Articles tagged with Medical Tests
Researchers at the University of Liverpool developed a computer-based test to help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption by practicing restraint in response to images of alcoholic drinks. The study found that participants who learned to exercise self-control subsequently drank less beer than control groups.
A study by Imperial College London and Brunel University researchers found that stroke patients with spatial neglect performed better when offered a financial reward. The findings suggest new behavioral therapies for stroke patients and highlight a brain system that can be targeted by drugs.
Current risk models have modest-to-acceptable discriminatory performance but require better calibration and external validation to inform clinical guidelines. Few studies tested the models in diverse populations, highlighting the need for further research.
A new study aims to determine driving fitness in individuals with multiple sclerosis using a simple and accurate testing protocol. The test, developed by GHSU researcher Dr. Abiodun Akinwuntan, has shown promise in predicting pass or fail outcomes on a road test with 91 percent accuracy.
Researchers found a low risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Women who were screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia on the same day as IUD insertion had an equivalent risk of PID to those who were not screened.
Researchers have developed a novel test that measures proteins from nerve damage deposited in blood and spinal fluid to predict the rate of progression in ALS. The test shows promise in identifying patients at most risk for rapid progression, who may be offered new therapies being developed or tested.
Researchers found that e-visit patients were more likely to receive antibiotics and less likely to have relevant testing ordered by their physicians before receiving medication. Despite this, the study suggests that e-visits can improve access to care and convenience for patients without compromising quality.
A new study reveals that even low levels of preformed donor-specific antibodies can nearly double the risk of antibody-mediated rejection and increase kidney failure by 76%. This finding could help clinicians provide better donor-recipient matches and tailor immunosuppressive therapy.
USDA researchers have created toxic sugar-based baits luring mosquito death; five compound classes kill all three mosquito species. Scientists also discovered how repellents work by disrupting chemical attractants in mosquito receptors.
A large community-based cohort study found that fasting duration showed little association with lipid subclass levels, including total cholesterol and HDL. The authors conclude that fasting for routine lipid level determinations is largely unnecessary.
A new $3 million study will investigate biological markers measuring treatment efficacy for Chagas disease. The research seeks to develop a robust test to expand treatment options and accelerate clinical trials for this potentially fatal neglected tropical disease.
A recent study found that individuals with glaucoma are at a higher risk of being involved in accidents due to their limited peripheral vision. The research recommends mandatory visual field testing for drivers to ensure road safety.
A recent study by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) reveals that young blackbirds can become 'drunk' on fermented rowan berries. The birds exhibited symptoms similar to those of human intoxication, including unsteadiness, loss of coordination, and tendency to fall over.
A study by Loyola Medicine found that only 4.8% of web sites describing prostate cancer were written below a high school reading level, highlighting the need for easier-to-read patient education materials.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that older adults are worse at distinguishing between lifted weights than younger counterparts. The researchers assessed the ability of participants in two age groups to estimate weight ratios and found that older adults consistently estimated the ratios as much higher than they actually were.
A study by University of Alberta researchers found that providing educational information to physicians and patients improved osteoporosis treatment rates. The intervention led to a significant increase in follow-up testing and treatment, especially among men who are often overlooked as having the condition.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that provider-initiated HIV testing does not negatively impact clients' consent practices, confidentiality, and referral to care. The research suggests that various modes of access can be scaled up without compromising individuals' rights.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a durable and affordable nanofibrillar cellulose film platform to support medical testing. The new film can be made hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and electrically charged, enabling thousands of different medical tests to be conducted at home or in physicians' receptions.
A WSU researcher found that 10 hours of engaging science instruction improved test scores in fourth-grade students, increasing their average math percentile rank from 53.2 to 63.4 and language arts percentile from 42.8 to 60.3.
Researchers found that high indoor CO2 concentrations can impair people's decision-making performance, particularly in schools and other spaces with high occupant density. The study used a novel test to assess cognitive performance, revealing large reductions in decision-making ability at CO2 levels of 1,000 ppm.
A study by Lisa Kern and her team found that electronic health records (EHRs) are associated with higher quality ambulatory care in primary care physicians. The researchers compared the performance of physicians using either EHRs or paper records, assessing nine specific quality measures for a total of 466 primary care physicians.
