A new Johns Hopkins Children's study suggests that timely and proper wound cleaning and draining may be more important than the choice of antibiotic in treating MRSA skin infections. The researchers found that 95% of children recovered completely within a week, regardless of which antibiotic they received.
A review of Harvey Cushing's notes from the early 20th century has uncovered copious documentation of his own surgical mishaps and suggestions for preventing them. This open acknowledgment of errors may have contributed to groundbreaking medical advancements during Cushing's era, with similar benefits possible today.
A simple checklist designed by Johns Hopkins researchers significantly reduces ventilator-associated pneumonia cases by over 70% in Michigan hospitals. The intervention, combined with education and a culture of patient safety, saves tens of thousands of lives and millions of dollars in healthcare costs.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that hip and thigh implants in children can lead to fractures of the same bones, even after the implant has been placed. The research, which analyzed over 7,500 pediatric bone implants, revealed a higher risk of fractures among patients with weakened or brittle bones.
Muscle cell fusion is a previously thought to be mutually consented event, but research reveals it's actually an invasive battle where one cell forces the other using finger-like projections.
Seniors with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia over time than those with normal hearing. The study found a significant link between the two conditions, with the risk of developing dementia increasing by twofold, threefold, and fivefold for individuals with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss.
A team of scholars calls for collective action to address the negative effects of patenting and privatizing stem cell lines, data, and technologies. The experts warn that the lack of transparency and ambiguity in ownership and control can hinder progress toward breakthroughs.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that civilians with noncombat injuries are more likely to be evacuated for treatment, but also more likely to return to work in war zones due to higher salaries. In contrast, soldiers are less motivated to return after such injuries, possibly due to the loss of hazardous duty pay.
New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that motorcycle helmets are associated with a lower risk of cervical spine injury. The study found that helmeted riders were 22% less likely to suffer spinal injuries compared to those without helmets.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a significant number of new insertions of retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms (RIPs) in the human genome, expanding our understanding of genetic diversity. The study highlights the importance of retrotransposons in shaping human traits and disease risks.
Academic Medical Centers must adjust to new healthcare reform laws and adopt accountable care models. They need integrated systems, financial risk assessment, robust health IT platforms, and a culture shift towards quality care contributions.
Doctors argue that current hospital quality-improvement programs have little evidence to show improved patient outcomes, despite high administrator buy-in. A formalized 'physician management infrastructure' is proposed to encourage doctors to take leadership roles in quality improvement.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a way to reprogram adult cells with the properties of embryonic stem cells using a small blood sample. The new method avoids creating DNA changes that could lead to tumor formation, resulting in safer and more reliable iPS cells for research and potential clinical applications.
Teenage girls and young women infected with HIV are more likely to get pregnant and experience pregnancy complications compared to their HIV-negative peers. The study found that behaviorally acquired HIV-infected teens were seven times more likely to have multiple pregnancies than those infected at birth.
Researchers found that a single DNA variation helps protect African-Americans from coronary artery disease, with those having the alternative genetic code having a fivefold reduction in artery narrowing or clogging. The protective effect is even more pronounced when individuals inherit two copies of the guanine gene variant.
Researchers identified specific genetic mutations that predict tumor aggressiveness and treatment response in patients with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. The study's findings could lead to personalized cancer therapy and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center discover that the CFTR protein regulates inflammation and cell death in emphysema, potentially leading to new treatments. Decreases in CFTR expression correspond to increased buildup of ceramide, a trigger of inflammation and cell death.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that children living in areas with fewer pediatricians are more likely to suffer life-threatening appendix ruptures. The study found that the most potent predictor of outcome in children with appendicitis was the number of pediatricians available in an area.
Researchers identified DNA sequence variations associated with abnormal heart rhythms in multiple regions of the human genome. The study found links between these variations and increased risk for sudden cardiac death and heart damage.
A survey of Johns Hopkins faculty found strong support for working with the local community to make research more relevant and improve its quality. Faculty who conducted community-based research were more likely to hire and collaborate with local residents, and involve them in study design and dissemination.
The study found that children with medulloblastoma have fewer genetic alterations than adult counterparts, which may lead to easier therapy development. Genetic changes in pediatric cancers are distinct from adult tumors, and understanding these differences is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a potential therapy strategy by restoring lost microRNAs in human pancreatic tumor cells. The study found that these microRNAs put brakes on tumors when the KRAS gene is mutated, a common event in pancreatic cancer.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins and VCU have developed a nanoparticle-based gene 'ignition switch' to detect and treat cancer. The promoter-based system activates specific genes only in cancer cells, showing a 30-fold difference in identification.
Researchers developed a simple fingertip test to evaluate the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome in postmenopausal women taking aromatase inhibitor drugs. The two-point discrimination score worsened significantly among overweight women, indicating a potential way to measure risk for CTS.
Researchers found that overexpression of HOXB7 gene leads to tamoxifen resistance by interacting with estrogen-activated genes and proteins, including HER2. Knocking out HOXB7 gene increased responsiveness to tamoxifen in breast cancer cells.
