A Hopkins-led clinical study found that men's brains show a significantly higher dopamine release in response to amphetamines compared to women. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for amphetamine abuse and brain diseases.
A study published in Science has found that losartan can prevent the development of aortic aneurysms and potentially reverse damage in mice with Marfan syndrome. This breakthrough discovery increases the likelihood of losartan serving as an effective treatment for humans, offering new hope for those affected by the genetic condition.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers suggests that a commercially available antibiotic, ceftriaxone, may be effective in fighting dementia in HIV patients. The study found that ceftriaxone protected human neuronal cells from the effects of HIV proteins Tat and gp120.
A meta-analysis of 18 studies found a small association between soy food intake and reduced breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. However, the data were inconsistent enough that no clear recommendation could be made for using soy supplements to prevent breast cancer.
A study published in Developmental Cell identified several hundred genes involved in cell migration and material transport, shedding light on the mechanisms of human cancer spread. The research found that these genes share similarities with those found in human metastatic breast cancer cells.
Researchers identified two critical molecular events: PICK1's role in removing AMPA receptors and phosphorylation's effect on the receptor. These findings provide new understanding of long-term depression and its connection to motor learning, such as the vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Scientists have identified human enhancers able to control expression consistent with the zebrafish ret gene, shedding light on Hirschsprung disease and multiple endocrine neoplasia. The new system uses zebrafish to test mammalian DNA and is a significant advance over current methods.
Researchers found that low-dose aspirin prevents platelet clumping in both sexes, with women's platelets reacting more strongly to aspirin before treatment. The study suggests that further research is needed to determine who benefits from aspirin and under what circumstances it works.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with schizophrenia are more likely to experience serious infections, respiratory failure, and sepsis compared to those without the condition. The study suggests that improved quality of care could help mitigate this increased risk.
Researchers identified a genetic network in yeast that guards against lethal DNA damage, which could lead to new therapies for human diseases such as cancer and aging. The study used a technology called dSLAM to map the interactions between genes involved in DNA repair, replication, and cell cycle progression.
Researchers found a significant improvement in children's breathing and oxygen levels when wearing PAP therapy masks. However, adherence to treatment remains a challenge, with parents often overestimating usage and many children not using the device consistently.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that a single dose of azithromycin significantly reduces the risk of trichiasis recurring for up to one year after lid surgery. The researchers compared azithromycin to six weeks of topical tetracycline treatment and found that azithromycin resulted in one-third fewer recurrences.
A genetic switch discovered by Hopkins researchers deliberately shuts off a cell's mitochondrial combustion engine under low oxygen conditions. This switch limits the production of toxic oxygen molecules and prevents cellular damage.
Researchers developed a new way to study proteins in live cells, identifying interactions between Src and CrkL, and direct evidence of its role in MAP kinase pathways. This approach may lead to the development of new cancer treatments, such as targeting tyrosine kinases like Gleevec.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that injecting ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) into obese mice with leptin deficiency or resistance reduced their heart muscle walls by up to a third and the size of the left ventricle by 41%. This breakthrough suggests a novel brain-signaling pathway for obesity-related heart failure.
A Johns Hopkins study found that emergency departments across the US struggle to stabilize children in critical conditions, with many failing to administer life-saving treatments. The researchers suggest that hospitals conduct regular drills to identify areas for improvement and enhance their pediatric care.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a new potential biomarker for multiple sclerosis, a protein fragment called 12.5 kDa cystatin found in cerebrospinal fluid, which may help diagnose the disease and monitor treatment efficacy.
A newly identified cell, dubbed IKDC, has been found to fight cancer by combining the abilities of natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells. This hybrid cell speeds up immune reactions and makes the system more efficient.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that men with low-grade prostate cancer who receive active surveillance may not be at increased risk of noncurable prostate cancer. The study compared outcomes in men who delayed surgery for two years to those who underwent immediate treatment, finding no significant difference in risk.
Researchers analyzed over 25,000 protein-protein interactions to dispel old notions of what's important about them. The study identified 36 previously unknown interactions and showed that proteins encoded by genes mutated in inherited disorders interact with known disorder-causing proteins.
A new study suggests that lower doses of the clot-busting drug tPA can effectively treat intracerebral hemorrhage without increasing bleeding risks, with mortality rates dropping to 13 percent in some cases. The findings are promising for patients who suffer from this type of stroke, which affects over 100,000 Americans annually.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed map of the lateral wall of the subventricle zone, suggesting the potential existence of human brain stem cells. The discovery also reveals displaced ependymal cells that may be related to cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
The GeneDesign program guides the design of DNA segments with exacting specifications required for studying gene function and genetically engineering cells. It automatically diagnoses design flaws in the sequence of bases making up the gene, simplifying the creation of artificial genes.
A review of 12,000 Ugandan women found that male circumcision significantly reduced the likelihood of HIV infection among female partners. The study also found a reduction in other STDs, such as human papillomavirus and syphilis, but not gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
A study found that HIV subtype D is associated with a higher risk of early death from AIDS compared to subtype A. The researchers analyzed data from over 300 newly infected individuals in Uganda and found that those infected with subtype D had a significantly shorter average survival time.
