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Patient-centered “Pre-analytics” in clinical laboratories

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:11:00 +0000

[*Editor’s Note: The following is a guest blog post contributed by Biju Joseph, PhD, MT(ASCP), MB(ASCP).] Patient-comfort oriented specimen collection techniques are vital for clinical laboratories for boosting customer base and revenue generation. The...(read more)

Distractingly Sexy

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 20:10:00 +0000

After winning the Nobel Prize 1 in 2001 for his research in cell division, Nobel Laureate Tim Hunt recently made headlines for his attempt to prove the existence of foot-in-mouth disease while speaking at the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ)....(read more)

"A Defining Moment"

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:04:00 +0000

The global fight against HIV has improved dramatically in the past decade, but the results of a recent study could lead to an enormous change in the way the virus is treated moving forward. An article from the New York Times noted how the study was stopped...(read more)

Nanoparticles Assemble!

Fri, 06 Mar 2015 19:05:00 +0000

As a kid, the concept of humans using nanotechnology was something I assumed was reserved for science fiction, but apparently clinical research has already proved me wrong. According to a recent article from Dark Daily, not only do researcher possess...(read more)

Basket Cases

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 21:29:00 +0000

Thanks to the quick evolution of improved genetic sequencing capabilities, the concept personalized medicine has changed the way clinicians and physicians are thinking about patient treatment. Traditionally, the trial and testing period for clinical drugs...(read more)

Vaccination Perspectives

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:35:00 +0000

A combination of the continued national debate over the connection between autism and vaccines -- despite the hypothesized link having long-since been disproved -- and events like the measles outbreak spawning from Disneyland have led to a lot of vaccination-related...(read more)

Formaldehyde in E-Cigarettes

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 04:40:00 +0000

The electronic cigarette has been hailed as a significantly safer alternative to regular cigarettes, delivering nicotine through vapor rather than smoke, but little is known about their potential side long-term effects. An NPR article took a look into...(read more)

Vascular Damage and Alzheimer’s Disease

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:33:00 +0000

Between the attention attracted by the 2014 movie, “ Still Alice ,” and the release of new studies, Alzheimer’s disease has been a prominent topic of conversation lately. For patients and their families, the symptoms are all too familiar, and the origin...(read more)

Ebola Vaccines

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:37:00 +0000

While the Ebola outbreak continues to impact much of West Africa, it appears to be starting to fade at last. According to a recent article in the New York Times , healthcare companies GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Merck have will be introducing vaccines for...(read more)

Reprogrammed Cells and Radiation

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 22:34:00 +0000

It’s no big secret that being exposed to radiation can cause cancer. As humans, we rely on radioactigve materials and manufacture technologies to harness that power for our benefit, but that doesn’t keep accidents from happening. According to an article...(read more)

New NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 22:23:00 +0000

In the age of readily available genetic sequencing, the overabundance of data has been noted around the globe. As big data solutions become more common and diverse, the concept of data sharing has been a focal point of discussions regarding the future...(read more)

Struck a Nerve

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:45:00 +0000

All of the phlebotomists are probably cringing at the term I used in the headline, but it seems germane considering the overwhelming number of comments the ADVANCE editorial staff has received since the launch of our 2014 Salary Survey. (If you haven’t...(read more)

Ebola at Home

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 20:26:00 +0000

Ebola is a subject that’s been on everyone’s minds for weeks and, as such, has received a lot of media attention. I’ve covered the Zaire Ebolavirus before and even discussed the heroism of those responsible for treating victims and disposing of the bodies,...(read more)

The Big Squeeze

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:40:00 +0000

It’s no big secret that clinical laboratories have been subjected a series of strict budget and reimbursement cuts over the past few years. Rather than easing in the coming year, these cuts are predicted to remain equally rigid, if not more so. A recent...(read more)

Unsung Heroes

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:53:00 +0000

I’ve discussed the spread of the Zaire ebolavirus before , but as it continues to overwhelm countries in West Africa, scientists have been able to track the virus in real time. A recent article from NPR followed a team of researchers as they collected...(read more)