Articles tagged with Medical Facilities
Researchers found that the original Mona Lisa painting is often seen as happy, and participants identified happy faces more quickly and with greater certainty. The study suggests that our brain has a bias towards positive facial expressions.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that depression is the strongest predictor of death in patients with coronary heart disease, doubling the risk compared to those without depression. The study analyzed health records from nearly 25,000 patients and found half with depression died during the study period.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found a significant increase in dementia diagnoses among older adults in the Netherlands over two decades. The researchers analyzed data from primary care networks and estimated an annual growth rate of 2.1% for dementia incidence, with women being more likely to develop the condition.
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a novel cross-circulation platform that maintains the viability and function of donor lungs for several days. The technology, inspired by an abandoned surgical procedure from the 1960s, enables long-term support of living organs outside the body.
A Veterans Affairs study of mental health patients found that accessing clinician notes can foster trust through transparency and consistency. However, patients also reported concerns about errors, outdated information, and gaps in diagnoses, which erode trust.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified an ion channel, TrpC5, essential for the brain's response to leptin and lorcaserin, two hormones and medications used to suppress appetite and reduce body weight. In mice deficient in TrpC5, these hormones were ineffective, leading to increased body weight and disrupted metabolism.
Endurance training increases expression of genes repairing damaged DNA, potentially protecting the heart. Researchers hope this discovery leads to improved cardiovascular health and increased life expectancy.
Researchers identified a gene called Gatm that plays a crucial role in maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier, which guards against inflammation caused by bacteria. Mice with a mutation in this gene showed improved symptoms when treated with creatine, highlighting its importance for energy metabolism in IBD.
Researchers found that fetal genomic sequencing increased the detection rate of genetic findings by 10-30% in women with pregnancies complicated by major fetal congenital anomalies. The study also revealed new associations with genes and intolerant OMIM disease-associated mutations, improving patient counseling and neonatal treatment.
A new study from Iowa State University researchers found that individuals with a gym membership were more likely to meet muscle-strengthening guidelines and had better cardiovascular health outcomes. Gym members spent an average of nearly six hours per week on cardio workouts, compared to non-members.
A study published in JAMA found that Texas women with no nearby abortion facilities face longer distances to access care, leading to a decline in abortions. In counties without an open facility, the decline in abortions increased as distance changed, with counties over 100 miles away seeing a 50% decrease.
The VA's MRSA Prevention Initiative has significantly reduced healthcare-associated infections, with a 87% decline in intensive care units and 80.1% drop in non-ICUs between 2007 and 2015. Active surveillance and infection prevention programs played a key role in this progress.
The study reveals how Piperlongumine converts to an active drug that targets and silences the GSTP1 gene, which is often overactive in tumors. This breakthrough provides new hope for developing cancer therapies using natural compounds.
Researchers found that patients recovering from carpal tunnel release surgery can regain their pre-operative typing speed within two to three weeks. This recovery timeline allows patients to resume typing earlier, with some restrictions on prolonged use.
A study examining late-life couplehood in assisted living found benefits of companionship, support, and affection. Fellow residents can play an important role in shielding against negative health outcomes associated with marital transitions.
Research found that genetics and early environment significantly influence the gut microbiome, with similar genes linked to human diseases like arthritis and diabetes. The study also discovered a strong correlation between specific microbes and T-helper cells in the blood.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study reveals that e-cigarettes can cause damage to gums and teeth, similar to conventional cigarettes. The study found that flavoring chemicals play a role in damaging cells in the mouth, and nicotine contributes to gum disease.
A new study found that cardiac PET/CT imaging can detect calcium in arteries, a sign of plaque buildup, reducing the risk of future heart attack and stroke. Researchers discovered that patients with high levels of calcification were more likely to experience adverse cardiac events.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center found that cardiac rehabilitation significantly reduces the risk of death in heart patients with moderate to severe depression after heart surgery. The study, conducted on 118 patients, showed a nearly 75% decrease in mortality rates among those who attended rehab.
