Research modeling biology as interacting systems. Covers tumor-response prediction, engineered bacteria, living-matter physics, and behavior in model organisms.
A grant-funded program has helped increase the number of underrepresented minority surgeons in academia, with 86% of graduates acquiring fellowship training. The Diverse Surgeons Initiative addresses healthcare disparities by providing advanced minimally invasive surgery skills to qualified candidates.
A study found that complications after endoscopy are more common than previously estimated, with a 1% incidence of related hospital visits within 14 days. The average cost per hospital visit was $6,355.71, and the total cost for hospitalizations among patients undergoing screening or surveillance was $355,489.76.
A collaborative approach to sharing patient safety data among Michigan hospitals has led to a nearly 10% reduction in surgical complications. The study, which examined general and vascular surgeries between 2005 and 2007, also found improvements in reducing blood infections, septic shock, prolonged ventilator use, and cardiac arrest.
The UK faces a critical care crisis with one of the lowest numbers of intensive care unit beds, leading to concerns about its ability to cope with large-scale disasters. Increasing demand driven by ageing populations and lack of effective interventions will require huge investments for high-income and poor countries.
A UNC study found that radio frequency tags on surgical sponges can aid in preventing sponges from being left behind in patients following surgery. The researchers used a radio-frequency detection device in 1,600 operations and detected one sponge in an operation where manual counting was correct.
A new system is being developed to provide accurate patient histories, assist in treatment, and optimize remote medical diagnosis. The integrated LTM/iRevive system will guide caregivers through the observational recording process and reduce errors, allowing for greater focus on providing care.
Rapid response teams dispatched to patients' rooms may be a quick fix rather than addressing deeper issues, according to Johns Hopkins patient safety expert Peter Pronovost. Better management of patient flow and staff schedules can help improve care for sickest patients.
The UCSF Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology will investigate fundamental design principles of adaptation in cells using forward engineering and comparative genomics. The center's findings may lead to new therapeutic tools and the development of synthetic circuits that can trigger desired cellular responses.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold on crops in sub-Saharan Africa. By manipulating strigolactone production, they aim to reduce the parasite's ability to kill crops.
Patient panels with greater proportions of underinsured, minority and non-English speaking patients were associated with lower physician quality rankings. The association suggests that inaccurate physician clinical performance rankings could lead to misallocation of resources.
A recent study found that over a quarter of acute care visits in the US are made to emergency departments, instead of personal physicians. This shift is attributed to primary care doctors' packed schedules and low reimbursement rates, which limit their ability to provide timely access to care.
A new imaging system using six different wavelengths of LED illumination is paving the way for doctors to easily screen patients for common eye diseases. The system allows doctors to distinguish between different light-absorbing characteristics of biological molecules in the eye, enabling earlier detection and diagnosis.
A team of researchers has isolated a molecule that can shut down a dysfunctional immune response, causing deadly conditions like hemorrhagic shock, delayed heart attack deaths, and rheumatoid arthritis joint destruction. The discovery marks a significant step toward clinical application, with the potential to save lives.
Researchers found that local fishermen exposed to oil clean-up efforts two years prior showed persistent airway injury, including increased prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and biomarkers of pulmonary oxidative stress. The study suggests even short-term exposure to oil sediments may have detrimental health effects.
Using an electronic medical record (EMR) tracking system can improve follow-up after an abnormal Pap test, leading to increased diagnostic resolution and faster treatment times. The study found that physicians who used this tracking system had significantly shorter times to diagnosis compared to traditional methods.
Researchers found that proactively disclosing medical errors decreased new legal claims and costs for health care systems. Collaboration between internists and specialists improved care for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection by increasing adherence to quality-of-care measures. However, administering corticosteroids to de...
The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute's COPASI software package has been made open source, allowing global access and use. The new license agreement enables commercial users to freely use the software, while also enhancing its compatibility with other academic programs.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that reminder systems encouraging prompt removal of urinary catheters reduced CAUTIs by 52%. The researchers suggest that low-cost interventions like nurse-empowered catheter stop orders could be effective in reducing infections. Hospitals can implement these strategies to improve...
Researchers developed a specialized CPOE system to alert doctors to potentially hazardous medications for older hospital inpatients. The system resulted in a significant decrease of 20% in orders for flagged medications, highlighting its potential to reduce adverse drug events and improve care for vulnerable elderly patients.
