Articles tagged with Medical Products
A major review by the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group identifies three effective ways to stop smoking: counseling, bupropion, and nicotine replacement therapy. The study found that combining these strategies with behavioral support yields the best results for quitting smoking.
A major new review of evidence has identified three top ways to stop smoking: combining behaviour support with medication like bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy. The Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group's systematic reviews also found strong evidence for behavioural counselling and financial incentives.
A new study found that communities with pharmacies implementing a state standing order to distribute naloxone without a prescription showed a significant decrease in opioid-related deaths. The analysis, conducted from 2013 to 2018, observed a gradual decline of 16% per year in cities with naloxone distribution, compared to those without.
A new study found that communities with pharmacies dispensing standing order naloxone experienced a gradual and significant decrease in opioid deaths, averaging 16% per year. This suggests that expanding access to naloxone through state-mandated standing orders can save lives and reduce opioid fatality rates.
Global regulatory bodies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, need enhanced capacity to ensure timely and safe access to essential medical products. Experts suggest expanding regulatory pathways to prioritize public health by enabling faster reach of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
A qualitative study highlights the dangers of unregulated online semaglutide sales, with vendors shipping falsified products. The US has seen a 1500% increase in semaglutide-related calls to poison centers, underscoring the need for enhanced pharmacovigilance.
A strong belief in the Protestant Work Ethic may underpin people's choices for 'natural' approaches to healthcare. The study found a link between PWE values and preferences for vaginal birth, natural cold remedies, and caesarean sections, even when chemical composition is identical.
Researchers investigated how stigma affects women's menstrual health practices in Bangladesh. A study on group discussions found that normalizing the topic of menstruation empowers women to access better menstrual products. Women were willing to pay more for pads and showed increased interest in alternative products after open discussi...
Researchers tested seven antibiotics in combination with various natural compounds, finding synergistic effects against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The study suggests combining antibiotics with plant extracts or phytochemicals could be a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an AI algorithm that can design new active pharmaceutical ingredients by analyzing protein structures. The algorithm generates blueprints for potential drug molecules that increase or inhibit protein activity, reducing the need for lengthy discovery processes and minimizing side effects.
A comprehensive study found pulse oximeters significantly overestimated oxygen saturation readings in individuals with darker skin tones. This could lead to missed treatments and incorrect diagnoses, as devices may not accurately reflect critical oxygen levels.
A new study found that phenylephrine is the most popular nasal decongestant despite lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. Removal from the market could disrupt supply chains and require significant investment in infrastructure for over-the-counter drug review.
Despite a lack of clinical efficacy evidence, phenylephrine remained the most common oral decongestant in the US from 2012-2021, with hundreds of millions of units sold annually. Most phenylephrine products were co-formulated with antihistamines or antitussives, providing symptom relief for cough and cold symptoms.
The study reveals a diverse landscape of software as a medical device (SaMD) with notable progress in artificial intelligence/machine learning-based devices, accounting for 22% of all FDA-approved SaMDs. Established companies focus on incremental innovations, while new entrants and start-ups drive disruptive innovation.
A new Cochrane review has found that human insulin can be stored at room temperature for up to six months without losing potency. This breakthrough research offers hope to millions of people living with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries, particularly those with limited access to refrigeration or healthcare.
The Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies (CAPCaT) has received a five-year, $8.9 million award from the NIH to develop innovative point-of-care health technologies. The program aims to address heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders in underserved populations.
A study found that a water additive containing pomegranate extract can limit the formation of plaque and tartar in dogs after professional dental cleaning. The additive was shown to reduce plaque buildup by 47% and tartar by 24%, promoting healthy gums.
A Rice University-led team of researchers has been awarded $45 million to develop a new sense-and-respond implant technology that could improve immunotherapy outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. The technology, called THOR, aims to provide real-time data from the tumor environment to guide more effective therapies.
Researchers have designed an implantable device that carries hundreds of thousands of insulin-producing islet cells and has its own on-board oxygen factory, generating oxygen by splitting water vapor. The device was tested in diabetic mice and maintained normal blood glucose levels for at least a month.
The US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity has developed a shelf-stable treatment for snakebite envenoming that is safe, easy to use, and independent of snake species. Clinical trials are ongoing in the US and India, with pre-clinical studies suggesting its potential use worldwide.
