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U.K. guidelines for tests drastically differ from those in the U.S, reports Sah

Dr. Sunita Sah practiced general medicine for several years in the United Kingdom's National Health Service. When she came to the United States, she noticed something strange.

8 Apr 2019

Verbal autopsy interviews capture more accurate data about causes of deaths in Uganda

Training community health workers to perform verbal autopsy interviews captured more accurate and complete data about the number and causes of deaths in a rural sub-county of Uganda than current health facility-dependent surveillance methods, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and their in-country partners.

14 Feb 2019

Few primary care physicians lack enough knowledge of cancer treatment options

The idea of team-based cancer care most often focuses on involving primary care physicians in the care of cancer survivors. But research has shown patients are discussing initial cancer treatment options with their primary care doctors.

13 Feb 2019

Financial stress may increase heart disease risk in African Americans

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and African Americans are disproportionately affected.

17 Jan 2019

SIESTA project reduces sleep interruptions in hospitalized patients

Selective tinkering with the medical center's electronic health records (EHR) system, plus a 20-minute presentation to doctors and nurses on the consequences of in-hospital sleep deprivation, was able to change the behavior of caregivers in ways that allowed more patients to sleep undisturbed through the night.

8 Jan 2019

Extensive genetic tests do not cause undue worry for women with breast cancer

As genetic testing for breast cancer has become more complex, evaluating a panel of multiple genes, it introduces more uncertainty about the results. But a new study finds that newer, more extensive tests are not causing patients to worry more about their cancer risk.

5 Jan 2019

Researchers launch clinical trial to develop breath test for multiple cancers

Researchers have launched a clinical trial to develop a breath test, analyzing molecules that could indicate the presence of cancer at an early stage.

2 Jan 2019

Study: Some people with Type 2 diabetes may be testing their blood sugar more often than needed

For people with Type 2 diabetes, the task of testing their blood sugar with a fingertip prick and a drop of blood on a special strip of paper becomes part of everyday life.

11 Dec 2018

Researchers directly connect activities of genes with instinctive behavior in male cichlids

Call it instinct, but something compels some animals to behave in certain ways, perhaps programs in their genes. Researchers have directly connected activities of genes with instinctive behavior in little male fish that make patterns in the sand to attract their mates.

15 Nov 2018

Probiotics could reduce the need for antibiotics

A startling new study has found that regular use of probiotics in infancy can significantly reduce antibiotic prescriptions during childhood.

14 Sep 2018

Scientists reveal role of 'junk DNA' in cancer dissemination

The more scientists explore so-called "junk" DNA, the less the label seems to fit.

14 Aug 2018

Study finds quality of doctor-patient discussions about lung cancer screening to be 'poor'

Although national guidelines advise doctors to discuss the benefits and harms of lung cancer screening with high-risk patients because of a high rate of false positives and other factors, those conversations aren't happening the way they should be, according to a study by researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

14 Aug 2018

Preventability of hospital readmissions changes over time, study reveals

A major goal of hospitals is to prevent unplanned readmissions of patients after they are discharged. A new study reveals that the preventability of readmissions changes over time: readmissions within the first week after discharge are often preventable by the hospital, whereas readmissions later are often related to patients' difficultly accessing outpatient clinics.

13 Jul 2018

Researchers find experimental compound to treat fibrotic diseases

Normal scar tissue forms to heal an internal wound and quietly retreats when the job is done. But in many common diseases - kidney, liver and lung fibrosis -- the scar tissue goes rogue and strangles vital organs. These diseases are largely untreatable and ultimately fatal.

13 Jul 2018

Type 1 diabetes patients five times more likely to end up in ER or hospital after a gap in health insurance

For a million American adults, living with type 1 diabetes means a constant need for insulin medication, blood sugar testing supplies and specialized care, to keep them healthy and prevent a crisis that could end up in an emergency room, a hospital bed or death.

10 Jul 2018

Study explores impact of surgeons on genetic testing in breast cancer patients

For many women diagnosed with breast cancer, genetic testing can offer important information that might guide treatment choices. But studies have shown that only about half of women who could benefit receive genetic testing.

4 Jul 2018

Scientists discover how the flu virus resets its trap

For the first time, scientists have directly visualized in real-time structural changes in the surface protein of the influenza virus that may help the virus to fuse with and enter target cells before hijacking their functions.

29 Jun 2018

Blood pressure medications linked to increased mortality, memory problems in old and frail patients

Old and frail patients have an increased mortality risk and increased memory problems when their blood pressure is lowered too much through medication.

28 Jun 2018

Doctors' attire does matter to patients, study finds

Physicians may want to dig a little deeper into their closets, or grab their white coats on the way out of the operating room, if they want patients to view them favorably, according to the largest-ever study of patient preferences for doctors' attire.

6 Jun 2018

New study shows how to personalize lung cancer screening decision for every patient

For smokers and former smokers, the threat of lung cancer always lurks in the shadows.To flush it out of the darkness, some decide to get their lungs scanned by a CT machine, which can find a tumor early enough to stop it – or set off a false alarm that turns out to be nothing.

29 May 2018