Antimicrobial resistance (AMR or AR) is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe. Therefore the term antibiotic resistance (AR or ABR) is a subset of AMR; as it applies only to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. Resistant microbes are more difficult to treat; requiring alternative medications or…
Precision cancer drugs called PARP inhibitors have a previously unknown ability to boost the immune system, and could help many more patients benefit from immunotherapy; a new study reveals. Scientists found that PARP inhibitors sparked a powerful immune response when used against cancer cells with weaknesses in repairing their DNA. Immunotherapies The study changes our understanding of how…
Vitreoretinal lymphoma patients with subretinal pigment epithelial infiltration had a shorter survival time while those who were younger than 55 years had a longer survival rate, a study found. The retrospective review evaluated patient charts and obituaries of 95 vitreoretinal lymphoma patients at Wills Eye Hospital between Jan. 1, 1984, and July 30, 2018. Clinical trials It…
An imaging procedure commonly performed before starting cancer treatment can provide valuable clues about a patient’s risk for heart problems in the months and years after treatment. However, this information is not always report and is rarely act upon in current practice; according to research being present at the American College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual…
Research in the past several years shows that children can outgrow a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); once considered a lifelong condition. In a new study, researchers at Albert Einstein have found that the vast majority of such children still have difficulties; that require therapeutic and educational support. “It’s certainly encouraging to confirm that…
The World Health Organisation has said that; the world is not prepared for a global flu pandemic; and that resources are inadequate. They followed by saying that a global pandemic of flu; is a matter of “when” and not “if”. The news comes after the WHO released a global influenza strategy. In a statement, WHO…
Many more people across England and Wales with hearing loss; but will be able to access the life-changing benefits of a cochlear implant. This is the result of a decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to expand the criteria used when determining who is eligible for a cochlear implant within…
Studies of health effects of alcohol consumption may underestimate the risks of imbibing, particularly for younger people, according to a new study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. The research demonstrates that although cohort studies the type of observational investigations typically used to study health benefits and risks sometimes show benefits from moderate…
Standard tests used to identify dehydration are not working for older people living in care homes according to new research from the University of East Anglia. Carers often use simple tests to see if an older person is dehydrated. These include looking at their eyes, skin, or asking if someone feels thirsty; tired or has…
Laboratory analysis from the first arm of a phase II clinical trial testing the use of nilotinib in patients with Parkinson’s disease demonstrates precisely how the agent increases levels of dopamine in the brains of study participants, says a research team at Georgetown University Medical Center. Symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as motor dysfunction, are a…
Joints emit a variety of noises, including popping, snapping, catching, clicking, grinding, grating and clunking. The technical term for these noises is “crepitus”, from the Latin “to rattle”. People of all ages can experience crepitus; although it becomes more common with old age. So what causes crepitus? Air bubbles forming in the joint spaces are…
An ambitious health economics study from a consortium of five Japanese universities has shown that different university programs to promote the equal geographic distribution of physicians; increases the number of graduates practicing in rural areas in Japan. Graduates from these programs are on average 24 % more likely to work in non-metropolitan areas than those…