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Researchers develop optimised framework to help stem the spread of deadly, antibiotic-resistant pathogen

A new standardised test has been developed to accurately determine the transmission of VREfm, enabling rapid identification of potential outbreaks and early intervention. The framework uses genomic analysis to compare bacterial genomes and infer transmission links, facilitating global deployment for outbreak detection and investigation.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2022

Alternative statistical method could improve clinical trials

Researchers have developed a new statistical toolkit using the fragility index to determine if clinical trial results are strong and reliable. The new method has been shown to be more flexible than previous versions, allowing researchers to test assumptions and consider implications of a wider range of outcomes.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2021

Saving patients an unnecessary procedure

A new web-based application can predict which epilepsy patients will not benefit from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), a costly and invasive procedure. The '5-SENSE' score reliably identifies patients who will not have a focal seizure onset zone, allowing clinicians to avoid unnecessary procedures.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

Giving AI penalties to get better diagnoses

A new study improves AI diagnoses by penalizing algorithms for false negatives, which can be more urgent than accuracy. Researchers achieved significant improvements in precision and recall for chronic kidney disease and other conditions using cost sensitivity techniques.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalInformatics in Medicine Unlocked·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 1, 2021

AI-powered glaucoma screening test delivers rapid results

A new rapid screening test for glaucoma uses infra-red sensors to monitor eye movement, providing accurate results within seconds. The test could help advance early detection of the disease, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and make it more accessible for national screening programs.

SourceRMIT University·JournalIEEE Access·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2021

Urinary biomarkers predict severe kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Researchers found that certain urinary biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1, were associated with increased risk of severe acute kidney injury or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. These biomarkers may help identify patients at high risk for adverse kidney outcomes.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateOct 25, 2021

More effective cell studies using new AI method

A new study from the University of Gothenburg introduces an AI-based method to develop faster, cheaper, and more reliable information about cells using microscopy. This approach eliminates the drawbacks of traditional fluorescence microscopy by providing accurate results without damaging cells or inhibiting processes.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBiophysics Reviews·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 12, 2021

Important signs of blood clots in the lungs missed in patients with dementia

Patients with dementia presenting with shortness of breath were less likely to be tested for pulmonary embolism compared to those without dementia. Clinical signs and risk factors, such as elevated heart rate, were also evaluated differently in patients with dementia.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2021

Preoperative screening urinalysis is widely used—but usually unnecessary, study finds

A new study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that preoperative urinalysis screening for asymptomatic patients undergoing surgery has little or no benefit. However, the test may lead to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and exposure to potential harms, including Clostridium difficile infection.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

A blood test for your body clock? It's on the horizon

Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder have developed a blood test that can assess the timing of an individual's internal circadian clock, potentially leading to personalized medicine breakthroughs. The study found that analyzing a combination of molecules in a single blood draw can determine the timing of a person's biological ...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Biological Rhythms·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

Toxicity testing on the placenta and embryo

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new chip-based test that incorporates the placenta into embryotoxicity assessments. The test detects indirect damage to embryos by analyzing stress responses of human placental cells to toxic substances.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Biology·DateJul 21, 2021

New risk model may improve the prediction of preterm birth

A new risk prediction model may improve the prediction of impending spontaneous preterm birth, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and treatment costs. The model combines clinical risk factors with vaginal fluid fetal fibronectin concentration analysis, showing promising performance in predicting preterm birth within seven days.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

Effects of masks on exercise

A crossover trial found that exercising with a mask elevated breathing resistance and reduced peak exercise oxygen uptake, but did not compromise overall fitness. The study suggests that wearing masks during exercise may exert physical limitations on capacity, but the clinical relevance of this finding is uncertain.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 30, 2021

More efficient tests may one day replace endoscopy

Researchers have discovered several stool proteins that can detect colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, potentially replacing invasive endoscopy. These novel biomarkers were identified using aptamer-based screening and showed promise in early diagnosis and predicting disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 29, 2021