A new scaffold derived from a pig's meniscus has shown promise in repairing torn meniscus tissue. In lab tests, repairs aided by the scaffold resulted in stronger meniscus repairs after four weeks compared to natural healing.
A pre-clinical study led by Duke University Medical Center identified an enzyme in cells involved in regulating breast cancer growth and spread. Inhibiting this enzyme's activity allowed T-cells to mount an immune attack on cancer cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients.
A team of scientists at Duke University Medical Center has discovered a previously unidentified route for antibodies to be transferred from the mother to the fetus, which could lead to safer and more effective vaccines. This finding provides a potential way to control when and how certain antibodies are shared.
Researchers found that specific financial skills declined with age and at the earliest stages of mild memory impairment. As amyloid plaques buildup increases, a person's ability to understand and apply basic financial concepts declines, making financial management falters more likely.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered how prostate cancer cells develop to mimic bone-forming cells, enabling proliferation in the bone microenvironment. This understanding could lead to more effective use of radium-233 and development of new therapies to treat or prevent prostate cancer spread to bone.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that hospitals performing the highest volume of TAVR procedures have significantly lower mortality rates compared to those performing fewer procedures. This relationship held true even after accounting for the learning curve and individual proceduralist performance.
A recent study found that less than 10% of US doctors' treatment recommendations for heart patients are based on evidence from multiple large, randomized clinical trials. The majority rely on lower-quality data, with only 8.5% supported by Level A evidence.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that loss of blood vessels in the retina may signal Alzheimer's disease, even before cognitive symptoms appear. The study used non-invasive technology to analyze retinal blood vessels and detected differences between people with Alzheimer's and those with healthy brains.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have made a breakthrough in understanding how HIV antibodies adapt to viral changes, identifying a crucial mutation that enables them to target diverse virus strains. This finding has significant implications for developing effective HIV vaccines.
A study from Duke Health researchers reveals that MRI cardiac stress testing can predict mortality and diagnose coronary artery disease more effectively than existing methods. The non-invasive technology has potential as an alternative to stress echocardiograms, catheterizations, and nuclear exams.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a blood test that can detect early changes in blood flow to the heart by identifying five specific metabolites. The test shows promise as an alternative or complement to current stress tests, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and efficient treatment plans.
A computer-based decision aid did not alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress for family caregivers making end-of-life decisions. The tool's recommendations were often disregarded in favor of more aggressive treatment options.
Researchers have identified a new genus of filovirus from fruit bats in China, which shares similarities with Ebola and Marburg viruses. The Mengla virus has been found in different geographic locations than other filoviruses and poses a potential risk of interspecies transmission.
Research from Duke University Medical Center found that cannabis use affects epigenetics, altering DNA methylation and structural changes in sperm. The study's findings raise concerns about the potential genetic impact of cannabis on children born to fathers who have used the substance.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that weekly whole-body massage improved symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, including pain and mobility, in patients. The treatment maintained its benefits over 52 weeks, suggesting a potential complement to existing treatments.
A team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center has identified a shortcut to recreate a critical HIV antibody that neutralizes the virus. By understanding the maturation pathway of this antibody, they found a strategic detour around a previous obstacle, enabling the development of more effective vaccines.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a key player in bone healing - young macrophage cells and their secreted proteins. Introducing these factors into old mice improves fracture repair, providing a potential new treatment for delayed healing.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a technique to expand umbilical cord blood stem cells, which appears safe and restores blood count recovery faster than standard cord blood transplant in adults with blood cancer.
A study analyzing health data for over 500,000 children in the US suggests that obesity is a likely cause of approximately one-fourth of asthma cases in children who are obese. The research found that nearly 1 million cases of childhood asthma may be preventable by maintaining a healthy weight.
Researchers used mouse models to track the immune cell triggering during anaphylactic shock, revealing a previously unknown mechanism in which dendritic cells mine blood vessels for allergens and rapidly deliver them to mast cells. This finding opens innovative lines of attack against deadly allergic reactions.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center reveals that people under 40 with high blood pressure are at increased risk of heart failure, strokes, and blood vessel blockages as they age. The study used the 2017 guidelines to assess risks for younger individuals.
Researchers at Duke University and Yale found that flavorings react with vaping liquids, creating new compounds that could trigger irritation and inflammation. The study highlights the need for transparency on e-cigarette ingredients, particularly among youth.
Researchers at Duke University discovered a minimally invasive treatment using vagus nerve stimulation to reduce brain inflammation and cognitive decline after surgery. The study showed improved cognitive outcomes and reduced brain inflammation in mice with inflammation.
Researchers found a significant correlation between H. pylori infections and colorectal cancer incidence, especially in African Americans. The study analyzed data from over 4,000 cases and found that antibodies to four H. pylori proteins were most often present among those with colorectal cancer.
Patients undergoing elective hip surgery may experience new health issues such as mental health disorders, chronic pain, and cardiovascular ailments up to two years after the procedure. The study found that these hidden complications can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life.
