Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
A study of gay and bisexual men in Melbourne found that kissing, with or without sex, was associated with a higher risk of throat gonorrhoea. The researchers suggest that this may be an important route of transmission, potentially leading to new preventive options.
Researchers compared common bedside testing platforms to determine blood clotting speed and found the iSTAT platform offers a better balance of speed and accuracy. The Hepcon system provides consistent results with lab-based anti-Xa tests but lacks physiologically active heparin levels, making it less valuable for patient care.
Researchers investigated whether taking aspirin before a fecal immunochemical test could improve the ability to detect cancer precursors. The study found no statistically significant difference in detection rates between those who took aspirin and those who took a placebo.
Researchers developed a microchannel trapping device to detect bacteria in patient samples quickly, reducing testing time from days to minutes. The device can classify bacteria into three main shapes and identify antimicrobial susceptibility directly from clinical samples.
A digital procedural checklist for trauma centers has been developed and implemented, supporting trauma teams without hindering performance. The checklist, which includes over 55 tasks, was designed through years of collaborative research and testing, and its use in real trauma settings showed positive results.
A survey of fourth-year radiology residents who took the 2018 ABR Core Exam found that those who passed perceived higher value in preparation resources. Residents who passed also had more study time off and higher USMLE step 1 scores compared to those who failed.
Scientists have identified three specific subtypes of precursor cells that go on to become fat cells, which may help determine an individual's health risk. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments that target 'fast burning' fat cells to prevent weight gain and metabolic disease.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have created a blood test that can flag the disease, which currently lacks a standard diagnostic test. The test successfully identified participants in a study with chronic fatigue syndrome and is being used to screen for potential drugs that may help treat the condition.
The number of gonorrhoea cases in the EU/EEA has risen by 17% in 2017, with over 240 cases per day, largely due to antibiotic resistance. The majority of cases are reported among men who have sex with men, and women are increasingly affected as well.
A hospital electronic health record system with diagnostic stewardship strategy reduced inappropriate GI test use by 46% and saved up to $168,000. The hardwired alerts and 'hard stop' feature improved care without compromising quality.
A study from Yale University finds that low mobility is a significant predictor of hospital readmission in older heart attack patients. Patients who took more than 25 seconds on the Timed Up and Go test were nearly twice as likely to be readmitted after a heart attack.
A team at Vanderbilt University is developing 'safe harbor' standards of care based on scientific evidence to reduce defensive medicine and its consequences. The project aims to lower healthcare costs, improve quality of care, and decrease patient exposure to radiation.
Researchers developed ELISAtools to limit variability in research-use-only assay kits, enabling more consistent results over time. The software provides a stable platform for comparing data from different kits, reducing variability by up to 90%.
A large study found that moving more is linked to living longer, with a 2.8% reduction in all-cause mortality for each milliliter increase in maximal oxygen uptake. The benefits of fitness were seen in men and women across all age groups and fitness levels.
Researchers found commercially available fish preparations for skin prick testing varied greatly in allergen content, leading to false negative results and potential life-threatening consequences. The team is working on advanced diagnostics and therapy for seafood allergy.
A color test developed at University of Technology Sydney can accurately detect all cathinones, a new illicit synthetic drug entering the market every four days. The test is now commercialized and being marketed to police and customs agencies in Europe, offering a solution for detecting new psychoactive substances.
A new urine test using nanoparticles that detect early enzyme activity of immune cells attacking cancer has received a major funding boost from the National Institutes of Health. The test can identify immunotherapy effectiveness very early, helping doctors adjust treatment and combat resistance.
A new blood test has been shown to diagnose pre-eclampsia on average two days sooner than current methods, reducing serious complications by 20%. The test measures placental growth factor (PlGF) in a woman's blood, enabling clinicians to provide timely and targeted care.
Researchers use metal nanoparticles to detect single target molecules in paper-based tests, overcoming limitations of conventional dyes. The results enable ultra-sensitive diagnostics with limitless applications in medicine, forensics, and environmental safety.
A new male oral contraceptive, 11-beta-MNTDC, has been found to decrease sperm production while preserving libido, according to a phase 1 study. The drug produced hormone responses consistent with effective contraception and had few mild side effects.
