Articles tagged with Medical Facilities
Researchers used fluorescent false neurotransmitter 200 to observe synaptic activity in mice, revealing that only a small number of synapses may be active at any given time. This discovery could help understand how brain signals are transmitted and potentially shed light on brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified a way to allow normal frataxin production to resume in individuals with Friedreich's ataxia, a neurological disease for which there is currently no cure. The synthetic DNA or RNA prevents the mutant sequence from bending back and blocking the frataxin gene.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that follow-up emails from doctors are crucial to keeping patients informed about their care. Patients who continued receiving reminders tended to access their notes more frequently, leading to better health outcomes.
Researchers found that less than a third of PCORI-funded grants were implemented in primary care settings, contradicting the organization's goal. However, PCORI successfully diversified its funding by awarding 25% of grants to PhD-holding principal investigators.
Demand for VA services is expected to increase until the end of the decade, driven by an aging veteran population and higher reliance on VA health services. The system faces challenges in providing care to veterans outside its facilities, with long waits and limited access to specialty care in rural areas.
A new pilot study suggests that meditation can help US veterans manage chronic pain by reducing pain intensity and interference with daily life. The study used Integrative Restoration Yoga Nidra (iRest) mindfulness meditation, which is already being used at Veterans Health Administration medical centers nationwide.
A new study in mice shows that repetitive mild concussions can cause mounting damage and brain inflammation, even with extended rest periods. The findings support the importance of adequate rest after a concussion to allow for neural network rebalancing and repair.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new drug, Neoseptin-3, that activates the innate immune system in a novel way. The study found that Neoseptin-3 induces an immune response similar to that caused by LPS, but with a milder effect.
A UT Southwestern study found no conclusive evidence supporting the use of more expensive biologic mesh materials over synthetic mesh in abdominal wall hernia repair. Despite their potential benefits, biologic meshes have not been proven to significantly reduce infections or erosions.
Researchers found Aged Garlic Extract slows total plaque accumulation by 80% and reduces soft plaque in patients with metabolic syndrome. The study reversed deadly plaque buildup in arteries, a potential breakthrough in treating heart disease.
Regular functional exercise improves balance and reduces dependence in people with dementia, a progressive illness leading to gradual reduction in cognitive and physical function. The study found that high-intensity exercise programs can lead to an improved quality of life for individuals suffering from dementia.
A new Tel Aviv University study found that infants born past 42 weeks have twice the risk of contracting infections, experiencing respiratory difficulties, and being admitted to NICUs compared to those born at 39-40 weeks. This is the first time the isolated effect of post-term delivery on neonatal outcomes has been determined.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute reveal the three-dimensional structure of TRPV2 ion channel, shedding light on its role in detecting infection and inflammation. The study's findings pave the way for developing new therapies to treat autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a previously unrecognized small protein, DWORF, in human heart cells that plays a key role in heart muscle contraction. The protein stimulates calcium-ion pumps to increase forceful pumping.
Hydrocephalus, a buildup of excess fluid in the brain, can be treated effectively with surgery. Neurosurgeon Vikram Prabhu calls for neurosurgeons to work towards eliminating infant deaths from hydrocephalus by 2030. This goal aims to provide basic surgical care to children with hydrocephalus worldwide.
Researchers discover a new treatment approach to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's. A drug called rolipram boosts the activity of the proteasome, which clears out toxic proteins from the brain.
A Georgetown University Medical Center researcher is leading a multi-institutional effort to investigate the causes of rising drug-resistant malaria parasites. The study aims to understand molecular mechanisms responsible for this increasing resistance and develop new therapies.
A small study found that watching horror movies significantly increased blood coagulant factor VIII levels in young and healthy adults, suggesting a physiological response to fear. The researchers argue that this increase is an evolutionary adaptation to prepare the body for blood loss during life-threatening situations.
Researchers found that PTSD patients exhibit heightened brain activity when viewing non-threatening images similar to their trauma, suggesting a generalized response. The study identifies key brain regions involved in this process, including the fusiform gyrus and locus coeruleus.
