A national survey of over 5,500 Americans found that patients treated with respect and dignity were more likely to adhere to treatment plans, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities. The study also showed that being involved in decision-making was associated with higher adherence rates for whites.
Researchers have discovered a genetic finding that may hold the key to unlocking treatments for farsightedness and nearsightedness. The MFRP protein, found in a rare eye disorder called nanophthalmos, regulates eye growth and refraction, making it a promising target for correcting severe refractive errors.
A recent MRI study has mapped 'silent' heart changes that remodel the heart, linking specific regional changes to early signs of trouble in the left ventricle. The study found that pumping function deteriorates as hearts increasingly change shape or remodel.
Researchers found that combining interferon with irinotecan boosts IRF5 protein levels in colon cancer cells, leading to increased cell death. The combination therapy may limit side effects and make it harder for cancer cells to build resistance.
A protein called Yorkie controls organ size in fruit flies and, when overabundant, causes increased cell growth and cancer. In humans, a defect in the gene that makes YAP may contribute to cancer.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, can be effectively treated with specific antibiotics if caught early. Symptoms include body-wide aches, headache, sudden high fever, sore throat, and nausea, often accompanied by a telltale spotty rash.
Standard clinical practice guidelines often focus on one disease and exclude coexisting conditions, leaving clinicians without guidance for caring for older patients with multiple chronic diseases. This can lead to polypharmacy, medication errors, and an unsustainable treatment burden.
Researchers found that increased levels of O-GlcNAc, a simple sugar present in high blood sugar circumstances, interfere with the chain of events needed to achieve and maintain erection. This can lead to permanent penile impairment over time.
Researchers used diffusion MRI to measure water movement in treated fibroids, showing significant signal intensity and ADC values. This non-invasive technique may improve monitoring of ultrasound treatment success and be useful for other focused ultrasound treatments.
Researchers used new software to analyze fossilized tooth surfaces, revealing that early humans like Australopithecus africanus ate tougher leaves and Paranthropus robustus ate harder foods. The study also showed unexpected variability in the samples, suggesting both species relied on less preferred foods during periods of scarcity.
The study found that hemodialysis was more beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease, while peritoneal dialysis was better suited for healthier patients. The findings suggest that choosing the right dialysis treatment can impact mortality rates.
Researchers discovered that the protein CrebA single-handedly controls the entire set of events leading to secretion in the fruit fly's salivary gland, improving understanding of how cells become specialized for secretion. This finding could potentially help fix problems with pancreatic cells in juvenile (type I) diabetes.
Researchers identified three key risk factors for lethal prostate cancer recurrence after surgery: PSA doubling time, time from surgery to recurrence, and Gleason score. These risk factors allow doctors to distinguish between patients who need further treatment and those who can be closely monitored.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully treated heart attacks in animals using adult mesenchymal stem cells. The goal is to develop a widely applicable treatment to repair and reverse heart muscle damage caused by infarction.
A panel of experts published recommendations to minimize the risk of altering non-human primates' cognitive capacity, focusing on grafting human stem cells into their brains. The panel concluded that healthy adult members of species distantly related to humans are least likely to experience morally significant changes.
Researchers found that G-protein-coupled receptors involved in detecting odors do not amplify signals like those in the eye, contradicting previous claims. Instead, cells can bind to multiple receptors or express the same receptor to enhance sensitivity.
Researchers have found that women carrying a certain immune system gene and not having HPV16 are three times less likely to resolve their precancerous lesions. This discovery could provide better targets for cervical cancer vaccine development and potentially allow women to avoid surgery, according to Johns Hopkins scientists.
Poorer people have been left out of past aid programs due to insufficient planning, and donors and developing countries should learn from these mistakes. Local health officials must decide who will receive therapy and live, and who will go without, despite growing demand and limited supply.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown human stem cells in a lab setting that mirrors the natural developmental process of blood cells. The study provides unprecedented insight into how stem cells specialize into blood cells, shedding light on the mechanisms behind leukemia and lymphoma.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins report that the band leader controlling DNA copying also brings the jam session to a close, intricately connecting the two processes. This discovery sheds light on the development of immune system cancers.
Researchers identify genetic changes in hepatitis C virus that evade immune system, leading to chronic infections. The findings suggest a 'consensus sequence' could serve as basis for effective vaccines against both acute and chronic infections.
Women now account for nearly half of the 40 million people worldwide infected with HIV, a significant shift from the early days of the pandemic. The increased number of female cases is attributed to various factors, including heterosexual transmission and cultural influences.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that home test kits are highly effective in detecting Chlamydia and gonorrhea among young women. The study showed that 87% of participants used the internet to order the kit, and 95% of those who tested positive for Chlamydia sought treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that the Myc protein controls the production of six microRNAs in human lymphoma cells, which can either promote or slow cell growth. The study's findings suggest a complex system involving Myc, microRNAs, and genes controlling cell proliferation.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that even limited cultural competency training can significantly improve healthcare providers' knowledge and patient satisfaction. However, the research lacks evidence to prove a direct link between training and improved health outcomes for minority patients.
