About 75% of older adults in the ICU develop delirium, a state of confusion with serious short and long-term health consequences including an increased risk of post-ICU dementia. A multi-center randomized controlled trial of critically ill adults aged 50 and older admitted to ICUs suggests the need for further study of music therapy in critically ill older adults. Results of the The Decreasing Delirium through Music in Critically Ill Older Adults Trial are reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Sepsis, or infection causing life-threatening organ dysfunction, is a leading cause of death in children worldwide. In efforts to prevent this rare but critical condition, researchers developed and validated AI models that accurately identify children at high risk for sepsis within 48 hours, so that early preemptive care can be provided. These predictive models used routine electronic health record (EHR) data from the first four hours the child spent in the Emergency Department (ED), before organ dysfunction was present.

About The Study: In this cohort study, exposure to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) was associated with increased risks of infections in full-term children until age 21. In preterm children born before 34 weeks’ gestation, no association between ACS and infections was found. To minimize the adverse effects of ACS treatment, more stringent criteria for ACS administration and better prediction tools for preterm birth are required. 

New research has found genetic associations between cannabis use and psychiatric, cognitive and physical health. The findings could inform prevention and treatment strategies for cannabis use disorders

A new review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews sheds light on the biological mechanisms that may explain why patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) face higher risks for heart disease, diabetes and other age-related conditions. The study, led by researchers at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, details how OSA-induced stressors can trigger cellular senescence—effectively accelerating the aging process at the molecular level. 

The presence of cellphones can have a negative impact on family relationships and youth mental health, according to two new studies from the University of Georgia.

Near-death experiences can have lasting, life-changing effects, and new research sheds light on the types of counseling and support that can best help people cope.