A blood test and DNA analysis accurately predict which men with low-grade prostate cancers may need treatment, say Johns Hopkins scientists. The prostate health index and DNA content in biopsy tissue can detect the progression of small prostate cancers.
Cancer genetics expert Bert Vogelstein will review the landscape of cancer genome research and its applications. He predicts that early detection and prevention will be key to reducing cancer deaths in the future.
Researchers expanded a method to move proteins inside cells to specific organelles, enabling rapid manipulation of protein activities. By studying the signaling protein Ras, they gained insights into how proteins contribute to cellular responses and signal division and growth.
A new technique using tissue from below-the-waist 'love handles' improves cosmetic breast reconstruction in slim, athletic cancer patients. The method is less complicated than other options for surgeons and turns out to be effective in all 12 patients who underwent the procedure.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that most sexually active male teens receive inadequate HIV and STI counseling during doctor visits, even among those with high-risk behaviors. The study highlights the need for better counseling to minimize risky behaviors.
Critically ill patients experience reduced muscle weakness, delirium and hallucinations when introduced to mild exercise programs, with recovery times speeding up by 2-3 days. Patients can exercise while attached to life support equipment, including mechanical ventilators.
A Johns Hopkins study found that more than half of donor kidneys infected with hepatitis C are discarded, despite the need among hepatitis C patients who may die waiting for an infection-free organ. The study suggests that using hepatitis C-positive kidneys could help those with hepatitis C and expand the organ supply.
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered that a tail module in a calcium channel protein controls its sensitivity to calcium, potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases. This finding has implications for conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.
A pilot study reveals that many children with cancer enrolled in clinical trials do not fully comprehend their treatment options or feel involved in decision-making. The study's findings underscore the importance of clearer communication between physicians and patients.
People with diabetes undergoing cancer surgery are at a higher risk of death in the month following their operations. The study, led by Johns Hopkins researchers, found that newly diagnosed cancer patients with Type 2 diabetes have a 50% greater risk of mortality after surgery, particularly for colorectal and esophageal tumors.
A study analyzing two popular medical dramas found that they often depict bioethical issues and actions that run afoul of professional codes of conduct. Informed consent was the most frequently observed issue, with exemplary discussions being more common than inadequate ones.
A protein called Kibra has been found to regulate organ size by controlling cell growth and death. This discovery may hold the key to understanding and treating cancer.
A Johns Hopkins study found that community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) colonization rates increased among pediatric ICU patients, with younger children and African-American children more affected. Universal screening upon hospital admission and weekly screenings can help curb the spread of MRSA.
A Johns Hopkins team identified a class of chemical compounds that selectively slow down a tuberculosis protein's activity and block TB growth. The MetAP inhibitors have the potential to enhance existing therapy by targeting an essential enzyme in the bacteria's survival.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that a rare inherited disorder called stiff skin syndrome shares genetic similarities with the debilitating condition scleroderma, affecting about one in 5,000 people. The findings suggest a potential treatment strategy involving the protein fibrillin-1 and its role in regulating TGFbeta activity.
Researchers found that minocycline effectively targets and reduces HIV replication in immune cells, providing an additional layer of defense against the virus. The antibiotic may improve current treatment regimens for HIV-infected patients when used in combination with HAART.
Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that underprivileged African-American, Hispanic, and low-income patients with brain tumors are significantly less likely to be referred to high-volume specialty hospitals. This finding contradicts federal health care agency recommendations for equal access and quality of care.
A Johns Hopkins emergency physician describes the daily struggle of making emotionally difficult ethical decisions amidst a massive influx of patients and limited medical resources. The essay outlines how standards of care were adjusted to prioritize those most likely to benefit from treatment, raising concerns about inhumane medicine.
A small study shows eprotirome decreases LDL cholesterol as much as doubling statin dose without harmful side effects. The researchers found that eprotirome lowered blood lipids such as triglycerides and Lp(a), which are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.
A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that live kidney donors suffer few ill effects from the procedure and are likely to live as long as those with both kidneys. The study analyzed data from over 80,000 live kidney donors in the United States.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center report encouraging results in children with egg allergies who consume increasingly higher doses of egg protein. The study found that more than half of the children could tolerate 5 grams of eggs without an allergic reaction, experiencing mild to moderate symptoms.
A new study by Johns Hopkins scientists found that Notch-blocking drugs can kill brain cancer stem cells in mice, with a 70% reduction rate. However, further experiments suggested that additional therapies or increased dosage of Notch-blocking drugs may be necessary to target all cancer stem cells.
Two studies found that anomalies in the DISC1 gene and its interaction with Kal-7 protein disrupt dendritic spine formation, leading to weaker connections between neurons. This abnormal connectivity is thought to contribute to the onset of schizophrenia symptoms in young adulthood.
Hospitals in the US could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually by reusing medical equipment such as laparoscopic ports and cutting tools. With proper sterilization and testing, these devices can be safely reused multiple times.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a new approach to detect cancer using whole genome sequencing, identifying rearrangements of DNA that can be found in tumor cells. This approach, called Personalized Analysis of Rearranged Ends (PARE), may help clinicians tailor treatments and monitor tumor levels after therapy.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a key protein, TRPV2, that plays a crucial role in helping macrophages capture and destroy germs. The protein helps macrophages bind to bacteria more effectively, which enables the immune system to clear infections more efficiently.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that obesity in all forms increases the risk of developing kidney stones. The researchers found that obese individuals had a higher incidence of kidney stones compared to non-obese individuals, with no difference in risk between mild and severe obesity.
