Researchers found strong biological evidence linking Zika virus infection to Guillain-Barré syndrome in a substantial number of patients. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, supports the correlation with immunologic and viral evidence of Zika infection.
A new study found that most ARDS survivors experience physical decline in the five years after hospital discharge. Older age and pre-existing illnesses are key risk factors for this decline. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted post-hospital therapy to support these high-risk patients.
Researchers developed a checklist to measure respect and dignity in ICUs, identifying differences between ICU types with distinct patient populations. The study found significant correlations between clinician behavior and patient outcomes, highlighting the importance of respectful care.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have developed a new compound by attaching glucose to triptolide, making it more effective against cancer cells. The compound, glutriptolide 2, shows promise as a potential anticancer treatment with fewer side effects.
Researchers found that a repurposed drug, pirfenidone, increased lung lesions and prevented antibiotics from targeting TB bacteria. The study suggests caution when using host-directed therapies for TB, emphasizing the need for careful vetting of new treatments.
Researchers analyzed 4,500 US hospitals' data and found that facilities with high readmission rates had better mortality scores in specific conditions like heart failure, COPD, and stroke. This challenges the commonly used measure of hospital quality by CMS.
Researchers analyzed medical records from over 11,000 Americans and found a statistically significant increase in heart damage risk among those with very low diastolic blood pressure. Driving diastolic blood pressure too low may cause damage to heart tissue.
A $15.4 million initiative co-led by Johns Hopkins and Salk aims to improve the quality of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology for studying mental health disorders. The project will use iPSCs from over 50 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to develop new diagnostic and drug discovery tools.
Scientists screened 6,000 existing compounds for their effectiveness against Zika virus infections and identified two classes of promising drugs: neuroprotective and antiviral agents. Three drugs showed robust results, but further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy in humans.
Researchers found that rats replay sequences in reverse when rewarded, suggesting the brain links rewards to paths. This mechanism may aid humans in recalling important details about their surroundings.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have discovered a drug combination that specifically targets the metabolic pathways of pancreatic cancer cells. By combining an experimental drug with metformin, researchers were able to shrink tumors by at least 50% in animal models, providing new evidence for treating this aggressive form of cancer.
A Johns Hopkins study of over 13,000 participants found that severe obesity is a standalone high-risk factor for heart failure, but not other types of heart disease. Morbidly obese individuals were nearly fourfold more likely to develop heart failure even after controlling for risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The discovery of 25 little bones in India suggests that primates native to the region played a crucial role in the early evolution of primates. The bones, dated to around 54.5 million years ago, show primitive features that do not clearly belong to either clade and may represent an early stage of primate evolution.
A DASH diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy significantly lowers uric acid levels, a causative agent of gout, nearly matching the impact of gout medicines. The study suggests a safe and sustainable dietary approach to lower uric acid and prevent gout flare-ups.
A meta-analysis of 4,113 ICU patients found nearly one-third exhibit clinically important and persistent depressive symptoms. Persistent symptoms can last a year or more, affecting recovery and daily life.
Researchers identified a new gene, NAF1, associated with pulmonary fibrosis-emphysema in people with abnormally short telomeres. The mutation affects telomerase RNA stability, leading to decreased telomerase levels and increased risk of lung disease.
A new study published in Nature Medicine found that over 90% of latent HIV 'provirus' genomes are genetic duds, unable to replicate and cause disease. This challenges the current methods for measuring the size of the reservoir, highlighting a need for more accurate counting methods.
A study led by Johns Hopkins pathologists found routine hormone receptor testing for noninvasive breast cancer through needle biopsies is unnecessary and wasteful, costing millions annually. This practice could save up to $35 million yearly.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that one-on-one coaching sessions with trained pharmacists and dietitians significantly reduced blood pressure among participants, especially those who were African American. The program's motivational interviewing approach helped patients set achievable goals and address medication concerns.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have developed a system using transformed human stem cells to speed up screening of existing drugs for rare brain and other cancers. This method enables more confident comparison with human cells, leading to promising treatments like CDK inhibitors for Group 3 medulloblastoma.
A study published in PNAS reveals that cysteine deficiency contributes to oxidative stress and nerve cell damage in Huntington's disease. Cysteine levels affect the activity of ATF4, a protein involved in antioxidant defenses.
A recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins finds that people with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancers still get sunburned, likely due to ineffective use of sun-protective methods. The study urges healthcare providers to better educate patients on protective skin care practices.
Research found that patients hospitalized for mania were more likely to be on antibiotics to treat active infections than healthy controls. This link between infection, antibiotics, and manic episodes adds evidence to the gut-brain axis theory, suggesting that a person's microbiome plays a role in psychiatric symptoms.
A look-back study suggests that a major operation to fuse the spines of children with rare, early-onset scoliosis can be eliminated in many cases. In the study, 26 out of 30 patients who opted out of the final fusion procedure had their spines stay straight over three to seven years of follow-up.
A genetic test detecting tumor DNA in blood accurately predicts colon cancer recurrence in some patients. The test could help clinicians decide which patients need additional treatment after surgery, improving diagnostic approaches and potentially increasing survival rates.
