Articles tagged with Medical Facilities
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.
The UTSW Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care aims to replace the current trial-and-error approach with personalized medicine. Dr. Madhukar Trivedi will lead the center, which will use clinical data and biosignatures to drive precision medicine.
A recent study has found that shorter adults have a higher risk of dying while waiting for a lung transplant and are more likely to be placed on mechanical ventilation. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 adults initially listed for lung transplantation in the US between 2010 and 2011.
A new study found that over half of popular probiotics contain traces of gluten, raising concerns for patients with celiac disease. The study tested 22 top-selling probiotics and found 12 had detectable gluten levels, posing a potential hazard to those with gluten intolerance.
A new study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that more than half of patients who report 'weekend-only' drug use expand their use to weekdays. Primary care clinicians should monitor these patients, as weekend-only users are less likely to increase frequency and severity of use compared to those with non-weekend-only use.
A team of neuroscientists found that misfolded a-synuclein can activate microglia, leading to chronic inflammation. They also identified specific receptors on microglial cells that respond to the protein and tested drugs to reduce inflammation.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that menthol, often used as a flavoring, has a significant pharmacologic effect when combined with nicotine. The study revealed that menthol slows or prevents the recovery of sensitivity after the first insult, placing receptors in a desensitized state.
A workplace mindfulness-based intervention reduced stress levels of ICU nurses by 40%, according to a new Ohio State study. The 8-week program included mindfulness, gentle stretching, yoga, meditation and music, and significantly decreased salivary alpha-amylase levels, a biomarker of sympathetic nervous system activation.
A recent study compared cardiac surgery residents to attending physicians performing coronary artery bypass grafting and found similar patient outcomes and graft patency. Residents acted as primary surgeon in majority of surgeries, but with proper supervision, they achieved comparable results to attendings.
Researchers found that bats, like humans, use hemispheric specialization for sound processing, with left brain better for fast sounds and right for slow ones. This discovery opens new avenues for studying bat brains to understand human language disorders and improve computer speech recognition.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that maternal stress can increase the risk of fetal neuroblastoma in mice. The study showed that even non-stressed handling of the animals led to a faster development of cancer, suggesting that prenatal stress may exacerbate genetic mutations that promote tumor growth.
A common nerve protein, neuropeptide Y (NPY), is elevated in the blood of patients with aggressive neuroblastomas, associated with adverse prognostic factors and worse survival rates. NPY may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for this pediatric cancer.
New retrieval methods significantly increase filter removal success, addressing complications and long dwell times. These advancements now make retrievable IVC filters a routine procedure for pulmonary embolism prevention.
A study of veterans in Connecticut found that nearly 7% of patients have a next of kin who is not a nuclear family member, often a friend or intimate partner. States should consider adopting uniform default consent statutes to reflect evolving social ties.
New research at KU Medical Center found a correlation between milk consumption and increased levels of glutathione in the brain. Participants who drank milk recently had higher glutathione levels, which could help stave off oxidative stress and its associated diseases.
A Georgetown University Medical Center study found that brain neurons learn words quickly by tuning to recognize complete words as visual objects, not parts of them. The 'visual word form area' in the left side of the visual cortex remembers how whole words look, facilitating fast reading and helping people with reading difficulties.
A comprehensive analysis of 66,101 health-care facilities in 54 low- and middle-income countries found that 38% lack an improved water source, 19% lack improved sanitation, and 35% lack soap for hand washing. This compromise basic health-care services like child delivery, posing infection risks to patients and staff.
A new survey from NYU Langone Medical Center found that most physicians believe diet is as important as statin therapy in preventing heart disease, and would welcome additional training in nutrition. The study suggests that improving physician knowledge on diet could lead to better patient outcomes.
Patients treated at high-volume facilities for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have longer overall survival when receiving definitive concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Studies show improved outcomes for patients treated at these centers, regardless of academic or community status.
A study by the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna found Listeria monocytogenes in 2% of lavatory samples, highest at park facilities and mobile container lavatories. Shoes with deeper treads show higher prevalence rates.
Susac syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease causing acute confusion, hearing problems, and eyesight issues. It is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis or ADEM, but may be considered in young patients with unexplained acute onset of confusion and abnormal spinal fluid tests
A study of 210 primary care resident physicians found they rarely perform alcohol screening and brief intervention, despite its effectiveness in detecting and reducing unhealthy alcohol use. The researchers suggest that medical school curricula focus on binge drinking rather than chronic dependence.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz identified RAB3GAP complex as a key factor in autophagy, a process that breaks down cellular proteins and organelles. This discovery may enable innovative approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a wearable sensor system to track gait, balance, and other movements in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The APDM Mobility Lab can effectively assess the severity of the disorder even when medications are used to reduce symptoms.
Researchers found that cochlear implant users can synchronize body movement to music with a strong beat, similar to hearing individuals. The study suggests that using music compositions emphasizing beats may improve cochlear implant users' understanding and use of spoken language, as well as their enjoyment of music.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified the brain's on-off switch for thirst, revealing two types of neurons that drive and suppress the sensation. The study uses optogenetics to activate specific neuron populations in the subfornical organ, leading to increased drinking behavior in mice.
