Researchers found that vinculin levels increase with age, altering the shape and performance of cardiac muscle cells, leading to a healthy adaptive change. The findings suggest that vinculin could be an important therapeutic target to slow down the decline of heart muscle vitality.
A decade of research at Johns Hopkins has yielded a computer formula that accurately predicts which genetic control region mutations affect gene activity levels. This breakthrough offers new targets for diagnosing and treating complex diseases.
A Johns Hopkins study analyzed Medicare claims to confirm a long-suspected link between lower rates of coordinated health care services and higher rates of unnecessary medical tests and procedures. Patients with more continuity in their medical care had a lower chance of having an overused procedure.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a protein-signaling process that accelerates the work of the most frequently mutated gene in adult leukemia. A combination of two drugs targeting this process and the gene itself slowed leukemia cell growth in mice, suggesting potential for improved treatment outcomes.
A new program at Johns Hopkins Hospital implemented consistent use of experienced medical teams, preemptive antibiotics, and early patient mobilization to reduce complications and accelerate recovery in colorectal surgery. The approach resulted in a significant reduction in hospital stays, surgical infections, blood clots, and costs.
A small clinical trial found that men with advanced prostate cancer and the AR-V7 gene variant respond to chemotherapy just as well as those without the variant. The study's findings may lead to improved treatment decision-making for patients with prostate cancer.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that developing delirium in the ICU increases hospital stays and risk of dying, with risks doubled for brain dysfunction. The study also suggests potential causes of delirium include medication use and inflammation outside the brain.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that re-inflating a balloon in the vessel after stent placement can double the risk of stroke and death. The common practice, known as 'ballooning,' is intended to prevent complications but may actually cause them.
The study found that nivolumab improved median overall survival by 2.4 months and doubled the one-year survival rate compared to chemotherapy. The immunotherapy drug also reduced the risk of dying from lung cancer by 41%.
Researchers identified a genetic biomarker that can predict which cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab. Patients with mismatch repair gene defects showed improved responses to the treatment, offering hope for previously failed patients. Larger studies are needed to assess the potential for clinical use.
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation led to improvements in short-term memory and subtle changes in word retrieval in people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that this type of brain stimulation might ease some cognitive difficulties, enabling individuals to lead a more normal life.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland have discovered a new way to treat diabetic retinopathy by blocking two growth proteins, VEGF and angiopoietin-like 4. This could prevent many cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which is the most common cause of vision loss in working-age adults in the US.
A landmark report outlines seven projects to address global food security's complex ethical issues, including redefining farming as a service-oriented profession and developing climate-smart agriculture. The '7 by 5 Agenda' aims to make progress on divisive issues in the next five years.
In a small clinical trial, researchers safely used immune cells grown from patients' own bone marrow to treat multiple myeloma. Thirteen of 22 patients experienced partial responses, with seven achieving at least 90% tumor cell reduction and living up to 25.1 months without cancer progression.
Sending periodic text messages to teens can improve birth control adherence. The study found that 87% of patients with personalized daily texts showed up for their first injection, compared to 56% without texts. Text messaging also helped increase adherence to a tight treatment schedule and regularly taking prescription medications.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have designed a molecule called RK-33 to target the enzyme DDX3, which is overexpressed in over 90% of lung cancer samples. The therapy has shown promising results in mice, with the ability to lower radiation doses while increasing its effectiveness.
A study of thousands of human bones reveals a gradual decline in leg bone strength as Europeans adopted agriculture and settled down, while arm bone strength remained steady. Researchers found that lifestyle changes, such as reduced mobility, were more significant contributors to the shift than urbanization or nutrition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that men with a history of asthma are 29% less likely to be diagnosed with lethal prostate cancer. Overall, asthmatic men were 36% less likely to die from the disease.
Researchers found that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is safe and as effective as standard radiation treatment for certain patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. SBRT delivers high doses of radiation in a short period, resulting in reduced pain and improved quality of life. The treatment also allowed some patient...
Researchers found that nonsmokers who inhaled secondhand cannabis smoke under extreme conditions experienced mild effects, including memory and coordination problems. The study provides significant insights into the impact of secondhand cannabis smoke on individuals and has implications for workplace drug testing.
Researchers discovered a key protein, Sema6A, that helps guide axons from neurons in the retina to the correct part of the brain. This finding has implications for treating eye movement disorders and regenerating damaged vision-sensing nerve cells.
Researchers developed two new strategies to mitigate the risk of suicide in young people taking SSRIs, finding that careful dosing can minimize negative effects. Adding a molecule called WAY-100635 eliminates anxiety and impulsivity associated with SSRI treatment.
Researchers found that chronic high blood sugar disrupts mitochondria activity by altering levels of O-GlcNAc transferase and removal enzymes. This leads to less efficient energy production, increased heat and damaging molecules, and further elevates blood sugar.
Researchers found that oxidation in cardiac cells disrupts PKG's ability to shield the heart from stress. Oxidation-resistant forms of PKG, however, allow for better protection against disease.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that children with ADHD are significantly more likely to develop an eating disorder akin to binge eating. The research suggests a common biological mechanism linking the two disorders, highlighting the need for developing new treatment strategies.
