Researchers developed a novel antibody detection technology that increases the sensitivity of Type 1 Diabetes tests, enabling screening for more autoimmune antibodies implicated in the disease. The technology holds promise for making populationwide screening practical and catching the disease earlier.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully transported medical samples 160+ miles using a drone, setting a new delivery distance record. The flight maintained temperature control, ensuring the samples were viable for laboratory analysis after landing.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found that cigarette smoke triggers epigenetic changes in human airway cells, sensitizing them to genetic mutations. These changes precede and silence key tumor suppressor genes, leading to increased KRAS signaling and cancer development.
A new blood management program at Johns Hopkins Health System has reduced unnecessary blood transfusions and saved the system over $2 million annually. The program, launched in 2012, included education and feedback to promote best practices and guideline compliance, resulting in significant cost savings.
A national survey of over 2,000 physicians finds that overtreatment is a leading driver of healthcare costs and wasteful spending. Physicians believe that at least 15-30% of medical care is unnecessary, with fear of malpractice being the primary cause.
Researchers developed a combined 'liquid biopsy' that detected markers from both DNA and protein products of DNA, showing twice the accuracy of detection as DNA alone. The test identified early-stage pancreatic cancer in 64% of patients, improving on the 30% detection rate achieved with DNA testing alone.
A new study shows that untreated sleep apnea increases blood sugar, fat levels, stress hormones, and blood pressure while participants slept. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is recommended to prevent these consequences.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that inflammation is required for olfactory tissue regeneration in a mouse study. Suppressing inflammation with steroids slowed stem cell proliferation, highlighting the complex relationship between inflammation and healing.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified a type of neuron in the brains of mice that promotes sleep by turning off wake-promoting neurons. Lhx6-expressing cells play a central role in regulating both rapid eye movement and nonrapid eye movement sleep, with potential applications for treating various sleep disorders.
A Johns Hopkins paleontologist and her team report that human arrival and activity led to the extinction of native mammal species in the Caribbean. The study found that 60% of endemic mammals went extinct after humans arrived, with current conservation efforts focusing on protecting bats and insectivores.
A study using fMRI scans found that reduced neural activity in teens at high risk of adult obesity may be an early predictor. The researchers discovered that lean adolescents with a family history of overweight parents showed less self-regulation activity than their peers.
A yearlong study found that well-designed online education can decrease nonadministration rates of prescribed blood thinners to prevent venous thromboembolism. Nurses who completed an interactive education module showed a greater reduction in non-administration rates compared to those who received traditional voice-over instruction.
A new blood test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine accurately identifies more than half of people with early-stage colorectal, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. The test distinguishes between cancer-specific DNA and altered DNA that can be mistaken for biomarkers.
A Johns Hopkins study found that individuals with mild cognitive decline have lower levels of serotonin transporters, suggesting a possible driver of the disease. The research suggests increasing serotonin function may prevent memory loss and slow disease progression.
A new study suggests that human settlement of Jamaica may have led to the extinction of the Xenothrix mcgregori monkey species. The research uses radiocarbon dating to estimate that the monkey died between 505 and 573 A.D., overlapping with non-European human arrival on the island.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a biochemical process that gives prostate cancer cells the ability to change shape and invade other tissues. The study found that a gene called AIM1 is deleted in approximately 20-30% of prostate cancers confined to the gland and 40% of metastatic prostate cancers.
A study found that between 42-71% of prescribed opioids went unused among patients, highlighting the need for personalized pain management. Patients often store prescription opioids improperly and fail to dispose of unused pills safely.
A new study suggests that assessing orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure, within one minute of standing is more predictive of future falls and adverse outcomes. The study found that this measurement time was associated with the highest rates of fractures, fainting, and death.
Researchers found that Medicaid expansion under the ACA reduced total emergency department visits in Maryland by nearly 36,000, with a 6% increase in Medicaid-covered visits and a 6% decrease in uninsured patient visits. The study suggests that while the ACA did not immediately reduce emergency department utilization, it provides incre...
A recent survey of primary care physicians found that nearly two-thirds could not correctly identify all risk factors for prediabetes. The study highlights the need for increased provider knowledge and availability of resources to help patients reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed a mathematical method to predict the effectiveness of catheter ablation for treating Afib. The study found that improving electrical communication in the heart immediately after the procedure can predict longer-term success rates.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that controlling the immune system's cell reactivity to injury can accelerate eye tissue regeneration in zebrafish. This finding may lead to new strategies for combating degenerative eye diseases in humans.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a modified skin biopsy technique to hasten the diagnosis of transthyretin amyloidosis, a rare and lethal nerve disease. The test, which detects protein clumps in skin samples, shows promise for more rapid clinical trials and improved treatment options.
TAK228 enhances radiation and chemotherapy for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT), two childhood brain cancers with poor prognosis. The drug reduces tumor cell proliferation and increases cancer cell death, particularly when combined with treatment.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that on-site pill-testing services can reduce the risks associated with recreational drug use. The researchers found that people are more likely to reject taking a pill if it contains harmful additives or is adulterated.
