Researchers from George Washington University have discovered a potential new drug to treat and stop the progression of cystic fibrosis. Thymosin α1 (Tα1) corrects genetic and tissue defects, reduces inflammation, and increases CFTR maturation, stability, and activity.
A study published in Teaching and Learning in Medicine found that a social media course had a significant impact on the online behavior of first-year medical students, with 94% reporting increased awareness of their social media habits. The course aimed to empower students to use social media professionally and responsibly.
Researchers at GW University have developed a new relative potency testing program for the Na-GST-1/Alhydrogel hookworm vaccine, showing it remains stable and immunogenic after five years of storage. This innovation aims to improve vaccine effectiveness in developing countries where hookworm infections are prevalent.
A recent study published in Medical Care found that nurse practitioners and physician assistants deliver care comparable to physicians in community health centers. The research has implications for healthcare systems, particularly in underserved areas where non-physician clinicians are increasingly relied upon for primary care.
Researchers develop LemurFaceID system to identify individual lemurs by facial characteristics, facilitating long-term studies and conservation efforts. The non-invasive method can help answer evolutionary questions and aid in population tracking.
Researchers from GW University and St. George's University of London discovered a mutation in the INPP5K gene linked to short stature, muscle weakness, intellectual disability, and cataracts. This finding suggests a new type of congenital muscular dystrophy, with potential for targeted therapies.
A large international survey found imperfections in primary and secondary prevention of skin cancer, with regional differences in sun protection behaviors. The study's results suggest that education level, gender, and socioeconomic status influence sun protection habits.
Researchers found that brain size evolved at different rates for different species, especially during Homo's evolution, while chewing teeth evolved at similar rates. This challenges the classic view that larger brains led to smaller teeth as a result of tool use.
Researchers discovered that a dinosaur species, Limusaurus inextricabilis, lost its teeth in adolescence and did not grow another set as adults. The finding suggests a significant shift in diet from babies to adulthood, potentially explaining why birds have beaks but no teeth.
A new study at George Washington University found that local weather experiences drive belief or non-belief in climate change among Americans. Record high temperatures are associated with increased acceptance of global warming, while record low temperatures contribute to skepticism.
Researchers at Nocturnal and GW are developing a new generation of catheters for treating atrial fibrillation with real-time lesion visualization tools. The technology aims to improve treatment options for millions of people affected by the condition.
A new study published in Wound Repair and Regeneration found that patients with chronic wounds who never received opioids healed faster than those who did. The study, led by GW researcher Victoria Shanmugam, analyzed data from 450 subjects and found a significant association between opioid dose and total wound surface area.
Fungal skin infections are commonly misdiagnosed due to difficulty distinguishing between various skin conditions. Misdiagnosis can result in incorrect therapy selection and worsening symptoms, according to a survey by GW dermatologist Adam Friedman.
Cardiologists must adapt to emerging payment models to improve value, according to a review by George Washington University researcher Steven Farmer. The review explores existing and emerging payment and delivery reforms that will affect cardiologists and their practices.
George Washington University researchers received a $2.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate the role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in cancer development. They plan to use a novel computational pathway program, Telescope, to pinpoint HERV expression in various cancers.
Researchers developed two approaches to improve behavioral therapy for children with autism. Functional MRI can predict which children will benefit from Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) with high accuracy, while oxytocin administration may enhance social motivation and reward brain circuits in children with autism. These findings have ...
A new study reveals that male chimpanzees prioritize their offspring over building relationships with females, contradicting the long-held assumption that they are solely focused on mating. The researchers found that males spend time with non-mating female chimpanzees caring for their offspring and exhibit paternal behavior towards them.
Dr. Mary Ann Stepp's research on corneal wound healing has been continuously funded for 32 years, with a new $2.8M grant continuing her studies on the role of nerves in wound healing. Her team uses the cornea to study cell migration and epithelial cell adhesion, shedding light on general wound healing and cancer metastasis.
Research by George Washington University researchers found a special amplifier that boosts weak neural signals in the developing brain, allowing for accurate information transfer. This unique amplification circuit is thought to be responsible for the differing levels of seizures in young and old individuals.
Researchers found no increase in emergency department visits in states that expanded Medicaid compared to those that didn't. However, Medicaid expansion led to a 27% increase in Medicaid-paid emergency department visits and a 31% decrease in uninsured visits.
Researchers at George Washington University discovered a connection between CD4 T-cell exhaustion and CD8 T-cell exhaustion in chronic toxoplasmosis. Regulating CD4 T-cells with Blimp-1 protein expression can reverse CD8 T-cell dysfunction, leading to improved pathogen control.
A new study published in Personnel Assessment and Decisions found that in-person interviews outperformed technology-mediated interviews in terms of company and candidate ratings. The research suggests that face-to-face interactions provide a more favorable impression, while video interviews received the most negative rankings.
The GW Cancer Center will train patients and healthcare providers on how to improve communications for better health, with a focus on patient health literacy and cultural sensitivity. The project aims to examine the impact of various factors such as gender, race, and income on the patient-provider relationship.
Researchers from George Washington University have received a $28 million grant to develop an innovative cell therapy approach to eliminate HIV reservoirs. The project, named 'BELIEVE,' aims to enhance the immune system's ability to kill HIV-infected cells.
Researchers from GW University developed a conceptual model for acute, unscheduled care, identifying issues with current care delivery and proposing ways to improve it. The model incorporates social determinants and care-seeking decisions to optimize outcomes and reduce costs.
