Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
A new study reveals nearly half of coronavirus patients experience symptoms of depression, particularly those with persistent symptoms and low family income. Researchers emphasize the need for improved mental health services in light of the pandemic's disruption to these vital resources.
A University of Cambridge study found that the fit of a face mask is more important than its material in providing protection against COVID-19. The researchers discovered that even high-performance masks can perform no better than cloth masks if not fitted properly, highlighting the critical role of proper seal in ensuring effectiveness.
Researchers examined testing alignment to epidemic intensity in Massachusetts, highlighting disparities in resource allocation. The study found that testing was concentrated in high-income areas, exacerbating health inequities.
A new study from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that Pap test samples can detect proteins also present in ovarian cancer tumor tissues. This discovery suggests potential biomarker candidates for early detection of ovarian cancer, which currently has no early warning system.
A Korean research team developed a wearable sensor that can detect illegal drugs in sweat using nanomaterials technology, enabling fast and highly sensitive drug detection. The technology overcomes traditional methods' limitations and has the potential to address social problems related to drug distribution and abuse.
Researchers sent take-at-home tests to patients overdue for screenings, increasing completion rates by nearly 20% compared to traditional reminders. The intervention cost just $150 per patient, a critical factor for sustainability in community health centers.
A new virtual reality cognitive assessment has been developed by Center for BrainHealth researchers, effectively testing executive function in everyday tasks. The study found that participants' performance is not related to their working memory capacity, but rather on their strategies and approaches.
A new University of Illinois study aims to develop better testing methods for produce, focusing on toxin-producing E. coli and improving preharvest testing protocols. The project involves swabbing plants in the field with a sterile cloth attached to a stick to capture potential pathogens.
Researchers found that a significant proportion of international entrants to China test positive for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. This study highlights the challenges in controlling the spread of COVID-19 through travel restrictions and testing.
Researchers developed an enhanced CMV detection method that accurately detects the infection in newborns with almost 90% accuracy. This improvement enables earlier intervention, which can improve hearing, speech, language, and intellectual/neurodevelopmental outcomes for affected children.
A new wearable device collects biofluids such as tears and saliva to analyze conditions like oral ulcers, oral cancer, and eye infections on a rapid, continuous basis. The sensors also administer medicine with microneedles through the skin, offering improved treatment options for patients.
A host immune classifier test may help guide immunotherapy treatment decisions for patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer. The test, which measures inflammation in the body, is associated with longer overall survival and better treatment response.
A PhD student has discovered a way to conduct micro-brewing experiments using only a single barley seed in a 1.5 millilitre tube, reducing the need for large-scale brewing operations. This method could speed up the quality testing of newly-bred barley varieties and potentially lead to new styles of beer.
Stroke survivors who completed a cardiac rehabilitation program focused on aerobic exercise improved their ability to transition from sitting to standing and walked further during a six-minute walking test. The program also showed improvements in leg strength and reduced fall risk.
Researchers at the Buck Institute have discovered a compound that slows bone loss in aging mice by up to 31% over the course of a year's treatment. The study provides a treasure trove of data for those studying aging and age-related diseases, including serially profiled individual mice as they aged while testing several therapeutics.
Researchers at Monash University have created a new class of biosensors that can monitor the concentration of proteins in real-time, enabling faster and more effective treatments for chronic health complications. This breakthrough technology could provide invaluable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that advanced practice providers (APPs) and emergency physicians deliver similar care to ED patients presenting with chest and abdominal pain. The authors recommend further research on the optimal use of APPs in the emergency department.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a new sensor design that allows stretchable electronics to collect and process faint signals from the body. The design, which incorporates a patterned material that optimizes strain distribution, enables transistors to maintain nearly the same electrical performance when stretched...
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified patterns of maternal autoantibodies associated with autism spectrum disorder, allowing for early diagnosis and potential behavioral intervention. Researchers found that these biomarkers can predict the likelihood and severity of autism with high accuracy.
The study provides a rigorous scientific validation of Opertech Bio's TāStation technology, enabling the quantification of human taste discrimination. The findings are consistent with receptor occupancy theory and demonstrate remarkable test-to-test repeatability.
