The overuse of certain medical procedures is a common problem in healthcare. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine produces an annual review of procedures, services, and tests that are often unnecessary, expensive, and may even cause harm to the patient. Here are the highlights from the 2018 and 2019 reports: Electrocardiograms are… Read more
An inexpensive electromagnetic therapy quickly improved outcomes for men with enlarged prostates, according to a new study by researchers at Sapienza University of Rome with funding from the Parsemus Foundation. The results were published recently in Andrology, the highest ranked journal in andrological research. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlargement of the prostate, is a common… Read more
Thanks to a new patent for treating hearing loss using aldosterone and anti-inflammatory medication, humankind is a big step closer to reversing the #1 neurodegenerative disease of aging. If patent recipients Robert Frisina and colleagues at the University of South Florida successfully complete clinical trials, this method could be the first FDA-approved treatment for hearing… Read more
Given the rapid aging of the world population, it’s no surprise that research on Alzheimer’s disease has become a scientific focus. Simply understanding the mechanisms resulting in the disease has been a major undertaking, but we’re starting to make progress. A research study recently published in Nature Communications by scientists at the Van Andel Research… Read more
The “Rat Scratcher” was presented with the 2019 Janet Wood Innovation Award at the Institute of Animal Technology Congress in Liverpool, England earlier this month. The award, a program of the Datesand Group, aims to encourage laboratory animal technicians to come up with ideas that support the Three R’s of animal research: replacement, reduction and… Read more
For those suffering from pain related to spinal fractures due to osteoporosis, spinal fusion may not be the answer. Cementing crumbling vertebrae to fuse bones together – called vertebroplasty – is common practice for osteoporosis patients. Over 750,000 vertebroplasty procedures are conducted annually in the United States. According to a task force of the American… Read more
We’ve all seen advertising for genetic testing services, offering insight into your ancestry as well as health based on your genetic code. But Drs. Michael Hochman and Pieter Cohen warn that genetic tests offered directly to consumers without input from a physician or geneticist can be problematic. They note that genetic tests for BRCA mutations… Read more
We regularly hear that obesity is a risk factor for various diseases, and we’re beginning to understand that some diseases have overlapping risk factors and outcomes. For example obesity, type II diabetes, and a diet high in saturated fats are all risk factors for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. And recent studies have revealed outcomes… Read more
The Janet Wood Innovation Award finalists were recently announced, recognizing individuals who created novel products that improve the welfare of laboratory animals. The award, a program of Datesand Group, aims to encourage laboratory animal technicians to come up with ideas that support the Three R’s of animal research (replacement, reduction and refinement). The products will… Read more
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has proven benefits over “open surgery”: fewer complications, shorter hospitalization, lower rates of readmission and mortality, and lower health care costs. Unfortunately, the population that might benefit the most from this approach is under-served. A recently published study used a Medicare database to analyze minimally invasive vs. traditional open surgeries in elderly… Read more