Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers that can detect Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a life-threatening disorder in pregnant women, allowing for early treatment and a significant reduction in mortality. The test aims to differentiate PPCM from normal pregnancy symptoms, enabling timely intervention.
Participants in a 12-week pilot program received monthly naltrexone injections and set their own treatment goals, resulting in decreases in alcohol craving (33%), consumption (25-34%), and problems associated with alcohol use (60%). The counseling approach was non-judgmental and focused on participants' individual goals.
Deep brain electrode implantation may be a suitable alternative to the traditional WADA test for identifying speech dominance, especially in patients with uncertain side of speech dominance or small children who cannot cooperate. The 'Electric WADA' procedure was successful in four patients without adverse events.
Five new adult football helmets have earned the top rating from Virginia Tech's helmet ratings system, reducing concussion risk by as much as 54%. The update brings nine helmets to the highest rating, marking significant progress in helmet safety.
A new study from Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center found that inappropriate cancer patient demands are uncommon and rarely lead to unnecessary tests and treatments. Most clinicians believe most patient requests are appropriate and incorporated into suitable treatment plans.
A study found that people exposed to paint, glue, and degreasers at work are at risk for memory and thinking deficits decades after exposure. The research suggests that high lifetime exposure can lead to cognitive problems regardless of when the exposure occurred.
Researchers developed GaitTrack app that uses eight motion parameters to analyze a person's walking pattern, providing valuable insights into cardiopulmonary, muscular, and neurological health. The app has shown promising results in monitoring chronic lung disease patients, predicting lung function with high accuracy.
A study by McMaster University found that defibrillator testing is not necessary and can cause serious complications in patients receiving ICDs. The study, involving 2,500 patients, showed those who didn't undergo the test had similar outcomes to those who did.
A new study by Carl Weems found that anxiety intervention programs focusing on academic matters can help students handle test anxiety and other issues. The program was associated with decreases in test anxiety, anxiety disorder, and depression symptoms among participants.
The Penn team advocates for adopting a four-stage design process to identify and solve healthcare issues, where in-house professionals combine passion and knowledge to drive change. This approach enables hospitals to create more effective solutions quickly and efficiently.
Researchers used a standard test to measure everyday task performance in patients discharged from acute care hospitals, finding that low scores are associated with higher risk of readmission within 30 days. The Functional Independence Measure score is linked to physiologic reserve and resilience to disease.
The study found that older mice infused with young mouse plasma demonstrated improved learning and memory abilities, as well as increased production of substances essential for hippocampal function. This suggests that the brain may be able to recover from age-related impairments through the infusion of youth-given blood.
Abnormal lipid values occur in 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents, associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Testing rates increased only slightly from 2.5% in 1995 to 3.4% in 2010, highlighting a low rate of cholesterol testing among children and adolescents.
Researchers found that even brief observations of stressed individuals can increase cortisol levels in observers, particularly when social closeness is involved. This phenomenon, known as empathic stress, has significant implications for the healthcare system and our understanding of stress transmission.
Papers published on bmj.com suggest low physical capability in midlife is associated with poorer survival rates, while time spent in light intensity physical activity may ward off disability and reduce mortality. These simple tests can identify those at high risk of achieving a long and healthy life.
Two studies from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine show that patients are often unaware of proper weight gain during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of improved communication. Additionally, research on prenatal testing for morbidly obese women reveals no increased risk of complications or early delivery.
International anti-doping bodies advocate for storing doping samples for 10 years to enable technology to detect performance-enhancing substances. Biological profiling will also be widely used to monitor athletes' genetic blueprints, revealing subtle changes caused by doping.
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) released a report recommending a molecular diagnostics curriculum for medical laboratory scientists, balancing accreditation, certification, and job market needs. The recommendations aim to prepare future scientists for high-complexity testing and support the growth of genomic technology.
Research suggests raising PLAB pass marks could bridge the gap between international and UK medical graduates' performance, but warns of workforce implications for the NHS. International graduates tend to perform less well than UK graduates in postgraduate exams, with differences in fitness to practice and career progression.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has developed a faster, cheaper and more accurate tool for diagnosing even mild cases of asthma. The handheld technology uses neutrophil cell function in a single drop of blood to diagnose asthma.
