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Johns Hopkins Medicine


Growing presence of drug-resistant tuberculosis fuels need for more screening, faster testing and faster development of new combination therapies, experts say

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 6, 2012

Neural protective protein has 2 faces

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 30, 2012

Johns Hopkins researchers uncover genes at fault for cystic fibrosis-related intestinal obstruction

Researchers at Johns Hopkins identified a gene, methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSRA), that modifies the risk of newborns with cystic fibrosis developing neonatal intestinal obstruction. This study may lead to a better understanding of how intestines work and pave the way for identifying genes involved in secondary complications.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 23, 2012

Big doses of vitamin C may lower blood pressure

A review of 29 clinical trials found that taking an average of 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimeters of mercury in the short term. However, more research is needed to understand its implications as a treatment for high blood pressure.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateApr 19, 2012

Genetically engineered compound for back pain falls short

A Johns Hopkins-led study found that etanercept, a genetically engineered small-protein drug, does not provide better relief for sciatica back pain compared to steroid injections. In the study, patients who received epidural steroid injections reported more significant pain relief and improved overall symptoms after one month.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 16, 2012

Making memories: How 1 protein does it

Researchers found that BDNF uses microRNA to target the production of specific proteins involved in learning and memory, and that increasing these microRNAs can halt protein production. The study sheds light on how memories are made and offers hope for treating mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell·DateMar 5, 2012

Hearing loss linked to 3-fold risk of falling

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers links hearing loss to a three-fold increased risk of falling among the elderly. The findings suggest that people with hearing loss may have reduced awareness of their environment and an increased cognitive load, making them more prone to falls.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2012