Here is a sampling of 2018 media coverage of the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC), its journals Clinical Chemistry and The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, and its former patient health site, www.labtestsonline.org. (Lab Tests Online is no longer an Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine program.)
AACC Tells Congress to Look into Deficiencies at Near-Patient Test Sites, Recommend Improvements
OCT.31.2018 // 360Dx
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry is urging Congress to investigate what it believes to be deficiencies at non-traditional sites performing near-patient testing.
Dank or Drank: Can Alcohol Hang on with Cannabis Legalization?
OCT.27.2018 // Cannabis Life Network
The American Association of Clinical Chemistry states that “THC blood concentrations increase significantly with alcohol consumption.”
Calling on the CPP
OCT.22.2018 // Repertoire
The American Association of Clinical Chemistry launched a new credential for point-of-care testing professionals this summer.
A New Immunotherapy Paradigm: It's Not Just For Cancer Anymore
OCT.19.2018 // Clinical Leader
Getting a new drug approved by the FDA and then convincing physicians to prescribe it is always a challenge.
TriCore exec lands leadership role in national association
OCT.4.2018 // Albuquerque Business First
TriCore Reference Laboratories Chief Scientific Officer David Grenache has been named president-elect of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, a global association dedicated to advancing clinical science in health care.
Health Tip: Understanding Lactose-Tolerance Testing
SEP.18.2018 // Drugs.com
A hydrogen breath test is the most common procedure, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry says. Breath levels of hydrogen increase after you are given a lactose-loaded drink.
Tackling the Global Lung Cancer Burden Through Minimally Invasive Cell-Free DNA Detection
AUG.28.2018 // Select Science
New data presented at the 70th annual scientific meeting and clinical lab expo at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) suggests that advances in digital droplet PCR technology could pave the way for improved lung cancer survival rates.
AACC 2018 President Dr. Dennis Dietzen on the Here & Now of Clinical Laboratory Medicine
AUG.17.2018 // Select Science: The Scientists' Channel
Dr. Dennis Dietzen discusses the future of clinical diagnostics, and how AACC can inspire a generation of future leaders in laboratory medicine.
Older Adults: Here's What Causes Hunchback – and How to Prevent It
AUG.17.2018 // U.S. News
While a basic metabolic panel, which is a standard part of annual physicals, includes calcium testing, it does not include vitamin D screening, according to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
OnSiteGene Developing Ultra-Fast qPCR System for Rapid Syndromic Testing
AUG.15.2018 // GenomeWeb
OnSiteGene showed a prototype instrument at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry annual meeting in Chicago earlier this month.
From the Editor: Dueling Epistles
AUG.10.2018 // Clinical Lab Products
For this issue’s Inside Track column, CLP spoke to Dave Koch, PhD, DABCC, FADLM, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Emory University and chair of the policy and external affairs core committee for AACC, about the latest congressional communiqué.
iMedicalApps: This Week's Best New Products
AUG.10.2018 // MedPage Today
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Learning Lab Brief is an introductory demo of the Learning Lab for Laboratory Medicine from the New England Journal of Medicine's Knowledge+ program.
Mandatory Drug Testing for New Moms Is a Slippery Slope
AUG.8.2018 // Splinter News
With “risk-based” testing, “you are making a lot of assumptions and it tends to unfairly target low-income women,” gynecology professor Jessica Young told the American Association for Clinical Chemistry in 2016.
Are Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Linked to Vitamin D Levels?
AUG.7.2018 // Healthline
New research presented at last week’s 70th American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago suggests that taking in some extra vitamin D could possibly be crucial to alleviating some rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms.
Siemens Healthineers Poised to Launch Expanded Menu on Epoc POC System
AUG.6.2018 // 360Dx
This startup wants to make blood testing as easy as snapping a photo with an iPhone
AUG.5.2018 // Business Insider
But miniaturizing the technology needed to run these kinds of tests, Dietzen said, isn't easy. Dietzen said he's still waiting to see clinical data published in an academic journal that compares Essenlix's technology to the standard way blood tests are run.
Over 30 Groups Urge Congress to Address Concerns Over PAMA Implementation
AUG.3.2018 // 360Dx
A group of more than 30 organizations, including the American Clinical Laboratory Association, AdvaMedDx, and the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, have asked members of Congress to step in and enact legislation to address their concerns over the implementation of the lab test pricing law, Protecting Access to Medicare Act.
FDA Clears Siemens Healthineers BRAHMS PCT Assay
AUG.3.2018 // 360Dx
Michael Reitermann, president of the diagnostics segment, Siemens Healthineers, announced the clearance during a presentation this week at the 70th American Association for Clinical Chemistry Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago.