A study found that community pharmacy-based type 2 diabetes screening is cost-effective and can increase early diagnoses by 3.3 years. Researchers suggest targeting high-risk patients to improve the service's cost-effectiveness.
Researchers from University of Surrey investigated public attitudes towards new Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) for Cancer, finding participants valued reassurance and support from GPs as highly as speedy referrals. GPs will need clear guidance to support patients under the new standard.
A new study presented at ENDO 2019 found that the A1c test used to diagnose diabetes tends to underestimate its prevalence. The test missed detecting 73% of diabetes cases compared to the oral glucose tolerance test, highlighting its limitations.
A randomized clinical trial found that financial incentives, including a $10 gift and a chance at winning $100, did not increase the completion rate of mailed colorectal cancer screening tests. The overall FIT completion rate was nearly 29 percent.
Researchers found that mailing FIT kits directly to patients increased completion rates by 24-29% within two-six months. Financial incentives did not significantly improve results. The study suggests framing and context of incentives can be more important than their dollar value, highlighting the principles of behavioral economics.
Researchers found that people with PAD had a lower Omega-3 Index compared to those without the disease. The study suggests that omega-3s may play a role in preventing the development of PAD. Further studies are needed to determine whether long-term use of omega-3 supplements can prevent PAD.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released updated guidelines for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), suggesting that testing should be limited to high-risk patients. This shift aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment and minimize the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance.
A new breath test could diagnose gastrointestinal damage in children without invasive procedures, reducing trauma and costs associated with oesophageal testing. The trial uses a Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) enzyme found in the small intestine to measure gut health.
A team of researchers discovered the chemicals responsible for the distinctive smell of Parkinson's disease using a 'super smeller'. The finding could lead to an early diagnosis and monitoring of the condition. Hippuric acid, eicosane, and octadecanal were identified as biomarkers in sebum samples from patients with Parkinson's.
The new in vitro method allows scientists to easily screen different compositions of the carrier liquid and concentration of particulates, reducing mouth residue and making swallowing easier. This innovative test is expected to help develop novel medicines that improve the lives of people with difficult swallowing capabilities.
Researchers developed an in-vitro test method to assess fluid handling properties of SAP wound dressings, improving understanding and marketing of products. The validation will aid the development of new products, increasing confidence in clinical performance.
A mathematical model using simple blood tests and birth weight can accurately estimate gestational age without ultrasound, offering a solution to measure preterm birth rates in low-resource countries. This approach has been validated with over 1,000 pregnant women in Bangladesh and is being implemented in other countries.
Researchers found a potential predictor of (future) Alzheimer's disease in eye fluid, linking low amyloid-β and tau protein levels to lower cognitive scores. The study suggests that proteins in the eye may be accessible for an affordable test to predict future AD.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a blood test that can reliably detect fibromyalgia by identifying unique biomarkers in the blood. The discovery has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients with this often-misdiagnosed disease, which affects millions of Americans.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created a continuous-monitoring device that tests sweat as effectively as blood, providing data over time to track health trends. This breakthrough technology holds promise for noninvasive testing and personalized care, paving the way for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that men with high neuroticism are more likely to experience adverse events after prostate cancer surgery, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. The study suggests that personality tests may be a valuable tool for identifying at-risk patients and improving care.
A new test for identifying how single bacteria react to antibiotics could help slow down antibiotic resistance by targeting the right treatments more quickly. The test, which can analyze hundreds of bacteria at once, examines multiple properties and detects the signature of each bacterium in one hour.
Researchers developed a rapid, non-invasive urine test to diagnose preeclampsia, with an accuracy rate of 86% compared to other biochemical tests. The 'Congo Red Dot' test can provide results within three minutes, allowing for early detection and treatment, thereby reducing maternal deaths and premature births.
Researchers found that one in 20 patients had troponin levels higher than the recommended limit, but most were being treated for other conditions. The study highlights the need for medical staff to carefully interpret troponin levels to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology reveals that physical fitness is a stronger indicator of survival in older adults than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Higher fitness levels were associated with significantly increased rates of survival, even among those with multiple risk factors.