The American College of Physicians has launched a High Value Care Coordination Toolkit to improve communication between primary care doctors and gastroenterologists. The toolkit includes data sets and guidelines for referrals, aiming to reduce unnecessary tests and delays in care.
A study published in Neurology found that older adults with rapid memory and thinking skills decline may be less likely to die from cancer. The research followed over 2,600 participants aged 65 and above for nearly 13 years and found a significant difference in cancer mortality rates between those with fast versus slow cognitive decline.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are creating a hybrid technology that uses electronic components as chemical sensors on printed circuit boards to provide instant diagnosis. This device could replace traditional diagnostic methods, which are lengthy and costly, allowing for continuous monitoring of disease progression.
Taking care of grandkids one day a week may boost cognitive function, but excessive caregiving can have negative effects. A study of Australian grandmothers aged 57-68 found that social engagement and mental sharpness were linked.
A study by University of Leeds academics found that coaches who focus less on others' opinions and more on their own high standards are better at regulating their emotions. They showed more ability to reappraise negative feelings and see situations in a more constructive manner.
Researchers have developed a simple, 3D laboratory method to test asthma and allergy medications that mimics what happens in the human body. This new approach has the potential to reduce animal testing and improve the development of respiratory drugs.
A new study found that young adults who engage in regular cardio fitness activities, such as running, may preserve their memory and thinking skills in middle age. The study, which followed 2,747 healthy people for 20 years, measured verbal memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function.
New research from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center suggests that physicians are ordering vitamin D deficiency screening tests for preventive care purposes. The study found that the number of diagnoses for vitamin D deficiency rapidly increased from 2007 to 2010, with older patients and females more likely to be diagnosed.
A new device simulates the human gut and its pH gradients to test drug absorption, reducing clinical trial costs. This breakthrough could lead to more affordable medicines with reduced development costs passed on to customers.
New studies confirm coronary artery calcium scans as a reliable indicator of long-term heart disease risk, outperforming other tests in low-risk patients. The tests have been shown to detect early signs of plaque accumulation and hardening of the arteries.
Researchers measured p16 levels before, after and a year after chemotherapy to determine its impact on molecular aging. The study found that curative chemotherapy increased molecular age by an equivalent of 15 years in breast cancer patients. This suggests the p16 test may help evaluate treatment effects on long-term health and survival.
Researchers have developed a novel method to distinguish between different types of bowel disease using stool samples, with an overall accuracy of 76%. The technique uses volatile organic compounds emitted from the samples to provide a unique profile for each condition, offering a cheaper and quicker alternative to current methods.
Researchers found significant differences between men and women in heart rate responses to exercise. A new formula takes these nuances into account, providing a more accurate estimate of peak heart rate. The updated formula helps optimize workouts and improve test results for both men and women.
A new blood test helps solve the dilemma of confounded clinical trials for septic shock by identifying low-risk and high-risk patients. The tool combines five protein biomarkers to accurately estimate mortality risk and determine which patients should receive experimental therapeutic intervention.
UCSF physicians advocate for stricter regulation of modified medical devices, citing risks to patient health and deaths due to untested modifications. The FDA should collect post-marketing clinical data on device modifications to identify potential benefits and risks.
A new small, wireless self-contained pacemaker has been found safe and effective for patients. The study aims to address the limitations of traditional pacemakers, which pose minimal risk but can lead to short- or long-term complications.
Researchers have discovered that increased temperature and crowded environments cause unfolded proteins to shrink and lose their complex functions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding various biological processes, including cancer onset.
A recent Harvard University study using prosopagnosia patients found that face recognition is a distinct cognitive process. Patients with face blindness showed poor performance in recognizing faces, contrasting with their ability to recognize other objects of expertise.
A study found that death certificates often fail to list alcohol as a cause of death in traffic crashes, with injuries being the leading cause of death for Americans younger than 45. Researchers need reliable data to study the effects of policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related deaths.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that school hearing tests cannot effectively detect noise exposure-induced high-frequency hearing loss in adolescents. The tests primarily focus on low-frequency hearing loss and may not accurately identify hearing issues caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises.