Winners of the 2018 Scientists’ Choice Awards for Clinical Lab Science Announced at AACC
AUG.2.2018 // Select Science
A celebration of the clinical laboratory products that have made the most difference to your lab work, plus we reveal our most popular clinical interviews of the past year.
Beckman Coulter launches DURA Innovations global flow cytometry business tools
JUL.30.2018 // News Medical
DURA Innovations underpin all Beckman Coulter’s dry reagent solutions including ClearLLab.They are highlighted at the 70th American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Laboratory Expo (CLE), being held July 29 - August 2, 2018 in Chicago.
Beckman Coulter offers largest range of single color CE-IVD and ASR conjugated antibodies
JUL.30.2018 // News Medical
The portfolio is featured at the 70th American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Laboratory Expo (CLE), being held July 29 - August 2, 2018 in Chicago.
Beckman Coulter introduces expanded range of clinical flow cytometry solutions at AACC 2018
JUL.30.2018 // News Medical
They are all highlighted at the 70th American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Laboratory Expo (CLE), being held July 29 - August 2, 2018 in Chicago.
The Ins and Outs of Lab-Developed Tests
JUL.17.2018 // Lab Manager
"In one sense, the definition of an LDT is very simple," says Dennis Dietzen, president of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry and medical director of the core laboratory and metabolic genetics laboratory at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Key laboratory associations weigh in on the issue of laboratory-developed testing procedures
JUL.5.2018 // Clinical Lab Products
In the middle of June, a group of 17 laboratory professional associations and academic medical centers joined forces in opposition to the proposed Diagnostic Accuracy and Innovation Act (DAIA), which had earlier received the support of a competing group of diagnostics stakeholders.
Theranos' Holmes and Balwani Indicted For Alleged Wire Fraud Schemes
JUN.15.2018 // 360Dx
Speaking to attendees at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry's annual meeting in Philadelphia that year, Holmes acknowledged that the company had had its shares of problems, but the new technology and its unveiling marked "a new chapter for the company."
CDS renews contract with AACC
JUN.12.2018 // Cape Cod Times
Convention Data Services of Bourne has renewed its contract with the American Association of Clinical Chemistry through 2021, according to a statement.
FDA Grants Breakthrough Designation for AutoGenomics' Infiniti Neural Response Panel
JUN.6.2018 // GenomeWeb
The company describes the Infiniti test, which it hopes to bring to market through the FDA's de novo premarket pathway, as borne of extensive review of the scientific literature. Investigators first gave a presentation on the approach at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry's annual meeting in San Diego last year.
The rise and fall of Theranos, the blood-testing startup that went from a rising star in Silicon Valley to facing fraud charges over a wild 15-year span
MAY.25.2018 // Business Insider
The following month, Theranos finally presented at a scientific conference, though the details about the company's technology were still lacking. Theranos appeared to be pivoting toward focusing on its new sample processor, the miniLab.
The Theranos Deception
MAY.20.2018 // CBS News: 60 Minutes
How a company with a blood-testing machine that could never perform as touted went from billion-dollar baby to complete bust.
Training for Quality
MAY.15.2018 // Clinical Lab Products
To make it easier for laboratorians to overcome such challenges, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) has recently launched an online continuing education program, “Practical Approaches to Quality Control in the Clinical Laboratory,” which is focused on guiding practicing clinical laboratorians through the principles and applications of good statistical QC practices.
Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography Recommended Over Immunoassays in Pain Drug Monitoring
MAY.2.2018 // Pain Medicine News
In a new guideline on the use of clinical laboratory tests to monitor drug therapy in patients with pain, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) recommends the use of mass spectrometry and chromatography.
The Hidden Data in Your Fingerprints
APR.27.2018 // Scientific American
In a recent paper in Clinical Chemistry, my colleagues and I have shown it is possible to detect cocaine, heroin and morphine use from a single fingerprint.
Drug Use Is Detectable on Your Fingerprints
APR.13.2018 // The Atlantic
The assay—which was so sensitive that it could still detect trace amounts of cocaine after subjects washed their hands with soap—correctly identified 99 percent of the users, and gave false positive results for just 2.5 percent of the nonusers, according to a paper published in Clinical Chemistry.
How to Cope When the Lab Emails You Scary Test Results
APR.6.2018 // Healthline
"[Lab Tests Online] does a wonderful job of preparing people for a test… and explaining what the results might mean once you get them back,” said biochemist Dennis Dietzen, PhD, AACC president and director of laboratory services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
AACC Publishes High-Sensitivity Troponin Assay Practice Recommendations in Anticipation of More FDA Approvals
APR.2.2018 // 360Dx
With more high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays expected to be approved for use in the U.S. this year, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry has published practice recommendations for their use in clinical laboratories.
