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Results from the COAPT trial reported at TCT 2018 and published simultaneously in NEJM

The COAPT trial found that the MitraClip device significantly reduced hospitalization rates and mortality, while improving quality-of-life measures and functional capacity in heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation. The study also showed a substantial reduction in the need for heart transplants or left ventricular as...

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 23, 2018

Thinking beyond yourself can make you more open to healthy lifestyle choices

A new study published in PNAS found that engaging in self-transcendence tasks can increase receptivity to health messages and lead to increased physical activity. Participants who reflected on values bigger than themselves showed greater brain activity in reward regions compared to those who focused on their own least important values.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2018

Changes in breakfast and dinner timings can reduce body fat

A 10-week pilot study found that participants who delayed their breakfast by 90 minutes and had their dinner earlier lost more than twice as much body fat compared to those in the control group. This reduction was partly due to decreased food intake, with 57% of participants reporting a decrease in eating opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Nutritional Science·DateAug 29, 2018

Child lead exposure study finds substantial reductions possible

Researchers reduced household lead levels and found significant reductions in dust lead levels, especially among black children. However, the intervention did not result in significant neurobehavioral improvements, such as improved IQ or behavior. The study suggests that eliminating residential lead exposure may be necessary to fully p...

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 27, 2018

Study highlights genetic risk of heart failure

A new population study in Sweden has found that genetic heritage is the dominant factor when it comes to heart failure in families. The study, led by Magnus Lindgren, found a 45% higher risk of heart failure in adoptees with at least one biological parent suffering from the condition.

SourceLund University·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJul 12, 2018

Study shows newspaper op-eds change minds

A study by Yale University researchers found that newspaper op-eds have a lasting impact on people's views, regardless of their political affiliation or initial stance. The study, which included experiments with the general public and elites, showed that op-eds can change minds on policy issues for a cost-effective estimated $0.50 to $...

SourceYale University·JournalQuarterly Journal of Political Science·DateApr 24, 2018

Eating less enables lemurs to live longer

A study on grey mouse lemurs found that chronic caloric restriction increased their median survival time to 9.6 years, compared to 6.4 years in control groups. Calorie restriction also delayed the onset of age-related pathologies and preserved motor capacities.

SourceCNRS·JournalCommunications Biology·DateApr 5, 2018

Study: Rigorous hand hygiene-intervention practices can lower mortality, antibiotic prescription rates in nursing homes

A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that implementing consistent hand hygiene measures in nursing homes can lead to lower mortality rates and reduced antibiotic prescriptions. The study assessed 26 French nursing homes and found a 30% lower mortality rate in the intervention group compared to the co...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateFeb 14, 2018

Sleeping for longer leads to a healthier diet

A King's College London study found that extending sleep hours by up to 1.5 hours per night resulted in a 10-gram reduction in reported free sugar intake. The researchers also noticed trends for reduced total carbohydrate intake among participants in the sleep extension group.

SourceKing's College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 9, 2018

Riding the bike to work is just as effective as leisure time exercise

Researchers from University of Copenhagen find that cycling to and from work is just as effective in reducing fat mass as moderate- or high-intensity leisure-time exercise. The study involved 130 overweight participants who cycled, exercised, or did neither for six months, with significant weight loss found in all groups.

Group exercise improves quality of life, reduces stress far more than individual work outs

A study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that group exercise significantly improved mental, physical, and emotional quality of life, with a 26% reduction in stress levels. In contrast, individual workouts had no significant impact on stress levels or quality of life.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateOct 30, 2017

Did game design elements increase physical activity among adults?

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that game-based interventions can increase physical activity among adults. In a 12-week clinical trial, participants who engaged with gamification elements showed significant improvements in step goal achievements and average daily steps compared to those in the control group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 2, 2017

Adults with intellectual disabilities are at high risk of preventable emergency admissions

Adults with intellectual disabilities have a nearly threefold higher rate of emergency hospitalizations and five times more preventable admissions than their matched controls. The most common ACSCs resulting in admission are convulsions/epilepsy, lower respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 12, 2017

School's in for asthma medication adherence

A school-based intervention that administers morning doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) to children with persistent asthma has shown improved adherence and quality-of-life outcomes. The study, published in the Journal of Asthma, found that 90% of participants received their prescribed morning doses through school administration.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJournal of Asthma·DateJul 3, 2017