Articles tagged with Medical Journals
Research found that simple tests, such as Road Sign Recognition and Compass tasks, can identify those at risk of failing the on-road driving test. The tests correctly classified 80-85% of unsafe drivers.
A new study suggests that requiring a second brain death exam may be unnecessary and can lead to prolonged family suffering while waiting for the exam. The study found that no one declared brain dead in the first exam was found to have restored brain stem function in the second exam.
A recent study by chemists from University of Copenhagen and NASA found that anesthetic gases have a significant impact on the climate. One kilo of anaesthetic gas affects the climate as much as 1620 kilos of CO2, with three commonly used gasses having global warming potentials ranging from 210 to 1620 times that of CO2.
Researchers analyzed 20,657 patients with acute stroke from 11 stroke centers in Ontario and found that people admitted on weekends had an 8.1% risk of dying, compared to a 7.0% risk for those admitted on weekdays. The study controlled for factors like age, gender, and stroke severity.
A study found that medical journals with higher levels of industry support had lower impact factors. The researchers suggest that journals should apply the same level of transparency to themselves as they do to authors. By disclosing sources and amounts of income, journals can improve trust and maintain their reputation.
Researchers found that people with Parkinson's disease who developed symptoms earlier in life had a shorter survival time, averaging 16 years from symptom onset. Those with psychotic symptoms or dementia were also at higher risk of early death.
A new study published in Neurology shows that white men and boys are living longer with muscular dystrophy than their African-American counterparts. The research analyzed death records from 1986-2005 and found a significant racial disparity in life expectancy for those with the disease.
A study of ghostwritten articles reveals how pharmaceutical companies like Wyeth promoted unproven hormone replacement therapy benefits and downplayed potential harms. The analysis shows that ghostwriting was used to mitigate risks associated with Prempro, a brand of menopausal hormone therapy.
A new study published in Neurology found that lithium is not effective in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to a high dropout rate and serious side effects. The research involved 171 people with ALS, but showed no difference between those receiving therapeutic or subtherapeutic doses of lithium.
A new study found that praying for another person's healing can be effective, especially when the prayerer is physically near the person. The study, which measured improved hearing and vision in rural Mozambican subjects, revealed statistically significant benefits after proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) was administered.
A study published in PLoS One investigates the reliability of peer review and its influence on journal editors' decisions to publish or reject research. The results suggest that reviewers agree on manuscript disposition rates barely exceeding chance, while editor decisions are significantly influenced by reviewer recommendations.
A new study published in Neurology shows that people with a common heart defect called bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are more likely to develop brain aneurysms. The research found that 9.8% of individuals with BAV had brain aneurysms, compared to 1.1% of those without the condition.
Editors of prominent medical journals call for standardized approaches to assess limitations in comparative effectiveness research, including patient involvement and transparent reporting. The statement outlines 11 standards to improve the quality and reliability of CER studies.
Scientists argue that a 'Global Fund for Health' would improve transparency and efficiency in international health aid. The current system masks variances, making it difficult to accurately trace health funding.
A new study published in Neurology found that women who didn't receive clot-busting drug tPA after a stroke had a worse quality of life compared to men. However, women who were treated with the medication responded just as well as men to the treatment.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology finds that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is not effective in treating chronic low-back pain. Research shows conflicting results, but TENS may be beneficial for diabetic nerve pain.
A study found that nearly 90% of high-impact medical journals have COI policies, but many do not require authors to sign disclosure statements. Journal policies vary in how COI is defined and solicited, leading to inconsistent requests for disclosure or no requests at all.
Men who engage in moderate-to-heavy intensity exercise have a lower risk of stroke compared to those with no physical activity. The study found that men who participated in such activities were 63% less likely to experience a stroke. However, the results did not show a similar benefit for women.
A study found discrepancies between primary trial outcomes registered and published, with 31% of adequately registered trials showing evidence. Most discrepancies favored statistically significant results or omitted nonsignificant outcomes.
