Researchers have discovered that synchronization of brain neurons is critical for establishing fear memories, which can become too strong in people with PTSD. The study found that synchronized neurons are more likely to be recalled from memory.
A comprehensive review of COVID-19's non-respiratory effects reveals high rates of blood clots, kidney failure, and neurological symptoms. The review highlights the need for clinicians to consider COVID-19 as a multisystem disease requiring treatment beyond respiratory support.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center can predict PTSD risk in trauma survivors with high precision. The tool uses routinely collected medical data and has been tested on 377 adult trauma survivors, with 90% of those categorized as PTSD risks developing long-lasting symptoms within a year.
Researchers have developed eye drops that target caspase-9 enzyme to treat retinal vein occlusion, a common cause of blindness. The treatment has shown promise in improving retinal function and reducing swelling in a mouse model of the condition.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that far-UVC light can safely kill more than 99.9% of seasonal coronaviruses present in airborne droplets. Continuous exposure to far-UVC light could greatly reduce the level of airborne virus in indoor environments occupied by people.
A study of 140 WNBA players reveals their hearts are larger and thicker than most women, due to physical conditioning and height. The research provides a normative dataset for female athletes, enabling better identification of cardiac problems.
Healthcare workers experienced high levels of acute stress, anxiety, and depression due to prolonged patient contact. Nurses were particularly affected by the environment's psychological toll, with many exhibiting symptoms of insomnia and loneliness.
A newly discovered gene RBFOX1 may drive the first appearance of amyloid plaques in the brain, contributing to Alzheimer's disease. The study found that variants of RBFOX1 increase protein fragments making up amyloid plaques and disrupt critical connections between neurons.
A Columbia University study found that crowded homes and poor neighborhoods increase the risk of COVID-19 infection. Women living in high-density households were three times more likely to contract the virus.
A meta-analysis of 15 studies found that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer is linked to a 71% higher risk of recurrence or death compared to open surgery. The study's findings suggest that the benefits of minimally invasive procedures may not outweigh the risks for this specific type of cancer.
A new study found that people with small airways relative to their lungs' volume are at increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regardless of smoking habits. Individuals with smaller airways had the poorest lung function and were 8 times more likely to develop COPD.
A recent study found that hospitalized NYC COVID-19 patients had higher rates of kidney complications and needed mechanical ventilation more frequently than other patient groups. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients treated at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center between March and April 2020.
The study found that prescriptions for buprenorphine treatment increased significantly among adults, particularly those prescribed by primary care providers. However, access to treatment decreased among young adults and teens, primarily due to a decline in prescriptions from psychiatrists and addiction medicine specialists.
Researchers discovered mathematical relationships describing gut microbiome dynamics, including Taylor's power law and drift rates. These principles help identify abnormal bacterial behavior and predict how dietary changes affect microbiomes.
A new study estimates that nearly 3 million US children have visual-spatial learning disorder, affecting math, executive function, and fine motor skills. The disorder is often overlooked due to its name and lack of consensus among physicians on diagnosis and treatment.
A new study found that starving pancreatic cancer cells of cysteine leads to their death by ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death. The compound was shown to be effective in mice with pancreatic cancer and may lead to new treatments for this deadly disease.
Four research teams at Columbia University will pursue four different approaches to develop drugs and antibodies against the new coronavirus. They aim to identify protease inhibitors, polymerase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, with the goal of advancing at least one compound into clinical trials within a year.
A new study has found that the guideline-recommended diuretic chlorthalidone causes more serious side effects, including hypokalemia and kidney problems, compared to hydrochlorothiazide. The study analyzed data from over 730,000 individuals treated for hypertension.
A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that women who sleep poorly tend to overeat and consume lower-quality diets. Women with poorer sleep quality consumed more added sugars, calories, and unhealthy fats, while those with insomnia symptoms ate more food by weight.
A clinical research program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center will treat eight more ALS patients with FUS mutations using the investigational therapy jacifusen. The program aims to expand access to treatments for rare ALS subtypes associated with gene mutations.
A new study led by pediatric cardiologist Brett Anderson aims to uncover the reasons behind health inequities in poor children who undergo heart surgery. The research will analyze data from 11 hospitals across New York state to identify mechanisms driving disparities in outcomes.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found putrescine, a compound responsible for the foul smell of decomposing flesh, may help treat atherosclerosis. The study suggests putrescine's role in removing dead cells through efferocytosis could improve plaques and prevent chronic inflammation.
A new study from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons found that non-medical cannabis use is significantly more common in adults with pain than those without pain. Adults with moderate to severe pain are at a higher risk for frequent non-medical cannabis use and cannabis use disorder.
Buprenorphine use has more than doubled nationwide between 2009 and 2018, with increases seen across most age groups. However, a notable decline was observed among 15-24-year-olds, who experienced a 20% decrease in treatment rates.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that approximately 2 million adults in the US who have cardiovascular disease currently use or have used marijuana. The review also reveals that cannabinoids can interact with drugs used to treat heart disease, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Researchers identify excessive brain activity in the cerebellum as the source of essential tremor, a condition affecting 4% of people over 40. Using neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial direct-current stimulation or drugs to reduce transmission between nerve cells, may provide new treatment options.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, a type of flame retardant, may increase the risk of reading problems in children. The study suggests that these chemicals can alter brain processes involved in reading, leading to a less efficient reading network.
