Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
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.
Researchers discovered autoantibodies to a complementary protein called plasminogen, which plays a key role in blood clotting, in patients with ANCA vasculitis. The findings suggest that protein complementarity may offer new insights into autoimmune diseases.
A study found that one in five men in their 40s have undergone a PSA test within the previous year. Young black men are more likely than young white men to have been screened. The study also revealed that younger Hispanic men and those with higher household income and education level were more likely to undergo testing.
Researchers at UCLA and Intrinsic LifeSciences have developed the first method to directly measure hepcidin, a hormone that regulates iron absorption. The new blood test will help clinicians diagnose conditions like anemia of chronic disease and hemochromatosis more efficiently.
Clinical Research Management has secured a seven-year contract to conduct Phase I Clinical Trials for Therapeutics against Infectious Diseases at three national testing sites. The sites are Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins University. Each site will recei...
Researchers discovered that the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are not essential for path integration, a key aspect of spatial cognition. The study used memory-impaired patients to test this theory, finding they performed similarly to controls when tracking their start location within short-term memory.
A two-year study by UT Houston researchers found that 53% of women who tested positive for GBS during their first pregnancy were also positive during their second. The study suggests that retesting women in subsequent pregnancies may not be cost-effective due to the high recurrence rate.
The Diabetes Checks & Balances program has shown positive outcomes in its first year, with 29% of participants receiving all four tests, including HbA1c and eye exams. This increase is nearly twice as high as in 2006, suggesting improved diabetes management among local residents.
A commonly used diabetes monitoring test could be repurposed to screen for and diagnose diabetes, identifying millions of people with undiagnosed disease. The hemoglobin A1c test measures long-term glucose control, offering advantages over current testing methods that require fasting or are affected by recent meals and diet.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are developing string probe tests to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition where defense cells attack the esophagus. The test uses a swallowed string with gelatin capsule to measure inflammatory proteins and replace repeat endoscopies.
Researchers found that PBT2 improves two indicators of executive function in Alzheimer's patients and reduces amyloid beta levels in the spinal fluid. The study suggests that PBT2 may be a promising treatment for improving cognitive performance in early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
A group of women will test new exercises and educational programs to manage their recovery after bed rest and birth. Researchers hope to discover if longer intervention is needed to help women regain lost strength and stamina.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology found that a small dose of the drug PBT2 improved cognitive function in early-stage Alzheimer's patients, reducing amyloid-beta levels by approximately 13% compared to placebo. The study suggests that PBT2 may have a significant effect on the underlying pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study published in the American Cancer Society's journal found that hip bone mineral density can provide additional information for predicting breast cancer risk. Women with higher bone mineral density scores had a 25% increased risk of developing breast cancer, while those with high Gail scores had a 35% increased risk.
A study of 10,000 postmenopausal women found that higher bone mineral density was associated with a 25% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Adding bone mineral density tests to current risk assessments may improve the prediction of breast cancer risk in older women.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that Ritalin, used for Attention Deficit Disorder, can improve seniors' cognitive abilities and gait, cutting the risk of serious falls. The study suggests using Ritalin to reduce fall risk in older adults by targeting cognitive deficits.
A recent study suggests that limiting fructose intake can lead to increased weight loss, as it is quickly converted into body fat in the liver. Dr. Elizabeth Parks' research found that even small amounts of fructose can contribute to greater triglyceride synthesis.
Researchers found that nuclear stress tests can detect diastolic dysfunction with a high specificity rate, identifying patients at risk of heart failure. The test plots out the heartbeat and measures the left ventricle filling pressure, providing a prognostic value in predicting diastolic dysfunction.
A new study found that men and women with a history of concussion recover differently, with females performing worse on reaction time tests and being more symptomatic. The authors recommend an individualized approach to treating concussion patients, taking into account prior history and gender.
A new hearing aid technology has been shown to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments like restaurants. The open-fit hearing aids with directional microphones outperformed traditional options and provided a 20% improvement in speech clarity.
Researchers Francesco Checchi and Les Roberts argue that an independent body is needed to accurately document death rates during humanitarian emergencies. Such a body could provide a basis for both humanitarian advocacy and political advocacy, and could help prevent the DRC experience from being repeated.
A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology examines the validity of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) testing. The research found that the detection power of the test is poor, with high rates of false negative results. This has significant implications for anti-doping efforts and fair competition.
A study found that RFID devices caused 34 out of 123 EMI tests to malfunction, with hazardous incidents including pacemaker stoppages and syringe pump failures. The authors warn that the introduction of RFID in critical care environments requires careful management to prevent such incidents.
A new study finds that combining symptom screening with a simple blood test can detect over 80% of women with early-stage ovarian cancer and nearly 95% with late-stage disease. This approach may lead to improved cure rates for those diagnosed at an earlier stage.
Researchers found that subtle neurological abnormalities in disability-free older adults can predict cognitive and functional declines. The study used standardized neurological exams to devise a scale measuring these abnormalities, providing evidence for the value of standard neurological exams in predicting future brain health.