Research finds that long-distance travel significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, prompting recommendations for low-cost interventions. Stepped-dosing of efavirenz also decreases incidence and severity of neuropsychiatric adverse events while maintaining efficacy.
Research found that 35 out of 1247 people experienced recurrent strokes within 24 hours after their initial TIA, highlighting the need for rapid medical attention
The journal's new evidence-based approach prioritizes the impact of diseases and risk factors that cause significant years lost to healthy life worldwide. It also emphasizes the importance of considering social, environmental, and political determinants of health alongside biological causes.
New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology identify a combination of blood tests and other specialized assessments as the most helpful for finding the cause of neuropathy. These tests can often point to common causes of neuropathy, such as diabetes or heredity.
A new study reveals that ENT medical journals severely underreport side effects and harms, with nearly a third of clinical research articles containing no mention of adverse events. The study found that over 53% of articles failed to explicitly describe these events.
A new study from Brandeis University found that hospital chaplaincy services are strongly predicted by general demographic and institutional characteristics, rather than national accreditation guidelines. The study also suggests that increasing attention to religion and spirituality in medicine may be the result of doctors' and nurses'...
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology found that vertigo can be effectively treated with simple head and body movements. The Epley maneuver was deemed safe and effective for people of all ages, while restrictions on activity after treatment were not supported.
Research at Duke University Medical Center found that most published articles about coronary stents do not disclose authors' financial relationships, which may bias scientific data interpretation. The study highlights the need for transparency and standardized conflict of interest information in medical research.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with migraines have a thicker somatosensory cortex area, which processes pain and sensory information. This could lead to increased sensitivity to stimulation and contribute to other pain disorders.
The UK government has failed to deliver on its promise of more flexible working in the NHS, according to a recent article. The Medical Women's Federation argues that this lack of flexibility has led to increased stress and burnout among medical staff, particularly women who make up nearly 70% of medical students.
People who stopped taking cholesterol-lowering drugs after a stroke are at greater risk of death or dependency. The study found that those who continued taking statins had a significantly lower risk of dying or becoming dependent on others.
A recent survey found that there are no easily identifiable types of formal training and experience that predict reviewer performance. The study suggests that journal editors have difficulty predicting which individuals will make good reviewers, highlighting the challenges of peer review quality.
A survey of 127 specialist registrars reveals that nearly a third view working with patients directly in community settings as a bad development. The respondents felt poorly prepared to meet the challenge and wanted additional training, but only half believed this would improve their job prospects.
A mathematical model predicts that voluntary household-based quarantine and isolation can substantially reduce the number of infected individuals and deaths from pandemic influenza. The study estimates a 27% reduction in symptomatic cases and a corresponding decrease in deaths, with potential benefits for cities worldwide.
The number of women in leadership roles in research studies has increased fivefold since 1970, but they remain underrepresented among medical science investigators. Women are entering the medical profession at the same rate as men, yet few studies and editorials are authored by them.
A study found that basic study facts and limitations are often missing from news coverage of medical research presented at scientific meetings. Researchers emphasized the importance of including study size, design, and potential limitations to prevent public misinterpretation.
A study found that prominent hand veins are the physical characteristic most commonly giving away age, while fullness and lack of wrinkles make hands appear younger. Skincare regimens and non-surgical procedures like laser treatments and chemical peels can reduce age spots and improve hand appearance.
A recent study found that women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are more likely to experience difficulties during childbirth and their babies are at a higher risk of death. The study also estimated that in the African context, an additional one to two babies die per 100 deliveries due to FGM.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center argue that medical journals should ban drug advertisements due to their potential influence on prescribing practices. The authors found that pharmaceutical ads in top medical journals reach a targeted audience and generate high returns for drug companies.
Researchers argue that medical journals' reliance on pharmaceutical advertising compromises their credibility, as advertisements often prioritize profitable drugs over others. They propose that journals consider alternative revenue sources to maintain objectivity.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that women have 34 nerve fibers per square centimeter of facial skin compared to men's 17, leading to a lower pain tolerance. This difference has significant implications for post-operative pain treatment in women.