Researchers have tested a cocktail of three drugs that targets gene regulation and cancer cell growth in triple negative breast cancers. The combination therapy halted tumor growth in laboratory-cultured cells and rejuvenated RARbeta expression in mice engrafted with breast tumor cells.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that hospital shootings are extremely rare, while the rate of assaults on healthcare workers is four times higher than in other industries. The study argues that investing heavily in high-tech security measures may not be effective and instead focuses on preventing everyday assaults.
A new study suggests buprenorphine is a better treatment option than methadone for opioid dependence in pregnant women, resulting in healthier babies. Babies born to mothers taking buprenorphine instead of methadone required less morphine and spent less time in the hospital.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a new regulatory protein, GAKIN, that oversees the activity of CARD11, a key player in immune cell activation. This finding presents opportunities to develop new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer by targeting hyperactive immune cells.
The new guidelines aim to standardize diagnosis, treatment, and management of food allergies. They consolidate the latest available data into straightforward and consistent protocols for diagnosis and treatment, which will give physicians a uniform pool of information, ultimately leading to more accurate care for patients.
A study published in Nature Chemical Biology reveals how pancreatic beta cells interpret incoming signals and find that three proteins relay signals similar to an electrical circuit. The discovery may lead to repairing deficient cells in treating diabetes.
Scientists identify the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disease. Further study may lead to novel treatments by transforming the pathological process in ALS patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a set of specific interventions can lead to rapid improvements in hospital safety culture. The program, which includes training for local staff and executive buy-in, resulted in significant increases in positive safety attitudes among hospital workers.
Researchers in Rhode Island, led by Johns Hopkins Medicine, reduced central-line associated bloodstream infections to near zero using the widely-heralded Johns Hopkins checklist and other patient-safety tools. The intervention prevented 42 infections, saved 10 lives, and reduced ICU stays by 608 days.
Researchers discovered a protein called glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) that can predict brain injury and death in children on ECMO. High levels of GFAP were found to be associated with an increased risk of brain bleeding, swelling, stroke, and death.
A Johns Hopkins study found that delayed HIV treatment adds tens of thousands of dollars in care costs and reduces survival rates. Patients who wait too long to receive treatment require more expensive antiretroviral therapy, antibiotics, and hospitalizations.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have identified a glutaminase inhibitor that slows cancer cell growth by blocking the sugar-based building blocks. The compound has shown promise in reducing cancer cell growth by 30% and may be used for many types of primary brain tumors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins discovered that NG2+ cells undergo dramatic changes in ALS, growing rapidly and forming abnormal oligodendrocytes that quickly die. This overgrowth suggests a new player in the disease's progression.
A Johns Hopkins study of 950 healthy men and women found that nearly 95% of heart attacks, strokes, or heart-related deaths occurred in those with measurable artery-hardening calcium buildup; healthy individuals without calcification had minimal coronary protection. Statin therapy should only be considered for those at greatest risk.
New study shows combo CT scans of heart and arteries are comparable to traditional SPECT nuclear imaging tests in detecting coronary artery disease. The combination CT scans identified 71% of patients with reduced blood flow, while correctly identifying those without slowing down 90% of the time.
A study by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that surgical items left behind during surgeries on children are rare but expensive mistakes, adding 8 days to hospital stays and $36,000 in extra charges. The risk of such errors varies depending on the type of surgery and patient age.
A new report from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of stroke in white adults, but not in black adults. Despite higher rates of vitamin D deficiency in African Americans, they have a lower likelihood of severe strokes due to other factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
A study suggests that patients who received therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest took longer to wake up and showed improved brain activity compared to those who did not receive the treatment. The results challenge current guidelines for withdrawing care from comatose patients.
A new study published in Neurology found that middle age women whose cholesterol levels decline are at a 2.5 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia than those whose cholesterol stayed the same or increased over time.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a protein mechanism that coordinates and regulates the dynamics of shape change necessary for cell division. The discovery has immediate medical implications, as cell division is a major target of anticancer drugs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a technique to culture normal and cancerous prostate tissue for up to a week, enabling accurate predictions of how living tissues respond to therapy. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of individualized medicines for prostate cancer patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new epitope-mapping laboratory test that can pinpoint the unique binding site for disease-causing pathogens within three weeks. The test uses five essential proteins involved in antigen processing by immune system cells, speeding up the development of cancer vaccines and diagnostic...
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that pancreatic cancers develop and spread much more slowly than previously thought. The research suggests that there is a potentially broad window for diagnosis and prevention of the disease, with an average progression time of 11.7 years.
A study found that nearly one-fifth of caregivers had never heard of MRSA, highlighting the need for healthcare staff to educate parents about drug-resistant infections. The researchers recommend addressing concerns and allaying fears by providing clear information and risk-minimizing instructions tailored to each child's situation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a method for desensitizing the immune system to certain food proteins, potentially alleviating symptoms for millions suffering from severe allergies. The discovery involves targeting a specific receptor on immune cells using sugar-modified protein.