Articles tagged with Medical Facilities
Research suggests that requiring a five-hour rest period for surgical residents after 16 hours of work may not improve outcomes in commonly performed operations. The study compared outcomes in laparoscopic cholecystectomies and appendectomies performed during the day versus at night, finding similar good outcomes.
Topology optimization enables creation of patient-specific, case-by-case designs for tissue-engineered bone replacements in facial reconstruction. The technique accounts for variables like blood flow and chewing forces to optimize structure and function.
Researchers discovered a chemical that promotes brain cell growth, potentially leading to new treatments for Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative diseases. The substance protects newborn neurons from dying off, giving them better odds of becoming functional cells.
A top-down approach to radiography evaluation reduced unnecessary cervical spine X-rays by 83% at a large academic medical center. The policy was implemented through the medical director's office and resulted in significant cost savings and improved efficiency.
A Palestinian perspective on aid critiques the politics behind aid provided to the occupied territory, highlighting how it maintains an unacceptable situation. The authors argue that generous aid subsidizes Israel's expansion and perpetuates donor dependency, with 42% of health expenditure financed by donors.
Researchers from Boston University identified 19 genetic clusters, or 'signatures,' associated with exceptional longevity in centenarians. These signatures correlated with differences in disease prevalence and age-of-onset, potentially helping identify subgroups of healthy aging.
Researchers identified two experimental drugs that harness the fight-or-flight response to restore pumping strength to failing hearts. By targeting a key protein, these compounds slow and halt the progression of heart disease.
Research reveals high rates of STIs among older swingers, particularly those over 45, who have higher infection rates than other groups. Swingers are largely ignored by healthcare services, posing a significant risk to the general population.
Researchers discovered an estrogen-dendrimer conjugate that selectively targets heart-protective pathways in mice, promoting cardiovascular protection without stimulating uterine enlargement or breast cancer growth. The findings pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions targeting non-nuclear estrogen receptors.
Researchers propose a testable model of human tinnitus suggesting that the brain's limbic system, which normally blocks sound sensations sent from non-real sources, is compromised in people with tinnitus. This could lead to new therapeutic approaches by restoring the feedback loop and eliminating phantom sounds.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that no new medical strategies exist to prevent or treat fetal alcohol syndrome, a disorder caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Despite ongoing research, sensitive diagnostic tools are lacking, and more investigation is needed into biomarkers and prevention programs.
The Air Force Suicide Prevention Program has reduced suicide rates significantly since its launch in 1996. The program's success is attributed to consistently supported interventions that promote coping skills and reduce stigma associated with mental health care.
A study analyzing 2,575 Dutch transplant candidates found that kidneys from donors after cardiac death provided a 56% higher chance of survival for patients. While the initial failure rate was higher, long-term benefits outweighed the risks, suggesting an expansion of available organs.
Researchers discover a combination of drugs that effectively target stubborn leukemia stem cells, which often escape standard treatment and lead to disease relapse. The study supports clinical trials of HDACi in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to eliminate leukemia stem cells in patients with CML.
Researchers developed a new technique using patterns in immune response to differentiate between active and latent tuberculosis. The test identified specific cytokine patterns that allowed for quick diagnosis, potentially reducing early exposure to the disease.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $1 billion in grants to construct, repair, and renovate scientific research laboratories across the US. These grants are expected to create or sustain jobs nationwide while fostering scientific advances that may lead to improved human health.
Researchers found vinpocetine reduces inflammation by targeting the activity of IKK, switching off NF-κB and producing pro-inflammatory molecules. The study shows great promise for vinpocetine as a novel anti-inflammatory agent with no severe side effects.
The DOE has approved a conceptual design for the APS upgrade, which will make existing X-ray facilities 10-100 times more powerful. The upgrade is expected to create new high-tech jobs and enable breakthroughs in understanding diseases and developing sustainable energy technologies.
Researchers found that SSRIs slowed platelet clumping in participants taking the medication to treat depression, suggesting a potential beneficial effect on cardiovascular health. The study's findings could indicate a lower risk of cardiovascular disease for people taking SSRIs to treat depression.
