A new brain imaging study shows that differences in the visual system do not cause dyslexia, but rather are a result of less reading ability. Children with dyslexia made significant gains in reading after receiving intensive tutoring, and their visual system activity increased.
A novel agent, (S)-YK-4-279, has been shown to halt the progression of Ewing sarcoma in rats and cause tumor regression. The agent works by blocking protein-protein interaction between cancer-causing proteins.
A first prospective trial, CUSTOM, demonstrates that genetic analysis can assign cancer treatment for patients with three types of cancers. The study found that patients and doctors are interested in personalized medicine, but rare mutations remain a challenge.
Researchers used low doses of leukemia drug nilotinib to clear toxic proteins from mouse brains affected with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The treatment improved movement and functionality in treated mice compared to untreated ones, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases.
Research finds significant differences in brain anatomy between males, females, and individuals with dyslexia. The study suggests that dyslexia may manifest differently in each sex, affecting language and sensory processing.
A new study found that Black women with breast cancer are three times more likely to delay treatment for over 90 days compared to white women. Low satisfaction with doctor communication is a significant reason for this delay, which increases the risk of mortality from the disease.
Researchers found that excess estrogen levels during pregnancy can silence the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene, increasing breast cancer risk in daughters. Additionally, molecular abnormalities in the unfolded protein response pathway were also found to contribute to breast cancer risk.
Researchers found that cosmic radiation impairs the ability of cells in the intestines of mice to eliminate oncogenic proteins, substantially increasing development of colorectal tumors. The study suggests that space travelers may be at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer due to prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation.
A study at Capital Breast Cancer Center (CBCC) found that low-income and minority women screened for breast cancer had a high rate of medical follow-up after a positive mammogram. The researchers credit CBCC patient navigators with playing a key role in ensuring the high follow-up rates.
A recent study found that disease surveillance and notification systems performed effectively during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The systems were able to quickly identify the novel viral subtype and trigger national and global pandemic plans.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found physical changes in brain fibers connecting pain and fatigue processing areas. Anomalies were detected in nerve fiber bundles, providing insight into Gulf War Illness symptoms.
Researchers found that individuals with autism have broader tuning of neurons in the fusiform face area, leading to difficulties in recognizing faces. This impairment affects social interactions and limits facial expression understanding.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have demonstrated how acupuncture can significantly reduce the stress hormone response in an animal model of chronic stress. The study used rats and found that electronic acupuncture blocks the chronic, stress-induced elevations of the HPA axis hormones and the sympathetic NPY pathway.
A new randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of mechanical clot removal with standard medical therapy in treating severe strokes. The study, led by Georgetown University Medical Center, found that removing blood clots within eight hours of stroke symptoms improved survival outcomes and reduced disability levels.
Researchers found that removing blood clots in the brain from patients experiencing severe strokes delivered no better outcomes than non-invasive standard medications. Imaging techniques were also not helpful in identifying patients who potentially would benefit most from clot removal.
A study by Georgetown University researchers found that requiring premiums for public health insurance coverage can counteract its expansion effects. The Affordable Care Act subsidies play a crucial role in making health insurance more affordable, affecting the number of uninsured individuals.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a new mechanism that regulates neuronal activity in the hippocampus, allowing for efficient learning and memory processing. The study reveals that synapses between different groups of neurons act as 'volume control', maintaining optimal levels of neurotransmission.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that a protein disposal system issue is the root cause of both ALS and FTD. Delivering parkin genes to neurons can slow down disease progression. The study challenges dogma on TDP-43 accumulation in cytoplasm, suggesting it's not always bad.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that BRCA1 targets cyclin B and Cdc25c proteins, regulating the G2/M checkpoint and halting cell division to allow DNA repair. This novel function explains BRCA1's role in maintaining genomic integrity and suppressing tumor growth.
Researchers have created a new stem-like state of adult epithelial cells, which exhibit attributes favoring regenerative medicine. These cells do not express genes found in embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, making them stable and less prone to forming tumors.
A study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers found that high glucose diets increase mutant p53 gene expression in mice, which drives tumor growth. Reducing glucose intake through starvation or low-carb diet slows down cancer growth.
Researchers found that the right hemisphere of the brain is more integrated and communicative than the left hemisphere during rest, regardless of hand dominance. This study may help explain why power naps benefit focus and mental clarity.
A team of researchers found that when learning a new language, humans automatically organize words into sentences that are both clearly understood and efficient to communicate. Participants in the study added case markings to nouns precisely when it made the sentence clearer, indicating a universal principle guiding language structure.
Researchers found that the left hemisphere specializes in rapidly changing sounds, while the right hemisphere prefers slowly changing sounds. This study may lead to new strategies for treating speech loss after a stroke and improving speech recognition in children with dyslexia.
Researchers used a new cell technology to treat a patient with a rare type of lung tumor. The treatment, which uses conditionally reprogrammed cells, showed promising results, including some tumor shrinkage and stabilization of tumors after just three months.