Researchers found SCA5 mutations in 90% of Lincoln's descendants, suggesting the past president may have had a neurological disorder. The discovery provides insight into molecular mechanisms common to SCA5 and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers are investigating delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to breast ducts to treat early breast cancer. Studies in rats and mice show promising results, with tumors shrinking or disappearing after treatment. The procedure aims to minimize disfigurement and spare normal tissues.
Researchers have successfully treated Down syndrome in mice by restoring nerve growth in the cerebellum, a key brain region affected by the condition. The treatment, which stimulates the Hedgehog pathway, restored normal cell division rates and numbers in granule cell precursors.
Researchers found that using a low-level heat wrap therapy (CLHT) for three consecutive days significantly reduced pain intensity and improved pain relief, with benefits maintained in the follow-up period. The study showed CLHT to be a safe and effective alternative for treating acute low back pain.
Researchers found that a once-daily antiretroviral combination of tenofovir DF, emtricitabine, and efavirenz leads to higher viral suppression rates and fewer side effects compared to traditional regimens. The study, involving 517 patients, demonstrates the superiority of this regimen over zidovudine-lamivudine therapy.
A Hopkins investigation found that a newly introduced catheter valve was linked to a spike in bloodstream infections in the pediatric intensive care unit. The team identified mechanical issues with the device as the likely source of infection, highlighting the need for closer monitoring of technology's safety.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment option for thyroid cancer that allows patients to continue their thyroid hormone replacement therapy while undergoing radioiodine treatment, reducing unpleasant side effects. This breakthrough could improve the overall quality of life for thyroid cancer patients during treatment.
A new study has linked a specific gene mutation to poorer outcomes and increased recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The discovery provides a molecular marker to assess risk for patients with PTC, which is the most common type of thyroid cancer.
A seven-year study of over 400 patients found that delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdomen via a catheter increases survival and relapse-free survival rates compared to intravenous chemotherapy alone. However, side effects are significantly worse for the abdominal group.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that new neurons in the adult brain are excited by GABA, a chemical previously thought to inhibit signals. The findings may help increase neuron regeneration and improve connections between transplanted stem cells.
Researchers found that mice with half the normal amount of telomerase can't maintain their stem cells' chromosome ends, leading to early demise. The study suggests that inherited disease may be caused by inherited telomere length, not the status of the telomerase gene.
Researchers discovered a connection between iNOS and COX-2 pathways, enabling the development of new anti-inflammatory agents. Drugs that block these bindings may reduce side effects of COX-2 inhibitors, offering a safer form of therapy.
Researchers propose a three-step process for cancer development, where epigenetic changes occur first, followed by genetic mutations. This new understanding may lead to earlier detection and treatment of cancer, similar to cholesterol-lowering drugs preventing heart disease.
Researchers found that blocking the nerve receptor EP1 significantly reduced brain damage in mice following stroke. The study suggests an alternative to COX inhibitors, which have lethal side effects.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase nerve impulse-carrying axon density in the frontal and parietal lobes, controlling emotions and motivation. This growth may explain why antidepressants take time to work, with effects seen within hours but clinically meaningful results taking weeks.
A recent study found that traditional risk-factor scoring misses one-third of women vulnerable to coronary heart disease, highlighting the need for additional screening methods. Cardiac CT scans are recommended for certain groups of women based on their Framingham Risk Estimate and calcium scores.
Researchers have discovered a gene mutation in Bardet-Biedl syndrome that significantly increases disease severity. The finding mirrors the expected genetic complexity of common diseases like diabetes and cancer. By studying this mutation, scientists hope to uncover subtle genetic variants contributing to complex diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new muscle-building agent that increases muscle size by 60% in mice after just two weekly injections. The agent targets the myostatin protein and has shown promising results in mice with muscular dystrophy, suggesting potential for treating muscle-wasting diseases.
A study of 20 children with epilepsy found that 13 had a greater than 50 percent improvement and four were seizure-free after six months on the modified Atkins diet. The diet, which mimics ketosis, was better tolerated by children and easier to follow than the ketogenic diet.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests a genetic link between caffeine dependence and family history of alcoholism. The research found that women with both risk factors were unable to stop consuming caffeine despite physician recommendations, highlighting the need for targeted intervention.
A recent study published in Ophthalmology found that the risk of vision loss due to corneal infections among users of 30-day soft contact lenses is extremely low. The study, which involved 6,245 patients, reported an overall annual rate of evident corneal infection of 18 per 10,000.
A Hopkins study found that cochlear implants can prevent and even reverse damage to the brain's auditory nerve system in cats. The research supports earlier implantation of devices in young children born deaf, as it minimizes complications and maximizes hearing restoration success.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a new therapeutic target for drugs to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases. By targeting dendritic cells, the researchers hope to stop faulty immune responses at an upstream level.
A recent study published in European Journal of Neuroscience reveals that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can provide protection against brain cell death by stimulating receptors EP2 and EP4. This stimulation results in increased cyclic-AMP (cAMP) levels, which reduces the toxic effects of amyloid-beta 1-42, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
A new technique successfully tracks the location of injected cells in cancer patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and iron oxide particles. The study showed that injection accuracy is critical, but not perfect, and that MRI provides an accurate way to track cells' final resting place.