Articles tagged with Medical Facilities
Researchers found that each whole word is processed by its own set of neurons in the brain's left visual cortex. This discovery may provide insights into reading disorders and inform the development of new treatments.
The new NHS Evidence service provides a fast and efficient web-based search facility to access a wide range of information on various topics. It also has a commissioning function to ensure knowledge gaps are filled and to provide central purchasing of online journals for staff in the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
A new study found that neurons in the visual word form area of the left visual cortex prefer individual real words over pronounceable nonsense words. This discovery supports experience-driven tuning of neurons to real words and provides evidence for neural plasticity beyond lower-level representations.
Parkinson's disease is characterized by selective loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, with elevated cytosolic dopamine and calcium levels contributing to cell death. Genetic and environmental 'hits' are required for PD pathology, suggesting multiple therapeutic targets should be considered
A new study has developed a software that utilizes the Nintendo Wii gaming system's infrared sensor and accelerometer to enable flexible ways for radiologists to interact with patient images. This method may alleviate limitations of traditional keyboard-mouse interfaces and reduce repetitive motion injuries.
A randomized assessment of Mexico's Seguro Popular program reveals a significant reduction in household-crippling expenditure, with poorest individuals benefiting most. The study also introduces innovative approaches to evaluate public policies and provides a validated architecture for delivering health services to the poor.
Pulmonary rehabilitation improves aerobic function, reducing breathlessness in COPD patients. Supervised exercise also decreases anxiety and depression by enabling patients to master new skills.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered an experimental agent that can reverse damage from spinal cord injury by blocking inflammatory reactions. The study shows that microglial cells release neurotoxic factors after injury, leading to lasting nerve cell damage.
A new web-based CME course created by PharmedOut aims to educate physicians about the many ways pharmaceutical companies attempt to influence their knowledge of drugs and prescribing behavior. The 'Pharmalyzer' course provides compelling evidence to illustrate the influence of marketing, including disease branding and detailing tactics.
The DOE Office of Science will receive $1.2 billion in funding to support major construction, laboratory infrastructure, and research initiatives. This investment will create thousands of jobs and accelerate new technology development, while modernizing the nation's scientific infrastructure.
Researchers found significant discrepancies between self-reported fatigue and actigraphy readings, suggesting a link between heart failure, sleep disorders, and impairments in health-related quality of life. The study may lead to different approaches to patients suffering from anergia or 'lack of energy'.
A single-screening question from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) accurately identifies unhealthy alcohol use in primary-care patients, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
A study found that nearly one-fifth of trauma patients have incidental CT findings, associated with age, injury severity score, and mechanism of injury. The study highlights the need for physicians to pay attention to detail in diagnosing and managing these findings.
A NYU Langone Medical Center study shows that healthy elderly patients with severe to profound hearing loss can tolerate cochlear implant surgery without significant risk, contrary to conventional wisdom. The procedure significantly improves their hearing and quality of life.
A study by Claudia C. Collins and Angela M. O'Callaghan found that caring for houseplants can have positive effects on residents' happiness and overall sense of well-being. The 4-week study involved interactive horticulture classes, resulting in improved mastery, self-rated health and a general feeling of success.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have documented brain activity in anticipation of music sequences, revealing a neural process that prepares the body to act. This finding sheds light on how humans predict motor activities and provides insight into cued associative learning.
A study found significant confusion among pre-hospital healthcare providers regarding living wills and DNR orders, which can compromise lifesaving care. Implementing clearly defined code status designations within living wills can clarify this confusion and ensure patient safety.
TIPS placement enhances renal function, decreasing systemic levels of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), while increasing arginine/ADMA ratio indicating increased NO bioavailability. The study confirms the liver's major role as ADMA-clearing organ and does not alter DDAH activity.
A study at Columbia University Medical Center found that experimental heart failure drugs may slow muscle loss in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal genetic disorder. The new class of drugs targets the same microscopic leak that weakens both skeletal and cardiac muscles.
The Institute for Reproductive Health will make scientifically-based natural family planning methods available to Title X clients, testing strategies to overcome barriers and increase adoption. The Standard Days Method has been shown to be over 95% effective in preventing pregnancy.
