Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Research news tip sheet: Story ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine has uncovered that greater obesity seems to make muscle contraction much weaker in this very common form of heart failure. The study found that in patients with severe obesity, the force response to high calcium was reduced by 40%, suggesting that obesity is the key factor.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateJan 5, 2021

CVIA has just published a new issue, Volume 5 Issue 2

This issue of CVIA features papers on current management strategies for patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, as well as a systematic review on epicardial adipose tissue in obstructive sleep apnea. The journal also presents research on detecting myocardial infarction using late gadolinium enhancement MRI.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateDec 22, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Novel biomarkers predict the development of incident heart failure

A study found novel biomarkers associated with incident heart failure, including adiponectin and pyruvate, which were linked to increased risk after 8.8 years of follow-up. Chronic inflammation and metabolic changes were also identified as key factors.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalESC Heart Failure·DateDec 16, 2020

Women face higher risk of death or heart failure following a heart attack: study

A new study from University of Alberta researchers found that women are at a 20% higher risk of dying or experiencing heart failure after a heart attack compared to men. The study examined data on over 45,000 Canadians who were hospitalized for their first heart attack between 2002 and 2016.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCirculation·DateDec 15, 2020

Why failing hearts love hard workouts

Exercise reduces severity of heart failure, improves heart function, and increases work capacity in rats with heart disease. High-intensity training reverses dysfunctional calcium handling and improves electrical signals in the heart.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology·DateDec 10, 2020

Fracking sites may increase heart failure hospitalizations across large regions

A study by the American College of Cardiology found that fracking sites may increase heart failure hospitalizations across large regions. Environmental impacts of fracking, including air pollution and heavy truck traffic, can lead to adverse respiratory effects and worsening cardiac health.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 7, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Less sedentary time reduces heart failure risk for older women

A study published by the American Heart Association found that older women who spend more waking hours in sedentary behaviors have an increased risk of heart failure serious enough to require hospitalization. Breaking free from prolonged sitting or lying down can help prevent this serious condition.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 24, 2020

Treatment shows reduction in heart failure after myocardial infarction

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a potential treatment for heart failure after a significant heart attack. MCB-613, a small molecule stimulator, has been shown to decrease damaging remodeling and inhibit the development of heart failure in mice.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2020

A case of pediatric heart failure caused by anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

A pediatric patient with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery developed severe heart failure at 3 months old. The authors review a case and discuss the challenges in early diagnosis, highlighting the importance of considering ALCAPA as a differential diagnosis.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateNov 19, 2020

A novel drug target for neonatal and infant heart failure

A novel drug target has been identified for neonatal and infant heart failure, a condition with no specific treatment. The target stimulates cardiac contractility in newborns and infants with minimal side effects, offering new possibilities for pediatric heart failure treatment.

SourceShinshu University·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 19, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Healthy sleep habits help lower risk of heart failure

Adults with healthy sleep patterns had a 42% lower risk of heart failure compared to those with unhealthy sleep patterns, according to the study. The researchers analyzed data from 408,802 UK Biobank participants and found that healthier sleep habits were independently associated with reduced risk of heart failure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateNov 16, 2020

Diabetes drug can treat and reverse heart failure and reduce hospitalizations

Empagliflozin improves heart function, reduces dilation and hypertrophy of the left ventricle, increasing ejection fraction. The medication also enhances exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure, leading to reduced hospitalization rates.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 13, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Lack of understanding of common heart condition leads to missed treatment opportunities

A study published in the British Journal of General Practice found that poor awareness of Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) leads to missed diagnosis and treatment opportunities. The condition affects half of all heart failure cases in England, but frequently goes undiagnosed due to lack of understanding among clin...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateNov 2, 2020

High fat or 'ketogenic' diets could prevent, reverse heart failure

A study published in Nature Metabolism found that high fat and low carbohydrate diets can completely prevent or even reverse heart failure caused by a metabolic process. The research team discovered that providing a high-fat, low carbohydrate diet can improve cardiac fat metabolism and prevent or reverse cardiac dysfunction.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalNature Metabolism·DateOct 26, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Emerging treatment helps reverse heart failure in some patients

Researchers report a promising emerging treatment that combines medications with temporary use of an artificial heart pump to reverse structural damage in the heart. In a multicenter study, 40 advanced heart failure patients were treated with this protocol, resulting in high rates of LVAD removal and improved cardiovascular health.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalCirculation·DateOct 26, 2020

Results from the MITHRAS trial reported at TCT Connect and published in Circulation

The MITHRAS trial found that interventional closure of an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) driven by transcatheter mitral valve repair was not superior to conservative medical treatment. The study also revealed that the presence of a persistent iASD is associated with increased long-term mortality and morbidity following TMVR.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalCirculation·DateOct 15, 2020

What fuels the beating heart? Study reveals nutrients used by normal and failing hearts

A recent study has provided a detailed picture of fuel and nutrient use by the human heart, establishing a new framework for studying heart function in health and disease. The study found that healthy hearts rely heavily on fatty acids as energy sources, while failing hearts consume more ketones and release more amino acids.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

4TEEN4's first-in-class therapeutic antibody Procizumab restores heart function in life-threatening cardiac depression induced by sepsis

The study data show that Procizumab promptly restored cardiac dysfunction in a preclinical sepsis model by inhibiting the cardiac depressant factor DPP3. The administration of Procizumab improved heart function by increasing cardiac output, stroke volume, and left ventricular shortening fraction.

