The measurement of blood pressure has been a cornerstone of medical practice for decades. However, despite its widespread use, research suggests that common cuff-based blood pressure readings may be inaccurate and potentially miss up to 30% of hypertension cases.

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has shed new light on this issue by building an experimental model that explains the physics behind these inaccuracies. Their findings, reported in the journal PNAS Nexus, have significant implications for patient health outcomes and highlight the need for more accurate measurement methods.

The auscultatory method, which relies on inflating a cuff around the upper arm to measure blood pressure, has long been considered the gold standard. However, this study reveals that it overestimates diastolic pressure while underestimating systolic pressure. The researchers attribute this discrepancy to a previously unidentified factor: the delayed reopening of arteries due to low downstream pressure.

To replicate this condition in their experimental rig, the Cambridge team used tubes that lay flat when deflated and fully closed when inflated with cuff pressure. This setup allowed them to study the effects of downstream blood pressure on artery closure and reopening, leading to a better understanding of the mechanics behind inaccurate readings.

The researchers propose several potential solutions to address this underestimation, including raising the arm before measurement to produce a predictable downstream pressure. This simple change does not require new devices but can make blood pressure measurements more accurate.

If new devices for monitoring blood pressure are developed, they may incorporate additional inputs that correlate with downstream pressure, such as age, BMI, or tissue characteristics, to adjust ‘ideal’ readings for each individual.

The study’s authors emphasize the need for clinical trials to test their findings in patients and collaborate with clinicians to implement changes to clinical practice. Funding from organizations like the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will be essential to support further research and development.

By uncovering the inaccuracies in common blood pressure readings, this study has significant implications for patient health outcomes and highlights the need for more accurate measurement methods. The proposed solutions have the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, ultimately saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.

The World Health Organization predicts that over half of the global population will develop overweight or obesity by 2035. Despite treatment strategies like lifestyle changes, surgery, and medications, these methods are not universally available or effective. An international team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery – a genetic test that can predict adulthood obesity in early childhood.

By leveraging genetic data from over five million people, the researchers created a polygenic risk score (PGS) that identifies children at higher genetic risk of developing obesity. This finding could lead to targeted preventative strategies, such as lifestyle interventions, at a younger age.

“What makes this score so powerful is its ability to predict, before the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood,” says Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the research published in Nature Medicine.

The study draws on data from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) Consortium, an international collaboration of human genetics researchers. The research involved a partnership with 23andMe, inc., and contributions from over 600 scientists from 500 institutions globally.

Twice as effective at predicting obesity as the next best test, the new PGS combines the effects of thousands of genetic variants that increase our risk of obesity. These variants act in the brain and influence our appetite, making them a crucial factor in the development of adulthood obesity.

“This new polygenic score is a dramatic improvement in predictive power and a leap forward in the genetic prediction of obesity risk,” says Professor Ruth Loos from CBMR at the University of Copenhagen.

While genetics is not destiny, the researchers also investigated the relationship between a person’s genetic risk of obesity and the impact of lifestyle weight loss interventions. They found that people with a higher genetic risk of obesity were more responsive to interventions but also regained weight more quickly when the interventions ended.

However, the new PGS has its limitations – it was far better at predicting obesity in people with European-like ancestry than in people with African ancestry. Further research is needed to address these disparities and make this groundbreaking test universally useful.

The article reveals groundbreaking research on the effectiveness of vaccinating pregnant women against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study found that babies born to vaccinated mothers had a 72% reduction in hospitalizations due to RSV, making it a crucial tool for reducing infant hospital admissions and pressures on healthcare systems.

Research conducted by universities across England and Scotland involved 537 babies who were admitted to hospital with severe respiratory disease during the winter of 2024-2025. The findings showed that mothers of babies without RSV were more likely to have received the vaccine before delivery, highlighting the importance of timely vaccination for maximum protection.

The study highlights the significance of raising awareness about the availability and effectiveness of the new RSV vaccine, which can be given as early as 28 weeks of pregnancy, allowing for optimal antibody transfer to the baby. However, it is recommended that pregnant women get vaccinated as soon as possible, ideally before delivery, to maximize protection.

The research collaboration also included experts from various institutions and emphasized the value of vaccination in preventing RSV-related illnesses. The study’s findings were published in the journal The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

Key Takeaways:

* Vaccinating pregnant women can reduce RSV hospitalizations by 72% among newborns.
* Timely vaccination during pregnancy is crucial for maximum protection against RSV.
* The new RSV vaccine offers a significant opportunity to protect babies from severe respiratory disease.
* Awareness about the availability and effectiveness of the vaccine should be raised among healthcare providers, pregnant women, and their families.