A recent study found significant racial, age and geographic disparities in the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a treatment for heart failure. The research examined nearly 34,000 hospital admissions and discovered that CRT was underutilized in certain populations, such as older patients and those from the Northeast.
A study published by researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that only one-fifth of men under age 50 reported undergoing a PSA test in the previous year. Black men and men with a family history are disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for increased awareness and screening efforts.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified two types of cells in the brain that can give rise to medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor. The study provides critical insight into how cancers develop and may help develop more rational and effective approaches to treatment.
Research finds that PSA screening can lead to delayed diagnosis and more aggressive cancer outcomes for obese men. The study suggests that alternative screening methods or lower threshold for worrisome PSA levels may be necessary for this population.
Male fruit flies lacking the Gr32a gene become confused in matters of love, attempting sex with other males and females who have already mated. This study reveals the critical role of pheromone signals in determining mating status.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that inhaling stomach fluid can drive the development of asthma by altering the immune system's response. This study suggests chronic micro-aspiration of gastric fluid may be a key factor in linking GERD and asthma, offering new directions for treatment options.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that HIV-1 cripples the immune system earlier than previously believed, with significant cell death occurring within five to seven days after infection. The study suggests a new approach to vaccine design, requiring multiple arms of the immune system to be activated and targeted.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified 48 'poised gene cassette' genes that are tightly controlled in tumors, making them potential targets for cancer treatment. These genes showed subtle yet significant differences in expression between highly metastatic and non-metastatic cells.
Researchers discovered young women's breast cancers share unique genomic traits, including activated gene sets that distinguish them from older woman's tumors. These findings may lead to the development of targeted therapies for younger patients.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that changes in doctors' reimbursement for chemotherapy treatments did not affect patients' access to care. The study measured patient access by looking at distance traveled and time between diagnosis and initiation of chemotherapy.
Duke University scientists discovered how the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) hides during its inactive phase, using molecular understanding to provide a framework for studying latent viruses. The findings also offer hope for a potential cure by activating and killing the dormant virus with a new drug.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that antipsychotic medications can reduce community violence in schizophrenia patients, but only among those with psychotic symptoms. Childhood conduct problems, substance abuse, and poverty remain significant predictors of violent behavior.
Researchers recommend HIV screening for most adults aged 55 to 75 due to its cost-effectiveness and potential to prolong life. The study found that screening in this age group could add half a year to the life of an HIV-positive patient under 65 and four months for those over 65.
Researchers found that solid tumor cells can adapt to chemotherapy and radiation by increasing a regulatory factor called HIF1, which drives oxygen production and growth. Blocking HIF1 may provide a clear mechanism for killing resistant tumor cells.
Researchers found that cells lacking iron reorganize their metabolism to use less efficient glucose-based pathways, producing lower energy levels. This mechanism may help explain human responses to iron deficiency and potentially aid in diabetes research.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that heart failure patients significantly overestimate their life expectancy, with an average prediction of 13 years beyond accepted survival models. Despite this, patients' predictions showed no correlation with disease severity or clinical outcomes.
A new vaccine targets glioblastoma multiforme, doubling survival time and more than quadrupling progression-free survival. The vaccine has caused virtually no side effects, making it a promising therapy for this deadly brain tumor.
Researchers identified genetic variants that influence treatment outcome for smoking cessation treatments, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion. These variants may help tailor treatment to individual smokers, increasing the likelihood of success.
A pilot study at Duke University Medical Center found that disabling a protein on melanoma cells makes them more vulnerable to chemotherapy, resulting in complete responses in 8 out of 16 patients. The compound ADH-1 was tested in combination with chemotherapy and showed promising results.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a subset of immune system B cells that can regulate inflammation. These regulatory B cells, called B10 cells, produce a potent cytokine that inhibits immune responses. Depleting or enhancing these cells may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
A new study reveals the nitric oxide system plays a crucial role in regulating proteins and controlling cellular activity. The discovery opens up new avenues for biochemical research and potential therapeutic applications.
Neuroscience researchers found that sleep-deprived brains can process simple visuals but struggle with higher-level visual tasks, such as recognizing letters. The study suggests that sleep deprivation can lead to periods of normal functioning followed by severe drops in visual processing and attention.
A new study led by Duke University researchers found that lung cancer patients can tolerate exercise after surgery, leading to improved tolerance for physical activity and better overall quality of life. The 14-week study showed significant gains in aerobic fitness and reduced fatigue among participants.,
A new study suggests that targeting and disabling a protein in melanoma tumors can make them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. Researchers found that combining targeted therapy with melphalan chemotherapy reduced tumor size by up to 30-fold, compared to chemotherapy alone.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that chemotherapy can boost the immune system's response to cancer vaccines, potentially improving their effectiveness. In a phase I study, patients who received multiple doses of chemotherapy along with a vaccine showed enhanced immune responses.
