The program offers primary health care and enables MCG students to practice under faculty supervision. Common ailments among migrant workers include infectious diseases, gastritis, allergies, skin rashes, and musculoskeletal pain.
Researchers say cannabidiol, a compound found in marijuana, may protect the eye from growing leaky blood vessels and prevent diabetic retinopathy. Early studies indicate it works as an antioxidant to neutralize toxic superoxides and inhibit destructive systems.
A six-week program combining a nicotine patch and group support significantly increased the chances of women in public housing quitting smoking. The study found nearly 50% of women in the treatment group quit smoking by the end of the program, compared to less than 8% in the comparison group.
A worldwide study is screening 220,800 healthy babies for genes that increase risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The researchers aim to identify environmental triggers that determine the risks for the disease.
A study found that only 25% of high-risk black men aged 60-69 are screened for prostate cancer, compared to 81% of white men. This disparity highlights a need for increased awareness and targeted screening efforts among black males with positive family histories.
Researchers have found that common bacteria can exploit a natural mechanism to get inside cells, using receptors and nitric oxide to evade the immune system. By controlling dynamin activity through inhibition of nitric oxide synthases, new methods to prevent infections may be developed.
A study published in Psychopharmacology found that genetics and environmental factors contribute to the relapse of drug-seeking behavior. The research used rat models to identify glutamate as a neurotransmitter involved in stirring cravings and uncontrollable urges. Dr. Paul J. Kruzich suggests that genetic variations may increase susc...
A recent study found that stopping regular blood transfusions in children with sickle cell disease who are at risk for a stroke means their stroke risk likely returns. The study, which involved 41 children, showed that within a few months of halting transfusion, 14 children resumed at-risk status and two had strokes.
A pilot study on an online information system for multiple sclerosis patients will be conducted using the software developed by Cerner Corp., enabling direct access to medical records and prescription drugs, as well as private e-mail correspondence with physicians.
Research suggests that aldosterone, a hormone involved in blood pressure regulation, may also contribute to strokes. Aldosterone blockers have shown promise in animal models, reversing wall-thickening effects on blood vessels. However, gender differences and optimal treatment strategies remain unclear.
The Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing has received a $995,000 grant to support its new doctorate of nursing practice program, the 10th of its kind in the nation. The partnership with Emory University will prepare critical mass of nurse clinicians through increased collaboration.
Researchers found that a cancer vaccine candidate, CpG-ODNs, triggers an alarm response in the immune system but also activates a mechanism that can help tumors hide from the immune system. This raises questions about the potential benefits and risks of this approach in cancer treatment.
Researchers have discovered that lipids, specifically phosphatidylinositol transfer protein-α, are regulated during axon growth and play a critical role in nervous system development. Blocking this lipid can prevent nerves from developing arm-like extensions, leading to neuron death and motor neuron degeneration.
Researchers used tiny worms to study the genetic factors affecting anesthetic response, identifying 10 genes that modify its effects. This breakthrough aims to design more specific and effective anesthetics with minimal adverse effects.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found that inhaling nitric oxide gas can help normalize a sickle cell patient's hemoglobin by restoring its natural charge and shape. This may prevent unhealthy clustering of hemoglobin S molecules and improve oxygen delivery to the body.
Researchers found that lipid levels and heart rate variability are 60-80% determined by genetics, with blacks showing a more favorable pattern of heart rate variability. The study provides new insight into the development of cardiovascular disease and may lead to targeted treatment strategies.
A mutant rat model is being used to study the early vascular changes caused by obesity, which can lead to peripheral vascular disease. The research aims to prevent this condition and improve quality of life for those affected.
A new study has found that large sinus tumors can be successfully removed endoscopically, with a significant reduction in morbidity compared to traditional open procedures. The procedure involves using tiny scopes and cameras to remove the tumor, which was shown to have a lower recurrence rate than expected.
Researchers found that adult stem cell therapy significantly improves recovery of motor function and balance in an animal model of cerebral palsy. The treatment, which involves injecting stem cells directly into the brain, showed a 20% reduction in favoring the unaffected side and a 25% improvement in balance.
Researchers developed a 20-mile computer-simulated driving course to help stroke patients regain their driving skills. Patients who received simulator training were almost twice as likely to pass an official driving test, and retained the skill level achieved in training.
Researchers are studying a vaccine that may eliminate the risk of group B streptococcus infection in newborns, which is responsible for 1,720 annual infections and 70-90 deaths. The vaccine aims to reduce the risk by eliminating the bacteria from the vagina before birth.
Scientists have identified four sugar-coated faces made by stem cells as they develop into brain cells, which may help navigate the adult brain and repair brain injury or disease. These glycoconjugate markers could aid in functional recovery and controlling stem cell proliferation.
Researchers are investigating a drug that may block the deadliest form of inflammation in heart bypass patients, including those who have had previous strokes or heart attacks. The study focuses on high-risk patients and pediatric cases, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce morbidity related to heart surgery.
Research suggests that football players are often dehydrated when they start practice, and that acclimatization to the environment and uniform is key. Coaches can reduce heat stress and injury by introducing a training schedule that progresses slowly and allowing for recovery between practices.
A new study found that high school age children with a healthy weight had favorable lipid profiles, including lower levels of triglycerides and higher ratios of HDL cholesterol. The leanest teens, those with less than 25 percent body fat, had the best lipid/lipoprotein profiles.