Researchers found that catheter ablations lower the long-term risk of recurrent stroke by 50% in atrial fibrillation patients with a prior history of stroke. The procedure creates scar tissue to prevent rapid electric currents from causing abnormal heart rhythms.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that two different blood clot prevention medications are just as safe and effective for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The risk of major bleeding after 30 days was low and not significantly different between the two treatment methods.
Researchers estimate that hydroelectric dams increase methylmercury concentrations up to 10-fold in fish and surface waters, putting half of Canada's women of childbearing age at risk. The study forecasts higher levels for 11 other planned facilities near indigenous communities.
A study found that African-Americans have greater aortic stiffness than Caucasians and Hispanics, which may explain the higher rates of hypertension and heart disease in this group. The researchers suggest that genetic differences, sodium intake, and potassium levels may contribute to these findings.
Researchers found that ACL injuries alter brain activity related to leg movement, relying on visual systems instead of instinctive movement. This study suggests a new rehabilitation approach using strobe glasses to help patients rewire their brains and regain natural movement.
A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society found that women's sexual function declines significantly before and after menopause, with menopause itself being a key factor. The study also discovered that hysterectomy has a lesser impact on post-surgical sexual decline compared to natural menopause.
A recent study by Prof Paul Hunter and Dr Annette Prüss-Ustün suggests that access to sanitation facilities is crucial for reducing childhood diarrhoea and mortality. The study found that a community coverage of around 70% in low and middle-income countries was necessary to achieve significant health benefits from improved sanitation.
Researchers in Mainz develop a novel method to benchmark and improve the performance of protein measurement techniques, ensuring consistent results across various analysis software packages. This breakthrough enables widespread adoption of mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics for disease diagnosis and research.
A study found that patients who checked procedure prices were more likely to choose lower-priced facilities, especially for imaging services and sleep studies. Searching for price information was also associated with lower adjusted total spending for these procedures.
A Texas A&M professor developed a new approach to analyzing impediments to leisure activities, identifying key factors such as fear of crime, poor health, and lack of social ease. The paper aimed to resolve measurement issues and advance understanding of leisure services.
An educational and outreach program increased rates of referral for kidney transplant evaluation, especially among African American patients. The program reduced racial disparities in referral, with a significant increase in African Americans referred for transplant from 10% to 16%.
The NIH has expanded its Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program to California, partnering with eight regional medical centers. The program aims to engage one million or more US participants in a longitudinal research effort to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences.
A common nerve protein, neuropeptide Y (NPY), is elevated in the blood of patients with aggressive neuroblastoma, associated with poor survival rates and disease relapse. NPY's release from tumors into the bloodstream may also serve as a marker for metastatic disease.
Researchers discovered a protein, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), breaks DNA in brain cells during stroke, leading to cell death. The study identified three possible ways to manipulate MIF to protect brain tissue, potentially benefiting conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The UT Southwestern Medical Center has transferred nearly 175,000 induced germline mouse mutations to the NIH-supported Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Centers, significantly increasing their availability for researchers worldwide. These mutations are critical for supporting genetic research in all mammals, including humans.
Columbia researchers have identified 41 key genes that may contribute to gum disease, offering a promising approach to developing individualized treatments. The study's findings could lead to new compounds that target specific genetic pathways involved in the disease process.
A study published in JCI Insight found that age-related reductions of microRNA-155 may underlie age-associated hypertension. Mice lacking mineralocorticoid receptors in smooth muscle cells were protected from developing high blood pressure as they aged, and restoration of miR-155 improved blood pressure parameters.
A study from UTMB found that patients with strong social support spend less time in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The researchers analyzed data from 119,439 Medicare beneficiaries and discovered a positive correlation between social support and reduced length of stay.
Researchers capture images of smallest human protein, STRA6, responsible for transporting vitamin A into cells. The study reveals unusual features and potential protection mechanism against excessive vitamin A.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Zika virus disrupts the proliferation of radial glial progenitors (RGPs), a type of stem cell essential for brain development. In genetic cases of microcephaly, NDE1 mutations cause RGP cells to fail to divide, resulting in severe brain developmental delays.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids reduced brain damage in mice with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. The study suggests that injecting DHA after a stroke-like event can protect brain mitochondria against free radical damage.
