Articles tagged with Systems Biology
A Northwestern University research team found that cell metabolisms have evolved to be exceptionally robust, adopting organizational structures that minimize the impact of gene deletions and mutations. This could lead to improved understanding of how to design synthetic networks with similar robustness.
Researchers at the University of Georgia discovered that 25% of genes in Neurospora crassa are under control of the biological clock, a much higher rate than previously reported. This finding has significant implications for understanding various biological processes, including cell cycling and ribosome biogenesis.
A recent study found that elderly trauma patients are undertriaged and less likely to be transported to trauma centers compared to younger patients. The study suggests that unconscious age bias among emergency medical services personnel may contribute to this disparity.
Researchers compared online prescribing and traditional physician consultation for treating erectile dysfunction, finding that the online system outperformed in patient education and prescription appropriateness. The study concludes that a well-regulated Internet prescriber service can be comparable to traditional medical practice.
According to a new survey, 82% of Americans believe the US healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or rebuilt. The survey found that one in three patients experience unnecessary or inefficient care, while nine out of ten adults support efforts to improve the health system's performance with respect to access, quality, and cost.
Researchers have developed a computational language called Little b that can assemble complex models of proteins and their interactions with DNA. By incorporating principles of engineering, the program allows for modularity and abstraction, enabling scientists to build upon existing models and refine them in new ways.
Researchers analyzed medication orders that were withdrawn within 45 minutes and found a 66% rate of errors. The study suggests a systematic method for identifying prescribing errors, which can be used to screen for errors and as a teaching tool.
Researchers find that tree canopy-inspired branching design is more efficient than traditional models in controlling liquid flow. The study uses constructal theory to create 'smart' materials with self-healing and self-cooling properties.
MED-EL's new MAESTRO system demonstrates remarkable improvements in music enjoyment, with 91% of clinical investigation subjects reporting that music sounds pleasant with their cochlear implant. The FineHearing technology also provides statistically significant improvements in hearing in noisy environments.
The Tongue Drive system allows individuals with severe disabilities, such as high-level spinal cord injuries, to control a computer and powered wheelchair using only their tongues. The system uses a small magnet attached to the tongue to direct cursor movement on a screen or joystick function in a powered wheelchair.
A study by University of Granada researchers distinguishes between endogenous (voluntary) and exogenous (involuntary) attention systems. The findings have significant implications for understanding attention disorders and training healthy children.
A recent study found that regional health care markets play a crucial role in implementing the national patient safety initiative. Despite initial high response rates, hospitals' progress in meeting Leapfrog standards was minor due to budget and strategic planning challenges.
A study found that Ontario physicians are forced to become medical brokers in prioritizing hip and knee replacement patients due to lack of a uniform referral process. System constraints such as waiting lists and limited home care prevent many eligible candidates from receiving surgery, leaving them with conservative approaches.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers have developed a hand gesture recognition system that enables doctors to manipulate digital images during surgeries by motioning instead of touching screens. This system reduces sterility risks and prevents the spread of infection, which is particularly important in hospital operating rooms.
The Iraq war saw a shift from maneuver warfare to insurgency warfare, resulting in more severe injuries and longer transport times. Fragment wounds increased, while gunshots decreased, leading to higher mortality rates.
Researchers François Lagugné-Labarthet and Amardeep Thind receive Canada Research Chairs to study nanomaterials and develop new optical techniques. They aim to improve understanding of the Canadian healthcare system, reducing wait times and resource shortages.
Aortic aneurysms affect 5% of Americans, with a mortality rate of up to 80%. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing a computational system to predict when ruptures will occur. The tool aims to provide physicians with a more scientific understanding of the relationship between blood flow and vascular disease.
A study by Harvard Medical School found significant racial disparities in diabetes care across individual physicians, with black patients experiencing less ideal outcomes. Adjusting for patient characteristics did not eliminate the disparities, highlighting the need for system-wide solutions to address these issues.
A study published in PLOS Medicine highlights the significant impact of surgical conditions on global health in Africa. The authors propose innovative strategies to improve access to essential surgical care, including donation programs and public-private partnerships.
