A new tablet-based app offers a faster, easier, and more accurate way to assess the cognitive function of people with multiple sclerosis. The app, called iCAMS, reduced test time from about 23 minutes to 14 minutes while producing highly accurate results.
Chronic kidney disease affects 37 million Americans, but primary care physicians lack sufficient knowledge and resources to effectively identify and manage patients. A focus group study found that PCPs need more training, resources, and clinical support tools to address the growing epidemic of CKD.
Researchers found that patients with non-small cell lung cancer who develop checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis have higher levels of memory T cells in their lungs compared to those without the condition. The study also identified decreased levels of regulatory T cells, which may lead to new ways to treat this complication.
A new study suggests that marathon runners are at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to fluid and salt losses, rather than core body temperature. Researchers found that managing fluid volume and salt losses with a personalized regimen during training may help reduce the incidence of AKI.
Researchers found that rats fed high fat diets during pregnancy and nursing had slower learning abilities and persistently abnormal brain development. They also had lower levels of insulin receptors, leptin receptors, and glucose transporter 1 compared to rats from mothers on normal diets.
The study found that disposable devices might lead to lower rates of post-colonoscopy infection, but institutions with thousands of procedures per year could better benefit from improved disinfection methods. High-volume centers tend to have lower infection risks due to increased experience and faster turnover of colonoscopes.
Researchers estimate that over 72 per 100,000 people in the US are affected by prurigo nodularis, a skin disease characterized by itchy bumps. The study also found associations with other conditions, including HIV, kidney disease, and mental health disorders.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found that taking a single course of antibiotics may boost the risk of developing colon cancer a decade later. The study, published in the journal Gut, highlights the need for judicious use of antibiotics and careful stewardship.
A new care program featuring home visits and mobile phone links to caregivers improves treatment and follow-up for teens and young women with pelvic inflammatory disease. The study found a significant decline in new STIs among those receiving the innovative care program.
Researchers found that tumor cells depleted of ARID1A become highly sensitive to PARP inhibitor drugs after radiation treatment. This discovery could advance efforts to treat cancers resistant to current standard treatments.
A recent survey of over 24,000 internal medicine residents found that about 14% reported being bullied, with foreign-born trainees experiencing higher rates. The study also linked bullying to burnout, depression, and poor performance on exams.
Researchers have found that abnormal blood pressure in middle and late life significantly increases the likelihood of developing dementia. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure throughout life may be a key factor in reducing this risk.
Researchers found that bilirubin protects the brain against oxidative stress by regulating superoxide levels. The study suggests a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. Bilirubin's unique chemical structure allows it to neutralize harmful superoxide molecules.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new mouse model that mimics the effects of red blood cell transfusions on human infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The study found that severe anemia increases the risk of NEC after transfusion, and that free hemoglobin can trigger an immune response in the intestine.
A study reveals that mosquitoes' salivary glands contain a barrier that blocks most malaria-causing parasites from being transmitted during a bite. Researchers found that only a few parasites can pass through a narrow opening in the 'chitin wall', potentially leading to new strategies for preventing malarial infection.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified two proteins, Activin A and follistatin, that precisely regulate hair cell birth in the mammalian inner ear. This discovery may lead to future therapies for restoring hearing in individuals with irreversible deafness.
A new analysis of data on over 900 Baltimore adults has linked stressful life experiences among middle-aged women to greater memory decline in later life. The researchers found that women who experienced more stressful life events recalled fewer words and recognized less words during memory tests.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins clarify ketamine's antidepressant properties, stating it binds to NMDA receptors rather than opioid receptors. This mechanism allows ketamine to turn off the master control switch mTOR, enabling its therapeutic effects. The FDA has approved ketamine as a nasal spray for depression treatment.
Researchers have identified a specific role for astrocyte proteins in directing neural connections, using nanoparticles to deliver corrective proteins to replace missing proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. The study offers new hope for regrowing and repairing damaged brain networks.
A combination of two FDA-approved drugs significantly extended the lives of mice injected with human ovarian cancer cells, altering the natural ratio of macrophages and improving survival. The treatment targets M1 macrophages, which can protect against tumor growth and progression.
A study published in JAMA Oncology reports higher than expected five-year survival rates for patients with melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and non-small-cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab. The treatment showed durable responses and improved outcomes for patients without cancer-related symptoms.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that certain forms of heart disease may result when circulating anti-inflammatory white blood cells fail to properly differentiate into macrophages. Blocking a key protein, IL-17A, permits healthy cardiac function and allows macrophages to protect the heart muscle.
A novel laboratory test developed at Johns Hopkins Medicine can accurately detect malignant and benign breast tumors in a mere 5 hours, significantly reducing the wait time for diagnosis. The test exploits epigenetic alterations and has the potential to dramatically reduce wait times and improve survival rates in resource-poor settings.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used mice to study decision-based memories, finding that they are stored in the prefrontal cortex. The study revealed that neurons in this region fire at a higher rate when making decisions, and that this rate slows down over time. This knowledge can help develop models of decision-making and poten...