Researchers discovered predictive values for blood pressure, heart rate, and ratio in a Chinese subpopulation with vasovagal syncope using simplistic tilt test. The study suggests that ratios of blood pressure to heart rate derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may better predict the presence and pattern of vasovagal syncope.
Researchers from Toyohashi University of Technology developed a semiconductor chip that can detect volatile gases in exhaled breath with high sensitivity at room temperature. The chip uses a polymer material that expands and contracts when gas is absorbed, allowing for precise measurement of gas adsorption.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a method to halt osteoarthritis-type knee cartilage degeneration by targeting a specific protein pathway. By over-activating the EGFR signaling pathway, they were able to slow down cartilage degeneration and knee pain in mice.
The Illinois RapidVent emergency ventilator was designed and tested by the University of Illinois team in under three weeks. The device is easy to produce, has few components, and can be powered from pressured air or oxygen.
A new pilot study using electromagnetic field stimulation has shown promise in restoring arm and hand function in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries. The study, conducted at Kessler Foundation, aims to improve motor control and activities of daily living for those with chronic spinal cord injury.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a cheap blood test that can detect Alzheimer's disease earlier than current methods. The test analyzes phosphorylated tau protein levels in blood and shows potential for predicting and monitoring disease progression.
A study suggests that a change in vasectomy guidelines has resulted in fewer repeat semen analyses, potentially reducing unnecessary tests and costs. The updated guideline recommended less stringent criteria for confirming the success of vasectomy.
A study adapted a tool to measure racial inequities in COVID-19 testing, revealing disparities in access and health outcomes across racial groups. The analysis found significant disparities in vaccination rates, test uptake, and healthcare utilization among different racial and ethnic groups.
Engineers developed a new technique to eliminate particularly tough blood clots by using engineered nanodroplets and an ultrasound drill to break up the clots from the inside out. In vitro testing showed promising results, with the use of nanodroplets, ultrasound, and drug treatment reducing clot mass by 40%, plus or minus 9%.
Researchers developed a blood test that detects misfolded proteins in blood, predicting Alzheimer's disease risk in people with subjective cognitive decline. The test identified those at high and low risk, providing hope for early-stage treatment.
A retrospective cohort study found that testing for primary aldosteronism in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension was rare and associated with higher rates of evidence-based treatment and better blood pressure control. An adaptive stepped exercise program improved pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients.
Functional hydrogel coatings have various functions, including sensing, actuation, drug delivery, and conductivity for neural electrodes. Research directions include optimizing coating methods for mass production, long-term stability, and testing adhesion.
Researchers developed a platform using an endless runner video game to identify ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents. The game assesses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms through the raccoon's jumping behavior.
Researchers at UCL developed a pioneering new eye test called DARC that can predict wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) three years before symptoms appear. The test uses a fluorescent dye to detect stressed retinal cells, which then predicts future AMD activity.
A new device, ECaBox, will resuscitate eyes from deceased body donors for clinical research purposes. The device will maintain the eye's temperature and pH levels while providing cells with oxygen and nutrients.
Researchers found that early testing after a crime improves accuracy and reduces forgetting. The study also showed a positive correlation between remembering peripheral details and the central memory of the perpetrator.
The ADQI consensus statement recommends using a combination of damage and functional biomarkers to manage Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Proenkephalin penKid is proposed as a marker for assessing AKI progression and kidney recovery, with CE-IVD marked assay available for point-of-care usage.
A new study published in Neurology found that siponimod improved cognitive processing speed in people with advanced secondary progressive MS. The medication showed a 28% higher chance of sustained improvement compared to placebo, and reduced the risk of decline by 21%.
A new study found that many weight loss surgery patients in the UK are not receiving annual nutritional monitoring and weight checks as recommended by clinical guidelines. This can lead to serious health consequences, including weight regain and nutrient deficiencies. The study's lead researcher calls for improved support for GPs and p...
The study assesses an online tool that uses actual virus copy number data to compare pooled and single-sample testing methods. The results show how pooled testing affects population-level outcomes, providing valuable insights for policy makers.
