A study published in JAMA Surgery found that patients who underwent ureteroscopy had fewer repeat treatments and lower costs compared to those who received shock wave lithotripsy. The researchers suggest that the decision to choose one procedure over the other should be carefully considered by both doctors and patients.
Treating ADHD with stimulant medication is associated with lower smoking rates, particularly in those taking the medication consistently. The study analyzed 14 longitudinal studies and found a significant association between stimulant treatment and reduced smoking frequencies.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that bullied children experience chronic, systemic inflammation that persists into adulthood. In contrast, bullies may benefit from increased social status through bullying, which can protect against increases in inflammatory markers.
A study of over 93,000 patients found that complications from kidney stone treatments require hospitalization or emergency care for one in seven patients. The procedures were shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy, with costs ranging from $32,000 to $47,000.
A new approach to managing patients before, during, and after colorectal surgery has been shown to significantly reduce hospital stays and readmission rates. The enhanced recovery approach, which includes standardized care pathways and evidence-based practices, cut hospital admissions by two days and reduced readmission rates by half.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that cancers with a BRAF gene mutation require copper for tumor growth, leading to potential new treatments using copper-reducing drugs. The study provides hope for patients with melanoma and other BRAF-driven cancers.
An analysis of childhood obesity estimates lifetime medical costs at $19,000 per child and $12,900 when considering adult weight gain, totaling $14 billion for obese US children aged 10.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a potential treatment approach for ciliopathies, a group of rare genetic disorders. The study found that bolstering the function of the proteasome system can correct physical damage caused by defective cilia, offering new hope for therapies.
New relaxed blood pressure guidelines are expected to cut millions from needing hypertension medication. According to the study, the proportion of eligible patients for treatment would decrease from 40.6% to 31.7%, affecting approximately 13.5 million adults.
The new guidelines are expected to result in 12.8 million more U.S. adults taking statins, with the majority being people over 60 years old. The expanded criteria for statin use are based on a risk-assessment score and may lead to higher statin prescriptions among older men and healthy women.
Researchers have identified a subclass of antibodies associated with an effective immune response to an HIV vaccine. The study provides key insights that could aid the development of new vaccines, focusing on understanding the underlying quality of the immune response.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 56% of bloodstream infections were healthcare-associated, but symptoms began prior to hospital admission. The most common pathogens were S. aureus and E. coli, with multidrug-resistant pathogens occurring in 23% of patients.
A comprehensive study found that contagious yawning decreases with age and is not strongly related to variables like empathy or energy levels. However, age was the most important predictor of contagious yawning, accounting for only 8% of variability in the response.
Researchers detected early evidence of Alzheimer's disease using brain scans and found that those with positive scans had a faster rate of decline on memory, language, and reasoning over three years. This biomarker could help clinicians better evaluate and treat patients at risk for cognitive decline.
A person with both lupus and HIV was found to produce the correct type of neutralizing antibodies, a key component of an effective vaccine. The study provides new insights into the immune system's response to the virus and could aid in the development of vaccines capable of overcoming tolerance controls.
Veterans exposed to explosions may have brain damage despite lacking symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to researchers at Duke Medicine. The study found comparable white matter damage in both groups, with no clear link between brain injury and cognitive problems such as reaction time or decision-making.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified key gaps in knowledge for treating bipolar disorder among adolescents and early breast tumors in women. The study highlights the need for more research to address unclear diagnoses and treatment benefits and risks, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new way psoralen works to kill tumor cells, including a direct anti-tumor effect on HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. Psoralen blocks the signaling pathway of the HER2 receptor, shutting down uncontrolled cell growth and leading to aggressive cancer.
A study of 55 patients treated for flu at Duke University Hospital found that unvaccinated young adults had severe cases and required intensive treatment. The findings highlight the importance of vaccination in reducing severity and preventing costly hospitalizations.
Researchers at Duke University found that long-term spinal cord stimulation improved symptoms of Parkinson's-like disease in rats, protecting critical neurons and promoting better survival. The treatment may offer a new option for managing the condition.
Cartilage cells can grow new tissue when exposed to chemical signals mimicking physical activity, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis. Researchers identified the ion channel TRPV4 as key to this process.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a high presence of bacteria at the site where fetal membranes rupture may be associated with premature water breaking. The study suggests that bacterial presence is linked to thinning of the fetal membranes, which can lead to preterm births.
Conversations about sex are rare between doctors and teenagers, lasting only a minute on average, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending physicians address these topics. Longer visits and confidentiality increase the chances that sex is mentioned.
A genetic trait linked to stress sensitivity is responsible for a 38% increased risk of heart attacks and deaths in patients with heart disease. Researchers identified a specific gene variation that causes an overactive stress response, leading to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and death.
A study published in Obesity found that healthcare costs rose gradually with each unit increase in BMI, starting above a BMI of 19. Researchers analyzed health insurance claims data from 17,703 Duke employees and observed higher medical costs for overweight and obese individuals.
Researchers discovered that Salmonella protein tyrosine phosphatase (SptP) shuts down mast cell ability to release chemical signals without impacting other cellular functions. This leads to the failure of immune cells being recruited to the infection site, allowing Salmonella to multiply and spread unchecked.