A recent study at Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that a high-fat ketogenic diet is both effective and safe for controlling seizures in the long term. The diet, which consists of high-fat foods and very few carbohydrates, has been shown to reduce seizure frequency by nearly 80% in patients treated for a minimum of 16 months.
Scientists studying fruit flies have discovered a critical step in fly vision that is also linked to human retinal dystrophies, which cause visual impairments or blindness. The study's findings suggest that using flies as a model organism can lead to the development of new therapies for treating human retinal degeneration.
A Johns Hopkins researcher warns that medical safety checklists are no magic wand and require a culture change to be effective. Checklists can work in certain situations, such as central-line infection prevention, but over-reliance on them can lead to distractions and errors.
A third of seniors over 65 wait too long for lifesaving kidney transplants because their doctors don't list them for organs suitable for younger patients but not for themselves. Older adults have shorter life spans than younger recipients, but accepting older kidneys can increase survival rates.
A Johns Hopkins Hospital campaign made seasonal flu vaccinations free and convenient, resulting in a double national average vaccine rate of 71.3% among staff. The hospital's policy requiring employees to wear face masks if not vaccinated also encouraged vaccination.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that sugar-based protein modification called O-GlcNAcylation regulates cell division. Disrupting this process can lead to polyploidy, a condition exhibited by many cancer cells. The findings have implications for new treatments for diseases like cancer.
A new checklist called CURVES (Choose and Communicate, Understand, Reason, Value, Emergency and Surrogate) has been developed to quickly assess a patient's decision-making capacity in emergency situations. The acronym helps physicians determine whether a patient is able to make decisions in life-or-death situations.
The study shows that a simple, standardized checklist can virtually eliminate central-line catheter bloodstream infections. By combining the checklist with culture change and continuous monitoring, hospitals can sustainably reduce infection rates, making them more transparent to patients.
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered how Argonaute protein binds to microRNAs, shutting down protein production. This finding sheds light on the regulation of genes and has implications for treating diseases linked to genetic regulation, such as cancer.
Research by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that children of Hispanic mothers who speak Spanish spend nearly two-and-a-half hours watching TV, compared to about 90 minutes for children with English-speaking mothers. The study suggests cultural perceptions and lack of programming in Spanish may contribute to the difference.
Researchers found that even mild to moderate kidney disease can lead to physical, emotional, intellectual, and social challenges in children. Children with chronic diseases currently do not qualify for special education until their scores decline dramatically. Early attention to quality-of-life issues is crucial.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that pediatricians often fail to follow up with families after referring children with suspected developmental delays for further testing and treatment. This can lead to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes for these children. The study highlights the need for improved referral systems an...
A new study with Brazilian dwarves suggests human growth hormone deficiency has no effect on normal lifespan. Contrary to previous claims, HGH levels do not seem to positively or negatively impact lifespan.
Researchers have identified five cases of toilet-seat dermatitis, a skin condition that can be caused by wooden toilet seats or exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals. The study recommends using paper toilet seat covers, replacing wooden seats with plastic ones, and avoiding harsh cleaners to prevent the condition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that proper daily maintenance of central lines was key in preventing infections in children. The study showed a 43% drop in bloodstream infections from catheters by following simple rules for catheter care, including regular cleaning and hand washing.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that musculoskeletal issues are the leading cause of medical evacuation from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Psychiatric diagnoses also increased over four years, despite mental health teams. Most evacuated personnel do not return to duty.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that limiting the depth of sedation during procedures could safely cut the risk of postoperative delirium by 50 percent. Lighter sedation was associated with a one-day reduction in the duration of delirium in those patients who still emerged from surgery confused and disoriented.
A Johns Hopkins neurologist argues that futile and expensive end-of-life care can be a major contributor to the unaffordable cost of healthcare. He suggests weighing patient autonomy against societal costs and suggests 'nudging' families towards comfort care, particularly in cases of premature births.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that a small group of physicians, accounting for 3.7% of claims, drove 72% of workers' compensation costs. These 'cost-intensive providers' were found to have a significant impact on system health care costs independent of injury severity.
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that even small amounts of lead in healthy children's bodies can impair kidney function, with those having higher levels showing decreased kidney filtration rates. The researchers measured kidney function using two tests and found a link between higher lead levels and worse kidney function ...
A study of critically ill H1N1 children found that serious complications developed quickly and unpredictably, with great variations from patient to patient. The virus behaves variably in different patients, highlighting the need for rapid screening tests and preemptive antiviral medications.
Researchers have found an antidepressant, clorgyline, can blunt and reverse muscle enlargement and weakened pumping function associated with heart failure. The drug blocks the action of enzyme monoamine oxidase-A and stops its breakdown of a key neurohormone, norepinephrine.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that appears to reduce leukemia cells in some chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients taking the drug Gleevec. The study found significant reductions in residual cancer cells and complete remission in seven patients.