A new method developed by Johns Hopkins researchers uses MRI scans to measure damage to the blood-brain barrier, allowing for more precise administration of intravenous tPA. The technique shows promise in predicting which stroke patients will benefit from treatment and which may suffer bleeding complications.
Researchers found sildenafil's benefits for female mice modeling human heart failure varied with estrogen levels, but were generally ineffective. In contrast, male mice showed improved cardiac health due to sildenafil's effects on cGMP pathways independent of estrogen.
A new study examines how community values influence healthcare disaster planning, finding that citizens' life experiences shape their perspectives on resource allocation. The research uses deliberative democratic methods to gather diverse feedback from Maryland residents, with plans for a state-wide expansion.
A genome-wide association study has identified a genetic marker associated with OCD, which could lead to new drugs and treatments for the debilitating disorder. The findings suggest a link between OCD and learning and memory, as well as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Researchers found that TB lung infection triggers immune system signaling to the gut, decreasing bacterial diversity. This decrease was observed within six days after infection and was replicated using a different strain of the TB microbe.
A study found that C-section deliveries and early antibiotic treatment may alter a child's microbiota, increasing the risk of developing eosinophilic esophagitis. The condition is marked by irritation, inflammation, and constriction of the esophagus, and its symptoms mimic garden-variety gastritis.
Researchers found that a diet rich in resveratrol did not reduce mortality rates or cardiovascular disease, contradicting previous expectations. However, they suggest that other polyphenols in these foods may still provide health benefits.
A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that recycling a patient's lost blood during heart surgery results in healthier blood cells able to carry oxygen more effectively. Patients who received only their own recycled red blood cells had normal cell behavior, while those who received banked blood showed reduced flexibility and function.
Researchers used a standard test to measure everyday task performance in patients discharged from acute care hospitals, finding that low scores are associated with higher risk of readmission within 30 days. The Functional Independence Measure score is linked to physiologic reserve and resilience to disease.
Researchers have discovered how the HIV-fighting enzyme SAMHD1 works, allowing for potential new treatments to prevent HIV infection. By understanding its dual role in breaking down nucleotides and regulating its activity, scientists may be able to develop more effective prevention strategies.
Researchers found subclinical disease in half of the studied firefighters, but traditional methods were insufficient, requiring specialized imaging for detection. The study suggests a high risk of cardiovascular disease among firefighters, emphasizing the need for early intervention and prevention strategies.
Johns Hopkins researchers have successfully used stem cells derived from human body fat to deliver biological treatments directly to the brains of mice with glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain tumor. The treatment extended the mice's lives by an average of 24 days, offering new hope for treating aggressive brain cancer in humans.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding how cardiac progenitor cells, responsible for building mouse hearts, can renew themselves. This discovery may pave the way for using these cells to repair damaged heart tissue and even grow new heart tissue for transplantation.
Researchers found that a new version of an old MS drug reduced patient relapses and lesion development by 36% compared to placebo. The updated formulation allowed for longer injection intervals, potentially increasing compliance and quality of life for MS patients.
Researchers have developed tiny, biodegradable nanoparticles that can carry DNA to brain cancer cells in mice, demonstrating potential for targeted treatment. The particles selectively induce death in cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact, with the possibility of being given to patients during neurosurgery.
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.