A new study found that chemicals in common skincare products can trigger allergic contact dermatitis by displacing natural lipids on skin cells. Researchers identified CD1a molecules as a key player in this process and discovered competing lipids that can displace triggering chemicals, potentially treating the condition.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a new gene editing tool called INTEGRATE, which uses cryo-electron microscopy to capture high-resolution images of the complex in action. The tool appears to work by targeting DNA for accurate insertion of genetic payloads without introducing DNA breaks.
A study published in JAMA found that only 4% of opioid-related overdose deaths are due to suicide, contradicting recent estimates. The research suggests that the primary focus should be on substance use rather than suicide for most individuals who overdose on opioids.
A new study by Columbia University researchers suggests that a diet high in refined carbohydrates, particularly added sugars, may be partly to blame for insomnia. Women who consumed more vegetables and whole fruits were less likely to develop problems with insomnia.
A new study reveals structural brain differences in children at high risk for depression due to parental history of depression. The right putamen region was found to be smaller in these children compared to those without a family history of depression.
Researchers found that a single infusion of ketamine combined with outpatient behavioral therapy helped individuals with alcohol use disorder abstain from drinking for several weeks. The study suggests that ketamine may improve motivation and reduce demoralization after a lapse, leading to better abstinence rates.
A new study found that people with opioid addiction face a high risk of overdose after ending treatment with buprenorphine, even when treated for 18 months. The longer patients continued with treatment, the lower their risk of other adverse outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that malaria parasites use a specific protein to evade frontline treatment, leading to rapid development of antimalarial resistance. The study suggests ways to restore potency and monitor for emerging resistance in Southeast Asia.
A study discovered contagious cancer in shellfish that has spread across the Atlantic Ocean and into the Pacific. Researchers believe ships may have transported infected mussels, delivering the disease to new regions. The findings could help develop plans to protect marine life and inform human cancer metastasis research.
A new study found that even slight impairments in hearing can lead to decreased cognitive function, with the largest decline occurring in those whose hearing was just starting to become impaired. The researchers suggest that treating hearing loss could reduce dementia incidence by up to 9%.
Scientists at Columbia University have successfully grown fully functional lungs in mouse embryos using transplanted stem cells. The innovative technique has shown promising results, suggesting that it may eventually be possible to generate human lungs in animals for transplantation and studying new treatments.
A new study found that higher education may protect against cognitive decline in older non-Hispanic black people with the APOE e4 gene, a major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that individuals with more than a high school degree performed similarly to non-carriers on memory tests.
A new study found that performing well on two brief tests measuring cognitive ability and odor identification indicates very low risk for Alzheimer's. The tests may offer an accurate way to distinguish between those at risk for Alzheimer's and those with ordinary age-related memory decline.
A new study of nearly 5 million patients shows that ACE inhibitors are not as effective in treating hypertension as thiazide diuretics, which cause fewer cardiovascular events. The research highlights the need for more evidence to guide drug selection in treating high blood pressure.
Columbia University researchers have captured the most detailed images yet of a temperature-sensing molecule in its open, intermediate, and closed states. The findings will help us understand the mechanics of hot and cold sensation, which could accelerate the development of drugs for inflammatory skin disease, itch, and pain.
Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center identifies the types of physical and psychological stress that may matter most to pregnant women. Physically stressed mothers are more likely to give birth prematurely and have a female baby, while socially supported mothers are more likely to have a male baby.
A new study led by Columbia University researchers found that people who smoke just a few cigarettes a day can still experience long-term lung damage. The study also showed that the rate of decline in lung function among light smokers is closer to that of heavy smokers than previously thought.
A new study has identified 233 genetic sites that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility, highlighting the involvement of peripheral immune cells and microglia. The findings confirm earlier results and provide a rich perspective on the molecular events leading to MS.
A recent study suggests that osteocalcin, a hormone released by the skeleton, is necessary for the fight or flight response to be triggered in bony vertebrates. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that adrenaline drives this response.
A new study found that nearly one-third of kidney transplant candidates die or are removed from the list without receiving a transplant, with many having had multiple organ offers declined. The research highlights concerns about the allocation system and suggests better communication between patients and transplant centers could improv...
Biologists at Columbia University created a detailed map of protein-protein interactions between human-infecting viruses and infected cells. The study revealed insights into Zika virus infection and HPV's role in cancer, with potential implications for diagnostics and vaccine development.
A new study found that multiple-birth infants are at a higher risk of wrong-patient order errors in the NICU, with errors between siblings accounting for most excess risk. The risk grows with increasing number of siblings, and using given names or pseudonyms can help reduce the risk
A new study suggests that Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in cystic fibrosis lungs due to an abundance of succinate, a byproduct of cellular metabolism. This excess succinate fuels the growth of the bacteria and promotes chronic infections.