Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
Researchers discovered changes in bacteria in the mucus lining of the intestine that could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of inflammatory bowel diseases. This breakthrough study found these changes occurred 12 weeks before they were detectable in stool samples.
A Loyola Medicine study found that simulation techniques using SimMan 3G and trained actors improved neurologists' diagnostic skills for brain death. The training also enhanced their ability to communicate bad news to families, leading to better outcomes.
NIST researchers have developed Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) and Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) technologies to detect fentanyl in unknown powders. These techniques can identify the lowest concentrations of fentanyl mixtures, allowing law enforcement officers to take extra precautions.
A computer-generated physician is being developed to explain medical test results to patients in layman's terms, using graphics and videos. The system aims to improve health literacy and patient engagement, particularly among older adults with lower health literacy levels.
Behavioral economists argue that straight salary-based compensation could reduce over-provision of medical services, benefiting patients. Several high-quality health systems already use this model, which may also improve physician job satisfaction.
A University at Buffalo study found that patient satisfaction among IBS patients is influenced by demographic, GI, and psychological factors beyond the quality of care. The researchers discovered that reassurance from gastroenterologists, rather than diagnostic tests, drives patient satisfaction in this population.
Researchers developed a device to study the effects of 'extensional flow' on proteins, which can lead to reduced effectiveness and aggregation. The device revealed that manufacturing processes can be optimized to reduce protein damage, improving the quality of biopharmaceuticals.
Researchers at Western University developed a simple blood test to identify physiological changes causing resistant hypertension, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The study found that patients treated with the test had 50% controlled blood pressure after one year, compared to 11.1% in those receiving usual treatment.
A new study found that cervical cancer incidence rates among women without a hysterectomy increase with age until 70 and do not begin to decline until 85. Many women over 65 have inadequate screening history, highlighting the need for continued surveillance.
A single blood test measuring glycated CD59 at week 24-28 of gestation identified women with GDM with high sensitivity and specificity. The study found that median levels of plasma GCD59 were 8.5-fold higher in women who failed the GCT and 10-fold higher in women diagnosed with GDM.
A new study by British American Tobacco found that commercially available e-cigarettes did not promote the development of cancer in laboratory cells. In contrast, smoke from a reference cigarette was positive for cancer-promoting activity at very low concentrations.
A new study finds a single measurement of plasma glycated CD59 (GCD59) can identify women at risk for gestational diabetes with high accuracy. Higher GCD59 levels are associated with an increased risk of large-for-gestational-age newborns, highlighting the potential of this biomarker to improve pregnancy outcomes.
A new study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection found that almost all women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) had evidence of bacterial infection, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. This suggests that traditional urine testing may not be necessary for women with UTI symptoms.
Routine blood tests are wasteful and potentially damaging, argue experts in The BMJ. They highlight the need for clinicians to rethink what counts as 'routine' when ordering laboratory tests.
A new test evaluates sperm's capacitation ability, allowing for more accurate diagnoses of male infertility. The Cap-Score Sperm Function Test shows promise in increasing conception rates among men with unexplained infertility.
A study found that delaying colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test result by more than 10 months increases the risk of colorectal cancer and advanced-stage disease. The researchers discovered this association specifically for patients with stage II-IV colorectal cancer.
A French study found that direct communication with fracture patients through a dedicated case manager increased post-fracture BMD testing rates by 20%. This approach empowered patients to demand testing and care, closing the care gap in osteoporosis treatment.
A team of neurosurgeons, engineers, and Hollywood special effects experts created a realistic 3D simulator for practicing endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) procedures. The simulator's effectiveness was evaluated in early tests, showing improved accuracy and safety compared to traditional cadaver-based training.
A new study by the American Cancer Society found that prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing rates among men 50 years or older have leveled off at 32.1%. This trend is notable given previous declines in PSA screening rates, which dropped from 37.8% in 2010 to 30.8% in 2013.
A study by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers found that oral promethazine temporarily worsened vestibular perception thresholds by 31 percent. This increase in thresholds could lead to poorer balance performance and a higher risk of falling.
The study found significant variability in AED registration and maintenance, leading to unknown true risk for failure. Regions with high registration rates had significantly more operational AEDs.
