Articles tagged with Medical Tests
A three-year study found people with severe white matter changes are twice as likely to score poorly on walking and balance tests. Exercise may have the potential to reduce the risk of these problems, which can lead to hospitalization and nursing home placement.
Research findings suggest that growth hormone does not enhance athletic performance, while universal MRSA screening is associated with significant disease reduction. Additionally, cognitive impairment affecting 22% of older adults exists without dementia, and current colonoscopy guidelines may predict false positives for advanced polyps.
A medical team from the University of Leicester has developed a predictor for pregnant women who may have miscarriages, using levels of anandamide in whole blood. The study found that women with higher levels of anandamide were more likely to miscarry, while those with lower levels were more likely to have a live birth.
New study suggests that non-lab-based risk factors can predict cardiovascular events with similar accuracy to laboratory-based values. This approach could simplify risk assessment and screening in developing countries where laboratory testing is often unavailable.
A new blood test, ELISpot-Plus, in conjunction with a skin test, can rule out tuberculosis infection within 48 hours, providing a much quicker result than existing methods. This combination enables doctors to diagnose TB more accurately and begin investigating other possible explanations for patients' symptoms.
A new guideline for treating dementia emphasizes the importance of individualized assessment and treatment based on a patient's specific medication regimen. Researchers also developed two new blood tests to diagnose latent tuberculosis, finding that one test is more sensitive than traditional methods.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology that can detect multiple food-borne pathogens and toxins in one to two hours using live mammalian cells. The technique estimates the amount of microbes present and whether they pose an active health risk, giving users a higher degree of confidence in the test results.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice has superior antioxidant power compared to other beverages. The juice ranked higher than red wine, Concord grape, blueberry, and orange juices in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant activity.
Researchers analyzed over 3.6 million patient records to find thousands of cases of probable undiagnosed diabetes in the UK. The study suggests that tens of thousands of people may be at risk of diabetes and require further assessment.
New research finds that hemoglobin A1c test underestimates true glucose control in hemodialysis patients, potentially leading to inadequate treatment and poor outcomes. The study suggests the use of a newer test, glycated albumin, as a more accurate measure of blood sugar control for diabetic dialysis patients.
Researchers found that Hispanic patients with diabetes have approximately 0.5% higher levels on the A1C test compared to non-Hispanic white patients. This study highlights the need for strategies to reduce disparities in diabetes control among minority groups.
Researchers found a single PSA test can predict advanced prostate cancer with high accuracy, allowing for targeted screening and potentially reducing overdiagnosis. The study revealed that men with higher PSA levels are at increased risk of developing advanced cancer, highlighting the potential for early detection to improve outcomes.
The NIH and EPA have formed a collaboration to improve the safety testing of chemicals using high-speed screening robots and cells. This new approach aims to generate data more relevant to humans, reduce animal testing, and increase the number of chemicals tested.
Researchers found that a single PSA test before age 50 can predict advanced prostate cancer up to 25 years later, helping identify high-risk men for targeted screenings. The study analyzed blood samples from over 160 men with advanced prostate cancer and a similar cohort without cancer.
Engineers at the University of Leeds have developed a new device that uses a specially-woven web to assist weak hearts, increasing internal pressure to improve blood flow. The web-based device eliminates the need for life-long drug therapy and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a blood test that detects early stage ovarian cancer with 99% accuracy, building on previous work showing 95% effectiveness. The new platform uses six protein biomarkers instead of four, increasing specificity from 95 to 99.4%.
The new plan aims to reduce, refine and replace animal use in research and regulatory testing through partnerships with industry and stakeholders. It emphasizes the development of predictive systems using new technologies to minimize animal use.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology highlights individuals at risk of falling due to conditions like stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and vision loss. Regular screening and preventive measures can help prevent fall-related injuries and deaths.
Global positioning systems technology can be used to study how children develop spatial awareness and orient themselves in the real world. The study found that children aged three years old could use environmental landmarks to guide their search, improving performance with larger test areas and different colored buckets.
Research published by SAGE explores the impact of teachers on education quality and equity, focusing on issues like teacher certification, recruitment practices, and salary effects. The study reveals complex challenges facing disadvantaged districts, including high teacher turnover rates.