A new malaria drug has been developed that is twice as effective as existing treatments and may fight off the disease with a single dose. The new compound, combined with mefloquine, showed promising results in mice, allowing them to live almost twice as long.
The new guidelines suggest using a risk calculator to determine the risk level for general population, and recommend no routine screening with blood tests for adults at low or moderate risk of diabetes. For high-risk adults, screening is recommended every 3-5 years using A1C blood test.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that the characteristic shape of a man's urine stream can be used to diagnose urinary problems, including those associated with prostate enlargement. The study found a strong correlation between the shape of the urine flow pattern and the maximum urine flow rate.
Two new tests, Corba NP test and ESBL NDP test, can rapidly detect resistant bacteria in under 2 hours, revolutionizing antibiotic treatment. These tests have excellent sensitivity and reliability, offering a simple and inexpensive solution to combat antibiotic resistance.
A new report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation highlights the alarming rate of unaddressed osteoporosis and related falls in clinics and hospitals worldwide. The 'Capture the Fracture' campaign urges concerted global efforts to implement proven models of care, aiming to break the cycle of secondary fractures.
A new approach combines pupillography with blinking assessment to measure alertness, sidestepping subjective assessment by healthcare workers. The method has been successfully tested on two groups of volunteers and links blink, pupillary indices and subjective sleepiness.
A team of academics will compare screening programmes in some areas to establish the most effective way of spotting hearing loss in children aged four to six years old. The research aims to determine whether a nationwide approach would be successful and cost-effective.
A home-based computer software, ClockMe System, allows adults to screen themselves for early signs of dementia. The system scores the participant's clock-drawing test and records the duration and timing of the test, providing valuable insight into thought processes.
A University of Washington bioengineer has developed a way to make regular paper stick to medically interesting molecules using a chemical trick. The new technique uses minimal equipment and can be used for any type of medical test, making it a potential cheap and easy solution for global health research.
The province's stroke strategy has led to better treatment and reduced long-term care facility admissions for stroke patients in rural Nova Scotia. Data from 2004-2011 shows improvements in stroke unit treatment, swallowing tests, and discharge rates.
The American Gastroenterological Association and other GI societies have issued updated guidelines for colonoscopy surveillance after screening and polypectomy. These recommendations support previous guidelines, addressing areas such as the need to repeat colonoscopies every 10 years for average-risk patients with a clean exam result.
Researchers at UCSB have developed inexpensive medical diagnostic tests that can detect a wide range of diseases in under five minutes, using nanometer-scale DNA switches. The new technology has the potential to significantly impact world health by eliminating the lag between testing and treatment.
A team of MIT researchers has found a way to use oscillating microscopic beads to carry out biomedical tests, potentially enabling multiple medical tests on a tiny device. The technique allows for precise measurements of tiny quantities of materials and could lead to fast, compact, and versatile medical-testing devices.
A new tool allows people to monitor their lung function at home or on the go by blowing into their smartphones. The app, SpiroSmart, uses a phone's microphone to analyze sound wave frequencies and detect lung problems with accuracy within 5 percent of commercial devices.
Cognitive training significantly reduces postoperative complications in coronary bypass surgery patients, improving attention and memory. Benefits are maintained over time, suggesting brain plasticity in older adults.
A recent study found that 61 of 181 North Carolina migrant farmworker camps failed to meet state water quality standards, with high levels of total coliform bacteria and E. coli detected in the water.
UT Southwestern has been selected as one of 25 sites for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's (NINDS) NeuroNEXT clinical trials network. The network aims to streamline clinical trials for brain diseases by creating a shared infrastructure and institutional review board.
A Concordia University study has found that adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are impaired in several aspects of executive functioning, particularly inhibitory control. The researchers hope their work will lead to the development of more reliable tools for detecting Alzheimer's disease at an earlier stage.
A new test can measure an individual's propensity for calcification in their blood, identifying those at increased risk of vascular calcification and potential heart disease. The test may also provide a basis for treatment monitoring in patients who receive calcification inhibitors.
