Articles tagged with Medical Tests
A study by the University of Alberta has found that giving people drugs to treat back pain can improve performance. The research team led by Dr. Saifee Rashiq ran a randomized controlled trial where participants were injected with a strong narcotic painkiller and completed the Sorensen test, showing a significant increase in functional...
A study of 800 young male army recruits found that nearly 10% could have chlamydia infection, with a higher proportion than previously reported having asymptomatic cases. Infected men were equally active sexually as the general population.
Researchers have successfully completed the first phase of a clinical trial using a microelectronic retinal prosthesis, which is intended to restore vision in patients with severe eye diseases. The device, developed by Second Sight, LLC, has shown promising results, including the ability to detect light and distinguish between objects.
Researchers have developed a new colon cancer screening method that eliminates the need for cathartic cleansing, reducing patient discomfort. The innovative approach uses barium to tag fecal matter left in the colon, making it easier to detect polyps with low residue diets and reduced-hydration regimens.
A recent study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that cognitive decline immediately after coronary artery bypass surgery is transient and reversible. The researchers tested patients before and after surgery using various neuropsychological tests to measure memory and other cognitive abilities.
A new six-month study investigates continuous combined oral contraception for its potential to prevent periods easily and safely. The study hopes to show whether breakthrough bleeding ceases in women taking this new regimen.
Researchers found lasting cognitive deficits in individuals who started smoking marijuana before age 17. Those who began using marijuana at a younger age performed significantly worse on tests assessing verbal functions compared to those who started later or used it sparingly.
A study by Makrina Savvidou and colleagues found that impaired placental blood flow precedes pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Raised concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are strongly associated with reduced arterial dilation and increased risk of pre-eclampsia.
Researchers studied 987 patients and found that those with multiple potential causes of syncope died earlier than those with a single cause. The study identified predictors such as older age, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac medication use.
Researchers found A-beta plaques in lenses from Alzheimer's patients, similar to those in brain tissue. The discovery could lead to a non-invasive test for disease diagnosis and tracking.
A study found that patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) who have reduced cardiac output and blood volume may exhibit decreased left ventricular function. The researchers used nuclear ventriculography to assess the heart's functioning in CFS patients and healthy controls during exercise and postural stress.
A new rapid blood test, ELISPOT, developed by Ajit Lalvani and colleagues at the University of Oxford is more effective than the century-old skin-prick test for diagnosing TB infection. The test enables early detection of people infected with TB, preventing them from developing active tuberculosis.
A recent study found that high levels of Lp-PLA2 and CRP are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, even in patients with 'normal' LDL cholesterol levels. The study used the PLAC test to measure Lp-PLA2 levels in participants and found significant associations between Lp-PLA2, hs-CRP, and CHD incidence.
A new study conducted in 33 Michigan hospitals shows significant improvements in the use of proven treatments and lifestyle counseling for heart attack patients. The study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, found that hospitals that implemented a system of reminders and checklists saw increases in ...
A new study by Dartmouth researchers finds that more American men are screened for prostate cancer than for colorectal cancer, contradicting scientific evidence. The study, which analyzed data from over 50,000 men, reveals a significant disparity in screening rates between the two cancers.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered an RNA decoy strategy to divert the NF-kappaB protein, which plays a negative role in disease activation. This approach has potential as a novel drug development method for cancer, AIDS, and inflammatory diseases.
A study found that 75% of men aged 50 and older reported undergoing PSA testing, compared to 63% for colorectal cancer screening. The mismatch between screening rates highlights the need for better patient education on effective cancer tests.
Despite preferring virtual colonoscopy due to its less invasive nature, patients generally dislike the bowel preparation required for both tests. The study found that most patients reported little pain or difficulty with either procedure, but many expressed discomfort with the advance bowel preparation.
Research finds that lower socioeconomic status groups take longer to recover from stress-induced blood pressure increases, leading to heightened disease risk. The study suggests that adapting quickly to stress is crucial in reducing biological damage.
A single-visit approach combining visual inspection with acetic acid wash (VIA) followed by cryotherapy shows promising results in rural Thailand, with 94% of women testing negative for VIA at one year's follow-up. The program is safe, acceptable, and feasible, achieving moderate population coverage with high satisfaction rates.
