Here are 10 articles on some of the most interesting medical research study findings and advancements from the week of May 16.
1. For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, new research shows healing from home may be as good as receiving treatment in hospital. Read more.
2. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore found ultraviolet light treatment was "highly effective" at killing Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae on high-touch surfaces within 15 minutes of exposure. Read more.
3. Even though critical access hospitals have been criticized in previous studies and reports, a new study in JAMA shows critical access hospitals may offer safer, less expensive common surgeries to Medicare patients. Read more.
4. A novel antiviral hepatitis C drug may come in handy in combating to current Zika virus outbreak, according to findings from KU Leuven Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy in Belgium. Read more.
5. Higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity can lessen the risk of developing 13 types of cancer, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Read more.
6. Improving collaborative efforts between physicians and nurses in the intensive care unit may decrease the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Read more.
7. Although recent research has focused on problems for hospital patients arising from daily shift changes, a new study finds that monthly handoffs between residents may present opportunities for more lasting, negative outcomes. Read more.
8. Research published by The BMJ suggests inaccurate coding may be to blame for the "weekend effect" — or theory that patients admitted during the weekend are more likely to die than those admitted during the week — for various medical conditions. Read more.
9. Tampa-based University of South Florida scientists recently discovered an extract from a marine sponge found in Antarctica may help eliminate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Read more.
10. Triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent found in things like soap, toys and toothpaste, can rapidly disrupt gut bacteria communities, according to research from Oregon State University in Corvallis. Read more.