Studies show that inducing a second stroke nearby in the brains of mice can help them regain motor function to pre-stroke efficiency. This suggests that the optimal recovery window after a stroke may not be permanently closed and can reopen under certain conditions.
The new allocation system has boosted transplantation rates for black and Hispanic patients on waiting lists, reducing racial disparities. Younger adults have gained wider access to coveted organs, while older candidates have seen a decline in transplant rates.
Researchers found that high doses of vitamin D3 supplements reduced inflammation and disease activity in people with relapsing-remitting MS. The study suggests vitamin D may be a potential treatment option for managing MS symptoms.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that marmosets use auditory cues similar to humans to distinguish between low and high notes, shedding light on our evolutionary history.
Scientists found that brief exposure to 'asynchrony' using a pacemaker can reverse cellular damage, fix damaged motor proteins in the heart muscle, and boost the heart's response to hormones like adrenaline. The therapy uses alternating electrical shocks to push the heart into normal synchronization for part of each day.
A new Johns Hopkins study of over 930,000 patient records found that patients undergoing bariatric surgery during winter months fared worse than those in the summer due to lower vitamin D levels. The researchers also noticed a disproportionate number of complications occurred north of latitude 37 degrees.
Researchers found that vitamin A converts 'angry' immune cells into inflammation suppressors, reducing the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in mice. This discovery adds to evidence of vitamin A's anti-inflammatory properties and could lead to new treatments for premature infants with severe bowel disease.
Academic medical centers that partner with community organizations to form accountable care organizations (ACOs) face various challenges, according to a recent study published in Academic Medicine. The authors report on the startup experience of Johns Hopkins Medicine Alliance for Patients (JMAP), an ACO formed after 22 months, and hig...
A nearly complete skeleton of a well-preserved early carnivorous mammal, Galecyon, has shed light on the ecology and evolutionary relationships of hyaenodontids. The fossil, dating back to the Eocene Epoch, suggests that these ancient animals were adaptable ground-dwelling creatures, unlike their tree-climbing or runner relatives.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that individualized report cards improve VTE prevention efforts, increasing correct therapy use and resident performance. The approach also boosted trainee morale, with a significant spike in resident satisfaction scores.
A new study finds that minimally invasive hysterectomies for early uterine cancer are less accessible to poor and minority women, despite being linked to fewer postoperative complications. The procedures occurred only 23.6% of the time in low-volume hospitals, which performed fewer than 10 hysterectomies annually.
A new study identifies brain processes in mice that may help explain how weak sensory inputs are interpreted differently in the same brain. Activity in higher-level perception areas of the brain is shaped by lower-level sensory input, adding a cellular layer to our understanding of perception.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers finds no link between breast density and breast cancer risk, instead attributing increased cancer to age and body fat. The study suggests that women with dense breasts may be younger and leaner, reducing their risk of breast cancer.
Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells, a type of nerve cell that transmits visual signals. The breakthrough could lead to the development of cell transplant therapies for glaucoma and multiple sclerosis patients.
Inner ear cells in newborn rodents practice processing sounds through a self-stimulation process involving chloride ion channels. This process helps establish and refine connections between the ear and brain, enabling proper hearing from an early age.
Researchers discovered that Mipp1 protein helps fruit fly cells sprout 'fingers' to build the intricate network of the trachea. The protein's presence is crucial for cell migration and elongation, with too much or too little resulting in abnormal development.
Health experts argue that pharmaceutical companies abuse the Orphan Drug Act by marketing drugs for common conditions, generating billions in profits. The law was designed to encourage rare disease treatments but has instead led to high medication costs and monopolies.
Researchers found that mice exercising on a wheel increased SIRT3 levels, protecting against neurodegeneration and degeneration. Bolstering mitochondrial function with gene therapy technology also offered protection against stress and age-related cognitive decline.
Children with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy are three times more likely to experience cardiac arrest during spine surgeries. The study found that the absolute risk of cardiac arrest is minuscule, but knowing who's at highest risk can improve preparedness and response time.
A new study developed a potential test to sort out precancerous pancreatic cysts from harmless ones, with an accuracy rate of up to 98 percent. The test combines genetic markers and clinical evaluation, potentially helping patients avoid unnecessary surgery.
Researchers have found ranibizumab to be an effective alternative to laser therapy for treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a disease that causes extensive harm to the blood vessels in the retina. The drug carries fewer side effects and improves vision by about half a line on an eye chart compared to the laser group.
A 2-year-old girl was diagnosed and treated for XDR TB, the first detailed account of a young child in the US. The successful treatment highlights the need for better understanding and creative approaches to pediatric tuberculosis.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a crucial enzyme in maintaining telomere length. The discovery was made using a novel method called ADDIT, which found that ATM kinase plays a vital role in lengthening telomeres.
A new study has revealed reasons why lab-grown stem cells fail to mature in the laboratory and provided a possible solution to overcome these 'developmental arrest'. The researchers analyzed over 200 heart cell samples from mice embryos and animals, identifying biochemical pathways that are out of sync with adult cells.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that nearly one-third of knee and hip arthroplasty surgeries had excessive door openings, potentially defeating the safety effects of positive pressure systems. The researchers suggest planning better to prevent unnecessary door openings and exploring reasons behind frequent door opening.
