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Virtual kidney transplant evaluation allows patients to be evaluated from home

A virtual telehealth platform allows patients to undergo comprehensive evaluation for kidney transplantation from the comfort of their own homes. This innovative approach has enabled the Medical University of South Carolina's transplant program to maintain access to life-saving surgeries despite pandemic restrictions, with over 282 pat...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 21, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study shows incorporating telemedicine helps surgical practices

A study at Stony Brook University found that telemedicine helped reduce patient volume by 75% and surgical visits by 55% while increasing follow-up visits for non-surgical practitioners. This shift suggests a template for post-pandemic adoption of multidisciplinary telehealth clinics.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateDec 18, 2020

Study reports drop in lung cancer screening, rise in malignancy during COVID-19 surge

A recent study reported a significant drop in low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite resuming full operations, new patient monthly LDCT rates remained low, and patients were more likely to miss appointments, increasing the no-show rate from 15% to 40%. This led to a rise in m...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 17, 2020

The mask matters: How masks affect airflow, protection effectiveness

Researchers found that wearing a mask can actually increase the inhalation of aerosols into the nose, making fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers more problematic. The study suggests that choosing a more effective mask and wearing it properly are crucial to curb COVID-19 transmission.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateDec 15, 2020
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.

Face shields no match for sneeze vortex rings

Researchers at Fukuoka University found that face shields alone are not effective against COVID-19 sneezes. Vortex rings generated by sneezes can capture microscopic particles and transport them inside the shield through its top and bottom edges.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateDec 8, 2020

Operations on screen: Creating an accessible surgery simulator

A UOC project has developed a 3D virtual environment to train surgeons' psychomotor skills, providing real-time feedback and metrics. The tool has been tested with over 148 users, showing its validity in improving surgeons' performance at different stages of their careers.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalJMIR Serious Games·DateDec 2, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

A new curriculum helps surgical trainees comprehensively treat victims of firearm violence

A new curriculum at Washington University School of Medicine equips surgical residents with technical and non-technical skills to treat victims of firearm violence. The Anatomy of Gun Violence (AGV) curriculum includes training sessions, simulations, and discussions on the social context of firearm violence.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateNov 2, 2020

Some rectal cancer patients can safely avoid an aggressive operation

A study by American College of Surgeons found that watch-and-wait strategy is an option for select patients with stages I to III rectal cancer. The approach, which skips operation, shows similar results in terms of local regrowth and disease-specific survival rates compared to surgical treatment.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 26, 2020
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.

STOP THE BLEED training has saved lives from Sierra Leone to Connecticut

Two new studies demonstrate the lifesaving impact of STOP THE BLEED training in low-to-middle income countries. In Sierra Leone, nearly all patients survived life-threatening bleeding emergencies after receiving training, and participants retained knowledge for over a year. In Connecticut, course attendees showed strong proficiency in ...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateOct 3, 2020
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.

New artificial intelligence models show potential for predicting outcomes

Researchers developed AI models that accurately predict treatment needs and medical interventions for motor vehicle crash victims, and identified key factors that affect survival after liver transplantation. The models achieved high accuracy rates, outperforming human manual reviews in streamlining decision-making at the point of care.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateOct 3, 2020
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.

Face masks unlikely to cause over-exposure to CO2, even in patients with lung disease

A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that wearing face masks has minimal impact on gas exchange in healthy individuals and those with severe lung impairment. The researchers stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for patients with lung disease.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateOct 2, 2020

Surgical quality and safety rely on institutional leadership, resources, and culture

Key findings from a comprehensive literature review highlight the importance of top-down commitment to quality, mid-level leadership, and committee structure in achieving high-quality surgical outcomes. The study supports the ACS Quality Verification Program's Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality framework.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateSep 28, 2020
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.

Silk offers homemade solution for COVID-19 prevention

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that silk face masks are comfortable, breathable, and can help ward off airborne viruses like COVID-19. The fabric's natural copper content provides additional antimicrobial benefits, making it a promising alternative to traditional face coverings.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 22, 2020

Yale succeeds with a more inclusive approach to heart transplants

A new study at Yale New Haven Hospital found that a more aggressive selection process for donor hearts and transplant recipients can significantly shorten waiting periods for heart patients, from 242 days to 41 days. Patient survival rates remained nearly unchanged, with improvements in patient outcomes.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 18, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Face shields, masks with valves ineffective against COVID-19 spread

Researchers found that face shields and masks with exhalation valves are less effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 than cloth or surgical masks. The study used visualizations to show how droplets can pass through the valve unfiltered, making these masks ineffective.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 1, 2020

New surgical approach for women at risk of ovarian cancer

A new two-stage surgical protocol delays the induced menopause caused by ovary removal, providing some ovarian cancer risk reduction while avoiding detrimental consequences. The study found that 69% of premenopausal women at high risk of ovarian cancer were interested in this alternative option.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateAug 24, 2020

Women surgeons earn their cut of NIH funding -- and then some

A new study found that women surgeons are underrepresented in academic surgery but hold a greater than anticipated proportion of NIH funding, earning 49 R01 grants. Women were also more likely to be first-time grant recipients and had fewer research articles published in scientific journals.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 21, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Medicaid expansion and outpatient surgical care

