use of recombinant activated factor 7 (rFVIIa) as a case in point. The authors emphasize the need for improved collaboration between payers, insurers, and manufacturers to ensure safe monitoring of high-risk drugs.
Researchers developed a device using angle-resolved low coherence interferometry to detect pre-cancerous cells in the esophagus lining. The technology holds promise for earlier detection and targeted biopsies, potentially improving treatment outcomes for esophageal cancer.
A new system using electronic health records significantly improves primary care physicians' performance and the health of patients with chronic conditions. The program boosts preventive care in vaccinations and cancer and osteoporosis screenings, increasing rates by up to 10 percentage points.
A study found that trauma patients in Illinois frequently exceed the mandated 2-hour transfer window, except for those with life-threatening injuries. Despite this, the most critically ill patients typically receive care within the time frame.
Researchers are developing a robotic system that combines real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a highly flexible robotic device to perform cardiothoracic surgeries on beating hearts. This minimally invasive approach aims to increase precision and reduce trauma, leading to faster recovery times.
A comprehensive medical education reform significantly improves failure rates of the Step 1 licensing exam and increases graduation rates among underrepresented minority medical students. The integrated curriculum shows a nearly 70% decrease in failure rates and a 94% decrease in failure rates for African American students.
The Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanner provides high-quality images without compressing the breast tissue, making it a promising supporting role to conventional mammography. Preliminary research shows that breast coverage and radiation dose are comparable to mammography.
The report found that employer-sponsored family health insurance premiums rose 41% across states from 2003 to 2009, outpacing median incomes. By 2020, average annual premiums would increase by 79%, reaching $23,342 for families. ACA reforms aim to slow cost growth and improve coverage.
A team of researchers has developed a novel identification system for mouse embryos by injecting silicon barcodes into their perivitelline space. The system enables the tracing of individual embryos during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedures, reducing risks associated with human gamete and embryo identification.
A new study found that automated remote patient monitoring did not improve outcomes for heart failure patients, despite daily interactions with healthcare clinicians. The system was compared to usual care based on national guidelines and showed no effect on hospitalization rates or mortality.
A model developed by Zhengdong Cheng simulates biochemical reactions within the human body, identifying wave patterns that can signal diseased or dead cells. This innovation may lead to better understanding of organ structure and extent of damage, enabling timely diagnosis and treatment.
A telephone call-in program designed to improve doctor-patient communication for heart failure patients failed to show improved patient outcomes, according to a Yale University study. The six-month study tested a telemonitoring system that allowed patients to send daily information about their condition to their doctor.
Researchers are developing a manufacturing platform to produce biodegradable frames that mimic nature's fine-grained details, including vasculature. The goal is to grow replacement cardiac tissues for people who have suffered a heart attack, and create better systems for growing and studying cells in the laboratory.
A study by the University of Michigan Health System found that specialists spend over 650,000 work weeks on routine follow-up care for patients with common chronic conditions. Delegating a proportion of this care could create system-wide efficiencies and free up specialists to focus on new patients and complex cases.
Researchers used a novel imaging system to track the movement of near-infrared fluorescent nanoparticles from the lungs into the body and out again. The study found that non-positively charged nanoparticles smaller than 34nm in diameter appeared in lung-draining lymph nodes within 30 minutes.