A group of experts, led by Johns Hopkins bioethicists, rejects the traditional ethical paradigm guiding American healthcare and calls for a new framework that integrates clinical research and practice. The proposed 'learning healthcare system' prioritizes patients' needs, respects clinicians' judgment, and promotes continuous learning ...
Researchers created a genomic sequencing test, 'PapGene', using cervical fluid from routine Pap tests to detect ovarian and endometrial cancers with high accuracy. The test distinguished cancerous DNA from normal DNA, detecting both early and late-stage diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a complex signaling system that directs nerve cell branching and connectivity, using protein signals like Sema-1a to coordinate axon travel patterns. This study has broad implications for human disease research, particularly in understanding muscle control and nerve disorders.
Scientists have identified a rare form of active 'jumping genes' in mammals, specifically in bats. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying evolution and developing tools for gene therapy.
Researchers found a specific type of sensory nerve cell that responds to itch-inducing stimuli but not pain, suggesting a possible solution for chronic itch. This discovery may help develop treatments for life-saving medications and improve our understanding of the relationship between pain and itch.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that keeping psychiatric medical records separate from primary care doctors' access can lead to increased hospital readmission rates. The researchers found that patients whose records were shared with non-psychiatrists had a 40% lower risk of readmission within the first month after discharge.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that mice lacking a widely accepted enzyme for long-term memory formation were still able to form memories as well as normal mice. The study refutes the prevailing theory of how synapses strengthen, suggesting PKM-zeta is not the key molecule for long-term memory.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a method to track liver tumors' response to chemotherapy using paired CT scans, allowing for immediate feedback on treatment effectiveness. This technique has the potential to save patients from delayed diagnosis and reduced treatment efficacy.
A Johns Hopkins study found that using robot-like devices to disperse hydrogen peroxide vapor enhances hospital disinfection, reducing multiple-drug-resistant bacteria by 64% and patient colonization risk by 80%. The technology improved infection control practices, combining standard cleaning with technological solutions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a novel approach to sorting out cancer-causing genetic mutations in cancer cells. By testing proteins produced by genes with random mutations, they created a catalog of mutants with cancer-promoting potential. This could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new way of analyzing standard MRI scans to accurately measure blood-brain barrier damage in stroke victims. This could lead to better treatment outcomes and reduced risk of complications from clot-dissolving drugs, known as tPA.
Researchers created stunning images of branching patterns of individual sensory nerve cells, defining ten distinct groups that likely correspond to differences in what the nerves do. The branching patterns can help scientists make sense of known responses to stimulation of the skin and may hold clues for pain management.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that a specific protein helps nerve cells extend themselves along the spinal cord during mammalian development. The protein, dystroglycan, acts as a hub for instructional molecules that guide nerve axons as they grow.
Researchers estimate that 80,000 never events occurred in American hospitals between 1990 and 2010, including leaving foreign objects inside patients. The study highlights the need for better patient safety procedures and public reporting of mistakes to prevent these errors from happening.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein crucial for neuron organization in the developing retina, shedding light on how the eye detects light. Additionally, scientists found that a genetic defect can cause a 'traffic jam' in cellular materials within motor neurons, leading to progressive paralysis and death.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that long-term survival rates for patients undergoing abdominal aneurysm repair with either open or less-invasive endovascular procedures are comparable. However, the research suggests that elderly patients may not benefit from the minimally invasive operation.
A Phase II clinical trial found that over a third of high-risk leukemia patients responded to the experimental new drug quizartinib, experiencing complete remission and potentially life-saving bone marrow transplants. Many participants who did well with the drug had failed to respond to prior therapies.
About one in four physicians use social media daily to scan or explore medical information, with oncologists more likely to keep up with innovation. Meanwhile, primary care physicians use social media to get in touch with peers and learn from them.
A protein pair called Norrin/Frizzled-4 plays a crucial role in managing the blood vessel network that serves the brain and retina. The study reveals a dual role for the protein pair, with one job forming the network's proper architecture during fetal development and another maintaining the blood-brain barrier after birth.
A small Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that children on the ketogenic diet experienced reduced seizures after incorporating periodic fasting. The results suggest that fasting does not intensify but rather changes the metabolism of children with epilepsy.
Johns Hopkins scientists discovered that male sex hormones like testosterone alter the availability of a nerve growth factor called BDNF, leading to the loss of nerves in mammary gland ducts of males. This mechanism may explain other sex-specific variations in nerve networks.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine used a synthetic molecule to stimulate cell movement, bypassing the cells' usual sensing mechanism. This breakthrough provides powerful tools for studying cell movement and its role in cancer progression and immunity.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully implanted a pacemaker-like device in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease patient, marking the first such operation in the US. The device aims to boost memory and reverse cognitive decline by providing deep brain stimulation.
Researchers found ARID1A and ARID1B gene mutations in 8 patients, associated with worse survival outcomes. The discovery could lead to early identification of high-risk patients requiring additional treatments.
A multidisciplinary group of scholars at Johns Hopkins University aims to develop guidelines for fair access to good food, addressing disparities in global nutrition. The project seeks moral common ground among experts and stakeholders from various fields.
