Articles tagged with Medical Tests
A simple blood test can identify millions of patients with previously undetected diabetes, according to a new study. The test, HgA1c, accurately indicates blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months and detects at least 75 percent of cases of diabetes.
Researchers quantified needle grasp by measuring pullout force, finding that two types of needle rotation had greater effects than no manipulation. These findings suggest a potential role for manual needle manipulation in acupuncture therapy.
A comprehensive survey of brain death diagnosis in adults worldwide reveals significant variations in procedures, including differences in required physicians, observation time, and confirmatory tests. These discrepancies may be due to collective decisions by task forces or cultural attitudes, highlighting the need for standardization.
A recent study revealed that screening high-risk patients for diabetes may not be cost-effective, with a low yield and high cost. Additionally, a quality intervention to improve depression care was ineffective in real-world settings, highlighting the need for system changes to close care gaps.
A study of 73 postmenopausal women found no significant changes in serum estrogen, cortisol, or follicle stimulating hormone levels after consuming soy protein for up to 6 months. Circulating thyroid hormone levels were modestly increased in those taking the highest dose of soy isoflavones.
Fewer than half the physicians surveyed thought early detection would reduce mortality rates. Routine screening was often offered due to perceived standard of care or fear of malpractice lawsuits.
A new study found that eliminating gatekeepers in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) does not necessarily increase costs. In contrast to traditional HMOs, point-of-service plans with open physician panels showed comparable spending on medical care expenditures, including physician services, hospital services, and prescription drugs.
A study published in Neurology found that electrical brain stimulation increased 'on' motor function by 29 percent and improved 'off' motor function by 38 percent in Parkinson's patients. The treatment reduced the severity of fluctuations in motor symptoms, allowing patients to complete tasks faster and improve their overall mobility.
A low-tech handheld refractometer can detect counterfeit malaria drugs and has the potential to be used to test mass batches of drugs imported from overseas. The device is relatively inexpensive and simple to use, making it a viable option for people in developing countries with limited resources.
Acupuncture was found to significantly reduce sympathetic nerve activity in critically ill chronic heart failure patients, but blood pressure and heart rate remained unaffected. Further study is needed to confirm the treatment's effectiveness and potential benefits for patients with severe heart failure.
Researchers found that aspirin does not reduce costs and increase life expectancy for colorectal cancer prevention. Regular screening tests remain highly effective and cost-effective, even for patients taking aspirin for other reasons.
A recent study found that individuals with hookworm infections were half as likely to develop asthma compared to those without the infection. The researchers suggest that hookworms may alter the body's response to allergens, leading to reduced inflammation and increased resistance to asthma.
A study of severely obese children found abnormalities in their arteries, including stiffness and reduced elasticity, linked to heart disease and strokes. The authors warn that childhood obesity is a growing concern, translating to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality if left unchecked.
A recent study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that energy consumption from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats enhances memory performance in healthy elderly individuals. The researchers discovered that fat improved attention while protein enhanced recall over time.
The top countries in academic paper production are US, Italy, UK, Japan, and France. The study analyzed papers published between 1995-1999 and found that North America produced more phase I studies while Europe dominated phase III studies. Italy's performance was attributed to its large number of physicians involved in cancer treatment.
A two-year study found that first-year medical students who received visual training on detailed artworks improved their observational skills by 10 percent. This improvement enabled them to make correct diagnoses without relying on costly blood tests and x-rays.
A recent study found that 10% of pregnancies in healthy women remained undetectable by early pregnancy tests, even when using sensitive methods. The researchers analyzed daily urine specimens to pinpoint the day of implantation, which occurs roughly nine days after fertilization.
Students at IIT's Interprofessional Program developed a blood sniffing e-nose that can identify hundreds of specific scent signatures, potentially cutting testing time down to minutes. The technology uses electronic noses sensitive to microscopic particles, similar to the receptors in the human nose.
Players of the game are more likely to call 911 or see a doctor in case of an actual heart attack. The most interactive version shows the strongest gains, shifting intentions towards quick action and improved understanding of symptoms.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have successfully bred mice with both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the key pathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The double transgenic mouse model provides a more complete representation of human AD and will enable researchers to test therapies aimed at preventing or halting progression.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that 88.5% of patients admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure underwent left ventricular testing, but only 23% received target doses of ACE inhibitors as prescribed in clinical trials. This underdosing rate is lower than previously reported rates in Europe and the US.
