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Artificial intelligence can help categorize and triage primary care patients with respiratory symptoms

A machine learning model trained on clinical text notes can effectively categorize patients into 10 risk groups, allowing for targeted care. The study found that patients in lower-risk groups had lower rates of lung inflammation and were less likely to receive antibiotics or chest X-ray referrals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

A commonly used tool is suboptimal in predicting osteoporosis fracture risk in younger post-menopausal women

A study of nearly 67,200 postmenopausal women found that the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) was inadequate for identifying osteoporotic fracture risk across racial/ethnic categories. However, the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST) was excellent for detecting osteoporosis within each category.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2023

Study finds cardiovascular risk score improves after one year of semaglutide use in patients with overweight and obesity

A study found that semaglutide use for one year decreases the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score in patients with overweight or obesity. The treatment also leads to significant improvements in metabolic parameters, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels.

BU researchers identify brain marker indicating future suicide risk

Researchers have identified a brain marker that may indicate future suicide risk, suggesting potential new treatments and prevention strategies. The study found differences in brain connections among veterans with a history of suicide attempts compared to those without, which could help identify individuals at risk.

SourceBoston University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 17, 2023

Researchers show that a machine learning model can improve mortality risk prediction for cardiac surgery patients

A new machine learning-based model predicts individual cardiac surgery patient mortality risk with improved performance over current population-derived models. The model uses electronic health records to provide personalized risk assessments, offering a significant advantage over existing benchmarks.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2023

New study highlights dangers of cumulative exposure to cardiovascular risks and need for earlier primary prevention strategies

Researchers developed a new tool to predict heart disease risk in those over 40 based on their total exposure to heart disease risk factors. The study found that black patients have a 46% greater risk of developing heart disease compared to white patients.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 17, 2023

Automated agricultural machinery requires new approaches to ensuring safety

Researchers identified three main topics: environmental perception, risk assessment and mitigation, and human factors and ergonomics in automated agricultural machines. The study highlights the need for improved sensors and safety standards to address the challenges posed by dynamic environments.

How old are your bones?

Researchers developed a 'Skeletal Age' metric to assess impact of fractures on mortality, revealing a loss of one to seven years of life depending on gender, age, and bone site. The online calculator measures bone fragility to help doctors and patients understand fracture risks.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournaleLife·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 15, 2023

Risk of long COVID higher for people living in most deprived areas

Research analysis over 200,000 working-age adults reveals a strong association between area-level deprivation and long COVID risk. Females from least deprived areas had comparable long COVID risk to males from most deprived areas. The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address health inequalities.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateMay 10, 2023

New decision aid to help with screening to prevent fragility fractures

A new interactive online Fragility Fracture Decision Aid can help clinicians and patients visualize their individual risk of fracture. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends a "risk assessment–first" screening process for women 65 years and older, centered around shared decision-making with primary care providers.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 8, 2023

New ACR Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines call for earlier and more-intensive screening for high-risk women

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has introduced new guidelines recommending earlier and more intensive breast cancer screening for high-risk women, including Black women. According to the ACR, risk assessment by age 25 is necessary to determine if screening should start before age 40.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 4, 2023

Offering genetic testing at the point of care may increase uptake

A new study suggests combining digital cancer risk assessment with point-of-care genetic testing can help overcome clinical workflow challenges that prevent at-risk patients from accessing genetic testing. The approach more than doubled the average uptake of genetic testing, showing promise for cancer prevention and detection.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalGenetics in Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 3, 2023

Swedish research about different forms of type 2 diabetes is relevant for Indian people

Researchers at Lund University have identified five subgroups of type 2 diabetes in India, characterized by genetic differences and varying levels of severity. The study suggests that early life undernutrition may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in India, while vitamin B12 deficiency is also a significant factor.

SourceLund University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia·DateMay 2, 2023

Risk of rehospitalization in younger women after heart attack nearly double that of men

A study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that younger women are nearly twice as likely to be rehospitalized after a heart attack as men. The disparity is largely due to higher rates of risk factors such as obesity and depression among women, which contribute to more adverse outcomes.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 1, 2023

New, comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis illustrate the need for nuance in public health guidance related to consumption of sugars

A comprehensive review of 169 clinical trials found that the effect of fructose-containing sugars on adiposity varies among food sources and energy control. High doses of certain sources, like SSBs, lead to increased body weight, while others, such as fruit and honey, show moderate beneficial effects when consumed in moderation.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 26, 2023

Sliding out of my DMs: young social media users help train machine learning program to flag unsafe sexual conversations on Instagram

Researchers trained a machine learning program using data from over 5 million direct messages, annotated by 150 adolescents who experienced uncomfortable or unsafe conversations. The technology can quickly flag risky DMs and is intended to address rising trends of child sexual exploitation.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 24, 2023

