A six-month study of children with asthma found that higher omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with lower odds of daytime asthma symptoms in response to indoor air pollution. Conversely, higher omega-6 intake was linked to more severe asthma and increased inflammation. The study suggests that dietary recommendations can help prot...
A multidisciplinary team from Johns Hopkins Medicine has completed the first living donor HIV-to-HIV kidney transplant in the US. Nina Martinez, a 35-year-old living with HIV, donated her kidney to an anonymous recipient after undergoing rigorous evaluation and testing.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new technique using PET scans to track the interaction between cancer drugs and tumor cells, providing valuable insights into how effective treatment is. This breakthrough could streamline cancer therapy by enabling doctors to tailor treatments, determine therapeutic doses, and avo...
A new computer-based model developed by Johns Hopkins researchers accurately predicts which patients with a rare heart condition will benefit from an implanted defibrillator. The model identifies patients most likely to benefit from the device while preventing unnecessary surgery, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.
Researchers have developed a portable mini microscope that allows for real-time brain imaging in living mice, reducing costs and enabling more detailed studies of diseases such as cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer's. The device records images from active brains of mice moving naturally around their environments.
Researchers found that combining carboplatin and everolimus increased DNA damage and cell death in laboratory models, slowing tumor growth. The treatment showed promise in killing tumor cells and reducing tumor size, especially in tumors with high mTOR expression.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine studied 22 US state and federal prisons, tracking 1,396 pregnant women over 12 months. Most pregnancies resulted in live births with no maternal deaths, a significant improvement compared to general population statistics.
A pilot study by Johns Hopkins researchers found decreases in GABA and glutamate in people with mild cognitive impairment compared to healthy individuals. The study used strong magnets to measure multiple brain metabolites simultaneously, potentially revealing the earliest changes in brain chemistry associated with dementia.
A Johns Hopkins study found that 80% of participants experienced improvements in anxiety and depression after using synthetic psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT. The short-acting effects of the substance may make it easier to use as an adjunct therapy, with potential benefits for individuals experiencing clinically significant negative mood.
A new protocol has increased the rate of successful bone marrow transplants from half-matched donors to nearly 100%, offering a higher chance of cure for patients with severe inherited blood disorders. Patients experienced reduced symptoms and no longer required immunosuppressive medications.
A study of 142 cancer surgery patients found that psychological and social risk factors, such as depression and lack of emergency resources, are linked to higher surgical complications. Researchers suggest managing these nontraditional risk factors could improve outcomes.
Researchers found the same genetic change in five of six tumors, implicating a muscle gene in olfactory neuroblastoma. The deletions were found in the DMD gene, which codes for dystrophin, and may contribute to the formation of the cancer.
A retrospective study found that inherited mutations in pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in patients with specific precursor lesions. The study analyzed DNA from 315 patients and found a higher likelihood of invasive pancreatic cancer in those with inherited mutations.
A new online tool, The Human Diagnosis Project, assesses physicians' diagnostic skills by analyzing sample patient scenarios and providing immediate feedback. The study found that attending physicians outperformed other groups in terms of accuracy and efficiency, with those from top-ranked medical schools scoring highest.
A new study using PET scans has identified a biomarker that predicts which women with HER2-positive breast cancer may benefit from standalone HER2-targeted agents without chemotherapy. Researchers found that patients with low sugar levels on PET scans at two weeks after treatment had the potential to be spared chemotherapy, indicating ...
Researchers discovered two types of fat tissue cells that help bone heal: pericytes stimulate blood vessel growth and adventicytes form bone cells. Combination therapy using both cells promotes robust bone repair in mice with skull defects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a new compound called rapadocin that may prevent reperfusion injury, a tissue-damaging complication of surgery. The compound was found to block the activity of a chemical pathway associated with reperfusion injuries, reducing markers of kidney damage in mice.
Two new forms of an older anti-cancer agent, s-DAB-IL-2 and s-DAB-IL-2(V6A), have been shown to enhance the immune system's ability to fight melanoma in mice. The agents depleted T regulatory cells and inhibited tumor growth when used individually or in combination with checkpoint blockade therapy.
A new study found that adolescent female blood donors are more likely to have low iron stores and iron deficiency anemia. The researchers propose various measures to help this vulnerable population, including oral iron supplementation and increasing the minimum time interval between donations.
Two clinical studies show that liquid biopsies can accurately track lung cancer treatment responses, detecting changes in circulating tumor DNA four weeks earlier than CT imaging. The tests provide a more accurate and noninvasive way to assess therapeutic responses, avoiding unneeded toxicity or ineffective treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a molecular switch that regulates mTORC1 activity, slowing its action and preventing abnormal heart enlargement. This discovery has potential implications for treating heart disease, diabetes, kidney, lung, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
A study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab is more effective than traditional chemotherapy for patients with aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma. The treatment showed high response rates and durable progression-free survival in both virus-positive and virus-negative subtypes.
Researchers use new PET scan technique to show that people with PTLDS have elevated levels of a chemical marker of brain inflammation, compared to healthy controls. The study suggests new avenues for treating the long-term fatigue and cognitive symptoms associated with PTLDS.
A federally funded study of nearly 400 patients found that compounded topical pain creams and gels offer no statistically significant difference in pain relief compared to placebos. The researchers concluded that people using these creams are being taken advantage of, as the scientific evidence supporting their benefits is lacking.
