The new UNOS system reduced disparities in national kidney transplant rates for blacks and Hispanics, with significant increases in transplant rates for these groups after implementation. However, disparities may return if the most disadvantaged patients are cleared from the list.
A team of neuroscientists discovered a crucial connection between the adult female prairie vole's brain reward system that promotes pair bonds. They found that communication between areas of the brain predicts how quickly each female prairie vole becomes affiliative with her partner.
A new study by Emory University finds that fathers of daughters are more attentive to their children, use more emotion language, and engage in more nurturing play. Fathers of sons, on the other hand, tend to be more rough-and-tumble with their kids and use more analytical language.
Lung cancer cells in an invasive pack have specialized roles as leaders and followers, which depend on each other for mobility and survival. The leader-follower symbiosis could be a key target for future treatments aimed at impairing or preventing cancer metastasis.
Researchers found that patients with increased PD-1+ CD8 T cells in their blood after starting treatment experienced better clinical outcomes. The study's results suggest that monitoring activated T cells may help oncologists and patients decide whether to continue or combine treatments.
Researchers have discovered a frog-derived peptide, urumin, that specifically targets the H1 strain of influenza viruses. Urumin was found to disrupt the integrity of flu viruses without harming mammalian cells, making it a promising lead for antiviral drug discovery.
Vaccines have dramatically reduced global mortality rates, but maintaining community confidence in vaccination and ensuring widespread coverage are crucial. Research shows vaccines result in net economic benefits of almost $69 billion in the US alone.
Emory's Electronic ICU (eICU) Program has reduced length of patient stays, lowered readmissions, and saved millions by expanding access to critical care services. The program credited to standardizing care delivery and offering timely intensivist-led interventions, leading to better patient outcomes.
A new study finds that one-third of normal weight individuals have cardio-metabolic risk factors for heart disease. The research team recommends screening cardiometabolic risk factors in race/ethnic minority populations before the onset of overweight or obesity.
A recent cluster of sexually transmitted infections in the US has revealed that meningitis bacteria are adapting to a urogenital environment, gaining enzymes to grow in low-oxygen conditions. The capsule-less organism is less likely to cause invasive diseases, but may still be susceptible to existing vaccines.
Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.
Researchers found that specific brain scan patterns can identify which treatment is most effective for individual patients with depression. Patients with positive connectivity in certain brain regions were more likely to achieve remission with cognitive behavioral therapy, while those with negative connectivity were more likely to resp...
A comprehensive review of primate social networks and parasites highlights the importance of super-spreaders in disease transmission. Combining behavior data with parasite analysis can help identify high-risk traits and develop targeted interventions.
A new study shows that even with PD-1 blockade, tumor-specific T cells require CD28 co-stimulation to expand and restore effective immune responses. This finding suggests that only a subset of tumor-specific CD8 T cells will proliferate after PD-1-directed therapy.
A study by Emory University used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze the brain activity of canine candidates. The results found that brain scans could predict which dogs would fail a rigorous service training program with a significant improvement in accuracy, helping organizations identify unsuitable dogs earlier. ...
Researchers discovered a connection between the SV2C protein and dopamine release in the brain, suggesting that drug therapies targeting SV2C may be beneficial for PD patients. The study found altered SV2C levels only in PD brains among patients with various neurodegenerative diseases.
Protein misfolding may have kickstarted chemical evolution, enabling the creation of complex systems and potentially leading to the emergence of life. The study designed multi-phase dynamic chemical networks and self-propagating peptide assemblies with remarkable functions.
A study led by Emory University found that contact tracing combined with targeted indoor residual spraying reduced dengue transmission by 86-96% during an outbreak in Cairns, Australia. This approach is more effective than traditional vaccines, which offer only 30-70% effectiveness.
A new study found that fathers' brain activity increases when viewing photos of their toddlers, suggesting a link between the hormone oxytocin and paternal nurturing. The research also suggests that oxytocin may be used to normalize deficits in paternal motivation, such as in men suffering from post-partum depression.
Researchers at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute have mapped a vast network of interactions between cancer proteins, revealing new ways to target cells with mutations. This approach identified a potential link between FDA-approved drug palbociclib and a commonly mutated gene in lung cancer cells.
Researchers found that the SMN protein acts as a 'molecular chaperone,' helping RNA transport into cells and promoting interactions with processing proteins. This discovery sheds light on SMA's causes and could inform optimization of treatments like nusinersen.
Researchers identified candidate molecular signatures in the blood of vaccinated subjects that predict the likelihood of success from vaccination. The study found that these signatures can discern whether volunteers were protected when exposed to mosquitoes carrying the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
Scientists at Emory University discovered that Brazilian peppertree extract can disarm antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria by disrupting their communication, preventing skin lesions and promoting healing. The finding holds potential for new treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers found that Zika virus disrupts interferon signaling in dendritic cells, a crucial step in the immune response. Another antiviral pathway called RIG-I-like receptor signaling remains intact and could be targeted for immunity-boosting therapies.
