Articles tagged with Medical Tests
The Standards Standard provides a centralized source of information on healthcare information, communications, and technology standards. It includes interactive components allowing readers to comment and discuss articles on electronic health systems implementation.
A study found that infected cows' retinas emit a characteristic glow when exposed to light, potentially leading to an inexpensive diagnostic test. This breakthrough could help prevent the spread of mad cow disease in the food supply.
A new molecular test has been shown to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and detect drug-resistant bacteria with high sensitivity and specificity. The Xpert MTB/RIF TB test successfully identified 98% of confirmed TB cases and patients with rifampin-resistant bacteria in under two hours.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have created a novel method using power meters and stationary bicycles to determine cycling fitness. The technique allows athletes to establish personalized training zones with high accuracy, enabling coaches to prescribe targeted workouts.
A team of researchers has isolated a molecule that can shut down a dysfunctional immune response, causing deadly conditions like hemorrhagic shock, delayed heart attack deaths, and rheumatoid arthritis joint destruction. The discovery marks a significant step toward clinical application, with the potential to save lives.
Researchers have discovered that plantain soluble fibres can prevent the uptake and transport of E. coli across M-cells in the gut, reducing chronic inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. Clinical trials are underway to test whether a medical food containing plantain fibres can keep patients in remission.
Early testing and drug development are critical issues in Alzheimer's care, according to Dr. Kenneth S. Kosik, who argues that the medical system is not equipped to address patients' questions about treatment and end-of-life care.
Researchers at Arizona State University have created a new device that simplifies health diagnosis by detecting diseases quickly and at lower costs. The Integrascope uses superhydrophobic surfaces and LEDs to focus light on tiny particles, allowing for rapid detection of infectious agents or proteins in patient samples.
Using an electronic medical record (EMR) tracking system can improve follow-up after an abnormal Pap test, leading to increased diagnostic resolution and faster treatment times. The study found that physicians who used this tracking system had significantly shorter times to diagnosis compared to traditional methods.
A 7-year study found that moderate wine consumption, especially among women, is associated with better performance on cognitive tests. The study suggests that polyphenols and other microelements in wine may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline with ageing.
A new study suggests that common hypertension medications can increase blood pressure in some patients. Researchers found that measuring renin levels through a blood test could help doctors choose the most suitable treatment for their patients, reducing the need for additional medication and improving blood pressure control.
Research by Elizabeth Sweeney examines how biomedical tests diagnose and define pain, leading to emotional suffering for patients with unexplained conditions. The study analyzes over 20 articles from the journal Pain®, highlighting challenges in diagnosing chronic pain.
A diagnostic test of eight short questions can detect depressive thinking patterns in women who care for an adult family member with a serious mental illness. The test has been found valid in different groups and cultures, and its successful completion can lead to prevention of serious depressive illness.
A $1.7 million NIH grant supports UT Dallas researcher Dr. Michael Kilgard's investigation into nerve stimulation as a long-term cure for tinnitus. The goal is to retrain the brain to ignore nerve signals that simulate ringing, offering a possible permanent end to the condition.
Scientists at NIST evaluated three voice-translation devices designed to improve communications between the US military and non-English speakers. The devices, called TRANSTAC, use automatic speech recognition and text-to-speech technology to translate languages in real-time.
The ITEA D-MINT project successfully applied model-based testing to industrial scale, reducing development time and increasing efficiency. Key industries like automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare saw significant benefits from this approach.
Two new tests have been developed by Harvard psychologists to predict patients' risk of attempting suicide. The first test measures attention to suicide-related stimuli, while the second assesses implicit mental associations between death/suicide and oneself. These behavioral markers show great promise in identifying high-risk individu...
A new diagnostic technique called microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) has been shown to be significantly more sensitive and faster than conventional culture tests, diagnosing 70% more cases of pulmonary TB among children under 12. This is the best available test for confirming paediatric pulmonary tuberculosis in resourc...
Researchers have developed a new technique combining flexible sigmoidoscopy with optical technologies to detect colon cancer more accurately in women. The test identified subtle changes in tissue that indicate the presence of cancer, providing hope for improving discrepancies in screening accuracy between men and women.