Scientists have developed a powerful new technique called LASSO cloning that can clone thousands of long DNA sequences at once, speeding up the creation of proteins and discovery of new medicines. This innovation enables researchers to analyze what genes' proteins do, leading to potential breakthroughs in scores of diseases.
A minimally invasive approach to treating chronic pancreas disease resulted in fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and less need for opioids. The procedure also showed promising results in reducing pain scores and opioid therapy needs.
Researchers found that distinct variations in protein expression levels, rather than genetic alterations, are linked to response or resistance to immunotherapy drugs. The study identified specific genes and proteins associated with tumor growth and immune evasion, paving the way for new therapeutic targets.
A molecular diagnostic test has received FDA approval for accurately distinguishing among the three most common causes of vaginitis. The test is more sensitive, faster, and objective than traditional methods, providing detailed diagnoses that can help determine the best course of treatment.
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report that mouse eyes can constrict in response to light without involving the brain. Melanopsin, a light-sensitive pigment, is found in the iris sphincter muscle and causes it to contract.
A study of 1488 adult patients found that 20% experienced adverse reactions to antibiotics, with gastrointestinal and kidney issues being the most common. Nearly a fifth of these adverse effects were unnecessary and occurred in patients who didn't need antibiotics.
Researchers found that current assessments are not keeping up with clinical trial advances, highlighting the need for improved treatment outcome measurement tools. Most outcome measures in FXS clinical trials received only a moderate rating due to limited information on reliability and validity.
In a clinical trial of 86 patients with colorectal and other cancers, scientists found that half respond to pembrolizumab due to mutations in their tumors. This could lead to a new standard-of-care including mismatch repair deficiency testing to identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapy.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins created a nanoparticle that carries two different antibodies to simultaneously switch off cancer cells' defensive properties while switching on a robust anticancer immune response in mice. The 'immunoswitch' particles dramatically slowed the growth of mouse melanoma and colon cancer, even eradicating tumors.
A study of emergency medicine doctors found that adult patients are charged 340% more than Medicare pays for services. The largest hospital markups disproportionately affect minorities and uninsured patients, highlighting a need for fairer and more transparent healthcare pricing.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that immune cells latently infected with HIV can proliferate and replenish the virus reservoir, which is resistant to antiretroviral drug therapy. The proliferation of these reservoir cells poses a significant challenge to developing a cure for HIV.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute found that adherence to evidence-based practices and unit teamwork can reduce ventilator-associated events. The study showed a nearly 50% reduction in infection-related complications and pneumonia cases, leading to faster patient recovery and reduced hospital costs.
In a breakthrough study, Johns Hopkins researchers identified a new way that the brain communicates with the immune system, using vesicles and small fat-like molecules to send signals. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for brain injuries by targeting the inflammatory response.
Researchers have shown that an experimental gene therapy is safe and may be effective in preserving vision in people with wet age-related macular degeneration. The treatment involves injecting a virus containing a therapeutic gene into the eye, which produces a protein to prevent abnormal blood vessel growth.
A recent gene sequencing study has identified unusual genetic mutations in women with benign endometriosis, a painful disorder marked by uterine tissue growth outside the womb. The findings may eventually help scientists develop molecular tests to distinguish between aggressive and clinically indolent types of endometriosis.
Researchers identified specific dopamine wedge neurons responsible for driving fruit flies' food preferences towards what they need. After protein deprivation, these neurons released a chemical signal that directed the flies to seek out their main protein source, yeast.
A study found that incidental findings from routine imaging scans generated longer hospital stays in over half of patients, with only 7% being medically significant. Researchers urge hospitals to better assess these findings and explore ways to safely reduce added costly days.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center discover that cancer cells hijack the DNA repair machinery to sustain their growth. By inhibiting this mechanism, they found potential targets for anticancer drugs and ways to track cancer recurrence.
Researchers found that traffic jams in the nucleus kill brain cells in Huntington's disease. Drugs clearing up these disruptions restored normal transport and saved cells.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team successfully flew a specialist to a stroke patient, improving outcomes and reducing costs. The study demonstrates the feasibility of helicopter-based care for time-sensitive procedures like catheter-based treatment.
A study analyzed Medicare billing data from over 2,300 US physicians to find the average number of cuts made during Mohs micrographic surgery. The researchers found that some physicians made significantly more cuts than others, and identified potential explanations for these variations.
A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that the gene HMGA1 maintains intestinal stem cells and encourages their growth, supporting 'niche' cells. The discovery advances prospects for regenerative medicine and cancer treatments.
A new study found that nearly half of ARDS survivors were jobless one year after hospital discharge, with an estimated average loss of $27,000 in earnings. The research also identified risk factors for joblessness and highlighted the need for occupational rehabilitation strategies to support survivors' return to work.
Researchers discovered a positive relationship between exercise and vitamin D levels in reducing cardiovascular disease risks. The study found that exercising regularly boosted vitamin D stores, while adequate vitamin D levels also protected against heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers report that selectively removing old or 'senescent' cells from joints could prevent and even reverse the progression of osteoarthritis. The treatment promotes an environment for new cartilage to grow and repair joints, reducing pain and degradation in joint health.