Neuroscientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered that critical nerve cells in mice fire all at the same time, overwhelming the brain's ability to control movement. This finding contradicts current theories behind Parkinson's disease and may help develop new therapeutics.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting affects one out of three patients after surgery, leading to patient dissatisfaction, longer hospital stays, and prolonged recovery. New guidelines incorporate antiemetics and a simple four-point scoring system for identifying high-risk patients.
A new analysis of over 5 million hospital discharges found a significant increase in kidney damage after coronary artery bypass surgery, but a decrease in mortality rate. The study suggests that current prevention strategies may not be effective and more research is needed to identify susceptible patients and effective treatments.
Researchers found that dopamine plays a critical role in regulating sleep and brain activity associated with dreaming. Animal models of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia exhibited sleep disturbances when dopamine levels were reduced or increased, suggesting a link between dopamine imbalances and sleep problems in these conditions.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified the SOX2 gene as crucial for taste bud development, revealing its role in stem cell transformation and cellular differentiation. The findings may lead to a better understanding of developmental disorders and provide insights into how stem cells operate in adults.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found two genetic mutations in the SLITRK1 gene linked to trichotillomania, affecting 3-5% of the population. The study validates a biological basis for mental illnesses and opens the door for genetic testing.
Newly discovered behavior in cancer cells reveals a toggle switch that enables them to morph into highly mobile cells, invade other tissues, and adapt comfortably. This understanding could lead to finding ways to stop metastasis, the most deadly trait of cancer.
A team of researchers has captured images of molecular motors' structural changes using electron microscopy. The findings provide insights into the mechanisms behind these tiny molecules' movements, which power cellular processes like cell division.
A study of over 17,000 heart attack patients found that only 45% regularly took beta blockers during the first year after discharge, highlighting the need for improved adherence strategies. Factors such as age and insurance status may influence medication adherence, suggesting a broader approach to addressing this issue.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that fewer than half of pediatric exclusivity studies were published in peer-reviewed journals, and the results were less likely to be published if the drug was deemed unsafe or ineffective in children. This lack of transparency can lead to detrimental patient care.
Researchers found that nicotine patches reduced depression symptoms in nonsmoking participants, possibly by stimulating brain chemicals. The study suggests manipulating nicotine's effects could lead to new treatments for depression.
Researchers discovered that defects in a crucial brain protein can lead to memory loss, similar to Alzheimer's disease. Mice genetically engineered to have reduced levels of this protein displayed impaired social memory and recognition, but treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors improved their performance.
A study of over 68,000 patients in 44 countries found that Eastern Europeans and Middle Easterners have the highest rates of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from these conditions. The analysis suggests that cardiovascular disease is no longer exclusive to Western, industrialized world.
Researchers discovered variations in the GATA2 gene may predispose individuals to coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease. The discovery could lead to genetic tests predicting an individual's risk of developing the disease, encouraging early behavior modifications.
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of a new drug, daptomycin, for treating bloodstream and heart infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The FDA has approved the drug for these types of infections, offering an alternative to vancomycin.
A new experimental RNA-based drug has been shown to kill prostate cancer cells by targeting specific genes and inducing cell death. The treatment, developed at Duke University Medical Center, was tested in mice and found to shrink tumor size by half without causing any side effects.
The Lung Metagene Predictor scans thousands of genes to identify patterns of gene activity in individual tumors, predicting a patient's likelihood of recurrence and recommending chemotherapy accordingly. The test has the potential to save thousands of lives each year by targeting high-risk patients with aggressive treatment.
A five-year study found that taking atorvastatin soon after a stroke can reduce the risk of recurrent stroke by 16 percent in people with no known history of coronary heart disease. The study also showed that atorvastatin reduces the risk of other major coronary events, such as heart attack and cardiovascular events.
Researchers identified PKD1L3 and PKD2L1 proteins in human taste buds responsible for detecting sour tastes. The discovery could lead to developing ways to alter the perception of sour tastes, such as in children's medicines or health foods that currently taste sweet.
Researchers found great apes outperforming monkeys and lemurs in problem-solving tests across multiple paradigms. This suggests a broad, domain-general type of intelligence that allows them to succeed in various situations, contradicting the theory of specialized skills.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified a gene defect linked to hereditary spastic paraplegia, a rare nervous system disease with no cure. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs targeting the defective gene and provide insights into other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new scoring system can help determine which patients are at the lowest risk of dying after gastric bypass surgery. The system is based on five easy-to-identify patient characteristics and provides a standardized way to compare outcomes among centers performing the surgery.
A study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that patients who received older blood during repeat open-heart procedures had a higher risk of death, kidney damage, and prolonged hospital stays. The researchers also found that the number of transfusions and duration of storage were independent predictors of long-term mortality.
The study identified two novel proteins, Gpb1 and Gbp2, that regulate the Ras oncogene in humans and yeast. These findings have important medical implications for developing new therapies to prevent neurofibromatosis 1-related cancers.
A new international collaboration aims to identify genetic variations that affect the body's response to HIV. By analyzing patient cohorts from nine countries, researchers hope to pinpoint common genes influencing the disease progression and develop a vaccine targeting these responses.
