Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a rare stem cell in multiple myeloma that gives rise to malignant bone marrow plasma cells. Current treatments may not be effective against this errant stem cell, leading scientists to explore dual-therapy approaches to target both the visible and root causes of the disease.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that patients who see the same race physician have longer visits and higher satisfaction ratings. The longer visit times may be due to patients speaking slower when they feel more comfortable with their physician's background, which can lead to better communication and patient experiences.
Telomeres protect chromosome ends, but when they're short, enzymes called exonucleases nibble away, causing gene loss. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that chromosome fusion is the primary mechanism behind genomic instability.
A new study found that chemotherapy and radiation together is more effective than sequential treatment in preserving the voice box, with 88% of patients still having their voice after two years. Overall survival rates were similar for all three treatment options.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new computer model that accurately reflects how the brain uses experience to improve motor control. The brain creates a map of forces expected in the world by multiplying electrical signals from nerve cells.
Researchers found that four out of six patients treated with stents and tPA experienced permanent improvement in neurologic symptoms, while two critically ill patients died due to large clots. The study suggests a combined treatment approach may offer superior results for most patients with acute vertebrobasilar ischemic strokes.
A recent clinical trial study suggests that patients are more concerned with factors such as interest in a new medication and potential health benefits than conflicts of interest. Despite efforts to minimize conflicts of interest, patients showed varying levels of trust in different sponsors.
A recent study suggests that daily vitamin supplements can reduce the risk of advanced age-related eye disease (AMD) by 25% and vision loss by 19%. Researchers estimate that 1.3 million adults may develop advanced AMD without treatment, highlighting the importance of regular retina exams.
The panel concludes that researchers should establish a 'bank' with the fewest number of cell lines that reflect the most Americans, prioritizing white Americans but including HLA types common in other ancestral groups. This would enable faster clinical research and ensure fair access to therapies.
Researchers found that platelets in heart disease patients clot more easily despite taking aspirin, increasing the risk of heart attack. Further studies will investigate additional anti-clotting agents and genetic factors affecting platelet function.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a genetic pattern in the CFTR gene that can predict disease severity in individuals with the 5T mutation. The study found that combinations of thymine and guanine repeats in the CFTR gene affect disease status, with certain patterns being more common in people with lung disease.
A genome-wide analysis of 1,875 people found a significant link between a region on chromosome 1 and blood pressure regulation. The study identified 24 genes that may play a role in hypertension, with three genes showing specific genetic changes associated with the condition.
A new gene, BBS8, has been identified as being involved in Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by obesity, learning disabilities, and eye/kidney problems. The protein BBS8 is found only at the base of cilia, which play key roles in mammalian development.
A recent study published by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that children with HIV are more likely to visit healthcare providers and receive outpatient care compared to adults. The study found that 90% of HIV-infected children receive antiretroviral medications, highlighting the need for improved access to services.
Liver cancer patients who undergo transplantation show improved five-year survival rates, increasing steadily from 25.3% to 61.1% over the past two decades. Regular screening of patients with cirrhosis is essential for early detection and optimal outcomes.
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.