Articles tagged with Control Groups
The study found that controlling heart rate provides no benefit over controlling the heart's irregular rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. This approach may also be less expensive due to lower hospitalization rates and costs.
A new UCSD study found that counseling services provided through state-funded quitlines significantly increase abstinence rates at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The research suggests that these programs can help a higher number of long-term quitters compared to those who do not use such services.
Research found that vital exhaustion, a state of excessive fatigue and hopelessness, is associated with higher blood levels of fibrinogen, which can lead to excessive blood clotting. Decreased early morning fibrinolysis was also linked to vital exhaustion, increasing heart attack risk.
A recent study found that almost 33,000 pregnant women were involved in car crashes every year between 1995 and 1999. The researchers also discovered that younger women, aged 20-29, are more likely to be involved in car crashes during their peak childbearing years.
Researchers found that a therapy combining electrical stimulation with bilateral movement significantly improved motor skills in stroke patients compared to unilateral movement or physical therapy alone. The study suggests that involving the unaffected limb can help restore function and create new neural pathways.
A study found that RSV prevention in premature infants during their first winter of life can lead to better lung function and fewer respiratory issues. The treatment reduced the risk of RSV infections by 85%, resulting in fewer colds, asthma attacks, and allergies.
Stanford researchers have established a link between creative genius and mental illness, with healthy artists showing more similarities in personality to individuals with manic depression. Emotional range was found to be a key factor in this relationship.
A study found that preoperative smoking intervention significantly reduces postoperative complications in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement. Smoking cessation or reduction leads to fewer wound-related and cardiovascular complications, with a significant decrease in hospital stay duration.
A Mayo Clinic study investigated the impact of intercessory prayer on patients' medical outcomes, finding no significant difference between the intervention group and control group. The study highlights the importance of addressing spiritual needs in patients, which may facilitate recovery from illness.
A new study funded by the NHLBI shows that a type of implantable heart pump can extend and improve the lives of terminally ill patients with end stage heart failure. The HeartMate LVAD was shown to have a 52% one-year survival rate, compared to 25% for those receiving standard medical management.
A two-year study found that first-year medical students who received visual training on detailed artworks improved their observational skills by 10 percent. This improvement enabled them to make correct diagnoses without relying on costly blood tests and x-rays.
A Mayo Clinic study found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome experienced a 24% rate of adverse postoperative outcomes compared to 9% without the condition. The study also revealed longer hospital stays and increased severity of upper airway obstructions in these patients.
Research suggests that telomere shortening is associated with atherosclerosis, potentially linking it to premature ageing. Patients with severe coronary artery disease showed shorter telomeres compared to healthy controls, indicating accelerated cellular ageing.
A new therapy has been found to be effective in helping women overcome their concerns about gaining weight when quitting smoking. The study, published in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that 21% of women who received therapy had completely quit smoking with no relapses.
Couples seeking preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for single gene disorders or to avoid chromosomal abnormalities have differing views on embryo destruction and genetic trait selection. The study found that most couples prioritize having a healthy child over preventing genetic transmission of inherited mutations.
Research published in Human Reproduction has shown that ovarian stimulation impairs embryo development and implantation in mice. Only 12% of embryos from superovulated mice implanted compared to 25% from control donors, highlighting adverse effects on both quality and fetal development.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed mathematical formulas to reduce vibrations on spacecraft, enabling autonomous decision-making without human programming. The technology will be tested on the International Space Station, which is currently under construction with a budget of $50 billion and expected completion in five years.
A University of Pittsburgh study reveals that young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at high risk of developing premature atherosclerosis by middle age. The researchers found that PCOS patients had higher levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including insulin and LDL cholesterol.
A study of 24 postmenopausal women found no significant differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) between those who lost weight and a control group. Despite average weight loss of 13 kg, the subjects regained an average of 10.9 kg after energy balance was restored.
A new study published in Neurology reveals that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients lose cognitive ability and report increased mental fatigue after repeated testing. Researchers attribute this decline to fluctuations in glucose supply and metabolism, which affect brain performance.
The launch of Avandia provides patients with inadequate glycaemic control a new treatment option. Adding Avandia to metformin improves fasting plasma glucose levels in obese patients, reducing the risk of disease progression. This combination therapy also shows promise for patients with mild-to-moderate renal impairment.
A new study shows that drug treatment interruptions can boost HIV-specific immune responses in chronically infected patients, with one patient controlling his viral infection without drugs for at least four months. This approach, known as structured treatment interruption, may provide a sustainable alternative to current treatments.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that participants who received auricular acupuncture had a higher likelihood of being free from cocaine during treatment. Over half of those receiving acupuncture tested negative for the substance at the end of the eight-week trial, compared to 23.5% of control group participants.
A University of Florida study found that women who learn hypnosis before delivering babies suffer fewer complications, need less medication, and have healthier babies. Hypnotized patients with hypertension also made lifestyle improvements to lower blood pressure.
The continuum fingerboard is a MIDI controller that allows continuous control over each note played, without discrete pitches. It resembles a piano keyboard but has a flat playing surface with soft fabric covering the mechanics, requiring musicians to learn new techniques.
Couples undergoing infertility treatment experience intense emotional highs and lows, with physical discomfort being a secondary issue. The promise of technology to control reproduction only exacerbates the problem, leading to increased distress for those who fail to conceive.
A recent study involving nearly 3,700 Gulf War-era veterans from Iowa found evidence of multiple symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, and headaches, but no definitive 'Gulf War syndrome'. The researchers suggest that these health problems may be due to common medical conditions rather than a unique disorder.
