Articles tagged with Medical Treatments
A new study found that vulnerable workers react to unfair claims processes with confusion, anger, and disappointment, highlighting the need for improved communication and support. The research aims to inform worker compensation systems and policymakers to address procedural unfairness and promote better outcomes for injured workers.
A cross-sectional study of 60 new therapeutic agents found no association between research and development investments and treatment costs. The study's findings suggest that drug companies should make further data available to justify high prices.
A public consultation is launched to develop best-practice standards for diverse and inclusive healthcare datasets used in Artificial Intelligence. The project aims to reduce biases that affect patients from minoritised racial/ethnic groups, ensuring they receive accurate predictions and treatments.
A study at the University of Helsinki found that people accept human nurses overruling patient autonomy but reject similar decisions made by robots. The researchers suggest that human empathy is required to consider robot-made solutions equally acceptable as those made by humans. The findings imply that machines cannot comprehensively ...
Researchers analyzed changes in substance use disorder treatment admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing significant disparities by sex and ethnicity. The study highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches to address these inequities and ensure equitable access to care.
A new study found that placing a monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients could lower their highest monthly healthcare bills by 50-60%. A $500 monthly limit would affect about 25% of enrollees and reduce in-network OOP costs over a year by 46%, while a $250 limit would show a 51% reduction.
A study at the University of Helsinki found that periodontitis has a particular link with diabetes and accelerates its progression. The research highlights the importance of considering general and oral health as a whole in healthcare to achieve better treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a super-fast MRI scan that can diagnose patients with heart failure in record time. The new 4D heart MRI scan takes just eight minutes to produce detailed images of the heart valves and blood flow, helping doctors determine the best course of treatment.
The US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade may limit medical treatment options for patients with rheumatic diseases, as abortion bans take effect in more states. Providers will need to balance evidence-based clinical recommendations with personal and professional risks of violating reproductive rights.
Researchers at POSTECH have developed a method to engineer organs at scale using bioprinting, overcoming previous limitations of small tissue size and functional complexity. This innovation holds promise for personalized treatment of patients with the potential to create more realistic engineered organs.
A study published in JAMA Health Forum found that out-of-state telemedicine visits among Medicare patients surged during the pandemic, with 422,000 out-of-state visits recorded in 2021. These visits were most common among patients living near state borders and those seeking primary care and mental health treatment.
The NIH is launching a $8 million prize competition to develop technologies improving postpartum healthcare in areas with limited access to maternity care. Diagnostic devices and wearables are prioritized to detect conditions like heart-related conditions, infection, and bleeding during the first year after delivery.
Non-traditional lifestyle interventions, such as physical activity, sleep habits and nutrition, can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. These interventions are cost-effective, versatile, and can be implemented by both licensed and non-licensed providers.
A study led by Singapore scientists found that Neisseria, a genus of bacteria once considered harmless, can cause infections in patients with bronchiectasis, asthma, and COPD. The research team identified a specific subgroup of Neisseria called N. subflava as the main culprit behind worsening disease outcomes.
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, is honored with the TCT Career Achievement Award for his transformative work in interventional cardiology and patient care. He has made significant global contributions to cardiovascular medicine.
The study found a significant decline in peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis rates over time, with consistent differences in risk by race and age. The decline suggests improvements in clinical practice and highlights the importance of uniform coding standards to identify additional risk factors.
The University of Ottawa-led team aims to bridge the gap between heart and brain health by developing new diagnostic tools and treatments. They will focus on improving patient outcomes for disorders linked to both organs.
A budget impact analysis found that catheter-based TAVR is an affordable and effective strategy for treating aortic stenosis patients, with lower total costs compared to surgical SAVR. The study showed that the upfront cost of TAVR is partially offset by reduced healthcare resources, making it a more efficient option.
A study of 2.4 million Medicare beneficiaries found that those enrolled in Medicare Advantage had lower rates of low-value care, including unnecessary tests and treatments. This study highlights the potential benefits of Medicare Advantage plans in reducing waste in healthcare.
Researchers have identified two effective antibodies that neutralize all known strains of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron variants. These breakthrough antibodies could eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen immune systems, especially in at-risk populations.
