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Premature hearts less able to cope with exercise

A study published by the British Heart Foundation found that premature hearts are less able to cope with exercise, leading to increased risk of heart failure. Researchers compared the heart function of adults born prematurely to those carried to term and discovered a significant difference in blood leaving the heart during exercise.

SourceBritish Heart Foundation·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 19, 2018

New cardiac pump device improves long-term outcomes for heart failure patients

The MOMENTUM 3 clinical trial found that advanced heart-failure patients who received a centrifugal-flow circulatory pump had significantly lower rates of pump-related blood clots and stroke compared to those receiving an axial flow pump. Patients who received the centrifugal-flow pump also had fewer re-operations due to device malfunc...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 11, 2018

Blood samples can soon reveal your lifestyle

A study from Umea University found that people who use moist snuff have significantly higher levels of protein cornulin in their blood. Lifestyle factors can influence background levels, and the researchers hope to find disease-detecting proteins in the future.

SourceUmea University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 9, 2018

3-D simulations reveal synergistic mechanisms of the human heart

A new study introduces a holistic 3D numerical simulation model of the human heart, taking into account the mutual interaction between blood flow and individual components. The model reveals complex effects of heart strings on the mitral valve, shedding light on potential strategies for preventing cardiac problems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateFeb 28, 2018

Disappearing act

Researchers found the Asian tiger mosquito vanished from Palmyra Atoll following rat eradication, as humans became the sole host for mosquitoes to feed on. The study highlights a potential new approach to combatting mosquito-borne diseases by eradicating key hosts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 28, 2018

Turn off the telly and get moving

A recent study published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis found that prolonged TV viewing increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, a potentially fatal condition. The research, which analyzed data from over 15,000 Americans, suggests that even regular exercise is not enough to offset the risks of sedentary behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis·DateFeb 21, 2018

Blood sodium levels may affect cognition in older adults

A new study found that lower sodium levels in the blood, known as hyponatremia, are related to declines in cognitive function with advancing age. Slightly lower serum sodium levels were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and decline over time, while high serum sodium was also linked to cognitive decline.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 8, 2018

Lifesaving microbubbles

Researchers developed stable, self-disrupting microbubbles to carry oxygen in the blood, reducing the risk of embolism. The microbubbles were shown to increase survival rates in rodents with cardiac arrest, providing a potential lifesaving treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 23, 2018

Developing the VTX-1 liquid biopsy system: Fast and label-free enrichment of circulating tumor cells

The VTX-1 Liquid Biopsy System is a commercial, automated instrument that isolates clinically relevant CTC populations directly from whole blood. It achieves high recovery rates of spiked breast and lung cancer cell lines, with purities as low as <100 white blood cells per mL of processed blood.

Population-specific deep biomarkers of aging

A novel deep-learning based hematological human aging clock predicts the biological age of individual patients with high accuracy. The model outperforms chronological age in predicting all-cause mortality, highlighting population-specific patterns of aging.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateJan 11, 2018

Spinal tap needle type impacts the risk of complications

A recent study published in The Lancet found that the use of pencil-point atraumatic needles during lumbar punctures significantly reduces the occurrence of headaches and other complications. The research team analyzed data from over 30,000 patients across 29 countries, showing a more than 50% reduction in headaches and readmissions.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 6, 2017

Understanding a therapeutic paradox for treating thrombo-vascular complications in kidney disease

A new therapeutic paradox targets thrombo-vascular complications in kidney disease by boosting a regulatory protein called STUB1, which interacts with tissue factor to trigger clotting. This approach may offer an alternative to standard heparin treatment while maintaining a balance between pro-clotting and anticoagulant factors.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 28, 2017

Removing chemical used to make Teflon-like coatings has led to fewer low birth weights and less brain damage

A new NYU report reveals that the phase-out of Teflon-like coatings, which contain PFOA, has led to a significant decrease in low-birth weight babies and related brain damage. The study estimates that this shift has saved over $13 billion in healthcare costs and improved educational prospects for thousands of children.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateNov 27, 2017