Two Duke University Medical Center scientists, Tannishtha Reya and Michel Bagnat, have won the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Pioneer Award and New Innovator Award respectively. The awards provide $2.5 million and $1.5 million in funding over five years to pursue their research on stem cell growth and fluid secretion.
Researchers at Duke University have made significant progress in developing a portable, easy-to-use diagnostic device that can reveal who is infected with an upper respiratory virus before symptoms appear. The device uses advanced genomic and statistical tools to detect changes in gene expression, known as a 'signature' of infection.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a handheld device that uses SD OCT to create 3-D images of the retina, allowing for early detection of retinopathy of prematurity. The technology can snap pictures up to 40 times faster than previous versions and is being used to analyze data on over 20 infants.
Duke University researchers create a mouse model to study tumor diversity, enabling rapid trial studies and more effective cancer treatment. The study examines genetic pathways and sensitivity to drugs, shedding light on the importance of matching therapies with individual patient characteristics.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have made a breakthrough in understanding how monkeys weigh costs and benefits when deciding whether to explore new options or stick with what they know. By analyzing neural signals in the posterior cingulate cortex, the team was able to predict which strategy the monkey would employ.
Researchers advocate for clearer conflict of interest disclosures in clinical trials to ensure transparency and fairness. Key findings include the need for institutional review boards and study coordinators to play a larger role in disclosing financial relationships that may impact patient decisions.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center propose that the appendix serves a critical function as a safe haven for good bacteria. A new study reveals the appendix is more widespread and has been around for at least 80 million years than previously thought, contradicting Darwin's theory of vestigial organs.
Duke researchers found that bladder cells have a mechanism to detect and expel E. coli bacteria, offering potential new treatments for antibiotic-resistant UTIs and other infections.
Researchers identified a genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, revealing a single-letter DNA change near the IL28B gene. This discovery explains why African-Americans and East Asians respond differently to treatment, highlighting individual genetic makeup as a key determinant of response.
A new study has found that obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer recurrence in both black and white men, with no racial difference observed. Researchers analyzed data from 1,415 patients and found a significant association between higher body mass index and increased risk of cancer recurrence.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that carnitine supplementation improves glucose tolerance in obese rats by restoring their cells' fuel-burning capacity. This breakthrough offers potential therapy options for people with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and kidney disease.
Researchers have identified a genomic 'signature' in circulating blood that reveals exposure to common upper respiratory viruses, such as the cold or flu. This signature reflects subtle but robust changes in genes activated by the body's response to infection, allowing for accurate diagnosis and personalized care.
A study led by Abhinav Chandra found that emergency physicians' estimates of risk for chest pain patients correlate with actual outcomes. The researchers suggest trusting the physician's gut instinct and counseling against discharge when strongly advised, even without compelling data.
Researchers created airway spheres using animal and human cells, providing a new model to study dynamic processes in lung diseases. The 3-D spheres lined with ciliary and secretory cells can be used to investigate mechanisms underlying cancer and chronic asthma.
A large study comparing widely used treatments for chronic hepatitis C infection found similar safety and efficacy in achieving long-term viral eradication. However, subgroup analysis revealed that certain approaches may be better suited for women and minorities, with some treatments showing higher success rates in these groups.
A new study suggests that an osteoporosis medication may be saving lives by strengthening the immune system. Researchers found that while the reduction in secondary fractures accounted for only 8% of the mortality benefit, the risk of mortality was still 23% lower in patients who received the drug.
Researchers have devised a chemical technique to discover brain function and provide clues for treating brain diseases. The technique allows neuroscientists to noninvasively activate entire populations of neurons in an animal brain, promoting understanding of brain function and disease treatment.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that using a nicotine patch before quitting smoking can double success rates. The study suggests that the current labeling should be changed to include pre-cessation patch use, as it appears safe and increases the chances of successful cessation.
Pregnant women are underrepresented in clinical research, but experts say including them in the National Children's Study could yield crucial information for women's health. The study aims to follow children from conception through adulthood, but ethicists recommend adding a few key questions on medication usage to gather valuable data.
Researchers found that HIV-1 damages the gut's B-cell arm of the immune system just days after transmission, disrupting its ability to fight infections. This damage affects both reactive and non-reactive B cells, leading to a weak response against pathogens like influenza.
A large-scale analysis of nearly 60,000 patients found bariatric surgery to be relatively safe with complication rates around 10% and a total mortality rate under 1%. The study's findings indicate improved safety measures in modern weight-loss surgery.
Researchers have identified a fruit fly tumor suppressor gene, PP2A, that can prevent brain tumors from forming. The study suggests that the protein's counterpart in mammals may also play a crucial role in regulating neural stem cell divisions and controlling tumor development.
Researchers tracked three children with DiGeorge Syndrome after thymus tissue transplantation to measure the growth of T-cells and assess receptor diversity. The study found that factors regulating T-cell receptor diversity are a thousand times more common than those treating all T-cells alike.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center followed genetically labeled cells in mouse lungs for over a year to understand natural renewal and healing processes. They found that lung stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining lung function and identified the secretory cell's ability to give rise to ciliated cells.
