Articles tagged with Medical Tests
Researchers analyzed data from almost four million participants across 31 countries, finding that IQ gains were largely driven by improvements in knowledge and reasoning. Despite increases in global IQ, findings suggest that the strength of gains has been decreasing in recent decades.
Radon gas poses a significant health threat in Canada, with an estimated 3000 deaths from lung cancer in 2014. The WHO limit of 100 Bq/m3 is not met in most Canadian homes, and the lack of action to lower guidelines and implement testing and mitigation measures puts Canadians at risk.
Simple measures of kidney function and damage may be better than traditional tests in predicting heart failure, death from heart attack, and stroke. Researchers found that indicators of kidney function and damage outperformed cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure as risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
A new smartphone-based system called Peek has been shown to be as accurate as traditional charts in testing visual acuity. The app, designed by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, uses a unique piece of hardware and software to test eyesight easily and affordably in community settings.
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation led to improvements in short-term memory and subtle changes in word retrieval in people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that this type of brain stimulation might ease some cognitive difficulties, enabling individuals to lead a more normal life.
Researchers at University of Toronto designed a diagnostic chip to test for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in just one hour. The chip uses electrochemical detection to analyze the effects of antibiotics on bacteria, allowing doctors to quickly prescribe targeted treatments.
Researchers at USC have developed a portable device to measure a tumor's squishiness, which may help personalize cancer care. The device uses fiber optics and can accurately quantify the Young's modulus of various materials without damaging them.
A University of Maryland expert is working on a digital platform called CyberHeart to test and validate implantable medical devices. The project combines patient-specific computational models with advanced mathematical techniques to optimize device settings on a patient-by-patient basis.
The American College of Physicians recommends screening for five common cancers: breast, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, and cervical. High-intensity screening may do more harm than good due to over-diagnosis and overtreatment. ACP advises focusing on tests that improve health and avoid harms.
A new study found that nearly 22% of children with asthma also demonstrate a sensitivity to peanuts, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The study suggests that peanut sensitivity screening may be beneficial for these children, especially when controlling wheezing and coughing is difficult.
Cedars-Sinai gastroenterologist Mark Pimentel has developed two simple blood tests that accurately diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in millions of people worldwide. The new blood tests identify specific antibodies reacting to toxins from bacteria, such as salmonella, and confirm IBS diagnosis with greater than 90% certainty.
A novel blood test can rapidly predict the severity of radiation injury, enabling timely medical intervention and improving overall survival. The test uses microRNA biomarkers to determine the functional impact of radiation on bone marrow and other organs.
A new model systematically evaluates malaria treatment programs in multiple countries, finding no country shows reductions in malaria treatment associated with testing as hypothesized. Contextual factors such as access to care and stockouts largely explain the variation in program experiences.
Researchers analyzed over 1.3 million patient records to find that mildly abnormal results on kidney function tests are the strongest risk factor for acute kidney injury. Physicians can identify high-risk patients by paying close attention to common blood and urine tests for kidney function, potentially preventing the devastating injury.
Scientists have developed a simple thermometer-like device to detect troponin levels in blood, which can help diagnose heart attacks. The device uses nanoparticles, ink, and a glass vial to measure the protein's concentration, making it accessible for point-of-care use in low-income areas.
A US study found that spirometry was underutilized for asthma diagnosis and management in adults from 2001 to 2011, despite national guidelines recommending its use. The test provides accurate measurements of air volumes and flows, playing a vital role in asthma diagnosis and management.
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that professionals with jobs requiring strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and managerial tasks may experience better brain protection against memory and thinking decline. Participants with higher levels of these tasks showed slower cognitive decline rates over eight years.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that children with ADHD are significantly more likely to develop an eating disorder akin to binge eating. The research suggests a common biological mechanism linking the two disorders, highlighting the need for developing new treatment strategies.
A new app developed at the University of Washington uses inaudible sound waves to track breathing patterns, capturing sleep apnea events with 98% accuracy. The app has the potential to be a simple and noninvasive way for people to identify and potentially treat sleep apnea.
Researchers at British American Tobacco developed a new smoking-specific survey, TQoLIT, to assess the impact of next-generation tobacco and nicotine products on 'otherwise healthy' smokers. The tool improves upon existing general health questionnaires by reducing ceiling effects and detecting specific smoking-related health changes.