A new study found that people's personality types affect their ability to exercise self-control. Promotion-focused individuals tend to do better when adopting goal-pursuit strategies that fit their needs, while prevention-focused individuals fare better with vigilance strategies. This research has important implications for consumer we...
A pioneering Spanish study reveals that nearly half of patients with head injuries feign psycho-cognitive disorders to profit from insurance claims or sick leave. Researchers have developed reliable tools to detect these 'simulators', providing a valuable solution for healthcare professionals.
A RAND Corporation study found that nearly one-third of local health departments connected callers to a public health professional within 30 minutes, while nearly 40% had cases where no one reached a trained professional. The study highlights the importance of having live operators at all times to meet federal guidelines.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has issued guidelines for treating dyspepsia, a condition affecting a fourth of the population. For patients over 50 with symptoms or alarm features, endoscopy is recommended to diagnose structural disease such as peptic ulcer disease and malignancy.
The Surgilux device seals surgical wounds using an infrared laser, potentially reducing complications and infections associated with sutures. Early test results show promising results in brain and nerve surgery, paving the way for a new approach to repairing damaged nerves.
A new study by the New York City Health Department found that immigrant children are five times more likely to suffer from lead poisoning than U.S.-born children. The risk is highest among recent immigrants from countries with less stringent lead regulations, such as the Dominican Republic and Pakistan. To protect their children, paren...
A bone mineral density test given 15 years earlier predicted a woman's risk of developing fractures to her spine over time. More than half of the women with low BMD and existing spinal fractures developed new fractures over the 15-year study period, highlighting the importance of BMD testing for women over 50.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has approved home sleep testing as a tool to detect moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in select adults. Home sleep tests are recommended for adults between 18 and 65 with high pretest probability of OSA and no comorbid medical conditions.
A study found that 20% of lab tests accounted for 99% of results, making it easier to develop a common language for lab tests, such as LOINC. This standardization can bridge gaps in health data and improve healthcare information technology.
Researchers developed an open-source tool that catches programming errors using combinatorial testing, saving time and money for developers. The tool efficiently tests combinations of up to six variables, reducing the number of tests required by 99.9% compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have made a promising discovery in treating Batten disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder. By administering a drug that partially blocks AMPA receptors, they improved motor skills in diseased mice, paving the way for potential clinical trials and future treatments.
A study of 13,615 men and women found that good physical function after age 40 significantly lowers the risk of stroke. For every increase in physical function test scores, men experienced a 19% reduced risk of stroke, while women saw a 29% lower risk
Bowel cancer screening has significantly reduced emergency admissions and death rates in a UK pilot study. The study found that the number of emergency operations required halved, and the number of patients dying within 30 days also fell.
The new Chlamydia rapid test detects infection in over 4 out of 5 infected women, even without symptoms. The test can provide results in under 30 minutes and is up to twice as accurate as current tests.
A study by Yale researchers suggests that YKL-40 may play a role in severe asthma, with elevated levels correlating to increased inflammation and lung function. The discovery brings hope for developing a blood test to identify patients with severe asthma, which affects 2.5 million Americans.
The Aquatest project aims to provide individuals and communities with the information they need to identify unsafe water and take action. The test, which can detect E. coli contamination, will be available in developing countries within 10 years, leading to improved water management and a potential decline in water-borne diseases.
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that minority patients prefer optical colonoscopy (OC) over computed tomographic (CT) colonography for colorectal cancer screening. OC was associated with less discomfort, embarrassment, and pain compared to CT colonography.
Researchers aim to determine who is at risk for colorectal cancer and tailor screening tests accordingly. Dr. Thomas F. Imperiale advocates for more targeted approaches, such as using easily accessible factors like age and family medical history.
A computer-based method to evaluate the eye's ability to distinguish object details and shape in patients with AMD could provide a more accurate way to assess the effectiveness of eye surgery or vision rehabilitation interventions. The test might help detect early detection of AMD and estimate patient potential visual acuity.
A simple technique using the twinkle after-effect can accurately identify blind spots in people with retinal disease, helping patients seek timely treatment for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The method is inexpensive, accessible, and can be used daily by patients to detect changes in their vision.
