Articles tagged with Medical Tests
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers are drawn to products near a winning streak, regardless of whether luck actually plays a role. This phenomenon, known as 'contagiousness,' influences product choice and advertising persuasiveness.
Living with a female mouse extends male reproductive life span by 20%, increasing fertility to 32 months. The effect is due to delays in sperm production and may be influenced by endocrine and nervous systems.
Researchers developed a quality-of-life survey for children, allowing doctors to understand the results in the same way they understand blood pressure test results. The survey includes questions about children's daily lives, helping pediatricians identify potential health problems.
Researchers at University of Washington developed prototype malaria test printed on disposable Mylar card that can work months later without refrigeration. The test uses microfluidics and dry reagents stabilized with sugar to retain activity after 60 days.
A Florida State University professor, Steven I. Pfeiffer, studies gifted children and dispels myths about their needs. He developed a diagnostic test to identify gifted students and advocates for programs to support them.
Researchers found that trained primary care physicians can perform colonoscopies with a low complication rate and high polyp detection rate, comparable to specialists. This fills the gap in colorectal cancer screening as the US population ages and demand for screenings grows.
A recent study by the American Society of Agronomy found that low levels of herbicides can harm potato plant reproduction. The research revealed that tuber yield and quality can be affected even at rates below those causing vegetative growth reduction or injury.
A new test has been developed to detect a class of emerging endurance drugs called benzothiazepines, which can be used by athletes to gain a performance advantage. The test detects the core chemical structure of these compounds, allowing sports officials to screen for them and prevent cheating.
Researchers found that a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet resulted in a three-fold improvement in type 2 diabetes, with 95% of participants eliminating or reducing diabetes medications. This study suggests that cutting out carbohydrates can lead to significant reductions in blood sugar levels and weight.
Researchers found that testing two inflammation biomarkers, Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP, improved the prediction of ischemic stroke in patients. Adding both biomarkers to traditional risk factors provided the most accurate picture of stroke risk.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine concludes that screening colonoscopy is associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer, but primarily on the left side. The findings emphasize the need for skilled physicians to perform effective colonoscopies.
Scientists have developed new pre-clinical tests that successfully reproduced the devastating reaction suffered by six volunteers in the 2006 Northwick Park trial. The new tests use a mixed human cell culture and drying the drug onto a plastic surface, providing a more reliable indicator of how the drug will react in humans.
The study found that the majority of men complied with PSA and DRE tests, with over 84% of diagnosed cancers picked up by screening. Cancer detected at baseline tended to be more serious and aggressive than those detected later.
A Kansas State University graduate student has found a correlation between childhood obesity and asthma. Healthy children with higher body fat levels and lower physical activity had greater airway narrowing after exercise, suggesting an early link to asthma diagnosis.
A new study found that playing a strategic video game can improve critical cognitive skills in older adults, including multitasking and working memory. The researchers tested 40 older adults who played the game for 23.5 hours versus a comparison group, and found significant improvements in these areas.
Researchers at U.Va.'s Center for Biomechanics are developing a highly detailed computer model of the human thorax and upper extremities, as well as other body parts, to create a virtual crash test dummy. The virtual dummy will allow for more realistic testing of auto safety systems before they are physically built.
The Virginia Tech Center for Injury Biomechanics received the Army Modeling and Simulation Award for developing the Facial and Ocular Countermeasures Safety (FOCUS) headform, a state-of-the-art test dummy capable of measuring impact loads to the face and eyes.
Research by University of Warwick reveals that hands-free cell phone conversations impair drivers' visual attention, increasing braking distances and errors. The study found that even passive listening to a conversation has a significant negative impact on driving performance.
Researchers at UCL developed a new universal test to predict the risk of major depression, which was tested in 6,000 people and found accurate in predicting future episodes. The tool, predictD, could be used by family doctors and local clinics to identify those at risk for whom prevention might be most useful.
Researchers found that statin use is linked to rare eye disorders in some patients, including double vision, drooping eyelids, and loss of eye range of motion. A new system, the ocular trauma score, helps predict visual recovery for soldiers with combat eye injuries.