The International Campaign to Revitalise Academic Medicine proposes three possible futures for academic medicine: one driven by the private sector, another by public engagement, and a third by global networks. The scenarios offer insights into how academic medicine should evolve, with potential benefits including improved efficiency, i...
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has updated its requirements for clinical trials registries, emphasizing the need for electronic searchability and public accessibility. The new guidelines also require registration of all phase 3 trials, which are designed to affect clinical practice.
Major medical journals, including Annals of Internal Medicine, will consider publishing results of clinical trials only if they are registered in a publicly accessible database before enrollment begins. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has adopted a set of 20 required data elements for trial registration.
Medical journals rely heavily on pharmaceutical funding, which can lead to biased research and favoritism towards company-funded trials. Experts like Richard Smith argue that this creates a cycle of dependency that compromises the credibility of journals.
A new general medical services contract in the UK may not adequately address the needs of patients with chronic heart failure. Despite efforts to improve management and diagnosis, concerns remain about the level of support provided by secondary care, particularly access to specialist advice and diagnostic resources.
A Georgetown University researcher reveals hidden sponsorship of articles and lectures in medical journals, compromising patient care. A public database is needed to disclose conflicts of interest.
A study of 559 college-age women found that despite common perceptions, a significant number have not undergone cosmetic surgery. The research suggests that those who care more about physical appearance are more likely to view cosmetic surgery as an option.
Virtual colonoscopy shows significant promise for colorectal cancer screening, but practical issues must be addressed before widespread use. Issues include standardization of test performance and interpretation of results, as well as the potential need for multiple procedures to detect and remove polyps.
A recent study by Rochon and colleagues found that many conditions or diseases common internationally are underrepresented in randomized controlled trials published in leading medical journals. In a related commentary, Jha and Lavery highlight the importance of delivering treatments already available to improve population health in dev...
Open-access initiatives aim to make scientific research freely available online, with proponents arguing that it promotes science and improves human health. Critics, however, suggest that authors' payment models may compromise the quality of published research.
The Lancet Commentary highlights the need for a radical transformation to reverse deeply embedded ethnic biases in leading medical journals. The journals prioritize research from the rich world, neglecting the health priorities of poor countries, and this bias affects the range of public debate.
The study found that nearly half of promotional claims were not supported by corresponding references, with the most common error being recommending treatment to a different patient group than those assessed in the reference study. Doctors should be cautious when assessing advertisements claiming greater efficacy, safety, or convenience.
The Mayo Clinic National Conference on Medicine and the Media brought together over 400 participants to discuss ways to effectively serve the public. Key findings include the need for accurate, clear reporting and transparency in financial interests.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Annals of Internal Medicine has published influential articles on Lyme disease, HIV/AIDS, and evidence-based medicine. The journal has continued to evolve with innovative features like structured abstracts and international discussions on editorial issues.
Recent medical press releases have been found to often exaggerate results, fail to acknowledge study limitations, and lack transparency. The authors suggest that journals can improve the quality of press releases through enhanced editorial oversight and standardized presentation formats.
Researchers found that most articles reporting new treatment results only used the most favorable statistic. Only 18 out of 359 articles reported 'absolute-risk reduction', and none reported 'number needed to treat'. Complete reporting is crucial for informed patient decisions.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that journals' practices for accelerating publication may be inconsistent. General internists rated articles from The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine, finding case articles scored higher on importance, ease of applicability, and health outcomes than contr...
The American College of Physicians announces new standards for manuscript submission, emphasizing author disclosure of sponsor involvement. These revised guidelines, developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, aim to prevent pharmaceutical companies from controlling study data and results.
The Lancet highlights concerns about the increasing involvement of sponsors in medical research, exerting control over trial design, data access, and interpretation. The international committee of medical journal editors has strengthened guidelines to restrict publication of research with compromised objectivity.