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Donor stem cell transplant shown to improve survival in older patients with MDS

A new clinical trial has found that donor stem cell transplantation nearly doubles the survival rate of older patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aged 50-75. The study suggests that transplant should be considered for all eligible patients, ideally referred early to increase chances of finding a suitable donor.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateDec 4, 2020

Grant boosts Louisiana children's access to clinical trials

A $2.1 million federal grant will enhance clinical trial access in five areas, including care before birth and obesity, with the goal of improving health outcomes for all Louisiana children and potentially slowing or preventing chronic diseases like asthma.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·DateDec 4, 2020

Combined exercise, mindfulness training may help reduce fatigue in cancer survivors

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have found that combining exercise and mindfulness training can significantly reduce fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The study used a feasibility trial with 40 women, who reported a drop in fatigue levels after participating in a combination of both interventions.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalPsycho-Oncology·DateDec 2, 2020
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.

Study: TB vaccine linked to lower risk of contracting COVID-19

A widely used tuberculosis vaccine is associated with reduced likelihood of contracting COVID-19, according to a new study by Cedars-Sinai. The BCG vaccine was found to be effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and the risk of coronavirus infections or severity of the disease.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 20, 2020
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.

Pod e-cigarettes less harmful than regular cigarettes, new study finds

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that pod e-cigarettes are significantly safer than combustible cigarettes, with reduced levels of carcinogens and respiratory symptoms. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may be a viable harm-reduction option for smokers who struggle to quit or reduce their smoking habit.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 18, 2020

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Chinese vaccine candidate based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus appears safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers, preliminary study finds

A phase 1/2 randomised controlled trial of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate CoronaVac involved over 700 healthy volunteers aged 18-59 years recruited in China. The study found that CoronaVac is safe and induces a robust antibody response within four weeks after two doses, with optimal dosing identified as 3μg.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateNov 17, 2020

New Fred Hutch-led trial shows no benefits of dairy foods for blood sugar regulation

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming dairy foods did not directly affect blood sugar levels in people with metabolic syndrome. However, participants on a full-fat dairy diet gained weight and those on low-fat or full-fat diets experienced reduced insulin sensitivity.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 16, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Antidepressant may prevent severe COVID-19, trial suggests

A clinical trial found that fluvoxamine prevented COVID-19 infections from worsening and kept patients out of the hospital. The antidepressant drug reduced inflammation and protected against serious breathing difficulties, suggesting it may be a promising treatment for mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateNov 13, 2020

Are diagnostic imaging studies with positive conclusions or titles published faster?

A study found that diagnostic imaging studies with positive conclusions were associated with a shorter time from study completion to publication, contributing to an overrepresentation of positive results in the test accuracy literature. Studies with positive titles showed no significant association with faster publication times.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateNov 13, 2020

A few kilograms weight loss nearly halves the risk of diabetes

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that providing support for small lifestyle changes can almost halve the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study found that modest weight loss and increased physical activity reduced the risk by 40-47% for those with prediabetes.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 13, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine does not help patients hospitalized with COVID-19: Study

A national study published in JAMA found that hydroxychloroquine did not improve clinical outcomes for adult patients hospitalized with respiratory illness related to COVID-19. The study, which enrolled 479 patients, showed no evidence that the drug prevented death or helped patients recover more quickly.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateNov 13, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

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.

Nut consumption causes changes in sperm DNA function

Researchers found that adding tree nuts to a Western-style diet improves sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. Nut consumption also alters specific sperm DNA methylation patterns, with 97.2% of regions displaying hypermethylation.

SourceUniversitat Rovira i Virgili·JournalAndrology·DateNov 9, 2020

Effect of hydroxychloroquine on clinical status

A randomized trial found that hydroxychloroquine improved the clinical status of adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The study compared the effects of hydroxychloroquine versus placebo on patients' clinical status at 14 days.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 9, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

UH and CWRU announce study of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate

The study aims to enroll non-pregnant adults older than 18 and will investigate the safety, immune response, and efficacy of the vaccine. UH Cleveland Medical Center is part of the NIAID-supported COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN) and has extensive knowledge in vaccine research.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·DateOct 29, 2020

Shot of alcohol can help an irregular heartbeat

A combination approach of catheter ablation and ethanol infusion significantly reduced atrial fibrillation recurrence rates, with 49% remaining free from AFib after six months. This finding supports the use of the Vein of Marshall Ethanol for Untreated Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (VENUS) trial's treatment as a first-line therapy.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalJAMA·DateOct 28, 2020

Study finds need for better inclusion of racial minorities in RT trials

A new study examines clinical trials involving radiation therapy from 1996 to 2019 and finds that Black and Asian American patients are underrepresented, with 12% and 3% of trial participants respectively. The findings highlight the need for better inclusion of racial minorities in research studies.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateOct 27, 2020
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.

