Articles tagged with Medical Tests
A new study shows that a multi-step effort to reduce unneeded pre-operative testing, using a tailored program for each hospital, can lead to significant reductions in wasteful tests. The findings have already spurred an expansion of the program to 16 more Michigan hospitals.
A recent study suggests that the rise in early-onset cancer incidence in the US population may not be as significant as initially thought. Much of the increase is attributed to increased diagnostic scrutiny and over-diagnosis, rather than a genuine rise in clinically meaningful cancer cases.
Leading researchers are advocating for increased diagnostics and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, citing significant advances in research and the availability of new medicines. The European Union has approved two medicines that slow the progression of mild dementia by removing amyloid plaques from the brain.
A study found that women receiving mental health services had faster reductions in depression over time, emphasizing the potential impact of scalable interventions during this critical period. The research underscores the importance of routine and consistent screening, monitoring, and treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed an enhanced CRISPR-based tuberculosis test that works with a simple tongue swab, detecting TB in samples with very low levels of bacteria. The new test shows high sensitivity and accuracy, offering a significant step forward toward effective diagnoses via a variety of samples.
A Japanese study has identified four distinct patterns of immune response after COVID-19 vaccines, with a 'rapid-decliner' group experiencing faster decline in antibody levels. Monitoring changes in antibody levels may help identify individuals at greater risk of infection and inform more effective vaccination strategies.
A new study published in JAMA finds biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be more efficient than multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer diagnosis. By adopting biparametric MRI, the global healthcare system could see a substantial increase in scanner throughput and cost reduction.
Researchers developed AI models that can identify signs of heart failure in patients from Appalachia using low-tech electrocardiogram results. The models achieved high accuracy and could potentially provide clinicians with an edge in protecting patients' cardiac health.
A study suggests that children's depression may contribute to worsening maternal depression, rather than the other way around. This finding highlights the need for family-centered approaches to mental health care.
Research at DZNE suggests that immune response plays a significant role in Alzheimer's disease, causing olfactory dysfunctions by attacking neuronal fibers. This may enable the development of early diagnosis and treatment methods.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a rapid and accurate diagnostic test called NasRED that can detect diseases like COVID-19 with high sensitivity. The test uses tiny gold nanoparticles to identify disease-related proteins in a sample of bodily fluid, providing lab-quality accuracy without expensive equipment.
Local-stage colorectal cancer incidence among US adults ages 45-49 increased by 50% between 2021 and 2022, with a steep rise in 2019-2022. Screening rates also increased during this period, driven by recommendations to start screening at age 45.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum suggests that Medicare could save $3.6 billion annually by eliminating or reducing low-value tests and procedures for patients who do not benefit from them. This reduction in unnecessary care could also result in $800 million less in out-of-pocket costs for older adults.
A technology expert predicts AI-based medicine will revolutionise care for Alzheimer’s and diabetes, but access must be made available to all patients. The author highlights key innovations such as diagnostic imaging and surgical robots that will aid in more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
The MISSION Act implementation led to significant decreases in travel times for eligible veterans seeking non-VA care. However, this shift was linked to a rise in major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days of procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting.
Researchers developed a test to detect early-stage solid tumors using a blood sample, identifying patterns in amino acid concentrations that can translate into diagnostic signals. The test achieved an 87% positive rate and showed potential for precision medicine in choosing treatments.
A new blood test leverages AI to identify Lyme disease sooner and more accurately than current standard tests, with sensitivity and specificity over 90%. Additionally, an AI tool, Medicine-GPT, demonstrates promise in helping adolescents gather useful medical information, outperforming ChatGPT-4 on completeness and helpfulness.
A new silicone patch with star-shaped microneedles, called the ExoPatch, distinguishes melanoma from healthy skin in mice, capturing cancer biomarkers from exosomes. The test shows promise for early detection of the most aggressive form of skin cancer without a biopsy or blood draw.
A recent study by JAMA Network Open reveals racial differences in care quality among men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Black men had lower odds of overtreatment, suggesting better care, while having lower odds of confirmatory testing on active surveillance, indicating worse care.
A study found that many UK high street health tests are unfit-for-purpose due to a lack of information on test accuracy, suitability, and follow-up actions. Experts argue that the current market fails to support informed use and calls for coherent guidance and improved regulation to protect patients and healthcare systems.
