MEDICA Newsletter
Social Media
More about…
- Adiposity
- Age
- Alcohol
- Allergy
- Alternative Medicine
- Alzheimer's
- Antibiotics
- Associations
- Asthma
- Autoimmune Disease
- Baby
- Biomarker
- Biotechnology
- Birth
- Blood
- Brain
- Breast
- COPD
- CT
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular
- Cells
- Children
- Communication
- Dementia
- Depression
- Devices
- Diabetes
- Diagnostics
- Drugs
- Drugs
- Elderly Persons
- Emergency call systems
- Endoprosthesis
- Environment
- Eyes
- Fitness
- Genetic Material
- Genetics
- Geriatrics
- Global Health
- Gynecology
- HIV
- Headache
- Health Care Politics
- Heart
- Hepatitis
- Hormones
- Hospital
- Hypertension
- Imaging
- Immune System
- Infectious Disease
- Influenza
- Information Technology
- Intestine
- Kidney
- Laboratory
- Leukaemia
- Liver
- Lung
- Media
- Medical Markets
- Men
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nanotechnology
- Neurology
- Nutrition
- Optical Technologies
- Optimisation
- Organs
- Ovaries
- Pain
- Parkinson's
- Pathogens
- Pathology
- Patients
- Pediatrics
- Personalized Medicine
- Poisoning
- Pregnancy
- Prevention
- Psychology
- Quality
- Regenerative Medicine
- Rehabilitation
- Research
- Risks
- Safety
- Screening
- Skin
- Sleep
- Smoking
- Software
- Sports
- Stem Cells
- Stroke
- Surgery
- Surgery
- Telemedicine
- Therapy
- Tissue Engineering
- Toxicology
- Transplantation
- Treatment
- Tuberculosis
- Ultrasound
- Vaccination
- Vitamin
- Women
- Wound Healing
VR Lab for medical students: linking theory and practice
22/03/2018
Virtual reality and medicine are increasingly mentioned in the same context. In addition to the development of applications that support the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain and anxiety, this technology also benefits medical staff. Two months ago, the Ulm University Hospital has opened the VR Lab, where medical students can train and learn with the help of 3D organs.
New insights into why patients have a higher risk of heart attack in the morning
14/03/2018
Cardiovascular disease patients have lower levels of an important family of protective molecules in their blood in the morning, which could be increasing their risk of blood clots and heart attacks at those times, according to early research led by Queen Mary University of London.
Signals of the heart: TU Darmstadt works on algorithms to detect atrial fibrillation
08/03/2018
There are currently an estimated 1.8 million people in Germany who have atrial fibrillation but do not know it. Now a Dutch company has developed an app with which a smartphone can be used to detect this dangerous cardiac arrhythmia. Scientists at the TU Darmstadt are helping to ensure the recorded data is interpreted correctly and efficiently.
Female sex not a protective factor against heart disease in type 1 diabetes
26/02/2018
Constrictions of the coronary blood vessels is a possible consequence of type 1 diabetes, and one that can eventually lead to myocardial infarction or heart failure. Generally speaking, women are afflicted by coronary artery disease later than men, but if a woman has type 2 diabetes, the advantage is negated.
People with diabetes face increased risk of infections
02/02/2018
Diabetes patients have an increased risk of suffering serious infections or death compared to the general public, new research has shown. The study analysed the electronic GP and hospital records of more than 100,000 English adults aged 40 to 89 years with a diabetes diagnosis, and compared them to those without a diabetes diagnosis.
Premature birth associated with increased risk of heart disease in mothers
01/02/2018
A study led by researchers at Keele University has found the risk of death in later life due to coronary heart disease doubles in women who give birth prematurely.
Everyday exercise has surprisingly positive health benefits
30/01/2018
The benefits of low-intensity physical activity, such as standing, walking or doing household chores, can be more health beneficial than once thought. According to a study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Clinical Epidemiology, replacing half an hour's sedentariness a day with everyday activity reduces the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease by 24 percent.
