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May/June 2012 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

The Folsom Group revitalizes the 1967 report's blueprint, updating 13 grand challenges to facilitate nationwide integrated patient-centered community health services. Intranasal corticosteroids show small therapeutic benefit for sinus infection sufferers, but with potential harms and cost implications.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Home telemonitoring by pharmacists helps control patients' blood pressure

Research presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2012 found that home telemonitoring with pharmacist-led support improved blood pressure control in patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The study, which involved 450 patients, showed a significant reduction in blo...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMay 10, 2012

WSU researchers say genes and vascular risk modify effects of aging on brain and cognition

Researchers found that older APOE ε4 carriers experience smaller brain volumes and poorer cognitive performance with even minor increases in systolic blood pressure. The study suggests an interaction between genetic and vascular risk factors contributes to age-related decline in brain and cognition.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateMay 9, 2012

Long commutes may be hazardous to health

A new study found that longer commutes by automobile are associated with decreased cardiorespiratory fitness, increased weight, and other indicators of metabolic risk. Commuting distances greater than 10 miles were linked to high blood pressure.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 8, 2012

Blood pressure drugs linked with lower PTSD symptoms

Researchers discovered a link between ACE inhibitors and ARBs and lower PTSD symptom scores in patients taking these medications. The findings suggest that these blood pressure medications could be valuable tools for treating or preventing post-traumatic stress disorder.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMay 1, 2012
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

New tests monitor brain health during children's heart surgery

Researchers developed a non-invasive monitoring technique to assess changes in brain arteries, detecting brain damage in 61 children undergoing heart repair surgery. The 'hemoglobin volume index' allowed for real-time detection of brain injury and potential adjustments to blood pressure management.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 25, 2012
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Big doses of vitamin C may lower blood pressure

A review of 29 clinical trials found that taking an average of 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimeters of mercury in the short term. However, more research is needed to understand its implications as a treatment for high blood pressure.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateApr 19, 2012

Snacking on raisins may offer a heart-healthy way to lower blood pressure

A randomized controlled trial found that consuming three servings of raisins per day can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Raisins' high potassium content is believed to be the key factor behind this effect.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 25, 2012
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Compound in soy products may help lower blood pressure

A study found that moderate isoflavone intake can lower systolic blood pressure in young adults, with a notable benefit for African Americans. Isoflavones may help compensate for endothelial dysfunction, a condition that plays a bigger role in hypertension in African Americans.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 25, 2012

Telemedicine improves medication management, patient care

Internet-based telemedicine systems lead to more timely treatment decisions and medication adjustments for patients with high blood pressure. Patients who reported frequent blood pressure readings via a web-based portal received more appropriate pharmacotherapy and an overall reduction in cardiovascular risk.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 24, 2012

Study highlights risks from arm difference in blood pressure

A systematic review found that a difference of more than 10mmHg or 15mmHg in systolic blood pressure between arms is associated with increased risk of vascular disease and mortality. The study supports the need for two-arm blood pressure checks to become the norm.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·DateMar 20, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Lifestyle changes for obese patients linked to modest weight loss

Researchers at WashU Medicine found that lifestyle interventions can slow weight gain and improve blood pressure in high-risk, low-income patients. Despite modest six-month weight losses, participants who received lifestyle intervention maintenance over two years experienced significant improvements in blood pressure control.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 12, 2012

Stress making your blood pressure rise? Blame your immune system

Research suggests that T cells play a role in stress-dependent hypertension, and that medications targeting the immune system may also help control anxiety disorders. Mice studies found that T cell deficiency led to reduced blood pressure sensitivity to stress.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 2, 2012
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Prolonged fructose intake not linked to rise in blood pressure: Study

A new study found that fructose intake over seven days does not increase blood pressure, but rather leads to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure in some individuals. Researchers aimed to determine whether fructose itself raises blood pressure or if the apparent harm is due to excessive calorie consumption.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateFeb 13, 2012
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Differences in systolic blood pressure between the left and right arm could indicate vascular disease and increased likelihood of death

