A Duke University Medical Center study found that older heart patients with reduced function may benefit from defibrillators, which can lower the risk of death by one-third. However, the devices are underutilized due to factors such as advanced age, transitions in care, and mandatory waiting periods.
A study led by Duke Medicine found that stopping blood thinners before elective surgery has no higher risk of blood clots and less risk of major bleeding compared to traditional 'bridge' therapy.
Researchers found that younger thyroid cancer patients with lymph node involvement have a lower survival rate compared to those with no spread. The number of lymph nodes involved plays a role in survival, with six or more nodes increasing the risk of death.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified an antibody response that confers protection against HIV transmission from infected mothers. The study found a strong antibody response to the HIV envelope third variable loop, which was previously considered inadequate for protection.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have created a high-resolution map of the human brain stem using MRI technology, providing unprecedented detail of deep brain pathways. This new model can guide surgeons in implanting electrodes more accurately, potentially eliminating trial-and-error methods and making surgery safer.
Researchers found that a lower dose of modified poliovirus therapy is more effective in treating glioblastoma brain tumors, resulting in fewer side effects. The therapy has been shown to be safe with minimal side effects related to localized brain inflammation.
Researchers discovered that bladder cells can physically eject bacteria that invade the host cell, similar to vomiting. This finding may help treat recurring UTIs by eliminating bacterial reservoirs in the bladder cells. The study also identified a potential way to accelerate and amplify this expulsion mechanism using chemical targets.
Duke University researchers identified physiological changes affecting patients with acute kidney injury during sepsis treatment, potentially improving patient survival rates after kidney failure. The study showed that kidney function is a critical determinant of how patients respond to treatment.
A study found that smokers who quit successfully had greater connectivity between the insula and somatosensory cortex compared to those who failed. This suggests that targeting this neural pathway could be a strategy for improving smoking cessation outcomes. The researchers hope their findings will guide the development of new treatments.
A 12-week dose of an investigational three-drug combination cleared the virus in 93 percent of patients with liver cirrhosis who hadn't previously been treated. The addition of ribavirin to the regimen enhanced results, eliminating the virus in 93 percent of previously treated patients.
Research suggests that adolescent brain exposure to alcohol can lead to changes in learning and memory, even after adulthood. The study found hyperactive long-term potentiation in the brains of exposed rats, which may contribute to impaired cognitive functions.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center reveals that divorced women are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to stably-married peers. The study also found that the cumulative effect of divorce can have a lasting imprint on people's health, with women facing worse outcomes than men after divorce.
A study found that approximately 9% of adults in the US have a history of impulsive angry behavior and own or have access to firearms, with young middle-aged men being more likely to carry guns outside their homes.
Research at Duke University Medical Center found that increasing bacterial and worm diversity in the digestive tract enhances immune function, with better responses to vaccination and increased natural antibody production. The study suggests that biome enrichment may serve as an 'immune trainer' to improve overall health.
Researchers found that exercise significantly improved blood vessel formation around tumors, leading to better oxygenation and reduced tumor growth. Exercise also enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs, shrinking tumors more effectively than sedentary animals.
Current statin guidelines may exclude middle-aged adults who could benefit from the drugs and over-prescribe in older adults. Researchers propose adjusting the guidelines to capture more middle-aged adults with premature heart disease and prevent unnecessary medication for many seniors.
Duke Medicine researchers found that only 13.4% of clinical trials reported findings within the required one-year window, with industry-sponsored trials reporting at 17%, while academic/non-NIH-funded trials reported at just 5.7%. The lack of transparency hampers progress and violates obligations to patients.
A tetanus booster enhances immune system priming for dendritic cell therapy, increasing patient survival by nearly five years. The study provides a roadmap for improving dendritic cell vaccines for glioblastoma treatment.
The new guidelines increase the proportion of AFib patients recommended for drug therapy by 19%, particularly affecting women and people over 65, who now have a lower age threshold for stroke risk assessment.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a link between gene mutations in the IDH gene and the formation of benign cartilage tumors that can evolve into cancerous chondrosarcomas. The study provides insights into the potential development of new treatments using drugs designed to block IDH function.
A newly discovered protein called HKDC1 may be a genetic predictor for gestational hyperglycemia and its long-term health effects. The enzyme appears during pregnancy in women with less of the gene, which could lead to a predictive test and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers found that high cholesterol in young adults between 35-55 years increases heart disease risk by 39% each decade, even among those with normal blood pressure and weight. The study suggests that healthy individuals in this age group should consider cholesterol control earlier.
A team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center has identified key events that lead to cancer cell resistance to drugs. By understanding these pathways, they can develop strategies to block them and keep current therapies effective.
A recent study published in Cancer journal reveals that older breast cancer patients continue to receive radiation therapy despite evidence suggesting limited benefits. The study analyzed data from a national health database and found that only about one-third of eligible women no longer receive radiation therapy.
A recent study by Duke University researchers found that over half of STEMI heart attack patients had one or both of their other arteries obstructed, leading to worse outcomes. The study suggests that opening all blocked arteries may become a standard procedure.