UT Southwestern researchers found that drug-coated stents are less risky for heart bypass patients compared to bare-metal stents, with a 51% lower rate of re-narrowing and reduced need for repeat procedures.
Researchers found that blue stragglers are the result of 'stellar cannibalism' where plasma is gradually pulled from one star to another to form a massive, unusually hot star. This process takes place in binary stars and helps resolve a long-standing mystery in stellar evolution.
A study at Duke University Medical Center shows that seeing someone smoke can trigger abstinence efforts, highlighting the importance of breaking habitual responses. Brain scans reveal a marked increase in brain activity when quitters see photographs of people smoking, suggesting sensitization to smoking cues.
A study by Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that rising blood glucose levels may contribute to normal cognitive decline in aging. Exercise has been suggested as a potential strategy to improve cognitive health by lowering glucose levels and improving brain function.
A study of surrogate decision-makers for critically ill patients found that 87% want to hear all prognostic estimates, even if uncertain. Family members value candor in discussing uncertain outcomes and want to prepare for the chance of their loved one's death.
Researchers found that pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency were more than twice as likely to undergo a caesarean section compared to those without the deficiency. The study highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy.
A survey of US academic emergency physicians found nearly all believed police use excessive force during arrests and detentions. Doctors frequently treated patients with blunt trauma and handcuff injuries sustained by police officers.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center discovered a chemical that counters the negative impact of leptin on drug-eluting stents used in diabetic patients. This finding could lead to improved outcomes for diabetics who receive stents.
The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation has pledged $3 million to support the construction of a new Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry building. The gift will help alleviate the shortage of dentists in Georgia, with the school increasing its class size from 63 to 100 and residency positions from 44 to 72.
A survey by the University of Texas at Austin found that bicyclists in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are more concerned with vehicle crashes than others. The study also revealed that 70% of respondents consider biking to be very or somewhat dangerous due to traffic accidents, while only 21% fear crime-related incidents.
Rutgers University has received a $10 million grant to establish the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which will focus on obesity and related diseases. The new facility will enable researchers to collaborate more easily and address critical issues in food production, nutrition, and human health.
A study found that non-white medical students are less likely to adopt complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, while white students view these therapies more positively. The survey of medical students measured attitudes towards CAM during four years of medical training.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center honors Dr. Bruce Spiegelman with the Naomi Berrie Award for his groundbreaking work on metabolic pathways of obesity and diabetes research. Dr. Spiegelman's discoveries have identified key molecules critical in fat cell differentiation, insulin resistance, and energy expenditure. Meanwhile, jun...
A study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers found that black Americans have a higher risk of death from heart disease and stroke due to uncontrolled blood pressure. The researchers concluded that reducing mean blood pressure among blacks could prevent 5,480 deaths annually.
Researchers found that blocking Cyclophilin D and developing surrounding mitochondrial targets may be viable strategies for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease. The study provides new insights into the mechanism underlying amyloid beta-mediated mitochondrial stress, which links to synaptic plasticity and learning/memory.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have successfully tested a genetic strategy to treat human infections caused by Candida albicans. Inhibiting a key protein could provide a new drug target against the yeast, which inhabits mucous membranes of most humans.
Phyllis R. Magrab is recognized as an outstanding advocate and researcher for children with disabilities, dedicating her career to improving their quality of life. She has received numerous honors for her work, including the Distinguished Contributions Award from the American Psychological Association.
The partnership will facilitate collaborative research in areas such as structural biology, systems genetics, and radiation biology. GUMC researchers are utilizing ORNL's supercomputing capabilities to analyze complex molecular data and develop new diagnostic tools for cancer diagnosis.
Boston Medical Center has received a $5.8 million grant to develop drugs targeting muscle proteins for older adults, improving mobility and preventing age-related ailments. The grant will support interdisciplinary research collaborations to address osteoporosis, hip fractures, and type one diabetes.
The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21, examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors on asthma, birth defects, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The study, authorized by Congress in 2000, is being conducted by a consortium of federal agencies, including NIH institutes and the CDC.
