A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that entecavir should not be used alone in patients co-infected with HIV, as it can lead to cross-resistance and compromise treatment for the AIDS virus. The study's findings have prompted changes to the drug's labeling and guidelines from governmental agencies.
Johns Hopkins scientists discovered blood-dwelling proteins CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 that accurately identify colon cancer and precancerous polyps. The researchers were 100% accurate in identifying existing cancers and correctly identified individuals with advanced precancerous polyps, suggesting a potential less invasive screening test.
Researchers have successfully observed cell migration in real-time using a specialized liquid culture medium, shedding light on the nuances of organized cell movement. This breakthrough could lead to strategies for regulating both normal growth and cancer progression.
HIV scientists discovered that cells use small sacs known as exosomes to export proteins, including the virus's major protein Gag. This means HIV can leave infected cells and infect new ones, raising hopes for new treatment options.
A team of biomedical engineers developed a computer model that uses Bayesian math to explain how the brain anticipates new motor skills. The model is based on similar learning patterns in humans and can predict the best ways to teach new movements, potentially helping stroke patients and designing physical therapy regimens.
Researchers found that the p53 gene activates microRNA miR-34a, which kills cells with damaged genes. This microRNA plays a crucial role in stopping tumor development and is often missing in pancreatic cancer cells.
High-dose sodium phenylacetate and sodium benzoate treatment has saved an estimated 80 percent of patients with urea cycle disorders, mostly children. The treatment uses the body's natural chemicals to eliminate nitrogen, reducing toxic effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that newly made nerves in an adult brain's learning center experience a one-month period of child-like learning. This discovery suggests that new adult nerves play a deeper role than simply replacing dead ones, and may help explain how adults adapt to new experiences.
Researchers found that oral HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for throat cancers in both men and women. Consistent condom use may reduce risk, while tobacco and alcohol use do not increase the risk of HPV-linked cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that cancer cells can reprogram themselves to use less oxygen and more glucose, allowing them to survive and spread. The loss of a single gene causes cancer cells to stop making mitochondria, leading to the use of fermentation for energy production.
In a groundbreaking discovery, Johns Hopkins scientists found that brain cells in the white matter communicate through electrical signals similar to those used by gray matter cells. This process allows 'naked' nerve cells to signal nearby oligodendrocyte precursor cells, potentially aiding in the repair of damaged myelin coats.
Hopkins researchers discovered a backup supply of stem cells that can repair severe damage to the nerves responsible for our sense of smell. These stem cells, called HBCs, grow from a population of cells not previously known for repair abilities and generate other active nasal stem cells.
Researchers have discovered that the anti-fungal medication itraconazole can stop the growth of new blood vessels, which is commonly seen in cancers. In mice models, treatment with itraconazole reduced blood vessel growth by 67%, providing a promising lead for cancer treatment
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that zinc pyrithione, an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos, can calm overexcited nerve cells, potentially treating seizures. The compound works by allowing more potassium flow through defective channels, restoring normal nerve cell activity.
A Johns Hopkins team has discovered that shortening chromosome ends, called telomeres, can prevent cancer cells from growing by inducing a process known as senescence. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of preventing or treating cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins created a publicly available database on phosphorylation events in proteins, known as PhosphoMotif Finder. The database contains nearly all chemical changes nature makes by adding phosphate to proteins manufactured in human cells.
A new computer software tool, PancPRO, helps genetic counselors and physicians predict the chance of carrying a gene for hereditary pancreas cancer and the lifetime risk of developing the disease. The model, developed by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers, calculates a percentage score of probability that a person carries a...
The hospital has introduced more stringent admission screening methods for MRSA and VRE, detecting many more carriers before infection or spread. Weekly swab testing and bacterial growth cultures were effective in identifying patients with the germs, missing only 35% of those with MRSA.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a protein required for neighboring cells to fuse and become one super cell. The Solitary protein coordinates the movement of molecular delivery trucks and marks where the cell barrier needs to be broken, directing the building of a delivery road.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a motor that can safely power remote-controlled robotic medical devices for cancer biopsies and therapies guided by magnetic resonance imaging. The motor, dubbed PneuStep, is made entirely out of plastics, ceramics, and rubber and is driven by light and air.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that statins significantly reduce the risk of sepsis in patients undergoing kidney dialysis. The study, published in JAMA, followed 1041 patients for 10 years and found a 41-case risk in the statin group compared to 110 cases in the non-statin group.
Researchers discovered how cells fine-tune oxygen use to make do with limited availability. They found that under stress, cells replace one protein with an energy-efficient substitute to maintain power production.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have identified genetic culprits triggering a fatal lung disease. Mutations in telomerase genes were found in 8% of patients with inherited idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), leading to short telomeres and cell death.
Researchers monitored nearly 7,000 participants of different ethnic backgrounds, revealing that African Americans developed heart failure at significantly higher rates due to diabetes and hypertension. However, when statistical techniques excluded these risk factors, racial differences in heart failure rates disappeared.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that African Americans have weaker muscle contraction in three main regions of the heart, increasing their risk of heart failure. In contrast, Chinese Americans' hearts had a stronger squeezing function and contracted more quickly than other ethnic groups.