A landmark survey reveals that 57% of Canadians with asthma do not have their illness adequately controlled. Many patients and physicians underestimate the severity of asthma, leading to poor control of symptoms.
Volunteers use virtual reality helmet and computer program to take actions like turning on TV or stereo by simply wishing it so, in breakthrough study that may someday enable patients with extreme paralysis to regain control of their surroundings
Researchers have discovered that stimulating nerves can alter cortical responses, leading to potential therapeutic approaches for stroke victims. By bypassing damaged brain areas, patients may regain at least some movement control.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have identified a complex of proteins that activate cell growth and division protein E2F, leading to excessive cell division and cancer. This breakthrough provides an opportunity to develop small molecule drugs that can arrest E2F activity and prevent tumour cell proliferation.
Researchers found that drivers involved in sleep-related crashes were four to five times more likely to work night-shift jobs and had built up 'sleep debt' or gotten far too little sleep before driving. These drivers often relied on ineffective tactics like opening windows or turning up the radio, and put themselves and others at risk ...
A study by UMass researcher Robert S. Feldman found that convincing lying is associated with good social skills, particularly among older adolescents and those with high social competence. This suggests that being a better liar can make someone more popular, but only when controlling nonverbal behavior.
A University of Michigan-led research team is launching a two-year study to examine whether prisoners of war experience 'post-traumatic growth' after their traumatic experiences. The study aims to determine if POWs develop positive changes in self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life compared to control groups.
Researchers found that middle-aged women can avoid weight gain through increased physical activity and a low-fat, reduced-calorie dietary pattern. The five-year study showed significant reductions in weight gain and waist circumference among those who participated in the lifestyle intervention program.
Researchers identified a critical two-week window for surgical decompression to improve facial function in patients at risk of permanent damage. Electrical testing and EMG analysis helped pinpoint the optimal patient population, revealing a 91% recovery rate through surgery within this timeframe.
Richard M. Amasino, a plant molecular biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been awarded the 1999 Alexander von Humboldt Award for his groundbreaking research on flowering time and senescence in plants. His discoveries have significant implications for agriculture, with potential to improve crop yields and resistance.
Researchers have shown how the fat hormone leptin works in the brain to trigger nerve cells that control eating. Leptin activates 'anorectic' nerve cells releasing appetite-suppressing neuropeptides, while inhibiting 'orexigenic' cells that release appetite-regulatory neuropeptides.
A new study found that workplace cancer control programs can improve the nutritional environment and eating habits of employees. The Working Well Trial showed significant improvements in healthy food options, fruit and vegetable access, and reduced fat and added sugars.
The Mangini Collection of 80,000 pages of documents chronicle R.J. Reynolds' struggle to hold onto market share as tobacco use declined, focusing on attracting young first-time smokers. The documents also reveal the company's efforts to refute findings that Joe Camel had a higher rate of recognition among schoolchildren than Mickey Mouse.
A new study by researchers at UCLA found that pregnant women with positive psychological resources tend to have healthy-weight infants. The study, which analyzed data from 230 pregnant women, suggests that a woman's ability to adapt to the challenges of pregnancy is crucial to the outcome.
A new study by UCSF researchers found a significant decline in TB rates in San Francisco from 1992 to 1997, attributing it to intensified control measures. The study used molecular epidemiology to track the disease and determine the effect of interventions on transmission rates.
A case-control study found that frail elderly who received assistive devices and home adaptations had higher levels of independence at the end of a 18-month study. The treatment group spent significantly less on health care, with average costs $14,173 per person compared to $31,610 in the control group.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that highly depressed individuals have reduced autonomic regulation of blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart damage. Exercise was shown to be an effective treatment to restore this function and improve heart health.
A culturally relevant behavioral intervention significantly reduced new cases of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among African-American and Mexican-American women. The study found a 34% lower infection rate at six months, 49% by the end of year one, and 38% overall.
A University of Florida study found that changing people's attributions, or how they think about themselves, can influence their performance in sports tasks. The technique, attribution training, helps individuals with constructive attributions persist longer and achieve more.
Researchers found that inexpensive signs can increase stair use by 4.8-7.2% among different age groups and racial demographics, with significant benefits for Caucasians but little impact on African Americans.
A University of Florida study suggests that believing in one's ability to improve memory can significantly impact memory performance. The research found that older adults who accepted the idea that their memory could be improved were more likely to use effective strategies, leading to better memory outcomes.
Researchers confirm that plants have an adaptive immune-like response to insect damage, increasing seed production by 60% and resisting pests. The study used wild radish as a model plant and found that triggering this response enhanced plant fitness, providing a potential alternative to chemical pesticides.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that counseling and phone support after hospital discharge increased nonsmoking rates by 50% compared to usual care. Participants who had not previously tried to quit showed the greatest improvement in long-term success.
A recent study found that treating depression in diabetic patients can lead to improved blood glucose control. Researchers discovered that as depression improved, glucose levels also decreased. The study showed that nearly 60% of depressed patients experienced significant improvement after treatment.
A study comparing day care and non-day care groups found that families with access to day care reported higher well-being and lower stress levels. The program provided cost-efficient support, enabling caregivers to continue employment while caring for loved ones.
Researchers found that using beta-agonists regularly causes no adverse health effects and may be a sign of worsening asthma. The study followed 255 patients with mild asthma, ages 12 to 55, for 6 months, finding no significant differences in lung function or quality of life between regular-use and as-needed use groups.
Researchers are investigating alternative methods to stabilize seemingly chaotic oscillations in experimental nerve cell and heart preparations. They aim to improve treatments for arrhythmia by controlling chaos in the heart's upper chambers, which can lead to conditions like atrial fibrillation.