Experts discuss real-world use of PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, highlighting a substantial reduction in transmission among patients on a daily combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine. Non-pharmacologic alternatives to reduce risk are also explored.
A new common format, Neurodata Without Borders (NWB): Neurophysiology, enables free and open exchange of complex brain information. The format allows researchers to capture and share data generated by optical and electrical neurophysiology methods.
A study at Georgetown University Medical Center found that HIV+ individuals over 50 years old showed cognitive impairments, even if they scored 'cognitively normal' in standard tests. Brain scans revealed deficits in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex region, a key executive area.
Researchers found a link between vitamin D levels and heart problems, with patients at risk if their level is below 15 nanograms per milliliter. The study evaluated over 230,000 patients and found that those above 15 ng/ml had a 35% increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Researchers aim to create a permanent solution for organ transplantation scarcity using bio-hybrid devices combining silicon filters with living human kidney cells. The device, if successful, could run on the body's normal blood pressure without power source, eliminating organ rejection issues.
Patients prefer receiving test results through password-protected websites or portals, with non-HIV STI and genetic test results being highly preferred. Only half of participants signed up for available patient portals, highlighting a need for improved doctor-patient communication.
Researchers found significant improvements in staff awareness and patient outcomes after implementing rapid response system training, with a 213% increase in call rates and a 100% reduction in code blue events. The top causes of RRS initiation were tachycardia, hypotension, and staff concern.
A quality improvement program implemented at Maimonides Medical Center reduced indwelling urinary catheter use from 92.3% to 15%, a 77.3% decrease, by implementing an education program, prescribing guidelines, and sonographic bladder scanning. The study aims to reduce catheter-associated infections and improve patient care.
The study found that the overall incidence of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) was relatively low in 2012-2013, with an annual rate of 2.93 cases per 100,000 population. Most CRE cases were associated with prior hospitalizations and discharge to long-term care settings.
A cluster-randomized trial in rural Tanzania found that home-based counselling strategies had no effect on neonatal mortality, despite improvements in newborn care practices. Neonatal mortality decreased in both intervention and control groups, with better breastfeeding rates and handwashing practices reported in the intervention area.
The Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis at Mainz University Medical Center has been awarded €25 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The center will focus on translational research to improve treatments for thrombosis-related disorders.
A study found that telehealth visits, whether by telephone or video, can identify veterans requiring in-person assessment or further care. The majority of veterans preferred telehealth visits due to increased convenience and shorter travel distances.
Researchers have discovered that brain malfunctions in key areas, such as the nucleus accumbens and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, contribute to the development of tinnitus and chronic pain. These findings hold promise for developing targeted therapies for these debilitating disorders.
A new surgical training program has been developed using techniques from sports and music to improve surgical performance. The model employs a coaching team with well-rehearsed communication to provide immediate correction when needed.
A reference payment initiative implemented by California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) shifted 90.5% of colonoscopy patients to lower-priced ambulatory surgery centers, saving $7 million in the first two years. The average price paid for colonoscopy decreased from $1,716 in 2011 to $1,508 in 2013.
A meta-analysis by UT Southwestern Medical Center cardiologists found exercise training reduces pressure in the arteries and increases exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The study also showed a positive effect on several measures of heart function and overall quality of life, without compromising safety.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a gene variant, APLP2, that increases the risk of myopia in children who spend more time reading. Spending time outdoors is found to reduce this risk.
A Boston Medical Center model integrating nurse care managers into primary care increased physician waivers by 375% and patients' treatment access, particularly among African-American and Hispanic populations. The program has successfully treated over 8,000 Massachusetts patients with opioid dependence.
Researchers developed electronic triggers that analyzed patient data and flagged individuals at risk of delayed follow-up. The study found that triggered clinicians had more timely diagnostic evaluations for both prostate and colon cancer.
Doctors at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have successfully implanted lab-grown cartilage into a patient's knee, offering a potential long-term solution for patients with knee injuries. The implant is made from the patient's own cells and has shown promise in improving patient outcomes.
A new study suggests that women and men in the military have similar rates of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after combat. The study found that 6.7% of women and 6.1% of men developed PTSD, with no significant differences in severity.