From stem cells to a functional heart: the role of the Mesp1 gene
29/01/2018
Researchers at the Université libre de Bruxelles and University of Cambridge identified the role of key gene Mesp1 in the earliest step of cardiovascular lineage segregation. This discovery may help to better understand congenital heart defects.
"Spray-On" muscle fibers for biomimetic surfaces
08/01/2018
Few patients with heart failure are fortunate enough to receive a donor's heart. Ventricular assist devices (or heart pumps) have been around for several years and are designed to buy time as patients wait for a transplant. Unfortunately, the body doesn't always tolerate these devices.
"Preventicus Heartbeats": An app that's a clinically validated medical device
01/12/2017
Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world. Yet many incidences of stroke are preventable since they are frequently associated with an undetected abnormal heart rhythm. In this case, patients can benefit from using the clinically validated "Preventicus Heartbeats" app, which measures and documents the heart rhythm with a smartphone camera.
MEDICA 2017: all about laboratory medicine at the MEDICA LABMED FORUM
02/10/2017
If you are interested in laboratory medicine and come to the MEDICA 2017, you will quickly notice that Exhibition Halls 1 and 2 were demolished. A new state-of-the art hall is meant to take their place. Until then, exhibitors from the field of laboratory medicine will be showcased at their temporary new location in the lightweight hall structures 3a and 18 on the fairgrounds.
Coronary heart disease: non-invasive imaging reduces catheter examinations
01/09/2017
Coronary heart disease (CHD) can cause heart arrhythmia, heart insufficiency or heart attack. All the more important is an early, reliable diagnosis that helps to treat it and to reduce risk factors. But what is the best method for diagnosis? A recent study found that functional imaging methods can often spare patients the trouble and risks of a coronary angiography.
Myocarditis: more specific diagnosis thanks to molecular imaging
01/09/2017
There are many causes of myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle. Oftentimes, the culprits are viruses or bacteria and sometimes even an acute heart attack. Regardless of the cause, it creates a challenge for cardiologists: a diagnosis tends to be only nonspecific without a biopsy. A cardiac MRI and molecular imaging promise to provide assistance.
Collect Data? Utilize Data! – The Blessings of Big Data
01/03/2017
Genome data, MRI images, and blood test results – data collected in the medical sector is not only very heterogeneous but also extremely extensive. However, it is important to not only collect this data but to also utilize it. After all, processed, linked and analyzed data provides many opportunities in research, hospital management and ultimately also for the individual patient.
Heart attacks in diabetics – a special danger
01/12/2016
Diabetics are not only schooled in getting a handle on their blood glucose levels, but also in looking out for possible complications. One complication of diabetes is nerve damage. It is often responsible for the so-called "diabetic foot". Something many people are not aware of is that the heart can also be put at risk by nerve damage.
Sodium intake and blood pressure: too much salt is bad for you. What about too little salt?
01/12/2016
Common salt – or sodium chloride – is essential as a stimulant for nerve conduction. What is more, sodium ions also regulate the water balance in the body. Yet when it came to salt consumption, for the longest time the rule was "less is more". However, a recent study publication calls this belief into question.
Individualized sports medicine: training by design
22/06/2016
Exercise makes you healthy – oftentimes even when you are sick. That’s why doctors hardly ever recommend taking a break from it. Even patients who are about to receive a heart transplant can benefit from sports. As is so often the case, the dose makes the poison. We asked sports medicine physician Prof. Martin Halle, what people need to consider.
Cardiac insufficiency: early diagnosis with ultrasound
02/05/2016
Heart failure or cardiac insufficiency presents an extra strain on patients because it severally limits everyday performance and deprives them of energy. Due to their intense need for movement, children are particularly strongly affected. However, the disease is frequently not detected until the physical performance is already declining. An early diagnosis could prevent this.
Big data in cardiology: IT platform to manage "flood of data"
01/05/2016
In addition to patient counseling and clinical diagnostics, the lion’s share of a cardiologist’s work consists of collecting data to be able to better treat future cases based on the gathered information. Until now, this data was recorded in Excel spreadsheets or many other communication platforms. A software is designed to facilitate a cross-industry exchange.