Researchers have developed a new fertility test kit that measures natural levels of fertility in couples trying to conceive. The kit assesses the concentration of motile sperm in men and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in women, providing an early warning system for potential infertility issues.
A study reveals that nearly half of all emergency department visits involve drinking before arrival, with significant correlations to self-harm, assaults, and hospital admissions. The findings suggest a growing trend among women who drink at lower levels than men, contributing to alarming rates of alcohol-related deaths in Scotland.
Researchers developed a rapid ELISPOT assay to detect T cells responding to ESAT-6 protein, which is absent in BCG vaccine strains. The new test shows stronger correlation with exposure intensity than existing tuberculin skin test (TST), providing potential for improved tuberculosis control and targeted preventative therapy.
Researchers have developed a new test, SUTI, that can accurately diagnose male infertility by detecting high levels of ubiquitin antibodies on the surface of sperm cells. This method could lead to more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatment for couples struggling with infertility.
A new study published in JAMA found that steroid hormone drug fludrocortisone does not alleviate symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), particularly neurally mediated hypotension (NMH). Researchers recommend further testing of other drugs or drug combinations to benefit CFS patients with NMH.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new pharmaceutical 'smart bomb' that targets cancer cells using an improved prodrug delivery system. The system uses nitroreductase as the activating trigger, guaranteeing a direct hit on cancerous cells and minimizing damage to normal cells.
Current diagnostic criteria for diabetes are based on morning measurements, but patients tested in the afternoon may have higher fasting plasma glucose levels, leading to incorrect diagnoses. The study suggests that applying current criteria to afternoon patients could miss up to half of undiagnosed cases.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that 78% of patients with IBS had excessive bacteria in the small intestine. Treatment with antibiotics reduced symptoms in most patients, suggesting a strong association between SIBO and IBS.
A study by UCLA researchers found that androstenedione supplements can contain a contaminant linked to banned steroid nandrolone. The study tested 37 healthy men, revealing that 20 of their urine samples contained enough 19-norandrosterone to test positive for steroid use.
A new non-invasive skin test can measure cholesterol levels in just three minutes, potentially offering a simple way to assess risk of heart disease. The test found that those with the highest skin cholesterol levels also had the greatest number of diseased arteries.
A study found that lead exposure on the job can cause progressive declines in memory and learning abilities nearly two decades later. The effects of lead were seen even after exposure had stopped, suggesting a progressive impact on the brain.
A new study published in Neurology reveals that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients lose cognitive ability and report increased mental fatigue after repeated testing. Researchers attribute this decline to fluctuations in glucose supply and metabolism, which affect brain performance.
A recent study conducted at Indiana University Medical Center found that high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem-cell transplantation can achieve a durable remission in approximately 50% of patients with recurrent testicular cancer. The overall cure rate for these patients is now estimated to be around 85 percent.
A study found that physician encouragement and accurate information about colorectal cancer risks increased women's willingness to undergo screening. Women who were urged by their physicians to be screened had a substantially higher rate of recent screening, with 64% participating in the previous two years.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a compact disc that can analyze blood samples and store medical information, using tiny reservoirs and channels to mix fluids. The technology enables the CD to measure glucose levels, store data, and even calibrate sensors.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new antibody test to help diagnose autonomic disorders caused by the immune system. The test detects antibodies that bind to an important protein on autonomic nerve cells, helping physicians evaluate patients with autonomic failure.
Research in Occupational and Environmental Medicine shows that prolonged wakefulness impairs reaction times, accuracy, coordination, and attention span, similar to levels of alcohol intoxication. The effects are thought to be cumulative and pose a serious risk to safety, particularly in transportation settings.
Researchers created a triple-threat drug that takes multiple approaches to combat brain cell death associated with stroke. The drug, SUN N8075, blocks calcium and sodium channels and acts as a strong antioxidant, preventing further damage.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors seven innovators, including Walt Disney and Steve Wozniak, for their contributions to the personal computer, animation, and medical breakthroughs. The inductees' inventions have improved quality-of-life materials and technologies.
