Culture | Page 1789 | Science Codex

UT Dallas study: Most NFL arrests not for violent crimes

A new UT Dallas study suggests that NFL violence is not as common off the field as it may seem.

Compared to violent offending data in other studies, the percentage of violent arrests among NFL players was higher, according to the newest UT Dallas research. But these crimes were committed by a very small number of players.

The researchers measured arrests among NFL players between 2000 and 2014. The data came from two separate NFL arrest databases created by The San Diego Union-Tribune and USA Today.

Reduced anxiety and depression for women participating in women-only cardiac rehab programs

Philadelphia, PA, February 3, 2015 - Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women globally. Women who have an acute coronary heart event may be more likely to die or to suffer complications during the initial recovery period than men, but are less likely to make use of cardiac rehabilitation programs. Although all models of cardiac rehab significantly improve heart health, investigators found that participating in women-only cardiac rehab resulted in significantly lower symptoms of anxiety and depression and improvements in diet.

Pills for anxiety and sleep problems not linked to increased dementia risk

Taking benzodiazepines (widely used drugs to treat anxiety and insomnia) is not associated with an increased dementia risk in older adults, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

These results do not support a direct (causal) association between benzodiazepine use and dementia, say the researchers. However, healthcare providers are still advised to avoid benzodiazepines in older adults to prevent important adverse health outcomes.

Online therapy can help those affected by body dysmorphic disorder

Internet based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help people affected by body dysmorphic disorder, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

This is the largest clinical trial of body dysmorphic disorder ever conducted, and the first to evaluate the effect of an internet based programme for the condition.

Parkinson's disease diagnosis may be preceded by increased risk of injury-causing falls

Years before Parkinson's disease (PD) is diagnosed, patients may be at higher risk for injurious falls or hip fractures, according to research published this week in PLOS Medicine. Peter Nordström and colleagues at Umeå University, Sweden, found that patients with PD were more likely to have had a hip fracture or injurious fall in the years preceding their diagnosis than controls without PD, and individuals who suffered injurious falls were more likely than controls with no fall-related injuries to be diagnosed with PD in the following years.

ADA presents guidance on managing diabetes in older adults in long-term care facilities

BOSTON - (February 2, 2016) - The care of adults over age 65 with type 2 diabetes is a growing concern: the prevalence of diabetes is highest in this age group and is expected to grow as the U.S. population ages, with many needing care at long-term care (LTC) facilities. To ensure that this population receives proper care, the American Diabetes Association has issued its first position statement to address the management of diabetes in long-term care facilities, which include assisted living, skilled nursing and nursing facilities.

Extending length of surgical trainees' shifts does not affect surgical patients' safety

JACKSONVILLE: Allowing surgeons in training, otherwise known as residents, the flexibility to work longer shifts than currently allowed in the U.S. and/or take less time off between shifts to provide continuity of patient care is not associated with a greater risk to patients of early serious postoperative complications or death according to study results involving 117 U.S. general surgery residency programs and 151 hospitals.

Longer shifts for surgical residents are safe for patients

First national trial to investigate hot-button issue of resident work hour limits
Surgical residents actually approved of working longer hours
Residents chose to work longer hours to stay with their patients and get better training

CHICAGO --- A new landmark national study led by Northwestern Medicine showed allowing surgical residents the flexibility to work longer hours in order to stay with their patients through the end of an operation or stabilize them during a critical event did not pose a greater risk to patients.

New light shed on anti-adhesive molecule in the vascular endothelium

Feb. 2, 2016 - Boston, MA - Researchers from the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Department of Ophthalmology and the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear have gained new insight into how a non-inflammatory state is maintained in the body. Their work focuses on the role of endomucin, a key molecule with anti-adhesive properties that encourages neutrophils - prevalent white blood cells that sense signals of injury -- to travel past the vascular endothelium.

Rate of office visits, cumulative costs prior to colonoscopies for colon cancer screening

Kevin R. Riggs, M.D., M.P.H., of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and colleagues analyzed billing data to determine the proportion of colonoscopies for colon cancer screening and polyp surveillance that were preceded by office visits and the associated payments for those visits. The study appears in the February 2 issue of JAMA.

Drug does not significantly reduce duration of mechanical ventilation for COPD patients

Among mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic alkalosis, administration of the respiratory stimulant acetazolamide did not significantly reduce the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, according to a study in the February 2 issue of JAMA.

Flu vaccine shows promise for reducing risk of influenza-associated atrial fibrillation

Philadelphia, PA, February 2, 2016 - Influenza is significantly associated with an increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation, which could be reduced through influenza vaccination, according to new findings reported HeartRhythm.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate and is the most common cardiac arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, accounting for frequent hospitalizations, hemodynamic abnormalities, and blood clots. It is associated with a five-fold increased risk of stroke.

Misery of work second only to illness

British people are at their least happy while at work - except when they are sick in bed - according to researchers at the University of Sussex and the London School of Economics (LSE).

The team analysed more than a million responses uploaded to a smartphone app, called Mappiness, that sporadically asks users questions such as how they are feeling, where they are and what they are doing.

Mappiness users receive a 'ding' on their smartphone at random times of the day, prompting them to complete a short survey, during which they rank their wellbeing using a sliding scale.

Ship noise extends to frequencies used by endangered killer whales

When an endangered orca is in hot pursuit of an endangered salmon, sending out clicks and listening for their echoes in the murky ocean near Seattle, does the noise from the nearby shipping lane interfere with them catching dinner? To find out scientists measured underwater noise as ships passed their study site 3,000 times. This unprecedented characterization of ship noise will aid in the understanding of the potential effects on marine life, and help with possible mitigation strategies.

Flu tackles Super Bowl fans

ITHACA, N.Y. - If you're a fan of the Panthers or Broncos, be sure to wash your hands on Super Bowl Sunday before you give a friend a celebratory fist bump.

A Cornell University economist and his colleagues have found the geographical areas that have an NFL team advance to the Super Bowl had an 18 percent spike in flu-related deaths among people above the age of 65.