A new study suggests that rare 'missense' mutations in the HER2 gene may not cause breast cancer growth or spread on their own. The research team found that such mutations may also fail to predict response to anti-cancer drugs targeting the HER2 gene, unlike common amplification alterations.
Researchers found that type II afferent neurons in the inner ear respond to tissue damage similar to pain-sensing nerve cells. This discovery may lead to new treatments for hyperacusis, a condition characterized by increased sensitivity to loud noises.
Researchers found that sleep fragmentation is especially detrimental to positive mood, leading to a 31% decline in positive mood after the second night. Interrupted sleep also affected different domains of positive mood, including energy levels and feelings of sympathy and friendliness.
A computer model developed by Johns Hopkins predicts that strengthening HIV care, including retention in care and increased testing, can avert 752,000 new infections and 276,000 AIDS deaths over 20 years. Enhanced interventions could reduce incidence by 54% and mortality by 64% at a cost-effectiveness ratio of $45,300 per QALY.
A head-to-head comparison study by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that non-invasive CT scans are better at spotting clogged heart vessels than stress tests. CT angiograms detected blockages in nine out of ten people, while stress tests picked up blockages in six out of ten.
A study of nearly 3,000 adults found significant differences in how male and female hearts change over time. The research suggests that men's and women's hearts may develop age-related heart failure for different reasons, highlighting the need for gender-tailored treatments.
Garden-variety staph infections are just as deadly for newborns as drug-resistant strains, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Nonresistant bacterial infections affect more than twice as many babies and have the same high mortality rate as their drug-resistant cousins.
Researchers found a link between MMF and an increased risk of CNS lymphoma in solid organ transplant patients. However, combining MMF with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) appears to protect against this rare form of lymphoma, according to the study published in Oncotarget.
Researchers found that effective HIV therapy can lower the risk of HBV infection, and vaccination against HBV protects individuals from acquiring a new HBV infection regardless of HIV status. However, vaccination rates remain low among high-risk groups.
Male fruit flies release a specific pheromone, 9-tricosene, that attracts females to lay eggs near food sources. This discovery sheds light on how flies navigate complex environments using odorants, and its potential application in controlling mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
A multicenter study confirms lithium's efficacy and safety for children with bipolar disorder in the short term. The study showed significant improvement in symptoms compared to placebo, without significant weight gain or serious side effects.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown a healthy intestine in a lab using stem cells and a 3-D scaffold. The lab-grown intestine regenerated gut tissue in dogs with missing gut lining, offering hope for the development of an implantable replacement intestine.
A Johns Hopkins surgeon calls on hospitals to end preventable bouts of food and sleep deprivation in emergency rooms and surgical units. The expert argues that acute malnutrition and sleep deprivation have increased with busier hospitals and an aging population, leading to delayed healing and readmissions.
Researchers have identified new mutations in six genes that may explain why some patients respond to a class of anti-cancer drugs known as EGFR inhibitors. These discoveries were made using human tumors grafted into mice, called tumorgraft avatars, which provide a unique environment for studying individual tumor responses to therapy.
Researchers discovered that the retina employs a separate light-sensitive pigment called neuropsin to regulate its internal rhythms. Neuropsin is distinct from melanopsin, which controls the body's circadian rhythms and synchronizes with the suprachiasmatic nuclei.
Researchers have developed a sticky gel that helps stem cells adhere to and restore their metabolism in rat hearts, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks. The gel, which combines serum and hyaluronic acid, has been shown to retain up to 73% of transplanted cells in the heart.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway that explains how tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells develop. The 'feedback loop' involves the HOXB7 protein, which helps activate genes that promote cancer growth. Targeting MYC protein, which is involved in this pathway, may lead to new treatments for tamoxifen-resistant cancers.
Researchers discovered genetic changes in premalignant lung lesions that occurred before cancerous growth, detectable in blood samples. The findings suggest that circulating DNA can be used to identify patients at risk of developing lung cancer, enabling early intervention and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
In a clinical trial, a genetically engineered vaccine successfully eradicated high-grade precancerous cervical lesions in 48.2% of women who received the vaccine, compared to 30% of those who received saline injections. The vaccine also cleared the virus from the cervixes of 56 women, reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
A randomized trial found that yoga improved physical health, pain, energy, mood, and daily activities in people with arthritis. The study also showed long-term improvements in physical function and walking speed.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that many obese people are malnourished before weight loss surgery. The research highlights the importance of addressing nutritional deficiencies to reduce surgical complications and improve overall health after the procedure.
Scientists identified 'nicotine choosers' and 'avoiders' in a study of 18 healthy adults who had never smoked. The researchers found that some individuals prefer the effects of nicotine, while others avoid it due to genetic or metabolic vulnerabilities.
Researchers found that external brain stimulation, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can compensate for the loss of dopamine in people with Parkinson's disease by decreasing the effort the brain has to put into getting its motor neurons to fire. This correction improves some patients' motor symptoms.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine analyzed survival statistics of 1,298 men with low-risk prostate tumors and found that only two died of prostate cancer after 15 years, while three developed metastatic disease. This suggests that carefully selected patients in active surveillance programs are unlikely to be harmed by their disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that fluoxetine prolongs physical therapy's effectiveness for stroke victims, especially those too ill to start intensive rehabilitation. Early intervention with fluoxetine improves motor function recovery in mice, suggesting potential benefits for human stroke patients.