Researchers found that high cholesterol's metabolite, 27HC, mimics estrogen to drive breast cancer growth. Statins appear to reduce this effect, suggesting a link between dietary changes and breast cancer prevention. Human breast tumors express the enzyme making 27HC, which can promote tumor growth.
Early data from a Polish patient study suggest the investigational bioengineered vessel may be effective as a dialysis graft, with 100% of patients regaining blood flow after initial loss. The technology uses human tissue and has shown no signs of infection or immune reaction.
The study found that men taking tasquinimod saw no cancer progression for an average of 7.6 months, compared to 3.3 months for placebo. Men whose cancer had already metastasized to their bones and took tasquinimod remained progression-free for even longer, with an average survival benefit of seven months.
A study from Duke University Medical Center found that rural and southern US counties have low rates of annual CPR training. These communities are often far from hospitals, and lower CPR training rates contribute to higher heart disease mortality rates.
A targeted effort to improve adherence to drug regimens in high-risk heart failure patients showed promise but had limited impact on reducing hospital readmission rates. Patients who received coaching from nurses were four times more likely to adhere to their medication regimens, but readmissions remained unchanged.
Researchers at Duke University have enabled monkeys to control two virtual arms using their brain activity. The study advances efforts to develop bilateral movement in brain-controlled prosthetic devices, aiming to restore mobility and sense of touch in severely paralyzed patients.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that HPV subtypes affecting African-American women differ significantly from those covered by available vaccines. This disparity raises concerns about the vaccines' effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer among African-American women.
A team of scientists has created an artificial protein that mimics a key site on the HIV outer coat where antibodies can bind, providing a potential new strategy in vaccine development to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies. The new protein was designed to facilitate the production of desired antibodies while preventing undesired re...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a breast milk protein, Tenascin-C (TNC), that neutralizes HIV and may protect exposed infants. The protein binds to and blocks virus entry, providing widespread protection against infection.
A rare inherited disorder has been linked to a recessive gene mutation that affects the synthesis of asparagine, a nutrient crucial for normal brain development. The mutation causes a defect in the body's production of asparagine, leading to abnormal brain growth and developmental delays.
Researchers found that two HIV vaccine trials stimulated a critical immune response in infants, which has been linked to reduced HIV infection. The findings suggest that infant vaccination can elicit a robust anti-HIV envelope IgG immune response and highlight the importance of including pediatric populations in vaccine studies.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of how cells deal with DNA damage that can contribute to cancer and other diseases. The study identified new prospects for developing cancer therapies by targeting the protein nucleolin to enhance sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation or chemotherapies.
Duke Medicine has been named a Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU) to evaluate vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. The VTEU will focus on vaccine development for diseases other than HIV, with potential annual funding of up to $135 million.
A genomic test developed by researchers at Duke University Medical Center shows over 90% accuracy in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. The test detects a specific genetic signature expressed by the immune system in response to viruses, providing a potential new method for diagnosing infectious diseases.
Researchers identified three distinct molecular classifications of gastric cancer that respond differently to therapies, offering a promising new approach to treatment. The study found that tumors can be grouped into proliferative, metabolic and mesenchymal subtypes, each with unique genomic and epigenomic properties.
Researchers found that tactile and motor neurons respond to visual cues, allowing for dynamic processing of the brain's internal spatial image. This discovery has implications for paralyzed individuals using neuroprosthetic limbs, suggesting a more integrated brain-body experience.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that increased caffeine intake may reduce fatty liver in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Consuming four cups of coffee or tea a day could be beneficial in preventing and protecting against the progression of NAFLD.
A new study suggests that a half-dose of prasugrel, an anti-platelet drug used to treat heart attacks, works as well as the typical dosage in older patients over 75. The research found no greater risk of bleeding problems with a lower dose of 5-mg/day prasugrel compared to the standard 75-mg clopidogrel dosage.
A large retrospective analysis found that induced and augmented labor may be associated with increased risk of autism, especially among male children. The study suggests a 35% higher risk for male children undergoing both induction and augmentation compared to those who received neither treatment.
Duke University researchers identified TRPV4 as a critical protein contributing to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) pain. The study found that inhibiting TRPV4 reduced bite force and pain, suggesting it may be an attractive target for developing new treatments.
Researchers at Duke Medicine analyzed a program in New York that mandated community-based treatment for severely mentally ill patients. The study found significant cost savings, with psychiatric hospitalization rates declining 50% in the first year and outpatient costs increasing despite higher expenses for services.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that children from low-income backgrounds are more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to binge drink as adolescents. Economic strains in early life erode self-control, leading to substance use, while positive parenting mitigates this effect.
A study comparing mortality and fertility patterns among wild apes and monkeys to humans shows that human females are unique in living beyond their childbearing years. Half of women experience menopause by age 50, and fertility declines earlier than the rest of the body.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used pharmacometabolomics to analyze biochemical changes in people taking antidepressants, finding that those whose depression improved had distinct metabolic profiles. The study suggests that serotonin metabolism in the pineal gland may play a role in depression treatment outcomes.