New Prenatal Test For Down Syndrome Less Risky Than Amniocentesis, Scientists Say Oct 8, 2008
"You randomly sequence whatever is there," explained Christina Fan, a doctoral student in bioengineering who was the study's lead author. The DNA fragments are 25-30 base pairs long, she said, long enough to match each fragment to a specific chromosome. (Science Daily)
Bedroom Fan Cuts SIDS Risk by 72% Oct 8, 2008
To assess whether or not increasing the ventilation in a room would affect the risk of SIDS, the researchers compare information from mothers of 185 infants who died of SIDS with 312 randomly selected, age-matched infants. The infants were also matched based on their race or ethnicity and where they lived. (MEDLINEplus)
Study provides insight on a common heart rhythm disorder Oct 8, 2008
We were then able to image these cells and see what was different about them," Hund said. Based on research previously published by Mohler in 2003 in the journal Nature, the investigators knew that in ventricular cardiomyocytes the protein ankyrin-B behaves like a "tugboat," delivering ion channels and anchoring them to specific domains on the cell membrane. These ion channels serve as conduits for the electrical activity that triggers cell contraction. The team found that ankyrin plays a... (EurekAlert!)
Fan cuts infant death syndrome Oct 8, 2008
The latest study compared 185 babies who had died of SIDS with 312 randomly selected babies and matched them by age, race, ethnic group and country of origin. "Even though we don't know why certain babies are more susceptible, sleeping environment matters," said a co-author of the study, Dr De-Kun Li, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's division of research in Oakland, California. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Turning on fan may helpstop SIDS Oct 7, 2008
In the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent , researchers at Kaiser Permanente looked at whether the use of a fan in the room where a baby sleeps can help reduce the incidence of SIDS. In in-person interviews, they questioned mothers of 185 California babies who died of SIDS and the mothers of 312 randomly selected "control" infants matched by county, race, ethnicity and age to the first group. Kaiser researchers found that infants who slept in rooms ventilated by fans had a 72... (MSNBC -- Health)
Effects Of Disclosing Financial Interests On Participation In Medical Research Oct 7, 2008
Investigators then randomly assigned them to one of three disclosure groups: Members of one group were told the clinic involved in the study would receive per capita payments per enrollee that would be used to cover the costs of the trial, including the doctor's salary. Participants in a second group were told that the investigator held stock in the company sponsoring the research. (Science Daily)
Spiriva Safe, Effective for COPD Patients Oct 7, 2008
For the study, Celli and his colleagues randomly assigned 5,993 COPD patients to treatment with tiotropium or placebo. In addition, patients were allowed to take all of their other respiratory medicines, except for other inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilators. (MEDLINEplus)
Using Fans May Slash SIDS Risk Oct 7, 2008
analyzed information from interviews of mothers of 185 infants who had died from SIDS and mothers of 312 randomly selected infants from the same county, maternal race/ethnicity and age. Mothers were asked about fan use, pacifier use, open window in the room at the infants last sleep, room location, sleep surface, number and type of covers over the infant, bedding under the infant and room temperature. (Newsmax)
The CHOICE (Choice of Health Options In prevention of Cardiovascular Events) replication trial: study protocol Oct 7, 2008
Participants eligible for but not accessing standard cardiac rehabilitation will be randomly allocated to either a previously tested 3-month CHOICE program or a 30-month CHOICE program (CHOICE-plus). Both groups will participate in individualised risk factor modules of differing duration that involve choice, goal setting and telephone follow-up for three months. (BioMed Central)
Random world triggers need for order Oct 6, 2008
To prove it, they conducted a series of experiments in which they manipulated control in different ways - for instance by asking people to answer a series of questions, then randomly telling half of them they were making mistakes. Then the volunteers had to find patterns. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Who needs state taxes? Oct 6, 2008
She gets this figure not from budget experts - or experts of any kind - but from randomly selected voters asked for their own estimates. And that's good enough for me. (Boston Globe)
Atkins Fares Best in Study Of Four Weight-Loss Regimens Oct 6, 2008
The 311 overweight and obese women in the study were randomly assigned to one of the four groups. Each received a book detailing her prescribed diet. (Yahoo News -- Diet and Nutrition)