ApoB is a more robust indicator of cardiac events than cholesterol levels, according to MUHC cardiologists. Measuring apoB can help identify patients at risk of heart attacks even if their cholesterol levels are well-controlled.
A comprehensive analysis found that Medicare enrollees in higher-spending regions don't have better access to or quality of care, nor do they have better survival rates. In fact, those in higher-spending regions were less likely to receive preventive services.
Researchers found that bystanders correctly administered the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) directions 96% of the time, detecting key symptoms like arm weakness and slurred speech. This ability can allow untrained adults to act as 'eyes and ears' for emergency dispatchers, potentially improving stroke diagnosis and treatment.
Most prematurely born children show significant improvements in cognitive abilities, such as verbal comprehension and intelligence tests, between ages 3 and 8. Environmental factors like increasing age, maternal education, and absence of brain injury are linked to higher scores.
Researchers discovered that many nonagenarians (people 90-99 years old) are free of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, with some performing in the superior range on cognitive tests. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) also exists in this age group, but features similar characteristics to those seen in younger individuals.
A new trial found that routine electronic fetal monitoring, known as admission cardiotocography, has no impact on infant death or moderate to severe illness rates. The practice may also increase the risk of unnecessary interventions during childbirth.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh researchers investigated the recovery process in high school athletes with mild concussions. The study found that athletes with longer-lasting on-field symptoms had longer-lasting post-injury symptoms and were more likely to experience significant cognitive declines.
Elderly persons who developed dementia showed similar performance in word pair memory tests without semantic link as those without dementia. However, implicit recall tests improved prediction of dementia risk. Researchers recommend using memory tests that also consider semantic and implicit memory.
A rapid diagnostic test for plague has been developed to detect antigens at low concentrations within 15 minutes of infection. The test is 100% sensitive and reliable, detecting more infections than conventional laboratory assessments and providing opportunities for bioterrorism preparedness and response.
Researchers developed a technique that uses acoustic energy to kill bacteria on medical instruments, reducing the need for heat and chemicals. The method achieved a 90% kill rate using a combination of pressure and isopropyl alcohol, with potential benefits for minimizing infection risk and reducing equipment downtime.
A new test protocol has been shown to accurately diagnose chest pain in emergency patients, with a 100% sensitivity rating for heart attacks. The protocol's accelerated evaluation tool may reduce hospital admissions and improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers link chronic fatigue syndrome to an impaired stress response, finding lower levels of a key hormone in patients. The study suggests that future research should investigate the role of cortisol in the condition.
A large randomized trial found no improvement in cognitive function among postmenopausal women with coronary disease after four years of hormone replacement therapy. The study provides no evidence regarding the effect of estrogen-only therapy on cognition, contradicting some previous studies that showed an improvement in younger women
A study of 51 participants found that serving food on an individual plate with varying portion sizes led to less eating than when participants served themselves. The authors suggest developing strategies to limit portion sizes in restaurants and at home to combat the national obesity epidemic.
A new study found that nearly 50% of wells labeled as unsafe actually contained safe drinking water. Researchers recommend using more accurate testing methods to ensure water safety in the region.
Researchers study soccer heading to understand cognitive decline and long-term brain damage risks. The study found linear accelerations of 15-20 G's and angular accelerations of 1,000-2,000 radians per second squared, values below established injury thresholds.
A study comparing two short screening instruments for alcohol-use disorders found that the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4) is more effective than the CAGE questionnaire, particularly among women and ethnic minorities. The RAPS4-QF variant performed significantly better in identifying alcohol abuse across all gender and service-ut...
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a plumbing system for microfluidic chips using dielectrophoresis, allowing for efficient movement and mixing of tiny droplets. The system uses electrostatic attraction to divide water into dozens of droplets and position them on a chip for diagnostic tests.
Researchers develop technology to characterize unknown bacteria, helping astronauts stay healthy in space. The system predicts bacteria's source and identifies potential infection risks.
A new testing method for Johne's disease has been developed, allowing farmers to classify test results into five levels and make more informed decisions about cow management. This method enables the efficient handling of a large number of samples and saves farmers money by reducing the need for fecal culture tests.