A new collaborative model in cancer care at Duke University Hospital has shown a significant reduction in hospital readmissions and improvements in patient outcomes. The 'co-rounding' format integrates palliative care into daily inpatient care, resulting in decreased intensive care unit transfers and earlier discharges.
Prostate cancer cells hoard copper, and researchers have found a way to deliver a trove of copper along with a drug that selectively destroys the diseased cells. This combination approach could lead to improved treatments for late-stage disease.
Researchers found that mental stress can cause reduced blood flow to the heart in women, leading to ischemia, a prevalent component of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests sex distinctions in how the body responds to mental stress, with women experiencing increased negative emotions and decreased positive feelings.
A genetic study suggests that individuals with a specific genotype may be prone to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease when exposed to chronic stress. Simple interventions like healthy diet, exercise, and stress management could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these individuals.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that coaching patients with COPD to manage stress and practice relaxation can improve their physical symptoms, quality of life, and reduce depression and anxiety.
Researchers at Duke Medicine and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore detail how Yersinia pestis bacteria hitchhike on immune cells in lymph nodes to spread the bubonic plague. New therapies that block host immune function show promise in preventing infection and improving survival.
Historic HIV vaccine trials have triggered an antibody response that lasts for two years, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. This response may provide protection against HIV infection.
Researchers at Duke Medicine report that implanting deep brain stimulation devices poses no greater risk of complications to older patients with Parkinson's disease. In a study analyzing over 1,750 patients, the team found that increasing age did not significantly affect overall complication rates.
Researchers found that the HIV virus's outer envelope is mistaken for bacterial antigens by the immune system, leading to ineffective antibodies. The study suggests a new hypothesis for how HIV vaccine development could be improved by targeting the gut flora.
A team of scientists at Duke University has discovered a molecule that exploits the body's natural response to fungi and bacteria, using copper to kill microbial pathogens. The findings show promise for developing broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents with minimal harm to healthy cells.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that two B-cell lineage antibodies teamed up to stimulate broadly neutralizing antibodies in people with HIV infection. This cooperative mechanism may lead to a global vaccine strategy by inducing high levels of such antibodies in approximately 20% of individuals with HIV infection.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of commercial diet programs and pills found that Weight Watchers and the drug Qsymia provided the best value for money, with a lower annual cost than other options. The study suggests that employers and third-party payers should consider coverage for these interventions to maximize health gains.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that mice consuming omega-3 fatty acids had healthier joints than those fed diets high in saturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids. The study suggests that dietary factors, rather than obesity alone, contribute to worsening osteoarthritis.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center argue that new technologies, including electronic health records and wearable monitoring devices, enable patients to provide real-time information on symptoms and clinical outcomes. This shift towards patient-driven data collection enhances the accuracy and timeliness of health research.
A study by Duke University researchers found a strong association between improved air quality and declining death rates from emphysema, asthma, and pneumonia in North Carolina. The study analyzed data from 1993-2010 and found that reductions in sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulates were significantly correlated with l...
Researchers found that BPA increases breast cancer cell proliferation and diminishes the effect of treatments for inflammatory breast cancer cells. The study suggests a possible link between BPA exposure and treatment resistance in breast cancer patients.
Researchers at Duke University, University of Michigan, and Stanford University have determined the underlying architecture of a cellular signaling complex involved in responding to stimuli such as light and pain. The findings reveal a two-step mechanism that has been hypothesized previously but not directly documented.
Researchers found that combining two smoking cessation therapies is more effective than using just one for male and highly nicotine-dependent smokers who weren't initially helped by the nicotine patch. The treatment combination resulted in a higher abstinence rate among male smokers, with an increase of 61% compared to varenicline alone.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new strategy for treating neuroblastoma using a modified version of heparin. The study found that the derivative suppressed and shrunk neuroblastoma tumors in mice without causing severe bleeding.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that children with heart disease have low lifetime cancer risk from X-rays, but those undergoing repeated complex imaging tests face a slightly increased risk. The study of 337 children aged six and younger showed a 0.07% average increase in lifetime cancer risk.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that gamma and neutron imaging are safe for use in diagnostics, delivering radiation doses comparable to conventional medical imaging. The study aims to develop new imaging technologies to detect disease in its earliest stages.
A new antibiotic, oritavancin, has shown effectiveness in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other skin infections with a single dose. The study found that the prolonged activity of oritavancin allows for a single-dose treatment, which could potentially prevent hospitalizations and reduce healthcare costs.
A study from Duke University Medical Center found that implantable cardioverter defibrillators improve survival among heart failure patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30-35%. The device reduces three-year mortality rates by 3.6% in patients without ICDs.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a genetic mutation in PPM1D that contributes to the growth and death of tumor cells in brainstem glioma. This mutation may render radiation therapy ineffective, providing immediate clinical benefits and paving the way for new drug development.
A recent study found that discontinuing statins in patients with advanced illnesses resulted in improved overall quality of life and lower costs. Patients who stopped taking statins appeared to live slightly longer and reported better psychological wellbeing.