Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Severity of road accidents and the injuries sustained vary according to sex of the driver and passengers

A new study published in Heliyon analyzed the characteristics of drivers and passengers involved in traffic accidents in Spain between 2014 and 2020. The results show that the risk of death or serious injury among passengers is lower when the driver is female, but higher for female occupants. This could be attributed to biological and ...

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalHeliyon·TypeObservational study·DateSep 25, 2024

Inexpensive drug can prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies

A recent Cochrane review confirms that giving women at risk of premature birth a simple magnesium sulphate infusion can prevent their babies from developing cerebral palsy. The drug costs approximately £5 (~$6.50) per dose and has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2015.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 23, 2024

CNIC scientists discover a new cardiovascular risk factor and identify a drug able to reduce its effects

Researchers at CNIC discover clonal hematopoiesis as a new cause of atherosclerosis, while identifying the ancient medication colchicine as a potential treatment. Clonal hematopoiesis is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with no influence on the progression of mutated blood cells.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2024

General exercise as good as yoga for female urinary incontinence

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that general exercise programs can reduce urinary incontinence symptoms almost as much as pelvic floor yoga. The LILA study involved 240 women who experienced urinary incontinence at least daily, and randomly assigned them to either a pelvic yoga program or a physical condit...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 28, 2024

UVA engineers design lookalike drug carrier to evade lung’s lines of defense

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have designed a drug-carrying molecule that can slip past the lung's natural defenses. The nanocarrier, called PEG-BB, is shaped like a bottlebrush and mimics the properties of mucus, allowing it to move quickly through the airway.

Expanded child tax credit and food insecurity

A cohort study found that expanded child tax credit (ECTC) enacted substantially lowers food insecurity, whereas ECTC expiration significantly raises it. The monthly payment structure and lack of earnings requirements may play a crucial role in preventing food insecurity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 19, 2024

Solutions to Nigeria’s newborn mortality rate might lie in existing innovations, finds review

A recent review by Imperial College London suggests that Nigeria's high infant mortality rate could be addressed through the adoption of existing scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements. The review highlights several low-cost advances in neonatal care developed by Nigerian clinicians and researchers, including adaptive ...

SourceImperial College London·JournalFrontiers in Pediatrics·DateAug 15, 2024

Public health measures that reduce dementia risk could save up to £4bn

A new study suggests that public health interventions, such as reformulating food products and introducing low emission zones, could yield significant cost savings and QALY gains in England. The interventions studied could save up to £4bn by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer and healthier.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2024

Most blood thinner dosing problems happen after initial prescription

A study by Michigan Medicine found that over- or under-dosing anticoagulants can result in serious health conditions, most often occurring after the initial prescription. The researchers evaluated five years of prescribing data and found that nearly 70% of alerts to off-label dosing occurred during a follow-up visit.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThrombosis and Haemostasis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

The sooner the better: teaching healthy habits in elementary school reduces abdominal fat

A large-scale study published in JACC shows that promoting healthy habits in elementary school children can effectively reduce abdominal fat and obesity markers. The study found that early intervention, particularly during the first three years of school, was more effective than delayed interventions.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 29, 2024

Older adults want to cut back on medication, but study shows need for caution

A new University of Michigan study found that over 82% of Americans aged 50-80 take one or more prescription medications, with 80% open to stopping certain drugs. However, researchers stress the importance of personalized guidance for deprescribing older adults, particularly those taking medication for cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 24, 2024

Endometriosis typology and ovarian cancer risk

A study of nearly half a million women found that endometriosis was associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. The risk was particularly elevated among women with ovarian endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis, with a 19-fold increased risk for certain types of ovarian cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 17, 2024

Female Australian football players are taking more hits

Sub-elite female Australian football players experience different injury patterns compared to males, highlighting the need for targeted training and injury prevention strategies. Ankle sprains, concussions, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries are the most common and burdensome, resulting in the most missed matches.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2024

30-year risk of cardiovascular disease may help inform blood pressure treatment decisions

A new study published in Hypertension journal suggests that both 30-year and 10-year risk predictions should be considered when making high blood pressure treatment decisions. The researchers compared two risk prediction tools and found that long-term, 30-year risk may be more important than short-term, 10-year risk for informing medic...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalHypertension·DateJul 15, 2024

Movement sensors show promise in identifying horses at injury risk

Researchers used movement sensors to track thoroughbreds' stride patterns and identified miniscule changes associated with increased injury risk. The technology has been shown to prevent catastrophic injuries by alerting trainers and veterinarians to intervene before a major injury occurs, resulting in longer careers for affected horses.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateJul 11, 2024

Brain neurotransmitter receptor antagonist found to prevent opioid addiction in mice

A UCLA Health study discovered that suvorexant, an insomnia medication, blocks brain receptors for hypocretin and prevents opioid addiction in mice. The drug maintains behavioral alertness at lower doses than those inducing sleep. Further studies are needed to determine its effectiveness in humans with opioid use disorder.

Physical exercise prevents nerve damage during chemotherapy

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that specific exercise concomitant with chemotherapy can prevent nerve damage in many cases. The exercises reduced the incidence of CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy) by 50-70% and improved patients' perceived quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 1, 2024

Suicide mortality during the perinatal period

A recent study investigates maternal suicide mortality during the perinatal period, revealing complex factors and opportunities for further research. The findings underscore the importance of evidence-based interventions targeting mental health, substance use, and intimate partner problems to prevent maternal suicide and enhance matern...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 27, 2024

Researchers evaluate the benefit of dual therapy for children at risk for spinal muscular atrophy

A first-of-its-kind study compared preventative therapy efficacy between two groups: gene therapy alone and in combination with risdiplam or nusinersen. Dual therapy showed promise in independent sitting outcomes, but not in walking age or muscle disease progression prevention.

SourceClinic for Special Children·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 25, 2024