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New study identifies best operating room infection control procedures

While hospitals grapple with what operating room (OR) infection control procedures work best, a new study of Texas hospitals has determined two areas that stand out: mandating sterile operating conditions at or close to the wound itself; and tracking in-hospital outcomes on surgical site infections (SSIs) and sharing that information with surgeons and other OR staff.

14 Sep 2017

Researchers estimate U.S. burden of sepsis and trends using clinical data

Sepsis, the syndrome of life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by infection, is a major cause of death, disability, and cost. Many studies suggest that the incidence of sepsis is increasing over time, while mortality rates are decreasing.

13 Sep 2017

Two studies offer additional support to lower systolic blood pressure in high-risk patients

Two studies provide additional support for lowering systolic blood pressure to an intensive goal of 120 mmHg – far below the standard guidelines of 140 mmHg – to reduce the risk of heart disease in high-risk patients with hypertension.

24 Aug 2017

Blood test using infrared spectroscopy could provide cheaper, quicker alternative for colitis screening

A fast, simple blood test for ulcerative colitis using infrared spectroscopy could provide a cheaper, less invasive alternative for screening compared to colonoscopy, which is now the predominant test, according to a study between the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University.

23 Aug 2017

Scientists identify key compound that reduces severity of AMD in preclinical model

A compound of specific bioactive products from a major family of enzymes reduced the severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a preclinical model, according to a new study led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers.

22 Aug 2017

Sugars in mother's milk exhibit antibacterial properties

Mother's milk, which consists of a complex and continually changing blend of proteins, fats and sugars, helps protect babies against bacterial infections.

21 Aug 2017

Evidence that cannabis use helps pain or PTSD is lacking, say researchers

Scientific evidence reporting on the use of cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is too limited to conclude its safety or efficacy, say researchers from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

15 Aug 2017

Living near food outlets has little impact on individual's BMI, research suggests

Living near fast-food restaurants and supermarkets has little impact on an individual's body mass index, according to new Indiana University research.

7 Aug 2017

UNC-Chapel Hill receives $1.6 million grant to help African-American patients with glaucoma

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has received a grant worth nearly $1.6 million over four years from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to help reduce vision problems in African-Americans caused by glaucoma.

4 Aug 2017

Robot emits UV light to destroy infection-causing bugs in hard-to-clean places

Hospitals around the world are looking for new and innovative ways to battle deadly pathogens and kill multidrug resistant organisms that can cause hospital-acquired infections, or HAI.

4 Aug 2017

Yoga appears to lessen symptoms of depression

People who suffer from depression may want to look to yoga as a complement to traditional therapies as the practice appears to lessen symptoms of the disorder, according to studies presented at the 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.

3 Aug 2017

When wounds won’t heal, therapies spread — to the tune of $5 billion

Carol Emanuele beat cancer. But for the past two years, she has been fighting her toughest battle yet. She has an open wound on the bottom of her foot that leaves her unable to walk and prone to deadly infection.

3 Aug 2017

SNMMI recognizes contributions to nuclear medicine and molecular imaging at 2017 annual meeting

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), an international scientific and medical organization, recognized contributions to the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during its 2017 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Several awards ceremonies were held to recognize the valuable role SNMMI members play in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, cancer and neurological conditions.

2 Aug 2017

Novel imaging tracer can help assess patient’s rupture risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Yale University researchers have developed a way in which medical imaging could potentially be used to assess a patient's rupture risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

1 Aug 2017

Researchers use imaging techniques to collect massive data on individual brains

A quest to analyze the unique features of individual human brains evolved into the so-called Midnight Scan Club, a group of scientists who had big ideas but almost no funding and little time to research the trillions of neural connections that activate the body's most powerful organ.

29 Jul 2017

Researchers present novel gene-editing technique to prevent retinal angiogenesis

A research team from the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear has successfully prevented mice from developing angiogenesis of the retina--the sensory tissue at the back of the eye--using gene-editing techniques with CRISPR-Cas9.

25 Jul 2017

Study finds key physical difference in the brains of people with PTSD

The part of the brain that helps control emotion may be larger in people who develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after brain injury compared to those with a brain injury without PTSD, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Concussion Conference in Jacksonville, Fla., July 14 to 16, 2017.

11 Jul 2017

Neonatal inflammatory pain may contribute to increased food consumption, obesity in females

Inflammatory pain at birth changes how the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with memory and eating behavior, works later in life, and this pain also causes adult rats to eat more frequently and in larger amounts, according to a study by Georgia State University and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

6 Jul 2017

Proton pump inhibitors linked to increased death risk

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the commonest agents prescribed for heart burn or acid reflux. These agents are available for purchase over-the-counter making them one of the most commonly used drugs that make around $10 billion in annual sales. PPIs work by reducing the production of the gastric acids in the stomach. There are several known risks associated with PPI use including complete stoppage of gastric acid production, risk of pneumonia, kidney disorders, bone fractures such as hip fractures etc.

5 Jul 2017

New technology can help fight against antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem, as some infections that used to be easily cured are now immune to even our most powerful antibiotics.

4 Jul 2017