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.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center scientists reveals that the HOXA5 protein plays a crucial role in maintaining normal breast cells' traits, such as adhesion and cell plasticity. The loss of HOXA5 leads to increased tumor aggressiveness and poorer outcomes for patients.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics will lead a university-wide team studying the ethical, legal and social implications of applying genomics to infectious diseases. The grant establishes a Specialized CEER with over $4 million in funding to explore genomic ELSI issues in infectious disease.
A novel laboratory blood test has shown promise in identifying HELLP syndrome, a life-threatening condition affecting 1% of pregnant women. The test measures levels of components of serum and may help reduce pre-term deliveries and complications for mothers and babies.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that common measures of hospital safety do not accurately capture quality care, with only one out of 21 measures meeting scientific criteria. The researchers argue that patients deserve valid measures of quality and safety, and call for public rating systems to use clinical rather than billing ...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a composite material that combines the strength of plastic with the biological information in natural bone. The 70% bone powder blend showed better bone formation than the 30% blend, but both were stronger and more effective than pure PCL.
A Johns Hopkins study found that men with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have a higher rate of yeast infections than those without these disorders. Women with schizophrenia also performed worse on memory tests after testing positive for yeast infections.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that over 250,000 deaths per year in the US are due to medical error. The researchers advocate for updated criteria for classifying deaths on death certificates to better reflect reality.
Certain scalp-pulling hairstyles, such as tight ponytails and braids, are associated with traction alopecia in African-American women. Moderate-risk styles include thermal straightening, permanent waving, and wig use, while low-risk styles include loose buns and natural styles that avoid chemicals.
A new study analyzing 5,000 stored blood samples found no increase in food-specific IgE antibodies between the 1980s and 2000s. The researchers suggest that growing awareness and diagnosis of food allergies among children may be contributing to the increasing prevalence of food allergies over the past few decades.
Researchers have confirmed Zika's toll on fetal cortex using lab-grown mini-brains that mimic human brain development. The study found that Zika infection occurs early in pregnancy leads to severe effects and can affect neurons later on.
A study of nearly 700 ICU survivors found that two-thirds experienced depression, anxiety, or PTSD, with most experiencing multiple symptoms. The risk factors were not related to illness severity or length of stay, but rather age, gender, unemployment, and substance misuse.
In a clinical trial, half of 25 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma experienced substantial tumor shrinkage lasting nearly three times as long as conventional chemotherapy. Several patients had no remaining evidence of disease. The results suggest that immunotherapy drugs may be effective for other virus-associated cancers.
A new analysis of 204 studies involving over 1.4 million people suggests that metformin reduces the relative risk of dying from heart disease by 30-40% compared to sulfonylureas. The study also evaluated other drug effects, including glucose control and side effects.
A preliminary clinical trial found that an experimental antibody treatment decreased the number of cancer stem cells driving tumor growth in nearly all patients with multiple myeloma. The treatment was tested in 15 newly diagnosed patients and showed promising results, with no serious adverse side effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that guadecitabine, when combined with standard chemotherapy, is safe and may overcome resistance to irinotecan in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The study showed stable disease for most patients and a partial response in one patient.
An interdisciplinary team will focus on ethics and research in pregnancy, beginning with the current Zika context. Bioethicists aim to develop guidance for conducting research with pregnant women in public health crises.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that immune cells associated with allergies can promote healing of mouse muscle wounds when paired with biomaterial scaffolds. The discovery suggests a pivotal role for type 2 helper T cells in regulating the regenerative process, which may lead to novel strategies for tissue regeneration.
A new study suggests that current hepatitis C virus testing guidelines are missing too many cases, particularly among urban emergency department patients. The researchers found that nearly 14% of patients tested positive for HCV, with one-third unaware they were infected.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology found that even prediabetes can cause nerve damage in people with small fiber neuropathy, challenging the conventional wisdom of how nerves deteriorate. The research showed that patients with prediabetes lost about 10% of their nerve fiber density each year, similar to those with diabetes.
A new minimally invasive weight loss treatment called bariatric arterial embolization has shown safety and efficacy in a clinical trial, initiating weight loss and reducing hunger levels. The procedure targets the production of ghrelin, a hormone controlling hunger, with promising results in sustaining weight loss.
Researchers found that cancer stem cells multiply through the same mechanism used by embryonic stem cells, encouraged by low oxygen levels. The discovery could offer a path to targeting cancer stem cells and reducing their threat in human cancer.
Researchers discovered that lymphoma cells break through four 'locks' on the CARD11 protein, a key component of the immune system. The protein has four redundant repressive elements that normally keep it in check, but mutations in certain regions can disable these locks and lead to cancer.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a new type of nerve cell that controls feeding behaviors in mice by signaling satiety. The discovery, confirmed through experiments, may lead to new tools for fighting obesity if replicated in humans.
A randomized clinical trial found that using four drugs for TB does not improve survival rates over isoniazid therapy in advanced HIV/AIDS patients. The study validates the World Health Organization guidelines for prescribing isoniazid to vulnerable patients.
Researchers developed an antibody against KCNK9, a cellular gateway that suppresses lung tumor cell growth and breast cancer metastasis. The antibody reduced tumor growth by up to 70% and slowed metastases in mice.
A high coronary artery calcium score may signal an increased risk of developing cancer, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that individuals with high scores had a higher risk of cancer, with a 53% increased risk of developing the disease during follow-up.
Researchers found that adding statins to standard drug treatment reduced the time to clear tuberculosis infection by 35% in infected mice. The study suggests that repurposing statin drugs could accelerate TB treatment and improve public health outcomes.
A small clinical study using the anticancer drug bevacizumab has restored hearing in a handful of people with neurofibromatosis type 2, who previously suffered from progressive hearing loss. The treatment showed promise in reducing tumor size without affecting nerve function.
A study of fossilized molars reveals that many ancient primates went extinct due to reasons unrelated to food competition with rodents. Most stem primates ate different types of food than the rodents, casting doubt on the theory that rodent competition was the main reason for their decline.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team found that Zika virus selectively infects and kills cells in the brain's cortex, leading to disruptions in cell division and growth. This discovery using lab-grown stem cells may lead to identifying potential therapies for protecting these susceptible cells.
Researchers have found a modified protein that can reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in lab rats. The protein, TRAIL, was coated with a polymer to extend its half-life, allowing it to effectively kill activated hepatic stellate cells and reduce signs of fibrosis.
A study of 85 volunteers found that a widely used smartphone app misleads users about their blood pressure. The app gave accurate readings to only 20% of participants with high blood pressure.
The US medical community will play a key role in determining the ethically acceptable path forward for clinical application of mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs). MRTs aim to prevent certain debilitating diseases related to mutated mitochondrial DNA by replacing a mother's mtDNA with that of another woman. The first use of MRT...
A clinical trial found that paroxetine modestly improves decision-making and reaction time, and suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. This is the first time a SSRI has been shown to improve key measures of cognition in people with HIV in a controlled study.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that African children with stunted growth had lower levels of essential amino acids and other protein markers compared to non-stunted children. This challenges the widespread assumption that children in developing countries are receiving adequate protein, highlighting the need for improved diets.