Source4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals GmbH·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 16, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

UC Davis researchers find a way to help stem cells work for the heart

Researchers at UC Davis Health have made a breakthrough in using stem cell treatments for heart disease. By blocking an enzyme linked with inflammation, they were able to increase the survival of transplanted stem cells and improve cardiac function. This discovery could lead to a cellular-based treatment for heart failure.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateSep 9, 2020

Fighting cardiovascular disease with acne drug

Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using an acne drug. A single mutation in the RBM20 gene was found to cause the disease, and increasing expression of this protein may overcome the insufficient expression seen in patients with DCM.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 8, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Study shows socioeconomic status linked to heart failure mortality in United States

A new US study found that socioeconomic factors are linked to heart failure mortality rates in the United States. The study analyzed over 1.2 million deaths from heart failure across 3,048 counties between 1999 and 2018, revealing significant disparities in mortality rates based on measures of wealth and social deprivation.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·DateAug 25, 2020

Heart failure, hypertensive deaths rise in black women and men

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals a significant increase in mortality rates due to heart failure and hypertensive heart disease among Black women and men. Despite advancements in heart disease management, the death rate for these conditions rose by 3.5% and 4.8%, respectively, between 2011-2018.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 20, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New clues to a 500-year old mystery about the human heart

Researchers have found that the shape and structure of muscle fibres in the heart impact its performance and risk of heart failure. The study, published in Nature, reveals how these 'trabeculae' work and develop, and their importance to human health.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute·JournalNature·DateAug 19, 2020

Stress and anger may exacerbate heart failure

A new study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure found that mental stress and anger can exacerbate heart failure by worsening diastolic function. Patients who experienced anger during the study exhibited worse baseline resting blood pressure, while most participants showed stress-provoked changes in diastolic function.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·DateAug 12, 2020

Photo of eyes provides forecast of longevity in heart failure patients

Research published in ESC Heart Failure suggests that pupil area can predict prognosis in patients with heart failure. Patients with a small pupil area were found to have a significantly poorer survival rate and higher risk of readmission for heart failure compared to those with a large pupil area.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalESC Heart Failure·DateAug 10, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New diagnostic test for heart failure patients could also help COVID-19 patients

A new diagnostic test for heart failure patients has been found to also predict COVID-19 patient outcomes, highlighting the connection between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19. The test measures a balance of beneficial and harmful peptides in the blood, suggesting that targeting this pathway could improve treatment for both conditions.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·DateJul 20, 2020

Widely used blood test could advance heart failure treatment

Researchers developed a new use for a common blood test to adjust T3 dosage, suggesting improved cardiac function and reversal of heart failure genes. The study suggests that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels can be used to titrate T3 required, providing a potentially life-saving treatment for heart failure.

SourceNew York Institute of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJul 16, 2020

Machining the heart: New predictor for helping to beat chronic heart failure

Researchers from Kanazawa University developed a new predictor using machine learning to identify patients at risk of sudden arrhythmic cardiac death and heart failure death. The model uses iodine-123 labelled MIBG and standard clinical tests to discriminate between high-risk and low-risk patients.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalJournal of Nuclear Cardiology·DateJul 16, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Good news and bad news: Changing trends in cardiovascular disease in Canada

Between 2007 and 2016, standardized hospitalization rates declined for coronary artery and vascular disease, heart rhythm disorders, stroke, and heart failure. However, there were notable increases for acquired valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, and vascular cognitive impairment.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateJul 2, 2020

Mouse model identified to study common form of heart failure linked to age-related obesity

Researchers at the University of South Florida Health have identified a mouse model that mimics human heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) syndrome. The study found that mice deficient in a receptor needed to clear chronic inflammation develop obesity and heart failure, offering new potential targets for therapies.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJun 22, 2020

Smartphone app uses voice recordings to detect fluid in the lungs

A new smartphone app uses voice recordings to detect fluid in the lungs of heart failure patients, allowing for early intervention and potentially preventing hospitalizations. The app requires a daily 30-second recording, which is compared to a personalized 'healthy' model to identify subtle changes.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateJun 19, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Multi-drug regimen for heart failure could meaningfully extend patients' lives

A new study suggests that a comprehensive multi-drug regimen for heart failure could significantly extend patients' lives, with potential benefits of up to six years and eight years free from cardiovascular events. The regimen, which combines newer therapies, may improve life expectancy across all age groups.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 21, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Effects of antioxidant rich Indo-Mediterranean foods on pre-heart failure

This meta-analysis found that Indo-Mediterranean style diets significantly reduced parameters of pre-heart failure and heart failure, as well as incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. Anti-inflammatory effects may be a key mechanism behind this reduction in cardiovascular mortality.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Inflammation Journal·DateMay 11, 2020

Indicators of cancer may also be markers of heart failure

A new study discovered that tumor markers for various cancers also predict heart failure severity and mortality in patients with heart failure. The study found strong correlations between cancer markers and known heart failure indicators, suggesting a relationship between cancer and cardiovascular disease.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2020