A simple method tests visual acuity at lower light levels, providing reliable and repeatable measurements of twilight vision. The study's findings suggest that the light level itself is the major factor explaining the decrease in visual acuity.
A new study finds that niclosamide, a drug used to treat tapeworms, suppresses the growth of MRSA cultures and preserves the lives of infected nematode worms. Oxyclozanide, another salicylanilide anthelmintic, proves more effective in killing MRSA.
Sunil Sheth, MD, a clinical instructor at UCLA, is receiving $154,000 to develop a lab test that can diagnose stroke from a single drop of blood. The award aims to validate this test in emergency rooms and potentially revolutionize initial stroke evaluation and treatment.
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop loss of control eating syndrome (LOC-ES), which can lead to obesity and other health problems. The study found that odds of having LOC-ES were 12 times higher for children with ADHD, suggesting a common biological mechanism linking the two disorders.
Researchers found routine preoperative testing for cataract surgery is still done in 53% of patients, despite being unnecessary. Testing varies widely among ophthalmologists and seems to be driven more by provider behavior than patient characteristics.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new automated treadmill that uses sonar to change speeds automatically, mimicking the experience of running outdoors. The device provides an accurate measure of aerobic capacity and has been shown to improve VO2 max scores by 4-7% compared to standard treadmills.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed a polymer coating that allows medical sensors implanted in the body to communicate with it. The coating, which is biocompatible and conductive, can monitor biomarkers such as blood sugar levels around the clock.
VTT created a morphine test printed on paper using antibodies, which enables rapid analysis of morphine presence in samples. The technology has potential applications in workplaces and traffic control.
Researchers identified mission-critical auditory tasks, prioritizing sounds like 'Medic!', grid references and commands. A new hearing test will assess auditory fitness-for-duty in combat situations.
A study published in Journal of Medical Entomology found that ActiveGuard mattress liners impregnated with permethrin significantly reduce bed bugs' ability to feed and lay eggs. The researchers found that even sublethal exposure to the fabric can have far-reaching consequences for bed bug populations.
A study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus highlights the need for better communication between hospital clinicians and primary-care physicians to prevent missed test results and hospital readmissions. The researchers found that establishing accountability for pending tests and home health care via formal service agreeme...
Scientists have found that marijuana potency has tripled in some strains since legalization, with some samples containing up to 30% THC. However, many products lack cannabidiol, a compound with potential medical benefits, and contain contaminants such as fungi and solvents.
Researchers found that a blood test immediately after heart surgery can predict postoperative stroke risk, with elevated BUN levels being the most powerful predictor. This study aims to better assess stroke risk and reduce incidents, disabilities, and expenses.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that routine potassium monitoring for healthy women taking spironolactone for acne does not change the course of treatment, but cumulatively costs $80,000. The researchers suggest ending routine testing to improve patient care experience and reduce healthcare spending.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a biomarker linked to both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, potentially leading to an early diagnosis of OA and RA. The development of a blood test using this biomarker could help patients receive treatment several years before physical symptoms appear.
Researchers found that visual cues associated with overweight people influence one's sense of smell, and participants with higher BMI tend to be more critical of heavier individuals. This study suggests that weight stigma may be more pervasive than previously thought, affecting everyday life in various ways.
Patients undergoing cardiac surgery may experience excessive bloodletting due to frequent lab tests, increasing the risk of hospital-acquired anemia. Reducing preoperative bloodletting is crucial to minimize complications during surgery.
Researchers from the UPV/EHU have developed a novel speech-based system to detect early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The Automatic Spontaneous Speech Analysis (ASSA) technique measures various parameters, including pauses and speech patterns, to help diagnose the disease.
A new study published in Sexual Medicine found that men who watch more pornography are more aroused when viewing erotic stimuli. The researchers analyzed data from 280 male volunteers and concluded that there is no relationship between porn consumption and erectile dysfunction.
A comprehensive programme providing healthy eating guidance, exercise, and brain training appears to slow down cognitive decline in older people at risk of dementia. The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability found a 25% increase in mental function scores in the intervention group.