The Integrated Blood-Barcode Chip (IBBC) is a revolutionary diagnostic tool that measures protein concentrations from just a pinprick of blood. The device offers a significant improvement over traditional laboratory tests, reducing costs and time by orders of magnitude.
A new at-home test, SpermCheck Vasectomy, has been shown to accurately detect low sperm counts in vasectomized men. The test achieved an accuracy rate of 96% in identifying sperm concentrations below a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml.
Patients with serious anxiety disorders tend to report more intense physiological symptoms than they actually experience, according to a new study. Physiological tests revealed that these patients are often hyporeactive, contradicting their self-reported symptoms.
Researchers successfully tested the live broadcast of surgeries using the Internet2 network, enabling real-time video transmission to multiple locations. This technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine by reducing travel costs for physicians and enhancing patient care.
Medicare's funding cut for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may discontinue critical health services for osteoporosis patients. The test is essential for identifying those at risk and monitoring bone health, potentially leading to increased fractures and costs.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine discovered that joyful music can promote heart health by dilating blood vessels, similar to laughter. The study showed a significant increase in blood vessel diameter after listening to joyful music, while anxious music caused narrowing.
Cholesterol crystals released during cardiac attacks can cause further damage to artery linings much farther away from the initial attack site. This discovery has important clinical implications, suggesting that patients may need additional testing to prevent further damage during a cardiac event.
Researchers found improved cognitive function in transplant patients, particularly in verbal learning and memory. In contrast, dialysis patients showed declining test scores over time. The study suggests that kidney transplantation may have a beneficial effect on patients' mental function.
The No Child Left Behind law has led to a focus on teaching to the test, resulting in marginalized writing instruction in low-income schools. Younger teachers in these schools face increased pressure to perform due to high-stakes testing, leading to burnout and turnover.
Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin have received a $511,000 grant to research better methods for monitoring and detecting covert nuclear tests. They aim to improve the international community's ability to determine if a nuclear test has occurred by analyzing atmospheric xenon levels.
A large study of physicians found that doctors tend to mirror the attitudes of the majority and implicitly favor whites over blacks. This suggests that subtle race bias may affect healthcare quality, but more research is needed to confirm this link.
A new blood test has been shown to identify patients at risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) with greater precision than the traditional skin test. The ELISpot blood test can pinpoint those who need preventative treatment, reducing unnecessary treatments and associated risks.
A study comparing results of allergy patch tests between children and adults found that both groups reacted to various allergens at approximately the same rate. However, children were more likely to react to nickel, cobalt, thimerosal, and lanolin, while adults were more likely to react to neomycin, fragrance mix, M. pereirae, and quat...
A low-cost egg-beater-based centrifuge can separate plasma from blood in minutes, used to detect deadly infectious diseases common in developing countries. The device requires no training or electricity and can be sterilized with boiling water.
Research conducted at the University of Illinois shows that children with ADHD demonstrate greater attention after a 20-minute walk in a park compared to similar walks in downtown or residential areas. The study found that even small doses of nature exposure can improve symptoms, suggesting a potential long-term benefit.
A study found that most Medicare patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent elective angioplasty did not have a recommended stress test performed to confirm the necessity of the procedure. The study suggests that this is due to factors such as patient characteristics, physician volume, and geographic variation in care.
A new report highlights the issue of statistical illiteracy in health, with misleading presentation of relative risks and lack of absolute risk information. The problem affects both doctors and patients, leading to incorrect decisions and actions.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed an in-vitro method to test the digestion and absorption of arsenic-laden soil. This simulation can help determine the amount of arsenic that dissolves during digestion, allowing for more efficient assessment of contaminated sites.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic marker called procalcitonin to identify infants at high risk for serious bacterial infections. The test showed high sensitivity and was able to establish a threshold value to identify low-risk infants.
A new study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that routine colorectal cancer screenings may not provide significant life expectancy benefits after age 75. The study suggests that individuals who have had adenomas or colorectal cancer should continue surveillance in this age group.
A survey of pediatricians found wide variation in disclosing medical errors, with those involving obvious errors being more likely to be shared. Pediatricians may be less willing to discuss errors that are not immediately apparent to parents.
