Diagnosis Archives

Depression – now blood test can diagnose depression in teens

First blood test to diagnose major depression in teens — Breakthrough test identifies depression and its subtypes with promise of individualized treatment – A breakthrough approach that allows an objective diagnosis of major depression in teens by measuring a specific set of genetic markers found in a patient’s blood. The current method of diagnosing depression is subjective. It relies on the patient’s ability to recount his symptoms and the physician’s ability and training to interpret them.

Genetic changes in 3 genes linked to autism spectrum disorders

Mutations in 3 genes linked to autism spectrum disorders – Mutations in three new genes have been linked to autism, according to new studies including one with investigators at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. All three studies include lead investigators of the Autism Sequencing Consortium (ASC).

Antibiotics a safe and viable alternative to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis

Antibiotics a safe and viable alternative to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis, say experts — Safety and efficacy of antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy in the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: Meta-analysis – Giving antibiotics to patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis is a safe and viable alternative to surgery, say experts in a study published in BMJ.

Obesity epidemic in United States underestimated

The American obesity epidemic might be much worse than many experts believe — US obesity rates may be underestimated, study finds: Blame BMI test? – The scope of the obesity epidemic in the United States has been greatly underestimated. Researchers found that the Body Mass Index (BMI) substantially under-diagnoses obesity when compared to the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a direct simultaneous measure of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density.

Autism Awareness Day – 2 April 2012

April is Autism Awareness Month — The fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2012 – 5th annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2012. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Skin cancer melanoma rising in young adults

Mayo Clinic Study Finds Dramatic Rise in Skin Cancer in Young Adults — Researchers speculate indoor tanning bed use, childhood sunburns are key culprits – Even as the rates of some cancers are falling, Mayo Clinic is seeing an alarming trend: the dramatic rise of skin cancer, especially among people under 40. The incidence of melanoma has escalated, and young women are the hardest hit.

PTSD possible due to indirect exposure to traumatic incidents

Emergency dispatchers suffer from symptoms of PTSD, study reveals – Indirect exposure to traumatic incidents can lead to psychological disorders – Dispatchers who answer 911 and 999 emergency calls suffer emotional distress which can lead to symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Researchers reveals that direct exposure to traumatic events is not necessary to lead to post-trauma disorders.

Cancer is preventable – Obstacles standing in the way of prevention of cancer

More than half of all cancer is preventable — Public health researchers outline obstacles standing in the way of prevention – More than half of all cancer is preventable, and society has the knowledge to act on this information today. Researchers outline obstacles they say stand in the way of making a huge dent in the cancer burden in the United States and around the world.

HPV vaccine reduces subsequent cervical disease in women

Cervical disease sufferers could benefit from HPV vaccine – HPV vaccination does not reduce progression to cervical disease in women, but vaccinated women had less frequent subsequent cervical disease. Women who are diagnosed with pre-cancerous cervical conditions after receiving the HPV vaccine can still benefit from a considerably reduced risk of reoccurring disease.

Regular pap tests boost chances of cure from cervical cancer

Regular smear tests boost chances of cure from 66 percent to 92 percent — Research: Screening and cervical cancer: A population-based cohort study – Women who undergo Pap tests have higher survival rates of cervical cancer. Women can boost their chances of surviving cervical cancer substantially through regular cervical screening, claims a research paper published in BMJ.

New technique for screening breast cancer using ultrasound

New screening technique could provide more reliable breast cancer detection — Initial tests show promising results of new ultrasonic screening technique – Scientists have successfully completed an initial trial of a new, potentially more reliable, technique for screening breast cancer using ultrasound. The team at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Measurement Institute, working with the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, are now looking to develop the technique into a clinical device.

Circadian rhythms linked to sudden cardiac attack

Study Links ‘Body Clock’ to Sudden Cardiac Death — ‘Biological clock’ may be behind sudden heart attacks – A new study uncovers the first molecular evidence linking the body’s natural circadian rhythms to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Ventricular arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, are the most common cause of sudden cardiac death: the primary cause of death from heart disease. They occur most frequently in the morning waking hours, followed by a smaller peak in the evening hours.