Articles tagged with Medical Tests
Researchers developed a mathematical methodology to reduce biologic variation in laboratory results, improving the sensitivity of detecting physiologic changes. By using multiple paired sets of patient data, they found a substantial decrease in the difference necessary to achieve a given confidence interval.
A new study has strengthened a family-strengthening intervention program, showing improved parental anger control and more positive relationships with children. The adapted program aims to prevent poor outcomes in teens, such as substance use and risky behavior.
Two studies find that routine self-monitoring of blood glucose levels by people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin is an ineffective use of health-care resources due to significant cost of test strips. Expenditures associated with blood glucose self-monitoring in Canada are projected to exceed $1 billion.
A study found that patients with kidney disease experienced disrupted sleep when using a widely used blood pressure monitor, leading to inaccurate results. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring test, which measures blood pressure during sleep, can interfere with sleep patterns, causing an increase in nighttime blood pressure.
Austrian researchers have developed a new electrophoretic method, SARCOSYL-PAGE, to detect MIRCERA and other erythropoietins (EPO) in the blood. The technique enhances sensitivity for MIRCERA while maintaining performance for detecting other EPOs.
A study in northeastern Italy found a decrease in cystic fibrosis incidence with increased carrier screening, particularly in the eastern region. The rate of decrease was greater in the eastern region due to extensive use of mutation analysis.
A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that combining sigmoidoscopy and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) improves CRC detection by 10 percent. This combination is particularly useful for communities with limited colonoscopy access, as it allows for more effective screening of advanced proximal tumors.
According to a University of Michigan report, physicians can safely skip pre-surgery stress tests and beta blockers for patients with stable heart disease. This change could save lives and reduce costs by 50-70%. The new guidelines recommend reserving these medications for high-risk patients undergoing complicated surgeries.
Researchers at Newcastle University have scientifically proven the pain-relieving properties of Hyptis crenata, a traditional South American herb. The study showed that the herbal tea was as effective as Indometacin in relieving pain, with results comparable to synthetic aspirin-style drugs.
A recent study found that only 60% of pregnant women in Eastern and Southern Africa were tested for HIV in 2007. The authors suggest that women may be avoiding testing due to opt-out policies or concerns about the stigma associated with HIV. This highlights the need for increased awareness and access to HIV screening in these regions.
Researchers detected SARMs, such as Andarine, on the black market, raising concerns about their potential misuse in sports. The study highlights the need for early implementation of screening for emerging therapeutic compounds in sports drug testing.
The study found that older women have almost twice as many immune-related proteins in their saliva than younger women. This discovery could lead to a simple, noninvasive test for diagnosing and treating age-related diseases in women.
A study of 2,234 initially healthy men and women found no adverse effects from brief episodes of exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia. Regular exercise is still recommended for overall heart health without restrictions.
A UCI embryonic stem cell treatment has shown promise in restoring limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries. The therapy may also benefit individuals with cervical damage, which currently lacks effective treatments.
A study of 28 children aged 8-13 found that half with autism scored below 80% on handwriting assessments, compared to only one child without autism. Therapies targeting motor skills may help improve handwriting in children with autism, essential for school success and self-esteem.
The US Department of Homeland Security's new multi-band radio technology aims to improve communication among first responders during emergencies. The radios can work on five frequency bands currently used by state and local first responders, as well as four exclusive federal government bands.
A study found that smoking one cigarette increases arterial stiffness by 25% in 18-30 year olds, making the heart work harder. Young adults aged 20-24 years have the highest smoking rate, with even light smoking causing damage to their arteries.
A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older patients with dementia are diagnosed with flu less frequently, have shorter hospital stays, but a higher rate of death. The study highlights the need for refined guidelines on flu immunization and treatment in this vulnerable population.