A six-month exercise program improved body fat, muscle strength, and fitness levels in older men and women. Despite weight loss, bone mineral density remained stable or even increased slightly among those who achieved greater gains in fitness.
A recent study published in Nature Methods found that different microarray systems are more alike than previously thought, yielding comparable results when used properly. The study involved 10 laboratories using various platforms and showed that with proper methods and reporting, the results can be reliable across different platforms.
A new blood test, EPCA, has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific in detecting prostate cancer. The test was found to have an accuracy rate of 94% and has the potential to reduce unnecessary biopsies and undetected tumors.
A new surgical technique called 'sharpless' surgery uses laparoscopy, electrocautery, and skin clips to reduce the risk of infection. The study found that blood-borne pathogens are associated with certain operations and that inexperienced surgeons-in-training are at greatest risk.
Researchers found that minocycline reduced brain cell damage, inflammation, and virus levels in SIV-infected monkeys, a potential breakthrough for treating HIV-related cognitive impairment. The antibiotic was able to calm down undefined biological pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that the annual operating costs for medical institutional review boards (IRBs) range from $171,014 to $4,705,333. The median cost is $741,920, with low-volume institutions having the lowest IRB costs and high-volume centers benefiting from economies of scale.
Researchers discovered that a 'fickle' enzyme plays both protective and detrimental roles in the heart. When its cofactor is present, it helps regulate blood flow and heart function, but without it, the enzyme produces factors contributing to oxidative stress.
A national matching program for kidney donors and recipients can significantly increase the number of transplants, improve match quality and survival rates, while reducing travel costs.
A new study published in JAMA found that low-birthweight infants have elevated levels of apolipoprotein C-1, a biomarker associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Infants born at 28 weeks or earlier and weighing less than 3.4 pounds were more likely to have high apo C-1 levels.
A recent study published by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that statin use may lower the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer by half. The researchers tracked 34,438 male health professionals and found that those taking cholesterol-lowering drugs had a significantly reduced risk of advanced prostate cancers.
A study published by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that participating in a variety of physical activities may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. The research found that individuals who engaged in multiple activities had a lower risk of dementia compared to those who participated in fewer activities.
Researchers discover risk-increasing mutation in non-coding region of RET gene associated with Hirschsprung disease, challenging traditional focus on protein-coding sequences. The study highlights the importance of non-coding regions in disease development.
Older adults with mild hypertension did not experience significant reductions in blood pressure through exercise alone, according to a new study. However, those who lost fat and gained muscle showed more substantial benefits.
Scientists discovered the ESCO2 gene responsible for pseudothalidomide syndrome through advanced genetic analysis and comparative genomics. The study provides new insights into craniofacial and limb development, health, and disease.
A Hopkins study found that treating older children with amblyopia can be effective in improving vision. The research challenged traditional age-based treatment guidelines, showing success in teenagers as young as 13. While some visual impairment remains, the treatment offers hope for improved sight.
The study found that PTEN and PI3K are required for cell migration and division, raising hopes for new treatments in cancer and inflammatory disorders. The researchers also discovered a novel mechanism by which cells regulate PIP3 levels to control cell migration.
A US-India research team has completed an analysis of the X chromosome, identifying 43 new gene structures that encode proteins. The study, published in Nature Genetics, used a novel approach that compared human and mouse protein sequences to reveal previously unknown genes linked to X-linked mental retardation syndromes.
Researchers found that urine's limited niacin triggers Candida glabrata's adhesion-promoting genes, allowing it to stick to host cells. The study provides insights into the mechanism of C. glabrata's adherence to mucosal tissues and blood vessels.
The Hopkins team is conducting a Phase I study to test the safety of injecting donor adult stem cells into patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. The study aims to determine if the stem cells can repair damage to the heart muscle and restore its function.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified two proteins that help replace calcium-allowing channels with ones that keep calcium out, potentially protecting nerve cells from Lou Gehrig's disease. The discovery may lead to new ways to harness the channel-changing ability in other brain cells.
Researchers found that a gene controlling cholesterol production also senses oxygen levels, similar to human cells. This discovery offers a new strategy for killing infectious yeast while exploring potential connections between cholesterol and oxygen sensing in humans.
Researchers found that vaccinating mice with prostate cancer immediately after hormone therapy triggers a stronger T-cell response against the cancer. The strategy could lead to better vaccine effectiveness in humans, delaying the need for additional treatments or hormone therapy.
Johns Hopkins researchers have found that modern implanted heart devices are safe for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. The team has also developed new guidelines for their use, making MRI scans more available to people who may benefit from early detection of cancer and other diseases.
Researchers discovered that sirtuin1 and PGC1-alpha proteins interact to trigger glucose production in the liver. Targeting this interaction could help control sugar production in people with diabetes, potentially leading to new treatment options.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new method to educate T-cells in the bone marrow, increasing their ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. The approach shows promise for treating myeloma and potentially other blood and solid tumors.