Scientists have identified antiviral T cells that can access HIV's germinal center hideouts using the CXCR5 molecule. These cells have stem cell-like properties and can infiltrate sites of ongoing viral replication, providing a potential target for therapeutic vaccines and HIV suppression.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Tech found that the yeast protein Lsb2 forms a 'metastable' prion in response to elevated temperatures as a protective mechanism against stress. This discovery suggests that prions may play an adaptive role in cell survival.
New research from Emory University School of Medicine found that estrogen modulates gene activity to protect against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women with low estrogen levels during certain stages of their menstrual cycle may be more susceptible to PTSD, while high estrogen levels offer protection.
Researchers used imaging techniques to map the brain wiring of two thylacine specimens, comparing them to the brains of living Tasmanian devils. The results suggest that the larger-brained thylacine had more cortex devoted to planning and decision-making.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) is spread through person-to-person contact in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. This epidemic highlights the need for effective infection control and treatment measures to prevent further spread.
Research in mice suggests that melanomas and other cancers driven by BRAF V600E mutation will grow faster in response to a high-fat diet. Lipid-lowering agents such as statins can slow tumor growth, even on normal diets. The findings highlight the potential of precision diets tailored to individual patients' cancer mutations.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have engineered a live attenuated RSV vaccine candidate that is highly effective in mice and cotton rats. The vaccine, called OE4, induces high levels of antibody production while maintaining its immunogenicity, making it a promising candidate for further clinical investigation.
Researchers have identified networks of changing proteins specific to Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the importance of inflammation and microglia. By analyzing post-mortem brain proteins, they uncovered patterns pointing to glial cell involvement in the disease's pathogenesis.
Researchers found that hearing metaphors involving arms or legs activates the left extrastriate body area (EBA) in the brain, which is responsible for visual perception of those body parts. This finding supports the concept of grounded cognition, where comprehension of abstract concepts is built upon concrete experiences.
Researchers at Emory Health Sciences have made a breakthrough in understanding how diabetes drugs interact with LRH-1, a protein that regulates metabolism of fat and sugar. The study found that small changes to compounds can significantly impact their binding pocket interaction.
Researchers study how young children with autism pay attention to others' eyes and find they look less at the eyes due to missing social cues. They do not actively avoid eye contact like previously thought.
Arecoline, an analog of nicotine, has been identified as an inhibitor of the enzyme ACAT1, which contributes to the Warburg effect in cancer cells. Researchers found that arecoline steers cells' metabolism away from glycolysis, inhibiting growth in human lung cancer and leukemia cells.
A new study found that intensive multidisciplinary treatment can eliminate dependence on tube feeding in 71% of children with pediatric feeding disorder at discharge. Treatment also leads to increased oral intake and reduced caregiver stress.
Researchers analyzed ExAC data to explore normal variation in NMDA receptors and its link to disease-causing mutations. For some patients, this information could guide anticonvulsant treatment with repurposed Alzheimer's medication.
Researchers discovered huperzine A increases resistance to induced seizures in mouse models of genetic epilepsy. The compound has been shown to protect against febrile seizures, a feature of both Dravet syndrome and GEFS+, with complete protection observed in genetically modified mice.
Antibodies from Ebola survivors can strongly neutralize the virus and protect mice from a lethal challenge. The study found these protective antibodies using a new technology called Immune Repertoire Capture°0niversity.
Researchers find that specific DNA mutations in bone cells can cause nearby blood stem cells to develop leukemia. A new class of drugs has been identified to dampen this 'neighbor cell effect', offering hope for improved treatment options for Noonan syndrome patients.
A recent study by Emory Vaccine Center-India collaboration reveals insights into CD8 T cells' role in fighting dengue virus infection. The research shows that these immune cells expand massively but keep cytokine production under control, retaining the ability to kill virus-infected cells.
A genome-wide association study has identified two regions of the genome associated with ulcerative colitis only in people of African descent. The study found unique, African-specific loci and overlapping genome-wide associations for ulcerative colitis and IBD in African-Americans and other populations.
A multi-country randomized controlled trial will assess the impact of cleaner burning cooking stoves on household air pollution and health in four low- and medium-income countries. The study aims to provide compelling evidence for national and global policies to reduce household air pollution among vulnerable populations.
Researchers successfully achieved sustained viral remission in rhesus macaques by supplementing antiretroviral drugs with an antibody. The virus remained undetectable for almost two years after withdrawal of treatment, demonstrating a promising potential treatment for HIV.
Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech developed a microfluidic testing ground to measure individual platelets' strength by squeezing protein dots together. This could help diagnose bleeding disorders and develop blood thinning drugs.
Researchers developed a method estimating developmental maturity via DNA methylation patterns, which can help assess preterm newborns' care and estimate conception time. The study found gestational age accurately estimated between 24-44 weeks, with correlations to birthweight and developmental maturity.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends latent TB infection screening in primary care settings, but challenges remain in identifying high-risk patients. Current tools are insufficient to predict progression from latent to active disease, hindering personalized medicine for those with latent TB infection.
Researchers found that Asian Zika strains cause more harm to neural progenitor cells than African strains, particularly with the p53 gene. This discovery could lead to potential inhibitors of p53 as treatments to protect brain cells from cell death.
Researchers developed a predictive tool to assess future SCD risk among the general population. Key findings include traditional risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and specific SCD-related predictors and biomarkers.