A new study has identified a temporary, but potentially troublesome unintended consequence of male circumcision: an increased risk of infecting female sexual partners while the wound heals. The study found that nearly 30% of HIV-positive men were shedding the virus two weeks after surgery, compared to less than 10% before circumcision.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that nearly 14% of chlamydia infections and over 30% of gonorrhea infections in women would be missed with standard genital-only screening. Extragenital rates were significant, particularly among younger women.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that specific altered function in the left atrium may signal stroke risk in those with a-fib and possibly those without it. The study suggests that certain features of the heart's upper left chamber could be used to tell apart low-risk from high-risk patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that neurons use minor 'DNA surgeries' to toggle their activity levels, shedding light on brain disorders and learning. The study found a mechanism where Tet3 levels respond to synaptic activity, enabling neurons to maintain consistent levels of communication.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals breast milk's immune-boosting properties prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disorder. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) blocks the activation of a protein responsible for NEC, promoting gut healing.
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop loss of control eating syndrome (LOC-ES), which can lead to obesity and other health problems. The study found that odds of having LOC-ES were 12 times higher for children with ADHD, suggesting a common biological mechanism linking the two disorders.
Research found that nearly one-quarter of ICU survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent Johns Hopkins study. The study identified possible triggers for PTSD, including existing psychological problems and large amounts of sedation medication, and suggested using ICU diaries as a potential prevent...
A bundled intervention at Johns Hopkins Medicine significantly reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in seven Abu Dhabi hospitals. The program, which included evidence-based infection prevention practices and teamwork improvements, achieved a 30-40% reduction in CLABSI rates across all ICUs.
Researchers have tested an experimental immune system drug, MPDL3280A, in a preliminary human study and found it to be generally safe and well-tolerated. The therapy aims to restore the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, with promising results in controlling disease in some patients.
AMPK activity levels vary across cellular compartments, affecting different sets of proteins. In unstressed cells, the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane had low activity, while the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum showed high activity.
A study suggests that sequencing tumor genomes without comparing them to a patient's noncancerous tissue can lead to inaccurate treatment decisions and side effects. The researchers analyzed over 800 cancer patients' data, finding that nearly half of the identified genetic changes were not related to the cancer.
A small study found distinct patterns of regulatory tags in DNA from fathers' sperm linked to children's early signs of autism. The presence or absence of these tags was statistically related to Autism Observation Scale for Infants scores, suggesting a potential contribution to the condition.
Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a new tool for understanding ALS by transforming skin cells into brain cells affected by the disease. The resulting cell library, now publicly available, will enable scientists to study the disease in greater detail and potentially discover new treatments.
Researchers developed LevelCheck software to assist surgeons in identifying the correct vertebra during spine surgery. The software achieves 100% accuracy in just 26 seconds, helping prevent wrong-level surgeries and improving patient safety.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that touch-sensing neurons integrate position and touch information as soon as it reaches the brain, challenging long-held views on how this is done. This integration enables complex sensory processing and informs efforts to improve prosthetic limbs.
A review of thousands of studies found that only a few dozen programs meet the scientific gold standard for reliability. Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers showed promise with participants losing more weight than non-participants in trials lasting 12 months or longer.
Researchers have identified a new pathway guiding the development of the enteric nervous system, which is separate from the central nervous system. This pathway interacts with specific genes and proteins to cause Hirschsprung's disease, a rare condition that can be fatal if left untreated.
A new study found that cells within metastases from prostate tumors can migrate to other body parts and form new sites of spread on their own. This challenges the long-held belief that cells with metastatic potential originate solely from the original tumor site.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that phone counseling can significantly boost recovery and reduce pain in patients after spinal surgery. The intervention involved short series of phone conversations with trained counselors, leading to higher physical therapy attendance rates and improved functional outcomes.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that premature aging of stem cell telomeres drives emphysema, not inflammation. This finding redirects research efforts to fix the underlying problem rather than treating symptoms.
A Johns Hopkins report provides clinicians with concrete tips to help patients decide whether to take statins, balancing benefits and risks. The report emphasizes the importance of individualized advice, clear explanation of benefits and risks, and shared decision-making.
A new MRI technique can detect cancerous cells by identifying telltale sugar molecules shed by the outer membranes of cancerous cells. This method could potentially replace or enhance current imaging tests like mammograms and CT scans, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.
The study found that increased use of minimally invasive surgery for common procedures can reduce post-operative complications and save $280-$340 million a year in healthcare costs. By adopting more minimally invasive procedures, hospitals can prevent thousands of complications and reduce hospital stays.
A Johns Hopkins-led team of researchers has identified a rare genetic cause of autism, which may also be linked to other complex genetic conditions. The study used a novel approach that focused on families severely affected by autism to pinpoint the CTNND2 gene as a potential culprit.
A study found that UK patients with cystic fibrosis who received transplants had better survival rates than publicly insured Americans. The research suggests that a single-payer national health care system can provide complex, coordinated and expansive care with long-term outcomes similar to those achieved by private insurance.