A nationwide study found that platelet transfusions in rare blood cell disorders increase the risk of arterial clots and mortality. For thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), these transfusions are associated with a fivefold to sixfold increase in death odds.
A new study found that mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene increase the risk of emphysema in smokers. Female smokers with these mutations may be more susceptible to the disease. The researchers also discovered a link between telomere shortening and other health problems, such as osteoporosis and liver disease.
A Johns Hopkins study finds that protein BDNF maintains heart muscle vitality and may link depression to heart disease. The research suggests a possible biochemical explanation for the relationship between mental and physical well-being.
A recent mouse study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that modifying fat cells' metabolism does not result in obesity. The research team discovered that even when fat cells cannot burn fat, mice do not become overweight.
Researchers found that better physical functioning is associated with remission of general anxiety and PTSD symptoms in critically ill patients. The study suggests that clinicians should check for a full range of mental and physical phenomena to care for critical illness survivors.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that the flow of calcium ions into synapses activates CaMKII, which then unhooks SynGAP from scaffolding, spurring Ras signaling to begin. This discovery moves neuroscientists closer to understanding how learning and memory work and developing interventions for problems related to them.
A new study found that high-dose testosterone therapy can suppress advanced prostate cancers and reverse resistance to testosterone-blocking drugs. Seven of the 14 men showed a significant decrease in PSA levels, while four stayed on testosterone therapy for up to 24 months with continued low PSA levels.
Researchers discover that HIV's ability to mutate beyond recognition evades the immune system. A new study finds that training killer T cells to recognize unaltered viral protein segments can reawaken the natural killer instinct, killing 61% of HIV-infected cells.
Researchers have discovered new genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute to diabetes, suggesting a shared pathway between genes and environment. The study found similar epigenetic changes in fat cells of obese mice and humans, highlighting the consilience of genetics and environment.
A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a specific sequence and protein tags that send DNA to the edge of the nucleus, where its genes get turned off. This process is crucial for controlling genes and determining cell fate, particularly during development.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully used CRISPR to precisely and efficiently alter human stem cells, showcasing its potential for treatment and disease research. The findings suggest that CRISPR may be a useful tool for editing genes in human-induced pluripotent stem cells with minimal risk of off-target effects.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that random mutations during stem cell divisions significantly contribute to cancer risk, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the variation. This finding emphasizes the importance of primary prevention strategies, such as lifestyle changes and eliminating environmental factors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new treatment strategy that allows lower doses of the toxic tuberculosis drug bedaquiline to retain potency while reducing side effects. This approach, which combines bedaquiline with verapamil, has shown promising results in mouse studies and is poised for clinical trials.
Researchers discover enzyme SPPL3 activates T cells without cutting proteins, providing new insight into immune system control. The findings could also shed more light on presenilin functions and related Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a safety lock mechanism in the enzyme RAG that prevents helter-skelter clipping of DNA. This discovery provides new insights into how the immune system regulates gene expression and could lead to better understanding of immunodeficiency and cancer.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that the risk of developing leukemia after radiation therapy or chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer is twice as high as previously reported. The study analyzed data from 20,063 breast cancer patients and found a cumulative risk of 0.5 percent.
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that high-dose IV infusions of the antibiotic vancomycin to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections can cause an increased risk for kidney damage in hospitalized children. The researchers emphasize the need for careful dosing and monitoring of kidney function in pediatric patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a single protein responsible for triggering allergic reactions to various medications, including cancer drugs and antibiotics. A new drug targeting this protein could improve treatment outcomes for patients with conditions such as prostate cancer and diabetes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a sugar-based molecular microcapsule that eliminates the toxicity of an anticancer agent, stopping tumor progression in mice while protecting healthy tissues. The encapsulated drug is now a promising candidate for clinical trials for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
A clinical trial found no clear benefit of low glycemic index diets on key measures of heart disease and diabetes risk. Healthy eating habits focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are recommended by the study's lead researchers.
A small study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that dense bacterial mats called biofilms are present in the majority of colorectal cancers and polyps, particularly on the right side of the colon. The presence of these bacterial bunches may increase cancer risk and form the basis of new diagnostic tests.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that people with less mitochondrial DNA in their blood are more likely to be frail and die earlier. The researchers hope to develop a test that can predict frailty and identify individuals who can benefit from lifestyle changes or medication.
Researchers found that microglia cells in autism brains are perpetually activated and their genes for inflammation responses are turned on. The study is the largest so far of gene expression in autism brains, analyzing data from 104 brain samples.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that brain cells fire more rapidly and synchronously when animals focus on touch stimuli, a step toward understanding how brains process external stimuli. The research also showed that synchronization was more important to performance than firing rate.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to make triple-negative breast cancer cells susceptible to chemotherapy by inhibiting the HIF protein network. The study found that HIF inhibitors can decrease tumor size and prevent relapse in mice, offering new hope for treatment-resistant patients.
