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.
Scientists have successfully created tiny protein-based gelatin-like clumps called hydrogels inside living cells using a novel technique. This breakthrough advances research into the suspected contributions of hydrogels to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that specific brain network connections can predict long-term recovery trajectories in patients with severe brain injury after a cardiac arrest. Functional MRI data analysis identified clusters of brain regions that correlate strongly with functional outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a topical gel made from common blood pressure pills that block inflammation pathways, speeding up the healing of chronic skin wounds. The gel was shown to be effective in accelerating wound healing in mice and pigs, with one concentration showing significant benefits.
A study of nine women suggests that ovarian tumors may originate in the fallopian tubes, providing insights into cancer origin and potential prevention strategies. The researchers found identical genetic errors in chromosome 17 and BRCA genes in all patients, supporting the fallopian tube theory.
A new study on mice sheds light on the role of protein modification in heart failure, suggesting new strategies for personalizing treatment by examining phosphorylation. Researchers found that abnormal addition of phosphate to a specific heart muscle protein may damage the heart's pumping ability.
Researchers successfully deliver platinum-based chemotherapy drugs via nanoparticles to treat nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer, reducing systemic absorption and toxicity. The study offers a potential less toxic clinical alternative to standard chemotherapy.
A study of 12,612 Hispanic children found that those in immigrant families reported fewer adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than those in U.S.-native families. Children in immigrant families were more likely to have no ACE exposure, with a prevalence of 53%, compared to 44% for U.S.-native families.
Researchers found that mitochondrial DNA copy number is a novel biomarker predicting cardiovascular disease risk, especially for sudden cardiac death. This could help physicians accurately predict life-threatening events and inform treatment decisions with statins.
A study using fruit flies has identified a mechanism behind a human heart condition that causes the heart to enlarge and fail. The mutation interferes with heart muscle relaxation, preventing it from fully filling with blood and pumping it out.
A Johns Hopkins study of firearm-related injuries found decreasing incidence in some age groups, increasing trends in others, and higher costs for gunshot wounds. Firearm injuries are also linked to mental health disorders, with attempted suicides having the highest incidence among Medicare enrollees.
Researchers developed an electronic triage tool to improve patient care in emergency departments, identifying critically ill patients and assigning priority treatment levels. The tool showed equal or improved identification of patient outcomes compared to the existing emergency severity index (ESI) based on a multi-site retrospective s...
A new analysis finds that victims of gunshots and stabbings are less likely to die if transported to a trauma center by private vehicle rather than ground emergency medical services. Penetrating injuries such as knife and gun wounds showed a significant reduction in mortality rates when transported privately.
Researchers found that drinking alcohol induces changes to a cholesterol-regulating gene, PCSK9, leading to differences in how cholesterol is processed. Higher methylation and gene expression of PCSK9 were associated with chronic heavy alcohol use, which can lead to lower PCSK9 protein levels due to liver damage.
Researchers created mice lacking ankyrin-G protein, displaying hyperactivity and reduced anxiety. Lithium treatment reversed these behaviors, mirroring human bipolar disorder symptoms.
A study of over 600 colorectal surgeries found racial and socioeconomic disparities in pain management, with white patients more likely to receive optimal care. The findings highlight the importance of process measures in preventing these disparities, particularly for historically disadvantaged populations.