A remote healthcare system with three main functions could address socioeconomic problems by providing quality medical care to all citizens, regardless of location. The system uses video conferencing, vital signs data uploading, and drip infusion monitoring to support nursing staff and care managers.
Researchers developed a novel, computer-based approach to study lipoprotein profiles and identify patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. By simulating every single lipoprotein in blood plasma, the model revealed possibly clinically-relevant abnormalities that would remain undetected by evaluating only LDL and HDL.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a high-resolution confocal endomicroscopy probe system that can accurately identify benign colon polyps without removal. The technology was tested in 37 patients and showed an accuracy rate of 98% in flagging non-cancerous polyps.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging comprehensive reforms to address the declining state of primary care medicine in the US. The ACP suggests that payment policies need to be restructured to prioritize patient-centered medical home models, which focus on continuous and coordinated care.
A new NASA-led study finds human-caused climate change has made significant impacts on Earth's natural systems, including permafrost thawing and plant blooming earlier across Europe. The study concludes that human-caused warming is resulting in a broad range of impacts across the globe.
A new analysis combining decades of data from all continents shows that human-caused warming is changing life on a global scale. The study found that physical and biological systems are being affected, including changes in tree leafing, bird migrations, and ocean plankton and fish communities.
Researchers have developed a radial flow bioreactor system using embryonic porcine liver cells and HGF, showing potential for a fully functional artificial liver. The system promotes cell differentiation and survival, creating organoids with bile duct-like structures.
Researchers found that young women with heart attacks often misattributed their symptoms to fatigue or other conditions, failing to connect them with a heart condition. The study suggests that there are large gaps in understanding the symptoms and reasons for delaying prompt care among this age group.
Shire will present efficacy and safety results for its ADHD treatments, including lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, methylphenidate transdermal system, and guanfacine extended release. The presentations aim to contribute to the growing body of research on ADHD treatment options.
A study explores the causes of diagnostic errors in medicine, revealing that overconfidence and complacency are major contributing factors. The research suggests developing systems to provide physicians with better feedback on their own errors can help reduce misdiagnoses.
Researchers at UVA Health System are conducting studies on the use of fat grafting to improve wound healing and minimize scarring in severely injured soldiers. The goal is to enhance recovery outcomes and reduce long-term functional deficits.
Priority Countdown countries face policy gaps and conflicts hindering progress towards reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality. The authors identified key challenges including financing, governance, and product availability that must be addressed to scale up effective interventions.
Researchers have uncovered a complex signaling system that instructs adult stem cells to contribute to tissue repair in response to chemical signals. The study, funded by the Medical Research Council, holds promise for developing techniques to control adult stem cells for therapeutic use.
Geisinger's Electronic Health Record program improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels, increases vaccination compliance, and boosts tobacco cessation rates. The program also enhances patient engagement through its Internet portal, MyGeisinger.
Studies show that introducing patient navigators in safety net health systems increases colonoscopy completion rates among urban minorities, reducing no-show rates by up to 9.8%. This individual intervention approach may be particularly effective in addressing the complex barriers to colorectal cancer screening in low-income and minori...
The Swiss Systems Biology Initiative has announced eight Flagship Projects involving 79 research groups from 11 universities and institutions. The projects focus on basic biological questions, including lipid roles in cells and decision-making mechanisms in the brain. Funding for these initiatives will be at least CHF90 million.
Researchers have found that humans can filter out background noise and focus on a single speaker's voice due to unique temporal fine structures in voiced speech. Long-range inhibitory interactions in the auditory cortex enable this selective representation.
An open-source clinical trial data-management system could save money and empower researchers in resource-poor settings. The system would eliminate the need for expensive database software systems, making high-standard research more accessible.
A study of pregnant women with preeclampsia found elevated levels of a peptide that raises blood pressure, potentially explaining its development. The researchers hope the findings may lead to treatment for preeclampsia by targeting specific tissues.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are using zebrafish to investigate the causes of Lowe syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting only boys. The team aims to identify key factors, including the gene OCRL1, and explore potential treatments for the condition.
Researchers are exploring whether electronic personal health records enhance patient involvement in managing their hypertension. A year-long study of 720 patients will compare outcomes for those using the new system with standard treatment.