Researchers have developed an advanced search tool called QPID to assist radiologists in extracting useful data from patients' electronic medical records. The system has already been implemented at Massachusetts General Hospital and is expected to have a significant impact on various departments within the hospital and outpatient clinics.
Biologists at Tufts University have discovered a novel 'two-body' system of locomotion in the crawling tobacco hawkmoth caterpillar, where its gut moves independently of the surrounding body wall. This finding may offer valuable insights for designing soft-bodied robots and re-examining the role of soft tissues in human biomechanics.
Physicians in Northern Ontario communities can now access specialized UHN pathologists for fast and accurate diagnosis, saving time and improving patient care. The new telepathology system enables instant transmission of digital images of pathology samples, reducing travel times from hours to minutes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a new system to detect preterm contractions with greater accuracy and sensitivity than existing tools. The device is designed to pick up electrical signals associated with uterine contractions, allowing doctors to delay preterm deliveries by six weeks or more.
A team of researchers led by Rensselaer Professor Suvranu De has won a $2.3 million federal grant to develop a touch-sensitive virtual reality simulator for training and certifying laparoscopic surgeons. The new system will employ haptic technology to realistically replicate the sensation a surgeon would feel during an actual procedure.
Researchers found that a restricted diet reduced accumulation of senescent cells in livers and intestines, and maintained telomeres, preventing age-related disease. The study suggests that adopting a low-calorie diet later in life can still provide benefits.
Researchers have developed a technique that corrects a trick of the light, enabling the use of optical microscopy to image objects or distances with resolutions as small as 0.5 nanometers, revolutionizing biology. This breakthrough allows for accurate measurements of protein structures and molecular organization in biological samples.
A survey of 2,938 US physicians found that most (64%) agree to report incompetent colleagues, but only 67% actually do. The study highlights the need for improvement in physician self-regulation and reporting systems.
Researchers found that compstatin, a drug that targets the complement system, can reduce blood clotting during dialysis for end-stage kidney disease. In severe sepsis, compstatin also blocks the activation of both complement and coagulation systems, potentially preventing multiple organ failure and death.
The collaboration aims to identify genes and novel drug targets related to the onset and progression of Huntington's disease. The team will use induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with HD to screen for drugs that might delay, prevent, or reverse the devastating condition.
Researchers developed a nanosponge-based delivery system that is three to five times more effective than direct injection in reducing tumor growth. The system uses biodegradable particles with predictable release characteristics, making it an attractive alternative for targeted cancer therapy.
A recent study published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that racial disparities in heart transplant survival rates are largely due to healthcare system flaws, insurance status, and biological factors. The study analyzed over 20,000 medical records and found that African Americans had a 46% higher chance of dying within 10 year...
The Journal of General Physiology presents Perspectives on computational biology methods, including ab initio simulations and all-atom molecular dynamics. These approaches provide insights into membrane proteins and ion channels, highlighting the importance of multi-scale analysis in understanding physiological processes.
A new rule at Massachusetts General Hospital has led to a significant decrease in unnecessary imaging exams for patients. The change encourages physicians to directly log into the system, reducing low-yield exams from 5.4% to 1.9%.
A new study from Indiana University School of Medicine offers a blueprint for hospital systems, physicians, and caregivers to implement evidence-based research in patient care. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to overcome end-zone hurdles and provides a framework for success.
The S-ICD System detected 100% of induced and spontaneous episodes of irregular heart rhythms, offering a viable alternative to traditional ICDs. The system's subcutaneous implantation eliminates the need for lead placement in or on the heart, reducing complications associated with current therapy.
A new automated 3-D mapping and labeling system has been developed to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and speed of routine freehand ultrasound exams. The system reduces scanning time by up to 16 seconds per target and accurately measures mass locations in relation to the nipple.
Researchers used electronic medical records to coordinate care for marathon participants, finding benefits include real-time patient data sharing and improved preparation for future events. The study also showed potential for identifying trends in injury patterns.
Gerald Posakony, a pioneering ultrasound expert, was honored with the John Fritz Medal for his contributions to medical diagnostic ultrasound and nondestructive evaluation technologies. His work led to modern ultrasound technology advancements, including obstetric sonography.
Operation Mend provides life-changing surgeries to military personnel severely injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program also offers treatment for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries, as well as patient support and family accommodations.
