Research on blood and what it reveals about health. Covers blood biomarkers, occupational exposure, cell-preservation for CAR-T therapy, and blood supply.
A large community-based cohort study found that fasting duration showed little association with lipid subclass levels, including total cholesterol and HDL. The authors conclude that fasting for routine lipid level determinations is largely unnecessary.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that high blood cholesterol is far more prevalent in Denmark and globally than previously recognized. The research found 40,000 Danes with hereditary high blood cholesterol, a significant underdiagnosis and undertreatment of this serious disease.
A new study reveals that resistin, secreted by fat tissue, increases 'bad' cholesterol levels and accelerates artery plaque buildup. The discovery could lead to revolutionary new therapeutic drugs targeting resistin, improving statin effectiveness.
Research suggests that vendettas can be viable over the long term among group members, despite being costly and damaging to stakeholders. The study found that punishment mechanisms can enhance cooperation in public good games within groups.
Patients with chest pain who call an ambulance receive timely treatment, including pre-hospital triage with telemedicine, which improves survival rates. For patients living far from hospitals with balloon treatment facilities, emergency medical personnel must be educated to perform and transmit ECGs to ensure proper referral.
A two-year clinical trial found no survival difference between patients receiving peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow stem cells from unrelated donors. However, peripheral blood stem cell transplants were associated with a higher incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
A study found that blood hormone levels can predict postmenopausal breast cancer risk for up to 20 years. Women with elevated hormone levels had a higher risk of developing breast cancer, including aggressive forms.
A study led by Kaiser Permanente found that drospirenone-containing birth control pills increase the risk of arterial thrombotic events and venous thromboembolic events. The study suggests that these drugs should be used cautiously for women seeking hormonal contraception, with alternatives available to minimize risks.
A study reveals that kidney failure patients have less of the sugar coating on their blood vessels, leading to high levels of its constituents in the blood. This damage may contribute to their increased risk of heart problems.
A leading bone marrow transplant expert recommends changing current practice to use adult stem cells from bone marrow instead of peripheral blood for unrelated donor transplants. This change can significantly reduce the risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease, a debilitating side effect of transplantation.
The new guidelines suggest using a risk calculator to determine the risk level for general population, and recommend no routine screening with blood tests for adults at low or moderate risk of diabetes. For high-risk adults, screening is recommended every 3-5 years using A1C blood test.
Researchers found that the computerized checklist dramatically reduced venous thromboembolisms, with a nearly 90% drop in deep vein thrombosis rates. The system improved prophylaxis orders among patients without contraindications to low-dose blood thinners.
Scientists at the University of York have discovered a protein called Ciz1 that is present in lung cancers, even in early stages. A simple blood test using this protein could help diagnose lung cancer without invasive procedures.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that a diet rich in tomatoes and lycopene may lower the risk of stroke. The research involved 1,031 Finnish men aged 46-65, who were followed for an average of 12 years, with those having higher levels of lycopene showing a 55% reduced risk of stroke.
A panel of 13 blood proteins has been identified as potential biomarkers for detecting malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The discovery could lead to the development of more accurate and less invasive diagnostic tests, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers are developing a simple blood test to detect early signs of breast cancer, which could improve treatment and detection rates. The study aims to identify DNA markers consistent with cancer in blood samples from women attending breast screening clinics.
The Institute of Medicine's landmark 2011 report deemed most current biomedical research use of chimpanzees as not necessary. PETA is now calling for greater diligence to acknowledge this finding in scientific publications.
Scientists have discovered a way to screen people for Mad Cow disease using a simple blood test, which could help boost critical blood stocks. The breakthrough involves recognizing specific 'signature genes' in the blood stream.
Researchers have identified a new molecular pathway leading to preeclampsia in humans, characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. The imbalance of PlGF and sFlt-1 proteins disrupts placental blood supply, affecting the mother and unborn baby.
A recent study funded by the NIH found that tight glycemic control in pediatric cardiac surgery patients did not reduce healthcare-related infections, organ failure, or death. The study's findings diverge from previous studies on adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients who showed benefits from blood sugar control.