A new vaccine targeting human cytomegalovirus (CMV) shows promise in delaying the recurrence of deadly brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The study found that patients receiving the vaccine experienced a significant delay in tumor regrowth, with overall survival extended to over 20 months.
Research at Duke University Medical Center found that most published articles about coronary stents do not disclose authors' financial relationships, which may bias scientific data interpretation. The study highlights the need for transparency and standardized conflict of interest information in medical research.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that blocking the CaMKK2 brain enzyme decreases appetite and promotes weight loss in mice. The study also showed that this enzyme is required for appetite control and protects against obesity-related health issues.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that adolescent rats who demonstrated a taste for alcohol after only three nights of drinking were likely to become the biggest drinkers later on. The research suggests that early drinking patterns may be set and targets efforts to prevent alcoholism in these individuals.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered that beta arrestins, which stop cell signals, also initiate pathways to produce new proteins in virtually all tissues. This new pathway has opened up new avenues for studying protein manufacturing and controlling biological functions.
Researchers at Duke University have made a major advance in understanding how bacteria divide, paving the way for new antibiotic treatments. They created an artificial system that demonstrates the importance of FtsZ protein in bacterial cell division.
Researchers have found that cancer cells use glucose to avoid programmed cell death and maintain survival through the protein Akt. By exploiting this mechanism, cancer cells can bypass normal safeguards and continue to grow even without growth factors.
A study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that exercising mice grew prostate tumors twice as fast as non-exercising mice, potentially leading to improved drug delivery models for cancer treatment. The exercise may increase blood flow to tumors, allowing for better distribution of medicine.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that disclosing a researcher's financial interests does not deter clinical trial participants, unless it involves ownership of equity. Patients rated financial disclosures as less important than risks and benefits when making their decisions.
A new study combines clinical characteristics with genomic profiles to predict breast cancer prognosis and guide treatment. By matching the right drugs with the right patients, researchers aim to provide more personalized treatment strategies.
A long-term study of over 1 million men and women found that preterm birth contributes to lower educational achievement and higher rates of infertility. The study also found a link between preterm birth and an increased risk of complications in future offspring, with the earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk.
The study reveals that the switch is bistable, maintaining its on state even without external signals, and provides clues for novel drug targets for cancer and other diseases. The findings have implications for understanding cell fate decisions and the process of cell death.
Biologists at Duke University Medical Center have discovered microRNAs that control the regeneration of zebrafish fins. The study found that reducing levels of one microRNA, miR-133, speeds up fin regrowth, while increasing it slows it down. This discovery could lead to new ways to stimulate human tissue regeneration.
A gene therapy treatment has been developed to restore a missing liver enzyme in people with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia). The treatment has shown promising results in animal studies, with protected blood glucose levels for up to a year. Further research is needed to test the safety and efficacy of the treatment in humans.
Researchers found that personal contact and computer-based support systems helped participants maintain weight loss for two and a half years. Over 70% of participants weighed less at the end of the study than when they started, with those in the personal contact group achieving the highest success rate.
Researchers found that poor sleep is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress, depression, anger, and hostility in women. Women who reported longer time to fall asleep had higher levels of inflammatory proteins and insulin.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that heart failure incidence declined among the very elderly, while overall cases rose due to an aging population. The study examined Medicare beneficiaries' claims between 1994 and 2003 and found a decline in heart failure rates among those aged 80-84 years old.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a genetic mutation linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects blood flow in the legs. The study found that one strain of mice with surgically-induced PAD-like injury showed greater tissue loss and poor recovery, while another strain recovered well.
A large-scale study confirms that the cardiac surgery drug aprotinin increases death rates and damages kidney function. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 patients and found that those who received aprotinin had higher mortality rates and impaired kidney function compared to those who did not.
Researchers found that mildly obese men's PSA scores were fourteen percent lower than normal-weight men, while moderately and severely obese men had 29 percent lower PSA values. The study highlights the need to reconsider PSA threshold values for heavier patients to ensure timely diagnosis.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center tested the novel drug KAI-9803 in a clinical trial, finding promising signs of beneficial activity. Early data suggest that KAI-9803 may limit damage caused by reperfusion injury following PCI.
Researchers found that the biodegradable film reduced severe scarring by 30% compared to controls. The film was effective in reducing adhesions in patients with high-risk procedures, such as cardiopulmonary bypass and delayed incisions.
Researchers tracked participants' glucose levels over 72 hours to find that consuming caffeine increased average daily sugar levels by 8%. Eliminating caffeine from the diet might be a good way to manage blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes.
A new resource identifies regions of the human genome that regulate gene expression, shedding light on biological processes and potential disease mechanisms. The study's findings may aid in developing treatments by turning harmful genes off or increasing helpful ones.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new pathway involving BRCA1 in repairing damaged DNA, which may explain the increased breast cancer risk in women with mutated BRCA1 genes. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for women with and without BRCA1 mutations.