Articles tagged with Medical Facilities
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.
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.
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.
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.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded grants totaling over $55.5 million to four universities to construct new scientific research facilities. These facilities will support academic research across various topics, including fundamental physics research, nanotechnology, aquaculture, and marine ecology.
GUMC researchers discover that a gamma secretase inhibitor can reduce neuronal loss and protect against motor and cognitive deficits in animal models of traumatic brain injury. This finding supports the connection between Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury, suggesting novel therapeutic targets.
The National Resource for Aplysia, a world-leading facility for sea slug research, has secured a $2.7 million NIH grant renewal for five years. The facility will provide scientists with abundant Aplysia californica animals to study basic mechanisms of memory and learning.
Researchers found that doctors who treat patients with complex conditions provide high-quality care, even better than expected. This suggests that pay-for-performance initiatives may not penalize healthcare providers for caring for the sickest patients.
A new system developed by MIT scientists can monitor the fetal heartbeat noninvasively, allowing for early detection of potential problems. The system separates the maternal ECG signal from the fetus's and background noise thanks to a complex algorithm, enabling clinicians to catch subtle variations in the fetal heartbeat.
Researchers discovered that CIP2A expression is associated with reduced overall survival in gastric cancer patients, as well as increased proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. Meanwhile, a RasGAP-derived peptide has been shown to improve responses to chemotherapy in mouse models of colon cancer.
Scientists have confirmed a unified theory about how the brain processes speech and language, suggesting that two parallel pathways process complex auditory signals. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, provide insight into disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, and may lead to better treatment options.
A study found that faculty physicians who spent more time on their most meaningful activities had lower rates of burnout. The authors suggest that career fit can be optimized by providing additional time for physicians to pursue their passions.
The Stowers Institute's new whole-genome sequencing approach enables rapid identification of mutations in fruit flies, a crucial step towards discovering genes linked to human diseases. This innovation promises to accelerate the discovery process, making it faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods.
Researchers have identified a specific gene and protein that contribute to the development of deadly arterial plaques. Deleting this gene in mice resulted in smaller, less unstable plaques. The study suggests that therapies targeting cellular stress may be useful in treating heart disease.
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.