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Genetic links revealed between severe COVID-19 and other diseases

A large-scale study found genetic links between COVID-19 severity and various medical conditions, including venous embolism, type 2 diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. The analysis also revealed shared genetic architecture with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and reduced risk of autoimmune conditions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2022

Shrinking gap in surgical safety outcomes benefits older black patients in South Carolina

A recent study by MUSC shows that quality improvement efforts have decreased complications for all patients and narrowed the gap in surgical outcomes between black and white patients. The research, led by Dr. Thomas Curran, analyzed data from over 30,000 patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2020.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2022

New study examining women’s breast density knowledge suggests opportunities for improvement

A new study suggests that while breast density knowledge may be increasing due to existing state laws, there is still room for improvement. The study found that most women with non-dense breasts did not correctly know their own density, and that lower education was associated with a lower chance of accurately knowing one's own density.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeSurvey·DateApr 25, 2022

Study: Mediterranean-style diet further linked to reduced risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women of all races

A new study found that following a Mediterranean-style diet can lower the risk of preeclampsia by at least 20% in pregnant women. The research surveyed over 8,000 women and found that racial differences in rates of preeclampsia were more related to socioeconomic factors than genetic or biological ones.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 20, 2022

Risky driving behaviors increase as common sleep disorder worsens

A new study found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding and hard braking. The researchers monitored the driving habits of 96 older adults under real-world conditions and collected data on over 100,000 trips. They also assessed cognitive impairments and molecular signs of earl...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalSLEEP·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2022

About 30% of COVID patients develop “Long COVID,” UCLA research finds

A study of 309 people with long COVID found that fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of smell were the most persistent symptoms. The research also revealed that factors such as history of hospitalization, diabetes, and body mass index increased the risk of developing Long COVID.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 18, 2022

New Chinese Medical Journal study assesses mortality risk in multimorbid patients

A new study published in the Chinese Medical Journal assessed mortality risk in middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with multiple diseases. The study identified four multimorbidity patterns, with cardiometabolic being the most common, and found that individuals with these patterns had a significantly increased mortality risk.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2022

High cardiovascular risk is associated with symptoms of depression

A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that high and very high cardiovascular risk are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women. The researchers used data from a Mediterranean Diet trial and found that participants with higher cardiovascular risk had lower depressive status scores after following the diet.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2022

Lead toxicity risk factors in Philadelphia

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found a correlation between household income, building age, and proximity to former lead smelters with elevated blood-lead levels in children. The study highlights environmental justice issues that disproportionately affect low-income and minority populations in Philadelphia.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalGeoHealth·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 12, 2022

Alzheimer’s brain barrier damage theory could pave way for new treatments

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports suggests that damage to the blood-brain barrier is the determining cause of Alzheimer's disease. The Lipid Invasion Model proposes that lipids entering the brain due to barrier damage lead to brain shrinkage, amyloid plaques, and tau tangles, characteristic of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalJournal of Alzheimer s Disease Reports·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 8, 2022

Digital training at home to beat lockdown frustration

A digital training program improved movement behavior, physical activity, and mental well-being in participants, while also reducing anxiety levels. The study, conducted by Goethe University Frankfurt, found that the program was particularly effective when used with professional trainers and regular questionnaires.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2022

Reproductive factors and dementia risk

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that certain reproductive events, such as shorter estrogen exposure, may be associated with increased dementia risk in women. However, the association between the number of children and dementia risk was similar for women and men, suggesting social and behavioral factors may play a role.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

What’s the skinny on those pandemic pounds?

A large US survey found that adults gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic due to changes in behavior such as increased snacking and alcohol intake. The analysis of more than 3.5 million adults also showed a 3% increase in obesity prevalence, with significant changes in exercise participation, sleep duration, and cigarette smoking.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 4, 2022

Spanish scientists discover a new method for the early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis

A study identifies new biomarkers that predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis, providing a non-invasive way to detect cardiovascular disease. The research team analyzed blood plasma samples and validated three proteins as biomarkers, improving the prediction of cardiovascular risk.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 29, 2022

Identifying risk factors following ICH strokes

A new study by University of Cincinnati researchers analyzed outcome data from a large cohort of patients and found correlations between different risk factors, including age, hemorrhage size, location, and cognitive impairment, which were associated with poor outcomes. The results also showed that Black and Hispanic populations were m...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2022

Half of all women experience false positive mammograms after 10 years of annual screening

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of all women will experience at least one false positive mammogram over a decade of annual breast cancer screening with 3D mammography. The risk of false positives is lower for women screened every other year, and non-dense breasts also show a lower false positive risk.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2022

Evidence of defendants’ adverse childhood experiences can elicit jurors’ leniency in capital trials

A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateMar 24, 2022

TGen-Temple review suggests even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease

Even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease due to various risk factors including diet, genetics, and ethnicity. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis if left undiagnosed or untreated.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 24, 2022

Researchers document prevalence of patients’ social risks and their desire for health system assistance

A new study found that 48% of patients with subsidized health care insurance reported one or more social risks, with housing instability being the most prevalent. Patients with social risks were twice as likely to report having poor health, despite being demographically similar to those without social risks.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 24, 2022

Drug use beliefs found to be strongest predictor of youth substance use

A new study from the University of Illinois suggests that whether adolescents believe drug use is wrong has twice the magnitude of impact compared to other risk and protective factors. This finding highlights the importance of instilling a negative belief about drug use in young people as a key strategy for preventing substance use.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 22, 2022

Shoulder injury a rare potential side effect of vaccination

A retrospective cohort study found that shoulder injuries occurred in fewer than 1 in 10,000 patients who received intramuscular vaccinations administered in the deltoid muscle. Researchers also identified risk factors for developing shoulder conditions, including advanced age, female sex, and receiving pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2022