Two alternative test methods, the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) assay and the isolated chicken eye (ICE) assay, have been accepted for ocular safety testing. These non-animal tests can identify substances that may cause permanent or severe eye damage, reducing animal use in this area.
A new mass spectrometry test can detect naturally occurring steroid levels in athletes more accurately than previous tests. The test is faster to perform and can be run on standard laboratory equipment, making it easier to detect doping violations.
A new study by The Endocrine Society found that male recreational athletes who believed they were using growth hormone experienced improved athletic performance, even when given a placebo. In contrast, female athletes showed little benefit from the placebo effect.
Researchers found that performing a standardized 60-second hair count is a reliable method for assessing hair shedding in healthy men. The study found consistent results across age groups, with an average loss of 10 hairs per minute, and demonstrated low intrapatient variability.
Adults with diabetes are more likely to experience hearing loss due to the disease's impact on nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear. Researchers discovered a strong association between high-frequency sound sensitivity and diabetes, which may be linked to nerve damage and increased risk of heart disease.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that women experience underreported hot flashes and these symptoms are linked to poor verbal memory. Objective measurement of hot flashes reveals a strong relationship between the number of hot flashes and memory performance.
A new Canadian study found that the standard screening test for high blood sugar in children with risk factors misses nearly 3 times fewer cases of prediabetes than a longer test. The glucose stress test identified more cases of both prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. Early detection is crucial, as it can prevent or delay diabetes.
A new study finds that pregnant women with high insulin resistance are at a higher risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, and cesarean sections. Babies born to these women also face increased risks of macrosomia and hypoglycemia.
A Temple University researcher has developed a new method for clinical taste testing using edible strips containing five basic tastes. The strips, created by dissolving polymers in warm water and adding taste stimuli, can measure thresholds for tastants at lower levels than traditional 'sip and spit' tests.
A recent meta-analysis found that smoking is associated with increased risk of poor memory among middle-age adults. Long-term ex-smokers also showed improvement in other health behaviors after quitting smoking.
Researchers have discovered a new kidney protein, NGAL, that can diagnose sudden kidney failure days sooner than current tests. A simple urine test for NGAL can help emergency department physicians accurately diagnose kidney failure and make evidence-based treatment decisions.
Experts recommend revising current criteria for diagnosing diabetes, suggesting the use of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as an alternative to fasting plasma glucose or oral glucose tolerance tests. This change may help identify more people with undiagnosed diabetes, reducing avoidable morbidity and mortality.
A survey of Medicare patients found that higher medical care spending was not associated with better quality of care. In fact, those in lower-expenditure areas reported similar perceptions of quality and rated their overall care highly, regardless of spending levels.
A recent analysis found that most US health news stories have major failings in reporting, including inadequate discussion of costs, harms, and benefits. The study graded 500 US health news stories, resulting in a high rate of poor reporting, highlighting the need for improved standards in health journalism.
A new method of chemosensitivity testing was found to provide predictive information that could lead to better treatment outcomes for gastric cancer patients. The study's results showed a longer overall 5-year survival time in the sensitive group compared to the control group.
Research highlights the critical role of food intolerance in IBS symptoms, particularly diarrhea, which alters epithelial function and increases intestinal permeability. The study provides valuable insights into the relationship between intestinal inflammation and increased permeability in IBS patients.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that heart bypass surgery is not the cause of lasting cognitive problems in patients. After six years of testing, both groups experienced similar declines in cognitive function, indicating that the disease itself may be the culprit.
A new test using galectin-3 may help identify benign thyroid nodules, reducing the need for surgery. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity, with a positive predictive value of 82%.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for bitter orange, a compound used in herbal weight-loss products. Researchers can use these materials to develop and test analytical methods, as well as ensure the quality of their measurements.
A study found that young Australian women would accept age-based chlamydia screening, but prefer it be offered universally, rather than based on their sexual history. The researchers suggest that detailed sexual history should not be required before testing women for chlamydia to improve screening rates and reduce stigma.
A prostate cancer screening program introduced in the Tyrol region of Austria led to a significant reduction in deaths from the disease, with a 54% decline by 2005. The program's success can be attributed to early detection and effective treatment, which has improved patient outcomes.
Research reveals a striking decline in US prostate cancer mortality compared to the UK, with faster rates of decline attributed to increased screening and treatment. The study suggests that differences in detection and treatment policies may contribute to this disparity.
Researchers at NIST developed a device that creates nanodroplets for studying individual proteins under conditions similar to those found in cells. This technique mimics the crowded environment of cells, allowing researchers to study protein dynamics and structural changes without interfering with or damaging the proteins.
Epicentre research has helped improve rapid assessment of population health status, responding to infectious disease outbreaks, treating malnutrition, and developing diagnostic tools. The findings aim to address public health questions and significantly improve the health status of affected populations.
A study of 418 English test cricketers found that players who appeared in more test matches lived longer than those with fewer appearances. Captaining the team had no impact on lifespan, contrary to expectations.