Scientists at Imperial College London developed a test using human stem cells to predict severe immune reactions to new drugs. The test recreates the unique conditions found in blood vessels, making it a more reliable method than current tests.
A team of researchers from the Karolinska Institute has developed a fully validated and robust screening method for detecting drugs of abuse in exhaled breath using LC-MS. The method is donor-friendly, convenient, and highly sensitive, enabling detection of amphetamines, methamphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.
A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a single elevated random blood glucose value is a strong risk factor for diabetes. Individuals with values above 100 mg/dL were up to 30 times more likely to have undiagnosed diabetes, highlighting the importance of considering these often-overlooked values.
A study by the University of Exeter found that black men are less likely to opt for prostate cancer investigation due to fear and perception of severe complications. The research suggests that proactive discussion with doctors and targeted education may help address this issue.
Researchers applied an electric field to a section of the Keystone pipeline, smoothing oil flow and reducing pump energy savings. The Applied Oil Technology (AOT) device produced significant reductions in viscosity and turbulence, leading to a 75% decrease in pump power from 2.8 megawatts to 0.7 megawatts.
A new, shortened test to assess frailty can accurately determine which surgical patients are most at risk for complications. The test, taking less than a minute, assesses grip strength and weight loss, providing critical information for patient planning and setting expectations.
A senior doctor's interviews reveal widespread irrational drug prescribing, kickbacks for referrals, and unnecessary investigations in India's private healthcare sector. The system largely treats patients as revenue generators, without rationality or medical logic.
A Yale University study found that people with high climate science literacy are actually more politically polarized on the issue. Despite recognizing the causes and consequences of climate change, those who score highest on a test measuring scientific evidence are more likely to hold extreme views.
A new study published in CMAJ reports that the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) is effective in assessing cognitive impairment in multicultural populations where English may not be the primary language. The tool has been shown to identify cognitive impairment and rule it out with strong psychometric properties, makin...
A new biomarker in the blood has been identified that can predict the risk of developing dementia, allowing for more precise risk evaluation and earlier prevention efforts. The study involved 76,000 people and revealed a link between low levels of apolipoprotein E and increased dementia risk.
A simple test using furosemide and urine output can predict which patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) are at risk of developing serious kidney problems. The Furosemide Stress Test (FST) improved predictions of outcomes in patients with early AKI, paving the way for robust clinical diagnostic tools.
A new study found that Lyme disease costs the US healthcare system between $712 million and $1.3 billion a year, with patients experiencing persistent symptoms after completing antibiotics. The condition, also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, affects an estimated 240,000 to 440,000 people each year.
A new study reveals that individuals with TBI struggle with gist reasoning, a complex cognitive capacity. The Center for BrainHealth's assessment tool shows promise in predicting daily life functionality and estimating brain health.
A study of 4,446 pregnancies found a high rate of chromosomal abnormalities in patients where non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) fails to provide results. Nearly half of these tests will fail on subsequent attempts, highlighting the importance of clear understanding and follow-up for patients with failed NIPT.
A new algorithm, TopicMapping, has been developed to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of big data text analysis. By using a network approach, the algorithm separates unstructured text into topics with high accuracy and reproducibility. The results show that existing algorithms, such as LDA, are not reliable for complex datasets.
A study found that former NFL players who played tackle football before age 12 performed significantly worse on cognitive tests compared to those who started playing at age 12 or later. The researchers suggested a critical window of brain development where repeated head impacts can lead to thinking and memory difficulties later in life.
Researchers found that individuals carrying a single copy of the KLOTHO allele, associated with better cognition and longevity, have larger volumes in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This brain region is vulnerable to atrophy as people age, impacting planning and decision-making abilities.
A small group of COPD patients who drank beetroot juice before exercise were able to extend their exercise time and had reduced blood pressures compared to those who received a placebo. The study found beneficial effects of dietary nitrite supplementation on exercise performance and blood pressure in patients with COPD.
A study found that working collaboratively improved medical students' diagnostic accuracy, with pairs of students outperforming individuals in selecting correct diagnoses. The collaboration also led to longer completion times but more confident decisions.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded contracts to three organizations to conduct early-stage human clinical trials for investigational infectious disease treatments. The trials will test the safety of novel drugs against a range of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, including viruses and bacteria.