Researchers have created a map of the proton-activated chloride channel (PAC), a protein that can help brain cells survive during stroke. Understanding its structure, they hope to develop ways to reduce permanent damage caused by acidosis and improve medical outcomes.
A small study of adults with major depression found that two doses of psilocybin, given with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid and large reductions in depressive symptoms. Most participants showed improvement and half achieved remission after a four-week follow-up.
Researchers design theragrippers, tiny star-shaped devices that latch onto intestinal mucosa and release drugs. The devices stay in the intestine for a desired duration, solving a long-sought goal in medicine.
Two studies found age to be a primary determinant of melanoma treatment resistance, revealing new mechanisms common in aging that contribute to melanoma spread. Researchers found that older fibroblasts upregulated FATP2 and increased fatty acid uptake, protecting melanoma cells from anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers found connections between autism types and abnormalities in parvocellular oxytocin neurons, which regulate platonic love and sociability. The study could fuel the development of autism therapies targeting disease symptoms spurred on by these brain cells.
A new medical records analysis found that Black patients in the US pursue more intensive treatments than white Americans in the last six months of life. White people are more likely to use hospice care, which reduces emergency department visits and invasive procedures.
Researchers identified a protein, factor D, that enables the virus to turn the immune system against healthy cells. Inhibiting this protein can curtail inflammatory reactions and prevent cell destruction.
Researchers found that genetic pathways allowing fish to regrow neurons remain present in mammals, but are turned off, blocking regeneration and healing. The study may advance genetic therapies for blindness and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A Chinese study suggests that wearing eyeglasses for over eight hours a day may provide some protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins Medicine cautions that the findings are not conclusive and more research is needed to confirm their validity.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that methamphetamine use increases the risk of casual sex without a condom, particularly among those with higher sexual desire. The study demonstrated that intense sexual arousal leads to rapid shift in preference for using a condom.
Researchers used data from seven weeks of COVID-19 patient care to create the 'COVID Inpatient Risk Calculator' (CIRC), which assesses patient risk of disease worsening. The model considers factors like age, BMI, lung health, and vital signs to predict disease progression.
A new study finds that early age-appropriate discussions about safe sex lead to fewer unintended pregnancies and better long-term sexual health. Black male teens who had their first sex before age 13 reported more negative behaviors and poorer relationship quality with parents.
Chinese American families are experiencing increased racist experiences during COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 discovery in China. Johns Hopkins experts offer steps to combat racism, including learning about racial bias and its impact on health outcomes.
Researchers found a gene that produces high levels of TRIM37 protein controlling centrosomes in breast cancer cells. Using an experimental drug to disrupt proteins making centrioles, they selectively killed cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
A commentary by Dr. Tina Cheng and her daughter Alison Conca-Cheng highlights the impact of racism on Chinese American parents and children during COVID-19. They advocate for learning about racial bias history, teaching children about it, and addressing clinician biases to achieve health equity.
Researchers develop a hydrogel-based delivery system that releases an anti-rejection drug slowly over time, providing enhanced protection for transplanted hearts. The system, called MTH, was shown to improve graft survival rates and reduce immune response.
Researchers found that overexpression of gene BIRC2 makes cancer cells resistant to immunotherapy drugs. The study suggests that BIRC2 could be a key marker for identifying patients who may not respond to immunotherapy, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center created a 3D blood vessel model to study how cancer cells spread. They found that cancer cells can take over existing blood vessels, causing them to leak or constrict, and release tumor cells into the bloodstream.
Researchers identified areas of the brain that regulate efforts to deal with fatigue, which could lead to new strategies for healthy individuals and therapies for those with depression, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. The study used MRI scans and computer modeling to analyze brain activity and behavior in participants.
Residents undergoing hemodialysis in nursing homes are more likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, increasing their risk of severe COVID-19. The Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that dialysis patients accounted for nearly half of all positive cases among the facility's residents.
Researchers found high levels of ACE2 receptors in sustentacular cells lining the nose, which may be a key entry point for SARS-CoV-2. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies and help explain why some people with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell.
A new study has found that measuring the ratio of two proteins in deceased donor urine can identify kidneys with a higher probability for successful transplantation and long-term survival. The researchers believe this biomarker could help reduce the number of discarded kidneys and increase the organ donation pool.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a next-generation cholesterol-lowering drug can lower blood cholesterol to safer levels faster when added to traditional therapies. The study showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol during hospitalization and within a month following a heart attack, suggesting the drug is safe a...
A six-week course of a PCSK9 inhibitor improved coronary artery function in people living with HIV or high cholesterol, increasing area and blood flow. The study suggests a potential way to limit cardiovascular disease risk in these populations by improving blood vessel function.
