A new program will bring together experts to discuss criteria for selecting stem cell lines and address concerns over safety, transplant rejection, privacy, genetic diversity, and public access. The project aims to anticipate emerging issues and provide a reasoned backdrop for policy decisions.
Scientists have identified brain chemicals that can stimulate nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury, providing a potential new target for intervention. By understanding how these chemicals interact with inhibitors, researchers hope to develop treatments to repair damaged nerve cells and improve outcomes for patients.
Researchers created a mouse model of hair loss syndrome, which sheds light on the complex interactions between genes and their effects on human diseases. The study found that genetic background plays a significant role in determining the severity of the condition, and could potentially inform gene therapy approaches.
Researchers found that mupirocin antibiotic ointment can significantly reduce the rate of Staphylococcus aureus surgical wound infections in patients undergoing elective surgery. The study's results have significant implications for reducing hospital-based infections and preventing illnesses, especially in vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that percutaneous vertebroplasty can be performed safely without venography in most cases. The study showed that 205 consecutive procedures without venography resulted in no major complications or cement leakage, with over 80% of patients experiencing major pain relief.
A study of 2,005 well-educated women found that one in 10 reported histories of domestic violence, resulting in significant increases in neurological and gynecological problems. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to screen for abuse regardless of socioeconomic status.
Researchers have developed a new drug, CEP-701, that targets the genetic error causing a type of leukemia. The drug has shown promising results in clinical trials, interfering with the signal of the altered gene and leading to leukemia cell death.
PTEN, a cancer-suppressing protein, directs cells by anchoring to the cell membrane and regulating phosphate groups. Its presence helps cells move forward while restricting movement at the back, crucial for sensing direction. The findings could have implications in understanding cancer spread and metastasis.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli, kills the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach cancers and ulcers. The findings suggest that dietary intake of vegetables containing sulforaphane could relieve infection and have significant public health implications.
Studies by Johns Hopkins researchers found that excessive myostatin levels cause rapid muscle and fat loss in mice without affecting appetite. This discovery offers hope for new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases like muscular dystrophy and extreme weight loss associated with certain cancers, AIDS, and other conditions.
Researchers found that implantable pain pumps improved cancer patients' quality of life by increasing survival rates, reducing pain and side effects. Patients treated with the pump had significantly less fatigue, constipation, and nausea compared to those on medical management.
Researchers evaluated 407 patients who had surgery to remove their cancer and were at high risk for recurrence. The study found no significant difference between radiation alone and chemotherapy plus radiation in reducing cancer recurrence or improving overall survival rates.
Researchers discovered PRDX3, a key powerhouse enzyme, plays a crucial role in controlling tumor growth. By manipulating PRDX3 activation, tumors can be halted or accelerated. Understanding this pathway could lead to new cancer treatments.
Researchers have found a potential therapy for preventing brain swelling in patients with end-stage liver disease. Methionine sulfoximine (MSO) has been shown to prevent glutamine formation, which leads to brain swelling. In animal studies, MSO prevented brain damage and death in rats with hyperammonemia.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made a breakthrough discovery in understanding how we hear, revealing that tiny 'hair cells' release a barrage of chemical packets to an adjacent nerve when sound is detected. This finding could improve the design and programming of hearing aids and cochlear implants.
The Johns Hopkins team has successfully transplanted kidneys from incompatible donors using a filtering technique, achieving a 93% success rate. The patients underwent plasmapheresis treatments and medication to prevent antibody re-emergence, allowing them to receive organs from donors of any blood type.
Researchers found that humans can acquire immunity to hepatitis C virus, reducing the risk of persistent infection and its complications like liver cirrhosis and cancer. The study's findings add to growing evidence that vaccines could be used to protect against hepatitis C.
Researchers discovered that manganese can significantly lower HIV's reverse transcriptase enzyme activity. By targeting the manganese transporter, scientists may develop a new class of anti-retroviral drugs to stop HIV replication.
Scientists conducted a study on genetic markers in families with multiple members diagnosed with schizophrenia, finding potential associations on chromosome 1q. However, these genes are thought to influence only a small proportion of patients, highlighting the complexity of unraveling complex diseases.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that young men who express or conceal their anger are five times more likely to experience an early heart attack. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 medical students and found that those with the highest level of anger were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
A Johns Hopkins-led study found that angioplasty reduced the combined incidence of death, repeat heart attacks, or strokes by 40% compared to clot-busting drugs. Patients treated with angioplasty had a shorter hospital stay and lower event rates at follow-up.
Hopkins researchers identified a nine-fold increase in expression of the AMACR gene in prostate cancers, making it a promising early marker and potential drug target. Overexpression patterns were also found in precancerous lesions, highlighting the gene's potential for non-invasive detection and prevention.
Researchers found that extra sugar on proteins can cause insulin resistance in cells. The discovery provides a potential target for developing new strategies to treat or prevent diabetes.
Researchers have successfully mapped the genetic regions responsible for Hirschsprung disease, a rare inherited disorder affecting the intestines. The study reveals that three crucial regions on chromosomes 3, 10, and 19 contribute to the disease's complex inheritance pattern.
A recent study found that glaucoma was the most common cause of blindness among Hispanics, accounting for 0.3% of the population, with open-angle glaucoma being the leading cause. The prevalence of visual impairment increased with age, with cataract and age-related macular degeneration also being significant causes.
