Researchers found that a specific gene variant, e4, is linked to higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH), a severe form of stroke, in African Americans. The study also revealed that these strokes occur at an earlier age in African Americans compared to whites.
A nationwide survey found that 91% of major stroke programs have acute stroke teams, with most costing less than $10,000 per year to operate. The teams are led by attending neurologists and/or neurosurgeons, and can respond to calls within 10 minutes.
Researchers found a unique link between brain lesions, depression, and heart disease in elderly patients. Vascular depression, caused by narrowing of small blood vessels, is responsible for 30-40% of all depression in people over 65.
Researchers have identified a new tick-borne disease in North Carolina and the Southeast that is distinct from Lyme disease. The disease, caused by an unknown organism, produces symptoms similar to ehrlichiosis but without a telltale rash. Investigation led by Dr. Kathryn Kirkland suggests the infection can be cured with antibiotics.
The second Dynamics Days international conference will bring together experts in chaos, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems to share their research. Speakers will discuss topics such as internet storms, animal coordination, extinction causes, and pattern formations.
Scientists have found that exposure to Pfiesteria toxin can cause significant learning deficits in rats, impairing their ability to learn new tasks but not memory recall. The study's findings suggest a growing human health concern and hazard to marine estuaries along the Atlantic coastal waters.
A national trial is underway to determine the effectiveness of removing portions of lungs in patients with severe emphysema. The study aims to find out if the procedure improves long-term outcomes and reduces complications for patients with this debilitating disease.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center found that heart attack patients who experience a stroke shortly after have significantly higher medical costs, with an average increase of $12,030. The cost disparity is largely due to longer hospital stays and the need for institutional care.
A new blood test that measures troponin T, a protein released by dying heart muscle during heart attacks, can identify high-risk patients and predict long-term risk. The test has been shown to detect cardiac events or death within 30 days with high accuracy.
Researchers found that fragments of chromosome 11 slow tumor growth in mice and cell cultures, suggesting a tumor suppressor gene may be present. The study provides new hope for treating lung cancer patients by identifying a potential target for therapy.
A recent study found that patients who received the anti-clotting drug ReoPro before angioplasty had a 19% lower risk of needing coronary artery bypass graft surgery within six months. The study, which involved 5,641 patients, also showed significant cost savings in treating heart patients.
A Duke University Medical Center study of patients from 57 hospitals found that treating a heart attack with direct angioplasty fails to save substantially more lives than therapy with clot-busting drugs. The rate of death or second heart attack was not statistically different between the two therapies.
Researchers found that angioplasties in high-volume centers with skilled physicians had low mortality rates and comparable heart attack rates compared to younger patients. The study suggests that elderly patients can benefit from angioplasty when appropriate candidates, paving the way for more advanced care.
Researchers found that using Interferon-alpha, a cancer treatment agent, can extend the preservation time of donor livers and improve their function. This novel approach may significantly help future liver transplant patients by allowing for more time to prepare the organ.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have used glowing jellyfish protein to study how cells transform from embryos to larvae in fruit flies. The studies shed light on how cells cinch shut during dorsal closure, a process comparable to neural tube closure in developing mammalian fetuses.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully revived flagging heart cells in laboratory vials using gene therapy. The treatment, which targets a protein kinase involved in heart muscle contraction, shows promise as a potential new drug target for treating congestive heart failure.
Declining taste and smell in elderly people can lead to malnutrition, lowered immunity, and chronic diseases. Enhanced foods with flavored powders may help increase flavor and enjoyment, potentially boosting immune status.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that a Tie2 inhibitor can significantly slow the growth of tumors on rats by preventing nearby blood vessels from forming capillaries to feed the cancer. The treatment slowed tumor growth by 75 percent and reduced vessel length density by 40 percent.
Scientists have identified a new genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, accounting for up to 15% of cases. The gene located on chromosome 12 works independently of the previously discovered ApoE gene, which accounts for half of all patients with the disease.
Researchers found that high 'free' testosterone levels in adulthood and a small shoulder span may be related to hormone levels at various stages of development, suggesting a link between these factors and prostate cancer risk. Further study is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a hepatitis infection converts the liver into a 'cancer time bomb' by converting it into billions of cancer-prone cells. The virus makes even apparently healthy cells lose one of two copies of a protective tumor suppressor gene, making them vulnerable to further genetic damage.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a genetically engineered enzyme treatment to address Pompe disease, a condition causing skeletal, heart, and lung muscle destruction. The new therapy will be tested in infants with the most severe symptoms first.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a cell component called the spectrosome that guides reproductive cells to self-renew and mature differentiated cells in fruit flies. The finding may help explain how men continuously produce sperm and why some stem cells lose control, forming cancerous tumors.
Researchers have identified a new compound, GW5638, that strengthens bones and improves cardiovascular health like natural estrogen, while stopping the growth of cancer in uterine cells. The compound's potential may replace tamoxifen as a treatment for breast cancer.
A Duke University Medical Center study reveals that early marrow transplants can cure nearly all cases of severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), a previously fatal disorder. The research found that treating the disease within three months of birth and using 'half-matched' parental marrow can significantly improve survival rates.
Duke University Medical Center is testing a new laser system to pierce blood-carrying channels in ailing heart muscle, showing promising results for eight treated patients. The procedure, known as transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), creates new passageways that increase oxygenation and functional heart muscle.
Researchers find nitric oxide controls genes, influencing myriad body functions. The discovery offers a new approach to developing antibiotic drugs to disarm invasive bacteria.
Researchers identify a molecular 'safety key' that normally regulates cell growth, and discovering how it can be disrupted to trigger cancer. The team found a protein called Abi-2 that fits into the normal enzyme cABL, keeping it turned off, and proposes a new way to treat cancers by targeting this molecular pathway.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found no correlation between high-sugar diets and weight loss, mood alterations, or metabolic effects. Instead, they discovered that the body processes simple and complex carbohydrates similarly, regardless of sugar content.
A meta-analysis of 165 clinical trials shows women and men respond equally to drug treatments, challenging traditional recognition of heart disease in women. The study's findings have implications for policy makers and treatment protocols.