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...
A study led by Johns Hopkins investigators found that long-term couples need not change their sexual practices due to low oral HPV infections among spouses/partners. Persistent oral HPV infections are a risk for developing oropharyngeal cancers, but the study suggests these risks remain low.
Researchers found that standard strategies to prevent venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism are more effective than temporary blood clot filters. Higher doses of blood thinners in obese patients also showed no significant difference in preventing clots, according to the study.
A 10-minute test for frailty can predict increased risk of death and frequent hospitalization among kidney dialysis patients. The test measures physiological reserve and suggests that dialysis patients are undergoing premature aging, leading to higher mortality rates.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that individually harmless genetic variations affecting related biochemical processes may team up to increase the risk of schizophrenia. The study suggests a buildup of mutations in a pathway related to the disease can be the culprit for the mental disorder.
The new guidelines aim to optimize blood use for surgical patients by preparing units only for procedures requiring transfusions. By streamlining the process, hospitals can reduce waste, lower costs, and enhance patient outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a molecular mechanism underlying cocaine addiction and identified a promising new anti-addiction drug. The compound, CGP3466B, blocks cravings for cocaine in addicted mice by preventing GAPDH from entering the nucleus to trigger cell death.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that a subset of antibodies, PAD3/PAD4 cross-reactive autoantibodies, may serve as a diagnostic marker for the most severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of these antibodies is associated with aggressive inflammation and connective tissue damage.
A new study found that hospitals earn nearly nine times more for treating patients with bloodstream infections than those without. Private insurers pay the most for these infections, suggesting they would benefit financially from reducing infection rates through quality improvement programs.
Hopkins researchers identify two genes, TTC9B and HP1BP3, that can predict postpartum depression with 85 percent certainty in pregnant women. The study's findings could lead to early intervention and treatment options for the condition.
Overweight and obese patients are more likely to repeatedly change primary care doctors, leading to increased emergency room visits. The practice of 'doctor shopping' disrupts continuity of care and can compromise the health of these patients.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that blocking critical bone regulation protein halts OA progression in mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach to joint replacement surgery. The theory proposes that initial harm to cartilage causes excessive bone growth, leading to disease exacerbation.
Despite new recommendations, women in their 40s continue to get routine breast cancer screenings at the same rate as before, with insurance coverage being a key reason for persistence. The study's findings highlight the ongoing challenges in changing behavior and the influence of societal factors on individual decisions.
Researchers found that the size limit for entry into hollow cilia is much greater than previously thought, allowing most of a cell's proteins to enter. The specific collection of proteins in each cilium is customized based on its needs, determined by whether and how proteins are kept inside once they enter.
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins discovered that progenitor cells in the adult brain are highly dynamic, transforming into cells that insulate nerve fibers and help form scars. These cells communicate with each other to maintain a regular distribution throughout the brain and spinal cord.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins scientists reveals an association between elevated cadmium levels and increased risk of liver disease in men. Higher levels of cadmium in urine were found to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to lead to liver-related deaths compared to lower levels.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers has discovered a connection between restless legs syndrome (RLS), insomnia and brain chemistry, suggesting that high levels of glutamate may be the key to understanding the condition. The findings could lead to a new approach in treating RLS and potentially other forms of insomnia.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report that a once-daily tablet containing Ambrosia artemisiifolia major allergen 1 effectively blocks ragweed allergy symptoms, reducing need for anti-allergy drugs by 27%. The pill is a convenient alternative to weekly or monthly allergy shots.
Hospitals should require mandatory physical examination, drug testing, or both before medical staff appointments. Random alcohol-drug testing programs and policies for routine testing in sentinel events leading to patient death are also recommended.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine review of 34 clinical trials found that oral drops are effective in alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children. The study suggests that oral drops can be a reasonable option for providing relief to millions of children who suffer from these conditions.
A Johns Hopkins study found that suppressing a key gene, HMGA1, in tumor cells reduces their aggression and growth. The researchers hope to develop a new therapy based on this principle to treat tumors resistant to current drugs.
New research from Johns Hopkins finds that high doses of vitamin D supplements do not confer additional benefits on cardiovascular health or longevity in healthy adults. However, elderly individuals, postmenopausal women, and those with kidney disease may still benefit from higher blood levels of the sunshine vitamin.
A recent survey of US obstetrics and gynecology residents found that fewer than one in five receives formal training in menopause medicine. The study suggests that ob/gyn residency programs need to address this training gap, as the number of menopausal women is expected to increase due to an aging population.
A new review of malpractice claims suggests efforts needed to reduce errors leading to claims. The largest payouts were for diagnosis-related events, which showed twice the odds of a catastrophic payout compared to equipment- or product-related errors.
Researchers found that estrogen and interleukin-6 collude to cause immune cell misconduct and fuel autoimmune liver damage. Female mice with intact ovaries developed worse liver damage than those without ovaries, suggesting a key role for estrogen in the condition.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that medical interns spend an average of only 12 percent of their time at the bedside, with nearly as much time spent walking and caring for patients. The researchers argue that this amount of time is insufficient to provide optimal patient care and learning opportunities.
A recent study found that physicians built less emotional rapport with overweight patients than those of normal weight. This can lead to ineffective care and poorer patient outcomes. The researchers emphasized the importance of empathy in building trust and motivating patients to make lifestyle changes.
Diagnostic errors accounted for the largest fraction of malpractice claims and the highest total payments, resulting in severe patient harm and death or disability almost twice as often as other error categories. The majority of diagnostic errors were missed diagnoses, with outpatient care being more common than inpatient care.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that the rat's hippocampus uses remembered spatial information to imagine routes, guiding behavior. This finding has implications for understanding memory and imagination in people with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.
New Johns Hopkins research finds no link between patient satisfaction scores and surgical care quality scores, but suggests that a better workplace culture for staff can improve patient satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for better instruments to capture technical skills and medical judgment in measuring hospital quality.
A study at Johns Hopkins Hospital found that providing physicians with upfront price transparency for laboratory tests resulted in a 9% decrease in test orders and significant cost savings. The practice decreased overall use of tests, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars over six months.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that a previously minor protein called EPAC2 plays a central role in regulating insulin production. The study suggests that targeting EPAC2 with drugs could potentially restore pancreatic cell function and reverse Type 2 diabetes.
The Johns Hopkins researchers developed a Web-based mathematical model to predict which patients would benefit from taking a possibly infected organ. The tool considers factors such as waiting list duration, previous transplants, age, and diabetes status.
A Johns Hopkins study found that official guidelines leave room for interpretation, leading to variable treatment choices and outcomes. Clinicians expressed ambivalence about hospitalizing patients, particularly those with recent abortions or social circumstances making inpatient care challenging.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found how a gout-linked genetic mutation causes disease by breaking a cellular pump that clears uric acid waste. They identified a compound that partially repairs the pump in laboratory tests.
Researchers identified an enzyme called ACOT7 that helps neurons get rid of excess fats that can be toxic. In a study, mice with non-working ACOT7 gene showed signs of neurodegeneration when fasting, highlighting the enzyme's role in protecting against fat toxicity.