Researchers found no statistical difference between sulindac and placebo groups in preventing polyp development or colon cancer, contradicting previous evidence. Sulindac may be ineffective at preventing polyps in newly diagnosed FAP patients, suggesting a need for alternative treatments.
Two Johns Hopkins studies confirm the value of treadmill exercise tests in diagnosing heart disease before symptoms appear. Women with abnormal or inconclusive test results are up to 2.6 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, while men with similar test results are twice as likely to die from heart disease.
Hopkins scientists advance understanding of penile erection by showing how blood vessels continuously produce nitric oxide to maintain an erection over time. The discovery offers new insights into the complex physiology of erection and potential applications for treating erectile dysfunction.
A new study reveals that rats with chronic pain from inflammation were more tolerant of painful heat stimuli and had less swelling when fed a diet based on soy protein. The findings suggest that a soy diet may reduce the need for opioid medications, which are often associated with severe side effects.
The Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute at Johns Hopkins University is establishing a Genetics and Public Policy Center with a $9.9 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The center will explore policy options for reproductive genetic technologies, including gene selection in humans.
A randomized trial comparing atropine eye drops and patching found that atropine improved visual acuity by 74%, while parents preferred this treatment method. The study addressed the long-standing debate about which method is better, providing valuable insights for doctors and researchers.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that removing copper had no effect on the pace of disease in mice with familial ALS-like paralysis. The study used CCS chaperone-deficient mice to rule out copper's role in the disease, suggesting alternative pathways may be responsible for the mutant enzyme's effects on motor neurons.
A new clinical study by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that an experimental immunotherapy for severe ragweed allergy dramatically reduces allergic symptoms, such as runny noses, sneezing, and itchy eyes. The treatment nearly eliminates the need for relief medications and is substantially safer than conventional allergy shots.
A new technique uses cognitive testing to locate vital brain vessels, allowing for safer embolization procedures. In a study of 14 patients, 12 showed no significant neurological damage after targeted vessel treatment, while 2 required alternative approaches.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a novel imaging technique to detect tiny tumors that cause a rare bone disorder. The method, which uses radioactive pentetreotide to identify tumor locations, has correctly pinpointed tumors in five of seven patients with oncogenic osteomalacia.
Scientists discovered that mice without the myostatin protein gain less fat as they age, even though they eat the same amount of food. This could lead to a new approach for treating type 2 diabetes by increasing muscle mass, which may improve insulin sensitivity.
A research team found that a small fraction of nerve cells in the retina express melanopsin, which detects light levels and regulates the body's daily cycles. These cells connect to brain areas controlling the clock and pupil response, suggesting a non-visual role for melanopsin.
C75 blocks fatty acid synthase, a key enzyme in energy storage, to alter brain messengers regulating appetite. Lean mice quickly regain normal eating habits after treatment, while obese mice fail to recover.
A study by Hopkins researcher Jane McGowan found that hypoglycemia altered the ability of certain neurotransmitter receptors to bind glutamate, a key molecule for normal brain function. The research suggests that hypoglycemia may impact the brain's ability to develop normally, particularly in regards to learning and memory.
A study found that African-American women were the least likely to donate blood, with only 41% reporting willingness, while African-American men were the least likely to become organ donors upon death. Religious beliefs played a significant role in organ donation disparities among African-American and white groups.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a protein called stat3-beta that regulates genes involved in systemic inflammation. In mice engineered to lack this protein, researchers found fatal kidney failure due to uncontrolled inflammation, highlighting the potential of stat3-beta as a therapeutic target for human inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that a protein called CNGA4 helps the brain adapt to smells by plugging a channel in odor receptor cells. The study found that mice without this protein can't adapt to odors, and the electrical signal from these neurons stays constant over time.
Researchers found sulforaphane's phase 2 enzymes protect cells against oxidants for up to three days, preventing damage from cancer, retinal degeneration, and other conditions. Eating large quantities of vegetables, especially cruciferous ones, helps fight disease by increasing antioxidant defenses.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking finding that may impact brain swelling research by discovering how the Aquaporin-4 protein is tethered to Syntrophin, leading to better understanding of the blood-brain barrier. The study's results suggest that AQP4 and Syntrophin play a crucial role in regulating water flow in the brain.
A new stool test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine can detect the earliest, curable stages of colon cancer with high accuracy. The test uses a technology called Digital Protein Truncation to identify a key genetic marker of the disease, and has been shown to reliably detect cancers at an early stage, yielding no false positives.
Scientists have created a new transgenic rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that can quickly test novel treatments and advance understanding of the disease. The rats carry an abnormal human gene for superoxide dismutase, which reveals the critical role of astrocytes in ALS progression.
A Hopkins-led study found that African Americans and Asians have poorer graft rejection and survival rates after liver transplantation compared to white Americans and Hispanics. The study's lead author suggests that more research is needed to determine the causes of these disparities, with preliminary data suggesting socioeconomic fact...
Researchers have identified aquaporin-1 protein's role in regulating water movement into and out of cells, a fundamental requirement for life. In a study comparing normal lungs to those without the protein, scientists found increased airway wall thickness and fluid leakage in those with aquaporin-1.
A recent study published in Hormone Research found that individuals born with a micropenis who were raised as males reported higher satisfaction rates and more positive body image compared to those raised female. The study also highlighted the importance of testosterone replacement therapy for male participants.
Researchers found that uncomplicated labor and vaginal delivery do not stimulate the babies' immune systems to HIV infection. Babies born to mothers with chorioamnionitis or preterm labor, however, showed activation of their white blood cells and higher risk of transmission.