Research on the tests that detect and monitor disease. Covers blood tests, cancer monitoring, emergency diagnostics, and new patent-pending assays.
Researchers have developed a new technique to spot contaminated corn by listening for telltale noises made by mouldy kernels when exposed to infrared strobe light. The method uses Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) and achieves a 96% accuracy in spotting clean and contaminated corn.
Research suggests that children who grow up in smoking households experience small but lasting negative effects on their health, including higher blood pressure and heart rate. The study found that even though the children were not exposed to tobacco smoke at home, they still had higher baseline rates, putting them at risk for hyperten...
Scientists are developing a new urine test that can detect chemical indicators of cancer. The test looks for derivatives of pteridine compounds, which change levels in the urine of cancer patients. This could lead to earlier diagnosis and monitoring of treatment progress.
Researchers have developed virtual reality technology to evaluate mental health problems, including Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairments. The study found that virtual reality tests showed no significant gender differences in performance.
Researchers at Ohio University develop a new way to measure reading and listening comprehension in brain injury victims by tracking their eye movements. The technique, which shows promise in spotting hidden understanding, is more effective than traditional methods.
A new retinal birefringence scanner can measure eye fixation independent of head position, allowing doctors to diagnose amblyopia in young children. The device has the potential to revolutionize communication and daily living for people with disabilities.
A lack of testing on children means doctors must prescribe 'off label', leaving them with uncertainty about the outcome. This also leads to liability for healthcare authorities rather than pharmaceutical companies.
The Rosalind Russell New Arthritis Treatment Program at UCSF is testing innovative therapies targeting specific cells that promote inflammation and joint damage. Current clinical trials focus on rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, with promising results expected to lead to nationwide approval.
Measuring the levels of inhibin-a and inhibin-b in older women shows a more sensitive test for reproductive potential compared to FSH. The research found that inhibin levels drop as women approach menopause, indicating a direct measure of ovarian function.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new test to accurately measure kidney function, enabling patients to spend less time in the clinic. The new procedure involves injecting a small amount of radioactive isotope solution and estimating how quickly it disappears from the blood and appears in the urine.
Researchers investigate whether testifying before the TRC leads to psychological healing, forgiveness, and improvement in distress. The study aims to determine the impact of testifying on anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A Northwestern University Medical School study found that low literacy levels were a significant predictor of having incurable prostate cancer among low-income white and black men. Poor reading skills were more prevalent among black men with advanced cancers, suggesting low literacy as a key factor in the disparity.
Lab tests conducted by Allan Butterfield show that vitamin E can prevent the death of brain cells exposed to a toxic protein found in Alzheimer's brains. The study suggests that antioxidants may be a key to unlocking better therapies for the devastating disease.
Researchers identified specific aspects of attention that help predict driving performance in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Those who scored poorly on attention tests also performed poorly on driving tests, highlighting the importance of attentional control in driving.
A University at Buffalo study found that men with systolic blood pressure not rising above 140 mm Hg during exercise had increased risk of dying from heart ailments within three years. Careful blood-pressure measurements during routine stress tests could help identify patients at risk, allowing for early intervention and potentially sa...
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that older men have more extensive prostate disease even if their PSA levels are the same as younger men. The study suggests that age should be an additional guide in deciding whether to do further testing for non-palpable prostate cancer.
A study of over 1,000 elderly patients found that one in 10 suffered memory loss and concentration issues for three months after major surgery. Cognitive decline was strongly correlated with a person's ability to take care of themselves, with those between 70-80 years old twice as likely to experience long-term mental impairment.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis studied 82 healthy adults aged 64-83 over 12 years, finding that most remained stable and only 40% developed cognitive deterioration. The study's key findings suggest that subtle changes in performance can signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to early intervention.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new test to assess rapid decision-making skills under heavy information load. The test, called the Abstract Decision Making task, was found to be predictive of performance in jobs such as emergency dispatching and air traffic control.
Researchers developed a new vision test to predict the likelihood of future crashes for individual older adults. Drivers with poor performance on the test, indicating an impaired useful field of view, were more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash within 3 years.
Researchers have developed a new test to measure corrosive free-radical activity in individuals, providing insight into antioxidant effectiveness. The test uses an isoprostane marker, IPF2alpha-I, which can be detected in urine, and has been validated through cross-validation with an older assay.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that two simple tests can detect carpal tunnel syndrome with high accuracy. The square-shaped wrist and abductor pollicis brevis (thenar) weakness tests are recommended as part of the examination for CTS, which is often caused by repetitive motion like typing.
A new liquid crystal assay developed at the University of California, Davis, can detect target molecules in test samples using minimal supplies and no electricity. The assay uses a microscopic landscape of hills and valleys to bend light and create colorful patterns, allowing for quick and easy analysis.