Researchers have discovered that vitamin supplementation can temporarily improve lung function in smokers. In contrast, athletic activity has been shown to strengthen respiratory muscles and enhance lung function. Additionally, light to moderate drinking may also be associated with better lung function, according to a recent study.
A recent study found significant discrepancies between the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) guidelines and prepared dysphagia diet foods (DDFs), which may lead to malnutrition and aspiration. The researchers tested four different DDFs and found that only one aligns with NDD guidelines, prompting a change in the hospital's food selection p...
A new study has found a strong association between iron deficiency and idiopathic cough in women. Italian researchers evaluated 16 healthy, non-smoking women who suffered from chronic cough and were iron deficient, finding that these symptoms were strongly linked to extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness.
A new 'Twinkle' eye test has been developed to detect vision loss in people with age-related macular disease (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The test relies on a visual illusion that can identify regions of the eye with vision loss, and its results indicate it could be a powerful diagnostic tool.
Researchers found that patients with COPD commonly receive the same medication prescriptions, regardless of whether they've undergone spirometry testing. Modified Tai Chi exercises may also improve exercise capacities and quality of life in patients with COPD.
Scientists have discovered a simple method for detecting vision loss in patients with retinal disease, utilizing the induced twinkle after-effect. This technique, already proven effective in 75% of cases, allows patients to identify visual defects at home before seeking medical attention.
Scientists have discovered that tiny hair-like cell structures known as cilia are essential for our sense of touch. The study found that mice lacking functional cilia responded more slowly to physical sensations, and patients with inherited conditions affecting cilia also had different sensation thresholds.
A new study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that random drug and alcohol testing among high school athletes did not reduce past month or year use. In fact, students at schools with regular testing reported feeling less athletically competent and believed less in the benefits of drug testing.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a blood test that can identify changes in proteins in blood plasma, indicating an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The test showed 90% accuracy in matching clinical diagnoses and predicting the onset of the disease two to six years in advance.
Researchers found that people programmed to love chocolate have a distinct metabolic profile, including low LDL-cholesterol and elevated albumin levels. The study's findings could lead to personalized diets tailored to an individual's metabolic type.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study found that professional welders who work in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation may be at risk for losing their sense of smell. The study, which used a standardized test to evaluate olfactory function, found that nearly 90% of welders had impaired smell function.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed Vocal Joystick, a device that uses voice commands to control cursor movement and other screen interactions. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, allowing experienced users to achieve similar levels of control as those using traditional interfaces.
A new version of the colon cancer screening test effectively detects colorectal cancer and may replace the current unrehydrated guaiac test. The fecal immunochemical test had a sensitivity of 81.8% for detecting colorectal cancers, outperforming the guaiac test's 64.3% sensitivity rate.
A new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggests that secondhand smoke exposure at home increases the risk of test failure in teens. Exposure to secondhand smoke decreased the odds of passing standardized achievement tests by 30 percent in 16- and 18-year-olds.
A new blood test has been developed to detect lung cancer in its earliest stage, promising improved diagnosis and treatment options. The test targets the Human Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) ß-Hydroxylase protein, which is abnormally expressed on the surface of cancer cells.
Researchers found that the widely-used numeric rating scale (NRS) fails to identify about a third of patients with pain serious enough to impair day-to-day functioning. The study highlights the limitations of universal pain screening and suggests that other methods may be more effective in addressing this common problem in primary care.
Uninsured community health center patients often have difficulty accessing specialty services even after a doctor determines they need them. In contrast, those with private insurance or Medicaid face fewer barriers to accessing these services.
A team of researchers, led by Wake Forest University Professor Brad Jones, has developed a handheld device that can detect and identify radioactive particles. The device uses an atomic emission spectrometer to analyze environmental samples, providing rapid field testing capabilities.
A new technique to diagnose hearing loss is being developed at Purdue University, reflecting more natural listening situations with visual cues. The research aims to improve therapy and interventions, such as cochlear implants, for individuals with hearing loss.
A new study by Ohio State University Medical Center found that nearly 40% of varsity athletes tested positive for exercise-induced asthma, including those without a prior history of the condition. The study highlights the need for routine diagnosis and management tools to detect this potentially serious condition among athletes.