Researchers at George Washington University are studying a potential new treatment for heart failure by restoring parasympathetic activity to the heart, which could improve cardiac function. The study uses high-speed optical assessments of heart function to identify heart-specific benefits of oxytocin nerve activation.
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is conducting a phase 1 clinical trial to test a hookworm vaccine in an endemic area of Brazil. The trial aims to determine the safety and efficacy of combining two existing vaccines, with potential implications for global health.
A new study analyzing over 4,000 news articles about the 2014-15 Disneyland measles outbreak found that articles with a clear bottom-line message were shared more than twice as much as those without. The research supports 'fuzzy trace theory,' suggesting that communications focusing on the gist will be more compelling.
Researchers at George Washington University have developed a new system using optogenetics to control human heart cells, enabling the fast testing of potential new drugs. The technique can test 30,000 cells in under 10 minutes, streamlining a primarily manual process and reducing timeline from hours or years to minutes.
A new study examines human behavior's impact on wildfires in California, finding that it explains as much about their frequency and location as climate change. The researchers recommend considering both climate change and human variables for future models to accurately predict wildfire risks.
Researchers developed a new method to map and track brain circuits affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in boys using brain imaging. This approach provides a physical measure of progress with behavioral and/or drug treatments, a tool previously elusive in ASD treatment.
Testosterone therapy appears to be safe in the short term, with benefits including improved well-being, decreased gender dysphoria, and reduced breast cancer risk. However, potential undesired effects include acne, alopecia, and increased blood pressure.
A survey of endocrinologists found that while more education and training have been received on transgender care, self-rated comfort levels remain relatively low. Only 20% were 'very' comfortable discussing gender identity and 41% described themselves as competent to provide transgender care.
A GW chemistry professor is leading a team of researchers to identify enzyme inhibitors as possible medications for devastating diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. The five-year, $2.6 million grant will focus on designing small molecule inhibitors that can stop the production of key enzymes necessary for pathogen survival.
A new electrochemical detection strategy can identify bacteria in wounds in under a minute, allowing for targeted therapies and reduced healthcare costs. The method uses pyocyanin, a molecule produced by Pseudomonas bacteria, to detect infections.
GW University's Paul Brindley and MIT's Kevin Esvelt are working on a gene drive project to eliminate schistosomiasis using CRISPR technology. The goal is to 'supercharge' evolution, sterilizing and eliminating the disease-causing parasites.
Researchers have discovered a new species of plant-eating dinosaur, Hualianceratops wucaiwanensis, that sheds light on the ceratopsian family tree. The findings suggest that Jurassic period dinosaurs may have had more species diversity than previously thought, with at least four lineages present by the beginning of the Jurassic Period.
A study published in Health Affairs found that the most crowded US hospital emergency departments did not adopt effective interventions to improve flow, leading to worse patient care and outcomes. Despite increased adoption of strategies to reduce crowding over four years, many hospitals still failed to implement proven interventions.
Researchers discovered human brains exhibit greater plasticity and adaptability than chimpanzee brains. Human brain organization is less influenced by genetics compared to chimpanzees, suggesting a strong role for environmental factors in shaping the human cerebral structure.
A newly discovered extinct ape species, Pliobates cataloniae, roamed Earth 11.6 million years ago, providing a missing chapter to the beginning of ape and human history. The fossil discovery forces researchers to reconsider the role of small apes in hominoid evolution.
A new grant from the NIH will support the creation of a national chimpanzee brain resource at GW University, providing access to tissue samples, MRI scans, and data for scientists. The resource aims to promote further study of chimpanzee brains for future generations.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans should incorporate sustainability considerations to address the health and wellbeing of Americans and the planet. Sustainability evaluations may lead to future regulation, change food-group guidance, and form new political coalitions that favor sustainable diets.
Researchers at GW University, Emory University, and Harvard University will investigate the connection between stress-related mental health disorders like PTSD and cardiovascular disease. The project aims to develop new therapeutic advances in treating PTSD and its comorbidity with cardiovascular disease.
A multi-site landmark study found that targeting a blood pressure of 120 millimeters of mercury reduces cardiovascular disease morbidity and event rates. Adults 50 years and older also experienced reduced rates of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and death compared to the target systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg.
A study by George Washington University researchers has identified a unique microbiome pattern in the throat of individuals with schizophrenia. The findings suggest that certain oral bacteria may be associated with the disease, offering new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.
A new study by George Washington University researchers challenges the idea that early Homo genus evolved with an increase in body size. They found that early hominins were generally smaller than previously thought, and the increase in body size occurred later with H. erectus.
The George Washington University Cancer Institute has been awarded a $250,000 Engagement Award by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to create an online Community of Practice for patient-centered care. The project aims to disseminate patient-centered outcomes research broadly and foster collaboration among researc...
The REDIchip can detect drugs in urinalyses, provide earlier detection of emerging health problems, enhance medical imaging, improve tumor margin determinations, and identify endocrine disruptors in the environment.
A new study by GW researcher Valerie Hu found significant sex-dependent differences in brain RORA protein levels, with males having lower baseline levels and stronger correlations with genes regulated by RORA. The findings suggest that RORA deficiency may contribute to the known male bias in autism susceptibility.
Researchers at George Washington University and Case Western Reserve University have discovered two drugs that effectively treat multiple sclerosis by reversing the immune system's attack on nerve insulation, leading to increased remyelination. The study found that miconazole and clobetasol can promote myelination and enhance repair of...