Researchers discovered rhomboid enzymes can move quickly through cell membrane by warping surroundings, allowing them to glide rapidly across. This ability enables them to scour the membrane for targets to cut, providing real-time signals to other cells.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that calorie restriction prevented asthma symptoms in mice, regardless of diet composition. The study's results add to evidence supporting links between obesity, inflammation, and asthma, highlighting the value of anti-inflammatory drugs in treating asthma symptoms in obese individuals.
Women physician researchers make 7-8% less per year than men, leading to tens of thousands of dollars less in lifetime wealth. Researchers used new models to calculate the impact of salary disparities on accumulated wealth.
A new esophageal cancer screening test called EsophaCap has been developed using genetic biomarkers to detect the deadly disease. The test involves swallowing a small capsule that dissolves into a sponge, which collects genetic material from the entire length of the esophagus and is then sent for analysis.
Researchers developed a rapid whole genome sequencing method that can identify specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains in under a day, reducing treatment time by at least 20 hours. The technology has the potential to speed personalized treatment of drug-resistant infections, which claim thousands of lives annually.
Researchers identified 13,000 epigenetic regions with varying activity levels in different brain regions. These changes were found to co-locate with genetic signals contributing to addictive behavior, schizophrenia, and neuroses.
Researchers found a significant association between schizophrenia and increased antibody levels against the Epstein-Barr virus. The study suggests that individuals with schizophrenia may be more susceptible to EBV infection due to an abnormal immune response.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a protein that can serve as an early biomarker for colorectal cancer. The protein, beta-1,4-GalT-V, is involved in cell proliferation and new blood vessel formation, which are critical processes in cancer growth.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a cellular protein signal that drives both bone and fat formation in stem cells. Harnessing this signal, WISP-1, could help fractures heal faster, speed surgical recovery and prevent bone loss due to aging or injury.
A study combining technology with healthcare provider perceptions identifies nonadherent patients better than doctors' perceptions alone. Pharmacy refill data shows that combining provider reports and pharmacy data leads to the most balanced sensitivity and negative predictive power.
Researchers found that providing universal vaccination against meningitis B infection to college students would be too costly, as the vaccine prevents only a small number of cases. However, they suggest that if the price is lowered, universal vaccination might be worth requiring on college campuses.
A decade-long study found that vaginal childbirth substantially increases the probability of developing pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse, later in life. The study also identified delivery modes associated with higher risk, including spontaneous vaginal delivery and operative vaginal delivery.
Researchers discovered a combination of a cancer vaccine with two checkpoint drugs reduced pancreatic cancer tumors in mice, indicating a possible pathway for treatment. The approach has promise for patients who are or become resistant to immunotherapy drugs after a recurrence of their tumors.
A Johns Hopkins-led initiative screened over 5,000 Tibetan refugee children and staff for tuberculosis disease and infection. The study found nearly one in five children had TB infection, highlighting the need for population-level control measures.
Researchers identified optimal recipients for split liver transplants, including children weighing under 10 kilograms and those with rare diseases. Split liver transplants were found to have similar outcomes as whole liver transplants when adjusting for variables such as donor age and recipient health.
Researchers discovered that genetically vulnerable mice exposed to marijuana showed increased inflammation in brain cells linked to serious mental illnesses. The study suggests that marijuana's brain-damaging effects may be more pronounced in teens with a specific genetic mutation.
Researchers found that malnutrition in children with Crohn's disease significantly increases the risk of surgical complications and poor outcomes. Children with moderate or severe malnutrition have a higher rate of complications, reoperations, and longer hospital stays compared to non-malnourished patients.
A medical records study of over 7,000 patients awaiting a lung transplant in the US has confirmed that the current organ allocation system is geographically biased. The study found significant disparities in lung transplant rates between different regions, with some areas receiving nearly four times more transplants than others.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the molecular underpinnings of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) lead to brain injury. They identified TLR4 as the cause and found that HMGB1 is generated in response to TLR4, leading to microglial activation and brain injury.
Scientists have observed a previously unrecognized swarming behavior in Spironucleus vortens, a single-celled parasite infecting ornamental fish. The swarm exhibits highly coordinated movement, suggesting interactions between the flagellates, which may contribute to its life cycle and lead to novel treatments.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that underrepresented populations are less likely to be eligible for hip or knee replacement surgeries due to inflexible hospital requirements. The researchers aimed to measure how these criteria worsen health disparities and identify disadvantaged groups affected.
A study analyzing 6,000 people found that tracking a patient's weight history from young adulthood can provide valuable insights into their future risk of heart failure. The investigation showed that maintaining a normal weight over the lifespan is ideal, while obesity at specific ages significantly increases the risk of heart disease.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that humans are hardwired to maximize rewards, leading to faster movement towards desirable outcomes. The research found that richer rewards result in quicker eye movements and decision-making, with implications for understanding human behavior and economic theory.
Researchers discovered that protrusions on cells trigger Ras-ERK activity, a frequently mutated cancer pathway. This finding could lead to new targets for cancer therapeutics and potentially offer alternative approaches to modulating the pathway's activity.
Researchers have identified three promising radiopharmaceuticals that bind to tau tangles, a protein associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The tracers were tested in patients with Alzheimer's disease and found to show promise in measuring tau protein accumulation.
A new study found that young women with hormone receptor-positive luminal A breast cancer have a lower five-year disease-free survival rate compared to older patients. The study's authors hope their findings can inform better treatment options for this age group.