Researchers are empowering Bengali women and children to identify contaminated water sources, helping them make informed decisions about where to dig wells. They're also providing testing kits to detect high levels of arsenic in the water.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have received funding from the Gates Foundation to develop a simple and low-cost diagnostic test for malaria using the coffee ring stain phenomenon. The test has the potential to be more reliable and shelf-stable than existing methods, which require refrigeration and highly trained technicians.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that mice housed in a lighted room for 24 hours a day exhibited more depressive symptoms than those with normal light-dark cycles. However, mice that lived in constant light but could escape showed less evidence of depressive symptoms.
Researchers at Duke University found a clear dose-response pattern between lead exposure and test performance, with the effects becoming more pronounced as lead levels increase. Early childhood exposure to lead accounts for 7-16% of decline in test scores, while family poverty status accounts for 25-28%, and parental education for 58-65%.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive PSA assay using nanotechnology, enabling early detection of prostate cancer recurrence and improving treatment outcomes. The new technology has the potential to redefine the PSA 'zero' level, allowing for earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies.
Children with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis may experience persistent memory issues, according to a new study from UC Davis. The research highlights the importance of maintaining glucose control and prompt diagnosis of new cases.
A new study has established that the CRAFFT diagnostic test can identify teens at risk of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex and multiple partners. The test also found a significant association between substance use and increased odds of having sex without protection.
Archived patient tissue specimens can be used to indirectly test biomarkers, providing a more efficient alternative to traditional prospective studies. The authors argue that this approach can help establish the medical utility of prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
Scientists have developed a simple and portable method to detect tuberculosis (TB) bacteria using light, which may help identify people with latent infections. The technology, if refined, could be used in the developing world where most TB cases occur.
A study found that trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults, suggesting a potential indicator for cardiovascular risk. Regular stretching exercises may slow age-related arterial stiffening, according to the authors.
Paired testing, a self-monitored testing approach, enables patients to make informed decisions about their diet and exercise habits. The study found that paired testing can help detect differences between weekend and weekday schedules and habits, facilitating positive patient self-care behaviors.
The increasing use of smart drugs to boost academic performance may necessitate routine doping tests for exam students, suggests Vince Cakic. Despite the illegitimacy of chemically enhanced academic success, nootropics are near impossible to ban due to their ready availability for therapeutic use.
A RAND Corporation study identifies key issues in designing episode-based payment approaches, including defining episodes of care and identifying accountable providers. The research highlights the need for more rapid testing of these strategies to address challenges such as multiple chronic conditions and varying provider settings.
A survey found that men largely make decisions about prostate cancer screening based on conversations with clinicians, but these discussions often do not include information about the risks of testing. Statistical modeling suggests that benefits and harms of PSA screening vary with age and risk level, with higher-risk men having more p...
Wei-Jun Qian, a PNNL analytical chemist, has been awarded $1.5 million to develop more sensitive and reliable biomarker research and clinical diagnostic tools. His goal is to create a single test for 20 diseases using mass spectrometry instruments.
Researchers conclude that controlled-release pills and capsules prone to dose dumping due to alcohol consumption require human testing. Formulations may pose significant overdose risks even after lab tests indicate faster release rates.
A new ELISpot test can rapidly identify active tuberculosis in smear-negative patients, distinguishing it from latent TB infection. The test's accuracy is confirmed with a high positive rate of 91.5% in patients with active TB.
A new preclinical drug test platform developed by researchers in Hamburg enables analysis of tumour tissue for individual patient drug responses on the molecular level. This allows for more accurate extrapolation of response from preclinical cell models to patients, reducing the risk of toxicity and improving clinical trial efficiency.
A recent study published in Archives of Surgery found that individuals with ethanol in their bloodstreams are less likely to die following a moderate to severe head injury. The study analyzed data from 38,019 patients and found a significant decrease in mortality rates among those with alcohol in their bloodstreams.
Researchers found that dynamic information is critical to learning to segregate objects from backgrounds. After three patients regained sight, their performance improved over time, with success rates increasing to almost normal when objects were in motion.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that cognitive testing by telephone is as effective as in-person testing in evaluating cognition in elderly individuals. The study used well-established neuropsychological tests and involved 54 healthy women with an average age of 79.
