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CHEST releases clinical practice guideline on antithrombotic therapy in arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in COVID-19

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has released a new clinical guideline for managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to improve risk-evaluation and treatment course.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·Journalthe journal CHEST·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2023

“Anchoring bias” can delay testing and diagnosis by physicians for deadly conditions like blood clots in the lung

Researchers found that when a patient's congestive heart failure is mentioned during the initial check-in process, emergency room physicians are less likely to test for pulmonary embolism, potentially leading to delays in diagnosis. This anchoring bias can delay crucial testing and diagnosis of deadly medical conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 26, 2023

People who develop diabetes after pregnancy are less likely to regain control of blood sugar if they had gestational diabetes

A study found that people with a history of gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within nine years after delivery, particularly in Black and Hispanic women. Regular diabetes screenings in the early postpartum period can alter disease progression and improve control.

Women without children at age 35 are at highest risk of binge drinking, alcohol use disorder

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that women who turned 35 in recent years and those without children are most at risk of excessive alcohol consumption. The study's findings highlight the need to address unhealthy drinking habits among middle-aged women, particularly those without children.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAddiction·TypeSurvey·DateJun 20, 2023

Metformin's role in preventing metabolic syndrome during androgen deprivation therapy: a Phase II study

A randomized phase II study found that adding metformin to androgen deprivation therapy did not reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome or improve PSA response in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Metformin showed some antitumor effects through mTOR inhibition, but these were not significant.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2023

Wearable activity trackers accelerate hospital patient recovery

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that wearable activity trackers improve patient activity, reduce sedentary behavior, and enhance physical function, supporting faster recovery in hospitalized adults. The study examined 15 studies with a combined total of 1911 patients and found significant improvements in clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 15, 2023

International expert panel revises management of concussion in sport for optimal care of athletes at all levels of participation

A group of international experts developed a consensus statement on concussion management, including new tools and strategies for identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The statement includes evidence-based recommendations for return to active sport, education, and light intensity exercise to aid recovery.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 14, 2023

International expert panel revises management of concussion in sport for optimal care of athletes at all levels of participation

An international expert panel has revised concussion management guidelines to optimize athlete care at all levels of participation. The updated recommendations include new age-appropriate assessment tools and strategies for prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation, and return to sport and education.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJun 14, 2023

Elevated Lipoprotein(a) is the latest variant of ‘bad cholesterol’ found to increase the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease

A new study found that elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels are a significant predictor of recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD) in people over 60. The study suggests current cholesterol-lowering medications may not be effective in reducing the risk of recurrent CHD, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics to target elevated Lp(a).

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCurrent Medical Research and Opinion·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2023

Fatal overdoses increase after police seize drugs, study finds

A new study found that police drug seizures are associated with increased fatal overdoses in the surrounding geographic area, suggesting that efforts to disrupt drug markets can have unintended effects. The research highlights the need for comprehensive policing strategies that consider all outcomes, including harm reduction approaches.

SourceBrown University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

New high-tech helmets may protect American football players from debilitating concussions

Researchers have designed a helmet with liquid shock absorbers that could significantly reduce the impact of blows to the head, potentially cutting injuries. The helmet performed better than existing models, producing the lowest 'Helmet Performance Score' in key areas, including the side upper portion of the helmet.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2023

Tuberculosis BCG vaccine found ineffective against COVID-19 in healthcare workers

The BCG vaccine, primarily developed to prevent tuberculosis, was found ineffective against COVID-19 in a large international trial involving nearly 4,000 healthcare workers. Researchers discovered that vaccination increased the risk of symptomatic disease during the first six months following enrolment.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 8, 2023

UMass Amherst epidemiologist updates and validates ‘gold standard’ of prenatal physical activity tools

A University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has updated the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), a widely used tool for measuring prenatal physical activity. The new PPAQ is considered reliable and valid, providing estimates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in pregnant women.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 8, 2023

Amid volumes of mobile location data, new framework reduces consumers’ privacy risk, preserves advertisers’ utility

A new framework developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers significantly reduces consumers' privacy risk while preserving advertisers' utility in mobile location data analysis. The framework uses machine learning to quantify personalized privacy risks and performs personalized data obfuscation.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateJun 5, 2023

A supervised hospital walking program may reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults

A supervised hospital walking program has been shown to reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults by lowering the proportion of patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities from 13% to 8%. However, low participation rates and limited impact on length of stay or inpatient falls were noted.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 5, 2023

1 in 3 adults with Type 2 diabetes may have undetected cardiovascular disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that elevated levels of two protein biomarkers associated with heart damage were linked to undetected or symptomless cardiovascular disease in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed health information and blood samples from over 10,300 adults and foun...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 31, 2023

Genetic risk information may help people avoid alcohol addiction

Researchers found that individuals understood genetic risk scores and reported intentions to reduce their drinking if they had high-risk scores. However, the study's authors caution that receiving genetic feedback is just the first step in behavior change, and connecting individuals to resources and support is crucial.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2023

Women with a first normal weight offspring and a small second offspring have increased risk of cardiovascular mortality

A study from the University of Bergen reveals that women with a first normal weight offspring and a small second offspring have an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. The research, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, also found reduced risk if the second offspring was large.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 30, 2023

Why high school kids are saying no to alcohol

A study found that high school students' attitudes towards drinking have shifted over the past 20 years, with a decrease in youth drinking attributed to changes in social media and spending time online. Today's teens view not drinking as more socially acceptable than it used to be.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·TypeSurvey·DateMay 25, 2023

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

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

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

Cognitive training helpful for some but not a panacea for fall prevention

A new study found that cognitive training, specifically speed of processing training, reduced the risk of falling among older adults at high risk of falls by 31% over 10 years. However, it had no effect on those at low risk of falling. Cognitive training may enhance physical-based interventions to reduce falls for some individuals.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMay 16, 2023

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