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Study shines new light on old drug for trauma care

A new study has found that the drug tranexamic acid significantly improves survival rates among severely injured patients, with approximately four extra survivors for every 100 treated with the medication. However, the long-term outcomes of care and quality of life remain a concern, highlighting the need for further research.

SourceMonash University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 14, 2023

Millions of patients do not have full recovery of smell or taste senses after COVID infection, study finds

A retrospective analysis of national data found that over 20 million Americans experienced loss of smell or taste after COVID infection, with a large portion never fully recovering these senses. The study estimated that almost 28 million Americans may be left with decreased sense of smell after COVID infection.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalThe Laryngoscope·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

Decreased decision-to-incision time for non-emergent cesarean deliveries improves maternal and fetal outcomes for Black and Hispanic patients

A new study from Boston Medical Center found that implementing a streamlined process for urgent cesarean deliveries improved infant Apgar scores, particularly for Black and Hispanic infants. The study reduced decision-to-incision time by 64% among all patients, with the largest improvements seen in Black and Hispanic patients.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 12, 2023

Accuracy of AI in estimating best-corrected visual acuity from fundus photographs in eyes with diabetic macular edema

Researchers developed an AI model to estimate best-corrected visual acuity from fundus photographs in patients with diabetic macular edema, achieving accuracy within one to two lines on a standard chart. The study's findings support the potential of AI in clinical settings, with opportunities for further improvement.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJun 8, 2023

Incomplete imaging for transient ischemic attack emergencies increases stroke risk

A study found that patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) who received incomplete neurovascular imaging were at higher odds of experiencing a stroke within 90 days. The research, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, used Medicare claims data to analyze TIA emergency department encounters.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 8, 2023

In sync? Malaria parasite and human time clocks do align

A study by Florida Atlantic University and Duke University reveals that the malaria parasite's biological clock is 'in sync' with its human host's circadian clock. The researchers discovered a 'coupling' mechanism between the parasite and its host, which could lead to new treatments for this deadly disease.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

Does multimorbidity impact chronic disease treatment?

Researchers analyzed data from 120 clinical trials and found no evidence that treatment efficacies differ depending on the number of comorbidities. The study suggests that modest levels of comorbidities do not affect treatment outcomes, providing valuable insights for clinicians to make informed recommendations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 6, 2023

Facility dogs in children’s hospitals benefit both patients and staff

Researchers surveyed medical staff at a large Japanese children's hospital about their experiences with full-time hospital facility dogs, finding that they improve terminal care and patient cooperation. The study also reveals that HFDs help staff manage workload and encourage children to express themselves more.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateMay 31, 2023

New study highlights need for expanded application of prism adaptation treatment for spatial neglect

A retrospective case-matched study found prism adaptation therapy (PAT) to be beneficial for treating both right- and left-sided spatial neglect. PAT showed improvements in neglect symptoms for patients with right-sided neglect, suggesting greater potential benefits compared to those with left-sided neglect.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 31, 2023

1 in 3 adults with Type 2 diabetes may have undetected cardiovascular disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that elevated levels of two protein biomarkers associated with heart damage were linked to undetected or symptomless cardiovascular disease in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed health information and blood samples from over 10,300 adults and foun...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 31, 2023

Too few primary care doctors address obesity with their patients, highlighting need for weight loss tool

A new weight loss tool called PATHWEIGH was developed to address clinician barriers in providing patient care that addresses weight. The tool has shown early success and has been implemented in a health system's primary care clinics, improving weight management efforts among patients with obesity.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Very low carbohydrate diets can improve blood pressure, blood sugar levels and weight control compared to diets that only target hypertension

A randomized trial found that very low carbohydrate diets led to greater improvements in systolic blood pressure, glycemic control, and weight compared to the DASH diet. The addition of extra support did not have a statistically significant effect on outcomes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Leadless pacemakers soon available for all patients

An international consortium led by Amsterdam UMC has developed an improved version of the wireless pacemaker, enabling placement in both the atrium and ventricle of the heart. This innovation expands treatment options for patients with slow heart rhythms, improving contraction and reducing the need for multiple mini pacemakers.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2023

BU researchers identify brain marker indicating future suicide risk

Researchers have identified a brain marker that may indicate future suicide risk, suggesting potential new treatments and prevention strategies. The study found differences in brain connections among veterans with a history of suicide attempts compared to those without, which could help identify individuals at risk.

SourceBoston University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 17, 2023

A potential pathway to improved stroke recovery

A study published in Stroke identified two proteins, R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) and LGR4, that trigger a signaling pathway to reduce inflammation and promote neurite outgrowth in the ischemic brain. This discovery provides new hope for patients with ischemic stroke by targeting RSPO3/LGR4 signaling.

SourceOsaka University·JournalStroke·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2023

Researchers overcome stem cell delivery barrier, paving the way for regenerative medicine

Scientists have developed a new method to deliver genetic information to stem cells using nanoparticles coated with a specific polymer, enabling more efficient control over cellular differentiation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023

AJRCCM “Abstracts Issue” showcases research at the ATS 2023 International Conference

The American Thoracic Society International Conference Abstracts publication features selected abstracts on COPD treatment, including a study on improving depression through home-based pulmonary rehabilitation. The issue also highlights recent findings on sleep apnea severity, as well as research on health equity and access to care.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 1, 2023

Efficient synthesis of indole derivatives, an important component of most drugs, allows the development of new drug candidates

Researchers at Nagoya University have successfully developed an ultrafast and simple synthetic method for producing indole derivatives. The new microflow synthesis method enables precise control of short reaction times, limiting unwanted dimerization/multimerization and increasing the yield of desired products.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateApr 30, 2023

Russian researchers explain origins of dangerous coronavirus variants

Researchers have identified mechanisms behind the emergence of new and contagious coronavirus variants by analyzing over three million genome sequences. The study found that concordant substitutions occurring at other sites influence the likelihood of a substitution occurring at a specific site, leading to unexpected variant emergence.

AI in the ICU

A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University has developed an AI-based system to help clinicians make decisions quickly and precisely in the ICU. The system, called the AI Clinician Explorer, provides recommendations for treating sepsis based on data from over 18,000 patients.

LincRNA paints a target on diseased tissues

Researchers have discovered a novel feature of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) that can serve as markers indicating specific types of tissue. This finding has the potential to lead to highly specific disease treatments by targeting diseased tissues.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2023

Reduced access to TAVR to treat aortic stenosis in Canada compared to the US may affect mortality risk, potentially threatening lives

A new study comparing outcomes between Ontario and New York State found patients in Ontario more likely to die within a month of procedure due to inadequate availability and long wait times. The study suggests that improved access to TAVR may lead to better post-procedural outcomes.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 25, 2023

Neutralizing monoclonal antibody use and COVID-19 infection outcomes

A study of 167,000 non-hospitalized patients revealed that neutralizing monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 was associated with significant reductions in emergency department visits, hospitalization rates, and mortality. These findings suggest targeted risk stratification strategies may optimize future nMAb treatment decisions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 24, 2023

Achieving prevention and health, rather than more healthcare

Researchers found deaths from gallstone disease increased in younger populations and those with Medicaid after Medicaid expansion, highlighting the need for proactive prevention over reactive emergency care. A new healthcare model emphasizing primary care and prevention is proposed to address these inequities.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Surgical Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2023

Brain diseases are better classified using analysis of gene activity

Researchers at McGill University found that analyzing gene activity can classify brain diseases into five primary groups, improving diagnosis accuracy. The study identified previously unknown relationships among diseases, such as language development disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which share common genes and cell types.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023