Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can detect Alzheimer's disease by measuring high molecular weight A-Beta oligomers in spinal fluid. The test showed direct correlation between A-Beta oligomer levels and memory impairment, enabling early diagnosis of the disease.
Scientists have developed a new diagnostic method using Raman spectroscopy to detect biochemical changes in retinal cells, revealing the presence of glaucoma. The test detected glaucomatous changes with 90% accuracy in animal retinal tissue testing.
A new study has found that people in their 20s and 30s have significant balance issues, increasing their risk for falling. The test, developed by University of Missouri researcher Carmen Abbott, is a combination of a health questionnaire and physical performance tests.
Researchers at UAB Center for Research in Applied Gerontology are testing InSight software to enhance reflexes and reaction time among senior adult drivers, aiming to reduce car crashes. The study involves training exercises on a computer screen and has the potential to help older adults maintain their cognitive function and mobility.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a set of 17 proteins in the blood that accurately predict alcohol usage 90% of the time. These proteins can distinguish between excessive and responsible drinking levels, offering a potential diagnostic test for alcohol consumption.
A new two-in-one test can detect both E. coli bacteria and its toxins, reducing foodborne illness and product recalls. The test cuts waiting time to just 24 hours, improving sensitivity and enabling early detection of contaminated products.
A new three-in-one test can detect Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis, and sleeping sickness in under an hour. The low-cost test uses special dyes that reveal the presence of parasite markers.
Researchers have discovered a molecule, Affibody, that can prevent the formation of toxic protein clumps in the brain and promote their clearance. This breakthrough could lead to new possibilities in Alzheimer's therapy development, offering hope for preventing the disease.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital finds regadenoson to be a safe alternative to conventional medication used in cardiac nuclear stress tests for heart transplant patients. The drug did not cause adverse side effects such as low blood pressure or heart block, and showed no signs of these conditions.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed a new Alzheimer's test called CST, which is more than 95 percent effective in detecting cognitive abnormalities. The test is designed to be simple and accessible for medical professionals and patients, providing an objective way to determine the presence of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that human and mouse embryonic stem cells have distinct responses to growth factors, rendering animal models less reliable for preliminary tests. Human ES cells will remain essential for stem cell research due to their superior performance in tissue differentiation.
A new study found that one in three early-stage breast cancer patients felt they didn't fully understand their genomic test result discussions, while a quarter experienced distress. The study suggests there is room for improvement in communicating cancer recurrence risks and treatment decisions with patients.
The occurrence of gluten intolerance has doubled in Finland, affecting 2% of adults and 1.5% of children. A new diagnosis method is needed to treat early stages of the condition, which may be symptom-free.
A University of Alberta study found that pharmacist interventions led to a 200% increase in patients getting further assessment and diagnosis for osteoporosis. Pharmacists can help with education and screening, addressing the silent disease that often goes undiagnosed after age 50.
Researchers created a risk assessment method based on race, Medicaid eligibility, and neighborhood characteristics, which identified even more high-risk children than current methods. The new approach could save taxpayers $153,000 by reducing unnecessary lead poisoning tests.
A new technology called microscale thermophoresis allows researchers to measure interactions under close-to-native conditions, improving decision-making in drug development. The technique exploits the Soret effect to detect binding activity, providing a more reliable method for identifying potential therapeutic agents.
Researchers found that depression is associated with spikes in cortisol levels for both boys and girls after stress tests. However, higher cortisol reactions to stress are only linked to obesity in girls. Early treatment of depression could help reduce stress and control obesity in this demographic.
A study of six platelet function tests found that only three could predict atherothrombotic events, such as heart attack or death, with moderate accuracy. These tests were light transmittance aggregometry, VerifyNow, and Plateletworks, which were associated with high platelet reactivity at 1-year follow-up.
Research at University College London found that genetic differences are responsible for the majority of variation in face recognition ability among individuals. Identical twins showed a stronger correlation in their face recognition skills compared to non-identical twins, indicating a significant role of shared genes.
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has released a new guidance document that harmonizes validated testing methods for food allergens, increasing consumer protection and facilitating international trade. This development is crucial for labelling of food products and avoiding allergic reactions.
Researchers found that a cocktail of compounds from the beneficial fungus Muscodor albus can effectively control destructive pests in crops like wheat and apples. The fungus' volatile organic compounds killed or repelled up to 100% of certain pest species, offering a biologically based solution for pest management.
Scientists in Australia have developed a novel method to stitch together microfluidic analytical devices using ordinary cotton thread and sewing needles, promising revolutionary applications in medicine and environmental sensing. This simple and relatively low-cost approach uses the wicking properties of cotton thread to transport flui...
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created a low-cost, fast, and accurate DNA test that can identify a person's risk of developing certain inherited diseases. The technology uses chemical analysis and can analyze DNA in a saliva sample, potentially leading to improved personal diagnosis and prompt treatment.