Naama Barkai receives the award for her work on chemotaxis, embryonic development, and cellular transcription programmes. Her research has revolutionised the field of systems biology and significantly changed how scientists think about complex biological processes.
A new simplified scoring system accurately assesses overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and individual component risks. The system, developed from 12 years of patient data, shows significant correlation with 10-year CVD risk.
Physicians report a disconnect between disclosing medical errors to patients and reporting them to hospitals, with only 18% of respondents reporting minor errors to their institution. The study suggests that lack of understanding on how and what to report contributes to the gap.
A study found that nearly half of hospitals lack a system to track which patients have a catheter, and three-quarters lack a system to monitor catheter removal. Less than 10% use an approach proven to reduce UTI rates and decrease catheter time.
A team of biologists has developed a model mapping the control circuit governing a whole free-living organism, allowing for accurate prediction of cell dynamics and adaptation to environmental stresses. The study, based on Halobacterium salinarum, provides insights into how cells make stable decisions in response to their environments.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new scoring system that identifies Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) patients with low-risk disease but poor prospects of survival. The system, applied to 856 patients treated between 1976 and 2005, found that older age, low platelet counts, anemia, and p...
A study by Montreal Neurological Institute researchers found that tone-deaf individuals have a thicker cortex in regions involved in auditory and musical processing. This parallels the observed cortex thickness in dyslexia, suggesting abnormal neuronal migration or cell pruning during development may contribute to the disorder.
A UC Davis study found that physician styles, practice volumes, and HMO affiliations significantly influence the length of patient visits. Patient satisfaction is a crucial aspect of care, and doctors working in busy practices or within HMOs often risk shortening visit lengths.
Normal aging is linked to brain system disruption, causing cognitive decline even in absence of Alzheimer's disease pathology. The researchers found a correlation between reduced functional connections and decreased white matter integrity.
The American College of Physicians proposes a pluralistic system with government and private organizations ensuring universal access, or a single-payer system with lower administrative costs. The organization also recommends improving patient care coordination, disease prevention, and reducing healthcare administration costs.
Primary care physicians should prioritize identifying dementia red flags over routine screenings for individuals without symptoms, according to a commentary published in JAMA. Dementia red flags include medication issues, multiple hospitalizations, and agitation, which can help identify high-risk patients who require diagnostic testing.
A recent study found that electronic patient tracking systems can affect how healthcare providers communicate information and track activities, leading to inefficiencies and workarounds. The manual whiteboard-based system allowed for flexibility in tracking patients, but the computerized system lacked this flexibility, requiring provid...
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that undocumented Latinos are less likely to use healthcare services, experience poorer care outcomes, and face significant barriers to accessing care compared to US-born individuals. The findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to address healthcare disparities among ...
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that nasal irrigations with saline are more effective than saline sprays in providing short-term relief of chronic nasal and sinus symptoms. The treatment resulted in a clinically significant improvement in quality of life, with participants experiencing 50% lower odds of frequent nasal symptoms.
A Commonwealth Fund survey finds US adults are most likely to report medical errors, go without care due to costs, and support rebuilding the healthcare system. The US ranks last in saying only minor changes are needed, with high out-of-pocket costs and great problems paying medical bills.
A new study challenges traditional notions of triage in disaster response by highlighting the importance of regional hospital capacity and field triage accuracy. The research suggests that levels of overtriage can be beneficial, harmless or detrimental depending on local resources and response times.
Innovative strategies fill information gaps in countries with inaccurate civil registration systems, complemented by census and survey data for a state-of-the-art health information system. International agencies should support coordinated data collection and sharing activities.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that doctors' opinions on critical lab values vary greatly depending on their experience. More experienced doctors tend to ignore certain abnormal results, while less experienced doctors prefer to err on the side of caution.
Medical errors often lead to guilt, fear and loneliness in patients, families and caregivers, highlighting the need for open communication and emotional support. Honest dialogue can help build bridges and foster forgiveness, leading to closure and improved patient care.
A team of scientists will use a systems biology approach to build a detailed picture of immune system function, focusing on innate and adaptive immunity. The research aims to develop new treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines for infectious diseases.