A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...
A prespecified subgroup analysis of East Asian adults with lupus nephritis found that belimumab added to standard therapy improved kidney outcomes significantly. The study also showed no new safety concerns were raised in the subgroup.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that AI-based risk profiling can improve treatment outcomes for women with heart attacks. By accounting for sex-related differences, the novel score refines current risk models and reduces mortality rates among female patients.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have developed a new gene therapy approach targeting mitochondrial function to treat dry AMD, a debilitating eye disease. The therapy has shown benefit in multiple models of the condition, offering hope for a potential treatment that could help millions globally.
Researchers found a lower concussion rate in Florida, where headgear was mandated, compared to states without. The rate was 0.39 concussions/1000 athlete exposures with mandatory headgear, vs 0.44 without. This suggests that headgear may be worth considering for high schools and other levels of play.
The TCT MedTech Innovation Forum is an intensive summit bringing together clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, and regulators to identify clinical challenges and drive innovation in medtech. The agenda features interdisciplinary perspectives on unmet clinical needs, financing, regulatory policy, and evolving healthcare delivery models.
A study by DTU and SSI found that COVID-19 caused a significant loss of healthy life in Denmark, with an estimated 30,000 years lost. The majority of deaths occurred among elderly men, while younger populations were largely unaffected.
A national survey of US psychiatrists found discrepancies between their perceptions of certain psychoactive drugs' safety and therapeutic value and how they are categorized under the Controlled Substances Act. Psychiatrists rated psilocybin as having low misuse potential and high therapeutic potential, but it is a Schedule I drug with ...
Researchers developed a blood test that predicts poor outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), allowing clinicians to make decisions earlier on possible treatment. The test, which measures protein biomarkers GFAP and UCH-L1, showed high accuracy in predicting death and severe disability six months after injury.
Researchers at UBC have discovered a key vulnerability across all major COVID-19 variants that can be targeted by neutralizing antibodies. The 'master key' identified is the antibody fragment V H Ab6, which effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 by attaching to the epitope on the spike protein.
Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and heart failure, can profoundly affect quality of life. The American Heart Association scientific statement highlights the importance of tracking symptoms to detect changes and progression.
A pilot vape shop voucher scheme helped 42% of entrenched smokers quit smoking within four weeks, according to a new study. The scheme, which targeted vulnerable and disadvantaged smokers, saw improved results compared to other forms of smoking cessation support.
A new MIT model simulates vaccine allocation strategies to predict the effect on cumulative deaths and infections in the US. The research finds that allocating more than 50% of available doses to non-vaccinated individuals can significantly increase lives saved and reduce infections.
The new educational alliance will strengthen access to medical education and training for physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals. The joint programs will focus on advancing the latest research in cardiovascular disease and interventional therapies.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a potential breakthrough treatment for rotator cuff tears, using an advanced polymer to stimulate regeneration of both the tendon and muscle. This approach addresses the real problem of muscle degeneration and fat accumulation that often leads to re-injury after surgery.
Researchers urge healthcare professionals to acknowledge changes in society around anal sex and have open conversations with young women to ensure they make informed choices about sex. Young women cite pleasure, curiosity, and coercion as factors for engaging in anal sex, which is associated with specific health concerns, including fae...
A study by West Virginia University found that over 7% of junior high and high school students in rural Appalachia identified as gender-diverse, including nonbinary or transgender identities. This exceeds previous estimates and highlights the need for support services in these areas.
Researchers discovered that vitamin K acts as an antioxidant, inhibiting ferroptotic cell death and identifying FSP1 as the warfarin-insensitive enzyme responsible. This finding has implications for treating Alzheimer's disease and acute organ injuries.
Researchers develop a safe and effective way to whiten teeth without damaging enamel, breaking apart cavity-forming biofilms. The treatment uses a hydrogel activated by green light to kill 94% of bacteria in biofilms and prevent cavities from forming on teeth.
