A 12-week lifestyle intervention program helped 64% of patients achieve their blood pressure goal and 67% reach their diastolic blood pressure goal. The program also showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and fasting glucose levels.
Emory researchers discovered significant racial and gender disparities in heart attack treatment, with African-American women receiving the least aggressive care. The study analyzed records of over 672,000 white and black patients younger than 75 and found no trend towards improvement in recent years.
The STARR program improves patient knowledge of exercise and diet goals by 56.7%, while also increasing exercise and diet compliance to 67%. The program shows positive trends in weight loss, stress, blood pressure, diabetes control, and lipid goals.
A twin study found a possible connection between depression and heart disease, with decreased heart rate variability (HRV) being a key factor. The study suggests that treating clinical depression, including minor forms, may help reduce the risk of heart disease by normalizing HRV.
A study of 32,372 patients found that coronary artery aneurysms are associated with a high 5-year mortality rate of 29.1%. Experts emphasize the need for aggressive monitoring and modification of coronary risk factors for all patients with angiographic evidence of aneurysms, regardless of size.
Using targeted antiviral prophylaxis (TAP) on close contacts of suspected flu cases can effectively contain an epidemic, with only 2% of the population becoming ill and a death rate of 0.04 per 1,000 people. TAP is nearly as effective as vaccinating 80% of the entire population, especially when used for eight weeks.
Researchers found that even delayed responses to smallpox cases could still contain the outbreak through targeted vaccination and isolation. Surveillance and containment were more effective than mass vaccination in controlling the spread of smallpox.
The Emory-AUC FIRST consortium is one of six US programs linking top-ranked minority-serving institutions with research institutions. The program provides training and mentorship for postdoctoral fellows, increasing diversity in academia and industry.
Researchers are developing functional nanoparticles that can be linked to biological molecules, enabling rapid analysis of biopsy tissue from cancer patients. These nanoprobes using quantum dots can monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy and deliver controlled amounts of drugs into genetically classified tumor cells.
The American Statistical Association is seeking nominations for its Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award, recognizing individuals and organizations that promote statistics in public life. Eligible nominees include commentators, reporters, writers, and others who use communications media as their primary product.
Research by Emory University Health Sciences Center suggests that reward mechanisms involved in addiction likely play a role in regulating pair bonds between monogamous animals. The study found that oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, critical for pair bond formation, are located in two brain regions with heavily interconnected structu...
A study by Emory University researchers found that subordinate cichlid fish had larger gall bladders with dark bile, leading to slower growth and potentially linking social stress to digestive problems. The discovery could hold clues for understanding human gallstones.
Researchers developed a framework to account for mutations in models assessing emerging infectious disease emergence, highlighting the potential for long transmission chains and disease adaptation. The model suggests that even low reproductive numbers can lead to dramatic outbreaks as new strains evolve.
Researchers found that CART peptide, a natural brain chemical, reduces the effects of cocaine by reducing locomotor activity. The discovery opens doors to develop potential treatment options for cocaine addiction.
The Emory-GSK-NIMH Collaborative Mood Disorders Initiative will develop innovative models for basic and clinical research in mood disorders. Scientists at NIMH will create clinical models to assess novel antidepressants, while Emory faculty will develop preclinical models of fear, anxiety, and depression.
Researchers identified several factors that may enable or prevent HIV transmission through breastfeeding, including the hostile environment of saliva and immune activation in the gastrointestinal tract. Protective factors include natural killer cells, natural antibodies, and specific antibody responses.
Researchers found a marker for long-term immunity in CD8 T cells using the interleukin 7 (IL-7) receptor. This discovery can help scientists create more effective vaccines and develop new treatments for chronic viral infections and cancer.
The use of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin significantly reduces the risk of recurrent heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death. The cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that at least one year of therapy with clopidogrel is an attractive value for patients at risk.
Atrial fibrillation is associated with decreased endocardial nitric oxide in the left atrial appendage, leading to increased superoxide levels and higher risk of blood clots. The study's findings may provide new avenues for therapeutic interventions in humans with AF.
Researchers at the Emory Heart Center found that oral tetrahydrobiopterin can significantly lower blood pressure in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. The study showed a significant reduction in blood pressure after just three weeks of therapy, likely due to increased availability of nitric oxide and enhanced vasodilation.
Researchers found that individuals vaccinated against smallpox maintained anti-smallpox antibodies for at least 60 years after vaccination. Memory B cells initially declined but then plateaued approximately ten times lower than their peak and remained stable for over 50 years.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center found that diabetics with non-emergency PCI procedures have similar angina-specific quality of life to non-diabetics. However, those who experienced a NQWMI had greater physical limitation, indicating worsening symptoms prior to the acute event.
A new study published in the CREST trial found that cilostazol significantly reduces stent restenosis by 39.5% compared to standard therapy alone. The drug showed promise in patients with diabetes and small blood vessels, a subgroup previously difficult to treat.
Several commonly used pesticides are toxic to mitochondria in laboratory experiments, causing cellular damage that may contribute to diseases such as Parkinson's. The study found pyridaben to be the most potent toxic compound, followed by rotenone and fenpyroximate.
In an effort to improve regeneration, Emory scientists treated severed nerves with enzymes that degrade proteoglycans. Axons regenerated through enzyme-treated tissues more effectively, extending over twice as far as untreated tissues.