Engineers at the University of California, Riverside discovered that nearly 15% of baby spinach leaf surface area may reach concentrations as low as 1000 times that of bleach disinfectant, allowing bacteria to survive and spread. The study highlights the limitations of current disinfection methods in reducing cross-contamination.
Researchers have developed a new capability to minimize human health effects of air pollution from electric power generating facilities. The Air Pollutant Optimization Model provides a hybrid approach that balances health and cost savings, reducing health impacts by $176 million while increasing costs by $84 million.
A provocative essay in Annals of Internal Medicine exposes doctors' disrespect towards vulnerable patients, highlighting shocking clinical experiences. The author's anonymity protects patient privacy, but raises questions about medical ethics and accountability.
The Passages Project aims to foster social norms supporting healthy behaviors, like equal rights in family planning. Researchers will develop and test scalable approaches to promote collective change through media, advocacy, and community campaigns.
A new study found that bilingual individuals have more gray matter in the brain's executive control region, which is involved in tasks such as attention, inhibition, and short-term memory. This 'bilingual advantage' was observed in Spanish-English bilinguals but not in ASL-English bilinguals.
A unique brain network in humans controls and redirects attention, allowing us to select and prioritize information based on our needs. This network, which includes the dorsal and ventral attention networks, may have evolved to better process complex social cues and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant stimuli.
A comprehensive lung cancer screening program utilizing CT scan technology at Intermountain Medical Center has been developed to detect lung cancer more accurately. The program, based on the National Lung Screening Trial, showed patients with CT scans had a 15-20% lower risk of dying compared to those with standard chest X-rays.
Researchers aim to understand how reading interventions impact math skills in children with combined reading and math disabilities. They will use fMRI methods to examine brain activity during reading and math tasks.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that healthier food options are more expensive than standard options. The researchers recruited families with children aged 1-6 years with type 1 diabetes and found that a healthier market basket cost 18% more than the standard basket.
A Georgetown University Medical Center professor argues that visual and narrative arts can improve medical care by honing observational skills. Arts-based teaching tools and visual thinking strategies have become essential components of clinical practice, enhancing patient understanding and diagnosis.
Researchers identified microtubule-based nanotubes in stem cells that tap into the niche, enabling specific signaling for self-renewal. This discovery sheds light on how stem cells reproduce and miscommunication can lead to diseases like cancer.
A new study examines the impact of remoteness on health care access in rural Liberia, highlighting strategies to close disparities. Strategies include shifting care to lowest level providers and training community health workers.
The study found that breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is being used more widely, with a steady increase in rates over the last 13 years. However, disparities persist, particularly among patients without insurance or those living far from treatment facilities.
The percentage of patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving therapy increased from 54.3% in 1998 to 60.1% in 2011, despite socioeconomic barriers persisting. The use of BCT was higher among patients with private insurance and those living closer to treatment facilities.
A clinical trial involving women diagnosed with fibromyalgia showed significant improvements in symptoms after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Brain scans revealed changes in brain activity that may be responsible for the syndrome's chronic pain sensation.
The authors warn that unstable funding may harm the country's position as a world leader in biomedical research. Early-career scientists are particularly vulnerable, and support is needed to address this issue.
Latrine odor can deter users, leading to open defecation. Perfume researchers identified key compounds causing the stench in Indian, Kenyan, and South African facilities. Understanding these sensory profiles is crucial to countering odors and making latrines more welcoming.
The nation's research funding squeeze jeopardizes patient care, eroding time to conduct research and discouraging innovative science. Deans of leading academic medical centers call for predictable and sustainable funding indexed to inflation to support research and teaching.
Experts say state regulations targeting indoor tanning could drive national policies to reduce skin cancer cases and associated costs. The US Food and Drug Administration has implemented class II device rules for tanning machines, but critics argue these standards are insufficient.
Pharmacy Doctorate students from University of Houston won awards for clinical skills and disease state management at the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists Meeting. The teams demonstrated their abilities in patient consultation and developed therapeutic plans to identify problems, strategy, and monitoring.