News
Biomarker Identification May Lead to New Noninvasive Test for Colorectal Cancer Detection
June 7, 2013 10:39 am | by Elsevier Health Sciences | CommentsThe average 5-year survival for colorectal cancer is less than 10% if metastasis occurs, but can reach 90% if detected early. A new non-invasive test has been developed that measures methylation of the SDC2 gene in tissues and blood sera. This test detected 87% of all stages of colorectal cancer cases (sensitivity) without significant difference between early and advanced stages.
Non-Invasive First Trimester Blood Test Reliably Detects Down's Syndrome
June 7, 2013 10:37 am | by Wiley | CommentsNew research has found that routine screening using a non-invasive test that analyzes fetal DNA in a pregnant woman's blood can accurately detect Down's syndrome and other genetic fetal abnormalities in the first trimester. Published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the results suggest that the test is superior to currently available screening strategies and could reshape standards in prenatal testing.
Math Technique De-Clutters Cancer-Cell Data, Revealing Tumor Evolution, Treatment Leads
June 7, 2013 10:14 am | by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | CommentsToday, two scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) publish a mathematical method of simplifying and interpreting genome data bearing evidence of mutations, such as those that characterize specific cancers. Not only is the technique highly accurate; it has immediate utility in efforts to parse tumor cells, in order to determine a patient's prognosis and the best approach to treatment.
Alzheimer's, Schizophrenia, and Autism Now Can Be Studied with Mature Brain Cells Reprogrammed from Skin Cells
June 7, 2013 10:10 am | by Penn State University | CommentsDifficult-to-study diseases such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and autism now can be probed more safely and effectively thanks to an innovative new method for obtaining mature brain cells called neurons from reprogrammed skin cells.
Promising Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries
June 7, 2013 10:05 am | by Technische Universitaet Muenchen | CommentsThe electrode material has a decisive influence on a battery’s capacity. So far, the negative electrode typically consists of graphite, whose layers can store lithium atoms. Scientists at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen have now developed a material made of boron and silicon that could smooth the way to systems with higher capacities.
Study Shows Medical Devices Complicate Complex Conditions in Kids
June 7, 2013 12:15 am | by PR Newswire | CommentsAs modern medical advances help more children with complex conditions live longer, a new study shows a significant number suffer from complications caused by medical devices that are also necessary for their survival. Researchers report their findings online June 7 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Teleflex Acquires Microlaparoscopy Surgical Platform Technology
June 6, 2013 5:00 pm | by Business Wire | CommentsTeleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, today announced the acquisition of Eon Surgical, Ltd., a late stage development company that has advanced a minimally invasive microlaparoscopy surgical platform technology designed to enhance surgeons’ ability to perform scarless surgery while producing better patient outcomes.
Neuroimaging May Offer New Way to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder
June 6, 2013 11:52 am | by Mount Sinai School of Medicine | CommentsMRI may be an effective way to diagnose mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, according to experts from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In a landmark study using advanced techniques, the researchers were able to correctly distinguish bipolar patients from healthy individuals based on their brain scans alone. The data are published in the journal Psychological Medicine.
Surgeons at Duke University Hospital Implant Bioengineered Vein
June 6, 2013 11:33 am | by Duke Medicine News & Communications | CommentsIn a first-of-its-kind operation in the United States, a team of doctors at Duke University Hospital helped create a bioengineered blood vessel and transplanted it into the arm of a patient with end-stage kidney disease. The procedure, the first U.S. clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of the bioengineered blood vessel, is a milestone in the field of tissue engineering.
New Technique for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Proves Accurate & Safe
June 6, 2013 11:18 am | by Oregon Health & Science University | CommentsThe surgeon who more than two decades ago pioneered deep brain stimulation surgery in the United States to treat people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders has now developed a new way to perform the surgery — which allows for more accurate placement of the brain electrodes and likely is safer for patients.
Data Mining EMRs Can Detect Bad Drug Reactions
June 6, 2013 11:15 am | by New Jersey Institute of Technology | CommentsNJIT Assistant Professor Mei Liu, PhD, a computer scientist, has recently shown in a new study that electronic medical records can validate previously reported adverse drug reactions and report new ones. "EMRs have created an unprecedented resource for observational studies since they contain not only detailed patient information, but also large amounts of longitudinal clinical data," she said.
ICP Medical LLC Introduces Timestrip Technology to its Rapid Refresh Privacy Curtain System
June 6, 2013 10:00 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsICP Medical LLC has recently announced a partnership with Timestrip, makers of a time monitoring device. The technology will be utilized in ICP Medical LLC’s line of privacy curtains used in healthcare facilities nationwide. The Timestrip’s color-coded label monitors elapsed time and indicates when curtains should be replaced.
Inspiro Medical Completes a Successful First Clinical Trial in Asthmatic Children
June 6, 2013 8:00 am | by PR Newswire | CommentsInspiro Medical recently completed a successful clinical trial for Inspiromatic, its innovative, breath-synchronized, active dry powder inhaler. The study aimed to objectively assess, in a randomized, crossover, double blind study, the efficacy and safety profiles of formoterol (bronchodilator) treatment via the Inspiromatic in asthmatic children, compared to its delivery via a competitive inhaler already on the market.
Seattle Children’s Hospital Chooses IBM Big Data Technology for Faster, More Accurate Diagnoses
June 6, 2013 5:05 am | by IBM | CommentsIBM and Brightlight today announced that Seattle Children’s Hospital is using IBM Big Data technology to improve treatment of its young patients. With over 350,000 patient visits annually and thousands of data points associated with each patient, Seattle Children’s Hospital can run queries on patient data in seconds, rather than minutes, to provide quicker, more effective care and diagnosis.
More Than 100 Winning Medicare Bidders In Maryland Don't Have Proper Licenses To Provide Medical Equipment To Patients
June 5, 2013 1:55 pm | by PR Newswire | CommentsMedicare's national bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME) is violating its own rules and may endanger beneficiaries after awarding contracts to winning bidders who haven't qualified for proper state and local licenses or accreditations, according to the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare).
