Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center are studying whether high-risk HPV-positive patients with head and neck cancer should receive more or less chemotherapy. Their research suggests intensifying therapy could increase cure rates, but additional studies are needed.
A Georgetown University Medical Center professor applauds the decision to temporarily halt research on H5N1, emphasizing the importance of clear explanations and risk minimization. The moratorium will allow institutions to assess dual-use research oversight and ensure public health benefits outweigh potential harm.
Two Georgetown University professors argue that a fair, transparent process is preferable to governmental constraints on scientific information. They recommend strengthening precautions around high-risk research and suggest a balanced approach between scientific freedom and national security.
Researchers found that bat brains process echolocation and social calls in a lateralized manner, with the right hemisphere handling navigation and the left hemisphere processing communication sounds. This study provides insights into the neural basis of sound processing and may lead to new treatments for human communication disorders.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that acupuncture significantly reduces levels of neuropeptide Y, a protein linked to chronic stress, in rats. The study suggests that acupuncture may offer a proven therapy for stress relief, which is often difficult to treat.
Researchers have discovered a technique to keep normal cells and tumor cells taken from an individual cancer patient alive in the laboratory. This breakthrough could revolutionize personalized cancer medicine and regenerative medicine, enabling oncologists to find the right therapies for patients.
New research reveals a surprising connection between autoimmune diseases and wounds that don't heal, with patients experiencing protracted recovery times. The study found that 23% of patients with open wounds had underlying autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
A phase II multi-institutional study of women at increased risk for breast cancer evaluated the safety and efficacy of exemestane over two years, showing steady decreases in 'good' cholesterol levels. While this effect may prove significant for women at high risk for heart disease, its clinical significance remains unknown.
A research team discovered distinct gene patterns associated with early and late breast cancer recurrences, which could help predict patient outcomes and guide personalized therapy. The findings may enable oncologists to delay or prevent recurrences and reduce excessive treatment for patients who will not recur.
Researchers found that mice with high amyloid burden experienced significant brain inflammation after receiving the vaccine, while those with lower amyloid burdens showed a significant benefit. The study suggests that vaccines may work best for patients with early disease and lower amyloid burden.
Researchers found that once a word is learned, it is stored in a purely visual dictionary in the brain, allowing for fast and efficient recognition. This concept may help explain why people with dyslexia struggle with reading due to difficulties forming a finely tuned visual representation of words.
Fibromyalgia patients who exercised after a medication holiday showed decreased brain activity in areas responsible for pain control and cognitive performance. This decrease suggests the brain is working more efficiently, with less energy devoted to processing bothersome fibromyalgia perceptions.
Researchers have eliminated two possible causes of joint pain in women taking breast cancer medications: inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease. Despite finding no link between the medication and these conditions, doctors recommend continuing treatment to gain full benefits.
Research identifies autoimmune diseases as a possible underlying cause of non-healing wounds. Patients with these conditions often experience significantly larger and more difficult-to-treat wounds that require skin grafts or amputations.
A new study by Georgetown researchers found that nipple sparing mastectomy is a safe and effective option for women with breast cancer. The procedure, which removes breast tissue while keeping the skin and nipple intact, showed no signs of cancer recurrence or development in 162 patients over 21 years.
Georgetown University Medical Center has been awarded a Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation by the FDA, supported by an initial $1 million grant. The center aims to strengthen science and training needed for modernizing drug development and evaluation.
A large, multi-country study found that a fertility-awareness based method of family planning was effective for years. The Standard Days Method, which identifies a 12-day fertile window, showed high effectiveness rates, with fewer than 5% failure rate over three years.
Researchers have discovered that squalamine, a compound isolated from sharks, demonstrates broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human pathogens, including dengue, yellow fever, and hepatitis B, C, and D. The study's findings suggest that squalamine could be explored as a novel human antiviral agent.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have identified a mutant gene STAG2 that is commonly mutated in human cancers and causes aneuploidy, an abnormal number of chromosomes. The study found that 20% of brain, skin, and bone cancer samples lacked the STAG2 protein, leading to increased risk of cancer.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that overproduction of aromatase in breast tissue is more dangerous than excess estrogen receptors. Aromatase inhibitors may prove to be a more potent choice for cancer prevention in postmenopausal women.
A nationally representative survey of 1,072 primary care physicians and 1,130 oncologists found significant barriers to effective communication and coordination of care following initial cancer treatment. Optimal cancer survivorship care includes surveillance for recurrence, managing late medical effects, and psychosocial support.
Researchers explore dolphins' remarkable ability to heal from shark bites with minimal pain or infection, proposing that blubber contains antimicrobial compounds. The dolphin's healing process is similar to regeneration, where tissues are knitted together with existing fabric, offering new perspectives for human injury care.
Researchers argue that e-cigarettes are crude drug delivery systems for refined nicotine, posing safety concerns due to poor quality control and variability in nicotine content. The devices also have not been sufficiently evaluated in scientific studies, making them ineffective as quitting aids for smokers.
Research found that African-Americans are less likely to receive critical stroke treatment primarily because they do not get to a hospital soon enough for time-sensitive treatment and due to preexisting medical conditions. For patients who are eligible, no racial disparity was found in the treatment rate.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have defined three distinct processing stages for human speech recognition, mirroring those found in non-human primates. These findings provide insights into the complex workings of the human auditory brain and its role in processing language.