Effect of electroacupuncture on chronic low back pain

A randomized clinical trial found that electroacupuncture significantly reduced pain severity among adults with chronic low back pain. The study compared the effects of electroacupuncture to a placebo treatment, with results indicating a notable decrease in pain severity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 27, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Clinical trial shows experimental drug safely slows progression of diabetic kidney disease

A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that finerenone significantly slows the progression of diabetic kidney disease by 18% compared to a placebo. The study also found a reduction in cardiovascular event rates, offering new treatment options for patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 23, 2020

High-impact clinical trials yield results that could improve kidney care

Recent clinical trials have shown promising results for finerenone, which slows diabetic kidney disease progression and reduces cardiovascular events when added to standard care. Empagliflozin also demonstrated benefits in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest new treatment options for patients ...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·DateOct 23, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Covid-19 vaccine trials cannot tell us if they will save lives

Current Covid-19 vaccine trials are not designed to detect a reduction in serious outcomes such as hospitalisations, intensive care use, or deaths. The trials evaluate mild disease and may not provide evidence of vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe illness or transmission.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 21, 2020

Perspective: Understanding COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Researchers consider indirect protection strategies due to potential ineffectiveness in elderly and comorbid individuals. Indirect effects are harder to measure than direct effects, highlighting the need for evidence on vaccine impact before approval or soon after.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Results from the FORECAST Trial reported at TCT Connect

The FORECAST trial found that fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomography coronary angiography (FFRCT) reduced the use of invasive coronary angiography by 22% without significantly reducing costs. The strategy also showed promise in terms of reducing healthcare utilization and improving patient outcomes.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·DateOct 16, 2020

Results from the TARGET FFR study reported at TCT Connect

The TARGET FFR trial found that a physiology-guided incremental optimization strategy (PIOS) reduced the proportion of patients with a final post-PCI FFR ?0.80, while also improving mean Coronary Flow Reserve. The study's results suggest potential benefits for PCI outcomes.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·DateOct 16, 2020
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.

Results from the MITHRAS trial reported at TCT Connect and published in Circulation

The MITHRAS trial found that interventional closure of an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) driven by transcatheter mitral valve repair was not superior to conservative medical treatment. The study also revealed that the presence of a persistent iASD is associated with increased long-term mortality and morbidity following TMVR.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalCirculation·DateOct 15, 2020

New research could help millions who suffer from 'ringing in the ears'

Researchers from the University of Minnesota developed a bimodal neuromodulation treatment using sound and electrical stimulation to reduce tinnitus symptoms. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, showed significant improvements in symptom severity for 86% of participants after 12 weeks of treatment.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 15, 2020

Results from the REFLECT II Trial reported at TCT Connect

The REFLECT II trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of TriGuard 3, a self-stabilizing cerebral embolic deflection filter, in patients undergoing TAVR. The device met the primary safety endpoint, but did not demonstrate superiority for reducing ischemic stroke or larger lesions.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·DateOct 15, 2020

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Preliminary results find vaccine candidate based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus is safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers

A Phase 1/2 randomised controlled trial found the vaccine candidate BBIBP-CorV is safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers. The study detected antibody responses in all recipients by day 42 after vaccination, and was well-tolerated with no severe adverse reactions reported.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateOct 15, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Workplace wellness programs could improve if more personalized, study shows

A new study found that personal and psychological characteristics significantly impact progress in workplace wellness programs. The research suggests that tailoring nudges to an individual's behavior profile can unlock full potential, leading to improved outcomes. For some groups, ongoing incentives may be necessary to sustain motivation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 14, 2020

Results from COMBINE (OCT-FFR) reported at TCT Connect

The COMBINE (OCT-FFR) trial found that the presence of TCFA is a strong predictor of future MACE, despite lack of ischemia. Combining FFR and OCT can improve accuracy of high-risk lesion identification in patients with diabetes.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·DateOct 14, 2020
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.