A new test developed at Stanford University School of Medicine predicts the outcomes of a subsequent round of IVF for women who have already gone through a cycle. The test is 1,000 times more accurate than current age-based guidelines and provides personalized predictions based on clinical data from prior failed treatments.
A 24-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency due to poor diet and intestinal absorption issues. Following vitamin A supplementation, her vision returned to normal, highlighting the importance of proper nutrition and diagnosis for potentially curable forms of blindness.
Scientists have developed a new, automated genetic method for determining a broader range of blood types, enabling better matching in blood banks. The HiFi Blood 96 test can handle high volumes of blood and is more affordable than existing commercial tests, paving the way for wider adoption of extended blood group typing.
Researchers found that low vitamin D levels are associated with cognitive decline in older adults, particularly in executive function. The study, which assessed 858 adults over six years, showed a 60% increased risk of substantial cognitive decline among those with severely deficient vitamin D levels.
A study by researchers from the University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University found that colorectal cancer screening can reduce mortality by 39-83% and incidence by 26-81%. Regular screening, such as fecal tests or colonoscopies every ten years, is recommended for average-risk individuals.
Researchers have discovered a dramatic increase in an enzyme called O-GlcNAcase in the red blood cells of people with diabetes and prediabetes. This enzyme may be used as a diagnostic tool to detect prediabetes at its earliest stages, allowing for potential early intervention.
A Tel Aviv University study finds that women who fail the glucose challenge test have a nearly 50% chance of developing Type II diabetes within ten years. The test's predictive power highlights the need for personalized counseling and intervention to prevent disease onset.
A survey by Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that 91% of physicians believe 'defensive medicine' is necessary due to malpractice concerns. The study suggests that tort reform can decrease unnecessary testing and rising healthcare costs.
A study published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society found that lower performance on tests measuring learning and processing speed, as well as symptoms of depression, predicted subsequent cognitive decline in a normal population. The researchers used advanced statistical methodology to analyze multiple varia...
Researchers at LA BioMed developed a novel approach to efficiently identify disease-relevant genes in human complex neurological disorders. This method was successfully applied to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, revealing new insights into the disease and potential diagnostic tests.
A Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research study found that simple, automated telephone reminders can increase colon cancer screening rates by 30 percent. The study, which involved nearly 6,000 members in Oregon and Washington, showed that people were more likely to get screened after receiving automated reminders.
A study published in Neurology found that a combination of tests can predict falls in people with Parkinson's disease. The tests evaluated overall symptoms, balance, and mobility, showing a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 84%. Implementing these tests can help identify those at risk of falling and prevent injuries.
The US ranked last in five areas of health system performance: quality, efficiency, access, equity, and healthy lives. Affordable Care Act provisions may improve access and equity, but the country still lags behind others on measures of quality and value.
NIST scientists have developed a theoretical model to decode electrical signals generated by nanopores, enabling the identification and quantification of proteins and other molecules. This breakthrough brings us closer to realizing nanopores as a powerful diagnostic tool for medical science.
A 110-foot long, 200-ton concrete bridge model at the University of Nevada, Reno withstood a powerful earthquake simulation three times more intense than the 1994 Northridge quake. The design and components passed the test with 10 inches of deflection in support columns, remaining standing.
A study suggests sleep may restore color perception to achromatic equilibrium, allowing for accurate classification of gray as neutral. Wakefulness causes a drift in color perception, which is corrected by overnight sleep.
Researchers found that cholinesterase inhibitors improved executive function, visual attention, and simulated driving task performance in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that these medications may help improve driving abilities in AD patients.
A six-man international crew will undergo a simulated 520-day Mars mission to assess the impact of prolonged isolation on mental health. The study aims to better understand how sleep loss, fatigue, and stress affect performance in long-duration space missions.
A new ultrasensitive PSA test using nanoparticle technology can detect low levels of PSA in the blood that indicate cancer recurrence. The test may provide early and more accurate answers, allowing doctors to act at the earliest and most sensitive time for patients' long-term survival.
