Articles tagged with Medical Tests
A new rapid test to diagnose melioidosis, a difficult infection to treat, is being optimized and tested by University of Nevada School of Medicine researcher David AuCoin. The test has shown encouraging results in regions where the disease is endemic, such as Thailand and Australia.
Research reveals high percentage of poor-quality antimalarials in Guyana/Suriname, including artesunate monotherapy failures. Basic quality control tests help reduce prevalence of substandard medicines in Amazon Basin Countries
The study found that without PSA testing, approximately 25,000 cases of advanced prostate cancer would occur in 2008, three times the actual number observed. This would result in more men experiencing aggressive disease with limited treatment options.
The study suggests that eliminating the PSA test would result in more men being diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, leading to higher mortality rates. Prostate cancer death rates have been reduced by nearly 40% over the past 20 years, largely due to early detection through PSA testing.
Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new model to study the protein Cx36, which plays a crucial role in insulin production. By analyzing 1040 molecules, they aim to identify those that stimulate or inhibit insulin production, paving the way for new pharmacological treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several precedent-setting cancer drugs that offer a glimpse into the future of personalized medicine. Companion diagnostics are being used to identify patients most likely to benefit from medication, enabling targeted treatments.
New lipid screening guidelines for children are overly aggressive, according to UCSF researchers. The recommendations fail to weigh health benefits against costs and have the potential to label millions of healthy children with so-called dyslipidemia.
New analysis suggests that lab mice and rats' round-the-clock access to food may lead to abnormally high blood fat levels, high cholesterol, nerve damage, cancer, and other disorders. This could affect the outcome of experiments testing toxicity and cancer-causing effects of new drugs and substances.
A new glucose monitor made from inexpensive materials measures sugar levels in urine, helping people with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels in rural areas of developing countries. The device was developed to address the challenges of providing affordable diabetes testing in regions where poverty limits healthcare access.
The SpinDx platform can determine a patient's white blood cell count, analyze protein markers, and process up to 64 assays from a single sample in minutes. It has profound implications for patient care, potentially detecting afflictions days or weeks sooner than today.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a novel molecular mechanism responsible for anhedonia, the loss of pleasure in major depression. The study's findings suggest that targeting a hormone known to affect appetite may be a promising approach to treating depression.
A study by Northwestern University found that many caregiver agencies do not conduct thorough background checks or provide adequate training for their employees. This can put vulnerable seniors at risk of abuse and neglect. The study suggests that consumers should be aware of the potential risks and take steps to ensure they hire a qua...
Researchers have developed a motion sensor system called the 'Lameness Locator' that detects lameness in horses earlier than veterinarians using traditional subjective eye tests. The system places sensors on the horse's head, limb, and tail to monitor movement and diagnose lameness more accurately.
Scientists have developed a new way to test chemical safety using fish spheroids, which behave like normal animal tissue and can be maintained for over a month. This technique could reduce the number of fish needed for toxicology testing, providing a more accurate picture of how chemicals affect animals and ecosystems.
A study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found that two new vitamin D test kits had poor performance, with results deviating from the gold standard method by up to 25%. This inaccuracy could lead to misdiagnoses and overtreatment of vitamin D deficiency.
Researchers studied 552,672 patients and found a three-fold increase in acute dialysis after cardiac and vascular surgeries. The incidence of acute dialysis increased from 0.2% to 0.6% over the 15-year study period.
Two new blood tests for vitamin D are prone to errors, leading to misdiagnoses and potential overtreatment. Inaccuracies were found in 40-48% of test results, with significant discrepancies between methods.
Researchers found that patients treated with hormonal therapy and rehabilitation outperformed those with rehab alone on functioning and reasoning tests. Relaxin has been shown to have a tremendous promise in treating and preventing heart and blood vessel diseases.
Researchers found that sitagliptin improves the severity of reactive hypoglycemia by enhancing insulin secretion during meals. This study suggests a novel approach to treating this condition, currently with no medical therapy.
Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have found a protein in the blood of pregnant women that can predict if they are likely to have a fetus with growth restrictions, leading to stillbirth and long-term health complications. A widely available blood test could help develop ways to improve outcomes for women and their children.