Repetitive manual dexterity training for 12 weeks improves executive function and boosts cognitive load patterns in older adults. Daily training has a positive correlation with active blood hemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a nanocellulose wound dressing that reveals early signs of infection through pH monitoring. This technology can lead to more efficient care and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
A new microbiome therapeutic, SER-109, has been shown to improve the quality of life of patients with Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections by reducing symptoms and restoring colonization resistance. The treatment was found to be associated with significant improvements in health-related quality of life scores as early as Week 1.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine physician-scientist leads a research program to develop a bio-synthetic whole-blood product for easy use in the field, potentially saving thousands of lives. The product will be designed to stabilize blood pressure and facilitate blood clotting.
A study of commercial and Medicare Advantage claims data from 2003 to 2017 found no statistically significant difference in psychosis-related diagnoses or prescribed antipsychotics between states with medical or recreational cannabis policies and those without. The findings suggest continued evaluation of psychosis as a potential conse...
A new study finds that online physician rating platforms can help disseminate important quality information to patients and direct them to higher-quality physicians. The research examines the impact of user-generated online ratings on healthcare choices and highlights their positive association with conventional measurements of physici...
Researchers uncover the origins of Kampo, tracing it back to 8th century Chinese monk Jianzhen's herbal medicines and prescriptions. These findings show that Kampo has been integrated into Japan's healthcare system for centuries, influencing traditional Japanese medicine.
UCR researchers find that modern ventilators overextend certain regions of the lungs, causing stress and damage, unlike natural breathing. They propose a new thick-walled model to better understand pulmonary mechanics and improve ventilation strategies.
The Critical Path Institute has launched a pre-consortium collaboration with the FDA's CBER and CDER to accelerate medical product development in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The collaboration aims to define unmet needs in drug development and lay the groundwork for specific solutions.
The need to reduce diabetes care product waste is a pressing issue, with disposable devices generating enormous amounts of plastic. Experts, including Professor Lutz Heinemann, are exploring strategies to increase recycling and sustainability in the industry.
The Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has established a public-private partnership with the FDA and NIH to advance treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases. The partnership will leverage C-Path's expertise in data management, quantitative analytics, and regulatory science to accelerate medical product development.
Researchers developed e-bandages producing hydrogen peroxide to treat wound infections, reducing MRSA biofilm bacteria by 99 percent. This alternative method to antibiotics has the potential to improve wound healing and reduce antibiotic resistance.
A global black market for COVID-19 antiviral drugs is emerging, putting patients' health in jeopardy due to unequal distribution and substandard products. The investigation found that patients are buying pills online without medical supervision, increasing the risk of birth defects and viral resistance.
A low-cost ventilator prototype has been developed, making it accessible to all, including adults and children, with a potential price tag of USD $1500. The PVP1 project aims to provide a pressure-controlled ventilator research platform for compatible adult and pediatric uses.
Researchers have discovered a simple way to prevent pharmaceutical fraud using candy-coated pills with unique color patterns. The technique, called CandyCode, uses tiny multicolored candy nonpareils as a uniquely identifiable coating for pharmaceutical capsules and pills.
New research found that 62% of tinted sunscreens have only one shade option, with tone compatibility being the most important criterion. The study suggests that the beauty industry and dermatologic field need to improve diversity and offer more options for tinted sunscreen formulations tailored to people with skin of color.
Researchers used a programmable button to page phlebotomists for blood draws, reducing the time it took to diagnose a heart attack by an average of 11 minutes. The study showed a significant reduction in processing times, from 14% faster diagnosis to 2.5-minute shorter blood draws.
A new study found that the CareAlign system was voluntarily adopted by 94% of departments four years after its roll-out. The majority of providers began using it within a week, with over 90% regularly using it within a week.
The collaboration aims to create an interoperable global data ecosystem for rare diseases, accelerating the development of new therapies. This partnership benefits patients, regulators, advocacy stakeholders, researchers, and industry, while expanding C-Path's global capabilities in collaborating on methodologies and technologies.
Researchers evaluated the quality of supporting evidence for FDA emergency use authorizations of COVID-19-related diagnostic tests, medical devices, and treatments. The study found that some authorizations lacked adequate evidence to support their approval.