Researchers discovered that microRNA-223 regulates the brain's response to oxygen deprivation and glutamate signals, offering a potential protective mechanism against stroke-induced brain damage. The molecule's broad regulatory effects raise questions about its therapeutic application.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have created a test that combines blood DNA analysis with genome sequencing to detect cancers. The new approach was successful in identifying cancer-specific chromosome changes in the blood of patients, but may require larger clinical trials to determine its effectiveness.
A new study found a four-fold increase in breast cancer incidence among women with neurofibromatosis-1, prompting recommendations for earlier screening. The researchers suggest annual manual breast exams and mammograms beginning at age 40 for this high-risk population.
The new consensus statement from the Hinxton Group highlights the tension between intellectual property policies and scientific norms in East Asia. Japan and China are underrepresented in patents and licensing, but have strengths in national health care systems that could benefit stem cell-based therapies.
Biomedical research faces a crisis due to flat government funding and reduced drug industry investment. Experts propose innovative private investment sources such as mutual funds, patent pools, and research bonds to support basic biology and translational research.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully used human stem cells to test how diseased cells respond to drugs, paving the way for faster and cheaper drug development. The study identified a promising compound for treating Riley-Day syndrome and demonstrated the potential for tailored treatments for individual patients.
Johns Hopkins researchers identified a protein called JMJD2C that helps breast cancer cells spread by unlocking genes. The discovery confirms the protein's role in breast cancer progression and offers a potential target for anti-cancer therapy.
A new Johns Hopkins research suggests that uninsured brain cancer patients are twice as likely to die in the hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor. Despite this, patients with government-subsidized insurance through Medicaid had survival rates closer to those with private insurance.
Researchers have identified a key biochemical marker for cognitive impairment in MS brains and developed an experimental compound to manipulate it, improving learning and memory in mice. The finding has the potential to speed development of new drugs for treating cognitive impairment in MS patients and those with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the location of rhomboid proteases within membranes enables them to recognize and cut unstable proteins. This discovery has profound implications for understanding diseases like Alzheimer's and developing treatments.
A Johns Hopkins doctor argues that comprehensive guidelines for physicians on disclosing conflicts of interest on social media are lacking. Electronic tags and online profiles could help address this issue, DeCamp says, as physicians' posts can be re-tweeted and potentially biased by financial conflicts.
A new study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery found that wearing helmets significantly reduces head injuries and saves lives among skiers and snowboarders. The research suggests that helmet use does not increase the risk of injury, contradicting long-held myths.
A Johns Hopkins study found that sticking to a medication regimen reduces debilitating delusions and hallucinations in individuals with schizophrenia. Regular visits to a mental health professional also increase survival rates, suggesting that adhering to treatment plans can improve life expectancy for those affected by the illness.
A study examines parental behaviors that create anxious children, revealing a link between parents' social anxiety and their offspring's angst. The research identifies specific behaviors, including lack of warmth and criticism, which can increase anxiety in children.
Researchers developed a new optical imaging technique that uses tissue-penetrating laser light to analyze ultra-thin collagen fibers in breast tumor tissue samples. The study found that women with denser fiber patterns were more likely to need lymph node biopsy and removal, reducing the risk of unnecessary surgeries.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that repeated surgeries to remove glioblastomas, the most aggressive brain tumors, can increase median survival time from 14 months to 26.6 months. This may be due to increased efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy with each successive surgery.
A multinational team of scientists has sequenced 1,092 human genomes to determine the standard range of human genetic variation. This will enable biologists and physicians to interpret a patient's disease genome in a broader context, leading to better understanding and targeted treatment.
The Johns Hopkins team used X-ray crystallography to map the arrangement of atoms in the enzyme that forms unique molecular bonds within the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This structure reveals a distinct pattern of bonds, creating a new target for TB drug development.
Palliative care discussions can improve symptoms, stress, and survival time for patients with terminal illnesses. Physicians should discuss palliative care with patients during initial talks about prognosis and at subsequent visits to help them plan their remaining lives.
Researchers discover that breast cancer cells' ability to spread is influenced by the tumor's protein-rich environment as much as genetic changes within the cells. The study reveals that a specific molecular signal in the protein meshwork can initiate metastasis to distant sites, while a healthy environment can even coax healthy cells ...
A five-minute eye scan can accurately assess brain damage in people with multiple sclerosis, predicting disease progression. The scan uses optical coherence tomography to measure retinal tissue health, providing valuable information for doctors and patients.
A Johns Hopkins analysis found that three in 10 kidney transplant recipients require hospital readmission within 30 days. The study highlights the need for better outpatient management systems to prevent costly and potentially preventable return visits.
Researchers found that the computerized checklist dramatically reduced venous thromboembolisms, with a nearly 90% drop in deep vein thrombosis rates. The system improved prophylaxis orders among patients without contraindications to low-dose blood thinners.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a neuroprotective drug called ethoxyquin that effectively prevented nerve damage in mice treated with chemotherapy drugs, as well as protected nerves in diabetic rats and the mouse model of HIV. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for neuropathy.
A simple six-question quiz can identify kidney dialysis patients at high risk of death, with those needing assistance with basic activities being more than three times more likely to die. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that over 600,000 people in the US are on dialysis due to kidney failure.