A Georgetown University Medical Center research team is developing new smoking cessation drugs based on an unconventional theory about nicotine addiction. The theory suggests that nicotine addiction results from smokers trying to maintain the increased number of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in a desensitized state.
Researchers found airway obstructions in young children have a surprisingly high mortality rate of 3.4%, highlighting the need for better education and regulations to prevent such injuries.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that morphine protects rat neurons against HIV toxicity, a finding that might help design new neuroprotective therapies. Morphine inhibited HIV protein gp120 and induced production of CCL5, which suppresses HIV infection.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that female sex chromosomes, not just hormones, help regulate blood pressure. Male mice with female sex chromosomes experience hypertension seen in postmenopausal women.
A new risk score tool developed by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center has been shown to more accurately predict patients' risk for cardiac disease and death. The Intermountain Risk Score, which includes age, sex, and routine blood test results, improved doctors' ability to measure patient risk by up to 57%.
A Texas-based consortium has launched a biotherapeutic manufacturing initiative, Project GreenVax, to produce vaccines for infectious diseases like influenza at a fraction of current time. The project utilizes tobacco plants and could provide vaccine protection to citizens worldwide that cannot currently afford them.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that the brain evaluates faces in two distinct ways: for quality of experience and economic value. The study used fMRI to measure brain activation while participants viewed faces and money, predicting how much they would pay to see a more attractive face.
Researchers highlight the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in preventing spontaneous preterm birth. A review article highlights family history, infection, stress, and genetics as risk factors for early birth.
A year-long study found that a low-carbohydrate diet was more effective at lowering blood pressure than the weight-loss drug orlistat. Participants in the low-carbohydrate group experienced a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, with nearly half seeing their medication decreased or discontinued.
A recent study suggests that parks and recreation programs are declining in the US due to budget shortfalls, which may exacerbate the country's growing obesity epidemic. The research highlights the importance of access to recreational opportunities for addressing health issues related to overweight and obese individuals.
Researchers pinpointed prime factors identifying elderly persons at high risk for developing major depression, including low-level depressive symptoms and poor social support. Preventive treatments hold promise for providing the greatest health benefit at the lowest cost.
David W. Russell has received the 2010 Avanti Award in Lipids for his groundbreaking work on cholesterol metabolism and oxysterol function. His laboratory has elucidated the enzymatic pathways responsible for cholesterol breakdown and identified genes involved in related diseases.
The American College of Physicians has awarded the Ralph O. Claypoole Sr. Memorial Award to Dr. Melvin R. Kaplan, one of LA BioMed's founders and a renowned internist. Dr. Kaplan has dedicated his career to patient care for over 60 years.
A new study from the University of Chicago Medical Center found that purchasing prescription drugs in three-month supplies rather than one-month supplies can reduce out-of-pocket costs by an average of 29% for patients. The total savings, including third-party payers, averaged 18%, with estimated annual savings of $148.6 million.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that smoking is an established risk factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The findings support the link between environmental factors and ALS occurrence, highlighting potential avenues for treatment.
A recent study by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center found that patients with low levels of vitamin D were more likely to develop coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. The study followed 27,686 patients over a year and found that those with very low levels of vitamin D were 77% more likely to die.
An analysis of surgical adverse events at Veterans Health Administration Medical Centers found that communication problems are the leading cause of errors, often occurring early in procedures. The study highlights the need for earlier communication based on crew resource management to prevent surgical adverse events.
The 4th annual Katz Prizes in Cardiovascular Research recognize outstanding contributions by senior scientist Elizabeth G. Nabel and young investigator John P. Morrow, who are judged by an independent panel of peers.
Researchers found that two brain structures, the deep layers of superior colliculus and amygdala, interact to regulate emotional responses. Activation of one structure can lead to defensive behaviors, while inhibition of the other reveals a complex interaction between the two.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that a tailored approach to physical therapy can restore a wider variety of functions in rats with spinal cord injuries. After four weeks of training on a robotic device, trained animals had shorter stride lengths and improved walking performance compared to non-trained animals.