Women with heavy menstrual cycles may be at risk for undiagnosed bleeding disorders. The new guidelines emphasize recognizing symptoms beyond just heavy bleeding, such as family history and laboratory tests. Early diagnosis can prevent complications like bleeding to death during menstruation, childbirth, or surgical procedures.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that nearly half of people age 65 and older have hearing loss, while one-third have vocal problems. The study suggests a causal relationship between the two disabilities, which can increase depression scores and social isolation.
Neuroscientists at Duke University Medical Center used fMRI to study brain activity while participants made economic decisions. The study found that brain regions associated with rational processing were active when subjects used simplifying strategies, contradicting traditional notions of rational vs. irrational decision-making.
Researchers have discovered that activated stem cells in damaged lungs may lead to rapidly dividing cells that can develop into lung cancer. This finding is significant because it highlights the role of stem cell activation in lung cancer susceptibility, particularly among cigarette smokers.
A recent study found that carbohydrate restriction without weight loss can slow prostate tumor growth by lowering serum insulin levels. The researchers believe that this mechanism is key to fighting prostate cancer growth and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered that a pathogenic yeast species can complete a full sexual cycle despite lacking key reproductive genes. This phenomenon may play a role in the evolution of drug resistance and provides insights into chromosomal abnormalities.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that only 64% of low-income women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer filled any prescriptions for hormonal therapy within 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers also discovered that 40% of the women stopped taking their medication regularly, and 20% stopped using it altogether.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered neurons that mirror the attention of others, which may contribute to social deficits in autism and other disorders. The attention-mirroring neurons were found in the parietal lobe, a part of the brain dedicated to eye movements and attention.
The Pathfinder program, which focuses on body, mind, and spirit, has been found to improve distress and despair in women with metastatic breast cancer. The program provides patient navigation, counseling, and coping skills training, resulting in a higher quality of life for participants.
A recent study has identified four risk factors that can predict survival outcomes for men with metastatic prostate cancer, enabling doctors to choose more effective treatments. The researchers used data from over 1,000 patients and found that pain levels, anemia, cancer spread, and bone progression were key indicators of prognosis.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center studied monkeys playing a game similar to
A study led by Duke University Medical Center found that wireless computers used by cancer patients to log symptoms improved care and furthered cancer research. Patients reported symptoms more honestly, remembered all symptoms since their last appointment, and benefited from personalized educational content.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals how a single disrupted gene can cause Angelman syndrome, a form of severe mental retardation. The researchers found that brain cells in mice with the condition lacked ability to strengthen or weaken connections, but that sensory deprivation could recover plasticity.
Researchers found that heart attack patients who develop serious arrhythmia during procedures face a significantly higher risk of death for several months after the procedure. The study suggests that these episodes complicate outcomes and affect a patient's chance of a successful outcome.
Women suffer up to two and a half times more disabilities than men in their senior years, largely due to higher rates of obesity and arthritis. The study found that these chronic health conditions explain up to 48 percent of the gender gap in disability.
A study coordinated by Duke University Medical Center found that adding the anti-viral drug telaprevir to standard therapy can shorten treatment duration by 50% and improve cure rates by 50%. The new combination therapy showed a sustained viral response rate of 67% in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C.
Researchers found a 72% reduction in risk for tumor inflammation among men taking statins, which may contribute to lower advanced prostate cancer incidence. Statin use could potentially control or prevent prostate cancer through anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers have identified 116 host factors essential for successful dengue infection in fruit flies, with at least one also necessary for mosquito infection. The study opens doors to new ways to prevent or treat the disease, which infects millions globally each year.
A study at Duke University Medical Center has led to the development of a new technique that uses light scattering to determine whether chemotherapy is working. The method, called angle-resolved low coherence interferometry, measures changes in cellular structure following treatment with chemotherapeutic agents.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used new imaging technology to discover nearly 200,000 people in the US suffer 'silent' heart attacks each year. These unrecognized myocardial infarctions are linked to a surprisingly high risk of untimely death and may be more common than previously believed.
A pre-clinical study found that adding dasatinib to standard chemotherapy increases the effectiveness of treatment in ovarian cancers with high SRC expression. This synergistic effect was absent in low SRC expressing cancers, suggesting targeted therapies like dasatinib may improve response rates.
Patients with moderate to severe heart failure who exercised regularly had a 11% lower risk of hospitalization or death compared to those who didn't exercise. Exercise also reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and complications related to heart failure.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center suggests that high protein intake with fat consumption may contribute to insulin resistance in obese individuals. The research found that the combination of branched-chain amino acids and high-fat diets caused changes at the cellular level that can lead to insulin resistance.
A clinical trial found that exercise significantly improves the lives of heart failure patients by improving physical limitations, symptoms, and overall quality of life. The study, which enrolled over 2,300 patients, showed a five-point gain on quality-of-life measures for those who exercised, compared to those who received standard care.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified the molecular pathways triggered by niacin, which could lead to a revival of niacin-based treatments for cholesterol. The discovery suggests that a 'biased ligand' could be developed to target the beneficial effects of niacin while minimizing its flushing side effect.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a receptor on human glioblastoma cells that may be an appropriate target for therapies. Activation of the neurokinin 1 receptor leads to increased cell growth, but blocking this activity can reduce cell death and potentially stall cancer growth.