The new 'dipstick' test uses a special paper strip with antibodies to accurately determine blood type, promising to save millions of lives through successful blood transfusions. The cost-effective method could be particularly useful in veterinary medicine for typing animals' blood in the field.
Researchers identify 66 proteins in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), a potential early test for gum disease, and uncover antibacterial substances involved in fighting infection.
Scientists developed a fast, simple and inexpensive test for detecting chemicals that cause contact dermatitis, eliminating the need for animal testing. The test uses nitrobenzenethiol as a skin protein surrogate, producing positive results for known skin irritants and negative results for non-irritating substances.
A new study reveals that high levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol may not be beneficial for all patients and can even increase the risk of recurrent coronary events. Researchers identified a subgroup of patients with elevated HDL cholesterol and CRP who are at high risk, suggesting that genetics and environmental factors influence the pro...
Fibromyalgia diagnosis to shift from tender point test to symptom-based evaluation using widespread pain index and symptom severity scale. New criteria recognize fibromyalgia beyond body pain, focusing on fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems.
A new blood test can predict whether newborn babies are at high risk of developing allergies as they grow older, thanks to research involving the University of Adelaide.
Researchers at Michigan State University are testing a new NicVAX vaccine to help people quit smoking and avoid relapses. The vaccine works by preventing nicotine from crossing the blood-brain barrier, blocking the addictive pleasure sensation experienced by smokers.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are testing lasers to scrub surfaces clean of sulfur mustard gas and VX, a nerve agent. The tests have proved successful on complex, porous surfaces like concrete.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed a new method for collecting narcotic substances from exhaled breath, which was successful in detecting amphetamine and metamphetamine in all cases of emergency care patients.
A new study found that at-home sleep testing with portable monitors is equal to in-lab testing for treating obstructive sleep apnea. Patients who underwent at-home testing showed similar improvements in daytime function after three months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.
A study found cochlear implants slightly benefit older adults, but not as much as younger patients. The results suggest that older patients may experience a prolonged adaptation phase and have inherent limitations in processing high-rate stimulation paradigms.
The University of Cincinnati's School of Design contributed 22 new signage symbols to the 'Signs that Work' project, which aims to create a universal system for hospital signage. The new symbols will be integrated into a total of 50 symbols and tested at four national hospital sites.
A novel behavior treatment for IBS significantly relieved symptoms in nearly 1/3 patients within four weeks. Rapid responders maintained improvement at three months despite increased symptoms when starting the treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that a simple frailty test can accurately predict surgical outcomes in older patients. The test assesses physical reserve and ability to withstand stress, identifying those at risk for complications and prolonged hospital stays.
A systematic review of food allergies found limited evidence on diagnosis, management, and prevention due to lack of uniformity in diagnostic criteria. Current treatments only target symptoms, not the underlying allergies.
A study led by Loyola University Health System researcher found that 54% of cirrhosis patients scored below the 10th percentile for their age and education on a test measuring neurocognitive abilities.
A study of 17,000 children and adolescents found that fasting levels did not significantly impact total cholesterol, HDL, or LDL levels. The findings suggest it may be acceptable to test children immediately during their clinical visit, potentially reducing the burden of screening.
A new study found that cochlear implants improve hearing for older adults with age-related hearing loss. However, the effectiveness of implants decreases with increasing age, highlighting the need to reassess implant criteria for elderly patients.
Researchers have developed a simple lottery game to assess spatial neglect in stroke patients, which can aid rehabilitation. The test evaluates physical and mental choices, indicating the extent of brain damage and providing insights for tailored treatment.
Researchers are developing a new test to identify the neurological origins of swallowing disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide. The test may lead to breakthrough treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease and ALS.
A study found that at-risk children who can self-regulate behavior have higher test scores than their peers. Self-regulation skills, such as listening and paying attention, are crucial for academic success.
A new reliable method for diagnosing fibromyalgia has been developed by analyzing patients' walk parameters. The study found that patients with fibromyalgia exhibit altered motion parameters associated with psychosocial and fitness aspects, providing a potential complementary diagnostic tool.