Researchers found that cardio-selective beta-blockers significantly reduced mortality in both COPD and non-COPD patients within 30 days of surgery. Long-term mortality reductions were also observed among COPD patients on beta-blockers, with a higher risk of death among those not receiving the medication.
A US neurosurgeon reports promising results treating soldiers with severe brain injuries in Iraq, where aggressive therapies led to unexpected survival rates. In contrast to predicted dire outcomes, some patients showed remarkable recovery, challenging the predictive value of standard neurological assessments.
A study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers found that physicians' personalities, particularly dutifulness and vulnerability, influence their approach to assessing depression. High dutifulness is associated with fewer questions about depression, while high vulnerability is linked to more accurate diagnoses.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center identified a new way to limit brain cell damage by reducing microglial activation. They found that a selective activator of a key receptor can turn off microglial activity, potentially treating conditions like stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
A study by John Hollingsworth at Duke University Medical Center found that a maternal diet rich in methyl donors can increase the development and severity of asthma in mice offspring. The researchers discovered that genes modified by methylation due to methyl donor exposure were likely responsible for this increased risk.
A national study published in JAMA found that 23.7% of women experience pelvic-floor disorders such as urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence. The risk increases with age, childbirths, and obesity.
A simple blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease is within sight, with a specific peptide in the blood plasma indicating increased risk. The decline of this peptide may reflect the compartmentalization of amyloid Beta 42 in the brain, occurring in people with Alzheimer's.
A recent study found that cocaine-induced brain plasticity may actually defend the brain during excessive drug use, potentially limiting maladaptive behavioral responses. The research identifies MEF2 as a key regulator of structural synapse plasticity and suggests that increasing spine density in the NAc may be a compensatory mechanism.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that tadalafil improved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Daily dosing of the erectile dysfunction drug showed clinically meaningful improvements, making it a suitable option for treating BPH LUTS.
A linear mathematical model allows for estimation of minimal detectable tumor sizes, based on blood tumor biomarker assays. The model relates secreted blood biomarker levels to tumor sizes, providing a tool for cancer screening and monitoring.
A recent study found that Multidetector CT (MDCT) is just as accurate as MRI in assessing myocardial infarct size in an emergency setting. The study showed strong agreement between MDCT and MRI, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
A recent study found that the provision of psychotherapy by US psychiatrists declined significantly between 1996 and 2005, with a decline in both office-based visits and the percentage of patients receiving therapy. This shift is attributed to reimbursement policies favoring brief medication management visits over psychotherapy.
NYU researchers have identified new predictors for Alzheimer's disease, including brain atrophy and biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid. These findings may help predict individuals at high risk of developing the disease, enabling early detection and prevention.
A study by Duke University researchers found a possible geographical pattern for ALS cases among 1991 Gulf War veterans, with some areas of service showing an elevated risk. The research uses GIS analysis to identify potential environmental exposures that may be associated with the disease.
A recent study challenges previous findings on iodinated contrast material's effect on kidney function. It found that serum creatinine levels change frequently in patients without receiving contrast material, rendering prior studies' conclusions questionable.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health identified a class of custom-made immune cells called regulatory T cells that prevent allergic reactions by recognizing potential allergens. These cells are produced in response to a gene called Foxp3 and help control damage from long-term inflammation.
Neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center found that transportation of brain transcripts is essential for growth and connection between neurons, forming the basis of memory and learning. This discovery may provide clues to understanding mental retardation and overall brain functioning.
Researchers found that patients who disclose intimate partner violence (IPV) to clinicians in primary care or obstetrics/gynecology settings experience the most benefit, with minimal serious harm. In contrast, emergency department disclosures are more problematic for patients, leading to fear and avoidance of healthcare.
Researchers found that coronary arterial calcium scans can detect overall death risk in elderly adults, predicting those likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. The study validated the use of CT scans to assess death risk, enabling physicians to advise patients on lifestyle changes and preventive measures.
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center used CT scans to compare wood densities of classical and modern violins. The results suggest that the homogeneity in wood density may explain the superior sound production of Cremonese violins.