Ultrasound: four dimensions for pediatric cardiac diagnostics
01/03/2016
Fortunately, only a handful of newborns are affected by them, though this determines if not the rest of their lives then, at least, the first few years of affected children: congenital heart defects. After the necessary surgeries, the small patients repeatedly need to return for checkups. Until now, these were conducted using MRI scans. 4D ultrasound can be an alternative.
Atherosclerosis: Getting to the root of the problem with a turbo gene
09/02/2016
Many people suffer from atherosclerosis, especially in developed countries. The buildup of fatty deposits inside the arterial blood vessels leads to strokes and heart attacks. Now, a new method is designed to get to the root of the problem, and with the help of nanoparticles inject new turbo replacement cells into the blood vessels which are intended to exert their curative effect.
Different specialties, one goal – treating children right
01/02/2016
Children, especially newborns, are generally no longer simply considered to be small adults whose treatment just needs to be "reduced". This is why a pediatrician’s education includes several specialties because ultimately everything in terms of care comes together here.
Great leaps forward thanks to new methods
01/02/2016
Self-healing powers like a superhero on the big screen? That’s the aim of regenerative medicine; at least in a very broad sense. This promising field of biomedicine is currently highly dynamic with innovative technologies and development. New methods are designed to help propel medicine into a whole new sphere.
Artificial heart valve: "The structure is meant to be broken down again by the body at a later point."
08/01/2016
There are various artificial heart valves available for children, but they have one essential drawback: they need to be replaced because the children are still growing. The artificial valve, on the other hand, remains the same size – and subsequently becomes too small. This is why an artificial heart valve that grows over time would be ideal.
A wearable to draw a complete picture of the heart
01/09/2015
Smartphone apps and wearable sensors have the potential to help people make healthier lifestyle choices. Self-monitoring therefore is one of the core strategies for changing cardiovascular health behaviors. On the other side, patients benefit from sharing their data with doctors and electronic health record (EHR) systems.Fast and low radiation exposure: The newest generation gamma camera
03/08/2015
Nuclear medicine physicians use so-called gamma cameras for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. The devices record radioactive substances that are injected into the patient and show changes in the heart muscle (myocardium). Now a new gamma camera is able to record images faster and by using much less radiation.
Wanted: rapid test to prevent deep vein thrombosis
01/07/2015
Deep vein thrombosis is not just a risk factor for frequent flyers but also for wearers of cardiovascular implants and newly operated patients. Blood thinners prevent these dangerous blood clots from forming, but they need to be carefully adjusted and do not work the same way in every patient. A detailed analysis of platelets (thrombocytes) could prevent complications in the future.
ECG measurements: "Our chest strap moistens itself"
01/07/2015
When measuring myocardial activity, it is important for the skin to always stay moist under the electrodes of the ECG. Only then can data be consistently transferred. Athletes have an easier time with this: they are used to sweating. This is a lot harder for older patients.
Transcatheter Pacing System: The world’s smallest cardiac pacemaker
01/07/2015
In the case of cardiac arrhythmia, the normal heart rate gets out of balance due to various reasons. In some cases, it is necessary to implant a cardiac pacemaker. Just like with any intervention, this type of surgery also involves risks. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to abnormal wound healing or obliteration of the vascular system.Football: "We want to globally determine deaths for the first time"
02/06/2014
Sudden deaths of football players make headlines time after time: competitive athletes who are the idols of many people die just when they are on the playing field and in the limelight. Congenital heart defects often cause their death. Sports physicians and FIFA now plan to ascertain data that can help improve preventive examinations in competitive football.Vascular health in athletes
02/06/2014
"Sports are good for your health", as the saying goes. Regular exercise promotes the health of our blood vessels and prevents vascular diseases. However, many years of competitive sports can also have negative effects on vascular health and increase the risk of myocardial infarction. Prof. Martin Halle of the Technical University Munich explains at MEDICA.de what athletes need to pay attention to.