A Johns Hopkins study suggests that temporary emergency department staff are more likely to be involved in medication errors that harm patients. The research found that temporary workers' unfamiliarity with hospital systems, protocols, and procedures increases the risk of serious medical errors.
A study of over 2,000 people found that high levels of coronary calcium were a better predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than C-reactive protein. The research suggests that statin medication may be unnecessary for some individuals with normal LDL cholesterol levels and low C-reactive protein levels.
Biomedical education leaders propose a new model that breaks down silos between disciplines, teaching students to work across fields and study organisms at multiple levels. The new framework includes hands-on training and skills courses to help students tackle fundamental biological questions.
The Johns Hopkins Wound Center and the Evidence-based Practice Center are conducting an evidence-based review of wound care to determine what is known and unknown about it. This study aims to inform health care providers and patients about effective state-of-the-art wound care treatments, ultimately improving outcomes for six million p...
Researchers found a protein in mitochondria involved in energy regulation decreases with age, but is increased by losartan treatment, leading to lowered blood pressure and cellular energy usage. This discovery may lead to new treatments for mitochondrial-specific diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and frailty.
According to a commentary in JAMA, the individual mandate would strengthen the patient-physician relationship, increase access to health insurance coverage, and stabilize insurance premiums. This could lead to reduced costs and increased life expectancy for patients.
A new Johns Hopkins research published in JAMA finds that younger black patients on kidney dialysis face a higher risk of death compared to equally sick white counterparts. The study highlights a long-standing racial disparity in outcomes for African-American patients with end-stage kidney disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that the shape of jaw bones in human populations is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The study used archaeological jaw bones from two different regions to determine how much of the mandible's shape is plastic, a response to diet, and how much is genetic.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have created a comprehensive map of genetic mutations in oligodendroglioma, the second-most common form of brain cancer. The study reveals that CIC and FUBP1 genes are critical in tumor development and may hold the key to attacking this cancer.
Researchers found that combining six common quality assurance measures can prevent more than 90% of potential patient-harming incidents. A checklist of relatively low-tech measures and use of film-based radiation-dose measurements were key to safety.
Researchers launch pioneering study to create human platelet cells from stem cells to study inherited blood clotting abnormalities and genetic variations affecting platelet function. The goal is to develop a new approach to generating blood cells for patients in need of chronic infusions.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that methamphetamine use fuels HIV infection risk among teenage boys and young men who have sex with men. Nearly one-third of meth users reported sex with an HIV-infected person, highlighting the need for HIV prevention programs to factor in substance abuse.
Researchers developed a liquid composite material that can restore damaged soft tissue relatively safely and durably. The material, composed of biological and synthetic molecules, was tested in rats and humans, showing promise in facial reconstruction, particularly for soldiers' blast injuries.
A Johns Hopkins study found that indoor air cleaners can greatly reduce household air pollution and lower daytime asthma symptoms. However, they did not counter all ill effects of second-hand smoke. The researchers recommend using air cleaners as a temporary tool to achieve a smoke-free environment.
A new national transplant policy has sliced in half the racial disparities that have long characterized the allocation of lifesaving organs. The researchers attribute the drop to a 2003 decision by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to change the relative priority given to tissue matching.
Scientists identify two genetic sequences that control how a breast cancer gene responds to estrogen, leading to tamoxifen resistance. The discovery may help guide the search for new therapeutic targets in breast cancer.
A new treatment protocol has been shown to dramatically increase the survival rate of patients with incompatible kidneys, doubling their chances of eight-year survival. The treatment involves removing problematic antibodies from a patient's blood prior to transplant and aims to replace them with low-dose IVIg, resulting in an 80.6% sur...
A study by Johns Hopkins physicians found that stents can prevent brain aneurysms from recurring after minimally invasive coiling procedures. The research suggests that stenting can make coiling a more promising option for the 30,000 people diagnosed with brain aneurysms each year in the US.
Scientists developed a gene-based test to identify precancerous pancreatic cysts, which can help patients avoid unnecessary surgeries. The test found mutations in KRAS and GNAS genes, associated with pancreatic cancer, but not in benign cysts.
A systematic analysis of informed-consent documents for U.S. government-sponsored HIV/AIDS research found that the forms were extremely long and used complex wording, hindering full understanding. Researchers recommend shortening and simplifying consent forms to improve participant comprehension.
A new study has revealed that Trichomonas vaginalis is more than twice as common in women aged 40 and older, with 13% of women in this age group infected. The infection can lead to severe health problems if left untreated, including pelvic inflammatory disease and premature labor.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers has discovered a genetic risk factor for sudden cardiac death, specifically a DNA sequence called the BAZ2B locus. Having one copy of this variant increases the risk of SCD by double that of someone without it, while having two copies nearly quadruples the risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have been awarded $32 million to establish two Programs of Excellence in Glycosciences. The programs aim to better understand the roles of sugars in molecular mechanisms of disease, particularly lung and heart diseases.
Clinical trials show half-matched bone marrow or cord blood transplants have comparable survival rates and lower relapse rates compared to fully matched donors. This advancement in transplant technology may increase access to life-saving treatments for leukemia and lymphoma patients worldwide.
A new combination therapy of rifapentine and isoniazid, taken once weekly for three months, has been shown to be as effective as traditional daily treatment in preventing latent tuberculosis in people with and without HIV. The study found that 95% of participants completed the treatment, compared to 60% or less with traditional therapy.