You might have cocaine on your hands without knowing
APR.1.2018 // The Talking Democrat
More than 10% of people have cocaine on their fingers, whereas they never used the illegal drug. The narcotic is proving to be a very common contaminant.
Prenatal Test Advance May Help Spot Serious Gene Mutations
MAR.31.2018 // U.S. News
Scientists who found a way to use amniotic fluid to sequence the entire genome of a fetus say the breakthrough could significantly increase detection of genetic conditions during pregnancy.
Helping Patients Understand Their Test Results Reduces Dread
MAR.30.2018 // The Washington Post
To help patients better understand the laboratory tests that play a critical role in diagnosing, monitoring and treating a broad range of conditions—including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and infectious diseases—the American Association for Clinical Chemistry created Lab Tests Online in 2001.
CDC to Jump-Start Test Harmonization Efforts With $2M in 2018 Funding
MAR.28.2018 // 360Dx
Lab errors are negligible, but be cautious
MAR.24.2018 // The Gulf Today
Laboratory automation has increased productivity and efficiency of clinical laboratories. However, this high-throughput environment puts laboratories at risk when errors occur because many patient results may be impacted if errors are not detected promptly.
1st AACC Middle East Conference highlights need for better communication between physicians, lab experts
MAR.23.2018 // Emirate News Agency
Healthcare experts, who gathered in Abu Dhabi to attend the first American Association for Clinical Chemistry, AACC Middle East Conference, said that laboratory automation has increased the productivity and efficiency of clinical laboratories while highlighting the need for improved communication between physicians and laboratory experts, as well as better quality control.
Improved laboratory performance is key
MAR.23.2018 // The Gulf Today
Speaking at the maiden American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) conference in the Middle East, organised by Al Borg Medical Laboratories from Thursday to Saturday, the experts stressed that clinical laboratories are an integral part of the healthcare system.
Fingerprint test accurately and noninvasively detects heroin, cocaine users
MAR.23.2018 // News Medical
A fingerprint test published today in AACC's Clinical Chemistry journal can tell whether someone has taken heroin or cocaine, and accurately distinguishes between drug users versus individuals who were exposed to drug residue in the environment.
Handshake Can Leave Traces of Cocaine and Heroin in Fingerprints of Non-Users
MAR.23.2018 // Health Aim
Researchers from the University of Surrey in U.K. found that cocaine and heroin can both be transmitted to non-users by simply shaking hands with drug users; furthermore, cocaine and heroin can also be transferred to drug-free people through bank notes.
One in 10 people have class A drugs on their fingertips, study says
MAR.22.2018 // The Guardian
Writing in the journal Clinical Chemistry, the researchers describe how their test picked up marked differences in the levels of cocaine and heroin found on the fingertips of drug users compared with non-users.
Drugs are now so prevalent that 1 in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on their fingers, study finds
MAR.22.2018 // The Daily Mail
Lead author of the paper published in Clinical Chemistry, Mahado Ismail, said: ‘It’s clear that fingerprint testing is the future of drug-testing.'
One in ten people who have never used cocaine have traces on fingertips
MAR.22.2018 // The Telegraph
Cocaine is now so prevalent in society that one in 10 people who have never used the drug have traces on their hands, a new study has shown.
One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds
MAR.22.2018 // The Independent
More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test.
One in 10 have traces of heroin and cocaine on their fingerprints
MAR.22.2018 // Silicon Republic
According to the study conducted by a team from the University of Surrey and published to Clinical Chemistry, 13pc of those taking part in a test were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingerprints, despite never using them.
One in ten people have traces of cocaine on their fingers despite never using drugs
MAR.22.2018 // iNews
Mahado Ismail, lead-author of the study published in Clinical Chemistry, said: “Our study will help to add another robust layer to fingerprint drug testing.”
Test finds traces of cocaine on freshly washed fingertips
MAR.22.2018 // The Times
It is often said that traces of cocaine can be found on almost every British banknote. A study has taken that a step farther and shown that traces of the drug can be found lurking on our fingertips.
Trace Heroin, Cocaine Detected on 13 Percent of Non-Users’ Fingerprints
MAR.22.2018 // Laboratory Equipment
Thirteen percent of those who had never used Class A drugs in the United Kingdom showed trace amounts of cocaine or a heroin metabolite on their prints, according to the paper in the journal Clinical Chemistry.
