News
Many genes in male and female placentas expressed differently
The genes of male and female placentas have marked differences in how they are expressed, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other institutions. These differences involve the presence or absence of tags on DNA known as methyl groups, which switch genes on or off without changing their structure. Understanding these DNA methylation patterns may inform future research on the higher risk for pregnancy complications involving male fetuses, such as stillbirth and prematurity, as well as later life health conditions that occur in adults who were born after a complicated pregnancy.
Seminal Fluid RNA and DNA Biomarkers Show Promise for Non-Invasive Prostate Cancer Detection
“Too many men with elevated PSA undergo unnecessary prostate biopsies. In our study, even in the cohort that had undergone MRI prior to biopsy, almost 70 percent of men had either indolent cancer or no cancer,” said Kim Clark-Langone, PhD, senior vice president of research and development at Fellow Health. “These studies show that seminal fluid holds untapped diagnostic power. We see mail-in semen analysis as a novel post-PSA reflex test that can prevent unnecessary biopsies."
AI in Clinical Laboratories Will Drive Business Forward for Diagnostic Leaders, Experts Say
Although not explicitly stated, it was clear at the 2025 Executive War College on Diagnostics, Clinical Laboratory, and Pathology Management conference that artificial intelligence must be a path forward for labs to control costs in an unfavorable economic environment.
States Pursue Legislation Limiting AI’s Growing Role in Payer Prior Authorization Denials and Claims Processing
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous in many aspects of healthcare. But perhaps its most controversial use is in the payer denial-of-claims process. Multiple states are pursuing legislation that would limit or outright ban AI’s use without physician involvement.
Study uses artificial intelligence to classify patient pain archetypes after knee replacement
"Using unsupervised machine learning, we identified two distinct pain archetypes in patients who underwent total knee replacement, which corresponded to those who experienced severe, difficult to control pain after surgery and those whose pain was relatively well controlled"
Study reveals how inflammation makes touch painful
Researchers have discovered clues as to how our bodies turn sensations such as heat and touch into signals sent to the brain — and how these signals can be altered by inflammation to drive pain. The research focuses on the nerve cells in the skin that help us detect the location, intensity, and emotional quality of touch, known as somatosensory neurons. By combining advanced imaging techniques with detailed molecular analysis, the researchers explored how heat and touch activate different types of receptor cells in mice.
Caffeine increases brain complexity during sleep and shifts it toward a critical state
A new study shows that even a moderate dose of caffeine alters brain activity during sleep, increasing complexity and nudging neural systems toward a high-efficiency processing state, especially in young adults during deep sleep.
Measles Making a Comeback in the US, Study Finds
Even at current immunization rates, researchers predict that measles may become endemic again
Measles makes a deadly comeback in Europe as vaccine gaps widen
Did you know that unvaccinated individuals have a 90% chance of being infected with the measles virus when exposed to it? In 2024, measles cases surged across Europe, reaching the highest levels seen in decades.
Fighting the silent epidemic: How molecular point-of-care testing can revolutionize STI care
mPOC testing provides a much-needed solution for certain populations who require immediate results instead of the delayed outcomes associated with traditional lab-based diagnostics. Unlike conventional tests that require samples to be sent off for analysis, mPOC technology allows clinicians to perform tests directly in the clinic, delivering real-time results within a single healthcare visit.
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