A large-scale study of over 1.2 million people found breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but more frequent and severe in those with weakened immune systems. The study supports the introduction of a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals to increase protection.
A new study found that most personal protective equipment (PPE) masks are not designed for Black And Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and women, leading to inadequate protection. The research highlights the need for further studies on PPE development to account for differences in facial dimensions across gender and ethnicity.
Researchers developed a reusable respirator hood that is significantly preferred by frontline healthcare workers and support staff due to its safety and comfort. The new PPE strategy has also led to cost savings and reduced environmental impact, with over 80% of staff requesting their respirators for future use.
A woman-owned spinout company, Chosen Diagnostics Inc, has received a $2.1M NIH grant to develop and commercialize a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker test for necrotizing enterocolitis. The test, called NECDetect, identifies 93% true positives and 95% true negatives in diagnosing the disease.
A new protocol has been established to guide healthcare professionals on donning and doffing personal protective equipment during home visits. The protocol aims to address gaps in existing guidelines, providing a clear step-by-step process for healthcare workers interacting with patients potentially infected with COVID-19.
A survey of 147 medical professionals found that smaller endotracheal tube sizes reduce complications in professional voice users. The team hopes to establish evidence-based practices for managing the airways of these patients, who are particularly vulnerable to damage from intubation.
A low-cost prototype breathing device designed for poorer-resourced healthcare settings has shown promising results in a pilot trial involving healthy volunteers. The device provides continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and operates with oxygen concentrators, which are commonly used in low-pressure systems.
A new study analyzes 377 severe harm and death incidents in acute medical units across England and Wales between 2005-2015. The most common incident types were diagnostic errors, medication-related errors, and failures in monitoring patients. Implementing electronic prescribing systems and checklists can reduce diagnostic errors, while...
A new study found high fluorine levels in most waterproof mascara, liquid lipsticks, and foundations tested, indicating probable presence of PFAS. Many products with confirmed PFAS had no PFAS listed on the label, making it impossible for consumers to avoid these chemicals through labeling.
A large survey of women in California found significant racial and ethnic differences in personal care product use, with Black women more heavily exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The study aims to fill the gap in data on products used by women of color and informs guidance for self-protection and policy development.
The Critical Path to Therapeutics for the Ataxias (CPTA) Consortium aims to optimize clinical trials for inherited ataxias through a public-private partnership. CPTA will create a neutral space for stakeholders to share expertise and data, leveraging this input to guide the development of actionable solutions.
State crisis standards of care (CSC) guidelines in the US allocate scarce healthcare resources among cancer patients, requiring careful consideration of prioritization methods. The guidelines include provisions for blood products and palliative care, highlighting the need for nuanced decision-making in resource allocation.
Karen Giuliano, AACN Distinguished Research Lecturer, shares her journey from bedside care to challenging critical care and medical device innovation. She emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in developing person-centered, humanistic patient care.
A new paper from the University of Portsmouth argues that excessive pricing due to COVID-19 can be prevented by enforcing EU competition law and applying price controls. The research suggests that imposing fines may not be effective in addressing price gouging, as companies may continue to raise prices in the future.
A new study revealed that 42.8% of medical staff treated COVID-19 patients experienced serious skin injuries related to personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The most common types of skin injuries were device-related pressure injuries, moist associated skin damage, and skin tears.
Companies with female directors issued recalls of life-threatening defects 28 days earlier than firms with all-male boards, resulting in a 35% reduction in time. Female directors also initiated 120% more recalls of less severe product defects, including packaging and labeling issues.
A COVID-19 palliative care plan has been developed as an essential tool to provide care during the pandemic. The plan focuses on 8 critical elements: stockpiling medications and supplies, training staff, optimizing space, refining systems, alleviating separation effects, promoting critical conversations, focusing on marginalized popula...
A study from the University of Notre Dame found that female directors speed up severe medical product recalls by 28 days, reducing timing by 35%. Firms with more women on their boards are also more efficient in recalling low-severity products.
A study by Lehigh University researchers found that firms with female directors announced high-severity product recalls 28 days sooner than all-male boards. This reduction in time translates to a 35% decrease in the overall recall period.