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.
A Johns Hopkins study found that CT angiography in low-risk patients without symptoms leads to more aggressive care, including more drugs and tests, but no difference in heart attack or cardiac death rates. The test's benefits are unclear, and guidelines suggest it should not be used for screening in low-risk patients.
A Johns Hopkins team has identified a newly discovered protein called Iduna that protects the brain against stroke and neurologic disorders. The protein works by interrupting a cascade of molecular events that result in cell death, and its presence increases three- to four-fold in preconditioned mouse brain tissue.
A Johns Hopkins study found that hospitals in the US publicize robotic surgery's clinical superiority despite a lack of scientific evidence, and overstate its benefits, ignoring risks. The study highlights the need for hospitals to ensure accurate information on their websites.
A study from Johns Hopkins researchers found a link between a gene variation and infertility in women, with the altered gene affecting cholesterol regulation and pregnancy hormone production. The discovery may lead to a treatment for this condition, as a cholesterol medication shown to work in mice could potentially restore fertility.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that obese patients undergoing colon surgery are 60% more likely to develop costly surgical-site infections. These infections result in extended hospital stays, increased costs of $17,000 per patient, and a three-times greater risk of hospital readmission.
Researchers discovered losartan improves muscle regeneration and prevents wasting away from inactivity in geriatric mice. The study suggests losartan may have broader clinical applications in protecting against immobilization atrophy in older adults.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully coaxed adult human cells into an embryonic state and used them to regenerate liver tissue in mice with chronic liver damage. The induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) showed promise as a potential alternative to liver transplants for patients with serious liver diseases, offering...
A new Johns Hopkins study suggests that older, sicker heart-transplant recipients fare significantly better at high-volume centers than low-volume centers. The research found a 67% increased risk of death after one year for high-risk patients transplanted at low-volume centers.
Researchers discovered how semaphorin proteins guide nerve cell projections with precision, enabling intricate connections in the nervous system. This finding has implications for developing treatment strategies for repairing and regenerating damaged or diseased nerve cells.
A study of 150 children on temporary breathing devices found that shorter antibiotic courses were just as effective in treating respiratory infections without increasing the risk of drug-resistant infections. Careful evaluation of the need for antibiotics and shortest treatment duration are recommended to curb antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have successfully transformed 'bad' white fat into 'good' brown fat in rats, reducing their calorie intake and weight. This breakthrough finding could lead to new obesity treatments for humans by targeting the transformation of white fat into brown fat.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine shows that simple exercise can improve lung function and overall fitness in children with cystic fibrosis. Patients who increased their exercise capacity by 10 or more walking intervals showed significant improvements in lung function scores.
Researchers found that blocking the action of a signaling protein in cardiac muscle cells halted serious ill effects of high blood pressure on the heart, including enlargement and scar tissue formation. Further tests revealed potential new treatments for heart failure by targeting specific proteins involved in disease progression.
Young black gay men are more likely to contract HIV due to their preference for masculine partners and misconceptions about HIV risk. Researchers found that these men perceive masculine men as lower risk, leading to increased unprotected sex with partners whose HIV status they often miscalculate.
Research found a significant link between low vitamin D levels and anemia in children, with black children at higher risk due to lower vitamin D levels. The study suggests that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the development of anemia in this population.