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that a difference of 15mm Hg or more between arms is associated with increased risk of peripheral vascular disease, pre-existing cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. Measuring blood pressure in both arms should be part of routine care to identify patient...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 29, 2012

2-arm blood pressure check indicator for risk from heart disease or death

Researchers at Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that differences in systolic blood pressure between arms are associated with increased risk of vascular disease and mortality. A difference of 10mm Hg or more is linked to an increased risk of peripheral vascular disease, pre-existing cerebrovascular disease, and mortality.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 29, 2012

For those with diabetes, controlling blood pressure is crucial, but not urgent

Researchers found that delaying effective hypertension treatment for up to a year results in small-quality adjusted life expectancy loss, but longer delays cause significant damage. The study suggests patients and providers focus on diabetes self-management and lifestyle modification within the first year after diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 9, 2012
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Home monitoring may help manage and reduce costs for heart failure

A new study suggests that home monitoring strategies, including self-care, phone calls from nurses, and telemedicine, can effectively track heart failure disease-management and early identification. The authors recommend a multi-pronged approach, combining monitoring with patient follow-up and feedback to improve outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 3, 2012

New predictor of heart attack or stroke

A new study from Northwestern University finds that a significant increase in blood pressure during middle age increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Maintaining low blood pressure early on can reduce this risk, with those who keep their blood pressure low having a significantly lower risk.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateDec 19, 2011

Blood pressure monitoring: Room for improvement

Inaccurate blood pressure measurements from faulty techniques result in misclassified patients and potentially different treatment decisions. A study published by the University of New Mexico found that 93% of patients have different blood pressure readings when using outdated versus updated guidelines.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 12, 2011
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Blood pressure and stroke risk gets more complicated

A new international study found that patients with very low systolic blood pressure levels may actually increase their chances of experiencing a recurrent stroke. The research, led by Bruce Ovbiagele, suggests that the relationship between blood pressure and stroke risk is more complicated than previously thought, with timing also play...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA·DateNov 15, 2011
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Clemson researcher says high blood pressure may lead to missed emotional cues

Research suggests a link between high blood pressure and reduced ability to recognize emotional faces and texts, potentially causing miscommunication and increased distress in social situations. This 'emotional dampening' can lead to distrust, risk-taking behavior, and worsened mental health conditions.

SourceClemson University·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateNov 3, 2011

Childhood diet lower in fat and higher in fiber may lower risk for chronic disease in adulthood

A recent study found that a childhood dietary intervention resulted in significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels and systolic blood pressure in young adulthood. The study suggests that reducing fat and increasing fiber intake during childhood may have long-term benefits for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 27, 2011

Take your blood pressure meds before bed

A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that taking blood pressure-lowering medications at bedtime improves blood pressure control and reduces the risk of heart problems. Patients who took their medications before bed had better outcomes than those who took them in the morning.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 24, 2011
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Blood-pressure-lowering drug after stroke aids recovery, study finds

A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth. The study found that candesartan increased levels of growth factors and a 'pro-survival' protein, suggesting potential healing properties beyond the area of damage.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 21, 2011

Gender differences in blood pressure appears as early as adolescence

A new study from the University of California at Merced found that adolescent girls with obesity have a significantly higher risk of developing elevated systolic blood pressure than their non-obese peers. Obesity was not as strongly linked to high blood pressure in boys, who were still more likely to develop it but to a lesser extent.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateOct 14, 2011

Even high-but-normal blood pressure elevates stroke risk

Research from the University of California - San Diego School of Medicine found that people with prehypertension have a 55% higher risk of experiencing a future stroke than those without. The study analyzed 12 prospective cohort studies involving over 518,000 participants and found that even high-but-normal blood pressure elevates stro...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeurology·DateSep 28, 2011