A study presented at ILC 2017 found that bezafibrate plus ursodeoxycholic acid improved symptoms, liver function tests, and surrogate markers of the disease in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. The combination therapy was well-tolerated and normalised prognostic biochemical parameters.
Researchers found that price transparency alone was not enough to change clinician behavior, but specific patient groups showed promising results. The study suggests that future interventions need to be better designed and framed relative pricing.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that stimulating the brain through leadership roles at work or staying in education can help people stay mentally healthy in later life. Engaging in activities that challenge the brain and build cognitive reserve can make it more resilient to illnesses such as dementia.
Research shows complex partnership between ear and brain can compensate for significant inner ear damage, leading to normal audiogram but difficulty hearing in certain situations. The study highlights the need for more challenging behavioral tests to diagnose patients with 'hidden hearing loss'.
Researchers have identified specific types of bacteria that are abundant in individuals with colorectal cancer. Using a combination of markers, scientists anticipate the development of a noninvasive, sensitive clinical diagnostic test. The study confirms previously reported bacteria and identifies new ones associated with the disease.
The BRAIN Center will focus on developing and testing neurotechnologies for a wide range of diseases and injuries, with the potential to save $400 billion in future costs. Researchers from ASU and UH, along with industry partners, will work together to speed technologies to market.
The MyAsthma app is a smartphone tool that allows users to track and manage their asthma. It captures environmental data, tracks symptoms, and provides access to clinically validated tests to monitor asthma control. The app has the potential to improve asthma self-management, reducing attacks, hospital admissions, and healthcare visits.
A new assay allows for direct measurement of pathogen biomarkers in bovine blood, enabling discrimination between exposure and infection. This breakthrough supports the global One Health strategy and has potential applications for diagnosing diseases in cattle, elephants, and other species.
Researchers tested Asian elephants' body awareness, finding they stepped off a mat to pass a stick to an experimenter 42 times on average, significantly more often than during a control test. This demonstrates their understanding of their bodies as obstacles, similar to young children's understanding at around two years old.
New research reveals that obesity influences blood tests for C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, particularly in women with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found greater BMI was associated with increased CRP levels in these individuals.
The Laboratory of Medical Zoology at UMass Amherst is conducting pathogen tests on thousands of ticks collected from 47 sites across the country as part of the National Ecological Observatory Network project. The tests will help track changes in tick-borne disease surveillance and research over 30 years.
A new blood test has been developed to detect acute intracranial hemorrhage due to abusive head trauma in infants, with a high sensitivity rate of 90%. The test uses a combination of biomarkers and hemoglobin levels to identify infants at risk.
A preclinical study found that an antimicrobial protein called EntV reduces the severity of oral thrush in a mouse model, blocking fungal growth and development. This new strategy may lead to the development of a novel antifungal drug that can combat multidrug-resistant yeast strains.
Children at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes may benefit from screening using both hemoglobin A1C and oral glucose tolerance tests, according to new research. The study found that the optimal cutoff points for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes in youth were 40 mmol/mol (5.8%) and 44 mmol/mol (6.2%), respectively.
A new simple tool can help identify individuals with a higher risk of developing prediabetes. The tool is based on the time it takes to reach a maximal sugar level during an oral glucose tolerance test, indicating poorer pancreatic function and increased risk for diabetes.
A balance test that stimulates part of the brain with cold water has shown promising results in improving insight into illness in people with schizophrenia. The study found that cold water in one ear increased patients' awareness and insight into their condition, while cold water in the other ear worsened it.
A team of scientists from Kyoto University has developed a simpler approach to drug discovery using decision trees, achieving high predictive ability with reduced data sets. The new method could lead to significant cost savings in the drug development process.
KinderMiner, a Morgridge Institute for Research team's algorithm, scans Europe PubMed Central and provides ranked associations for select target terms and key phrases. The tool identifies relevant transcription factors in top 20 hits, significantly speeding up scientific process.
A new blood test measures C-reactive protein levels to guide depression treatment, potentially improving success rates. Researchers found a strong correlation between CRP levels and medication regimens, providing a biological explanation for treatment selection.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a miniature female reproductive tract that can test new drugs for safety and effectiveness in women. The EVATAR system, made with human tissue, mimics the body's dynamics and will help understand diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids, and cancer.