A study by American Cancer Society found that many breast cancer patients are not receiving targeted therapies due to lack of testing. Inaccurate HER2 test results also affect treatment choices, highlighting the need for better testing practices.
A study of nearly 70,000 motor carrier drivers and over 83,000 non-motor-carrier drivers found that mandatory alcohol testing programs reduced alcohol involvement in fatal crashes by 23%. The study's findings suggest that implementation of such programs can improve safety records in the US and other countries.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are working on a novel, non-invasive lung test to measure airway fluid composition in cystic fibrosis patients. The study aims to compare the accuracy of this test with the invasive bronchoalveolar lavage procedure.
Cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) are at a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents, with a 16% rate compared to 4% for those without MHE. A study found that ICT was a superior test in identifying patients at risk of future auto accidents.
Researchers at Purdue University found that adding ascorbic acid and sugar to green tea can increase the body's ability to absorb polyphenols, a class of antioxidants. The model-backed study suggests that adding lemon juice or vitamin C could also enhance absorption.
Researchers use insects like fruit flies and moths to test new drugs, reducing animal testing by up to 90% and speeding up results. The study finds that insect immune cells are structurally and functionally similar to those in mammals, offering a promising alternative for drug development.
A new blood test can detect brain damage in amateur boxers, with nerve cell deterioration shown to persist even after a two-month break from boxing. The study's findings provide further evidence that repeated blows to the head may cause long-term brain damage.
Researchers developed an ultra-thin material with precise silver dose that kills 99.9999% bacteria without damaging cells needed for healing. The new approach is more targeted and controlled than current wound dressings.
Researchers have discovered new mosquito repellents that last up to three times longer than DEET, the current gold standard. The repellents do not cause skin irritation or unpleasant odors, making them a promising alternative for people sensitive to DEET.
A 10-year global flea monitoring program has confirmed imidacloprid's long-standing efficacy in killing fleas. The study, which analyzed over 1,000 flea samples from around the world, found no reduced susceptibility to imidacloprid.
A new study finds that public relations practitioners are good ethical thinkers, scoring better than orthopedic surgeons and business professionals on an ethical reasoning test. The research, conducted by two Johnson Legacy Scholars, measured the moral development of working PR professionals.
A spot urine test has been developed to monitor dietary sodium compliance in patients with liver disease and ascites. The study found adequate accuracy for the spot urine test, making it a valuable tool for identifying non-compliant patients.
Researchers found no significant correlations between laboratory test measurements and asthma exacerbations among study participants. A large, longitudinal study provided the most comprehensive analysis to date of factors thought to be useful in predicting asthma attacks.
A study found that hospital discharge summaries are inadequate at documenting tests with pending results and information about outpatient follow-up providers. The researchers identified 668 discharges with pending test results, where only 16% of the tests were mentioned in the summaries.
The project aims to create symbols that can guide users with varying reading levels and languages in hospitals. The student-designed symbols will be tested at four US hospitals and surveyed among Midwestern city populations.
Scientists used a whole-animal infection model to screen 37,000 potential drugs on infected C. elegans worms, identifying 28 new antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a program for biomolecular computers that enables logical thinking. The device can answer intricate queries involving multiple rules and facts, performing millions of calculations in parallel.
Researchers at EMBL and University of Heidelberg create fluorescent probe to quantify MMP12 activity in macrophages, allowing study of emphysema development. The test has potential as biomarker for disease evolution and therapeutic intervention monitoring.
The 'super sensor' can detect pathogens, pollution, and disease biomarkers with high precision, making it suitable for various environments and situations. The device's potential applications include early warning systems for heart attacks, detecting pollutants in drinking water, and monitoring pesticides in organic food.
The Rorschach Inkblot Test's reliability has been called into question due to inconsistent literature and scoring discrepancies. The test may be useful in identifying patients with certain psychological disorders, but its use should be cautious and based on empirical support.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly 30% of people with benign MS significantly worsened over five years. Cognitive tests and brain scans revealed that men with more brain lesions were nearly three times more likely to experience MS signs compared to women.