Researchers compared wild rodents to laboratory rodents and found that wild animals had higher levels of antibodies associated with allergy and autoimmune disease. This suggests that a lack of exposure to microbes in modern environments may contribute to these conditions.
In a breakthrough study, researchers found that nerve cells in the olfactory bulb detect individual chemical compounds in odors, rather than perceiving complex mixtures as single objects. The brain integrates these signals to form a recognizable scent, much like combining multiple melodies to hear a symphony.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that telephone counseling can improve the quality of life for patients waiting for a lung transplant, reducing emotional distress and anxiety. The researchers believe this approach could be useful for patients with chronic diseases who cannot access face-to-face counseling due to distance...
A study found that exercise alone can reverse negative effects of inactivity on cardiovascular health, with moderate intensity exercise showing significant benefits. The research suggests that even a small amount of physical activity can reduce risks for developing conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Researchers found that intermittent stresses like high blood pressure cause cardiac abnormalities before the heart enlarges. Exercising mice showed enlarged hearts without damage, while hypertensive mice exhibited structural and cellular changes early on.
Researchers found that the Wnt4 and Fgf9 genes are initially balanced before Sry triggers a cascade leading to testis formation. In contrast, an imbalance between these signals determines sex determination in vertebrates.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed a new formula to predict blood needs in heart surgery, focusing on patient age, weight, and kidney function. The simplified scoring system identifies risk factors for transfusion, aiming to reduce hospital resources and staff time.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that hospitals following nine different treatments recommended by the ACC and AHA had a mortality rate of 4.15 percent, compared to 6.31 percent for those that didn't adhere to guidelines. Improving guideline adherence led to a 10 percent decline in mortality.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a novel growth factor that significantly improves the ability of human fat-derived stem cells to be transformed into cartilage cells. The growth factor, BMP-6, stimulates the production of key biochemical markers of cartilage cell proliferation, suggesting potential for tissu...
The Duke study aims to determine whether a modified form of the investigational bird flu vaccine can trigger a strong immune response at lower doses. The seven-month trial will test varying strengths of the H5N1 vaccine, either with or without an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant.
Researchers discovered that blocking the Hedgehog pathway kills cancer cells while leaving healthy liver tissue intact. This finding offers hope for targeted treatments and diagnostic tests for liver cancer.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center are studying the interaction between genes and environment in promoting cancer. Environmental scientists have identified new culprits in the cancer equation, including chemicals that can damage or mutate genes, and epigenetic alterations that occur without changing a gene's fundamental code.
A study by Duke University researchers found that prenatal exposure to genistein, an active ingredient in soy, reduced obesity in Agouti mice offspring. The findings suggest a link between early life nutrition and long-term health outcomes, and may have implications for human health.
Research reveals that social perception plays a significant role in gaze-following behavior among executive monkeys. Low-ranking macaques exhibit faster reaction times to follow the gaze of other monkeys, while high-ranking individuals are more blasé.
Research reveals older people are far more successful in quitting smoking compared to younger populations, with notable differences in motivations and factors influencing cessation. Notably, female elderly participants are more likely to quit, while health diagnoses such as cancer or heart disease may play a role.
Researchers analyzed data from 30,324 heart attack patients treated at U.S. hospitals and found that the BNP test was primarily used on high-risk patients with congestive heart failure or older age. However, younger and seemingly healthier patients with elevated BNP levels were at a two to four times greater risk of dying in the hospital.
Research found that young pregnant women with pregnancy complications are at increased risk of heart disease and death, with the risk doubling after adjusting for medical factors. Smoking during pregnancy was also found to significantly increase the risk of all-cause death and cardiac death.
A pilot project by Duke University Medical Center achieved a significant reduction in 'door-to-reperfusion' time for patients with heart attacks, cutting it down to 50 minutes. The project used wireless ECG transmission from ambulance paramedics to directly link patients with cardiologists.
Researchers developed a new method to measure EPC levels in blood samples using ALDH activity, which correlates with the degree of coronary artery disease. Patients with lower EPC levels are more likely to have greater disease and increased risk for cardiac events.
A new analysis by Duke Clinical Research Institute researchers reveals that Lumbees have a significantly higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors. The study found that Lumbees who came to the hospital for heart treatment had higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and prior history of coronary artery disease.
Researchers found that patients over 64, especially women and minorities, were less likely to be transferred to larger hospitals with revascularization capabilities. This disparity affects mortality rates, with transferred patients having a lower risk of death than those remaining at community hospitals.
Research finds that John Henryism, a strong coping behavior style, affects emotional reactions and health outcomes among African Americans. High levels of JH are associated with increased rates of health disorders due to excessive goal-driven behavior without adequate resources.
A study found that heart patients taking antidepressants have a 55% higher risk of dying, even after controlling for age and other factors. The researchers suggest that non-pharmocological approaches like exercise may help reduce this risk.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that genetic mutations can affect serotonin levels and glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Another study revealed that men with a certain gene mutation are more susceptible to stress-related health problems when caregivers for relatives with Alzheimer's disease.
Research finds activation of specific brain regions depends on participants' preferences for risk or ambiguity, shedding light on why people make risky choices. The study's results contribute to the emerging field of neuroeconomics, a new area of research that combines neuroscience and economics.