Researchers have developed a novel gene therapy system using nanoparticles that can be freeze-dried and stored for up to three months. The technology shows promise in treating brain cancer with high efficacy and minimal risk of complications, offering a potential alternative to traditional therapies.
A Johns Hopkins-led study suggests that healthy, middle-aged smokers taking varenicline have a 72% increased risk of being hospitalized with a heart attack or serious heart problems compared to those on a placebo. This risk applies even among smokers without pre-existing heart disease.
A Johns Hopkins team discovered that a single brain stem cell can replace itself and generate specialized neurons and glia. They also found that these cells can amplify, producing two new stem cells like themselves.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified two genes, ATRX and DAXX, that contribute to the lengthening of telomeres in cancer cells. The study found a correlation between mutations in these genes and alternative lengthening of telomeres in various types of tumors.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that generic anti-epilepsy drugs have varying levels of effectiveness, particularly when switched between two generics, raising concerns about safe dosing practices. The study highlights the need for policy makers to evaluate standards for generic drugs' similarity to brand-name versions.
A Johns Hopkins team discovered that cancer cells exhibit a universal 'chaotic' pattern of methylation, leading to unpredictable gene function and increased randomness. This finding may require a new approach to cancer therapy, focusing on helping cancer cells return to normal instead of just killing them.
A Johns Hopkins-led research study found that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who use long-term inhaled corticosteroids have a 27% increased risk of bone fractures. This increased risk is particularly concerning for women, who are already at a higher fracture risk than men.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a natural mechanism to block the expression of the mutated gene causing HD, potentially slowing its progression. By manipulating a newly found 'brake' gene, they aim to stop or slow production of the toxic huntingtin protein.
A new study suggests that regenerative abnormalities associated with diabetes are widespread, affecting not only nerves but also blood vessel growth and Schwann cell proliferation. By promoting blood vessel and Schwann cell growth, researchers may be able to speed up axon regeneration and repair damaged nerves and blood vessels.
Researchers found a correlation between FAP and abnormal blood vessel density in the oral mucosa, suggesting a potential screening test. The study used a device to measure vascular density in patients with FAP and controls, showing higher values in FAP patients, which could indicate an alternative marker for colon cancer risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a link between the slow growth of childhood brain tumors and a genetic process similar to that seen in skin moles. The study suggests that tumor-suppressor genes are activated, limiting tumor growth.
A new study suggests that people using mist inhalers to deliver the commonly prescribed COPD medication tiotropium may be 52% more likely to die. The findings raise concerns not only about the device but also about the drug itself, particularly its potential link to cardiovascular disease.
Two Johns Hopkins researchers argue that many hospital quality measures contain surveillance bias, which can lead to misleading data. They propose standardized methods for surveillance and focus on processes rather than outcomes to get a clearer picture of hospital quality.
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered a direct link between MCM proteins and the oxygen-sensing HIF-1 protein. The study found that MCM proteins mediate crosstalk between cell division machinery and environmental factors, controlling cell growth based on oxygen availability.
Researchers discovered that light-capturing pigment molecules can be triggered by heat, producing false alarms. The study found that red-sensing pigment triggers false alarms most frequently.
Muscle cell fusion is crucial for understanding normal muscle growth and regeneration after injury or disease. Johns Hopkins researchers discovered the role of a regulatory protein called Blown Fuse in facilitating muscle cell merging by disrupting the WASP-WIP protein duo, which regulates cytoskeleton dynamics.
Cancer cells exploit a unique metabolic pathway fueled by sugar consumption to survive. Researchers identified HIF-1 as controlling gene expression in low-oxygen conditions, with PKM2 playing a crucial role in this process.
Researchers found that itraconazole can delay the progression of prostate cancer and reduce PSA levels, with 48.4% of patients experiencing stable or declining PSA after high-dose treatment. The antifungal also disrupted a key cancer-initiating biological pathway called Hedgehog.
A study of over 2,900 pediatric patients found that 12% returned to the ER within six months of their initial visit, despite having an outpatient mental health provider. The majority of ER visits stemmed from behavioral problems or minor psychiatric crises.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that low-carb diets with higher fat content do not pose immediate risks to vascular health. Obese individuals who followed a low-carb diet showed no adverse changes in key measures of arterial health.
A new Johns Hopkins research suggests that nighttime surgery has no effect on patient survival for heart and lung transplants. Despite concerns about surgeon fatigue, the study found no significant difference in outcomes between day and night surgeries.
A new treatment combines minimally invasive surgery and t-PA to dissolve blood clots in brain tissue. The treatment showed significant improvement in clot size reduction and patient recovery compared to supportive care.
A new treatment for sudden hearing loss has been found comparable to oral steroids, providing patients with more treatment options. The study showed that both treatments led to similar hearing improvements, but patients with severe hearing loss benefited more from oral steroids.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new technique to detect both genetic diseases and chromosomal abnormalities in IVF embryos. This method allows for the simultaneous detection of single-gene mutations and aneuploidy, enabling couples to choose healthy embryos for implantation.
Survivors with pre-existing mental conditions, such as schizophrenia and dementia, are vulnerable to long-term harm after disasters. Disaster-response planners must prioritize their needs alongside those of physically injured individuals.