Johns Hopkins researchers pinpoint the protein essential to the formation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which coordinates sleep-wake cycles and other circadian rhythms. Disabling this protein in test animals led to disrupted SCN function, resulting in irregular sleep patterns and poor communication with the body's master clock.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel mechanism by which the protein Botch regulates the Notch signaling pathway, crucial for healthy organ development. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of developmental biology and potential therapeutic applications for certain leukemias.
Research suggests that cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to adapt and compensate for injury, plays a role in recovery from traumatic brain injury. Those with higher educational attainment are more likely to achieve full recovery, with nearly 40% of patients with 16 or more years of education fully recovering.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that rats exposed to high-energy particles simulating space radiation show lapses in attention and slower reaction times. The cognitive impairments are linked to protein changes in the brain and may be predicted by developing a biological marker for sensitivity to radiation's effects.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a way to block abnormal cholesterol production, transport and breakdown, preventing the development of atherosclerosis in mice and rabbits. The treatment, using an existing compound called D-PDMP, successfully prevented the formation of fatty plaque and calcium deposits inside blood vessels.
A new study found that chronic inflammation in non-cancerous prostate tissue may increase a man's risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer by nearly twice. The study showed that men with signs of chronic inflammation had a higher risk of having an aggressive and rapidly growing prostate cancer.
Researchers Jonathan Powell, G. William Wong, and Elias Zambidis will explore novel treatments for diabetes using protein design, hormone discovery, and stem cell therapy.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that when a certain kind of stem cell is killed off experimentally, another group of non-stem cells can replace them naturally. The discovery may help explain how stem cells in tumors replenish themselves and could offer new targets for controlling cancer growth.
A study has identified two subsets of Lyme disease in patients with acute infection, characterized by varying levels of immune system molecules. Patients with high mediator levels experience more severe symptoms and are at higher risk of developing post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The findings may help doctors predict which patien...
A new blood test, cMethDNA assay, has been developed to detect advanced breast cancer and monitor its response to treatment with high accuracy. The test detected cancer DNA in the blood of patients with metastatic breast cancers up to 95% of the time, making it a promising tool for early detection and treatment monitoring.
A study published in Cell identifies a biological process that triggers a particular form of Parkinson's disease, leading to degeneration of dopamine-producing nerve cells. The research, led by Johns Hopkins Medicine, has shed light on the origins of Parkinson's disease and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified SGK1 enzyme as a potential target for treating asthma and boosting the effects of certain cancer therapies. The enzyme's role in regulating immune system T cells suggests that blocking it could inhibit asthma symptoms and enhance cancer treatment.
A study analyzing national hospital data found a significant increase in postoperative cardiac surgery deaths at the 30-day mark, suggesting an unintended consequence of prioritizing this measurement. The researchers suggest that emphasizing 30-day survival as a key metric may lead to delayed end-of-life decisions and unnecessary treat...
A new experimental compound called TTT-3002 has been identified as a potent inhibitor of genetic mutations in cancer cells that cause some forms of treatment-resistant leukemia. In mouse models, the drug eliminated leukemia cells within 10 days and showed activity against FLT3-mutated cells.
A study published by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that DNA modifications in the blood of stressed mice correlate with changes in brain tissue, providing a valid comparison between the two. The research linked epigenetic changes to altered gene function, shedding light on the relationship between stress and psychiatric diseases.
A study found that ER doctors often overlook or misdiagnose early signs of stroke in women, minorities, and younger patients, leading to potential harm. The research estimates that tens of thousands of Americans may be affected each year, with prompt treatment crucial for preventing long-term health issues.
The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine has developed ethics principles and responsibilities to guide NASA in implementing health standards for spaceflights beyond low Earth orbit. The guidelines aim to mitigate risks faced by astronauts on extended stays on the International Space Station and Mars missions.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that even a single day of bed rest in the ICU can lead to lasting physical impairments. Muscle strength was significantly lower over time, especially among older patients, highlighting the need for rethinking care approaches in ICUs.
Health experts provide principles and decision-making guidelines to aid NASA in protecting astronauts on longer, higher-risk missions. The report emphasizes the importance of protecting astronaut health while fulfilling the agency's mission of exploration.
Only 10% of spine surgeons follow guidelines recommending routine psychological screenings before major surgery. Highly experienced surgeons and those with high patient volume more likely to use assessments, contrary to expectations that academic centers would lead the way.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that long-term HIV infections increase the risk of plaque buildup in coronary arteries, regardless of other risk factors. The researchers found noncalcified and partly calcified plaques more prevalent in HIV-infected men, suggesting a higher risk of heart attacks.
Researchers have discovered an experimental anticancer compound that reverses schizophrenia-like behaviors and restores brain cell function in adolescent mice with a rodent version of the devastating mental illness. The compound, FRAX486, works by halting an out-of-control biological pruning process in the schizophrenic brain.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a computerized process that enhances image-based guidance in minimally invasive surgery, potentially replacing conventional tracking systems. The new system achieves high accuracy, often exceeding 2 millimeters, while using low-dose radiation, making it suitable for various procedures.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new technology that uses 3D MRI scans to precisely measure living and dying tumor tissue, allowing for more accurate predictions of patient survival after chemotherapy. The technology has been shown to improve survival rates by up to 19 months in patients with liver tumors.