Researchers have identified a key protein called RAB11FIP5 that regulates natural killer cell activity in people who produce protective HIV antibodies. This discovery could lead to the development of a vaccine that triggers these antibodies before HIV infection.
A new clinical algorithm has been developed to identify eligible patients with uncomplicated staphylococcal bloodstream infections who can take antibiotics for fewer days. This reduction in antibiotic duration is significant and could help reduce antibiotic resistance on a broader scale, benefiting individual patients and public health.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that adults with irregular sleep patterns weigh more, have higher blood sugar, and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Regular sleep schedule was associated with better heart and metabolic health outcomes.
A study of almost 83,000 IVF patients found that women who produce 15 or more eggs benefit from frozen embryo transfers, while those producing fewer eggs see better results with fresh transfers. This challenges the long-held 'freeze-all' approach.
A team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center has identified missing immune cells that could potentially fight lethal brain tumors. The study found that these cells are locked away in the bone marrow due to a mechanism triggered by the brain, which is also employed by other diseases such as metastasized tumors and injuries.
Researchers found that immune cells called neutrophils may be disrupting the moisturizing glands of the eyelid, causing dry eye. The study suggests that inflammation is a common cause of Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and could lead to new treatment strategies.
Leukemia cells infiltrate the central nervous system by grabbing onto laminin proteins and zipping down into the meninges region where cerebral spinal fluid circulates. This discovery arms researchers with new ways to target this pathway and potentially shut it down.
A genetically modified poliovirus therapy developed at Duke Cancer Institute has shown significantly improved long-term survival for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, with a three-year survival rate of 21 percent. The therapy preferentially targets tumor cells and ignites a targeted immune response.
According to a new analysis of over 8,000 patients, African-American men with advanced prostate cancer who received docetaxel-based therapies had a lower risk of death than white men. This finding is significant, as it challenges the long-held notion that racial disparities in prostate cancer survival are due to biological differences.
African-American men with advanced prostate cancer respond better to anti-androgen drugs and steroids than white men, according to a Duke University Medical Center study. The study suggests potential strategies for improving survival rates among black patients.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a potential new way to treat fluid buildup in heart failure by shutting off the spigot causing it. The procedure improved symptoms in five acute heart failure patients and showed significant reductions in pressures inside the heart and increases in cardiac output.
A new software tool called the automated bone scan index (aBSI) has been shown to be both accurate and speedy in calculating how extensively bones have been infiltrated by prostate cancer. The aBSI technology provided prognostic information about patient outcomes, including survival time and symptom progression.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers has identified early cell movement as a potential indicator of malignant tumors in colorectal cancer. The team analyzed 19 human colorectal tumors, finding that invasive samples exhibited signatures of abnormal cell movement more frequently than benign tumors.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a strategy that delays blindness in mice with retinal degeneration by boosting cells' ability to process misfolded proteins. The approach could potentially be used to prevent cell death in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's.
New research from Duke University Medical Center found that ACL tears occur the same way in women and men, contradicting previous theories. The study used forensic analysis to examine bone bruises on knees of athletes with torn ACLs, revealing no significant difference in injury mechanism between sexes.
A study of nearly 300 women found that while most pelvic prolapse surgeries regress over time, symptoms remain significantly improved five years post-surgery. The study suggests that neither procedure might work as well in the long-term as surgeons once thought.
A simple one-page form given to patients ahead of their doctor visit can significantly improve satisfaction with the care they receive. The low-tech tool helps patients focus on what's important to them and provides real-time feedback to doctors on how well they're addressing their patients' concerns.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed man-made aptamers that target prostate cancer cells, killing them while leaving healthy tissue unscathed. The findings suggest that these molecules could form the basis of new cancer therapies if further studies bear out.
Researchers found that monkeys' brains synchronize during social tasks, predicting location, velocity, and proximity to each other. The study also shows that social rank influences brain synchronization, which may have implications for conditions like autism.
Exercise of any duration, from short bursts to sustained activity, can reduce Americans' risk of disease and death. Moderate exertion, such as brisk walking, is defined as hard to carry a conversation, while vigorous exercise is faster than that.
A small pilot study suggests that virtual oversight can keep patients motivated to exercise after cardiac rehab. The study found that participants who used wearable fitness trackers and call-in sessions with a health coach maintained and even gained fitness, whereas those in the usual care group lost ground.
Researchers found that offsetting medication costs with vouchers increased the use of effective anti-platelet drugs among heart attack survivors. Despite improved adherence, clinical outcomes such as death and stroke rates remained unchanged.
A study of nearly 2,500 heart patients found that the new technology iFR was less expensive than FFR, resulting in lower healthcare costs. The study showed significant cost savings with similar outcomes, making it a more widely adoptable technology for physicians.
Fewer Americans believe that smoking a pack or more per day poses a great health risk, with the number declining by 1% from 2006 to 2015. This change in perception has not translated into fewer smokers, but may signal a slowing of progress in reducing tobacco use.
A new analysis from Duke University Medical Center reveals that childhood obesity rates have increased by 4.7% since 2014, affecting 35.1% of US children aged 2-19. The study also shows significant disparities in obesity rates among different ethnic groups.