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...
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered a cellular mechanism driving meningioma growth and progression. The study identified the activation of YAP1 protein in nuclei as a crucial step in tumorigenesis, suggesting new treatment targets.
A new study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery shows that children with hip and thigh fractures can heal just as well in single-leg casts, providing greater comfort and mobility. Parents reported taking fewer days off work to care for their children, with an average of eight fewer missed days.
Researchers discovered a mutation in the p150glued protein linked to hereditary motor neuropathy 7B (HMN7B) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), disrupting cargo transport in neurons. The study found that when this protein is compromised, control of cargo transport is lost, leading to disease.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that drug-resistant tumor cell mutations appear in the blood of patients five to seven months after treatment begins. Nearly all tumors already contain these low levels of mutations before therapy starts, making cancers predestined to recur.
A nationwide survey in China reveals one in 10 newly diagnosed TB patients are infected with drug-resistant strains, with over 5,000 cases annually. Experts emphasize the need for rapid testing to determine drug resistance and developing new combination therapies to combat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
A multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins researcher Bruce Leff found that six geriatric health care delivery models improved quality of care while reducing medical costs. The study, published in Health Affairs, highlights the effectiveness of models such as NICHE and Pall. Care in improving patient-centered care and reducing costs.
The Johns Hopkins-developed program provides acute hospital-level care within a patient's home, resulting in lower costs and equal or better outcomes compared to traditional hospital inpatients. The study found Hospital at Home patients had slightly lower hospital readmission and mortality rates and higher satisfaction scores.
Two experimental drugs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway showed promising early results in patients with advanced non-small cell lung, melanoma, and kidney cancers. Significant tumor shrinkage was seen in patients treated with these therapies.
New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that patients with a past history of skin infection are three times more likely to develop painful and costly surgical site infections during operations. Despite following proper procedures to prevent SSIs, some patients appear to be more susceptible to contracting an infection due to un...
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund has awarded grants to 29 Johns Hopkins researchers working on stem cell metabolism, disease modeling, and therapy development. New therapies aim to replace damaged cells in patients with conditions like schizophrenia and Rett syndrome.
Researchers discover that decreasing Lhx2 activity triggers glial reactivity, while increasing its activity is key to producing protective proteins. This finding holds promise for developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have engineered cells that behave like AND and OR Boolean logic gates, producing an output based on one or more unique inputs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of computers that use cells as tiny circuits.
A survey of primary care doctors found that many resist stopping routine PSA testing due to patient expectations and malpractice concerns. Researchers are working on a decision-making tool to help doctors make informed choices about prostate cancer screening.
Researchers found that clots are extremely rare in otherwise healthy children who suffer traumatic fractures. The study suggests that preemptive anti-coagulant medications should be reserved for children with underlying conditions that increase clotting risk.
Researchers found that a high-fat diet encourages more eating and fat storage by spurring new neurons in the hypothalamus, a key area for regulating hunger and body weight. This neurogenesis is critical in regulating weight gain and fat storage.