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Cause of sleep disturbance in cardiac disease identified: Ganglia play previously unrecognized role

A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Scientific breakthrough harnesses mRNA technology to develop powerful malaria vaccine

A breakthrough mRNA vaccine has been developed to target and stimulate protective immune cell responses against malaria. The vaccine combines an RNA-based approach with a liver-specific adjuvant, generating resident memory cells that halt malaria infection in the liver, providing a broader and more protective immune response.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Cell-to-cell diversity is key to protecting brain from neurological diseases: University of Ottawa research

A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 18, 2023

Fibromyalgia linked to heightened risk of death

A systematic review suggests fibromyalgia is associated with a 27% heightened risk of death from all causes, with elevated risks for cancer, accidents, and infections. Regular monitoring of patients' physical and mental health is crucial to minimize these risks.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalRMD Open·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 10, 2023

CT with CTA versus MRI in patients with dizziness

Using MRI instead of CT with CTA alone in patients presenting to the ED with dizziness was associated with greater critical neuroimaging results and more frequent echocardiography. Patients with dizziness undergoing MRI showed a lower frequency of 90-day ED readmissions compared to those discharged after CT with CTA alone.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 7, 2023

Expanding Medicaid improved care without crowding out other patients

A new study found that people with low incomes in states that expanded Medicaid received more preventive care and overall health care compared to those in non-expansion states. The likelihood of high-value care, such as medications for heart problems or osteoporosis, increased in expansion states.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBMC Health Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 7, 2023

Vaginal suppository containing lactobacilli can prevent recurrent cystitis in women

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that administering vaginal suppositories with Lactobacillus crispatus can restore a healthy balance of vaginal microbiota and prevent recurrent cystitis. The researchers discovered that postmenopausal women with RC had significantly different bacterial communities compared to those w...

SourceOkayama University·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 3, 2023

DNA test could broaden access to cervical cancer screening

Rice University engineers developed a low-cost, point-of-care DNA test for HPV infections that can be used to screen for cervical cancer. The test, which requires just two pieces of equipment and delivers results in 45 minutes, has the potential to make cervical cancer screening more accessible in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine article decodes patterns of pneumoconiosis among miners

The study analyzed historical data on coal miners in China, revealing a strong correlation between raw coal production, mining technology, and CWP incidence. The researchers identified key turning points in disease incidence, linked to changes in diagnostic criteria and labor management, as well as coal industry policy reforms.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Education on under-prescribed drug helps reduce cravings for those with alcohol use disorder, MU study finds

A MU study found that providing educational information about naltrexone to healthcare professionals increases patient prescriptions for the drug. The study resulted in a 36% increase in patients leaving the facility with a prescription for naltrexone, suggesting better-informed decisions by healthcare professionals.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2023

New study links contraceptive pills and depression

A large-scale study found that women who used combined contraceptive pills were at a greater risk of developing depression than those who did not. The risk was particularly high for teenage users, who had a 130% higher incidence of symptoms of depression.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEpidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2023

Social participation promotes optimal aging in older adults, research shows

A new study followed over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for three years, finding that social participation was associated with successful aging. Those who engaged in volunteer work and recreational activities were more likely to maintain excellent health and less likely to develop physical or mental problems.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateJun 7, 2023

A supervised hospital walking program may reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults

A supervised hospital walking program has been shown to reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults by lowering the proportion of patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities from 13% to 8%. However, low participation rates and limited impact on length of stay or inpatient falls were noted.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 5, 2023

Taming a frenzied immune system

UofL researchers, led by Jun Yan, will investigate the causes of immune system overresponse in COVID-19 patients, leading to severe lung disease and death. They aim to develop methods to predict, prevent or control this response with potential treatments for other conditions.

Association between heart attack and cognition

A recent study of 30,465 adults without a history of heart attack or dementia found that those who experienced an MI had a faster rate of decline in global cognition, memory, and executive function compared to those without an MI. The study suggests that preventing heart attacks may be crucial for maintaining long-term brain health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 30, 2023

Gene therapy rescues hearing for the first time in aged mouse models

Researchers successfully demonstrate AAV vector efficacy in aged animal models, showing robust hearing rescue in mice with a mutation equivalent to a defective human gene. The study suggests that virally mediated gene therapy could potentially treat genetic hearing loss, especially for patients diagnosed at advanced age.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2023

Heavy drinkers risk muscle loss, new study finds

A recent study published in Calcified Tissue International found that heavy drinkers are at risk of muscle loss and frailty. The research, which analyzed data from the UK Biobank, suggests that consuming 10 units or more of alcohol per day can lead to lower muscle mass, even when adjusted for body size and other factors.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalCalcified Tissue International·TypeObservational study·DateMay 24, 2023

Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis studies shine the light on advancements in pharmaceutical analytical techniques and overcoming chemoresistance

Researchers have developed new methods to analyze dry-coated drug particles using 3D Raman mapping, which can effectively slow down dissolution rates. Another study introduces a novel technique for detecting complex traditional Chinese medicines, preventing adulteration and counterfeiting.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2023

Research from Amsterdam UMC shows that the bottom has been reached in restrictive blood transfusion policy

A recent study from Amsterdam UMC suggests that being overly restrictive in blood transfusion policies may not always be the best approach. Researchers found that patients with severe thrombocytopenia actually experience less bleeding if they receive a platelet transfusion prior to central venous catheter placement.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 24, 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

Updated literature review reinforces link between care continuity, lower health care costs and more appropriate care usage

A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature links continuity of the doctor-patient relationship to reduced healthcare costs and increased appropriate care utilization. The study found that interpersonal continuity remains significantly associated with lower healthcare costs and more effective care usage across various studies.

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

A troubling reaction to school violence compounds the crisis

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that US high school students who experience violence at school are more likely to carry weapons. The study analyzed data from over 28,000 participants and found that nearly half of males who experienced violence carried a weapon, as did nearly a third of fema...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateMay 23, 2023