Researchers have found that ceramic-to-ceramic hip implants are more durable than metal-on-polyethylene replacements, with a 4,000-fold increase in durability. A large-scale clinical trial showed no postoperative bearing fractures or particles flaking off, indicating potential benefits for younger patients.
The article highlights the need for guidelines on human test subjects in chemical and biological warfare research. Bioethicists emphasize the importance of fair and humane treatments, including ensuring subject competency and freedom of choice.
A study projects that increasing BMD testing for women with osteoporosis or osteopenia would reduce fractures by 6,683 over three years and result in net Medicare savings of $15.5 million. This could lead to increased patient benefits while reducing costs.
Researchers found that fructose intolerance causes abnormal hydrogen gas in breath and gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. A low-fructose diet or antibiotic therapy may be recommended for symptomatic patients.
Research suggests that drinking water can improve a person's ability to stand and reduce the likelihood of fainting, particularly for individuals who donate blood. Healthy participants were tested using tilt-table testing, with results showing an average increase of 40.9 minutes in tolerated standing time when hydrated.
The tolerance-hyperbaric test (THT) can identify pregnant women at high risk for gestational high blood pressure and preeclampsia up to 23 weeks before clinical confirmation. The test's sensitivity reaches 99% by the third trimester, providing early prevention opportunities.
Research explores vision loss and its impact on driving skills, finding correlations between mental tracking ability and driving measures. Glaucoma patients with normal visual acuity but reduced contrast sensitivity may also struggle with driving skills.
A study of 52 patients found no clinically significant cognitive decline after CABG surgery, contrary to previous reports. The researchers attributed the lack of decline to general medical care and reduced vascular risk factors.
Researchers found that women with higher fitness levels showed a blunted systolic blood pressure response during the hand/ice water test, which could help predict future hypertension risk. Fitness levels did not affect blood pressure changes during other tests, but increased heart rates in fitter participants.
The FDA has cleared a new diagnostic test that aims to detect 20% of SLE cases that previously went undiagnosed due to the limitations of existing blood tests. The test, developed by Mark Roth, uses molecules called SR proteins as biomarkers, improving doctors' ability to make accurate diagnoses and predict disease flare-ups.
A recent study found that alcoholics experience a 'blunted' cortisol response after undergoing stressful tasks, which can lead to memory impairments. The researchers also discovered that the number of alcohol withdrawals is a strong predictor of memory deficits, but not problem-solving ability.
A seven-year study found that elderly individuals with depressive symptoms were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and experienced rapid cognitive decline. The risk of developing AD increased by 20% for each additional symptom.
Space motion sickness affects 70% of first-time space travelers, causing nausea, vomiting, and cognitive impairment. Researchers are testing four drugs to find a safe alternative that reduces symptoms without affecting reaction time or memory.
A novel immunoassay for FLC molecules has been developed and assessed for its sensitivity, latex-enhancement, and turbidimetric techniques. The new assay improves upon existing clinical laboratory tests for FLCs in identifying and monitoring patients with multiple myeloma and other diseases.
A new blood test for congestive heart failure has shown high accuracy in diagnosing the condition, with nearly 90% of cases correctly identified. The BNP test detects elevated levels of a hormone released by the heart ventricles when pressure rises, and has been proven effective in emergency rooms worldwide.
The American College of Physicians recommends screening adults over 50 for colorectal cancer. The Task Force identified two screening methods that have been shown to reduce death from colorectal cancer: the fecal occult blood test and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults over 50 be screened for colorectal cancer using methods like the fecal occult blood test or flexible sigmoidoscopy. The Task Force also notes that clot-busting drugs and angioplasty are underused in certain patient groups, particularly women and specific types of heart at...
A population-based study suggests that a diet high in foods containing vitamin E may help protect against Alzheimer's disease, with the most significant protective effect found among those with the lowest dietary vitamin E intake. The study also found no association between vitamin E supplements and reduced risk of AD.
The U-M artificial lung has improved blood flow and reduced risk of clotting, showing encouraging results in sheep tests. The device could potentially bridge lung disease patients to transplant, reducing the average wait time from two years.
A phase II trial demonstrated the therapeutic benefit of an angiogenic growth factor in patients with painful blockages in the legs. Treated patients showed significant increases in peak walking times and improved scores in a blood pressure index, suggesting improved perfusion.