Medical Imaging News and Research

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Modulation of opioid system may improve effectiveness of drugs for treatment-resistant depression

A clinical trial of an experimental drug for treatment-resistant major depression finds that modulation of the endogenous opioid system may improve the effectiveness of drugs that target the action of serotonin and related monoamine neurotransmitters.

12 Feb 2016

Oral therapeutic drug shows promise against recurrent C. difficile infection

Results from a Phase 1b/2 trial suggest that an investigational microbiome-based, oral therapeutic drug is effective for the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection. In a paper published online in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, a multi-institutional research team reports that treatment with the preparation, containing the spores of approximately 50 species of beneficial bacteria, successfully prevented recurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in patients with a history of multiple recurrent disease.

10 Feb 2016

Taste deficits appear to be more prevalent in MS patients

Taste deficits appear to be more prevalent among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients than previously reported and correlate with brain lesions left by the debilitating disease, a new study from the University of Pennsylvania's Smell and Taste Center and the department of Radiology found.

9 Feb 2016

MGH study may lead to first nonsurgical treatment for seborrheic keratoses

An investigation into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the most common type of benign skin lesion may lead to the first nonsurgical treatment for the growths called seborrheic keratoses (SKs), which in addition to being cosmetically unattractive are often worrisome to patients.

30 Jan 2016

Proton radiotherapy as effective as standard photon therapy in treating pediatric brain tumor

The use of proton radiotherapy to treat the most common malignant brain tumor in children is as effective as standard photon (x-ray) radiation therapy while causing fewer long-term side effects such as hearing loss and cognitive disorders, according to a study receiving online publication in Lancet Oncology.

30 Jan 2016

Aged Garlic Extract beneficial for preventing heart disease

The supplement Aged Garlic Extract can reverse the buildup of deadly plaque in arteries and help prevent the progression of heart disease, according to a new study scheduled for publication in the Journal of Nutrition.

22 Jan 2016

Combining nanomedicine with two anticancer treatments could improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients

A nanoparticle drug-delivery system that combines two complementary types of anticancer treatment could improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer and other highly treatment-resistant tumors while decreasing toxicity.

20 Jan 2016

Patients enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans use fewer diagnostic tests

Patients enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans have lower rates of use and lower costs for imaging tests, suggests a study in the February issue of Medical Care.

18 Jan 2016

Scientists identify origins of anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a very aggressive cancer of the blood, which usually occurs as a tumour in lymph nodes, the skin, the lungs, the liver, and in soft tissue, and mainly affects children and young adults.

18 Jan 2016

MGH researchers find how metformin drug prevents progression of pancreatic cancer

Massachusetts General Hospital investigators may have uncovered a novel mechanism behind the ability of the diabetes drug metformin to inhibit the progression of pancreatic cancer.

17 Jan 2016

AngioDefender holds much promise for personalized cardiac care

For a non-descript box it wields a mighty name and even more impressive possibilities for people with heart disease. Called the AngioDefender, the machine - no bigger than a shoebox - holds much promise in the ability to personalize cardiac care, say researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute, the research arm of St. Joseph's Health Care London.

8 Jan 2016

Researchers find no evidence that prenatal exposure to antidepressants increases risk for autism, ADHD

An analysis of medical records data from three Massachusetts health care systems finds no evidence that prenatal exposure to antidepressants increases the risk for autism and related disorders or for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

6 Jan 2016

JGU employs new particle accelerator to enhance research into radiopharmaceutical chemistry

A new particle accelerator will further enhance the research landscape at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. It is to be employed to conduct research into potential applications of medical relevance.

5 Jan 2016

Mindray's shareholder resolutions adopted at annual general meeting

Mindray Medical International Limited, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices worldwide, today announced shareholder resolutions adopted at its annual general meeting of shareholders held in Hong Kong on December 28, 2015.

From Mindray 30 Dec 2015

United Medical Systems to acquire USMD’s lithotripsy division

USMD Holdings, Inc., a physician-led integrated healthcare system, announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell most of its lithotripsy division to United Medical Systems (UMS), a leading provider of mobile medical equipment and services, including urology, women's health and MRI imaging, to hospitals, surgery centers and physician offices across the U.S., Canada and South America.

26 Dec 2015

Personalized respiratory-motion system enables more precise lung cancer imaging

Lung cancer patients know that precise medical imaging can help a surgeon eradicate tumors and preserve healthy tissue.

24 Dec 2015

TUM scientists develop small molecule that may allow future patient-specific treatment of cancer tumours

Integrins help cells communicate with and adapt to their environment. Also cancer cells depend on their properties to survive and spread throughout the body. Now scientists at the Technical University of Munich have successfully developed a small, highly active molecule that binds to a specific integrin which operates in many types of cancer.

21 Dec 2015

Monitoring CA125 levels may help reduce ovarian cancer deaths by nearly 20%

Initial results from the world's largest ovarian cancer screening trial suggest that tracking levels of a cancer-associated protein over time may help reduce ovarian cancer deaths by as much as 20 percent. Results of the 14-year study, led by investigators at University College London, are being published online in The Lancet.

18 Dec 2015

UA developing brain-scanning technology that could improve diagnosis of many disorders

Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a noninvasive brain-scanning technology that could produce images far superior to those obtained with the most commonly used systems -- electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

17 Dec 2015

NITOS coding platform allows users to examine role and value of medical imaging

A new free resource allows researchers to use Medicare and other payer claims databases to identify and meaningfully characterize medical imaging by noninvasive or invasive procedures, modality, body region and clinical focus. Developed by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, the Neiman Imaging Types of Service (NITOS) coding platform is an open source classification system, allowing users to readily extract utilization and cost data to examine the role and value of medical imaging.