Parents Still Fear Autism Could Be Linked To Vaccines, Poll Shows Oct 5, 2008
The survey of 1000 randomly selected adults was conducted for the Florida Institute of Technology ... The survey includes responses from 1000 men and women, 21 years old or older, randomly selected from throughout the nation. (Science Daily)
LETTERS: NCT, Oct. 3, 2008 Oct 4, 2008
Just allow Americans to sit back and listen, and watch, and decide if they feel that a neighbor randomly picked from a nearby suburb should or could take over the helm of the USA.. Alaska Accent wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:52 AM:One thing has been driving me crazy and perhaps someone here can help. (North County Times)
See a Pattern on Wall Street? Oct 4, 2008
Even though later statistical analysis clearly demonstrated that the bombs fell randomly across the city, people were certain that parts of the city had been targeted and other parts spared, he told me. People in those areas of the city seemingly spared came under suspicion as Nazi sympathizers, and their livelihoods and physical safety were threatened. (New York Times)
So, med student, how does it feel to be old? Oct 4, 2008
As they progress, they have many of their defining characteristics randomly taken away by participants who are labeled bosses. At the UNC event -- which used a version of the game made by Slack Inc., an educational services company -- students playing older people had makeup applied against their will, were tagged with demeaning labels and received unnecessary procedures. (News & Observer)
Computer-Aided Mammogram Reading Effective Oct 4, 2008
To assess this question, the researchers randomly assigned more than 31,000 women undergoing routine screening mammography to have their films read by two radiologists, by CAD and one radiologist, or using both measures. Double reading found 87. (MEDLINEplus)
Feds probe chelation-heart disease study Oct 3, 2008
Some would be randomly assigned to get either chelation or dummy infusions weekly for 30 weeks, then 10 more treatments bimonthly, over a 28-month period ... Others in the study were randomly assigned to get high or low doses of antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements. (MSNBC -- Health)
Hi-tech windows into a whale's world Oct 3, 2008
But even so, they come to the surface apparently randomly and for only brief periods of time. It is a far cry from the acrobatics of the humpback whale or the ebullient eruptions of dolphins. (BBC News -- Science)
Cells Coordinate Gene Activity With FM Bursts, Scientists Find Oct 3, 2008
"This allowed us to discover that the localization of the Crz1 protein was randomly switching between nucleus and cytoplasm," says Elowitz. The researchers were able to see the Crz1 protein moving in a coherent fashion. (Science Daily)
GPs older, more likely female Oct 3, 2008
October 03, 2008 04:09am. AUSTRALIA'S GPs are older, more likely to be female and write fewer prescriptions than they did a decade ago. (NEWS.com.au)
Applying Science to Alternative Medicine Oct 3, 2008
In such trials, scientists randomly assign patients to treatment or control groups with the aim of eliminating bias from clinician and patient decisions. Sat Bir S. Khalsa, the study s author and a sleep researcher at the Harvard Medical School, said an added complication was that the vast majority of these studies have been small, averaging 30 or fewer subjects per arm of the randomized trial. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Hypnosis eases post-breast cancer hot flashes Oct 3, 2008
Based on some small studies that found hypnosis benefited women suffering from hot flashes, Elkins of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and his team randomly assigned 60 breast cancer survivors to hypnosis once a week for five weeks or no treatment. The hypnosis sessions, which lasted about 50 minutes, involved helping the patient to reach a deeply relaxed state, and then offering suggestions for mental imagery to help her relax and feel cool. (Reuters India)
Meet the woman who goes blind on and off Oct 3, 2008
"My eyes started closing intermittently, really randomly, but within a few weeks they were closing for three days," she added. Associate professor Justin ODay, head of the neuro-ophthalmology unit at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital, said: "Natalie's a mystery. She's a one-off and we don't have a diagnosis.". (Sify)
Low-Dose Pill May Clear Acne in Women Oct 3, 2008
The subjects were randomly assigned to take the low-dose oral contraceptive or an inactive "placebo" pill; 211 women in the treatment group and 192 in the placebo group completed the 6-month trial. The number of acne lesions dropped by 46 percent in the drospirenone/estradiol group compared with 31 percent in the placebo group. (MEDLINEplus)
Exercise May Help People with Irritable Bowel Oct 3, 2008
