Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Catheter innovation destroys dangerous biofilms

Duke University engineers have developed a new urinary catheter design that can eliminate nearly all hard-to-kill biofilm from the catheter's walls using physical deformation. The design features an inflation channel that forces the thin wall into the urinary tract, leaving the outer dimensions intact.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateMar 25, 2014

When you always gotta go...

The FINNO Study found that women are more likely to suffer from incontinence, while men experience problems with slow or incomplete urination. The study also identified post-micturition dribble as the most common cause of bother among men.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalEuropean Urology·DateFeb 10, 2014

New urine test could diagnose eye disease

A new urine test has been developed to diagnose retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. The test uses mass spectrometry to analyze dolichol profiles in urine and blood samples, distinguishing between different gene mutations that cause the disease. This non-invasive test could provide personalized care for patients with RP.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateOct 8, 2013

What scientists can see in your pee

Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified over 3,000 chemicals in human urine, expanding the list from just 50-100 previously known compounds. This discovery is expected to revolutionize medical testing, enabling fast, cheap, and painless tests using urine instead of blood or tissue biopsies.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 4, 2013

Simple urine test may help identify individuals with diabetes at risk for cognitive decline

A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that individuals with type 2 diabetes and normal kidney function who have persistent albuminuria (protein in the urine) are at a greater risk for cognitive decline. The study, which followed 2977 diabetics over four to five years, showed that t...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 29, 2013

Protein-based urine test predicts kidney transplant outcomes

Researchers developed a noninvasive protein-based urine test that accurately monitors kidney transplant risk and detects rejection before clinical signs appear. The study found low levels of CXCL9 protein can rule out rejection as a cause of kidney injury, offering a promising diagnostic tool for managing transplant patients.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateAug 22, 2013

'Scent device' could help detect bladder cancer

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and University of the West of England have developed a device that can detect bladder cancer through urine scent analysis. The ODOREADER device analyzes chemicals in gas emitted from urine to produce a 'profile' that can be used to diagnose cancer cells in the bladder.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 8, 2013

Elevated cadmium levels linked to disease

A recent study by Johns Hopkins scientists reveals an association between elevated cadmium levels and increased risk of liver disease in men. Higher levels of cadmium in urine were found to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to lead to liver-related deaths compared to lower levels.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery·DateMay 9, 2013

RI Hospital: Nearly half of older women diagnosed with UTI not confirmed in urine culture

A new study at Rhode Island Hospital found that many older women are overdiagnosed and overtreated for urinary tract infections (UTIs), highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis. The study suggests that collecting urine by inserting a temporary catheter may reduce false-positive results and unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 22, 2013

MDC and FMP researchers identify edema inhibitor

Researchers have identified a substance that prevents fluid accumulation and edema formation in the body, offering new hope for treating excessive fluid retention in patients with chronic heart failure. The discovery also reveals a new molecular mechanism controlling water homeostasis in the kidneys.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 5, 2013

A fingerprint of exhaled breath

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to analyze the chemical composition of exhaled breath, revealing an individual's unique 'breathprint' that stays constant over time. This non-invasive approach holds promise for early disease detection and monitoring, and could potentially replace traditional blood and urine analysis.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 3, 2013

Shape of urine can indicate prostate issues

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that the characteristic shape of a man's urine stream can be used to diagnose urinary problems, including those associated with prostate enlargement. The study found a strong correlation between the shape of the urine flow pattern and the maximum urine flow rate.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2012

Surgical 'sling' reduces risk of weakened bladder control after prolapse surgery, U-M study says

Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that patients who receive a mid-urethral sling during prolapse repair have less than half the risk of urinary incontinence. The study suggests that inserting a sling during surgery can significantly reduce urine leakage, but also increases the risk of certain side effects.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 21, 2012

Earlier detection of bone loss may be in future

Researchers at Arizona State University and NASA have developed a new technique for detecting bone loss using isotope analysis. This method is more sensitive than current X-ray methods and poses less risk to patients, making it a promising tool for early detection of diseases such as osteoporosis.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2012