A team-based intervention program improved blood pressure control rates among hypertensive African-American men, with 44% of participants achieving control compared to 17% at baseline. The study dispels the myth that underserved African-Americans are hard to include in clinical trials.
Melatonin levels are high at night and low during the day, but a newly discovered regulatory mechanism reveals how exposure to light accelerates melatonin disappearance. The study identified a critical phosphate group in enzyme AANAT that determines its stability, shedding new light on cellular processes.
Studies using frogs with both rod and cone pigments found identical responses to light, suggesting cellular environments, not pigments, determine functional differences. The findings imply that rods' and cones' sensitivity variations may be due to inherent characteristics of their surroundings rather than pigment properties.
Researchers found that Hedgehog's signal is required for cancer growth in the digestive tract. A plant-derived chemical called cyclopamine blocked this signal, killing tumors in mice without harm.
A new model of cancer development suggests that Id1 activation may be crucial for tumor growth, contradicting previous research. The study, which used mice exposed to carcinogens, found that tumors developed faster in mice without the Id1 gene.
Brain cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy are at risk of life-threatening infections due to suppressed immune systems. Researchers found that monitoring immune cell counts and administering prophylactic antibiotics can prevent these side effects, with no patient developing pneumonia or other serious infections in the study.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have discovered a gene silencer that blocks cancer cells' ability to repair themselves after chemotherapy and radiation. By reducing the production of targeted repair proteins, the silencer enables cancer cells to become susceptible to therapy.
Researchers studied 99 adults with mild hypertension, finding reduced heart function during exercise and at rest if they delivered less oxygen per beat. This study suggests oxygen pulse during exercise could be a useful screening tool for identifying heart issues in these individuals.
Nitric oxide inhibits endothelial cell release of inflammatory substances by targeting a specific protein, thereby regulating exocytosis and preventing inflammation. Researchers have developed a novel drug that blocks this process, showing promise as an anti-clotting agent for various diseases.
A recent study published in Neurology confirms that 86% of children who underwent hemispherectomy at Johns Hopkins Medicine are either seizure-free or have non-disabling seizures. The surgery improves quality of life and reduces medication dependence.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that postoperative sepsis is the most common treatment-related injury in hospitals, associated with significant increases in length of stay, charges, and mortality. The unintended re-opening of surgically closed wounds was also a major concern, linked to increased hospital stays and costs.
A comprehensive human protein database has been launched, featuring 3,000 entries on protein roles in health and disease. The database includes protein interactions, disease genes, and other information, making it easier for researchers to connect observations and create new hypotheses.
A manual, low-tech method for 2nd trimester abortions has been deemed safe and effective. The study, conducted at Johns Hopkins Medicine, compared the procedure to electric vacuum aspiration and found no significant differences in complications or procedure time.
A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who performed below average in peak exercise capacity and recovery rate were more likely to die from heart disease. Regular exercise was shown to combat risk factors, with moderate physical activity improving exercise capacity by 15-30%.
A research team at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified a potential new contributor to obesity and learning disabilities, faulty cilia, in the rare genetic disorder Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Cilia play key roles in mammalian development, but defects have never been directly linked to this condition before.
A study of 276 adolescents found overweight teens with scoliosis experienced worsening curvatures despite bracing, with over half requiring surgery. The Hopkins team recommends considering weight in treatment decisions for scoliosis.
A recent study published in Johns Hopkins Medicine found that giving one dose of nevirapine to HIV-positive mothers during labor and their newborns reduced transmission by 41 percent. The simple regimen has the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands of new infections every year.
Studies suggest schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have reduced expression of genes responsible for myelin development in brain cells, potentially linked to environmental issues or infections. This discovery may enable early treatment before symptoms emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins found that 34% of herbal weight-loss product websites contained incorrect or misleading statements, which could lead to serious harm to consumers. The products contain serious side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and increased blood pressure.
Researchers suggest that heightening immune response against human proteins in viral envelope could prevent HIV infection, offering a potential solution for reducing transmission rates. This approach, called alloimmunization, has the advantage of working against all strains of HIV and other retroviruses.
A study published in JAMA found that children on the ketogenic diet for six months had significantly elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but these levels often normalized after treatment cessation. The researchers suggest that the diet should remain a treatment option despite short-term lipids elevation.
Researchers found that older men's sperm contain more disease-causing genetic mutations, which surprisingly increase the chances of fertilization. The mutations may confer a competitive advantage to the sperm, contributing to the increased incidence of rare genetic diseases in children born to older fathers.
A recent study found that nearly 10% of female Army recruits tested positive for chlamydia, with rates increasing over time, highlighting the need for regular screenings and treatments to prevent long-term health consequences like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that altering leptin's signaling pathway can minimize or even reverse left ventricular hypertrophy, a condition causing the heart to expand and stiffen. Leptin infusions led to weight loss and improved heart function in mice with obesity, while caloric restriction had no effect.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Salk Institute develop gene therapy that slows progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating disease affecting thousands. In experiments with mice, injection of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) into muscles extends survival and improves strength.