The participants were randomly assigned to usual care (i. e., a "control" group) or to an exercise program, consisting of two 40-minute one-on-one exercise consultations designed to provide exercise skills, knowledge, confidence and motivation -- the goal being 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 5 days a week. (MEDLINEplus)
Low-Dose Hormone Therapy Unlikely to Improve Skin Oct 3, 2008
In the study, Dr. Tania J. Phillips from Boston University and colleagues randomly assigned 485 postmenopausal women to placebo, or to a lower- or higher-dose of hormone therapy for the purpose of controlling mild to moderate age-related skin changes. The women in the study were, on average, around 54 years old. (MEDLINEplus)
Quick Check-Up Helps Parents Handle Terrible Twos Oct 3, 2008
In the current study, they randomly assigned 731 families participating in the federal Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) to WIC only or WIC plus the Family Check-Up. All of the families were determined to be at risk for problems based on factors such as a mother's depression, low education and low income, or substance abuse problems. (MEDLINEplus)
Anemia Drugs Linked To Stroke Study Deaths: FDA Oct 3, 2008
For the trial, 522 stroke patients were randomly assigned to receive relatively high doses of epoetin alfa or a placebo. Some patients were also given R-tPA, a powerful clot-busting drug. (MEDLINEplus)
Hypnosis Cuts Hot Flashes for Breast Cancer Survivors Oct 3, 2008
For the study, researchers led by Gary Elkins, a professor of psychology at Baylor University School of Medicine, randomly assigned 60 breast cancer survivors who suffered from hot flashes to five weekly sessions of either hypnosis or no treatment. During each session of hypnosis, women were given mental imagery and suggestions for relaxation and coolness. (MEDLINEplus)
Maraviroc for Previously Treated Patients with R5 HIV-1 Infection Oct 3, 2008
The patients were randomly assigned to one of three antiretroviral regimens consisting of maraviroc once daily, maraviroc twice daily, or placebo, each of which included optimized background therapy (OBT) based on treatment history and drug-resistance testing ... Results A total of 1049 patients received the randomly assigned study drug; the mean baseline HIV-1 RNA level was 72,400 copies per milliliter, and the median CD4 cell count was 169 per cubic millimeter. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Intensive Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Oct 3, 2008
Methods In a multicenter clinical trial, we randomly assigned 322 adults and children who were already receiving intensive therapy for type 1 diabetes to a group with continuous glucose monitoring or to a control group performing home monitoring with a blood glucose meter. All the patients were stratified into three groups according to age and had a glycated hemoglobin level of 7. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Risk factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in subjects from primary care units. A case-control study Oct 3, 2008
One control will be randomly selected for each case from the population, matched for age, gender and primary care center. Controls with fatty liver or other liver diseases will be excluded. (BioMed Central)
Stroke medicine benefits greater Sep 25, 2008
Doctors randomly assigned 821 stroke patients in Europe who were not treated within three hours to receive an intravenous dose of TPA or a dummy drug up to 4. 5 hours after symptoms started. (Boston Globe)
Stroke treatment helps even after 3 hours Sep 25, 2008
Doctors randomly assigned 821 stroke patients in Europe who were not treated within three hours to receive an intravenous dose of TPA or a dummy drug up to 4 hours after symptoms started. Doctors found those given TPA fared better 52 percent survived without major disability compared with 45 percent of the others. (MSNBC -- Health)
Workers pay more, get less in health benefits Sep 25, 2008
The Kaiser Foundation study was based on telephone surveys with 1,927 randomly selected public and private employers between January and May this year. The report is available at kff. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Hypnosis, acupuncture may cool hot flashes in breast cancer patients Sep 25, 2008
In the hypnosis study, involving 51 women, Stearns randomly assigned women to receive five weekly hypnosis sessions or no treatment ... In Walker's 12-week study of 47 patients, half were randomly assigned to have acupuncture and half to take a common antidepressant, Effexor, also sold as venlafaxine. (USA Today)
Researchers note differences between people and animals on calorie restriction Sep 25, 2008
Called the CALERIE study (Comprehensive Assessment of the Long term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy), the project randomly divided 48 people into three groups: Eighteen cut their caloric intake by 25 percent for one year. Another 18 started exercising to increase their energy expenditure by 25 percent for a year. (EurekAlert!)