Infectious disease specialists at Johns Hopkins Children's Center identified a protein called NOD2 that regulates the body's immune response to CMV. The findings offer a new explanation for severe CMV infections in patients with Crohn's disease and may lead to vaccine development.
Researchers identified cysteine deficiency as a cause of brain degeneration in Huntington's disease. A cysteine-rich diet slowed disease progression in mice, but its effectiveness in humans is unclear.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins report that compounds designed to 'wake up' dormant HIV reservoirs have failed to work in laboratory tests of infected cells taken directly from patients. The failure challenges the idea that a single latency-reversing agent can uncover the hidden virus.
Researchers discovered that cells respond to rhythmic biological signals by counting the number of cycles, not their strength or duration. This mechanism, found in single-celled organisms, synchronizes changes in cell fate and may explain patterns in developing embryos and snail learning.
Researchers have developed a new tool that combines genetic and epigenetic data to identify the underlying causes of complex diseases. By analyzing overlapping patterns, scientists can pinpoint specific genetic variants linked to conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used a powerful data-crunching technique to understand how the protein Dom34 keeps defective genetic material from disrupting cellular functions. The study found that Dom34 'rescues' protein-making factories called ribosomes when they get stuck obeying defective genetic instructions.
Researchers found that people with inner-ear disturbances exhibit distinct eye movements when exposed to MRI magnets, potentially allowing for diagnosis and treatment. Zebrafish also showed dramatic reactions to strong magnetic fields, offering a model for studying genetic factors behind balance disorders.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified a protein that plays a surprising role in cell migration, which is crucial for cancer cells to spread. The study found that deleting this 'Velcro protein' does not cause single-celled migration, but rather disrupts the organization of epithelial cells.
Scientists have identified a mutant gene in fruit flies that disrupts their ability to sleep, leading them to discover a protein that regulates sleep patterns and cycles. The discovery could lead to new treatments for insomnia and sleep disorders in humans.
A framework for improved geriatric patient care is proposed based on lessons learned from managing complex care transitions. The framework emphasizes the importance of looking at community, system and regional factors in care transitions.
Researchers found blocking an inflammatory protein in mice prevents brain injury, but not premature birth. The anti-inflammatory drug halted brain damage without affecting birth timing.
Researchers found that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene creates G-quadruplexes, hairpins, and bulges that disrupt RNA function, leading to toxic RNA buildup and protein misfolding.
Patients receiving nivolumab survived for an average of 16.8 months, with 62% alive one year after treatment initiation and 43% alive two years later. The drug also shrank tumors in 31% of patients, with some able to remain on the treatment for up to two years.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a set of genes that can be turned back on to evade immune detection in ovarian, breast, and colorectal cancer. Reversing these epigenetic changes with an FDA-approved drug allows cancer cells to become more vulnerable to immune therapy, potentially leading to more effective treatment.
Scientists have discovered a molecular 'switch' that regulates heart cell division and could potentially be used to regenerate damaged heart tissue. The discovery was made by studying infant siblings with a rare heart defect, who exhibited unusual heart cell proliferation.
Chronic insomnia is characterized by increased brain plasticity and activity in the motor cortex, which distinguishes poor sleepers from good ones. The study suggests that TMS may be used to diagnose and potentially treat insomnia through reducing excitability.
Researchers trained immune cells of mice to fight melanoma using nanoparticles and magnetic fields, with treated tumors stopping growth and six out of eight mice surviving for over four weeks. The study uses artificial antigen-presenting cells to activate naive T cells, revealing a key difference in cancer-fighting cells.
People with late-stage cancer at the back of the mouth or throat that recurs after chemotherapy and radiation treatment are twice as likely to be alive two years later if their cancer is caused by HPV. The longer survival pattern holds even if the cancer returns.
Researchers found that jazz musicians' brains use syntax to process music, similar to how spoken language is processed in the brain. This study sheds light on the complex relationship between music and language.
A clinical trial found that antidepressant citalopram significantly relieved agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease, with 40% of patients experiencing considerable relief. However, the drug also had decreased cognitive function and longer QTc intervals, a measure of abnormal heart function.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that primary care doctors' negative attitudes towards their obese patients can hinder weight loss success. Only 14% of those who felt judged and discussed weight loss with their doctor lost 10% or more of their body weight.
Cancer doctors can cut costs without risk to patients by improving end-of-life care, reducing unnecessary medical imaging, and negotiating lower prices for new cancer drugs. These changes can save billions of dollars in healthcare spending while maintaining quality of life.
New research suggests that sedating patients before a nerve block increases false-positive results, leading to unnecessary surgeries and increased costs. Sedation does not provide long-term pain control or patient satisfaction.
Hal Dietz, a Johns Hopkins pediatric cardiologist and geneticist, has been recognized for his groundbreaking work on Marfan syndrome. He identified the cause of the rare genetic disease and found that losartan can attenuate overgrowth of the aorta.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that a simple measure of stroke severity can accurately indicate which patients need ICU monitoring and which can be managed outside of critical care. Most patients with mild strokes (NIH Stroke Scale score < 10) require no intensive care.
A new Johns Hopkins research reveals that kidney failure is much less prevalent in living kidney donors than in the general population. The study found a lifetime rate of kidney failure in donors to be 90 per 10,000, compared to 326 per 10,000 in non-donors.