Online tool found to be effective at assessing dementia risk

A new online tool, CogDrisk, has been found to be effective in assessing dementia risk, providing a personalized report for patients and GPs. The tool uses a combination of statistical methods and modifiable risk factors to predict dementia risk, including physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer s Disease·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 19, 2023

Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients with vascular disease have worse symptoms, bypass outcomes

A study of over 7,000 patients found that Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients with vascular disease have more severe symptoms before bypass surgery and are at greater risk for amputation and other complications after the procedure. Advanced disease accounted for up to half the effect of race on odds for amputation after ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

Machine learning can help to flag risky messages on Instagram while preserving users’ privacy

A machine learning program can spot risky conversations on Instagram by analyzing metadata clues, such as conversation length and participant engagement. The system was 87% accurate in identifying risky chats using sparse and anonymous details from over 17,000 private chats.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Executives ignore SEC legal requirements to warn investors about inflation risk, new research finds

New research finds that most corporations that face significant inflation risk have failed to disclose it, causing $0.9 trillion to $2.8 trillion in shareholder damages. Companies with high exposure to inflation risk have seen their share prices drop following inflation shocks.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Monetary Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Non-biological factors and social determinants of health important in women’s CVD risk assessment

The new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of including non-biological factors and social determinants in CVD risk assessment for women. These factors include economic stability, neighborhood safety, education level, and access to quality healthcare, which disproportionately affect women from dive...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateApr 10, 2023

Undermining of institutions and lack of local policies hinder fire management in Amazonia

The study reveals that a lack of community involvement and inadequate governance are major contributors to wildfire management in the Amazon region. Local stakeholders identified deficiencies in institutions, staff cuts, and underinvestment as significant vulnerabilities.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·DateApr 5, 2023

Use of monoclonal antibodies reduces death, hospitalization risk by more than one-third after COVID-19 diagnosis

Researchers found that using monoclonal antibodies within two days of a COVID-19 diagnosis reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 39% compared to those who did not receive treatment. This finding suggests that early treatment with monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the severity of COVID-19.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Smart watches could predict higher risk of heart failure

A new study published in The European Heart Journal – Digital Health found that smart watch data can predict a higher risk of developing heart failure and irregular heart rhythms. Researchers used machine learning to analyze ECG recordings from wearable devices and identified extra beats as indicators of increased cardiovascular risk.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Digital Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 3, 2023

Patients with schizophrenia have favorable surgical risk, opening the door for ethical consideration of neurosurgical interventions like Deep Brain Stimulation

A study published in Frontiers in Surgery finds that patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have lower postsurgical mortality than those with Parkinson's disease, suggesting DBS as an ethical option for treatment-refractory cases. Comprehensive consideration of factors is done on a case-by-case basis for successful DBS.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalFrontiers in Surgery·DateApr 3, 2023

International research team analyzes February 2023 Ohio train derailment

An international research team examined the environmental risks and management of a February 2023 Ohio train derailment that burned vinyl chloride. The team suggests both underestimation and overestimation of environmental risk are unscientific, and proper risk assessment requires comprehensive monitoring data.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeNews article·DateApr 3, 2023

Machine learning models rank predictive risks for Alzheimer’s disease

A recent study found that genetic risk scores are more predictive of Alzheimer's disease in adults over 65 than age. The study used machine learning models to rank risk factors, including household income, which emerged as an important risk factor. The findings suggest considering genetic information when working on Alzheimer's disease.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 30, 2023

Study finds fish assess misinformation to avoid overreaction

Researchers found that fish in large schools are more willing to take risks and tune down their sensitivity to social cues, reducing the likelihood of responding to false alarms. This dynamic adjustment allows individuals to maintain control over their behavior, suggesting a potential evolutionary advantage in coping with misinformation.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2023

Asymptomatic, CT angiography-detected coronary artery disease associated with 8-fold increased risk for heart attack

A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Buprenorphine after nonfatal opioid overdose results in reduced risk of overdose death

Receiving buprenorphine after a nonfatal opioid overdose significantly lowers the risk of subsequent overdose death. The medication was associated with a 62% reduction in risk, highlighting the need for lifesaving treatment following these events. Current evidence shows low uptake of buprenorphine and other medication-assisted treatments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2023

Analysis of 3.6 million patient surgeries in England suggests it is safe to operate on patients 2 weeks after a positive COVID diagnosis, as long as they have recovered

A new UK study of 3.6 million surgeries found that operating within 2 weeks of a positive COVID test is safe for recovered patients, with lower mortality rates compared to current guidelines. The study suggests that delaying surgery might cause more harm than good, particularly in patients who have already waited longer for surgery.

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateMar 23, 2023

Nine in 10 women enter pregnancy with at least one indicator that risks baby’s health

A recent study published in BJOG found that nearly all women in England (97.5%) have at least one indicator of potential health risks during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for improved preconception care and policies to support women's overall well-being before pregnancy. The research highlights health disparities across different age...

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalObstetrics & Gynecology An International Journal·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 22, 2023