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have developed a nasal plug using soy protein and chitin from food industry waste, which promotes haemostasis and is biocompatible. The new material has shown superior mechanical and haemostatic properties compared to current gold standard nasal plugs.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus have shown a direct connection between vagus nerve stimulation and learning centers in the brain. This discovery may lead to new treatments that can improve cognitive retention in both healthy and injured nervous systems.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has been awarded a $31 million funding to conduct a large-scale study on the comparative effectiveness of asthma treatments. The study will focus on inhaled steroids and specific antibiotics, alone or together, in over 3,000 patients with asthma aged 12 and over.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA and iMM discovered that the parainfluenza fusion peptide promotes membrane fusion by destabilizing the host's membrane and forming clusters of oligomeric structures. This breakthrough can contribute to developing antiviral therapies to prevent infection.
A study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that antibodies against Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 decline rapidly, even after a second vaccination or booster shot, offering limited protection against infection.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh used computational modeling to investigate the immune response to avian flu. They found that the levels of interferon may be responsible for its more severe presentation and could hold the key to treating it.
A new analysis led by University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health epidemiologists found that adults who undergo bariatric surgery are more than twice as likely to get married within five years. Conversely, married patients who receive bariatric surgery are more than twice as likely to get divorced.
A new study from Tel Aviv University found a promising treatment for long-term COVID-19 symptoms using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Patients treated with HBOT showed significant improvement in cognitive function, attention, and executive functions.
A qualitative study highlights the importance of timely and balanced information exchange in shared decision-making for vascular access placement. This collaborative approach involves presenting choices, sharing personalized knowledge, and eliciting patients' values and preferences to strengthen treatment plans.
A study published in eLife suggests that combining broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) based on viral genetics can help prevent viral escape and rebound in HIV treatment. The researchers identified a combination of three bNAbs, PG9, PGT151, and VRC01, which reduces the chance of viral rebound to less than 1%.
A Rutgers study found that women are more likely to die or require repeat surgery five years after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The researchers highlighted the need for increased inclusion of women in aortic device creation and trial enrollment, given differences in aortic anatomy between men and women.
Researchers developed a risk algorithm specific to the region, incorporating factors such as age, cholesterol level, and blood pressure. The new score aims to provide greater accuracy in identifying people at high risk of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice.
The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Dentistry has developed an AI-powered approach to automate denture design, allowing for high accuracy and reducing treatment time. The new method uses a 3D Generative Adversarial Network (3D-GAN) algorithm to reconstruct the shape of natural teeth and generate prosthetic teeth.
Lumasiran, an RNA interference therapeutic, has been shown to reduce oxalate levels in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) who have relatively preserved kidney function. In the ILLUMINATE-C study, lumasiran resulted in substantial reductions in plasma oxalate with acceptable safety in patients on hemodialysis.
Researchers developed a novel approach to modulate astrocyte activity and drive therapeutic circuit reorganization in neuropathic pain. By combining established clinical tools, they successfully alleviated allodynia and dismantled inappropriate neural connections.
National data indicate that expanded access to methadone treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to increased harms, but rather declined percentage of overdose deaths involving methadone. This evidence supports expanding take-home treatment for opioid use disorder.
A study found that widely-used kidney function tests are inaccurate for predicting kidney disease in African populations, suggesting a significant underestimation of kidney disease prevalence. The creatinine-based test was shown to be less effective due to unique biological characteristics in African populations, while the cystatin C t...
A study found that patients with a specific form of age-related macular degeneration are at significant risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Researchers discovered a strong association between the disorder's subretinal drusenoid deposits and high-risk vascular diseases.
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals stark differences in survival rates for children with retinoblastoma between high- and low-income countries. In low-income countries, the risk of death from retinoblastoma within three years of diagnosis is significantly higher, with over two-fifths of children dying within t...
A study of 3069 ICU patients found racial and ethnic disparities in oxygen supplementation, with Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients receiving less oxygen than white patients. Pulse oximeter performance may be contributing factor to these disparities.
The article discusses global disparities in Parkinson disease, identifying six key areas for improvement: disease burden, advocacy and awareness, prevention and risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, and care, caregiver support, and research. These findings aim to inform policy decisions and drive action towards reducing health inequities.