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.
Breast cancer cells spread to surrounding lymph nodes through invasion into lymph vessels. Johns Hopkins researchers discover protein HIF-1 triggers this process by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels and activating genes involved in lymph vessel formation.
Scientists successfully applied gene therapy to restore a lost sense of smell in mice by repairing defective olfactory cells. The treatment increased appetite and body weight, highlighting the potential for this approach to treat cilia disorders elsewhere in the body.
A genome-wide scan of small cell lung cancers reveals an association between SOX2 gene amplification and aggressive disease. Overproduction of SOX2 proteins may ignite or sustain abnormal cell growth in the lung.
A new Johns Hopkins study shows that a triple-threat approach to central line care can reduce life-threatening infections in pediatric cancer patients. By deploying strict device-handling precautions and involving families in oversight, the researchers were able to prevent one in five infections over two years.
Researchers developed a realistic computer simulation to predict drug effects and identify why some treatments fail. The model factors in precise doses, prescription adherence, and viral replication to help develop better combination therapies.
A new Johns Hopkins study found that early diet after birth plays a significant role in determining lifetime obesity risk, rather than prenatal nutrition. Rats exposed to high-fat diets post-birth were more likely to become obese and develop metabolic disorders.
A new study using ultra-fast CT scanners accurately assesses coronary blockages and determines which patients need revascularization. The results showed an excellent correlation with traditional means of assessment, allowing for more certainty in diagnosing patients with chest pain without evidence of a heart attack.
The Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality has received an $8.9 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to focus on hospital intensive care units and prevent harms by engaging patients and their families in their care. The institute aims to improve outcomes using a systems engineering approach...
A recent study published in BMJ Quality & Safety found that misdiagnosis is alarmingly common in the ICU, with 28% of patients having at least one missed diagnosis at death. The most common fatal flaws included infections and vascular maladies, such as heart attack and stroke.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have successfully converted adult blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) using a virus-free method, achieving efficiencies of 50-60% in laboratory experiments. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for cancer and regenerative medicine applications.
A commentary by former Institute of Medicine committee members highlights the need for increased postmarket oversight and an independent ethics advisory board to address ethical challenges in drug safety. The authors emphasize the responsibility of the FDA to research participants and the importance of clear informed consent processes.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine warns that declining US infant male circumcision rates could lead to significant healthcare costs. The researchers estimate that each uncircumcised male would incur $313 more in illness-related expenses, totaling $4.4 billion over the next decade.
Two Johns Hopkins scientists, Cynthia Sears and Peter Searson, received $500k combined for their projects addressing neglected areas of cancer research. Sears aims to explore bacterial causes of colon cancer, while Searson develops a lab-on-a-chip platform to study metastasis.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that miscommunication is common between mothers and clinicians caring for critically ill newborns. Mothers often perceive their child's condition differently than clinicians, leading to misunderstandings about the severity of the illness.
Researchers found that despite similar survival rates, trauma patients in the western United States face higher treatment costs than those in the northeastern region. Analysis of national patient records revealed significant regional differences in care costs, with the west spending up to 35% more on liver injury treatments.
Researchers have developed a method to find and kill malignant cells while sparing healthy ones using theranostic imaging. The technique relies on binding a potent drug therapy to specific proteins on tumor cell surfaces, allowing it to target cancerous cells with precision.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Inherited Disease Research has received $101 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The center, part of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, will support the genetics community in finding genes that contribute to disease through DNA genotyping and sequencing.
A Johns Hopkins review of over 38,000 patient records reveals that weekend hospital stays are associated with a higher mortality rate for older adults with head trauma. Even among patients with less severe injuries, weekend admissions resulted in 14% higher death rates compared to weekday admissions.
Researchers discovered that brain stem cells monitor chemical communication between nearby neurons to determine when to remain dormant or create new cells. The findings may reveal how the brain reacts to its environment and how antidepressants work, increasing brain cell numbers in animals.
Researchers mapped the importance of enzyme shape and function in rhomboid proteases, finding four main regions important for maintaining shape and at least two regions crucial for function. The study's findings could lead to the development of drugs to treat malaria and other parasitic diseases.
A study by Johns Hopkins and University of Pennsylvania found that HIV suppression rates are lower than previously thought, with younger adults, blacks, injection drug users, and uninsured individuals more likely to have uncontrolled disease. The study reviewed over 100,000 individual blood test results from 32,483 infected adults.
A federally funded study found that oral immunotherapy can retrain the immune system to tolerate eggs in children with egg allergies. In a 10-month study, 35 of 40 children treated with escalating doses of egg powder experienced improvement, with 11 achieving complete long-term elimination of egg-related allergic reactions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have defined the structure of mitoKATP, a potassium channel protecting against tissue damage due to heart attacks and strokes. The discovery improves heart cell survival and demonstrates an essential life-saving role.
Johns Hopkins researchers found a cause-and-effect relationship between the Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene and its impact on glia cells in the brain. The study suggests that abnormalities in these support cells could contribute to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
A study published in Diabetes found that exercise benefits diabetic hearts by improving energy exchange and resisting oxidative stress. Fatty acids, previously thought to be detrimental, were shown to improve heart function when the heart needs to beat faster.
Researchers used tiny artificial fiber scaffolds to help develop cartilage in laboratory and animal models. The use of nanofiber scaffolds improved tissue development and repair, producing more durable type 2 collagen, which is usually lacking in surgically repaired cartilage tissue.
Researchers identify molecule that sequesters copper and routes it through urine, providing a previously unknown escape route from the body. This discovery could lead to new treatments for Wilson's disease, a rare disorder that causes copper accumulation in the liver.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics has received a $653,344 PCORI pilot project award to study stakeholder views on streamlined informed consent options. The project aims to identify ethically acceptable strategies for patient-centered outcomes research, capturing the views of diverse stakeholders.
Researchers developed a novel anticancer drug called G202 that targets cancer cells by activating a specific protein, sparing healthy tissues. In laboratory studies, G202 reduced human prostate tumors grown in mice by an average of 50% within 30 days, outperforming the chemotherapy drug docetaxel.
Researchers found that continuous glucose monitoring devices and insulin pumps improve blood sugar levels and reduce time spent with high levels in patients with type 1 diabetes. These new technologies offer a more convenient alternative to traditional methods, but adherence is key to effectiveness.
Scientists successfully converted skin cells from a patient with severe Huntington's disease into neurons that degenerate like those affected by the fatal disorder. This breakthrough enables researchers to test potential drug therapies on human brain cells in a dish.
Studies using specialized MRI scans show that the procedure can detect whether anti-cancer chemotherapy is working, buying patients many months to a year of life. The scans use software to analyze water movement in tumor cells, identifying those with high and low apparent diffusion coefficients.
Researchers found that inhibiting a key immune response early on can shorten TB treatment time and prevent relapse. In a study, mice treated with standard TB medication plus a TNF-alpha inhibitor had a significantly lower bacterial burden than those receiving only the standard treatment.
The Fogarty African Bioethics Training Program has been awarded a five-year continuation grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue training researchers and enhancing research ethics capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. The program has already trained numerous alumni who have become recognized international experts in bioethics.
The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study faced significant ethical challenges as it investigated the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent sexual transmission of HIV. The trial's findings provide valuable insights into managing ethical difficulties in research, while also shedding light on the importance of balancing sci...