Researchers discovered that levels of certain fats in cerebral spinal fluid can predict cognitive decline in HIV patients. The findings suggest that these fat markers reflect changes in brain metabolism, disrupting the 'garbage disposals' and leading to cognitive declines.
New research shows hydroxyurea treatment can lower medical costs for children with sickle cell disease by preventing complications and reducing hospitalizations. The study found that children treated with hydroxyurea incurred $3,000 less in medical costs per year compared to those who received standard therapy plus placebo.
Johns Hopkins researchers reveal how Merlin, a protein involved in tumor suppression, acts as a 'matchmaker' to control tissue growth. By arranging interactions between proteins, Merlin helps prevent cancerous tumors from forming.
A large international study has found that the drug tiotropium can be delivered safely and effectively to people with COPD using either a mist or traditional dry powder inhaler. The study showed no significant difference in the incidence of major cardiovascular events or risk of death between the two groups.
Researchers identified a molecular marker called Mig 6 that predicts longer survival among patients treated with two popular cancer drugs. The study found higher levels of Mig 6 in tumors that responded poorly to the drugs, while low levels were associated with prolonged survival.
Researchers identified a compound that bolsters learning and memory in mice with a Down syndrome-like condition, enabling their cerebellum to grow normally. Further research is needed to understand the treatment's effects on learning and memory.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that only 245 robotic surgery complications were reported to the FDA out of 1 million procedures since 2000. The researchers found that many incidents went unreported, and a standardized reporting system is needed to improve safety.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a blood pressure medication speeds up TB treatment in mice, potentially making it easier for infected people to complete their therapy. The study suggests verapamil, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and headaches, could be an effective add-on therapy when combined with standard...
Researchers engineered 'helper cells' to provide growth factors to transplanted stem cells, increasing their endurance and survival rate. The study aims to overcome a major barrier to successful stem cell therapy.
Researchers found NY-ESO-1 protein in nearly all high-grade meningiomas, a potential new target for therapies. The protein is already being tested in a clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers have identified 105 additional genetic mutations that cause cystic fibrosis, accounting for 95% of variations found in patients with the disease. This new information will provide clear answers to tens of thousands of people being screened as potential carriers and those seeking a diagnosis.
Researchers have identified a new biological target for combating Parkinson's disease by discovering a compound that eases symptoms in mice. The study found that a protein called AIMP2 activates a self-destruct pathway, leading to cell death, but also triggered the activation of PARP1 and PAR, which can be targeted by existing compounds.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a 3D computer model that analyzes a child's unique anatomy and pinpoints the best location for a defibrillator before implantation. The virtual heart model predicts optimal device placement in children with tiny or malformed hearts, reducing repeat procedures.
Johns Hopkins researchers found that severe swelling in the brain, continuous seizures, and low blood platelet counts are linked to death from encephalitis. Aggressive treatment of these conditions may improve survival rates for affected patients.
Researchers have created a new drug-delivery strategy using a biodegradable coating that prolongs the effectiveness of an eye medication for macular degeneration. This innovation could significantly reduce the frequency of injections needed, potentially changing the standard of care from monthly to once or twice a year.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine and Brazilian experts found that preventive antibiotic therapy for people with HIV lowers their chances of developing TB or dying. Isoniazid therapy reduced deaths and new cases of active TB disease by 31 percent among men and women already infected with HIV.
A study found that a fifth of US neurologists are unaware of serious drug safety risks associated with anti-epilepsy drugs, which can jeopardize patient health. The researchers suggest better communication from the FDA to specialists and more systematic methods for doctors to receive updated safety warnings.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a protein switch that can increase or decrease memory-building activity in brain cells. The protein, AGAP3, has dual roles: one side strengthens synapses in response to brain activity, while the other side brings synapse-building back down to normal levels.
A study found that black patients with high levels of racial consciousness have higher blood pressures than those without. The researchers suggest that this hyper-vigilance could at least partly explain the disproportionately high rate of hypertension in black Americans.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that neural stem cells can resist radiation and regenerate after damage, potentially restoring lost function in brain cancer patients and individuals with conditions like MS and PD. The findings may lead to new treatments for brain trauma and strokes.
Researchers found that full activation of a crucial brain-signaling molecule requires coordinated motion of its segments. The study may reveal additional drug-binding sites on the receptor, aiding the development of drugs for conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
Aristolochic acid, a plant compound in herbal remedies, causes upper urinary tract cancers through a distinct DNA mutational signature. The Johns Hopkins and Stony Brook study used whole-exome sequencing to identify this signature, which was found in 19 Taiwanese cancer patients exposed to the toxin.
A small study found that patients who received minimally invasive stents had a 31% risk of needing another procedure within 24 months, compared to 54% for those who received bypass surgery. The researchers hope to confirm these findings with further study and develop guidelines for determining when a stent is likely to be best.
A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that oversized donor lungs are associated with a 30% increased chance of survival one year after the operation. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,500 double lung transplants and single lung transplants performed between 2005 and 2010.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study sheds light on the mechanism of cocaine addiction, revealing how dopamine, mGluR5, and immediate early genes work together to induce addiction. The findings may lead to new treatments for this strong form of addiction.
