In a groundbreaking study, doctors at Johns Hopkins successfully transplanted hepatitis C-infected kidneys into patients without the virus. The recipients remained hepatitis C-free, and their kidneys functioned well, paving the way for more organs to be used in transplants.
A new approach filters genes for study, reducing false leads and accelerating research on diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The strategy focuses on active genes, group interactions, mutation vulnerability and past studies to narrow down gene candidates, saving researchers time and money.
A new study reveals that elderly Medicare patients underwent fewer minimally invasive surgeries compared to the general population, missing out on potential benefits of lower complication rates and readmissions. The study highlights the underuse of minimally invasive surgery in eligible candidates as an example of low-value care.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have invented a new class of immunotherapy drugs called Y-traps, which target and disable key immune suppressors in tumors. The treatment has been shown to significantly decrease tumor growth and even work against cancers that do not respond to existing immunotherapy.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that a common knee operation in elderly patients provides little benefit and may be considered low-value care. The procedure, called arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), accounted for an estimated two-thirds of all orthopaedic knee arthroscopy procedures in older patients.
A national medical records analysis suggests an increase in gender affirming surgeries performed for transgender individuals, with improved access to Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance coverage. The study found no observed mortality associated with gender affirming surgery throughout the entire study period.
A new telomere length test has been shown to alter treatment decisions for patients with certain types of bone marrow failure. The test can help identify people at increased risk for developing diseases associated with short telomeres, such as lung scarring and other cancers.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found that tumor-associated epigenetic states evolve erratically during early stages of tumor development. This may help refine biomarkers for cancer risk stratification by screening specific genes in individuals of every age group.
Researchers discovered five new regions in the human genome associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk, including variants in genes that regulate cell growth and tumor suppression. The findings may lead to more targeted treatments and early detection screening for pancreatic cancer.
A recent analysis of Medicare billing records reveals that hospital charges for outpatient oncology services can exceed Medicare payouts by twofold to sixfold. The study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, emphasizes the need for fair and transparent pricing to protect vulnerable patients from financial burdens.
Researchers found that a longer history of being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of silent heart damage, even when accounting for other health factors. Maintaining a healthy weight across the lifespan may help minimize heart disease risk.
A Johns Hopkins study of mice with metabolic syndrome found that the intestinal microbiome plays a substantial role in the development of obesity and insulin resistance. The research suggests that manipulating gut bacteria may prevent obesity and diabetes.
Researchers found that outcomes for alternatives to whole liver transplantation, such as splitting a liver or using a part from a living donor, have improved for pediatric patients. These findings suggest opportunities for an increased organ supply and better use of those organs, potentially saving more lives.
Researchers found that patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation had more preoperative dys-synchrony in the left atrium, indicating a higher risk of failed ablation procedures. A new biomarker based on cardiac imaging analysis could help personalize patient selection and reduce failure rates.
Researchers discovered a protective mechanism in the immune system that shields against recurrent bacterial skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Gamma delta T cells, which account for less than 1% of lymph node cells before infection, multiply and provide protection against subsequent infections.
A Johns Hopkins analysis found that children of low-income parents enrolled in Medicaid had a 29% higher probability of receiving a well-child visit compared to those not enrolled. The relationship was strongest among families with incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level.
Researchers found that Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli bacteria work together to create a microenvironment that induces chronic inflammation and DNA damage, supporting tumor formation. This discovery could lead to more effective screening and prevention strategies for colon cancer.
Researchers recruited 61 PTLDS patients and 26 healthy controls for a comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluation. They found significant differences in questionnaire results, with PTLDS patients reporting severe fatigue, pain, cognitive complaints, and sleep difficulties.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that two proteins, COX2 and YAP1, work together to maintain bladder cancer stem cells, which cause chemotherapy resistance. Targeting these proteins may lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with bladder cancer.
Researchers created a 3D model of telomerase, an enzyme that lengthens chromosome ends, in baker's yeast. The study provides new insights into how telomerase recruits itself to chromosome tips and sheds light on its role in cancer cell survival.
Despite policies to increase diversity, racial/ethnic minority patients are less likely to receive live donor kidney transplants. The study found that disparities worsened over the last two decades, with black patients receiving only a quarter of the number of live donor transplants as white patients.
A new method, SPADE, can quantify and monitor diagnostic errors in hospitals using large databases and statistical analyses. This approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes by tracking serious adverse events and enabling patient empowerment.
The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) achieved its intended effect of encouraging teenagers to speak up and seek adult help for themselves or a peer. More than 54% of students were depression-literate four months after the curriculum, compared with 36% of students who weren't exposed.
The CancerSEEK test is a noninvasive, multianalyte test that evaluates levels of eight cancer proteins and the presence of cancer gene mutations in the blood. The test has greater than 99% specificity for cancer and can identify the location of tumors with high accuracy.
A long-term health study found a 24% increase in cancer risk among participants with severe periodontitis compared to those with mild to no periodontitis. The highest risk was observed in cases of lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine provides a more accurate representation of site- and regional-level mortality among people on HIV therapy in Zambia. The research found that mortality is substantially underreported in routine provincial program data, leading to a change in the ranking of provinces by mortality rates.
