A team from Duke University Medical Center isolated sex-determining genes from an ancient fungus, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, which contains insights into the evolution of human sexual differentiation. The findings suggest that HMG-domain proteins may have marked the beginning of sex determination in both fungi and humans.
A new study led by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that older patients over the age of 60 who undergo elective surgeries are at an increased risk for long-term cognitive problems. The elderly were more likely to die in the first year after surgery, and education protected against postoperative cognitive problems.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center shows that even a modest amount of brisk walking weekly can trim waistlines and cut the risk of metabolic syndrome. The research found that participants who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day, six days a week, saw significant benefits in reduced MetS scores.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that monkeys can perform mental arithmetic, solving problems with accuracy and speed similar to those of college students. The study suggests that basic arithmetic may be part of our shared evolutionary past.
A recent study has found that umbilical cord blood transplants can be a successful treatment option for children with inherited metabolic disorders, offering improved outcomes compared to bone marrow transplants. The procedure has shown advantages in terms of availability and reduced risk of complications.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified four blood proteins that can distinguish patients with lung cancer from those without. The blood test, which uses a classification tree to sort out likelihoods, shows promise as a less-invasive follow-up for patients with suspicious lesions.
Researchers have discovered 156 new likely imprinted genes in the human genome, including those linked to cancer, diabetes, and autism. The findings offer clues to better disease prevention and management.
Researchers found that eltrombopag boosted platelet counts in a majority of patients with low platelet counts and cirrhosis due to HCV infection, allowing most to continue or start conventional antiviral treatment. The study's results are an important development for people infected with the hepatitis C virus worldwide.
A new study led by Duke Prostate Center researchers found that obese men may be missing cancers because the blood marker used to detect prostate cancer can be diluted in their bodies. The concentration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood is lower in obese men due to increased blood volume.
A low-carb diet may help stunt prostate tumor growth by reducing insulin production, according to a new study. The study found that mice on a low-carb diet had longer survival and smaller tumors than those on other diets.
Duke University neuroscientists discovered that the brain region processing global gist of an event is more active in individuals with false memories. This finding could lead to tools for early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and a better understanding of memory changes during aging.
Researchers found that adding stents to clot-busting therapy after the optimal treatment window ends doesn't provide significant long-term benefits. The study, which looked at 951 patients, also revealed higher medical costs associated with delayed angioplasty.
A North Carolina team of doctors and nurses has created a model to provide faster treatment for heart attack patients. The RACE project uses caregivers from 65 hospitals and emergency medical teams throughout the state to diagnose and treat heart attacks more quickly, with median times improving by 22%.
Duke researchers identified a new brain marker that may help predict future Alzheimer's disease by tracking deactivation of the posteromedial cortex. A third of individuals with mild cognitive impairment converted to Alzheimer's in three years, with fMRI scans predicting this progression.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered that auditory and visual information are integrated in the brain before being sent to the cortex. The findings suggest that hearing and vision may be more closely linked than previously believed, with implications for understanding how we perceive the world around us.
An international panel of researchers developed guidelines to prevent and treat venous thromboembolism, a deadly complication of cancer. The new guidelines recommend the use of anticoagulants in hospitalized cancer patients and suggest treating blood clots for at least six months afterwards.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered how gold eases pain of arthritis by blocking release of HMGB1 from the nucleus, weakening inflammatory response. Gold inhibits HMGB1 release using interferon beta and nitric oxide, a promising mechanism for new treatments.
A common human virus, Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), has been found to be associated with the deadliest form of brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a vaccine targeting HCMV that could empower the body's immune system to fight infected tumor cells and destroy cancer.
Researchers found that patients who openly discussed their HIV status had better adherence to medication regimens and lower rates of treatment failure. Free medication and social support also increased the chances of patients continuing treatment.
High-risk individuals face barriers to testing, including lack of healthcare access and mental health issues. Despite CDC efforts, only 27% of those at highest risk have been tested in the past year, highlighting untapped potential for increased testing rates.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center analyzed 8,300 heart surgery patients and found no association between transfused female plasma and adverse outcomes, even a potential protective effect.
A new study found that a combination of bevacizumab (Avastin) and chemotherapy may increase survival time for patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly type of brain tumor. The treatment showed promising results in improving outcomes for patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease.
Acupuncture significantly reduces post-surgical pain and opioid use, with lower rates of nausea, itching, dizziness, and urinary retention. The treatment is also inexpensive and has virtually no side effects when performed by trained personnel.
A study by Duke University researchers found that African-American men have a slightly higher risk of PSA recurrence after prostate cancer treatment. Despite this, the disease's aggressiveness remains similar across racial groups.