Experts say India's new policy protecting research participants could have serious consequences for public health and the country's role in global clinical research. The policy's compensation provision for injury from failed investigations could discourage trial participation, leading to a shortage of registered drugs.
Experts warn that widespread use of Truvada for HIV prevention may lead to unintended consequences, including increased transmission of other STIs. Daily dosing, safer sex counseling, and regular testing are crucial for successful PrEP implementation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center have identified a genetic pathway implicated in various allergic disorders, including asthma and eczema. A faulty protein called transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) disrupts immune cell function, leading to the development of allergies.
A new study found that pediatric cancer patients who have central lines at home develop nearly three times as many bloodstream infections as those treated in the hospital. The research highlights the need for better understanding and designing infection-prevention strategies for at-home central line care.
Dr. David Foster, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2013 Freedman Prize Honorable Mention for his exceptional basic research on the neural basis of memory. His work combines advanced electrophysiological, computational, and behavioral approaches to investigate th...
A Johns Hopkins study found that healthy people carrying a genetic mutation for arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) are at higher risk of developing symptoms if they participate in endurance sports and frequent exercise. Reducing exercise can lower this risk.
A new study finds that half a billion dollars could be saved annually by using bedside physical exams to identify patients who truly need imaging tests instead of routine head CT scans. Emergency room physicians can confidently diagnose benign inner-ear disorders, freeing up resources for those who need stroke diagnosis.
Researchers found that patients with pre-diabetes who lose 10% or more of their body weight have an 85% reduction in risk of developing diabetes within three years. Lifestyle changes can bring blood sugar levels back to normal, reducing the risk of progression to type 2 disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown new blood vessels from pluripotent stem cells and transplanted them into mice, a crucial step towards developing personalized treatments. The new technique could enable genetically matched blood vessels that are less likely to be rejected by patients' immune systems.
A team of international researchers has identified a self-perpetuating signaling circuit in connective tissue cells that allows them to form a front and back and propel themselves in a particular direction. This propulsion is similar to the movement used by tumor cells to invade healthy tissue during cancer metastasis.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a new model to allocate organs from deceased donors more equitably. The model uses mathematical formulas similar to those used in redistricting maps to analyze supply and demand factors, reducing geographic disparities by half and significantly decreasing waitlist deaths.
Researchers found that participants with cheerful temperaments had a one-third reduction in coronary events, with those at highest risk experiencing nearly a 50% decrease. The study's findings suggest a general sense of well-being can have an actual effect on disease and may lead to better health outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that reversible chemical tags attached to the PTEN protein can regulate its activity. When these phosphate groups are bound, PTEN becomes inactive, suppressing cell division and migration. This finding may lead to new options for drug design to keep PTEN working.
Gastroparesis patients who underwent transpyloric stent placement under the guidance of Johns Hopkins GI doctors experienced significant reductions in symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. The procedure, using an endoscope to place a small metal stent in the stomach, shows promise as a potential treatment option for this condition.
Research reveals FAM190A's subtle but crucial role in mitosis, a process commonly disrupted in cancer. Mutations in the gene may contribute to chromosomal instability and cancer development.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that reported plant genetic material entering human blood may be a false positive, contradicting previous research from Nanjing University. The team used advanced techniques to detect microRNAs in macaques' blood and found highly variable results.
A Johns Hopkins study of over 1,800 men aged 52-62 suggests that African-Americans with very-low-risk prostate cancers are more likely to have aggressive disease. The study found a higher rate of Gleason score upgrading and organ-confined cancers among black men, highlighting the need for race-specific surveillance entry criteria.
Research suggests that improved training in communication and interpersonal skills may help improve health, immune function, and reduce the spread of HIV. Patients who feel respected by their physicians are more likely to keep scheduled appointments and adhere to medical regimens.
A social media campaign on Facebook increased organ donor registrations 21-fold in a single day, with over 57,000 users sharing their status and more than 13,000 new online registrations. The effect continued for two weeks, with the number of new donors still climbing at twice the normal rate.
Research at Johns Hopkins Hospital found that nearly 1 in 10 doses of prescribed blood thinners were not administered to patients. Despite the effectiveness of preventive blood thinners, many patients are missing out on this crucial treatment due to misconceptions and lack of education.
Researchers found competing input from two types of taste-sensing cells in fruit flies controls perception of salty foods. The study suggests a tug-of-war principle between attractive and repellant signals, with implications for human salt regulation and potentially leading to better salt substitutes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed an experimental vaccine that prevents the virulent TB bacterium from invading the brain and causing TB meningitis. The new vaccine was tested in guinea pigs and showed promise in reducing brain damage and death, with higher levels of protective antibodies and interferons.
Researchers found that the percentage of emergency bowel surgeries varies wildly from state to state, with some states having 7% mortality rates compared to less than 1% in others. The study suggests that analyzing potential contributing factors may help decrease these rates and improve outcomes.
Johns Hopkins researchers found that our brains don't forget skills by passive decay but instead deliberately select what to retain. This new understanding contradicts previous assumptions about the formation and loss of motor memories.
A large study found that adopting four lifestyle behaviors - a Mediterranean-style diet, regular exercise, maintaining a normal weight, and not smoking - can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. The researchers found an 80% lower death rate over an eight-year period among participants who adopted all f...