Researchers have developed an app that uses a smartphone camera and photoplethysmography signal to detect diabetes, showing promise for early detection and encouraging further testing by healthcare providers. The app was tested on over 54,000 individuals and correctly identified people with diabetes in over 72% of cases.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that DMT microdosing helped rats overcome a fear response associated with anxiety and PTSD, while also reducing immobility in tests measuring antidepressant effects. However, the regimen caused weight gain in male rats and neuronal atrophy in female rats, highlighting potential risks.
Researchers developed a blood test to predict spontaneous preterm birth, focusing on proteins found in first-trimester blood samples. The test shows promise for identifying women at increased risk of preterm delivery, particularly among first-time mothers.
Researchers developed a new blood test that can identify individual molecules in human blood samples with minimal detection errors, including rare cancer-associated proteins like mutant p53 and PD-L1. This breakthrough enables accurate disease diagnosis and novel insights into cancer mechanisms.
Researchers debunked a common misconception that millions of people have an antibiotic allergy. Studies show that only 10% of reported allergies are true, and many lose their allergy over time.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute found that an annual noninvasive stool test is effective for colon cancer screening in average-risk adults. The test, known as FIT, identified hidden blood in stool and had high detection rates for colorectal cancer.
The Annual FIT home stool test is effective for colon cancer screening in asymptomatic adults, with moderate to high sensitivity and specificity. Adopting this non-invasive test could improve lagging CRC screening rates, especially among vulnerable populations.
A new study at WashU Medicine finds that making a simple electronic system change can reduce bacterial culture tests ordered without compromising patient care. The change encourages doctors to first look for signs of UTIs before testing urine for bacteria, resulting in a nearly half reduction in unnecessary tests.
A new online tool, The Human Diagnosis Project, assesses physicians' diagnostic skills by analyzing sample patient scenarios and providing immediate feedback. The study found that attending physicians outperformed other groups in terms of accuracy and efficiency, with those from top-ranked medical schools scoring highest.
A handheld biosensor has been developed to quickly and accurately detect cryptosporidium contamination in water samples, providing immediate results. The technology has real potential for use in medical and environmental applications.
Researchers used whole-genome sequencing to investigate a Bacillus cereus outbreak in upstate New York, revealing the causal agent produced an emetic toxin. The study highlights the potential of real-time data sharing to prevent and detect outbreaks more effectively.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found that tau protein aggregates in Alzheimer's disease can grow by joining end-to-end, forming longer filaments. This discovery helps explain the formation of toxic aggregates and may inform the development of new drug candidates.
Using a health exchange network can facilitate electronic disease reporting, improving compliance with public health laws and increasing completeness of reports. A novel decision support tool has been designed to automate the process of primary care clinics reporting case information to public health offices.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have successfully applied their big data-based approach to evaluating possible treatments for autism. The findings have the potential to accelerate the development of successful medical interventions by analyzing correlations between metabolite concentrations and adaptive behavior.
Researchers developed a blood test to diagnose autism and applied a big data-based approach to evaluate potential treatments. They used machine-learning algorithms to analyze complex data sets, revealing correlations between metabolite concentrations and changes in behavior.
A recent study found that many cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis remain undetected due to inaccurate tests, leading to incorrect treatment and higher mortality rates. The researchers recommend developing new, comprehensive point-of-care molecular tests that can deliver results within hours or days.
A new microchip technology can identify the optimal medication and dosage for effective treatment of bacterial infections in six to seven hours. The microchip's innovative design features enable it to determine the minimum inhibitory dosage that prevents bacterial growth, a crucial step in treating life-threatening infections.
MIT researchers have developed a new toxicity test that can measure chemical effects on cell survival with greater sensitivity than popular tests. The MicroColonyChip system uses tiny wells to form small colonies, allowing for rapid results in just a few days.
The KIT National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease has secured funding for its second phase, which will focus on developing domestic respiratory disease products. The center will utilize a one-step solution combining inhalation testing with toxicology evaluation and clinical studies to evaluate product efficacy.
A randomized trial published in The BMJ found that medical scribes increase doctors' productivity and shorten patients' stays at emergency departments, with minimal risk to patient safety. Using scribes can save hospitals USD$26.15 per scribed hour, according to a cost-benefit analysis.