A pilot study has created a comprehensive behavioral dataset to investigate individual differences in language skills. The dataset includes 112 participants who completed a battery of 33 tests, measuring linguistic experience, cognitive skills, and linguistic processing abilities.
A recent study presented at the 2020 ASH meeting demonstrated that Gazelle's integrated anemia-SCD test has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting anemia, with over 92.3% accuracy. The test is expected to be available in mid-2021 and has the potential to improve disease management in low-resource settings.
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive method for testing liquid biological samples using in-fiber multispectral optical sensing. The sensor shows high sensitivity to impurities and can be used for diagnostic purposes and real-time simulations of various biological processes.
A landmark study led by the University of Sydney found that cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not affect driving ability. In contrast, moderate amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produce mild impairment lasting up to four hours.
A study found that lab results for adults with obesity are similar to those of their leaner counterparts, contradicting one theory behind the 'obesity paradox'. Instead, researchers suggest that unconscious bias in healthcare providers may lead to better outcomes for obese patients in critical care
Researchers identified six chronotypes: highly active, daytime sleepy, daytime active, moderately active, morning, and evening. A large-scale study tested 2,000 participants, showing that 95% identified with one of the types.
A recent analysis found that nearly 15% of talc-based cosmetics products contain asbestos, a deadly human carcinogen. The study highlights the need for rigorous testing methods and safer regulations to protect consumers from potential harm.
Researchers found that flavanol-enriched cocoa drink improved blood oxygenation levels in the brain, leading to enhanced cognitive performance. Participants completed complex tasks faster and with higher accuracy after consuming the flavanol-rich drink.
Researchers developed an animal-free method to predict nanoparticle toxicity, enabling safer industrial materials production and reducing environmental risks. The new approach identifies key cellular events triggering inflammation, allowing for high-throughput testing and connectable with in silico modeling.
Researchers from Edith Cowan University have developed a simple method to analyze the effectiveness of exercise training using vertical jumps. By measuring forces produced on the ground during jumps, they can predict detailed information about technique and muscle activation patterns.
Scientists have developed a new approach using nanosensors to detect trace amounts of biomarkers for early-disease diagnosis. The innovation increases detection speed by four times compared to common sensing techniques, enabling rapid disease tests that can be done at home or work.
A Baylor University study finds that cynical hostility may prevent a healthy response to stress over time, leading to increased cardiovascular strain. This type of hostility is characterized by negative beliefs and attitudes towards others' motives and trustworthiness.
Researchers at Virginia Tech prove that the mixture of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, urea, and bicarbonates in sweat can clog sweat ducts naturally, replacing metallic salts. A lab experiment demonstrates this concept using artificial sweat and a microchannel, showing a gel-like plug forms to seal the duct.
A rare nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers is discussed in the article. Minimizing these incidents can be achieved through proper precautions such as wearing surgical masks, maintaining good ventilation, practicing physical distancing, using eye protection, and conducting regular testing and sick leave policies.
Researchers analyzed ABR tests of nearly 140,000 newborns in Florida and found slower brain responses to sounds in those later diagnosed with autism. The study presents a promising direction in using ABR testing as a method for precise autism detection at birth.
The TEAL respirator features sensors to detect proper wear and filter saturation, achieving a 100% success rate for fit testing. It can be sterilized and reused up to 100 cycles without significant loss of elasticity.
A new rapid test has shown solid diagnostic performance in distinguishing between patients with and without periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a serious complication of total joint replacement. The test, which measures alpha-defensin levels in synovial fluid, achieved high sensitivity and specificity rates.
Researchers analyzed saliva samples from over 500 participants to identify microRNA levels that could indicate a concussion. The study found that measuring these molecules in saliva can aid diagnosis with high accuracy, potentially replacing current symptom scales and neurocognitive tests.
Researchers aim to create a low-cost, time-efficient procedure to identify and screen patients at high risk of cognitive decline. A new risk calculator and screening tool will be developed and validated to detect reversible causes of cognitive decline.
A new study demonstrates that pooling treatment recommendations from multiple prescribers using the 'wisdom of crowds' concept can improve decisions on antibiotic prescribing and reduce overuse. Using international survey data, researchers found that groups of three or more prescribers showed significant benefits in guideline compliance.