A new roadmap has been published to understand estrogen signaling in breast cancer cells, which could lead to better treatments and therapies. The model aims to capture the molecular events controlling cell growth, proliferation, damage responses, and programmed cell death in mathematical form.
Researchers have found that people with HIV can be safely treated with cancer therapies without adverse interactions. The study, conducted by the AIDS Malignancy Consortium, explores potential interactions between highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and newer targeted cancer drugs.
The One Mind for Research Forum aims to dramatically advance the understanding and treatment of brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Researchers will share latest findings on neurodegenerative diseases, and a 10-year research agenda will be endorsed.
A blood test counting circulating tumor cells is a reliable indicator of disease progression in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The test's predictive value remains consistent regardless of treatment type or sites of disease involvement.
A new treatment combination of a PARP inhibitor with chemotherapy offered significant benefit in patients with metastatic colon cancer who had exhausted all standard therapies. The study found that the treatment controlled cancer growth for nearly six months in 23% of patients, with two experiencing a partial response.
A new study found that most blacks who don't call emergency services for stroke symptoms believe their symptoms are not serious enough or will resolve on their own. The survey suggests that education campaigns need to emphasize the importance of timely treatment and calling 911 immediately.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center report that a drug developed to treat Ewing's Sarcoma may also prevent human prostate cancer from spreading. The agent, YK-4 279, was found to inhibit functions of proteins responsible for aggressive cell behavior in prostate cancer cells.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that parents are interested in using predictive genetic testing for their children if the test is made available. The study involved 219 parents who were offered genetic testing for common adult-onset health conditions and found that most parents would also test their children, believing it cou...
Researchers analyzed metabolites in blood and urine of smokers and non-smokers to understand how tobacco smoke affects human biology. The study found that nicotine-related metabolites varied among smokers, with overall metabolomic profiles differing between male and female individuals.
A study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers suggests that activation of the beta-catenin oncogene is key to understanding why many women with HPV infection do not develop cervical cancer. The discovery could lead to new screening methods and therapeutic approaches, including targeting the Wnt pathway.
Researchers found that breast cancer cells activate the unfolded protein response to evade anti-estrogen treatment, leading to increased resistance. Over-expression of XBP1 is a key driver of this process, suggesting a new target for restoring sensitivity to anti-estrogen therapies.
Researchers found that social isolation combined with a high-fat diet increases levels of a brain neurotransmitter called neuropeptide Y, promoting obesity, insulin resistance, and breast cancer risk in mice. The study's findings suggest a link between human social isolation and elevated cancer risk.
Researchers found that vitamin D significantly reduced estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer in both lean and obese mice, but had no effect on estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) cancer. Vitamin D also reversed insulin resistance in obese mice, while having no benefit in lean mice.
A national survey of US family medicine residency programs found that most limit pharmaceutical and industry interactions with residents, while some exclude all interactions. This shift aims to reduce the influence of industry on prescribing patterns and promote evidence-based prescribing.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have successfully created retinal cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells that mimic the eye cells responsible for age-related macular degeneration. The discovery paves the way for potential treatment and regeneration therapies for this debilitating condition.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have developed a gene therapy that clears toxic proteins from brain cells, preventing plaque formation and neuronal death. The treatment, which is given just once, has been shown to reduce amyloid beta plaque by 75% in mice.
A Georgetown University Medical Center study found that tinnitus is caused by the brain's inability to repair itself after hearing loss, resulting in phantom ringing sounds. The researchers also discovered a link between tinnitus and other perceptual disorders, such as chronic pain and altered mood states.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found an arsenic-based agent already FDA-approved for a type of leukemia may be helpful in treating Ewing's Sarcoma and medulloblastoma. The drug inhibits the hedgehog/GLI1 pathway, which is also common in other cancers.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have successfully turned human testes cells into insulin-producing islet cells, offering a potential new treatment for type 1 diabetes. The study used spermatogonial stem cells extracted from testicular tissue to produce insulin-secreting beta islet cells without the use of extra genes.
A phase II study at Georgetown University Medical Center suggests exemestane reduces mammographic breast density in high-risk postmenopausal women by 7%. The treatment is considered an intermediate marker for breast cancer and may offer a safer alternative to tamoxifen, which has rare but serious side effects.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center presented findings on how a gene regulating dopamine affects communication between brain regions during memory tasks. They also explored the neural processing disrupted in neurological disorders like semantic dementia and stroke, as well as the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
A study found that individuals with a specific gene variant associated with ADHD show increased interference from mind-wandering brain regions during mental tasks. This suggests that the gene may contribute to inattention symptoms, but not hyperactivity.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered neurons in bats' brains that 'shush' irrelevant signals and amplify relevant ones, allowing bats to filter out background noise. This finding may help humans better understand how we process sound in complex environments.
A brain scan can predict which children with anxiety disorder will respond to talk therapy, potentially avoiding psychiatric medication. The study found that children who show fear when looking at happy faces on a screen have the least success with cognitive behavioral therapy.
As children develop, brain regions that make up the default-mode network start functioning together, leading to increased introspection and perspective-taking. This development coincides with emerging introspective mental activity during adolescence.