Publishing half-truths worsens treatment for patients
“I am a doctor who reveals idiots as a hobby,” says Ben Goldacre. If so, it’s become a pretty comprehensive hobby.
Medicine
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Exposing bad science in medical research publishing
Some medical research data never get published because they don’t fit in with the pharmaceutical industry’s desired results. Profiled researcher and social commentator Ben Goldacre will shed some light on this very topic when he takes part in NTNU’s The Big Challenge science festival in Trondheim in June.
Clean water eliminated effects of discharged drugs in fish
The discharge of pharmaceutical drugs is a major problem around the world, but a new study of the freshwater fish burbot shows that there is hope.
Higher weight increases risk of psoriasis
The higher a person’s BMI, the greater the chance of getting psoriasis. But researchers are still uncertain as to why.
Well-known drug has less risk for preterm delivery in PCOS
Metformin significantly reduces the risk of late miscarriages and preterm births for women with PCOS. But the drug does not work to prevent gestational diabetes, according to a large Nordic study from NTNU and St. Olavs hospital.
To abort or not to abort – making difficult choices alone
Some pregnant women are so conflicted about abortion that they don’t even talk about it with their own mother.
Experiments show that an “unknown” enzyme fights inflammation
An enzyme that normally repairs damaged DNA may be the key to a new treatment for inflammatory diseases.
Fewer headaches as you age
That midlife crisis in your 40s actually comes with some benefits. Fewer headaches are one of them.
Norwegian family’s medical mystery solved
Back in the 1970s, a Norwegian family was found to have abnormally high red blood cell counts. Thirty-five years later, researchers succeeded in solving the mystery, thanks to new analytical methods and the latest developments in genetic engineering – and a chance meeting with a Swiss scientist.
Research track multiplies proportion of researchers
Only a small percentage of medical students become full-time researchers. But university research tracks have increased the proportion of doctoral degrees taken tenfold.
Are you at risk for lung cancer?
No, this question isn’t only for people who’ve smoked a lot. Seven factors, including two new ones, can predict whether you have a high risk of developing lung cancer.
Exploring new uses for existing antiviral drugs
Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs work against a range of viral diseases, but developing them can be costly and time consuming. Testing existing anti-viral drugs for their ability to combat multiple viral infections can help.
Concussion increases risk of prolonged headache woes
Every day people are whisked into Norwegian hospital emergency rooms with concussions. A new study shows that even mild head trauma can cause major problems in daily life.
Turning genes off for better cancer treatment
A treatment that kills the cancer cells in one fell swoop, without causing the patient to feel sick from the medication’s side effects? That’s the goal of new personalized cancer therapies that are being developed across the globe, including at NTNU.
Downsizing can be bad for your health
Organizational downsizing and job loss greatly increase a person’s risk of having to start different medications. Prescriptions for drugs to treat mental health issues are particularly widespread in this group.
Delivers medicine to cancer cells while protecting healthy cells
A new approach to cancer treatment combines ultrasound, bubbles and nanoparticles with chemotherapy. In an experiment, the treatment has cured cancer in mice.
Cooled patients are treated differently
What is the best form of first aid for a cold, injured body? Mountain medicine researchers are now co-operating to find the answer. At present there is actually no “best practice” for treating this type of patients.
New technique yields healthier blood vessels after heart surgery
Surgeons often take a blood vessel from your leg to graft onto your heart during a coronary bypass surgery. The practice can lead to scarring in many patients, which in turn can cause another heart attack. A new technique under development may help prevent this problem.
Rare disease challenges ICT researchers
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) need help to ensure they are getting correct nutrition and the right amount of enzymes. They also need constant reminders. Researchers are now developing a digital support device to promote autonomy, but are finding that this is no easy task.
Simple measures cut sepsis deaths nearly in half
Sepsis, commonly called blood poisoning, is a common affliction that can affect people of all ages. A series of simple measures tested at a Norwegian hospital can make a difference in successfully treating sepsis.
Commercialising gas bubbles for cancer drug delivery
Researchers are now working to design stable micro-bubbles which, combined with ultrasound, can deliver cancer drugs straight to the target tumour.
Ebola’s deadly toll on healthcare workers
Ebola’s deadly effects on the Sierra Leonean healthcare community not only has repercussions for the delivery of health care now, but on the training of future health care providers involved in an innovative Norwegian surgical training programme.
Treating cancer with Botox
Researchers have found a novel approach to treating gastric cancer – using Botox.
Learning from algae
By controlling the sex life of algae, scientists can promote the properties they want.