A new test can measure an individual's propensity for calcification in their blood, identifying those at increased risk of vascular calcification and potential heart disease. The test may also provide a basis for treatment monitoring in patients who receive calcification inhibitors.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a rapid detection method for blood cyanide, reducing analysis time from up to an hour. This allows emergency responders to administer antidotes promptly and monitor treatment more effectively.
A study of 249 people aged 60-64 found that those with high fasting blood sugar levels within the normal range experienced greater brain shrinkage than those with lower levels. Brain volume loss was particularly pronounced in areas involved in memory and cognitive skills, such as the hippocampus and amygdala.
A recent study suggests that some blood clots identified by sensitive testing methods may not require treatment, potentially reducing risks of bleeding complications. However, developing guidelines to accurately identify patients who can benefit from anticoagulant therapy is crucial.
Galectin-3 protein has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and death in older adults, according to a new study. The study found that individuals with high levels of galectin-3 were more likely to experience heart failure, highlighting the potential for measuring blood levels as an early warning sign.
A new study found that the endovascular technique for repairing ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms does not conclusively improve survival rates. The study, published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, compared outcomes between patients who underwent emergency endovascular surgery and those who had open surgery.
New devices, such as Solitaire and Trevo, show significant improvements in restoring blood flow and patient outcomes after stroke. These advancements could lead to better treatment options for patients whose traditional drug treatment has failed.
Two multicenter studies show that next-generation clot-removal devices are superior to traditional technology in achieving blood flow restoration and neurological outcomes. The Trevo Retriever outperformed the FDA-approved Merci Retriever, while the Solitaire flow restoration device was more effective than MERCI in removing blood clots.
Researchers are testing whether lowering inflammation with methotrexate can reduce rates of recurrent heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in high-risk patients. The 7,000-patient trial will follow participants for 3-5 years to determine the treatment's effectiveness.
A clinical trial launched by the NIH aims to determine whether a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug can reduce rates of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths in adults at high risk. The study will enroll 7,000 patients across the US and Canada over two years.
WPI will develop miniaturized wireless sensors to detect early signs of blood loss, and create algorithms to process signals from those sensors to measure seven physiological parameters. The project aims to save the lives of soldiers wounded on the battlefield with wearable sensors and smartphone technologies.
Scientists found a link between high galectin-3 levels and increased risk of cancer and heart disease. A new blood test can predict disease outcomes, while modified citrus pectin may block galectin-3's negative effects.
Researchers found that abnormal proteins and antibodies in blood levels increase according to disease severity. High antibody levels are associated with higher risk of kidney failure and premature death.
A new study found that people with blood types A, B, or AB have a higher risk of coronary heart disease compared to those with blood type O. The study's findings suggest that knowing one's blood type can help physicians better understand who is at risk for developing heart disease.
A study found that triclosan impairs muscle contractions at a cellular level, slowing swimming in fish and reducing muscular strength in mice. The researchers also observed significant reductions in heart function measures and grip strength in mice exposed to the chemical.
Scientists have identified a group of blood markers that show consistent findings in patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The study found four proteins that correlated with beta-amyloid levels in cerebrospinal fluid, providing potential clues for an early diagnosis.
Professor Michael Zemel's NuShape supplement increases fat oxidation by up to 300 calories a day, with participants maintaining 60-70% of initial weight loss over six months. NuControl promotes healthy blood sugar levels by converging on the same metabolic pathway as resveratrol.
New lipid screening guidelines for children are overly aggressive, according to UCSF researchers. The recommendations fail to weigh health benefits against costs and have the potential to label millions of healthy children with so-called dyslipidemia.
A new study found that higher levels of ceramides in the blood are associated with a 10-fold increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that identifying this biomarker could help prevent or delay the disease, which is expected to double globally every 20 years.
Research by the University of Zurich reveals that global warming is compromising successful lake clean-ups by reducing water turnover and promoting harmful algal blooms. The warmer temperatures are particularly affecting large lakes in Central Europe, where overfertilization has led to cyanobacteria growth.