Researchers at University of Toronto developed a more accurate glucose intolerance testing method, providing consistent results and reducing nausea. The new standardized test meal will help detect changes in blood sugar before signs of diabetes develop.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions found that 2.5% of healthcare workers already experience allergic reactions to rubber gloves, while 10% are sensitized but asymptomatic. The study aims to identify and prevent these potentially life-threatening allergies.
Chlamydial infection is a leading sexually transmitted disease in the US, causing infertility and severe complications. Age-based screening has been shown to be cost-effective in identifying infected women without symptoms, preventing sequelae and saving lives.
A new blood test that measures troponin T, a protein released by dying heart muscle during heart attacks, can identify high-risk patients and predict long-term risk. The test has been shown to detect cardiac events or death within 30 days with high accuracy.
Hopkins neurologist Jeffrey Rothstein's team finds 65% of ALS patients have mutations in EAAT2 protein, which could lead to early diagnosis and treatment. The new test aims to detect these mutations in cerebrospinal fluid to enable doctors to check for ALS at first sign of symptoms.
The MiCK assay measures how light scatters off of leukemia cells to determine the effectiveness of drugs being used to attack the cells. This technique allows for more accurate identification of which drugs will be most effective for each patient, revolutionizing leukemia therapy.
Researchers found ill veterans performed worse in neuropsychological tests than healthy counterparts, indicating generalized brain damage. The study supports the theory that Gulf War syndrome represents neurological damage from chemical exposure, not psychological reactions.
Oregon Health Sciences University professor James T. Rosenbaum suggests two solutions to improve scientific expert testimony reliability: appointing experts or empaneling a group to advise the court. Using silicone breast implant litigation as an example, he emphasizes the importance of neutral expert panels and conflict disclosure.
Preliminary tests indicate that years of consuming PCB- and DDE-contaminated fish have had no negative effects on fine motor skills. A comprehensive study is ongoing to examine the effects of environmental contaminants on older people.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends reducing the annual frequency of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for men between 50 and 70 years old, as most don't need frequent tests to detect curable cancers. The guidelines suggest PSA testing every two years is sufficient to identify most men with curable prostate cancer.
An outbreak of food poisoning from contaminated hot chocolate vending machines led to the identification of B. cereus contamination. The bacteria thrived when exposed to warm water and remained on machine components, posing a risk to vulnerable populations. Periodic testing of vending machines is recommended.
Researchers are evaluating potential health effects of long-term mercury exposure on former workers and employees. The study aims to characterize how mercury affects the nervous system, kidney function, and reproductive system.
A new screening test can identify stroke victims in three minutes and facilitate faster treatment with clot-busting drugs. The Los Angeles Paramedic Stroke Screen has been shown to correctly diagnose ischemic strokes in 93% of cases, shortening time to actual treatment by an average of 90 minutes.
Scientists found that 65% of alcoholics preferred sweetest solution compared to 16% of non-alcoholics, linking liking sweets to increased propensity for alcohol consumption. Researchers hope to develop a predictive test using the sweet test to screen youngsters at risk of developing alcoholism.
A new study suggests that cognitive tests can predict which older adults will develop Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. Those who scored poorly on the tests were 11 times more likely to show symptoms of dementia two years later than their healthy counterparts.
A clinical trial by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that teenage girls with iron deficiency performed significantly better on verbal learning tests than those who took a placebo. The study suggests that even in the absence of anemia, iron deficiency may impair learning in adolescent females.
A Cincinnati bridge has become a national test site for researchers seeking better ways to monitor the nation's highways. The bridge's design is similar to tens of thousands of other bridges still in use, making it an ideal test site. It was found that daily temperature changes can be just as devastating as heavy traffic loads.
A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that positive messages nearly doubled the pain threshold and tolerance of both groups, while negative messages lowered it. The results suggest that addressing both biological and emotional causes is crucial for pain treatment.
A study found that aerobic exercise programs improve cardiovascular function in sedentary older people, even those with less reserve mechanisms to augment their heart function. The results suggest that it's never too late to benefit from exercise and improve cardiac fitness, regardless of age or prior physical conditioning.
Researchers tested bovine tuberculosis diagnosis methods, finding similarities in cattle responses to three tuberculins. Swine were found susceptible to M. bovis infection through meat consumption.
Researchers are assessing the audiological and educational benefits of the DigiFocus, a revolutionary device that adjusts automatically to different noise levels. The study aims to show that children with hearing loss will benefit from this technology and accelerate their speech, language, and social development.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that testosterone replacement therapy may improve visual and spatial skills, as well as verbal fluency and memory in men with low testosterone. The findings suggest a potential role for testosterone in cognitive function and brain function.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that mental stress testing identifies patients at high risk for cardiac events, which are often missed by standard exercise tests. The study reveals a large subgroup of at-risk heart patients who are not being identified by standard treadmill testing.