The NIH's Therapeutics Discovery program has partnered with eight pharmaceutical companies to make nearly 60 compounds available for research, accelerating the development of new treatments. Researchers can explore these compounds in disease areas where they haven't been previously explored.
A simple point-of-care test has been adopted in six low- and middle-income countries to diagnose syphilis in pregnant women, resulting in over 100,000 screenings and 90% treatment rates. The test has improved health worker job satisfaction and increased the adoption of syphilis screening programs in these countries.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that seniors who perceive themselves as older are five times more likely to meet dementia criteria on standard screening tests. The research highlights the significant impact of age attitude on mental functioning and clinical tools used in dementia diagnosis.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can identify patients who will not respond to the painkiller tramadol. The test measures the ratio of tramadol's metabolite O-demethyltramadol (ODT) to tramadol itself, allowing doctors to switch non-responding patients to alternative painkillers like morphine.
Researchers found that sleep-deprived medical staff have difficulty controlling speed and maintaining a straight line while driving, particularly in monotonous conditions. The study suggests providing rest opportunities for staff before driving home and implementing safety measures such as taxis and electronic systems to alert drivers.
A nationwide survey in China reveals one in 10 newly diagnosed TB patients are infected with drug-resistant strains, with over 5,000 cases annually. Experts emphasize the need for rapid testing to determine drug resistance and developing new combination therapies to combat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
A simple blood test can identify people at high risk of dying within a month after non-cardiac surgery. The test called Troponin T measures protein markers of heart injury and is strongly associated with 30-day mortality.
A study published in JAMA found that certain biomarker levels, specifically troponin T, measured after noncardiac surgery are associated with an increased risk of death within 30 days. The researchers identified peak troponin T values as the strongest predictors of 30-day mortality.
A new study suggests that some physicians would recommend colorectal cancer screening for 80-year-old patients with advanced lung cancer who would not benefit from the procedure. Physicians were found to be more likely to recommend invasive tests like colonoscopy rather than non-invasive ones.
Researchers identified an immune system deficiency that shows a fourfold higher likelihood of death. High levels of free light chains are associated with increased rates of death from cancer, diabetes, and cardiac respiratory disease.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new nanotechnology that amplifies fluorescent signals in biological tests, allowing for the detection of biomarkers at lower concentrations. This breakthrough could lead to improved early detection of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, enabling more effective treatment.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found that omega-3 fatty acid DHA in fish prevented toxic buildup in the retina, a common cause of age-related vision loss. The discovery could lead to a therapeutic use for supplementing the diet with DHA.
A new study from Michigan State University reveals that exercising with a moderately capable virtual partner can significantly boost motivation, with women cycling twice as long when working with a partner. The results suggest the gains observed over six hour-long sessions could be sustained on a longer-term program of exercise.
Research in Psychological Science explores public reaction to task force recommendations, citing factors such as anecdotes and perception of medical treatments. The study suggests that changing the public's view on prostate-cancer screenings may require pictorial displays to help evaluate data more effectively.
Researchers created a new brain map using diffusion tensor imaging, identifying 358 landmarks related to memory, vision, language, and other bodily operations. The map provides a clearer picture of brain connections and their relation to basic brain function.
A new study from the UK shows that completion of pulmonary rehabilitation significantly improves survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients who completed rehabilitation had a higher level of response in exercise capacity and a significant survival advantage compared to those who did not complete re...
The USPSTF recommends against PSA-based screening for all men regardless of age, citing significant harms associated with the test. The Task Force concludes that the benefits of screening do not outweigh the risks, which include unnecessary treatments and life-long adverse effects.
Biologist Robert van Woesik is studying contagiousness of coral diseases, testing for clustering and transmissibility in two Caribbean locations. Understanding the etiology can inform human intervention to reduce disease prevalence.
A new study reveals that MRSA nasal colonization is associated with longer hospital stays and an increased risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The researchers found that 70% of wound infections in MRSA-positive patients stemmed from the bacterium.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that consuming high amounts of saturated fat was associated with poorer overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. In contrast, eating more monounsaturated fats, commonly found in olive oil, may help prevent decline in memory and cognitive performance.
