Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Non-drug interventions for patients with Alzheimer’s are both effective and cost-effective, study shows

A Brown-led research team found that four dementia-care interventions saved between $2,800 and $13,000 in societal costs and reduced nursing home admissions while improving quality of life. Non-drug interventions have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and can help people with dementia stay safely at home longer.

SourceBrown University·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 6, 2023

Early menopause, later start to hormone therapy may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that early menopause may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, women who received hormone therapy around the time of menopause onset did not experience an increased risk of dementia. The study suggests that timing is crucial when it comes to hormone therapy, ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Use of monoclonal antibodies reduces death, hospitalization risk by more than one-third after COVID-19 diagnosis

Researchers found that using monoclonal antibodies within two days of a COVID-19 diagnosis reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 39% compared to those who did not receive treatment. This finding suggests that early treatment with monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the severity of COVID-19.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Primary care program promoting senior health demonstrated acceptable reach and adoption but lacked clinical benefits

A multi-site randomized controlled trial found Health TAPESTRY to have widespread reach and adoption, but no significant clinical benefits on hospitalizations and physical activity. The study tested implementation and reproducibility of the program across diverse primary care practices.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023

Shining light on aging hearts

A study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine suggests that light therapy, known as photobiomodulation (PBM), can improve heart function and reduce the thickness of the cardiac wall in middle-aged mice. The research also found improved neuromuscular coordination and a significant survival rate among mice with severe heart disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine·DateMar 27, 2023

Asymptomatic, CT angiography-detected coronary artery disease associated with 8-fold increased risk for heart attack

A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Food insecurity and cognitive trajectories in older adults

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that food insecurity is associated with a decline in executive function among older adults. The research used data from 3,037 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries and suggests that interventions to increase healthy food access may be crucial in mitigating cognitive decline.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 24, 2023

Defunding prevention and climate change drive rebound of malaria in Peru

A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans study suggests interprofessional team training could prove effective in AUD prevention & treatment

A new LSU Health New Orleans study suggests that single, focused Interprofessional Education-based exercises can significantly decrease stigma associated with alcohol use and improve knowledge and confidence in screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The exercise led to substantial improvements in student understanding of AUD risks, ...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalBMC Medical Education·TypeSurvey·DateMar 21, 2023

Digital tools make physical exercise programmes more effective and easier to stick with

A metastudy found digital-based physical exercise interventions are at least as effective as face-to-face ones, but generic designs often fail to provide quality information. The researcher aims to improve the digital-health-based prescription of physical exercise to take account of patients' individual requirements.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalApunts Educación Física y Deportes·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Abnormal biomarkers associated with obesity are identified in very young Latino children, study finds

A study from George Mason University found elevated insulin and hemoglobin A1C levels in early elementary-aged Latino youth with obesity, a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. The research aims to identify at-risk children and implement interventions earlier to mitigate the effects of childhood obesity.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalSouthern Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 13, 2023

Exercise could help with common sexual complaint

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that physical activity and pelvic floor exercises can effectively increase latency time in men with premature ejaculation. The research suggests exercise as a promising non-pharmacological treatment option, potentially reducing the reliance on drugs with side effects.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalTrends in Urology & Men s Health·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 7, 2023

Mass General Brigham study finds virtual care team strategy improved treatment for heart failure patients

A virtual care team consisting of physicians and pharmacists improved the adoption of life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure, leading to increased use of evidence-based treatments and better patient outcomes. The strategy was safe and effective, with comparable length of stay and safety events between the groups.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 6, 2023

New Cleveland Clinic-developed screening tool can assess cognition issues in older adults

A new screening tool developed by Cleveland Clinic researchers can effectively detect mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer's disease, and other related dementias in older adults. The tool has been shown to identify 90% of patients with mild cognitive impairment, offering a potential solution for early detection and prevention.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateMar 1, 2023

Obesity makes it harder to diagnose and treat heart disease

A new review paper from Mayo Clinic outlines how obesity impacts common tests used to diagnose heart disease, such as ECG, CT scan, MRI, and echocardiogram. The study highlights the need for alternative approaches to prevent weight gain in patients with heart disease.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 28, 2023

The far-reaching consequences of child abuse

A new study published by researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin found a significant link between early childhood trauma experienced by mothers and various health problems in their children. The research analyzed data from over 4,300 American mothers and their children, revealing that children of mothers with adverse experi...