Researchers have identified a simple blood test that accurately detects autoimmune kidney disease and predicts patient outcomes. The test measures antiPLA2R autoantibodies, which are associated with disease severity and remission rates.
The joint statement provides a one-page report for each indication, using a colour-coded system to grade responses. This aims to increase the utilization of CPX technology by empowering clinicians to undertake their own interpretations.
Tests for silent neck artery narrowing result in many unnecessary and costly surgical procedures, ultimately saving very few lives. In a high-risk group of 60+ European men, screening may prevent only one stroke at a significant cost.
Most English football teams don't comply with international concussion guidelines, which standardize the definition of concussion and require cognitive assessment before returning players to play. As a result, many clubs don't take concussion seriously enough, relying on subjective assessments that could be unsafe.
A framework for point-of-care testing is proposed to address barriers in low- and middle-income countries. The authors emphasize the importance of focusing on point-of-care programs rather than technology itself.
Researchers developed a mass spectrometry protein assay called PRISM that matches the sensitivity and accuracy of clinical antibody-based tests. The technique can identify proteins from blood with high accuracy and speed up development of diagnostic tests and treatments.
New global benchmarks for lung function have been established, providing a consistent measurement across the entire life span. These charts will help healthcare professionals better understand lung disease progression and raise awareness of its impact on people worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have gained access to the UK's first Exhalyzer-D, a cutting-edge device that enables non-invasive testing for children with respiratory issues. The device allows for more accurate measurements and information about lung function.
Next-generation diagnostic tests can identify specific diseases and determine if chemotherapy is working, enabling doctors to make better treatment decisions. These tests could reduce unnecessary procedures, prescriptions, and hospital stays, ultimately saving the US healthcare system billions of dollars annually.
A new 'traffic light' test can diagnose liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high-risk populations more easily than current methods. The test provides a color-coded system, with red indicating scarring, green indicating no cirrhosis, and amber indicating a 50:50 chance of scarring.
A rare but deadly infection, similar to malaria in humans, was discovered among a group of horses at the King Ranch in Texas. WSU/USDA scientist Don Knowles developed a reliable diagnostic test and treatment to kill the parasites, containing the outbreak and identifying a new tick species responsible for its spread.
The US Department of Homeland Security is conducting a series of tests in the Boston subway system to measure the real-world performance of new sensors designed to detect biological agents. The sensors, developed by several companies, are expected to identify and confirm the release of biological agents within minutes.
People with Parkinson's disease performed better on a working memory test after a night's sleep, with slow wave sleep linked to improved performance. Sleep disorders can interfere with this benefit, and dopamine-enhancing medications may play a role in memory improvement.
Scientists have developed a simple, paper-strip test that can identify counterfeit versions of Panadol, one of the most-frequently faked medicines globally. The test, which takes less than 10 minutes, uses colorimetric chemistry on chemically treated paper to detect suspicious ingredients.
Researchers in India have developed a non-invasive approach to determine total cholesterol levels using image processing and a database of known cholesterol levels. The test uses a digital camera to capture the back of a patient's hand and compares it with images in a database for accurate cholesterol readings.
A systematic approach to improve screening rates for colorectal cancer resulted in a fourfold increase in screening among low-risk individuals. The protocol, which included introductory phone calls and mailed testing kits, saw CRC screening rates jump from 47 to 72 percent in three years.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing testing standards for lab-on-a-chip devices to ensure accurate measurements and product quality. Key findings include the importance of controlling multiple factors, such as materials and measurement methods, in determining autofluorescence levels.
A new study found correlations between micronutrient levels and performance on physical fitness tests in adolescents. Hemoglobin, retinol, and vitamin C were positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, while hemoglobin and beta-carotene were linked to muscular fitness.
A new study found that Tai Chi can improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that Sun-style Tai chi may be as beneficial as pulmonary rehabilitation.
A mobile HIV-testing clinic integrated with active tuberculosis case finding in underserviced areas of Cape Town demonstrated high feasibility, yield, and treatment success. The study found that the service was well-received by HIV-negative individuals with symptoms suggestive of TB, as well as all HIV-positive individuals.