Researchers investigate estrogen and estrogen-like drugs' ability to protect brain cells after a stroke. Preliminary data suggest that these substances can help traumatized cells survive and encourage stem cell maturation into new brain cells.
Researchers developed guidelines for surgeons to assess whether patients are candidates for a sinus-saving modified Lothrop procedure. By analyzing CT scans and anatomy of seven cadavers, they identified critical measurements that determine the feasibility of the procedure.
Researchers have found that an incision about half the length used for traditional surgery works just as well in removing diseased thyroids. The minimally invasive approach is safe, likely speeds wound healing, and has a superior cosmetic result.
A harmonic scalpel with ultrasound technology can reduce blood loss, postoperative facial paralysis, and infection rates in patients requiring salivary gland removal. The study compared conventional surgery to harmonic scalpel parotidectomy for benign or malignant disease.
A 13-member expert panel recommends that school-age children engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. This is based on a review of over 850 articles and 1,200 abstracts, which found that shorter periods of activity may not be enough to achieve similar benefits.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have developed a new approach to inhibit blood vessel growth by targeting VEGF production within cells. The technique, which uses a gene that binds to and sequesters VEGF, has shown promising results in reducing destructive blood vessel proliferation by up to two-thirds.
Researchers have found a gene that signals yeast to make bread rise and mice to eat a better diet also helps selectively silence the immune system. This finding may help explain how mothers avoid rejecting genetically foreign fetuses, providing a new target for treatments to ignore other desirable tissues like transplanted organs. The ...
A Medical College of Georgia researcher has developed a mouse model to study the immune system's initial response to cancer. The goal is to understand how the body decides which cancer cells to attack and which to ignore, in hopes of developing new treatments that utilize the body's natural defenses.
Researchers found that adolescents averaging five minutes of vigorous physical activity per day were leaner and fitter than their peers. This suggests that general exercise recommendations for adolescents should encourage vigorous physical activity to help them maintain a healthy weight.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that golf-related head injuries in children increased by 15% between 1996 and 2002. The majority of these injuries occurred outside golf courses, highlighting the need for cautionary guidelines and safety training programs to prevent accidents.
Researchers found that nearly all psychiatrists consider metabolic side effects serious or very serious, but baseline data and regular checks are often neglected. The study highlights the need for clinicians to change their practice to reflect this concern and provide better care for patients with schizophrenia.
Researchers are investigating early changes in the heart's function that may lead to congestive heart failure. Studying 15-18-year-olds on video games and measuring blood pressure, they hope to identify factors triggering diastolic dysfunction.
Researchers found that black adolescents who practiced transcendental meditation for eight months experienced a significant improvement in the ability of their blood vessels to dilate, reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding suggests that meditation may be an effective way to prevent and treat heart disease.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found changes in blood vessel chemistry that may explain how estrogen increases the risk of heart disease in older women. Estrogen targets nitric oxide synthase, producing a powerful age-promoting oxygen-free radical instead of making nitric oxide.
A study of 6,658 children found obese patients had a five-year mortality rate double that of non-obese peers. Obese children often receive transplants at younger ages and experience more cardiovascular complications.
Researchers at MCG Medical Center are studying a bioartificial kidney that can mimic the functions of natural kidneys, reducing mortality rates in ICU patients. The device, developed by Dr. H. David Humes, uses billions of donor kidney cells to filter waste and regulate various bodily processes.
Campylobacter jejuni, a common bacterial cause of diarrhea in the US, exploits human cells for nutrients and causes disease through gene regulation changes. Researchers have identified CJ1461 as a critical protein involved in this process, offering hope for developing treatments and vaccines.
A recent study explores the issue of antibiotic misuse, finding that more than half of patients in the US are taking unnecessary antibiotics for colds and flu. The study aims to educate providers and patients on proper use of antibiotics, highlighting the risks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A recent study has shown that children with sickle cell disease who are at risk for having a stroke need to continue receiving transfusions to minimize their risk. The study found that of the 41 children who came off transfusions, 14 reverted to high-risk status within 10 months and two others had strokes shortly after.
A lipid called ceramide helps eliminate potentially harmful cells during brain development, improving the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplants. Researchers found that adding ceramide to embryonic stem cells reduces the risk of teratoma formation, a type of tumor.
A Medical College of Georgia study found that individuals with higher lean body mass can better regulate their blood pressure in response to stress. This is because fitness allows the body to efficiently excrete sodium, which helps lower blood pressure back to normal.
Researchers identified four severity classifications of chronic rhinosinusitis, including patients with polyps and high levels of eosinophils having the worst disease. The study suggests using a 'fingerprint of inflammation' obtained from a simple blood test to categorize patients and guide treatment.
A new HPV vaccine has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing persistent infections that cause cervical cancer. The bivalent vaccine protects against types 16 and 18, the most common causes of cervical cancer, and is also effective at reducing incident or new infections by 91.6 percent.
The study aims to identify genetic markers that can predict the onset of type 1 diabetes. The researchers plan to analyze the human genome, messenger RNA, and proteins to find reliable predictors of the disease, which may lead to new treatments and a potential cure.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found that an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase plays a crucial role in guiding axons across the midline of the spinal cord during development. This discovery provides new insights into normal nervous system development and offers potential targets for treating spinal cord injuries.