Articles tagged with Medical Tests
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.
A new urine test can diagnose Chlamydia in men within an hour, reducing the risk of transmission and complications. The test is more accurate than existing methods and has received regulatory approval.
A study found that testing for blood alcohol levels (BALs) can identify high-risk patients admitted to trauma centers who had denied excessive drinking. Elevated BALs are associated with higher rates of complications and predict the development of delirium treatments.
A study found that a close caregiver relationship can slow Alzheimer's disease progression by retaining more cognitive function and functional abilities over time. Patients with close caregivers scored better on cognitive tests and retained more of their brain function compared to those without close relationships.
Kansas State University researchers suggest government agencies communicate better with public about recalls and inspection process. Consumers may doubt the effectiveness of food safety systems due to unclear information from regulatory agencies.
Johns Hopkins students have developed a way to embed patient-derived stem cells in sutures to speed up healing and improve outcomes for orthopedic injuries. The technology has great promise for treating debilitating tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries that affect thousands of young and middle-aged adults annually.
A new Mayo Clinic study found that clinical criteria for mild cognitive impairment are better at predicting Alzheimer's disease than a single memory test. The study identified individuals aged 70-79 years who were cognitively normal or had slight memory impairment as being most likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study published in Medical Teacher found that medical students who participated in simulated medical emergencies showed improved knowledge retention compared to those who received traditional lectures. The simulation exercises helped students learn and apply basic science concepts more effectively.
Researchers studied effects of lighting interventions, stress and fatigue monitoring on crew performance. The 105-Day Mars Mission aimed to improve work performance in a realistic setting.
A study found that cardiac CT workups are more cost-effective than traditional care for low-risk chest pain patients, reducing hospital stays by up to 20 hours and lowering charges by 44%. This innovative approach has the potential to significantly reduce costs in emergency departments.
Research suggests that diets high in fermentable carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, can lead to dental decay and contribute to chronic systemic diseases. A diet low in these carbohydrates may improve cardiovascular markers and reduce body fat. Dental problems can serve as an early warning sign for dietary imbalances.
Most cognitive tests are ineffective in distinguishing between Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, with only two tests - Emotional Recognition Task and Delayed Story Recall - showing promise. Researchers emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, combining multiple measures for accurate identification.
Research finds that long-distance travel significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, prompting recommendations for low-cost interventions. Stepped-dosing of efavirenz also decreases incidence and severity of neuropsychiatric adverse events while maintaining efficacy.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine finds that hair sheep blood is a perfect substitute for horse or sheep blood in microbiology tests, reducing costs and improving diagnosis in the developing world. The researchers also discovered that collecting blood in donation bags eliminates the need for defibrination, making ...
A University at Buffalo study found that improved communication between patients and primary care physicians increases the chances of those due for screening following their doctor's advice. The more convenient the screening process is, the greater the chance patients will follow through.
The glucose challenge test is an accurate, convenient, and inexpensive way to screen the general population for unrecognized diabetes and prediabetes. The study screened 1,573 participants and found that 4.6% had previously unrecognized diabetes and 18.7% had prediabetes.
The Veritide Ceeker portable bacterial detection device has been shown to accurately identify anthrax spores and distinguish them from hoax substances. With results produced in minutes, the device enables first responders to rapidly determine whether a situation is a nuisance or a major threat to public health.
A recent study found that American over-65s scored significantly better than their English counterparts in a memory and awareness test. Higher levels of education and lower levels of depressive symptoms in the US may have contributed to this difference, while aggressive cardiovascular disease treatment in England could be a factor.
The study analyzed 184 research studies and found that the Implicit Association Test has significant predictive validity in social behavior, especially in areas like interracial behavior. The test's greater validity than self-reports suggests its value in understanding the roots of discrimination.
Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated that individual monkeys within the same species exhibit varying levels of cognitive ability. A study published in PLoS One found that general intelligence, or 'g' factor, accounted for 20% of the variation in performance among cotton-top tamarins.
Researchers found a blood chemical that may signal susceptibility to interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder disorder. The study suggests the disease may have origins in the central nervous system and could lead to new treatment directions.
A study found that hospitalists who staff short-stay units with accessible diagnostic tests and consultations have successful stays. Patients requiring less complex care had successful stays, while those needing specialty consultations were more likely to have unsuccessful stays.
A new study found that approximately 50% of radiologists surveyed reported never having their vision tested or it had been 24 months or longer since their last exam. The study, conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of regular eye exams for radiologists to maintain optimal visual accuracy.
A new technique using gold nanoparticles could lead to an effective and affordable over-the-counter prostate cancer test kit. The test is designed to detect cancer-producing proteins related to prostate cancer, similar to the FDA-approved Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham are developing revolutionary ultrasonic nanotechnology that can image individual cells. This technique could help diagnose serious illnesses such as some cancers by providing detailed insights into cell structure and function.
A new calculator tool has been developed by Harvard Medical School researchers to measure the value of preventative medicine services. The Family Van program, a mobile health clinic in Boston, was used as a test case, and found that long-term investments will return $36 for every dollar spent.
Researchers at Natura Therapeutics and the University of South Florida are studying the green tea compound TeaMem, which may block a key process in Alzheimer's development. The NIH grant will investigate TeaMem's role in preventing AD pathology and cognitive impairment.