A new stool-based screening test, Cologuard, detected 92% of colorectal cancer and 42% of advanced pre-cancerous lesions, outperforming a commercial occult blood fecal immunochemical test. The non-invasive test allows patients to collect samples at home, increasing the potential for higher cancer screening rates.
Researchers have developed an on-board emotion detector using embedded cameras to analyze drivers' facial expressions, identifying irritation and anger as risk factors for aggressive driving. The system successfully detected these emotions in most cases, paving the way for potential applications in driver safety and comfort.
A study of 28 shoulder replacement patients found that their driving skills improved significantly at 12 weeks post-surgery, with a decrease in simulator collisions. Patients who drove less than 1,800 miles per year incurred more collisions, suggesting that long-distance driving may be safe earlier
A new study aims to improve patients' ability to walk after a stroke by combining brain stimulation with gait training. The treatment group will receive transcranial direct current stimulation before gait training to help restore balance in cortical excitability.
The number of PSA screenings performed by doctors declined significantly after the 2012 USPSTF recommendations, with a greater impact seen among urologists.
A new study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that heart scans are only useful in prescribing statins to patients at high risk of coronary heart disease who are taking expensive statin therapy. The CAC test can save money on statin costs but may not prevent as many heart attacks, the researchers concluded.
Research from Umeå University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that frequent PSA testing in areas with high incidence rates results in lower prostate cancer mortality. However, this is offset by increased risk of overtreatment, which can lead to side effects such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
A new glycoprofiling test has been developed to halve the number of false-positives in ovarian cancer diagnoses, sparing women from unnecessary worry and further testing. The test targets a specific sugar molecule on the CA125 protein, which is only present in women with ovarian cancer.
A national survey of primary care physicians found they often experience uncertainty in ordering and interpreting clinical laboratory tests, with missing results and confusing report formats being major challenges. Physicians reported that improved electronic decision-support tools and access to lab personnel would help reduce this unc...
A clinical study from Aarhus University finds that a newly developed Danish mini-filter, Rhinix, appears to be significantly more effective against the discomfort of seasonal hay fever than a filterless placebo. The filter reduces nasal symptoms by up to 75% and alleviates throat irritation.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM developed an interactive driving simulator to analyze realistic human-vehicle interaction. The facility features a real vehicle interior, robotic system, and motion cueing algorithms to match visual input with driver behavior.
Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed a new test to detect prostate and bladder cancers, showing twice the effectiveness of the existing PSA blood test. The EN2 biomarker test is being commercialized by Randox Laboratories and could lead to faster detection and cost savings.
Researchers developed a set of 64 parameters to evaluate stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes, providing a standardized method to test cell function. This approach addresses critical quality control issues in the industry, enabling more reliable and reproducible tests for cell function.
A new technique uses DNA methylation signatures to detect immune cell types in blood samples, showing high accuracy compared to existing methods. The approach counts specific chemical alterations that distinguish between cell types, enabling researchers to understand the unique signature of each cell type.
A study of 80 post-menopausal women found that those with distal radius fractures had decreased strength, particularly in chair stand and grip tests, compared to similar patients without fractures. This may indicate an early decrease in physical performance level.
A blood test has been developed to accurately screen for infection with the agent responsible for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The test found 71.4% of patients with vCJD correctly tested positive, making it suitable for screening large populations.
A new study published in the journal Movement Disorders shows that a handheld electronic device can help essential tremor patients overcome their condition's effects. The device, called Liftware, improves patients' ability to hold a spoon still and eat with it, providing hope for those with debilitating hand shakes.
A simple vision test, the King-Devick test, can be used to increase the accuracy of concussion diagnosis in athletes. The study found that 100% of concussions were identified when combining the test results with other concussion assessments.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that dairy calves learn better when housed together, adapting faster to complex farm technologies. The 'pairing calves' approach reduces learning difficulties and improves task completion rates compared to individual housing.
A new study published in Supportive Care in Cancer has linked handgrip strength to survival rates among patients with advanced-stage cancers. The test measures peak grip strength using a simple device called a dynamometer, providing a direct assessment of body strength and helping doctors determine interventions needed.