Researchers found that CART peptide reduces the effects of cocaine on rodents, leading to a decrease in locomotor activity. They plan to study the mechanism of action and explore its potential as a treatment for cocaine addiction in humans.
Researchers will study the biology of tumor-stroma interaction, heparan sulfate proteoglycans in bone metastasis, and mitochondrial DNA mutations to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The goal is to understand how prostate cancer cells metastasize to bone and discover new genes that may support or inhibit this process.
Scientists discovered that specific DNA damages cause transcriptional mutagenesis (TM) in non-dividing cells, leading to mutant protein creation. TM can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and aging by causing faulty proteins to be produced during normal cellular processes.
The Emory research team, led by Dr. Frances Priddy and Dr. Mark Feinberg, aims to develop simpler and cheaper monitoring tools for HIV-infected individuals in resource-poor countries. The goal is to enable these individuals to benefit from antiretroviral therapies, which have saved lives in developed countries.
The study found 83 genes with higher levels of activity in humans, linked to increased brain activity, while human brains showed increased expression of genes protecting against damage. This discovery may explain why humans have a long lifespan but are vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases.
A South African clinical trial showed a significant reduction in pneumococcal disease incidence with the conjugate vaccine, resulting in a 5% decrease among all children and a 6% decrease among HIV-infected children. The study demonstrates the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease and saving lives.
The Emory-led consortium aims to study the entire range of human immune responses, from laboratory to clinic, to develop new vaccines addressing emerging infections and biothreats. Scientists will use genomics and proteomics to analyze vaccine-induced innate and adaptive immune responses.
Researchers found that brown capuchin monkeys refused previously acceptable rewards if they witnessed their partners receiving higher-value rewards for equal or less work. This study provides insight into how humans develop emotional reactions to fairness in economic interactions.
Paxil has been shown to improve memory and brain structure in PTSD sufferers, with clinically significant improvements in memory and concentration observed. The study found increased hippocampal volume and decreased cortisol levels, leading to relief of PTSD symptoms.
Researchers used a gene gun to target dendritic cells, the 'security cameras' of the immune system, and found that their number is 100 times higher than previously thought. This discovery could lead to more efficient vaccine development using abundant, long-lived dendritic cells.
Scientists at Emory University Health Sciences Center have identified a new sperm protein called SED1 that plays a critical role in the initial association between sperm and egg during fertilization. Mice without this protein had reduced fertility despite normal sperm characteristics, highlighting its importance in successful binding.
Researchers created a technique using validation sets to verify epidemiological data, enhancing vaccine effectiveness studies. This approach helps address reporting bias and improves the reliability of many vaccine research outcomes.
Researchers discover that estrogen deficiency triggers immune system activation, leading to increased T cell proliferation and bone loss. This finding could lead to the development of new drugs that prevent postmenopausal bone loss without affecting reproductive organs.
Researchers discover that the HAP1 protein plays a crucial role in brain damage caused by Huntington's disease. The protein's interaction with mutant huntingtin leads to apoptosis in neurons, particularly in the hypothalamus. This finding offers new hope for therapeutic strategies aimed at bolstering HAP1 function.
Researchers found an inverse relationship between Pin1 abundance and degenerative damage susceptibility. Pin1-deficient mice developed a neurodegenerative disease similar to Alzheimer's, highlighting the protein's role in regulating proteins critical for cell division.
Researchers at Emory University discovered a novel mechanism of how anthrax disables the immune response by compromising dendritic cell function. The study found that the lethal factor (LF) disrupts mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes in dendritic cells, leading to lethargy and preventing the activation of the immune system.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center have identified honokiol, a compound found in magnolia cones, as a potent inhibitor of tumor growth. Honokiol reduces endothelial cell growth and inhibits angiogenesis, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center have developed a new MRI technique using manganese-enhanced imaging to study the neural circuitry of aggression in crayfish. This breakthrough enables scientists to analyze entire patterns of brain activation, providing insights into complex social behaviors.
Failure to meet HIV prevention goals may result in significant financial losses. The CDC's national goal of reducing new infections by 50% might not be met by 2005, leading to an estimated $18 billion in incurred net medical costs between now and 2010.
Researchers found a genetic connection between blood flow patterns and cardiovascular disease, with oscillatory shear stress leading to increased expression of the protein BMP4. This finding may help explain why physical inactivity promotes heart disease and could lead to new diagnostic tests or gene-based therapies.
Emory University researchers have successfully self-assembled Alzheimer's amyloid fibrils into well-defined nanotubes. These nanotubes exhibit unique properties and can be used to build nanotechnological devices, offering new avenues for research and potential applications in fields such as medicine and materials science.
Children with moderate amblyopia showed significant improvement in vision after four months of daily two-hour or six-hour patching. This study provides real scientific evidence for a more convenient treatment option, reducing social stigma associated with traditional patching methods.
A study led by Darlene Francis found that early-life environments significantly impact stress behaviors and learning abilities in mice. Mice transferred to high-stress surrogate mothers after birth showed increased stress-reactive behaviors and poorer cognitive performance compared to those raised by low-stress mothers.
Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute report that 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis by suppressing HIF. The compound targets microtubules, leading to the downregulation of HIF-1a and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center identified a critical molecular link between estrogen receptors and invasive growth in breast cancer. The study reveals that a protein called MTA3 regulates cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin expression, leading to cancer progression.