The study found that implementing a telephone postoperative clinic reduced in-person clinic visits by 44% while maintaining satisfactory patient outcomes. The clinic also increased access to care for patients with long travel distances, improving their overall experience.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that thymectomy significantly improves disease status measures, reduces need for corticosteroids, and decreases hospitalization needs in MG patients without a chest tumor. This confirms the early use of thymectomy as an effective treatment option for MG.
Researchers successfully combined a heart monitoring device with an existing CEW to detect and store cardiac rhythms, producing both incapacitating charges and interpretable EKG signals. The modified prototype demonstrates the potential for safety measures like cardiac biomonitoring to be incorporated into law enforcement devices.
Older adults in assisted-living facilities face limits to their sexual freedom due to inadequate policies and an environment of surveillance. The study found that staff and administrators often prioritize residents' health and safety over autonomy, leading to restrictions on intimate behavior.
The Ebola epidemic led to a significant decline in child and maternal health in Liberia, with a 30% reduction in facility-based deliveries. The study found that fear of Ebola transmission in healthcare facilities was the primary factor contributing to this decline.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that resveratrol reduces neuronal inflammation and slows cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. The study shows that resveratrol activates proteins to decrease matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels, maintaining the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found a biological explanation for wheat sensitivity, which is not related to celiac disease. People with non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity have a weakened intestinal barrier that leads to a body-wide inflammatory immune response.
A recent study published in the journal Obesity found that severely obese women's brain activity differs from lean counterparts when it comes to responding to food cues. Despite reporting fullness, their brains continued to react similarly to hungry states, with sustained activation in reward centers.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center will play a key role in the launch of the Data and Research Support Center for the NIH's Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The center will standardize and organize large datasets to help researchers identify individual factors contributing to health and illness.
Researchers found that improving health facility efficiency in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia could increase ART visits by 33% in Kenya and Zambia, and 62% in Uganda. This could support facilities seeing almost 460,000 new ART patients across the three countries.
A new study found that an intranasal flu vaccine led to the production of T cells in the lungs that provided long-term protection against multiple flu strains, including those not present in the vaccine. This could provide universal protection against emerging viral strains.
A toxic Alzheimer's protein can spread through the brain via the extracellular space, jumping from neuron to neuron. The spread of tau may explain why only one area of the brain is affected in early stages but multiple areas are affected later.
A new Brown University study found that childcare centers in Rhode Island serving low-income children under the federal nutrition subsidy program serve healthier food than those outside the program. The study's lead author suggests that implementing nutritional guidelines and regulations can improve the quality of food served, particul...
The National Institutes of Health is launching a landmark longitudinal research effort, the Precision Medicine Cohort Program, with $55 million in funding. The program aims to engage 1 million or more U.S. participants to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
The National Institutes of Health has selected Vanderbilt University Medical Center as the Data and Research Support Center for the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to study genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affecting the health of a million or more people.
Scientists track brain-cell activity in mice to gain insight into how the brain creates a map to a destination. The study found that two sublayers of cells in the hippocampus process different types of learning, with one layer creating a stable internal map and the other layer updating it during navigation.
A QUT study of over 1000 Australian women found younger and more educated sperm donors are preferred, despite women having more freedom to choose. This suggests that resources and financial stability remain important considerations in reproductive decisions.
A review of nearly 100 fertility awareness apps found that most don't employ evidence-based methodology, and many include disclaimers discouraging use for avoiding pregnancy. Only six apps scored high on accuracy, with those requiring training in FABMs performing better.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center's Institute for Reproductive Health are studying the use of a smartphone app that calculates a woman's chance for pregnancy. The app, Dot, has been shown to be 96-98% effective in women if used correctly and increases accuracy with continued use.
A recent study published in BMJ found that mandatory treatment for substance use disorders is not effective in reducing drug use and may violate human rights. The authors suggest community-based approaches such as methadone and buprenorphine treatment, harm-reduction programs like needle exchanges, and education on overdose medications.