A leading hospitalist argues that hospital medicine can address fundamental problems in payment and delivery systems, improving access for millions of uninsured Americans. Hospitalists will be key in shaping the future of the American healthcare system, focusing on quality, safety, and efficiency.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will conduct breakthrough research to advance the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology. The NCCD will focus on patient-centered cognitive support to optimize patient outcomes.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that electronic health record systems have limited ability to improve measures such as patient mortality and surgical complications. The study suggests that hospitals need to pay special attention to how they implement these systems to achieve significant improvements.
Group Health's patient-centered IT approach results in high patient satisfaction and efficient communication with providers. Evaluations show patients value secure e-mail, phone, and online services for better care.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $15 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Information Trust Institute to improve patient outcomes while limiting access to electronic health records, health information exchange, and telemedicine. The project aims to address security and privacy barriers i...
A wireless healthcare system for diabetes management enables patients to monitor their blood glucose levels and receive timely feedback from healthcare workers. The system has been successfully tested in a pilot study with twenty patients, demonstrating its potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
A team of scientists at TUM developed an artificial sensory organ inspired by the lateral-line system found in fish and amphibians, enabling the underwater robot Snookie to orient itself in murky waters. This technology aims to enable AUVs to work autonomously in operations ranging from deep sea exploration to inspection of sewer pipes.
Experiments in China have shown that changing the incentive system for healthcare providers can lead to improved basic primary health care and reduced costs. Primary-care providers are incentivized to cover more citizens with vaccinations and health education, improving access to cost-effective care.
A new virtual biopsy probe system has shown high accuracy in detecting precancerous polyps during colonoscopy, with a success rate of 91%. The system uses Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy to magnify cells and detect changes that may indicate cancer. This technology could potentially eliminate the need for biopsies in some patients.
A large eight-year study found that Medicare patients are 5.5 times more likely to undergo routine cataract surgery than those receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The disparity may be attributed to financial incentives, physician-driven decisions, or a lack of ophthalmologists within the VA system.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that about one-fourth of physicians would be misclassified under cost ranking systems, raising questions about their utility for high-stakes activities like tiered health plans. Only about 40% of physicians had cost profile scores at least 70% reliable, and fewer than 10% were at least 90% reliable.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers found Mechanomyography (MMG) to be extremely effective in detecting the presence of nerves during minimally invasive surgical procedures. MMG detected nerves on average 1.2 seconds earlier than Electromyography (EMG), using approximately half the amount of stimulating current.
A study published in Intensive Care Medicine found that the AiDKlinik drug information system significantly reduces serious events resulting from drug interactions in ICU patients. The system, which includes over 64,000 drugs, helps physicians minimize adverse reactions by 43% and critical events like arrhythmia by up to 80%.
The study found that comparing the genomes of an entire family increases accuracy, identifies rare genetic variants, and helps understand disease-linked genes. This approach has the potential to revolutionize genetic research, enabling scientists to diagnose and treat individual family members more effectively.
A systematic review of 28 clinical trials reveals that computer reminders improved processes of care by a median of 4.2%, with some studies showing only minor improvements.
A new study published in Medical Care found that high hospital occupancy is associated with a 5.6% increased risk of patient death, while nurse staffing levels can decrease this risk by 6%. Weekend admissions also increase the risk of death by 7.5%, while seasonal flu raises it by 11.7%.
A new federal center for Medicare and Medicaid innovation could spur significant delivery system change by implementing alternative payment structures through voluntary pilot projects. Such pilots would be particularly beneficial for health care organizations looking to reduce excess clinical spending.
Researchers at Charles Drew University and UC Irvine will develop a mobile app to collect daily observations on low-birth-weight babies and their parents. The system aims to improve healthcare outcomes by enabling earlier diagnoses and better quality of care.
The Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) has been widely adopted by the scientific community for sharing and evaluating models of biological processes. SBML's popularity is a validation of its usefulness, with over 500 citations in an online academic database.
A new clinical trial, PINC Trial, is testing the effectiveness of chloroquine in treating pre-invasive breast cancer. The trial aims to prevent breast cancer cells from becoming deadly by killing pre-invasive cancer cells using a novel therapy with chloroquine.
Biophysicist Ilya Nemenman has identified parameters for several biochemical networks, simplifying the research models and potentially streamlining the development of drugs and diagnostic tools. The discovery applies to complex biological systems, such as cellular networks involving hundreds or thousands of variables.