Researchers found that 19 out of 47 people with mild cognitive impairment who had difficulty identifying smells went on to develop Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the inability to recognize smells, combined with a lack of awareness about impaired olfactory senses, may be used as a predictor of impending Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers warn that children born with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) may be at risk for progressive hearing loss, even if standard auditory testing proves normal in the first weeks of life. Periodic hearing tests every six months until age 3 are recommended to avoid delayed diagnosis and its associated costs.
A University of Michigan study suggests that patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea may not always describe their symptoms as 'sleepy', but rather experience fatigue, tiredness, or lack of energy. Laboratory sleep tests revealed interrupted breathing patterns in 73% of the study's subjects.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a new diagnostic test for lupus using SR proteins as biomarkers. The color-coded test can identify 50-70% of undiagnosed lupus patients, promising to bridge the detection gap.
A new trial will compare the effectiveness of three colon cancer detection methods: air contrast barium enema, traditional colonoscopy, and virtual colonoscopy. The study aims to determine which method is most accurate, tolerable and cost-effective for detecting polyps and lesions in the colon.
Research on a monkey vaccine for anthrax suggests that while vaccinated individuals may survive an attack, they could become severely ill, posing a burden on the military. The US Army Medical Research Institute's 1991 test found that monkeys given the vaccine became sick for up to two weeks after inhaling anthrax spores.
A fatal tropical disease has infected large numbers of foxhounds in the US, causing skin lesions, hair loss, and joint issues. At least 12% of dogs have antibodies suggesting exposure to the parasite, with 2% showing a strong response, prompting public health officials to recommend quarantine or euthanasia.
A study suggests a link between Gulf War veterans' circulation and chronic fatigue, with abnormal blood pressure responses to mental effort tests. Veterans with chronic fatigue showed blunted blood pressure increases during mental tasks, contributing to their exhaustion.
Researchers have discovered chemical cousins of an antimalarial drug that show promise in treating serious antibiotic-resistant infections. The compounds, originally developed to treat malaria and other parasitic infections, have been found to be as active as many currently used drugs against a range of bacteria, including staphylococc...
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center have developed a more reliable way to measure physical fitness in elderly people. The new method, called OUES, calculates oxygen uptake efficiency slope and can be completed without requiring maximum effort, making it suitable for patients with heart disease or kidney failure.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine implemented an STD study program that set up booths in community gathering places to offer urine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The program identified 24 people with the diseases, most of whom were unaware they were infected, and successfully treated 90% of them.
A University at Buffalo study found that men with testicular cancer are two-thirds less likely to have fathered a live infant and nine times more likely to have been diagnosed as infertile than healthy controls. The research contradicts earlier findings that showed no relationship between fertility and testicular cancer diagnosis.
Two studies found that voluntary counseling and testing significantly reduces unprotected intercourse among HIV individuals and couples, with behavior changes maintained over time. The studies also estimate the intervention's cost-effectiveness, finding it averts infections and saves lives at a lower cost than other HIV interventions.
A recent UT Southwestern Medical Center study found that 20% of women with lower urinary-tract symptoms, including incontinence, had undiagnosed bladder obstructions. The researchers used urodynamics testing to identify the subset of women who would benefit from more specialized treatment.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers shows a simple breath test can distinguish between patients who metabolize chemotherapy drugs normally and those who require lower doses for safety. The technique, which measures exhaled carbon dioxide, has promising advantages in reducing toxicity in patients.
The journal features novel approaches to analyzing complex peptides, such as pramlintide, and developing injectable implants for sustained drug release. Liposomes are also explored as carriers for antimicrobial peptides like Leucinostatin A.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found evidence of brain-stem damage in Gulf War veterans who experience dizziness, suggesting that the symptoms are caused by chemical and nerve agent exposure. The study also highlights a higher risk of death in motor vehicle accidents among these veterans.
Experts say independent scientific panels can provide valuable insights for judges in complex cases, helping them make fair judgments. A panel of scientists advised a judge on silicone breast implants and found no evidence of a link between the implants and connective tissue diseases.
Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have demonstrated that computer crash simulation software can successfully predict the likelihood and severity of injuries to children from airbag activation. The study found that airbags pose a significant risk to restrained children, particularly in high-severity crashes.
A simple blood test identified patients who benefited markedly from glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet inhibitor drugs, showing a 50% improvement in risk of death and second heart attack. Patients with high troponin T levels were found to be at increased risk and benefit most from these drugs.