This observational study found that states participating in Medicaid expansion had higher rates of using common outpatient surgical procedures, including cataract surgery and hernia repair. The study suggests that increased access to healthcare may lead to more medical interventions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 19, 2020

New study documents increasing frequency, cost, and severity of gunshot wounds

A new study finds that gun violence has increased in the US, resulting in higher costs and severity of gunshot wounds. The study, which analyzed hospital data from 2005 to 2016, shows a significant increase in the cost of operations and length of hospital stays for patients with gunshot wounds.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 10, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Surgical delays for very early stage breast cancer not tied to worse survival outcomes

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that surgical delays for very early stage breast cancer patients did not impact overall survival. In fact, increased time to surgery was associated with a small increase in pathological upstaging, but no significant difference in survival rates.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 6, 2020

Delay in breast cancer operations appears non-life-threatening for early-stage disease

A new study from the American College of Surgeons found that longer time to surgical treatment does not lower overall survival for women with early-stage breast cancer who underwent delayed operations before the pandemic. Patients who received neoadjuvant endocrine therapy also showed no decreased survival, according to the research.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 6, 2020

Gender gap in surgical residencies

A decade-long study finds that certain surgical specialties have significantly lower percentages of female resident physicians. The researchers identified these specialties and tracked changes in the number of women in each over time.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJul 29, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Home-made face masks likely need at least 2 layers to curb COVID-19 spread

A recent study suggests that home-made cloth face masks with at least two layers are more effective in reducing the dispersal of viral droplets from the nose and mouth associated with COVID-19. The researchers found that a double layer covering was better than a single layer in reducing droplet spread from coughing and sneezing.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThorax·DateJul 23, 2020

Female surgeon scientists claim more than their share of research grants

Despite low representation in academia, female surgeon-scientists are securing a greater percentage of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. Women researchers are more likely to be first-time grant recipients and have higher success rates when awarded NIH funding.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJul 17, 2020

Delirium may cause long term cognitive decline

Researchers found that patients who experienced delirium were more than twice as likely to show significant long-term cognitive decline. The study suggests that delirium may cause cognitive decline and is associated with increased mortality, hospital costs, and care duration.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJul 13, 2020
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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Study: Surgical delay associated with increased risk in some gastrointestinal malignancies

A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery·DateJul 7, 2020

Super-strong surgical tape detaches on demand

Researchers at MIT developed a double-sided adhesive that can quickly and firmly stick to wet surfaces like biological tissues. The new design allows for detachability without tissue damage by applying a liquid solution, making it easier for surgeons to close internal wounds.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 22, 2020
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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new Practice Points on the effectiveness of masks for preventing COVID-19 disease. The guidelines emphasize the importance of N95 respirators in healthcare settings and recommend surgical masks for non-medical individuals to reduce transmission risk. ACP also emphasizes the need for c...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 18, 2020

A coordinated COVID-19 response helped western Washington state "flatten the curve"

The region's successful response was attributed to six key factors: early communication and coordination, regional coordination and situational awareness, rapid testing development, proactive management of long-term care facilities, effective physical distancing in the community, and partnership with local organizations. This coordinat...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 16, 2020

N95, KN95, and surgical mask filtration efficiency after sterilization

The study found that sterilization with hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide significantly reduces the filtration efficiency of N95, KN95, and surgical face masks. The researchers recommend re-sterilizing these masks after each use to maintain their effectiveness in preventing respiratory infections.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 15, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Diversity of applicants to surgical residency, fellowship programs

From 2008-2018, diversity among U.S. surgical residency and fellowship applicants by sex and race/ethnicity has shown a significant increase, according to the JAMA Network study. The research indicates that improvements in access and representation in these programs have contributed to this trend.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMay 27, 2020

Effects of gender bias, stereotypes in surgical training

A randomized clinical trial found that pro-male gender bias negatively affects women's surgical skills and career development in general surgery training programs. The study contributes to understanding the factors contributing to women's underrepresentation in surgery.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMay 20, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Ten-year results display strong safety and efficacy profile for TPV device

The Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) has demonstrated favorable outcomes for long-term function, safety, and efficacy in congenital patients. At 10-year follow-up, the study found high freedom rates from all-cause mortality, surgical reintervention, and catheter intervention.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·DateMay 15, 2020

Blood clotting abnormalities reveal COVID-19 patients at risk for thrombotic events

Researchers found critically ill COVID-19 patients with severe blood clotting who were at high risk of developing complications like renal failure, venous blood clots, and stroke. The study linked blood clotting measurements with patient outcomes, suggesting early testing may help identify and treat dangerous complications.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 15, 2020

SCAI issues position statement on the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention in ambulatory surgical centers

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has issued a position statement on the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The guidelines recommend diagnostic procedures, procedural standards, and operator standards for ASCs, emphasizing patient suitability ...

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMay 14, 2020

3D VR blood flow to improve cardiovascular care

Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a massive fluid dynamics simulator to model blood flow through the full human arterial system, providing guidance for treatment plans. A new graphical user interface called Harvis allows clinicians to easily explore options without expertise in computer science.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Computational Science·DateMay 13, 2020
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.