Researchers developed an AI-based screening tool using pangrams to detect Parkinson’s disease with nearly 86 percent accuracy. The web-based test analyzes voice recordings for subtle patterns linked to the neurodegenerative disease, identifying potential warning signs.
ADLM 2025 will tackle urgent topics like clinical AI integration and fake medical news, as well as leveraging genomics for personalized healthcare. The meeting also explores the health threat of plastics and microbiome medicine to combat diseases.
Researchers developed a lyophilized open-source RT-LAMP assay for pathogen detection, making diagnostics more accessible and affordable globally. The assay is heat stable, requires no cold chain, and can detect various pathogens with high sensitivity.
A new breast scan system combines photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging to produce clear 3D images of common breast cancer subtypes. The system, called OneTouch-PAT, takes less than a minute to complete and excels at detecting suspicious lesions in women with dense breast tissue.
A new study found that a nontargeted screening approach can identify more patients with hepatitis C virus infections than traditional targeted screening methods. The results highlight the need for improved treatment models, as patients who went from diagnosis to sustained virologic response increased significantly.
A Nagoya University group created a sandwich ELISA technique to accurately measure polysialic acid levels in the blood of patients with psychiatric disorders. The technique uses antibodies that minimize non-specific binding, resulting in increased accuracy.
A cross-sectional study revealed racial disparities in COVID-19 treatment, with targeted interventions like expanding rapid test access and virtual care potentially improving equity. The findings suggest that encounter-level factors, such as differences in diagnostic test type and site of care, contribute to these inequities.
A new diagnostic tool uses AI to analyze handwriting signals, detecting subtle motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. The device has shown an average accuracy of 96.22% in distinguishing patients from healthy individuals.
A national survey reveals nearly one-third of US adults would not or might not test for suspected COVID-19 due to lack of perceived value. This test hesitancy can delay oral antiviral initiation and potentially lead to missed opportunities to limit transmission.
Research highlights the significant consequences of diagnostic delays for lupus patients, who often experience multiple misdiagnoses before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The study found that 'diagnostic overshadowing' is a major cause of these delays, leading to irreparable organ damage and poor quality of life.
A team of scientists from Colorado State University and the University of São Paulo have developed a seismological solution to improve the resolution of ultrasound images for lung monitoring. This breakthrough could lead to improved critical care for patients, including continuous lung monitoring at the bedside. The technique uses seis...
Researchers have developed a model that uses terahertz scattering to identify structural tissue changes in diseases like cancer and burn injuries. The approach shows promise for early detection and characterization of disease-related tissue features.
A novel screening approach called VEST uses virtual echocardiography to identify patients at high risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a life-threatening form of heart failure. The tool has been shown to generate accurate PAH risk scores without manual calculations and can guide timely referrals for expert care.
A study found slightly lower adenoma detection rates in adults aged 45-49 compared to older groups, consistent with previous evaluations of screening colonoscopies. The study's findings suggest that the lowered screening age may have a beneficial effect on colon cancer prevention.
A circulating tumor DNA-based blood test demonstrated acceptable accuracy for colorectal cancer detection in an average-risk population. However, it struggled to detect advanced precancerous lesions, highlighting the need for further improvements.
A new smartphone app, ECHAS, can help people determine if they are suffering from a heart attack or stroke and need medical attention. The app, developed by experts at UVA Health and other leading institutions, proved effective in identifying patients with cardiac and neurological emergencies.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new non-invasive diagnostic method for insulinomas, which achieved 100% diagnostic accuracy in a Phase II clinical trial. The new method using positron emission tomography (PET) probe successfully detected cases difficult to diagnose through existing methods.
Researchers found that artificial intelligence tools can accurately predict disease for patients with typical symptoms but struggle with those exhibiting atypical symptoms. Human oversight is necessary for high-quality patient-centered care when using AI as an assistive tool.
A review of 151 studies found that symptom invalidation can cause emotional states like self-doubt and shame, as well as behavioral changes such as avoiding medical care. The study recommends that healthcare providers validate patients' experiences, even in cases where a clear diagnosis cannot be made.
The USPSTF recommends early, universal screening for syphilis infection during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. Untreated syphilis can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth in the fetus.