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 24, 2023

The price of cancer

The study estimates the global economic cost of cancers to fall around $25.2 trillion in international dollars by 2050, accounting for 0.55% of global GDP. Lung cancer is identified as the type with the highest economic burden, followed by colon and rectum cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and leukemia.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateFeb 24, 2023

Discovery suggests new way to prevent common causes of vision loss

UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateFeb 24, 2023

Palliative care doesn’t improve psychological distress

A Rutgers study found no statistically significant improvements in patient or caregiver anxiety, depression, or psychological distress in palliative care interventions. The researchers identified conceptual and methodological problems in the literature, including excluding patients with existing mental health conditions from studies.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023

Exercise more effective than medicines to manage mental health

A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or medications in managing depression. The review of 97 reviews and 1039 trials shows that exercise interventions, especially those lasting 12 weeks or less, can significantly reduce mental health ...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 23, 2023

Does risk for heart disease start before birth?

Research highlights the intergenerational impact of prepregnancy heart health on offspring, with low pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health linked to pregnancy complications and higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Improving women's heart health before pregnancy could reduce these risks and have a positive impact on future generations.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateFeb 13, 2023

Smart necklace to help you stop smoking

A smart necklace called SmokeMon tracks a user's every puff and provides valuable insights into their smoking behavior. By analyzing heat signatures, the device can detect when a cigarette is being lit, how much smoke is inhaled, and when the person holds it to their mouth, helping to prevent relapse and improve quit rates.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·DateFeb 13, 2023

Single dose of common antibiotic reduces mothers’ risk of death during childbirth, study finds

A single dose of azithromycin has been shown to decrease sepsis and death by half in women in labor, making it an important tool for keeping mothers safe before, during, and after delivery. The antibiotic was found to be beneficial for vaginal childbirth as well, reducing mortality rates and the risk of developing sepsis.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2023

WVU researchers estimate cost of ‘injury deaths of despair,’ including suicide, exceeds $1 trillion annually in the U.S.

The study found that estimated national costs of self-injury mortality rose by 143% from $0.46 trillion to $1.12 trillion over a 20-year period, primarily driven by increases in opioid and alcohol-related deaths. West Virginia has the highest per capita cost at $6,534, with total suicide costs increasing 58% to $502.7 billion.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalBMC Public Health·DateFeb 9, 2023

MU researcher studies childhood obesity prevention programs in rural schools

A recent study by Crystal Lim found that obesity prevention programs combining nutrition and exercise components over an extended period had the most success in changing students' daily behaviors. Successful programs also included evidence-based strategies like goal setting, problem solving, and self-regulation techniques.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJBI Evidence Synthesis·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 9, 2023

A culturally adapted online experience improves type 2 diabetes nutrition education for American Indians and Alaska Natives

A culturally adapted online experience improved type 2 diabetes nutrition education for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The program prioritized traditional food practices and mindful eating activities, leading to increased engagement and positive experiences among participants.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 8, 2023

Encouraging physical activity to upgrade quality of life

A Texas A&M University study found that an intervention program increased physical activity in older rural women, leading to improved quality of life and reduced health risks. The Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities 2.0 program was successful in increasing exercise levels at both 12 and 24 weeks.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateFeb 8, 2023

Poor coparenting linked to depression in dads

A new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that poor coparenting relationships among fathers are linked to depression. The study suggests that screening fathers for their coparenting status during infancy and toddlerhood could help prevent mental illness in both parents and children.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateJan 24, 2023