Researchers created mice with both human and mouse visual receptors, allowing them to distinguish between previously indistinguishable colors. This breakthrough suggests the brain can adapt to new sensory information quickly, challenging the idea that early primates developed trichromatic vision gradually over time.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed a new technique for noninvasively tracking cells in the body using genetically encoded cells producing natural contrast visible via MRI. The method appears more effective than existing methods for detecting injected biomaterials, and offers high-resolution imaging without tissue removal.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals a high incidence of obesity among Baltimore's homeless children and caregivers, with nearly half of the children being overweight or at risk. The study highlights the need for healthier meal options and indoor physical activities in high-crime areas to combat this growing epidemic.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that entecavir can lead to cross-resistance with other antiviral drugs used to treat HIV. The findings have serious implications for co-infected patients who may not be aware of the risks.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified 34 unique genetic variations associated with sporadic ALS, bringing them closer to developing treatments. The study scanned the entire genome of 276 subjects with ALS and found that these genetic variants are more common in individuals with the disease.
Researchers discovered Dap1, which controls the activity of enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis and drug metabolism. The study found that genetic variations in Dap1 may influence how people react to certain drugs.
Researchers found a specific area of the genome on chromosome 2 associated with attempted suicide, bipolar disorder and major depression. The study identified a high degree of genetic similarity among family members with a history of attempted suicide and bipolar disorder.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human nerve stem cells into rats' damaged spinal cords, which survived, grew, and formed connections with native cells. The breakthrough establishes a new doctrine for regenerative neuroscience, suggesting the spinal cord can support transplanted cell development.
A new risk-factor list for postmenopausal women could help reduce cardiovascular disease deaths by incorporating family history and C-reactive protein. The updated criteria may change the risk scores for at least 20% of studied women.
Researchers found that antipsychotic drugs increase AMPK activity in the brain, triggering increased appetite. Blocking a specific histamine receptor reduces AMPK levels and appetite, offering hope for new, weight-neutral treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified a core set of 33 microRNAs that regulate adult blood-forming stem cells. These 'master switches' can be targeted to control when stem cells grow into new blood cells, offering potential for new treatments for cancer and bone marrow disorders.
Scientists have identified a severe form of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tied to a gene called JM-27. A blood test detects high levels of this protein, indicating more severe symptoms. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment for bladder-related complications.
A Johns Hopkins study found that 31% of HIV-positive patients in Uganda had HIV dementia, a rate that challenges Alzheimer's and stroke dementia globally. The condition is treatable and potentially reversible with antiretroviral medication.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that brief preoperation team meetings can increase awareness of OR safety and perceptions of operating room personnel. The surveys showed a 13.2% increase in those who believed the policy would be effective and over 90% agreed that team discussions are important for patient safety.
Researchers found that blocking TGF-beta activity with losartan restores normal muscle structure and function in genetically engineered mice with Marfan syndrome and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The treatment improved strength, reduced fatigue, and restored muscle architecture.
A Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center team discovered that a combination of lovastatin and cyclopamine killed 63% of medulloblastoma cells, compared to fewer than 20% with either drug alone. The duo blocks cell-signaling proteins, leading to cancer cell death through apoptosis.
Researchers discovered a new protein, Carabin, that acts as an internal brake to limit the immune system's response, preventing excessive inflammation. This discovery may have potential applications in stopping unwanted immune reactions, such as organ rejection.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a tiny piece of genetic code, miR-29b, that moves far away from the cell's protein-making machinery. This finding reveals that microRNAs contain hidden elements that control their behavior in cells, opening up new possibilities for gene regulation and cancer research.
Implementing common-sense measures like hand washing and timely catheter removal can significantly improve ICU patient safety. A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that profound improvements in infection rates can be made with minimum cost and effort.
Women with high levels of NAC-1 protein in their ovarian cancer tissue are at increased risk of rapid and fatal recurrence. Researchers suggest testing for NAC-1 may identify patients most at risk for recurrence, guiding doctors and patients to greater vigilance and extended therapy.
A new study found that a commonly used drug to slow central vision loss can also treat diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes. The treatment showed promise in improving reading ability and reducing swelling in the retina by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that promotes unwanted blood vessel growth.
Researchers used a natural protein called BMP4 to inhibit glioblastoma, a deadly human brain cancer, in mice by targeting stem-cell-like clusters that feed the cancer. The treatment was successful in stopping cancer growth and improving survival rates.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discover that sildenafil and other erectile dysfunction drugs can unmask cancer cells, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack them. The study found that these drugs reduce tumor size in mice with colon and breast tumors by increasing nitric oxide levels.
A nationwide panel recommends ranking hospitalized patients by their risk level and assigning a score-based system to make decisions about discharging or transferring patients in emergency situations. This approach could safely empty 70% of hospital beds within 72 hours, improving resource allocation and patient care during disasters.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that only 20% of inner-city children with chronic asthma receive the recommended daily controller medication to control flare-ups. This leads to over-reliance on fast-acting rescue drugs, increasing complications and risk of death.