A study of healthcare professionals reveals persistent barriers to effective transitional care, emphasizing the importance of patient education and provider accountability in reducing complications and rehospitalizations among older adults
A new imaging system has shown potential to reduce radiation exposure for patients undergoing intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for liver cancer, with a reduction of up to 80%, compared to standard X-ray platforms. The AlluraClarity platform uses real-time image processing algorithms to achieve high-quality images at lower radiation power.
Researchers have identified a gene, MACROD2, whose presence may explain why some breast cancers are resistant to tamoxifen. The study found that MACROD2 overexpression was present in the majority of metastases in patients with tamoxifen-resistant tumors.
A new study reveals how the immune system recognizes enemies on a molecular level and how this process can go wrong, leading to autoimmune diseases. The research also offers insights into training the immune system for vaccine development.
A study found that obesity causes subclinical heart muscle injury and increases the risk for heart failure, even in people without overt heart disease. Obesity was independently associated with increased troponin levels, a marker of heart damage.
Researchers uncover fossils of Cambaytherium thewissi, a 54.5-million-year-old animal that provides a window into the common ancestor of horses, rhinos, and tapirs. The discovery supports the idea that Perissodactyla evolved in India while it was an island.
A team of researchers has mapped the 'mission control centers' of the mouse genome, which are responsible for regulating gene activity. This discovery sheds light on why studies in mice cannot always be replicated in humans and highlights the importance of regulatory regions in common chronic human diseases.
Researchers discovered a link between blood pressure hormone angiotensin and psychosis, while finding that increased cysteine levels may alleviate symptoms in people with Huntington's disease. Additionally, drugs targeting AMPA receptors improved social behaviors in autistic mice.
A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a novel blood vessel receptor that causes relaxation in response to light. This finding may lead to the development of new therapeutic options for vascular diseases, such as Raynaud's phenomenon.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have captured images of the complex, revealing the connection between some genetic mutations and electrical abnormalities in the heart. The study provides a starting point for designing therapies to treat conditions such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that performance is influenced by a person's aversion to loss, with those having high loss aversion doing better when faced with large prospective losses but choking under pressure of large gains. Brain imaging revealed the ventral striatum as the key brain area involved in this process.
A Johns Hopkins study finds that US operating rooms discard an estimated $15 million annually in usable surgical supplies, which can be salvaged and donated to alleviate global shortages. These donations can also reduce waste and environmental impact at home.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that a form of calmodulin plays an active role in opening and closing ion channels, contrary to previous thought. This finding could lead to new treatments for disorders such as cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease
Two new studies from Johns Hopkins shed light on how complex cells detect and respond to minute differences in chemical concentrations. Cells use their internal 'skeleton' to influence gradient detection and movement, with implications for development, immune response, wound healing, and cancer metastasis.
Researchers have identified the normal function of the TEM5 protein, which is crucial for embryonic blood vessel development. The findings suggest that TEM5 could be a good target for anticancer drug therapy and potentially improve drug treatment for brain diseases by temporarily disabling the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers have developed a system to detect and monitor dangerous Gram-negative bacteria in real-time using PET scans. The approach uses a chemical tracer that selectively tags specific types of bacteria, providing rapid feedback on how they respond to antibiotics.
A chemical derived from broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane, has shown improvements in social interaction and verbal communication in individuals with moderate to severe autism. The treatment demonstrated significant reductions in repetitive behaviors and increased communication skills within four weeks.
Researchers found that feeding mice with Rett syndrome a diet supplemented with triheptanoin improved their physical and behavioral symptoms. The oil helped normalize body fat, glucose, and fat metabolism, and increased social interest in other mice. The study offers potential hope for dietary treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers have found that post-heart-attack arrhythmias are triggered by a power grid-like failure inside cardiac cells, disrupting mitochondria and causing chaotic cell-to-cell signaling. This disruption can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias like fibrillation, but pretreatment with certain medications may help prevent them.
A new chemotherapy drug regimen has been shown to effectively control life-threatening immune responses in bone marrow transplant recipients. The short course of cyclophosphamide, combined with two other chemotherapy drugs, eliminates the need for six months of immunosuppressive treatment.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that tobacco use is associated with an increased risk of oral human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infection. The researchers discovered that people who recently used or were exposed to tobacco had a higher likelihood of having oral HPV16 DNA, independent of their sexual behavior.
A new study reveals that preosteoclasts, a previously overlooked group of cells, play a crucial role in maintaining bone health. The discovery explains the success of an experimental osteoporosis drug and opens up new avenues for research into designing future studies.
Researchers have successfully treated a genetic form of intellectual disability in mice using an anticancer drug, suggesting a potential new approach for the human condition. The study's findings indicate that altering the balance between chromatin's open and closed states could be key to treating Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic ...
A global team of scientists has found 23 new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. The study, which analyzed data from over 87,000 men, suggests that these variants may be important in regulating genes rather than making proteins.
Researchers discovered molecular brakes Hey1 and Hey2 regulate hair cell generation in the inner ear. Without them, cells are generated too early and disorganized, leading to hearing problems.