Researchers found a common vulnerability among aneuploid cancer cells, which are bloated and overstuffed due to high intracellular protein concentrations. The team identified a molecular pathway involving proteins ART1 and Rsp5 that regulates nutrient uptake in these cells.
A new laboratory test using artificial intelligence tools has been shown to more accurately sort out which people with pancreatic cysts will go on to develop pancreatic cancers. The test, dubbed CompCyst, correctly identified patients who did not need surgery in over half of cases.
A recent analysis of clinical trials found that only a low-salt diet, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and possibly folic acid supplements showed potential health benefits. The majority of supplements had no link to increased or decreased risk of death or heart health.
Johns Hopkins researchers found that laser treatments and retinoic acid share a common molecular pathway that senses loose RNA molecules. This pathway is also involved in mice regenerating hair follicles after a wound.
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement to improve prediction of recovery in comatose cardiac arrest survivors. Current practices often lead to premature predictions, resulting in unnecessary suffering or withdrawal of care too soon.
Researchers identified three major disease categories associated with a high number of misdiagnoses. Vascular events, infections, and cancers account for nearly three-fourths of serious harms from diagnostic errors. The study's findings highlight the importance of improving bedside diagnostic decision-making in healthcare systems.
Researchers studied clinician and older adult perspectives on communicating cancer screening cessation. Key findings include framing discussions around risks and benefits, patient empowerment, and addressing life expectancy concerns. The study aims to personalize cancer screening for elderly patients.
A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet improved brain function and memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The modified Atkins diet showed small but measurable improvements on standardized tests of memory compared to a low-fat diet.
A survey of orthopaedic providers found that they frequently recommend prescribing a nine-day supply of oxycodone after surgery, exceeding current guidelines. Despite knowledge gaps, the study highlights the need for evidence-based guidelines to curb overprescribing and patient harm.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found evidence that Parkinson's disease originates in the gut and travels up the brain's neurons. The study used mice with misfolded alpha-synuclein protein, which causes nerve cell death, to demonstrate the connection.
Researchers found abnormal proteins in brains of people with schizophrenia, similar to those seen in Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. These misfolded proteins affect nervous system development and neural communication, consistent with theories of schizophrenia's origins.
A four-year study found that vosoritide increased the average annual growth rate of children with achondroplasia by nearly 2 centimeters per year, bringing it close to average stature. The treatment also showed sustained effects and was generally well-tolerated.
A study found that one-fifth of US surgeons perform the less-recommended AV graft procedure too often, even when unnecessary. The research suggests that older, specialized surgeons are more likely to use this method.
Researchers tested a medication reservoir implant in 220 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, finding it safe and effective in reducing the need for injections. The study showed significant improvements in eyesight, with patients able to see farther than before, and a longer time between refills.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that five-star hospitals offer fewer services compared to non-five star hospitals. Five-star hospitals are less likely to have emergency departments, intensive care units, and other specialized services.
Researchers found that smarter, more educated people have a 'cognitive reserve' that helps them perform better at baseline, but this doesn't affect their actual decline rate. Higher education levels are associated with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease in midlife, regardless of age or brain amyloid beta protein levels.
A lack of representation of people with disabilities in the biomedical workforce can lead to limited care improvements. Researchers like Bonnielin Swenor advocate for increased diversity and accommodations to create more inclusive environments.
A pioneering blood test developed by Johns Hopkins researchers, CancerSEEK, will be developed by Thrive.EarlyDetection Corp. to detect multiple cancer types at earlier stages. The technology has received Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA and has shown high specificity and sensitivity in detecting various cancers.
A newly discovered immune cell, the 'X cell', has been found to be a major driver of the autoimmune response believed to cause type 1 diabetes. The X cell can act as both a B cell and a T cell, amplifying the autoimmune response.
A new blood test, DELFI, uses machine learning to identify abnormal DNA patterns in the bloodstream for early cancer detection. The test detected cancer DNA in 57-99% of patients with various stages of breast, colorectal, and other cancers.
Researchers developed two AI methods that decipher complex gene activity controlling cell fate decisions in retina development, relating this gene activity to other tissues and across different species. The findings provide key insights into human disease and highlight the potential for AI to shed light on cancer treatment.
A new laboratory test could accurately predict which breast cancers are likely to spread and help clinicians select optimal treatments. The test, called Microfluidic Assay for quantification of Cell Invasion (MAqCI), assesses three key features of metastasis in cancer cells.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine found a distinct subtype of primary central nervous system lymphoma suitable for surgical removal, offering improved outcomes and potential cure rates. The study suggests a shift in treatment approach, moving away from traditional biopsy, radiotherapy, and high-dose chemotherapy.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have unraveled how the DNA machinery fits together, revealing a paradigm shift in understanding genetic illness. The discovery of how nucleosomes change shape to bind with an enzyme could unveil new treatment opportunities for childhood leukemia.
Researchers have created a method to track gene expression in cells during development, providing unprecedented detail. This technique could be used to develop future regenerative treatments for diseases like macular degeneration and other neurological disorders.
The Johns Hopkins researchers advocate for a 'digital health scorecard' to provide objective validation and ratings for health technology solutions. They aim to address the lack of rigor in evaluating health care technology, which often prioritizes speed over safety and clinical effectiveness.