Frequent doctor visits benefits patients with diabetes

Researchers found that patients who saw their doctors every two weeks had lower hemoglobin A1C levels, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol within a shorter timeframe compared to those who visited less frequently. This suggests that more frequent doctor-patient encounters can aid in achieving ideal treatment goals for diabetes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 27, 2011
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Genetic factors behind high blood pressure

Researchers have identified 16 new genetic variations that affect blood pressure, providing a significant step towards better diagnostics and treatment. The discovery was made using genetic data from over 200,000 Europeans and reveals new genetic risk groups to help predict the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature·DateSep 19, 2011

Discovery of blood pressure genes could help prevent cardiovascular disease

Researchers identified 16 new gene regions associated with blood pressure and confirmed 12 previously discovered ones, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms of hypertension. The study's findings could lead to new therapeutic drug development and improved treatment options for individuals with high blood pressure.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2011

International study identifies new gene targets for hypertension treatment

An international study identifies 28 new gene regions associated with blood pressure, including a previously unknown physiologic pathway involved in blood pressure control. The findings suggest potential targets for new hypertension drugs and may lead to improved treatment options for cardiovascular complications.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Genome-wide hunts reveal new regulators of blood pressure

Researchers identified 29 DNA sequence variations linked to blood pressure, suggesting a complex genetic regulatory mechanism. The study pooled data from over 200,000 people worldwide and found common genetic variants in individuals of Asian and African ancestry.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2011

'White-coat effect' elevates greyhounds' blood pressure

A new study has found that retired racing greyhounds' blood pressure increases significantly when taken to a veterinary clinic, but returns to normal at home. The 'white-coat effect' was observed in 22 greyhounds, with systolic pressures averaging 30 points higher in the hospital than at home.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·DateSep 6, 2011
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

UK study shows ambulatory blood pressure measurements to be the most cost-effective way for diagnosing hypertension

A UK study published in The Lancet concludes that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is the most cost-effective way to diagnose hypertension. This method, which involves repeated measurements throughout a 24-hour period, is more accurate and correlates better with cardiovascular outcomes than traditional clinic-based methods.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 23, 2011

Switch in cell's 'power plant' declines with age, rejuvenated by drug

Researchers found a protein in mitochondria involved in energy regulation decreases with age, but is increased by losartan treatment, leading to lowered blood pressure and cellular energy usage. This discovery may lead to new treatments for mitochondrial-specific diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and frailty.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 16, 2011

Withdrawal of CPAP therapy results in rapid recurrence of OSA

Patients with previously diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea who stop using CPAP machines experience a significant increase in symptoms within days, including higher heart rates and blood pressure. The researchers suggest that this finding could improve the efficiency of clinical trials on OSA.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 12, 2011

Soy/milk protein dietary supplements linked to lower blood pressure

A randomized controlled clinical trial found that soy and milk protein supplements lowered systolic blood pressure in adults with pre-hypertension and stage-1 high blood pressure. The study suggests replacing refined carbohydrates with foods or drinks high in soy or milk protein may help prevent and treat high blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJul 18, 2011
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

New discovery throws light on blood pressure regulation

Researchers have discovered that a protein in blood vessel walls plays a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Malfunctioning of this protein, Kv7.4, contributes to high blood pressure and can be targeted by new treatment strategies.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalCirculation·DateJul 11, 2011

Indoor air pollution linked to cardiovascular risk

Researchers found a significant association between indoor air pollution and increased blood pressure among older women. Exposure to small-particle air pollution can cause premature death and lung disease, while cleaner fuels and stoves could cut cardiovascular risk by up to 22%.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 8, 2011

Cutting down on salt doesn't reduce your chance of dying

A systematic review found that moderate salt reductions don't lower the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease. While reducing salt intake does lower blood pressure, it didn't significantly reduce the risk of heart disease or mortality. Experts call for more research to find effective ways to reduce salt intake.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateJul 5, 2011