In the News

13 October, 2024

Identification Of Texture MRI Brain Abnormalities On Fibromyalgia Syndrome Using Interpretable Machine Learning Models

To provide objective diagnostic markers for fibromyalgia symptoms (FMS) diagnosis, we have created interpretable extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models using radiomics to aid in the diagnosis of chronic pain (CP) and to develop nomogram models for diagnosing subgroups of FMS. A group of 54 patients with CP and 71 healthy controls was randomly separated into training and validation groups, using a 7:3 ratio. Radiomics features were extracted from grey-matter and white-matter in the filtered mwp0* image. The Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation test, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were utilized to select features. An XGBoost model was created based on these features, and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used for personalization and visual interpretation. A nomogram was developed for the diagnosis of FMS subgroups, utilizing radiomics scores and clinical predictors. The efficacy of the nomogram was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, while decision curve analysis was employed to evaluate its clinical efficacy. The XGBoost model displays stability in the training validation group, indicating lower overfitting of CP model. The nomogram model combined with the rad-score has a greater ability to distinguish between typical and sub-clinical than the clinical factor model alone. We developed and validated a CP diagnosis model by XGBoost and realized model visualization through SHAP. The rad-score obtained by machine learning was used to build a nomogram model that combines clinical scales to distinguish patients with typical and sub-clinical fibromyalgia.

13 October, 2024

Miranda On 'Joy And Fun' Of Getting Married At 51

Miranda Hart has said "getting married in mid-life is a full injection of joy and fun", after revealing she's tied the knot at the age of 51. The comedian and actress has married a man she met during the pandemic. "It’s the best!" she said. "He's my best friend, we have the best fun... The fact that I could meet somebody - it's not a rom-com story but it’s hope, and that's why I think, whatever situation you're in, there's always hope that things really do change." She discusses the relationship in her new book, and also opens up about her struggle with chronic fatigue after being diagnosed with Lyme disease.

12 October, 2024

ANZMES Awards $25K Grant And $10K In Scholarships To Advance ME/CFS And Long COVID Research 2024

The Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society (ANZMES) is delighted to announce the recipients  of their 2024 Research Grant and Scholarship Programme. ANZMES, the leading National Advisory on ME  launched the programme in 2023 to support groundbreaking research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic  Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID. The programme can offer two $25,000 research grants to  postgraduate students and academic researchers, specifically aimed at advancing laboratory-based studies. In  addition, four $5,000 scholarships are available to support students undertaking ME/CFS and long COVID  research in fields such as Health Sciences, Public Health, and Humanities. The programme is designed to foster a new generation of researchers and contribute vital knowledge to these under-researched conditions, which affect millions globally.

12 October, 2024

Have Doctors Finally Woken Up To The Torment Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

A Letter to the Editor published in UK news outlet the Independent.

12 October, 2024

The Cells That Protect Your Brain Against Infection Could Also Be Behind Some Chronic Diseases

Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells. Their job is to patrol the brain's blood vessels looking for invading pathogens to gobble up. But what happens when they go rogue?

11 October, 2024

Study Shows Fatigue Prominent Feature Of Long COVID

Results from an online survey in Denmark describe fatigue and post-exertional malaise as prominent features 2 to 18 months after COVID-19 infections for both mild and severe cases. The study appeared in JAMA Network Open.

11 October, 2024

ME Left Me Bedbound For Nearly Five Years. A Potted Plant Helped Me Rebuild My Life

The life I loved came to an abrupt end when I was diagnosed with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, in 1997. For years, my world revolved around bedpans, bed baths, wheelchairs and stairlifts. Then an unexpected gift began to revive a sense of joy I thought I had lost for ever.

11 October, 2024

Long Covid: Study Shows Damage To Brain's 'Control Centre'

Research could help scientists understand long-term effects of Covid-19 as well as conditions such as MS and dementia.

10 October, 2024

Coroner Who Investigated The Death Of A Young Woman, 27, Who Died Of Debilitating ME Demands Further Action To Stop More Tragedies

The coroner who investigated the death of a young woman from debilitating ME has demanded further action to stop more tragedies. Coroner Deborah Archer, who held a two-week inquest into the death of 27-year-old Maeve Boothby-O'Neill, wrote in her report that 'future deaths could occur unless action is taken.'

10 October, 2024

Comparative Study For Fatigue Prevalence In Subjects With Diseases: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

Fatigue is one of the common symptoms in individuals with diseases or disorders, significantly affecting quality of life (QoL) and the prognosis of diseases. This study aimed to comprehensively compare the features of fatigue across a wide range of diseases. We systematically searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from inception to March 31st, 2021, and conducted a meta-analysis to generate precise estimates.