Researchers have identified patterns of brain injury that underlie hidden consciousness, a phenomenon where brain-injured patients appear unconscious despite having some level of awareness. The study found that all patients with hidden consciousness had intact brain structures related to arousal and command comprehension.
Researchers found that blocking dopamine transporters during mid-adolescence increases adult aggression, impulsivity, and the behavioral response to amphetamine in mice. Artificially stimulating dopaminergic neurons also exacerbated impulsive behavior in tasks. The study suggests potential harm from stimulant exposure in healthy teens ...
Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Texas uncovered the genomic regions responsible for skeletal changes in primates that led to upright walking. The study found genes associated with hip, knee, and back arthritis, offering insights into prevention and treatment.
Researchers at Columbia University found that babies' immune cells develop slowly and are not fully mature until around 4-6 years old. This makes them more susceptible to respiratory infections, but also enables them to respond to new pathogens in a unique way, such as the formation of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT).
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered that an experimental eye drop treatment can reduce swelling and improve blood flow in the retina of mice with retinal vein occlusion, a common eye disease affecting up to 2% of people over age 40. The study found that the eye drops prevented neurons from deteriora...
A new study has identified 16 new locations in the genome linked to immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, a common kidney disease. The research confirms an earlier hypothesis that the immune system plays a key role in driving the disease and provides potential drug targets for treatment.
Researchers discovered that taurine levels decline with age and supplementation can increase lifespan in mice by up to 12% and extend healthy lifespans of middle-aged mice. Taurine also improved health parameters in mice, including weight gain suppression, increased energy expenditure, and enhanced immune function.
A Phase 2a clinical trial found that AEFO117 significantly reduced the effects of cannabis in daily smokers and decreased both positive mood effects and decision to use cannabis. The drug, developed by Aelis Farma, appears to counteract the high associated with THC without disrupting physiological and behavioral functions.
A study found that most kidneys offered to transplant centers were given to lower-priority candidates, citing concerns about organ quality. This practice, known as 'list diving,' harms some patients and contributes to disparities in organ transplantation.
A large-scale study found that a low-flavanol diet drives age-related memory loss. Replenishing flavanols in mildly deficient adults over 60 improves cognitive function and supports the idea that aging brains require specific nutrients for optimal health.
A large-scale randomized trial found that daily multivitamin supplementation improved memory function in over 3,500 older adults, with effects more pronounced in those with cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that nutrition may play a crucial role in optimizing brain health as we age.
A Columbia University study found that casual cannabis use by adolescents raises the risk of depression, suicidality, and problem behaviors. Nondisordered cannabis users were 2-2.5 times more likely to have adverse mental health outcomes and behavioral problems compared to teens who didn’t use cannabis.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that patients with well-controlled HIV responded similarly to those without HIV to tecovirimat treatment. Nearly all patients, regardless of HIV status, were pain-free by the end of the treatment regimen.
A study found that high school quality is linked to better late-life cognition, particularly for those with more experienced teachers. Attending higher-quality schools may influence life trajectory and lead to better cognitive outcomes.
Researchers studied 407 infants born to mothers with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 at any point during pregnancy and found they developed similarly to those without COVID. The study used a novel method to observe babies remotely, adapting a developmental assessment tool for COVID-safe evaluation.
The Center will develop accessible educational tools to reduce stress, improve social support, and promote family well-being. Led by Dr. Catherine Monk, the TtP Center will assemble services, accelerate research, and support interventions promoting optimal outcomes for parents-to-be and their developing children.
Researchers found a modest increased risk of developing heart disease among people exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation. The study suggests that guidelines for protection of workers and patients should be reconsidered to minimize the risks associated with low-dose radiation exposure.
Researchers discovered that SMN deficiency harms neurons by impairing Hspa8 protein, which assembles critical communication links between motor neurons and muscle cells. A potential new treatment pathway for SMA was identified through mimicking the protective effect of a specific variant of the Hspa8 gene.
A new study found that a Food FARMacia program, which provided free and healthy foods to families in need, was associated with reduced childhood obesity outcomes and improved household food security. The program, which operated mobile pantries twice a month, showed a clinically significant decline in childhood obesity risk factors afte...
Researchers found that statins protected blood vessels against inflammation, reducing cardiovascular risk in sleep apnea patients. In contrast, CPAP therapy increased levels of angiopoietin-2, a protein associated with heart disease.
Researchers have created a bacterial 'suicide squad' that targets tumors and attracts immune cells to destroy them. The engineered E. coli bacteria release their contents when they reach a quorum inside a tumor, triggering an immune response.
A new study found that an ultrasound device consistently reduced daytime ambulatory blood pressure by an average of 8.5 points among middle-aged patients with hypertension. The device targets overactive nerves in the kidneys, disrupting signals that lead to high blood pressure.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have found that an anti-inflammatory drug can turn back time in mice and reverse some of the effects of age on the hematopoietic system. By targeting the aging niche, the study suggests a new strategy for maintaining healthier blood production in older adults.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a method to grow engineered skin in complex, three-dimensional shapes, making it possible to construct seamless 'glove' of skin cells that can be easily slipped onto a severely burned hand. The new skin grafts have better mechanical and functional properties than c...
A new study led by Columbia researchers discovered a link between serotonin and heart valve disease, specifically degenerative mitral regurgitation. The study found that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were more likely to develop severe mitral regurgitation and require surgery at a younger age.