A new study found the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Mexican Americans has doubled in recent years, while stabilizing for other racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Researchers also developed a gene therapy that can alleviate obstructive sleep apnea by stimulating the nerve that contracts muscles in the tongue.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have demonstrated that behavior therapy exposing people to memories of their trauma does not cause relapses of opioid or other drug use. Following the first therapy session, PTSD severity and emotional problems decrease significantly.
A nine-year longitudinal study found that family caregivers did not experience significantly greater inflammation levels compared to non-caregivers, challenging past research findings. The study suggests that caregiving may have minimal effects on physical health for most caregivers.
Researchers discovered that metastatic breast cancer cells can reprogram natural killer (NK) cells to stop killing cancer cells and instead aid in metastasis. This work also identifies new immunotherapy strategies to reverse this reprogramming process, offering a potential way to prevent or reduce breast cancer mortality.
Researchers successfully deliver gene therapy using nanoparticles to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth in rats and mice eyes, providing evidence for treating wet age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine team recommends equitable care during pandemic resource allocation by requiring bias training and assessing system inequalities. Hospitals should prioritize resource distribution based on individual patient needs rather than solely on health factors like heart failure or diabetes.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that women comprise only 22% of full-time professors and 39% of full-time faculty in academic hospital medicine programs. Furthermore, male hospitalist leaders are more likely to have attained the rank of full professor than female leaders.
A recent study analyzing nearly 38,000 test results revealed a positivity rate among Latinx populations approximately three times higher than other racial and ethnic groups. Researchers attribute the disparities to socially and economically marginalized factors such as crowded living conditions and essential worker status.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a light-activated CRISPR system that allows for targeted DNA cutting within seconds. The new technology reveals new details about the DNA repair process, which may aid in understanding aging and cancer.
Researchers found that removing CAVIN1 from stromal cells allows prostate cancer cells to feed on lipids, fueling growth and spreading. This leads to aggressive tumor behavior, including invasive and metastatic behavior.
A new treatment combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy has been shown to improve overall survival by 20.4 months in patients with inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma, exceeding the expected survival time of 12 months with chemotherapy alone.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found a strong correlation between higher reading proficiency among third-grade students and lower homicide rates in Baltimore neighborhoods. The researchers discovered that for every 2% increase in reading proficiency, there was one fewer homicide per 100,000 people annually.
A multicenter study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that 65% of critically ill pediatric ICU patients did not receive physical or occupational therapy while hospitalized. This lack of care can lead to long-term physical and psychological problems in children.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that SARS-CoV-2 testing can yield false negative results if conducted too early in the infection process. The test's accuracy improved when patients displayed symptoms of COVID-19, but even then had a 20% chance of a false negative result.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that perchlorate blocks the sodium/iodide symporter, reducing iodide transport into thyroid cells. The study suggests an acceptable safe concentration of perchlorate in drinking water is 10 times less than previously believed.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that psilocybin reduces neural activity in the claustrum by 15% to 30%, associated with stronger subjective effects. The study also showed changes in how the claustrum communicates with other brain regions involved in hearing, attention, and memory.
Researchers discovered that perchlorate blocks a key route for iodide to enter thyroid cells, leading to reduced hormone production and potential health issues. The study suggests an acceptable safe concentration of perchlorate in drinking water is 10 times less than previously believed.
A new educational program, including a video made with Baltimore youth's ideas, increased bike helmet use among urban children by 80%. The program, tested in 2017, aims to improve helmet safety measures for low-income and minority families.
Oncologists are calling for more time spent on education about palliative care and discussing 'bad news' with patients. Research shows cancer doctors have limited coaching in this area, which can impact patient preferences for treatment or palliative care.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that it may take between seven and 16 months for surgeons to complete the backlog of elective orthopaedic surgeries suspended during COVID-19. The US is facing over a million delayed surgeries for spinal fusion and knee/hip replacements.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing inequalities in US children from low-income households, hindering their access to quality education and nutritious meals. The authors recommend targeted legislation to address child health and well-being, including expanding services and increasing funding for nutrition assistance programs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that the RT-PCR test can produce false negatives in COVID-19 diagnosis, particularly in early stages of infection. The study suggests that the predictive value of these tests may be less accurate than previously thought.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that women and older adults are still vastly underrepresented in lipid lowering therapy trials, despite their high disease burden. The researchers analyzed 60 studies from 1990 to 2018 and reported a modest increase in representation of women, but many trials excluded pregnant or breastfeeding wo...
A report from Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends adding home visit codes to MIPS quality measures and fostering research on home-based primary care. Currently, only 12% of homebound patients receive their medical care at home, highlighting the need for improved quality measures.
Prazosin, a low-cost FDA-approved alpha blocker, shows promise in reducing the risk of death from COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation by targeting cytokine storm syndrome. Early clinical trials are recommended to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
A multicancer blood test safely detected 26 undiagnosed cancers and enabled potentially curative treatment in a study of over 9,900 women. The test was found to be complementary and additive to standard screening methods for detecting breast, colon, and lung tumors.