A $4.7 million study aims to investigate why people with diabetes suffer from unusually severe forms of heart disease. The researchers suspect that abnormal lipid metabolism is a key culprit, leading to inflammation and damage to heart cells.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that analyzing HDL particle count provides stronger cardio-protection than traditional HDL cholesterol measurement. The study suggests that raising HDL levels through other means may be more effective in preventing coronary heart disease.
A new equation that combines creatinine and cystatin C levels provides a more accurate measurement of kidney function, reducing over-diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that this approach could be used as a confirmatory test for CKD in patients with estimated GFR near 60.
A recent study published in JAMA found that the rate of community-onset MRSA infections has decreased significantly among US military personnel. Community-onset skin and soft tissue infections due to MRSA peaked at 62% in 2006 before declining annually, with a proportion of 52% in 2010.
Patients who refuse transfusion following cardiac surgery, particularly Jehovah's Witnesses, experience lower morbidity and mortality rates compared to those who receive blood transfusions. They also show fewer complications such as heart attacks and longer hospital stays, while having better long-term survival rates.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered a new gene target for leukemia therapy by inhibiting the protein Vav3, which controls cell signaling. This finding could lead to cellular targets for patients with BCR-ABL lymphoid leukemia, a type of leukemia with poor treatment outcomes.
A new study presented at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting has found that monitored vitamin D therapy is safe for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D treatment helped lower parathyroid hormone levels, but did not raise calcium blood levels in patients.
A new study suggests long-term calcium and vitamin D supplement use is linked to high urinary levels of calcium, potentially increasing the risk of kidney stones. The researchers found that approximately 33% of participants developed hypercalciuria, which was unrelated to vitamin D dosage.
Two new blood tests for vitamin D are prone to errors, leading to misdiagnoses and potential overtreatment. Inaccuracies were found in 40-48% of test results, with significant discrepancies between methods.
A comprehensive study confirms lead-based ammunition as the primary source of lead in California condors, preventing their recovery. The condor population can only be sustained through intensive and costly management efforts without a solution to the problem of lead poisoning.
A new study finds that physical fitness significantly lowers the risk of death in diabetes patients with heart abnormality. Diabetic patients who were physically fit had a lower risk of death compared to those who were not physically fit, regardless of the presence or absence of left ventricle wall thickness.
A team of scientists from Washington University in St. Louis has identified the eastern gray squirrel as a major animal reservoir for tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichioses and STARI. The study uses a new assay to detect species-level tick blood meals, confirming the presence of gray squirrel DNA in infected ticks.
A Baylor University study reveals that juvenile rats build up a physical tolerance to alcohol but not cognitive impairment. This finding has significant implications for understanding adolescent behavior and the development of alcoholism.
A French cohort study of 6,000 women aged over 65 found that high levels of estrogen are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and strokes. The study challenges the long-held assumption that estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can identify patients who will not respond to the painkiller tramadol. The test measures the ratio of tramadol's metabolite O-demethyltramadol (ODT) to tramadol itself, allowing doctors to switch non-responding patients to alternative painkillers like morphine.
Researchers discovered that vampire jumping spiders prefer female mosquitoes with blood-fed abdomens over other insects due to their distinctive antennae. The spiders can identify the females by their antennae even when they are too small to be seen, and this unique ability may play a crucial role in their prey classification process.
A new blood test discovered circulating tumour cells can predict progression-free survival and overall survival in early-stage breast cancer patients. The presence of CTCs is associated with worse survival rates, but the correlation increases when concentrations are higher.
A simple blood test can identify people at high risk of dying within a month after non-cardiac surgery. The test called Troponin T measures protein markers of heart injury and is strongly associated with 30-day mortality.
A study of over 247,000 Copenhageners found higher mortality rates for both too little and too much vitamin D in the blood. The results challenge long-held assumptions about the essential nutrient's benefits.
A new NIH-funded study examines the use of mobile technology to improve diet and physical activity behavior in adults. The study found that a combination of mobile technology and remote coaching holds promise in encouraging healthier eating habits and reducing sedentary leisure time.