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New in Ethics & Human Research, July-August 2021

The article considers the ethical issues surrounding enrolling children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome, in clinical trials. Parents may face difficult decisions about whether to enroll their children due to concerns about potential loss of positive aspects of their condition.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Call to increase participation of women in cardiovascular clinical trials

Cardiovascular diseases affect women just as much, if not more, than men, yet current guideline-directed therapies are based on data predominantly including male patients. The European Society of Cardiology calls for increased diversity in research teams and targeted interventions to boost attendance.

Ancient herbal medicine may offer relief to veterans with Gulf War Illness

A study from the University of South Carolina's Environmental Health & Disease Laboratory found that andrographolide successfully restored bacteriomes and viromes, increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing harmful bacteria. The treatment also decreased gut inflammation and neuroinflammation in veterans with Gulf War Illness.

When provided personalized health resources, patients often share with others

Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.

Graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging changes perceptions

A randomized clinical trial found that graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging changed the perception of US smokers, making them more likely to recognize the negative consequences of tobacco use and consider quitting. However, it did not significantly increase quit attempts or reduce nicotine addiction.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Addressing diversity in Alzheimer's clinical trials

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has launched Outreach Pro, a new online tool to help increase awareness and participation in Alzheimer's clinical trials among traditionally underrepresented communities. The tool allows researchers to create customizable recruiting materials with an emphasis on reaching diverse populations.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Preventing approximal caries in primary teeth with topical fluorides

A randomized clinical trial found that semi-annual application of 5% sodium fluoride varnish significantly reduces approximal caries development in primary teeth compared to 38% silver diamine fluoride and placebo controls. The study evaluated 4-6 year-old children with at least one sound approximal surface.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Novel method predicts if COVID-19 clinical trials will fail or succeed

A novel method predicts COVID-19 clinical trial success rates by analyzing features from clinical trial reports, including keywords and drug information. The model achieved high accuracy in predicting trial status, indicating a potential tool for optimizing research efforts and reducing costs.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Personalized 3D printed knee implant could help thousands of arthritis sufferers

A groundbreaking treatment using 3D printed implants has received approval to be trialled in UK patients, aiming to provide relief for knee osteoarthritis sufferers. The bespoke titanium alloy implants are designed to reduce discomfort and improve surgical accuracy, with the first trials expected to begin once clinical centres reopen.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Cast no better than brace for broken ankles

A clinical trial found that casts are not more effective than removable braces for treating broken ankles, with patients reporting similar levels of pain and functionality. The choice between the two should be down to cost and patient preference.

Targeted messaging for return to in-person visits

Researchers found that a single targeted message didn't affect the return to in-person visits within a month, but resulted in a small increase in re-engagement through telemedicine and rescheduling of future visits. The study suggests that alternative communication strategies may be more effective for promoting in-person care.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Further hope for BCG vaccine in stemming type 1 diabetes

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that the BCG vaccine significantly lowers blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetics, with faster response times and greater changes in HbA1c for younger patients. The vaccine also restores gene expression in regulatory T cells over three years.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Using virtual populations for clinical trials

Researchers successfully replicated traditional clinical trials using virtual patient populations, speeding up the trial process by months. The in-silico approach shows huge potential for optimizing medical device design and reducing risks associated with treatment.

Access to peer support combined with telehealth being studied to combat PTSD

Researchers at UTHealth are investigating pairing patients with PTSD undergoing treatment for peer support and exposure therapy to improve treatment completion rates. The study aims to reduce the high dropout rate of 25-50% by providing a supportive network for patients to overcome triggers and work towards recovery.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Team describes science-based hiccups intervention

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio developed a new tool to stop hiccups, FISST, which showed nearly 92% success rate in relieving symptoms. Users reported high degrees of effectiveness and ease of use, with most finding it easy to use and very happy with results.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Clinical trial shows cell therapy improves clinical outcomes in heart failure

A clinical trial conducted at the University of Louisville showed that cell therapy using cells derived from a patient's own bone marrow and heart improved quality of life and reduced major adverse cardiac events. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in hospitalizations and improved outcomes for patients with heart failure.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Moffitt Cancer Center experts to present new clinical research data

Moffitt Cancer Center experts present phase 2 results from several clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy, ixazomib maintenance therapy, and immunotherapies for various types of cancer, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer.

Clinical Trial Evaluating Mixed COVID-19 Vaccine Schedules Begins

A Phase 1/2 clinical trial has begun at the NIH to assess the safety and immunogenicity of different COVID-19 vaccine booster regimens. Participants will receive a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, followed by telephone check-ins and in-person follow-up visits for one year.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.