A new study found that female medical students consistently report decreased self-confidence and increased anxiety, particularly over issues related to their competency. Female medical students appeared less confident in their interaction with patients, a finding that has important implications for medical education.
A new study published in Risk Analysis found that the presence of safety measures has a significantly higher impact on trust than their absence. Researchers surveyed 640 participants and asked about various safety measures such as emergency phone numbers and weather conditions.
A large-scale study of preschool children's visual acuity found a commonly-used test to be inaccurate, while major studies on contact lens infections revealed that proper use and care are more important than new lens types. These findings will help eye specialists and wearers make better choices and improve practices.
A new study published in JAMA found that black Americans have a higher occurrence of colon polyps compared to white patients. The research suggests that black men and women are at greater risk for serious polyps, emphasizing the importance of regular screening among this demographic.
A Yale study finds that patients may receive poor or delayed care after sign-out, a transfer of patient responsibility from one doctor to another. The study identified 24 sign-out-related problems, affecting both patients and doctors, and highlights the need for improved communication and training in medical curriculum.
The study found that the level of H. pylori IgG antibodies has limited value in diagnosing active peptic ulcer disease and does not show association with gastric mucosal morphology. A negative serology test result is reliable for excluding H. pylori infection, making it useful for screening purposes.
A pilot study found that Yakult(R) altered intestinal fermentation patterns, reducing symptoms of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Probiotic treatment reversed ERBHAL in 64% of patients, improving symptoms.
International researchers establish protocols for reproducible toxicological testing of nanomaterials in cells and animals. The International Alliance for NanoEHS Harmonization aims to improve correlations between in vitro and animal testing.
A team of international researchers formed the International Alliance for NanoEHS Harmonization (IANH) to establish reproducible toxicological testing protocols for nanomaterials. The alliance aims to address key gaps in scientific knowledge and accelerate understanding of nanotechnology's social implications.
A computerized reminder system called ClinfoTracker increased colorectal cancer screening rates by an average of 9 percent, from 41.7% to 66.5%, among 12 primary care practices in Michigan. The greatest improvements occurred at practices that were more technologically savvy and well-adapted.
Scientists have identified biomarkers in cattle urine that can indicate the presence and progression of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy disease. This discovery may lead to a urine-based test for detecting BSE in live animals, allowing for alternative surveillance procedures and improving breeding stock health.
The new guidelines focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and prognostic evaluation of patients with PE. In high-risk cases, immediate thrombolytic treatment is recommended to save lives, while in low-risk cases, anticoagulants are used to prevent future episodes.
A recent New Zealand study investigated the relationship between obesity and asthma, ruling out systemic inflammation as a common factor. Despite not finding evidence of its involvement, researchers suggest that other possibilities, such as changes in innate immunity or dynamic lung function, may be worth exploring.
A study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found associations between smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity with lower Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) awareness. This may lead to reduced prostate cancer screening rates among affected individuals.
The US Medical Licensing Examination board has introduced an audio portion to its medical licensing exam, requiring students to identify heart murmurs and abnormal heart sounds. The skill level required is much higher than traditional curriculum, leading to increased dependence on expensive tests.
A five-year randomized trial found that patients participating in health tests and consultations demonstrated lower risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases. The impact of testing was also cost-effective, with no increase in healthcare system contacts and improved life expectancy.
Researchers found that intra-individual variability in cognitive function improves dementia prediction beyond individual test scores. The Einstein Aging Study evaluated 897 individuals, identifying 61 cases of dementia, and showed that within-person variability across multiple tests predicts future dementia.
A study examining testing models to predict and diagnose new cases of dementia found that within-person variability on neuropsychological tests is linked to the development of dementia. The research, published in JAMA, suggests that this variability may be an independent predictor of dementia development.
Researchers have developed a prototype test that can predict clinical outcome for melanoma patients, distinguishing between rapid and slow progression to Stage IV cancer. The test uses gene signature analysis and shows promise in identifying patient subtypes, which could improve treatment decisions and reduce clinical trial sizes.