Researchers at University of Bath have developed a simple and cheap test to measure functional levels of AMACR protein, allowing for the investigation of new cancer treatments. The test turns clear liquid bright yellow in minutes, enabling quick analysis and development of new treatments.
Scientists have developed a low-cost smartphone attachment for at-home fertility testing, enabling men to monitor their semen quality. The Fertilex platform can detect abnormal semen samples with over 95% accuracy, providing a reliable resource for the millions affected by male infertility.
The NICE-recommended 'budget impact test' aims to slow-track technologies costing the NHS over £20m a year, but experts say it's flawed and discriminatory. The test prioritizes cost-effectiveness over patient needs, potentially leading to widespread harms.
A new smartphone-based device can analyze sperm concentration and motility with high accuracy, making it a game-changer for fertility care. The device has been tested with 350 clinical semen specimens and shows promise in detecting abnormal semen samples.
The Association for Molecular Pathology published consensus recommendations to validate next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based oncology panels. The guidelines address NGS test development, optimization and familiarization, and best practices for establishing test performance characteristics.
A study found a strong association between TV advertising for testosterone therapies and increased testing, new prescriptions, and treatment initiation. The increase in testosterone use was particularly notable among men without clear indications for treatment.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego School of Medicine identified a new approach to treat depression by inhibiting the brain enzyme Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1). The study showed that inhibiting GLO1 alleviated depression symptoms in mice, with faster results compared to conventional antidepressant Prozac.
Researchers at NIMBioS developed a more sensitive test for detecting paratuberculosis in cattle, shedding light on the early stages of the disease. The new macrophage-based assay produces reliable diagnoses and could be a game-changer for controlling the spread of the disease.
New study reveals commonly recommended first aid actions for jellyfish stings can actually increase venom injection, leading to more severe pain and scars. The team recommends rinsing with vinegar or plucking tentacles off with tweezers as alternative treatments.
A new study has developed a score called the Intermountain Chronic Disease Risk Score (ICHRON) that uses routine blood tests and age to measure future risk of chronic disease. ICHRON predictions are 77-78% accurate in identifying patients who'll be diagnosed with a chronic disease within three years.
The new test classifies samples into common ABO and Rh blood groups in under 30 seconds after two simple steps, with high accuracy rate even for rare blood types. The test's rapid turnaround time makes it ideal for resource-limited situations such as war zones or emergencies.
A study of 9,410 women without prior childbirth found that fetal fibronectin levels and transvaginal cervical length had poor predictive performance for spontaneous preterm birth. These tests are often used to identify women at risk of preterm birth, but their accuracy is lower than expected.
A study published in JAMA found that in-patient rehabilitation following knee replacement surgery did not improve mobility at 26 weeks post-surgery. Patients who received a monitored home-based program showed similar results as those who underwent inpatient rehab.
Two common tests for predicting preterm birth in first-time pregnancies failed to identify most cases, according to a large NIH study. The tests involved measuring cervical length and testing for fetal fibronectin, but neither method was found to be effective for widespread screening.
Researchers tested over 10,000 women and found that transvaginal cervical measurement and fetal fibronectin tests do not accurately predict preterm birth. The studies findings challenge the use of these tests in routine screening for low-risk pregnancies.
The new guideline recommends that polysomnography be used for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with significant cardiorespiratory disease or other complicating conditions. Home sleep apnea testing is recommended only for uncomplicated adult patients with increased risk of moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Research found that individual physicians' spending patterns have a limited impact on patient outcomes, with no difference in readmissions or mortality rates between low- and high-spending physicians. The study analyzed data from Medicare patients aged 65 and older who were hospitalized for nonelective conditions between 2011 and 2014.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are creating an improved diagnostic test to help track symptoms and diagnose patients with progressive multiple sclerosis. The two-year project aims to detect subtle changes in sensory and motor function, enabling early treatments to slow disability progression.
A study examining the optimal timing for screening sleep apnea in patients who have had a heart attack found that initial tests conducted shortly after hospitalization are somewhat unreliable. Repeating the test or delaying it until six months later may be necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and avoid unnecessary treatment.