Cocaine Might Be on Your Fingerprints — Even if You Don't Do Drugs
MAR.22.2018 // Inverse Culture
In a study published in Clinical Chemistry on Thursday, Mahado Ismail, Derek Stevenson, Catia Costa, Roger P Webb, Marcel de Puit, and Melanie J Bailey drug-tested the fingerprints of 65 volunteers — 50 who were drug-free, and 15 who said they had taken cocaine or heroin within the past 24 hours.
One In 10 People Found To Have Traces Of Cocaine On Their Fingerprints Despite Never Using It
MAR.22.2018 // IFL Science!
The study from the University of Surrey, published in Clinical Chemistry, tested the fingerprints of 50 volunteers who said they had not used drugs and about 25 who had taken cocaine or heroin in the past 24 hours.
New Beauty Supplement Found to Affect Medical Testing
MAR.13.2018 // Advance
The popularity of beauty supplement biotin can’t be denied, but neither can the reality that users have seen increased interference within their medical testing.
Grewal Announces Creation of Opioid 'Addiction Response' Unit
FEB.23.2018 // New Jersey Law Journal
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbil Grewal on Thursday announced an expansion of the state's efforts to combat the ongoing opioid addiction crisis.
Studies Suggest Challenges Remain for Dried Blood Spot Protein Assays
FEB.23.2018 // GenomeWeb
Enthusiasm for dried blood spot samples is building among clinical proteomic researchers and companies, but recent work suggests technical hurdles remain.
More Years Spent Obese May Increase Heart Risk
FEB.22.2018 // Medpage Today
Within each current BMI category, prior excess weight was associated with elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) as a clinical indicator of heart damage and risk factor for heart failure, Chiadi Ndumele, MD, MHS, of the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, and colleagues reported online in Clinical Chemistry.
Better late than never: Going on a diet as soon as you reach obesity can prevent your heart disease risk from doubling, study finds
FEB.21.2018 // Daily Mail
The findings, published in the journal Clinical Chemistry, suggests people go on a diet as soon as they pile on the pounds because the number of years spent overweight can 'add up' to a risk factor for heart damage.
The longer you are obese the greater your risk of heart disease says study
FEB.21.2018 // MSN
New US research suggests that it is not just being obese that increases the risk of heart disease, but also how long someone is obese for, with the number of years spent carrying excess weight "adding up" to a distinct risk factor for developing heart problems later in life.
Long-Term Weight Control Linked to Better Late Life Heart Health
FEB.21.2018 // MD Magazine
Maintaining a healthy weight long-term can have an even bigger positive effect on heart health than what was already believed, according to new clinical trial analysis.
Number of obese years not—just obesity—a distinct risk factor for heart damage
FEB.20.2018 // Medical Xpress
In an analysis of clinical data collected on more than 9,000 people, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown that the number of years spent overweight or obese appear to "add up" to a distinct risk factor that makes those with a longer history of heaviness more likely to test positive for a chemical marker of so-called "silent" heart damage than those with a shorter history.
As obesity-related health costs rise, experts warn of far-reaching complications
FEB.15.2018 // Healio
Obesity-related health care costs in the United States rose 29% between 2001 and 2015, and new data from the most populous states reveal that the cost burden varies throughout the country, according to research published in Clinical Chemistry.
How much does obesity cost the healthcare system? It differs by state
FEB.12.2018 // Healthcare Finance
A new study published in the journal Clinical Chemistry [...] used microdata from each state to calculate the percentage of healthcare spending dedicated to obesity.
Obesity drives U.S. healthcare costs up by 29%, but amounts vary by state
FEB.9.2018 // Fierce Healthcare
New research finds that U.S. healthcare resources devoted to treating obesity-related illnesses in adults increased 29% from 2001 to 2015. But there are significant differences per state.
Doctors Ordering Wrong Vitamin D Test
JAN.29.2018 // MD Magazine
In Clinical Laboratory News, Jane Dickerson, PhD, DABCC and Michael Astion MD, PhD, of Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle WA, say there is an increase in doctors ordering the wrong tests.
As Opioid Push Continues, NJ Proposes Reporting Requirements for Gabapentin
JAN.25.2018 // New Jersey Law Journal
A 2016 study by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry estimated that one in five users of gabapentin abuse the medication, according to the statement.
AACC Guidelines Advocate Use of Mass Spec, Chromatography in Opioid Testing
JAN.16.2018 // 360Dx
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry recommends the use of mass-spectrometry or chromatography to help combat the opioid epidemic, as part of its guidelines announced today for using clinical lab tests to monitor drug therapy in pain management patients.
Study Links Processed Carb Consumption to Weight Gain
JAN.3.2018 // Food Navigator
The insulin spike that follows consumption of processed carbs could contribute to higher risk of weight gain and obesity, a new study concludes.