A new therapy, called spinal cord associative plasticity (SCAP), is showing promise in animal studies by enabling rats with spinal cord injuries to regain function of their arms. The treatment targets the nervous system connections spared by injury and causes lasting change in synapses or neurons.
A new study links spontaneous preterm birth to chemicals in vaginal products, revealing a potential source of the condition. Researchers discovered that metabolites from cosmetics and hygiene products were associated with preterm births, offering hope for early diagnostics.
A study by Columbia University exercise physiologists found that taking a five-minute walking break every 30 minutes can significantly lower blood sugar and blood pressure, while also reducing fatigue and improving mood. This regimen provided the most benefits, with only one minute of walking per hour providing modest benefits.
Researchers found that cells with impaired mitochondria double their energy expenditure, degrading telomeres and activating stress responses. Hypermetabolic state accelerates biological aging, explaining fatigue and exercise intolerance in patients with mitochondrial diseases.
Researchers have discovered that stem cells can regenerate the enthesis, a critical layer of tissue connecting tendon to bone, in rotator cuff injury models. This breakthrough could lead to improved shoulder surgery outcomes and reduced repair failure rates, potentially benefiting millions of people worldwide.
Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has launched a neurodegenerative disease research center, thanks to a $50 million gift from the Carol and Gene Ludwig Family Foundation. The Center will support research on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, with a focus on innovative treatments.
People with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to inflammation. However, new research suggests that commonly used treatments for RA can also lower this risk by reducing arterial inflammation and disease activity. The study found that immunomodulators like methotrexate and TNFi drugs reduced heart dise...
A new Columbia University study has found that breast implants after mastectomy are associated with an extremely low risk of developing a rare cancer called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). According to the study, only five cases of ALCL were diagnosed among 57,000 women who had undergone reconstructive surgery over 421,000 years...
A new study successfully tested an implantable pump that delivers chemotherapy directly to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The treatment effectively kills brain tumor cells and offers a safe way to treat patients with brain cancer.
A Columbia University study found that most mass murderers in academic settings lacked severe mental illness, with firearms being the primary method used. The researchers suggest that cultural and social factors, such as gun violence romanticization, are key drivers of these events.
A new study published in NEJM Evidence found that crossword puzzle training significantly improved cognitive function and daily activities, reducing brain shrinkage in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The findings suggest that engaging with familiar activities like crossword puzzles may be more effective than computerized co...
A recent study found that nearly 10% of US adults aged 65 and older have dementia, while another 22% have mild cognitive impairment. The prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment increases with age, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds differently.
A study published in Cell found that a Western-style diet high in sugar alters the gut microbiome, leading to metabolic disease, pre-diabetes, and weight gain. Eliminating sugar from the diet restored the protective effects of Th17 immune cells, which were depleted by the sugar.
Researchers have uncovered 60 genes linked to autism spectrum disorder, which may represent a different class of genes associated with core symptoms. The study found that five new genes have a moderate impact on autism characteristics and explain why autism often runs in families.
A new prenatal test called STORK can determine if a fetus or embryo has the right number of chromosomes in under two hours, reducing time and cost. The test is about 10 times less expensive to process per sample and can improve treatment options for women trying to get pregnant.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center developed a novel algorithm that identified nearly 20,000 adverse drug events (ADEs) signals across seven pediatric development stages. The study utilizes predictive modeling on real-world data to overcome limited data within individual stages.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that most IVF embryo failures are due to spontaneous errors in DNA replication during cell division. These errors can cause chromosomal abnormalities, leading to the failure of embryos to develop, a common obstacle in fertility treatments.
Researchers uncovered details about the underlying biology of melanoma brain metastases, including genomics, immunology, and spatial organization. The study found that melanoma brain metastases are more chromosomally unstable than other types of metastases, with potential therapeutic targets in reduced chromosomal instability.
A new study found that subtle brainwaves detectable with EEG are the strongest predictor of eventual recovery for brain-injured patients who appear unresponsive. Covert consciousness, detectable through customized artificial intelligence software, is linked to higher and faster rates of recovery.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that new omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are better at evading vaccines and antibody treatments than previous variants, causing more breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals. Only one available monoclonal antibody treatment remained highly effective against these subvariants.
A study published in Molecular Cell has identified a protein, MSRA, whose level of expression acts as a molecular switch between primary cancer growth and metastasis in PDA cells. The researchers found that high levels of MSRA expression keep the growing cells as part of the primary tumor, while low levels trigger metastasis.
Research reveals cancer cells use fat synthesis pathways that are sensitive to oxygen availability, leading to a crucial dependency on environmental fats. This vulnerability can be targeted by drugs, and altering diet composition may also influence cancer growth.
A new algorithm can analyze thousands of genomic variants to estimate a person's risk of developing chronic kidney disease, with the highest scores indicating tripled risk compared to the general population. Early detection may prevent many cases of kidney failure and reduce the need for transplant or dialysis.
The CONCERN initiative uses AI to analyze nursing documentation and predict patient outcomes, such as organ failure or cardiac arrest. By leveraging nurse expertise, the tool aims to improve patient care and reduce preventable deaths.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that the gene FMNL2 links cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting changes in FMNL2 activity cause toxic protein clearance issues. This mechanism may lead to a way to prevent Alzheimer's in people with hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.