A new study published in Child Development found that children who spend more time in institutional care perform worse on tests of visual memory and attention, but make significant cognitive advances once adopted. Early deprivation can have lasting impacts on brain development.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a simple urine test to rapidly predict and diagnose preeclampsia in pregnant women. The Congo Red Dot Test accurately predicted preeclampsia in a study of 347 pregnant women, allowing for better preventive care.
Researchers developed a simple blood test to predict which idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients are likely to become severely ill. The test targets immune cells called CD4 T-cells, which lose their CD28 protein markers as disease severity increases, indicating a greater likelihood of grave illness.
A new study found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US face a higher risk of suicide and cardiovascular death, particularly during the first year after diagnosis. The study suggests that providing emotional counseling and support for patients newly diagnosed with cancer may be essential to mitigate this risk.
Researchers are testing whether simulation driving can improve Parkinson's patients' driving skills and reduce their threefold increased risk of car accidents. The five-week training program involves simulator-based driving tests and on-road evaluations to assess the impact of cognitive-improving activities.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that cognitive decline, regardless of dementia diagnosis, may increase the risk of stroke. The researchers found that men who scored lower on a mental test measuring planning and executive function were three times more likely to experience a stroke or brain infarction.
A University of Kentucky researcher is studying respiratory weakness as a factor in ICU morbidity, which can lead to prolonged stays and lengthy recovery times. The study aims to develop new treatments that could slow down muscle wasting and reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that pediatricians often fail to follow up with families after referring children with suspected developmental delays for further testing and treatment. This can lead to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes for these children. The study highlights the need for improved referral systems an...
Researchers at UC San Diego are launching a project to improve communication and data-sharing among emergency officials during disasters. The new system aims to overcome obstacles such as unreliable wireless networks, staggering arrival times of responders, and rapidly changing infrastructure capabilities.
A long-term study of over 1,000 New Zealanders found that children who later developed schizophrenia showed early cognitive deficits in verbal and visual learning, reasoning, and processing speed. These deficits persisted as they grew, with the children losing mental age at a rate comparable to those without schizophrenia.
A mussel-inspired sealant has been developed for repairing defects in human fetal membranes, showing promise as a biocompatible and effective solution. The sealant, inspired by the sticky properties of mussels, can seal tiny holes in the membrane without causing cell death.
A breakthrough blood test for diagnosing schizophrenia could become available in 2010, marking a significant shift from traditional brain-based diagnostic methods. The test leverages biomarkers detected in the blood and other bodily fluids to provide a real-time picture of the disease.
Scientists have created antibodies in llamas to detect seven types of botulinum neurotoxins, which are highly toxic and can cause paralysis. These llama antibodies, called single domain antibodies, may play a role in future anti-botulism treatments and could improve biosensors for detecting toxins.
A recent study by Université Laval found that TBI victims may experience persistent motor deficits despite regaining normal walking speed. The research suggests that even in simple situations, the affected individuals show decreased speed and response times when faced with obstacles or sensory distractions.
Researchers at University at Buffalo show that a controlled individualized exercise training program can relieve nearly all post-concussion syndrome (PCS) symptoms. The study found that participants who exercised regularly at levels below symptom onset experienced significant improvement, with athletes recovering faster than non-athletes.
A two-part special issue published in the journal Homeopathy explores experiments on homeopathic treatments using biological models, including whole animals and plants, cell cultures, and enzymes. The study found that seven different biological models of high dilution response yielded consistently positive results.
The study found that post-Katrina primary care clinics in New Orleans provided efficient and affordable healthcare to low-income and uninsured patients. The clinics reported lower instances of medical debt, delayed appointments, and inadequate communication with doctors compared to the general population.
Researchers aim to improve methods for screening and testing glaucoma, a disease affecting 70 million people worldwide. The study will focus on optimizing perimetry testing and developing new statistical methods to compare different clinical measures.
Researchers found that watching or thinking about someone with good self-control makes others more likely to exert self-control. Conversely, people with bad self-control influence others negatively. The effect of self-control is so powerful that subliminal exposure can change behavior.
A study by Prof. Talma Kushnir found that physicians' moods significantly affect their professional behavior, including communication with patients, medication prescriptions, and referral to specialists. On good mood days, doctors tend to talk more and prescribe fewer medications, while on bad mood days they do the opposite.
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that even small amounts of lead in healthy children's bodies can impair kidney function, with those having higher levels showing decreased kidney filtration rates. The researchers measured kidney function using two tests and found a link between higher lead levels and worse kidney function ...
Researchers at OSU and UGA developed a faster, easier, and less expensive test to detect Haemonchus contortus, a parasitic worm causing significant production losses in the global sheep and wool industry. The new lectin staining test allows for quick feedback on anemia status and parasite burden.
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.