Researchers found that maternal exposure to high-fat diets and excess estrogens during pregnancy increases breast cancer risk in daughters, granddaughters, and even great-granddaughters. The study suggests that biological alterations caused by maternal diet affect the offspring's breast tissue and make it more sensitive to carcinogens.
Stephen Byers, a Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center professor, has been awarded a $2.5 million NCI grant to investigate how certain drugs may prevent cancer. The research aims to understand the mechanism of action of anti-inflammatory drugs that have shown promise in preventing cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study published in the journal Stroke found that black stroke survivors had higher blood pressure a year after their initial stroke. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for having another stroke, and controlling it can cut the risk in half.
The Georgetown University Medical Center has established a first-of-its-kind center for treating and researching Huntington's disease. The center will provide comprehensive care, education, and research to patients and families affected by the disease.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a potential cause of HIV-associated dementia: reduced production of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mature BDNF), a protein essential for brain neuron health. This finding may lead to a therapeutic solution and provide a biomarker for risk assessment.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a major determinant of resistance to anti-estrogen therapy. Inhibiting GRP78 may provide a solution for tens of thousands of women who develop resistance to these drugs.
Georgetown University Medical Center will establish the Center of Excellence for Health Disparities, focusing on eliminating health disparities among minority populations in Washington, D.C. The center aims to reduce chronic diseases such as breast cancer and stroke through research, education, and community engagement.
A study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers found that 7 out of 10 Capital Bikeshare commuters do not wear helmets, compared to 70.8% of private cyclists. The study aims to encourage helmet use among frequent riders through targeted marketing and incentives.
Doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center successfully treated four patients with amanitin poisoning using an IV preparation of milk thistle seeds. The treatment prevented liver failure and allowed all patients to fully recover without significant consequence.
Researchers have discovered a combination of lapatinib and cetuximab to be effective against cancers that have developed resistance to traditional therapies. In the clinical trial, two out of nine patients showed a partial response to the treatment.
A phase I clinical trial combining temsirolimus and capecitabine demonstrates promising evidence of disease control in advanced malignancies. The study shows that the combination can be given safely to patients, with a positive survival trend observed.
A national phase II clinical trial will examine the effects of resveratrol on individuals with mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to delay or alter memory deterioration and daily functioning in people with the condition.
A Georgetown University Medical Center study found that phenobarbital stunts neuronal growth, leading to cognitive abnormalities in rats. The researchers suggest that anti-epilepsy drugs may not be as benign as thought and could have long-lasting impacts on brain function.
African-Americans with systemic scleroderma have more antibodies that link to severe complications and increased mortality compared to Caucasians. The study suggests using disease markers to screen and treat patients proactively.
A new analysis suggests that every-other-year mammography screening offers a better balance of benefits and harms for women aged 40 to 49 with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Digital mammography screening resulted in greater false-positive results and harm compared to film mammography.
Healthcare providers face a moral responsibility to address climate change's devastating effects on human health. They can help by reducing energy usage, caring for climate victims, and advocating for policy changes. This is particularly crucial for vulnerable populations like the poor, elderly, and young.
A team of researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center has discovered an agent that prevents the spread of osteosarcoma cancer to the lungs in mice with the disease. The agent, an ezrin inhibitor, targets a protein vital to the spread of osteosarcoma and may potentially treat adults and children with bone tumors.
A new study by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that using a c-Src inhibitor like PP2 in combination with estrogen may cancel out the benefits of estrogen therapy. Instead, a c-Src inhibitor alone may offer an alternative treatment option for breast cancer patients whose tumors no longer respond to tamoxifen or aro...
A new study in animal models found that women with breast cancer who began eating soy as an adult may develop a tumor more resistant to treatment. The research suggests that stopping soy intake if diagnosed with breast cancer could be beneficial.
Research at Georgetown University Medical Center found that adults learning a foreign language can come to use the same brain mechanisms as native speakers, particularly with immersion training. The brain consolidates knowledge of the foreign language over time, similar to other skills like riding a bike or playing a musical instrument.
David A. Solomon, a Georgetown University Medical Center student, has been recognized for his groundbreaking work in cancer research. His research focuses on identifying new cancer genes and developing targeted therapies, with notable findings including the identification of CDKN2C and PTPRD as tumor suppressor genes.
Researchers say forcing dying cancer cells to trigger an immune response could prevent cancer relapses and improve treatment benefits. The new strategy focuses on autophagy, a process that alerts the immune system to foreign invaders.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that a mutation in the Bdnf gene can lead to uncontrolled obesity due to the inability of neurons to pass along appetite-suppressing signals. The researchers found that stimulating expression of this gene may offer a novel strategy for treating obesity.
New monoclonal antibody drugs are being tested in most tumor types, allowing them to bind to multiple targets and stimulate the immune response. Researchers have developed advanced antibody engineering techniques to create more effective treatments, including bispecific antibodies and conjugates with toxic payloads.
Researchers have rewritten the textbook on the location of the brain's speech processing center, discovering it is located in the left temporal lobe and superior temporal gyrus. The new findings suggest that language originated between monkeys and humans closer than previously thought.