New research confirms the effectiveness of alteplase in treating strokes up to 4.5 hours after symptoms appear, regardless of age, gender, or underlying health conditions. The study's findings suggest that extending the treatment window could improve outcomes for stroke patients.
Researchers found that antiepileptic drugs administered during brain development increase schizophrenia-like behaviors in animal models. In humans, having a history of seizures is a significant risk factor for developing schizophrenia.
Using electrophysiological recording techniques, researchers found neurons tuned to fundamental frequencies and harmonic sounds in awake monkeys. This discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms of music processing and its potential therapeutic benefits for patients with severe neurological disorders.
High concentrations of glutamate activate the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1 receptors), which become protective against toxic effects. This finding may lead to rational drug design for therapeutic approaches to protect against excitotoxic brain damage following injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
A new Brandeis study found that faculty values at US academic medical centers align well with institutional missions, but in some cases, institutions fall short of practicing what they preach. Faculty prioritize caring for the underserved, teaching, intellectual rigor, and freedom of discovery.
A recent study found that bariatric surgery is associated with a higher risk of death in superobese patients. The research, published in Archives of Surgery, analyzed data from 856 veterans who underwent bariatric surgery between 2000 and 2006. Patients classified as superobese had a significantly increased risk of dying within one yea...
Research at Georgetown University Medical Center found that APP plays a critical role in brain development, connection of synapses, and dendritic spine development. Overproducing APP can lead to Abeta plaques and cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance in APP protein expression.
Researchers have found elevated levels of gamma-synuclein in depressed animals and humans, highlighting its role in regulating neurotransmitters. The study may provide new therapeutic targets for treating depression, which currently has limited effective treatments.
Researchers found that increased calcium current density occurs before seizure onset, and remains elevated during seizure susceptibility periods.
A CDC investigation found that contaminated pre-filled heparin and saline syringes from a single company led to 162 S. marcescens bloodstream infections in nine states. The company failed to comply with FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices, leading to the voluntary recall of affected syringes.
Researchers successfully preserved retina structure and function in animal model of retinal degeneration using human embryonic stem cell-derived pigment-containing visual cells. The study promotes potential future use of cell replacement therapies to treat devastating eye diseases.
A mathematical model suggests that improved community-based access to life-saving drugs like misoprostol and antibiotics can prevent up to 59,000 maternal deaths across sub-Saharan Africa per year. The study found that the poorest women would benefit most from these interventions.
A new approach to medical practice that incorporates the interactions between human genetics, environment and behavior could result in more precise diagnosis, earlier intervention and individualized care. However, concerns around data protection, sociolegal implications and economic costs must be addressed.
Duke researchers found that bladder cells have a mechanism to detect and expel E. coli bacteria, offering potential new treatments for antibiotic-resistant UTIs and other infections.
The Bioproduction Facility at Cornell University has produced the first batch of NY-ESO-1 recombinant protein, a cancer vaccine that will be used in clinical trials for patients with ovarian or melanoma. The goal is to maximize the body's immune response to the protein.
A new observational study found that being physically active and adhering to a Mediterranean-type diet are associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, followed 1880 elderly subjects over five and a half years.
The Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine at Brown University has secured a new $7-million funding round from the VA to continue its work on restoring arm and leg function to amputees. Researchers will focus on developing biohybrid limbs, improving prosthetics, and rehabilitating veterans with limb trauma.
Surrogates are divided on how much guidance they want from doctors when making end-of-life medical choices for critically ill patients. While a slight majority prefer doctor's advice, many feel burdened by guilt and value patient's values over physician input.
A two-year study found that three treatment combinations for clearing the most common form of hepatitis C virus work equally well, with about 40% clearance rates. Researchers also noted that women achieved higher rates of virus clearance with the standard dose of peginterferon alfa-2b.
The University of Miami will create a high-tech seawater laboratory with $15 million in stimulus funds to study hurricane impacts on structures and ecosystems. The facility, set to be completed by summer 2012, will enable scientists to develop advanced sensor technology and models to improve construction standards and practices.
Researchers found that healthcare providers use paper for efficiency, ease of use, and memory aid purposes. They recommend decreasing alerts to avoid information overload.