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.
A study of 38 premature babies from low-income families found a higher risk of brain bleeds, fewer follow-up appointments, and more ER visits compared to those from higher-income families. The findings highlight the critical need for better identification of high-risk pregnancies and reduction of premature births.
A new Hopkins study found that monthly injections of ranibizumab improve eye chart test results, build driver confidence, and keep those with wet AMD driving longer. This treatment may help elderly individuals maintain their independence by continuing to drive despite vision loss.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a strong correlation between low vitamin D levels and increased brain lesions in people with multiple sclerosis. Higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower risk of new lesions and active disease spots.
Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a gene-based therapy that specifically targets the immune response of myasthenia gravis, erasing the need for systemic immunosuppression. The technique uses genetically engineered dendritic cells to destroy faulty T-cells, reducing autoantibodies and halting the autoimmune attack.
A Johns Hopkins research suggests that the commonly prescribed anti-retroviral drug efavirenz attacks brain cells, contributing to cognitive impairment. The study found that 8-hydroxyefavirenz is 10 times more toxic to brain cells than the drug itself.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have made a breakthrough in understanding how muscles regenerate and grow. By blocking the action of myostatin, a protein that suppresses muscle growth, they found that muscle mass can be increased significantly without the need for fully functional satellite cells.
Scientists have discovered a complex positive feedback loop in penile nerves that triggers waves of nitric oxide to keep the penis erect. This process, which involves phosphorylation, enables the sustained release of nitric oxide and maintains erection.
A federally funded study found that children with mild to moderate kidney disease have abnormally thick neck arteries, a condition known as carotid atherosclerosis. This discovery highlights the need for aggressive monitoring and early treatment to prevent later heart attacks and strokes.
In a preliminary clinical trial, half-matched bone marrow transplants successfully eliminated sickle cell disease in 11 of 17 patients. The transplants, which used donated marrow from partially matched donors, also improved blood test results and reduced the need for pain medications.
Women experiencing early menopause are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke. The study suggests that avoiding early menopause or delaying it through lifestyle changes may help reduce this risk.
Researchers found thalidomide significantly reduced the cough and improved quality of life for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The constant cough caused by IPF can have wide-ranging effects on patients' lives, affecting daily activities and social gatherings.
Researchers found 155 regions of DNA with different tag patterns in bees, which were mostly regulatory genes known to affect other genes. The epigenetic marks were reversible and connected to the bees' behavior, with more than half of those regions already identified among the original 155 regions.
Researchers found that troponin I's phosphorylation levels are altered in patients with heart failure, leading to muscle dysfunction. The discovery paves the way for new diagnostic tools and therapies for heart failure, a condition affecting over 6 million adults in the US.
A Johns Hopkins study found that children under 6 are more likely to experience weight gain after tonsillectomy, with an average weight gain of 2-5 pounds in younger age groups. The study dispels the long-held belief that weight gains occurred mostly in children with sleep apnea or recurrent tonsillitis.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have designed nanoparticles that can safely and predictably infiltrate deep into the brain, delivering chemotherapy drugs to treat brain cancer. The breakthrough allows for controlled release of medication over time, reducing dosage challenges and improving treatment outcomes.