A new $4 million grant will test whether Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Computed Tomography (CT) can improve prostate cancer monitoring while reducing screening-related harms. The study aims to reduce the need for biopsies in men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancers.
Researchers found that patients taking HIV drugs called NRTIs are substantially less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Jayakrishna Ambati, analyzed data from two large health insurance databases and determined a significant reduction in Alzheimer's risk among patients on NRTIs.
A single blood test could identify early-stage cancer in up to half of cases, potentially preventing late-stage disease and improving patient outcomes. Regular MCED testing showed more favourable diagnostic rates than usual care alone, with annual screenings having a higher impact on stage shift.
The journal is inviting submissions on AI applications in biomedical engineering, focusing on medical device development, personalized diagnostics, and patient outcome prediction. Accepted articles will be published as part of a themed section showcasing current research on AI applications in biomedical engineering.
A new $2.7 million NIH grant aims to develop a one-step confirmatory laboratory test for active syphilis infection, which can be diagnosed within 10 minutes. The proposed platform uses electrochemical sensors to detect both treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies, providing a more definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.
Tablet-based hearing tests were found to be feasible and acceptable in routine family medicine, with 27% of screened patients showing some level of hearing impairment. The study suggests that these tests may help general practitioners diagnose hearing disorders more accurately.
A digital cognitive assessment was implemented in primary care to detect early dementia and guide next steps. The study found that 10.8% of eligible patients underwent the test, with 44.3% categorized as unimpaired and 13.7% as impaired.
Researchers identified key tasks in a speech assessment battery to detect primary progressive aphasia, a rare neurodegenerative disease. Early detection can lead to slower disease progression and improved communication skills.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed AI-ECG tools that can detect heart muscle weakness in women of childbearing age, allowing for earlier identification and management. The tools demonstrated high diagnostic performance, with an area under the curve of .94 for AI-ECG and .98 for AI digital stethoscope.
Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have developed a new diagnostic test that measures CRP protein in cerebrospinal fluid to quickly diagnose bacterial meningitis. The test has been shown to be very reliable and can start treatment within half an hour of diagnosis.
Researchers found that measuring lipoprotein markers in a simple blood test can identify individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease more effectively. The study analyzed data from over 200,000 people and showed that the total number of 'bad cholesterol' particles is the most important factor to consider when testing for future h...
Researchers at Rice University developed a new machine learning algorithm that excels in interpreting light signatures of molecules, materials and disease biomarkers. The tool can detect subtle signals in optical spectroscopy, enabling faster medical diagnoses and sample analysis.
Researchers developed a new method to determine optimal threshold time for restricted mean survival time analysis, improving statistical power in clinical and epidemiological studies. The method outperformed traditional statistical analysis methods in real-world scenarios, revealing clear differences between treatment groups.
A new study at Stellenbosch University found that blocking the enzymes involved in glycolysis could cut off the malaria parasite's primary energy source and kill it. This approach has shown promise for developing new malaria drugs, particularly against resistant parasites.
Common prescription medications can disrupt sterol biosynthesis, potentially causing developmental disorders. The editorial highlights the need for mandatory sterol biosynthesis screening in clinical practice.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have identified a simple, noninvasive method for assessing blood glucose regulation — an essential factor in diabetes risk. A new algorithm based on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data accurately predicts diabetes risk and complications.
Researchers have discovered that pyrvinium pamoate, a common pinworm medication, can inhibit cancer cell growth and reverse neuroendocrine features in Merkel cell carcinoma. The medication also reduced tumor growth in mouse models of the disease.
A new method, CIBA, enables safe delivery of stem-cell-based treatments directly into the lungs of ECMO-supported patients. The technique has been proven to be well-tolerated and has shown potential for treating end-stage interstitial lung disease.
A new method using UV light and machine learning can detect microbial contamination in cell cultures, providing a quicker yes/no assessment within 30 minutes. This technology aims to reduce the time spent on sterility tests, making it crucial for life-saving treatments.
The University of Virginia has appointed Dr. Mark T. Esser as the inaugural head of its Manning Institute, a $350 million facility aimed at transforming healthcare and accelerating new treatments. Esser brings decades of experience in developing new medical breakthroughs and will foster an ecosystem of innovation to attract biotechnolo...