A Johns Hopkins study found that home visits from community health workers led to a 4.5 mmHg systolic and 4 mmHg diastolic blood pressure reduction, with the percentage of participants controlling their blood pressure doubling over three years.
A new technique uses interleukin-6 to store and transport fatty liver organs, potentially reducing damage and improving function after transplantation. The findings could increase the availability of liver transplants in the US, where approximately 40% of adults have fatty livers.
A Johns Hopkins team has discovered a protein that stimulates axon growth, contradicting the traditional view of semaphorins as only repelling axons. Semaphorin-7a promotes axon growth by interacting with integrins on nerves and other cell types.
A study led by Constantine Lyketsos found that sertraline hydrochloride significantly improved the quality of life and reduced functional decline in Alzheimer's patients with depression. The treatment showed a positive influence on 84% of participants, while only 35% in the placebo group experienced improvements.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that focusing on step-by-step goals for patients during daily rounds improves patient safety and satisfaction. The study involved 112 patients in the ICU and showed a significant decrease in hospital stays and an increase in staff understanding of recovery goals.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center and Arkansas Children's Hospital found that certain children with low levels of allergy antibodies may completely lose their peanut allergy. The study suggests that these 'outgrowers' should be retested on a regular basis to determine if they have maintained their tolerance level.
Pre-diabetic adults with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are nearly twice as likely to die from any cancer and four times more likely to die from colon cancer compared to those with normal glucose tolerance. Researchers suggest that high insulin levels may promote the development of cancer cells, but prevention methods are unclear.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that a combination of factors, including unemployment, access to firearms, highly controlling behavior, and separation, increases the likelihood of female murder by their partner. Researchers identified key risk factors that can help identify women at high risk of homicide.
Researchers tested 'reverse CPR' on critically ill patients in intensive care units, improving average systolic and arterial blood pressure. The new approach could lead to better treatment outcomes in the community setting.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that pancreatic cancer may be triggered by the reactivation of a growth signal normally turned off in adult tissues. By blocking this pathway, they hope to prevent the early cellular changes leading to cancer.
Researchers developed VEGF-TRAP, an injection that prevents new blood vessel growth in the eyes of mice. The treatment halted existing vessel leakage and showed long-lasting effects without complications. It may offer a potential treatment for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
A team of international researchers led by Johns Hopkins scientists has discovered that the eye's ability to detect light is carried out by just three cell types: rods, cones, and melanopsin-producing cells. This finding resolves years of controversy and sheds new light on the eye's non-visual functions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine reveal the crucial last step involved in long term depression, a process thought to underlie learning and memory. By blocking this step, they created a mouse with weakened connections that didn't affect behavior, paving the way for studying GluR2's role in motor skills.
A study of 213 premature babies found that brain damage was most likely caused by prematurity and infections. The research revealed that even with advances in medical care, such as electronic fetal heart rate monitoring, the incidence of cerebral palsy and other problems has remained unchanged.
Researchers found that combining amiodarone with antifungal agents miconazole and fluconazole kills more fungi than expected, making it a promising treatment for severe fungal infections. The unique mechanism of action disrupts calcium balance in fungal cells, leading to their death.
African-American kidney dialysis patients know about live donor transplants but may not discuss their wishes with healthcare providers, a Johns Hopkins study shows. Machine-preserving cadaveric kidneys improves early function after transplant and increases survival rates.
A study published in Pediatrics found that hospitalized children experience high rates of adverse events, including birth trauma and post-operative infections. Children are vulnerable due to unique circumstances such as universal hospitalization for birth and inability to provide consent, leading to delayed treatment.
A recent study found that paroxetine significantly reduced the frequency of hot flashes in menopausal women by 64.6%, with up to 30% experiencing no flashes after six weeks. The medication worked by inhibiting serotonin reuptake, a natural chemical modulating mood and temperature control.
A study of 3,306 pilots found that those with over 5,000 hours of flight experience had less than half the risk of a crash compared to less experienced counterparts. The study suggests that flight experience, not age alone, is a crucial factor in determining pilot safety.
A study found that primary care physicians face challenges in providing high-quality mental health services due to the number of managed care contacts and referral process complexities. To improve access, managed care organizations should develop uniform procedures for obtaining mental health services.
The study found that lung surgery improves survival rates and function for some patients with severe emphysema, particularly those with concentrated disease in the upper lobes. However, patients with more diffuse disease and greater exercise capacity are at higher risk of complications.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made a breakthrough in treating children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). A multi-center study found that peginterferon alfa-2a was effective in reducing the virus in 43% of pediatric patients. The new treatment approach offers hope to both affected children and their worried families.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between Fanconi's Anemia and pancreatic cancer, finding that faulty FA-related genes can make cancer cells susceptible to certain treatments. This discovery may lead to improved treatment options for patients with early-onset pancreatic cancer caused by gene mutations.
A study found that HAART reduced the risk of visual impairment and improved quality of life for AIDS patients. Patients who received HAART had a lower incidence of visual acuity loss compared to those who did not, especially those with substantial improvement in their immunity.
A new study finds that wearing an eye patch for just two hours a day is as effective as six hours in treating moderate amblyopia in children. Children with this condition, which affects 3% of US kids, showed significant improvement in vision after four months of treatment.