Phone Psychotherapy: Fewer Hang-Ups? Sep 24, 2008
Mohr says more original research is needed, including a definitive study with a randomly selected population of patients that directly compares therapy delivered face-to-face to phone therapy. By Caroline WilbertReviewed by Louise Chang 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. (CBS News)
Shorter radiation works for breast cancer Sep 24, 2008
Canadian researchers tested the approach, called accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation, in 1,200 women randomly assigned to either accelerated radiation treatment or standard therapy between 1993 and 1996. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Health)
Study: Hormones not for all prostate cancer patients Sep 24, 2008
Doctors did not randomly assign patients to one treatment or another, but simply observed how men given each type of treatment fared. Two earlier studies in this type of patient have had mixed results, Dosoretz says. (USA Today)
Patients Stay With Phone Psychotherapy Longer Than Office Visits Sep 24, 2008
Mohr said what's needed is a definitive study with a randomly selected population of patients that directly compares therapy delivered in the traditional face-to-face manner to therapy delivered over the phone. He has already launched such a study in subjects who receive their primary care from Northwestern's Medical Faculty Foundation. (Science Daily)
Do bus drivers need more power? Sep 24, 2008
There are some parents out there who think that their child does no wrong, or the bus driver is out to get them(and yes, there are some drivers who bait the kids into something stupid ;that is why we pull tapes randomly sometimes to see exactly what is going on). The cool thing on the newer buses is that the video tape is actually a hard drive with multiple camera angles, and can store information for a month. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Scleroderma patients try stem-cell 'reset' to fix immune system Sep 24, 2008
About 30 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada are recruiting 226 patients with severe scleroderma to be randomly assigned either the stem cell transplant or a year of cyclophosphamide at doses 50% higher than is standard today. A pilot study of nearly three dozen scleroderma patients, published last year, counted eight transplant-related deaths, teaching researchers to take some extra safety steps including shielding lungs and kidneys during radiation. (USA Today)
Massage for pain relief Sep 24, 2008
The participants were randomly divided into two groups- the first group received six 30-minute massages and the other received simple-touch sessions over 2 weeks. It was found that improvement in pain and mood immediately after treatment was greater with massage than with simple touch therapy. (NDTV.com)
Calorie Restriction Diet Not Linked to Bone Loss Sep 24, 2008
These results are based on a study of 46 subjects who were randomly assigned to one of four diets: a normal healthy diet; a 25-percent calorie restriction diet; a 25-percent calorie restriction plus aerobic exercise diet; or a low-calorie diet followed by weight maintenance. The average loss of body weight ranged from 1. (MEDLINEplus)
Shorter-Course Radiation for Breast Cancer Safe, Effective Sep 24, 2008
In the new study, Whelan's group followed the women for 12 years, comparing the results in 1,234 women with early-stage breast cancer who had a lumpectomy and then were randomly assigned to receive standard whole breast radiation for five weeks, to women who received "accelerated" whole breast radiation for three weeks. At the 10-year mark, cancer returned locally in 6. (MEDLINEplus)
Step back to move forward emotionally, study suggests Sep 24, 2008
In the July 2008 issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Kross and Ayduk randomly assigned 141 participants to one of three groups that required them to focus (or not focus) on their feelings using different strategies in a guided imagery exercise that led them to recall an experience that made them feel overwhelmed by sadness and depression. In the immersed-analysis condition, participants were told, "Go back to the time and place of the experience, and relive the situation as if... (EurekAlert!)