Research reveals that evening hours are a high-risk time for overeating, particularly among individuals prone to binge eating. The study found that stress levels spike in the evening, increasing hunger hormone ghrelin and decreasing satiety hormone peptide YY.
Childhood mortality in the US has been higher than other peer nations since the 1980s, with leading causes including prematurity and injuries. The study calls for continued funding of programs that save children's lives.
Scientists used AI technology to create a map of T-cell receptor diversity, discovering that patients with cancer who have a greater variety of receptors may be more likely to respond to immunotherapy. The research suggests that this variation in receptors could be key to improving treatment outcomes
Researchers identified rare genetic variations in Thorase protein associated with schizophrenia, reversed anti-social behavior in mice using perampanel. The study provides preliminary support for Thorase's role in behavioral disorders.
A new cholesterol calculation method has been shown to be more accurate than the standard method in nonfasting individuals. The method, developed by Johns Hopkins researchers, uses a chart with 180 different factors to calculate LDL cholesterol levels and individualize assessments.
Researchers analyzed medical records of 487,104 black women and found that those with CCCA had a significantly higher prevalence of uterine fibroids compared to controls. The findings suggest a possible link between the two conditions, warranting increased awareness among physicians and patients.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that tumors with high mutational burden are more likely to respond to checkpoint inhibitors, a class of cancer immunotherapy drugs. The study suggests that precision medicine could be used to guide clinical trials and improve treatment outcomes for specific patient populations.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have uncovered how ECT rapidly relieves severe depression by enhancing communication between neurons in the hippocampus. Studies using genetically engineered mice found that Narp plays a key role in this process, regulating the formation of new synapses and potentially enacting antidepressive effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that exposure to coarse particulate matter increases the risk of asthma and hospitalizations in children. For each microgram/cubic meter increase in coarse particulate matter, asthma diagnosis increased by 1.3 percent, emergency room visits for asthma by 3.3 percent, and hospitalizations by...
Scientists at Johns Hopkins used supercomputers to create an atomic scale map of how glutamate binds to a neuron in the brain. The study reveals that glutamate molecules follow specific pathways on the surface of glutamate receptors, with positively charged atoms guiding its negatively charged atoms.
Researchers found significant disparities in liquid biopsy results from Guardant360 and Personal Genome Diagnostics for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Inconsistencies were found even when analyzing DNA from the same blood sample, highlighting the need for improved certification and quality control.
A study analyzing recorded conversations between doctors and parents of critically ill infants found that medical staff often downplay quality of life issues, leaving families more optimistic than intended. Clinicians' prognostic statements were twice as likely to be optimistic than pessimistic.
Scientists have filled in key clues on the evolution of animals transitioning to aquatic life using a newly discovered reptile fossil. The study suggests that Vadasaurus, an ancient creature with features well-suited for aquatic life, is linked to modern New Zealand species and ancient sea-dwelling vertebrates.
A new treatment approach for ovarian cancer has shown promising results in a mouse model. Combining drugs that reactivate dormant genes with those that activate the immune system led to greater tumor reduction and longer survival rates compared to single-drug treatments.
A national survey of physicians found that those with a social network member with poor breast cancer prognosis are more likely to recommend routine mammograms for younger and older patients. This suggests the need for better understanding the personal experiences that shape clinicians' practices.
Researchers have developed a streamlined method and 'rules' to enhance the use of CRISPR technology, improving genome editing consistency and efficiency. The new guidelines focus on optimal donor DNA design and homology arm lengths, allowing for longer sequences to be inserted into the genome.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified a novel drug combination that can prime nonsmall cell lung cancers to respond better to immunotherapy. The treatment, which combines a demethylating drug with an HDAC inhibitor, triggered a chemical cascade that increased the attraction of immune cells to fight tumors an...
Researchers found a link between negative emotions and higher opioid use in people with sickle cell disease, particularly with low pain levels. Negative thinking also played a role in short-acting opioid use, especially when pain was reported as high.
A study of over 400 adults with prehypertension found that combining a low-salt diet with the DASH diet substantially lowers systolic blood pressure, especially in those with higher baseline readings. The combination diet resulted in reductions of up to 21mmHg in systolic blood pressure, surpassing the effect of prescription drugs.
Researchers used two gene technologies to assemble the most complete genome sequence of Triticum aestivum, the most common cultivated species of wheat. The achievement may help biologists better understand the evolutionary history of wheat and advance the quest for hardier, pest- and drought-resistant varieties.
Experts recommend restrictive blood transfusion practices for stable patients with hemoglobin levels of 7 g/dL or higher, reducing mortality and blood clot risks. The study found significant reductions in blood use by 40-65% in largest randomized trials.
Johns Hopkins researchers identified a cellular pathway responsible for rapid heart failure in Marfan syndrome and reversed the disease in mouse models by increasing stress on the animals' hearts. The findings provide a potential model for treating this aggressive form of the disorder.
A national survey of pediatric primary care physicians found that while most address at least one parental health issue during child health visits, fewer feel responsible for doing so. The study highlights the need to better understand how health systems can support current practices and improve parental health promotion in pediatrics.
The study identifies a protein called IL-36 as a key player in inducing skin inflammation in response to bacteria on the skin surface. This finding has significant implications for developing alternative treatments for atopic dermatitis, a condition affecting 20% of children and 5% of adults.