A WPI research team will conduct fire testing on a five-story building after simulating earthquakes on the nation's largest outdoor shake table. The goal is to gather data that will help engineers design better fire protection systems and provide safer buildings for people and property.
A new paper by Brown University researchers finds that African-American clergy are willing to join the fight against HIV by promoting testing, treatment, and social justice. The study highlights the importance of engaging clergy in HIV prevention efforts, particularly in addressing racial disparities in infection rates.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a method for training blind persons to use sensory substitution devices. Participants were able to read letters and words with sizes smaller than the international standard for blindness.
A new study suggests that repeated head impacts in college athletes participating in contact sports can worsen their ability to acquire new information. The research found that 22% of contact sport athletes performed worse than expected on a test of new learning, compared to 4% of non-contact sport athletes.
Scientists have created a new, inexpensive paper-based urine test to monitor glucose levels in areas with limited healthcare access. The device detects glucose levels using a simple enzyme reaction and can be built quickly, making it an ideal solution for rural India and other developing countries.
A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that virtual exercise partners can significantly improve motivation and performance. Women who exercised with a more capable virtual partner cycled an average of two minutes longer than those who worked out alone, and reported no decline in motivation to exercise.
Researchers from the University of Missouri have developed a biomarker test that can detect and predict osteoarthritis before symptoms appear. The test uses specific proteins found in joint fluid to identify patients at risk of developing arthritis.
Researchers have designed and tested molecules that can block or enhance aspects of the immune system's activity, offering a potential new treatment for inflammatory diseases. The breakthrough, published in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, uses a novel optimization-based approach to design peptides with unprecedented potency and precision.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a low-cost portable diagnostic system that uses a textured surface to move small drops of liquid along predetermined paths. The system, inspired by the lotus effect, requires little energy and avoids contamination.
A simple drawing test can predict long-term stroke death risk among older men, with lowest scores linked to a threefold increased risk of death. The test is more effective than the mini mental state exam in predicting post-stroke mortality.
Research reveals female athletes performed worse on visual memory tests and reported more symptoms post-concussion. Younger athletes, particularly high school athletes, took longer to recover than collegiate athletes.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have identified a flavonoid compound called rutin as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent the formation of blood clots. Rutin was shown to inhibit thrombosis in an animal model, offering a novel strategy for preventing stroke and heart attack.
Researchers have created microsubmarines that can collect and transport oil droplets from contaminated waters, potentially helping to clean up oil spills. These tiny machines use a special surface coating to absorb oils and are powered by ultrafast movement.
A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that over 50% of wheelchair users experience a breakdown within six months, with a significant increase in health and safety consequences. The researchers suggest that changes in reimbursement policies and lax standards testing may be contributing factors.
A new study suggests that pre-operative bladder function tests are not necessary for women undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence. Women who had only an office check-up had equally successful outcomes as those with both tests, indicating that these tests provide no added benefit for surgical treatment success.
A study by Loyola Medicine found that routine urodynamics tests before stress incontinence surgery are not necessary for most patients, suggesting a potential cost savings. The study evaluated over 630 women with stress incontinence and compared those who underwent urodynamics testing to those who received only a doctor's evaluation.
A new study suggests that invasive bladder testing before incontinence surgery is not necessary, with a preoperative office evaluation showing equally successful outcomes. Women with stress urinary incontinence experienced high success rates with minimal testing.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel screening technology to rapidly test metal-oxide nanomaterials for potential health hazards. The method uses high-throughput screening and predicts which materials are most likely to cause oxidative damage based on their electronic properties.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed rapid testing method using paper strip to detect E. coli in recreational water within minutes, improving public safety and closing the gap between outbreaks and detection. The test strips can detect potentially harmful concentrations of E. coli with much greater accuracy than existing p...
A computerized system helped identify adolescents in need of Chlamydia and N. gonorrhea testing in a pediatric emergency department, nearly doubling testing rates. Patients found the electronic survey quick and easy to use, with high satisfaction rates.