Resetting immunity in bid to beat scleroderma Sep 23, 2008
About 30 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada are recruiting 226 patients with severe scleroderma to be randomly assigned either the stem cell transplant or a year of cyclophosphamide at doses 50 percent higher than is standard today. A pilot study of nearly three dozen scleroderma patients, published last year, counted eight transplant-related deaths, teaching researchers to take some extra safety steps including shielding lungs and kidneys during radiation. (MSNBC -- Health)
Shorter radiation course works for breast cancer Sep 23, 2008
Canadian researchers tested the approach, called accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation, in 1,200 women randomly assigned to either accelerated radiation treatment or standard therapy between 1993 and 1996. The alternative approach requires three weeks of daily, 15-minute visits compared to five weeks of standard therapy and cost two-thirds as much. (Scientific American)
Political Attitudes Are Predicted By Physiological Traits, Research Finds Sep 23, 2008
Participants were chosen randomly over the phone in Lincoln, Neb. Those expressing strong political views -- regardless of their content -- were asked to fill out a questionnaire on their political beliefs, personality traits and demographic characteristics. (Science Daily)
Short, intense therapy just as good for breast cancer Sep 23, 2008
The study involved 1,234 women randomly assigned to treatment for either three weeks or five weeks of radiation after lumpectomy between April 1993 and September 1996. The women have now been tracked for a median time of 12 years. (Globe and Mail)
Diabetics Can Control Fatty Liver with Exercise Sep 23, 2008
Stewart's team randomly assigned 77 adults with type 2 diabetes to supervised exercise or no exercise for 6 months. The exercisers rode a bicycle, ran on a treadmill or walked briskly for 45 minutes 3 times a week. (MEDLINEplus)
Chest Therapy Not Useful for Pneumonia in Kids Sep 23, 2008
They were randomly assigned to receive standard antibiotic therapy alone or combined with physical therapy. In both groups, it took roughly 4 days for the pneumonia to resolve and patients were hospitalized for 6 days. (MEDLINEplus)
Cutting Calories Doesnt Cause Bone Loss Sep 23, 2008
studied 46 healthy, overweight men and women (average age 37) who were randomly assigned to one of four groups for six months. Eleven formed the control group, assigned to eat a healthy diet; 12 were assigned to consume 25 percent fewer calories than they expended per day; 12 were assigned to create a 25 percent energy deficit through eating fewer calories and exercising five days per week; and 11 ate a low-calorie diet (890 calories per day) until they achieved 15 percent weight loss, at which... (Newsmax)
Study: Lunch breaks getting shorter Sep 22, 2008
The survey was conducted via telephone to 150 randomly selected senior executives at the 1,000 largest companies in the nation. "In today's 24/7 workplace, a lunch break often takes a back seat to e-mails, phone calls, meetings and pressing deadlines," said Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam. (Albany Business Review, NY)
Acupuncture Eases Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects Sep 22, 2008
Each woman was randomly assigned to receive a 12-week course of the antidepressant or acupuncture. Prior to the study, the women reported having at least 14 hot flashes per week. (Health-Finder)
Anti-smoking law highly impractical: Civic body Sep 22, 2008
The survey was conducted on a randomly selected sample of 1030 Indians aged between 15 and 64. They were interviewed in the month of August. (Indian Express)
Botox can improve first impressions for attractiveness, dating success Sep 22, 2008
Photos were taken of the study participants before and after the treatment with the botulinum toxin A, then the photos were randomly divided into books with each subject represented only once per book. Blinded evaluators completed a survey rating their first impression on various measures of success for each photo in the book. (EurekAlert!)
Paracetamol and asthma Sep 21, 2008
Prospective studies, preferably those that randomly allocate healthy participants to having paracetamol or not, would produce more conclusive results. Where did the story come from. (NHS Choices)
Soldiers compete for titles this weekend at Camp Grafton Sep 20, 2008
Soldiers also will be tested on three randomly selected warrior tasks, which could include tasks such as radioing a medical evacuation request, converting azimuths, performing first aid, or reacting to a chemical attack. An essay also will be assigned and completed during the weekend. (Devils Lake Daily Journal, ND)
'There is almost no human stupidity that does not create in me afellow feeling' Sep 20, 2008
I summon whatever dignity is available to a man hanging from a tree and whose free foot is randomly prodding the air. "Don't suppose," I say casually, "you could pop that ladder back up against the tree?". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Racial views steer some white Dems away from Obama Sep 20, 2008
firm that interviews people online after randomly selecting and screening them over telephone. Numerous studies have shown that people are more likely to report embarrassing behavior and unpopular opinions when answering questions on a computer rather than talking to a stranger. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Yahoo testing new home page design Sep 20, 2008
(09-18) 19:41 PDT -- Yahoo has started testing a new design for its home page on randomly selected users as part of a company-wide strategy to emphasize third-party content on its sites ... For now, Yahoo users are being randomly selected to test various versions of the redesigned home page. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Drug Can Slow Bone Loss in Prostate Cancer Patients Sep 20, 2008
In the first year, half of the men were randomly assigned to receive 70 milligrams of alendronate once a week, while the other half received a placebo. For the second year, half of those who had taken alendronate the first year were switched to a placebo, while the other half continued taking the medication. (MEDLINEplus)