A genetic test that spots cancer-related DNA in blood can accurately predict colon cancer recurrence, according to a study of Australian patients. The 'liquid biopsy' detected DNA fragments in the blood of 20 patients with early-stage colon cancer, 11 of whom developed recurrences.
Researchers developed a mouse model that mimics human Alzheimer's disease, showing that beta-amyloid accumulation is insufficient to trigger tau clumping alone. The study suggests combination therapy targeting both processes may be effective in preventing the disease.
Studies in mice reveal that uneven mTORC1 activity reprograms daughter T cells, producing active killer cells and memory T cells. This asymmetric partitioning may have implications for understanding stem cell differentiation and development across biological systems.
A recent study has identified over 200 proteins involved in cell movement and immune system function that are implicated in ovarian cancer progression. By analyzing the proteomes of 169 ovarian cancer patients, researchers have gained new insights into the biology of the disease and potential targets for treatment.
Researchers found that combining procedural checklists with error-tracking systems enhances resident performance. Evaluating residents on cadavers helps them identify areas for improvement, while an objective evaluation system provides unambiguous feedback.
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered a root cause of lung damage in up to 10% of premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, a disorder that damages the intestine. A potential treatment, a sugar-like compound similar to breast milk, was successfully tested in mice and may one day be offered to human infants.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found an association between microbiome makeup and head and neck cancer. The study suggests that specific bacterial populations may be used to discriminate between patients with cancer and healthy individuals.
Researchers have identified 84 potential inherited gene mutations that may contribute to severe forms of bipolar disorder. The study used advanced genome sequencing techniques to analyze DNA from 36 family members with the disease, finding rare genetic variations that were overrepresented in those with bipolar disorder.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that emetine, an old drug once used to treat amebiasis, can also halt the replication of cytomegalovirus (CMV), a herpesvirus causing serious disease in immunocompromised individuals. Lower concentrations and less frequent doses of emetine may be effective for CMV inhibition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that blocking the enzyme c-Abl prevents Parkinson's disease symptoms in specially bred mice. The study also found that a chemical tag on the protein α-synuclein may signal the disorder's presence and progression. The findings suggest both a promising target for drug research and a potent...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a link between cancer immunotherapy drugs and rheumatologic diseases, including inflammatory arthritis. The study highlights the need for awareness among patients and clinicians about potential side effects of these drugs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully diagnosed or ruled out suspected brain infections using next-generation genetic sequencing. The technique has the potential to bring diagnosis rates for inflammatory brain disorders and infections closer to 100 percent, enabling more effective treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new blood test to measure levels of hematoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), which rise predict survival in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Higher levels of HDGF are linked to more extensive heart failure and poorer outcomes.
A small study found that long-term opioid treatment increased pain intensities, fatigue, and impaired daily activities in patients with sickle cell disease. Central sensitization, a phenomenon amplifying painful sensations, was also more pronounced in those on opioids.
A Johns Hopkins study of 28,000 people with HIV concludes that the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program remains crucial despite the Affordable Care Act's availability. The program provides free medical care to hundreds of thousands of low-income individuals, and its cutbacks could leave many without access to essential services.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the liver plays a vital role in balancing fats and sugars, even when its ability is impaired. The research suggests that other tissues can step in to compensate for the liver's limitations, but if the liver fails, it can lead to a lethal onslaught of fat.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown lab-grown human nerve cells that can partner with heart muscle cells to stimulate contractions. The nerve cells, derived from pluripotent stem cells, were found to connect with and control heart muscle cells, similar to their natural counterparts.
A new laboratory test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine accurately clocks the 'speed' of human brain tumor cell movement, which may predict how quickly and aggressively a given cancer might lethally spread. The assay has been tested on 14 glioblastoma patients and showed promising results in predicting clinical outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found a link between rising eosinophil levels and regrowth of nasal polyps in chronic sinus disease patients. The study suggests that monitoring eosinophils could aid in detecting early growth and tracking treatment effectiveness.
A Johns Hopkins study found that undiagnosed dementia patients are nearly twice as likely to engage in potentially unsafe activities, such as driving and cooking. Those without a diagnosis, however, were less frequently engaging in these activities compared to those with possible or no dementia.
Several commercial weight loss programs demonstrate potential benefits for improving blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes and those at risk for the disease. However, a lack of rigorous studies hinders full endorsement by doctors.
Johns Hopkins researchers have engineered human muscle cells bearing genetic mutations from people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), enabling the study of genetic variations among patients. The cells can also be used to test new therapies and may hold potential for genetic correction and transplantation.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute will pursue two projects on global food ethics, including explicit discussion of future food systems and ethical certification. The program aims to address complex issues in food security, nutrition, and agriculture with a focus on bioethics.
A new study using mice and lab-grown human cells shows a triple-drug cocktail can shrink triple-negative breast cancers by killing off cancer cells and halting new tumor growth. The combination treatment, EAD therapy, reduced the size of tumors in mice and decreased tumor growth in spheres grown from patients' metastatic cells.
Researchers have identified brain cells in fruit flies that regulate sleep drive, which becomes more active when flies are kept awake. These findings may offer insights into human sleep disorders and potential new strategies to promote long-lasting sleep for those with chronic insomnia.