Researchers are calling for clinical trials to determine if widespread hepatitis C screening would result in greater benefit or harm. The authors argue that exposing individuals without symptoms to treatment could outweigh benefits for those destined to develop end-stage disease.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation identified hyaluronon as a critical substance made by the body that protects against premature births from infection. The findings suggest that HA plays a crucial role in epithelial barrier function and offers cervical protection against bacterial infections.
A study of 2,500 obese patients and 7,500 matched controls found bariatric surgery reduces mortality risk by 53% at 5-14 years post-procedure. The surgery also became safer over time, with lower risk of death during and after the procedure.
A large-scale analysis of hundreds of patients and nearly 1000 genes found that diverse genetic mutations lead to different disease outcomes in autism spectrum disorder. The study revealed that more damaging mutations usually result in worse outcomes, while high-IQ cases are often triggered by milder mutations.
A new real-time radiation monitor significantly reduces radiation exposure for medical workers during cardiac-catheterization procedures, resulting in a one-third decrease in radiation exposure. The device provides auditory feedback, enabling operators to take actions to reduce radiation exposure and adopt safer radiation practices.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have found that the immune systems of patients with celiac disease react to specific types of non-gluten protein in wheat. A group of molecules known as serpins, along with four other types of wheat protein, are identified as novel non-gluten immunogenic proteins.
A study published in Science has identified a single mutated gene, K13, as the cause of growing resistance to malaria drugs in Southeast Asia. This finding provides a way to detect emerging resistance and potentially eliminate it before spreading globally.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) uses Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to worsen its own infection by stealing scarce resources from other gut bacteria. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how microbiota composition impacts infection outcomes.
A new fMRI test can detect neural dysfunction in HIV-positive individuals before they exhibit cognitive decline, according to a Georgetown University Medical Center study. The researchers found that the neural specificity in brain regions associated with face processing is reduced in HIV-positive participants.
Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology measured high concentrations of organic pollutants emitted during fracking processes in the US, exceeding urban air quality standards by a factor of one thousand. The study found that certain technologies, such as open fracking facilities, release significantly more benzene and oth...
Researchers at Mainz University have discovered that a psoriasis medication may be effective in treating Alzheimer's disease by stimulating the activity of the enzyme ADAM10, which could lead to reduced accumulation of Alzheimer's plaques. The medication was well-tolerated and showed promise in enhancing learning and memory capacity.
Resveratrol, a natural substance found in red wine, has anti-inflammatory effects on cardiovascular diseases by binding to the KSRP regulator protein and activating it. This activation reduces the stability of messenger RNA, resulting in lower synthesis of inflammatory mediators.
Millions die each year from obesity-related issues, with Australia projected to be third fattest nation by 2020. Fitness facilities can mitigate risks by implementing pre-activity screening, automated defibrillators, regular inspections, and staff training.
A study from Georgetown University Medical Center found that involving men in family planning programs resulted in women making more financial decisions and having greater control over their lives. The Standard Days Method, a couple-centered approach, was shown to be effective in empowering women.
Researchers found that menthol reduces irritation from nicotine by desensitizing airway receptors. The study provides insight into how menthol affects the function of α3β4 receptors, which are expressed in both airways and other neurons.
A new study suggests that malfunctioning tau, not amyloid-beta plaque, is the key event triggering neuron death in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that when tau fails to function, neurons can't clear toxic proteins, leading to cell death.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that nearly a quarter of patients who underwent initial breast conservation surgery had a subsequent surgical intervention. The study, which included over 316,000 patients, identified patient and tumor factors associated with repeat surgeries.
A new study has found that the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA) in the cervix provides protection against infection, which can lead to preterm birth. Mice unable to produce HA had abnormal cervical structures and higher preterm birth rates in response to infection.
Dr. Schoggins has received a $2.385 million NIH New Innovator Award to pursue research on why bats can harbor numerous viruses without getting sick. The award supports his lab's work in understanding the science behind this phenomenon.
A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that 48% of top 125 US college campuses have indoor tanning facilities on or near campus. The presence of these facilities may passively reinforce tanning behavior among young adults, increasing their risk for skin cancer.
Radiologists in Singapore outline lessons learned from SARS to improve current Ebola outbreak response. The article highlights the importance of balancing clinical needs with patient and staff safety.
E-cigarette regulation by FDA could shift smokers away from lethal cigarettes and save lives. Clean-nicotine products may replace traditional tobacco, reducing nicotine levels and flavorings.
The new grant will operate three powerful experimental stations at NSLS-II, allowing researchers to study protein structures and biological processes in detail. The facilities will also enable the development of new technologies for addressing challenging biological questions.
ApoE3 helps repair blood vessels, while apoE4 prevents this process, leading to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers discovered a potential preventive treatment using NO donors for individuals with the apoE4 variant.
Researchers studied lamprey embryology to understand the evolutionary origins of modern vertebrates. They discovered that Hox genes play a crucial role in hindbrain segmentation, which is conserved across vertebrates.
The VALUE study reveals that only 13% of vascular testing facilities are IAC accredited, with significant regional variations in utilization. The study also highlights the importance of IAC accreditation in setting practice standards and ensuring quality performance.