Millions of patients receive transfusions with impaired blood, which can lead to heart attacks and death. Researchers found that adding nitric oxide back to stored blood restores its ability to deliver oxygen.
Research suggests the appendix serves as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria, protecting them from harm and allowing them to repopulate the gut after diarrhea. This discovery challenges the long-held view of the appendix's uselessness.
A new study found that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy did not notice restrictions in their treatment access following the enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act. Despite significant reductions in government reimbursement to oncologists, patients perceived no barriers to their care.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center analyzed Medicare records of over 236,000 patients between 1999 and 2005, finding that men were two to three times more likely than women to receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The study also revealed racial disparities in ICD use, with white men receiving the most devices.
Researchers found that only 35% of eligible patients had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) installed or planned. Women and minorities are less likely to receive ICDs than white men, highlighting a need for improved treatment options.
Studies in mice reveal that ozone exposure enhances lung injury in response to bacterial toxins and boosts programmed cell death in innate immune system cells. This can lead to an overactive immune response, killing key immune cells and potentially making the lung more vulnerable to subsequent invaders.
A new study led by Duke University researchers found distinct differences in tumor susceptibility to chemotherapy drugs based on gene expression profiling. This allows clinicians to predict which patients are most likely to respond to standard therapy and offers alternative options for those not responding.
A molecular recycling plant has been found in the brain that enables nerve cells to record new experiences and maintain memories over time. This process involves the constant movement of receptors around synapses, which are then recycled and returned intact.
Researchers discovered that specific genetic variants of an odor receptor determine how people perceive pleasant or unpleasant odors. The study focused on two sex steroid-derived chemicals and found that different genetic variations led to varying reactions.
Researchers have identified a promising drug combination that may help treat metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. The combination of decitabine and interferon gamma has shown to cause cancer cell death in human cell lines derived from patients with uveal melanoma.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that blocking two immune system proteins, IL-1 and TNF, can promote healing in damaged meniscus tissue. The study, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, suggests a new approach to treating knee injuries and osteoarthritis.
Researchers discovered that mice without a key brain protein exhibited OCD-like behavior, including compulsive grooming and anxiety. Restoring the protein improved behaviors, suggesting a possible synaptic defect as the cause of OCD-like symptoms.
A combination of two drugs, interferon alpha and sorafenib, is more effective than either drug alone in treating renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer. The treatment doubles the survival time of patients with stage IV disease.
A new study found that pregnant mothers taking folic acid or genistein supplements can protect their offspring from the negative effects of BPA, a common chemical used in plastics. The study showed that even low levels of BPA exposure can cause epigenetic changes in offspring, leading to increased disease susceptibility.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a novel gene associated with increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis, which increases risk by 30%. The gene variant affects the function of interleukin-7 receptor alpha, guiding immune system cell development and growth.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that a white blood cell booster can significantly reduce the risk of chemotherapy-related complications characterized by fever and low white blood cell levels. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, involved over 3,000 patients and showed that patients taking the drug ...
Researchers have discovered three gene variants in HIV-infected patients that may help fight off the virus and delay AIDS onset. The genes, particularly HLA-C, could be key targets for an HIV vaccine designed to boost immune system control.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered that the overactive Ras gene is responsible for above-normal secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which drives tumor growth. Inhibiting IL-6 production reduces new blood vessel creation, crucial for tumor development and nourishment.
A study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University found that 60% of infertile couples would be likely to donate unused embryos for stem cell research. The number of available embryos could be 10 times higher than previous estimates, resulting in a potential 100-fold increase in stem cell lines.
Researchers discovered that lapatinib activates a protective pathway in heart cells, while trastuzumab does not. This difference may lead to the development of new drugs with fewer cardiovascular side effects.
A study found that paying hospitals extra money for following treatment guidelines didn't improve patient outcomes. However, providing hospitals with the necessary information to improve care did lead to better results.
Researchers discovered patterns of cellular activity that confer poorer prognoses in younger women with breast cancer, highlighting the need for age-appropriate targeted therapies. The study aims to identify effective treatments targeting these tumor cell activities in premenopausal women.
A recent study published by researchers at Duke University Medical Center and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found that chemotherapy may actually enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines used to treat brain tumors. The process by which immune cells regenerate after being wiped out by chemotherapy makes the...
A new study by Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers shows that E Tables may be useful in collecting patient history data and conducting clinical research. Patients report being satisfied with the tablets and finding them comparable to paper forms in terms of data quality.
A new study published by Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease are no more likely to receive an early cancer diagnosis due to frequent healthcare interactions. Screening is still crucial regardless of medical management.
A new genomic test can identify specific patterns among thousands of genes to determine the precise pathways that led to lung cancer. Researchers found that tumors with defects in certain pathways responded well to targeted therapy, offering a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy.