SNMA Pulse

Research breakthrough: Human skin cells becomes embryonic stem cells

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center successfully have reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells capable of transforming into any other cell type in the body. It is believed that stem-cell therapies hold the promise of replacing cells damaged through injury or illness. Diseases or conditions that might be treated through stem-cell therapy include Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiac disease and spinal cord injuries.

New discovery may be step toward ending malaria

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Worldwide elimination of malaria would save hundreds of thousands of lives each year, according to the World Health Organization. But eradication remains elusive because the parasite that causes the disease can evolve to withstand the effects of new malaria drugs and become drug-resistant. Researchers, however, now believe they have discovered a way to track the spread of drug-resistant malaria, and this discovery may help to finally eradicate the disease.

Patient openness to research can depend on race, sex of study personnel

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that the race and sex of study personnel can influence a patient's decision on whether or not to participate in clinical research. The study, presented at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's annual meeting in Atlanta, shows that there is an interaction of the race and sex of the study assistant and the race of the patient.

Penn Medicine researchers identify 4 new genetic risk factors for testicular cancer

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

A new study looking at the genomes of more than 13,000 men identified four new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer, the most commonly diagnosed type in young men today. The findings from this first-of-its-kind meta-analysis were reported in Nature Genetics by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Scientists report first success in cloning human stem cells

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

It's been 17 years since Dolly the sheep was cloned from a mammary cell. And now scientists applied the same technique to make the first embryonic stem cell lines from human skin cells. Ever since Ian Wilmut, an unassuming embryologist working at the Roslin Institute in the U.K. stunned the world by cloning the first mammal, Dolly, scientists have been asking: Could humans be cloned in the same way?

Medical research needs a collaborative funding model

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

For nearly seven decades, federal agencies and many private funders have financed medical research through competitive grants to individual scientists who submit proposals for particular projects. This system is intended to match available funds with the best researchers and ideas. But today's competition for limited grant money encourages overly safe research, aimed more at producing positive results to bolster future proposals than at breaking new ground.

Study: More than 80 percent of parents prefer hospital that does medical research about children

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Recent University of Michigan poll shows 4 out of 5 report that parents and grandparents favor medical care for children where research for new prevention strategies and medical treatments occur. The study from the Michigan Child Health Research Priorities team at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that more than 80 percent of parents and grandparents prefer a hospital that does medical research about children — if they can expect the same level of care, the hospital is equally accessible and with no difference in cost.

Mind-body training boosts medical students' self-compassion

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Teaching medical students about mind-body approaches could help boost their compassion and decrease their stress, according to a small study from the Boston University School of Medicine. Published in the journal Medical Education Online, the study showed that medical students who underwent a mind-body class had improved self-compassion, as well as slight decreases in stress and increases in empathy.

Holistic review: Shaping the medical profession 1 applicant at a time

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Modern medicine has been characterized by rapid and accelerating progress in biomedical sciences as the foundation for clinical practice. In 1910, the Flexner Report established these sciences as the core of medical education.

Medical school enrollment forecast tempered by residency concerns

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Medical schools will boost enrollment 30 percent by 2017 to ease the nation's physician shortage, but that won't do much good if the federal government won't provide funding to expand residency slots, a new survey of the nation's medical school deans finds.

Research breakthrough: Human skin cells becomes embryonic stem cells

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Drug companies' millions boost research while raising questions

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

Dr. Khalid Hubeishy makes his living seeing patients, but in 2012, the psychiatrist also was paid at least $20,000 from pharmaceutical companies for making speeches about their drugs. Hubeishy says the speeches — written and paid for by pharmaceutical companies — are educational, delivered to medical professionals and don't influence what he prescribes. "I have to be objective because of my patients," said Hubeishy, who gets $1,000 to $2,000 a speech. But such pharmaceutical-sponsored talks continue to raise ethical questions, and Hubeishy is one of hundreds of doctors and medical professionals within the New York area accepting payments from drugmakers.

Amazing new technological advances in healthcare

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

It probably does not surprise anyone just how much technology has affected our daily lives. But the impact of technology in healthcare has been and continues to be nothing short of astounding. And there is always more to come. At the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting, three new treatment advances were discussed: irreversible electroporation, cryoablation and cryoneurolysis. Here is a closer look at what each has to offer.

Looking to share your expertise?

20 May 2013 16:24:38 CDT

In an effort to enhance the overall content of SNMA Pulse, we'd like to include peer-written articles in future editions. As a member of SNMA, your knowledge of the industry lends itself to unprecedented expertise. And we're hoping you'll share this expertise with your peers through well-written commentary. Because of the digital format, there's no word or graphical limit and our group of talented editors can help with final edits. If you're interested in participating, please contact Ronnie Richard to discuss logistics.