Researchers found that tiny RNAs that target the SARS-CoV-2 virus are associated with over 72 biological processes and decline with age and underlying medical conditions. The study suggests that replenishing these microRNAs could help restore immunity against the virus.
Researchers have discovered a gene signature, USC73, that can identify women with rare and aggressive uterine serous carcinoma who are unlikely to respond to standard chemotherapy. The high USC73 score is associated with poor patient survival, cancer cell proliferation, and low rates of complete response to treatment.
A mathematical model produced more realistic estimates of COVID-19 cases by incorporating population density, age distribution, and transmission probability. The model suggested significant underreporting in various countries, including Italy, South Korea, and Spain, highlighting the need for improved testing and data reporting.
A species of lipid DOPG has been found to aid healing of scratches on the cornea, even in humans with diabetes. The lipid stimulates cell growth and inhibits toll-like receptor activation, paving the way for potential clinical trials and treatment protocols.
A new coronavirus app coupled with machine intelligence will enable individuals to get an at-home risk assessment based on their symptoms and travel history. The app will also provide real-time information to local and public health officials, aiding in the targeting of prevention and treatment initiatives.
Visceral fat generates high levels of interleukin-1 beta, over-activating microglia and promoting chronic inflammation. This leads to impaired cognitive function, including difficulties with navigation and learning and memory.
In aggressive colorectal cancers, a structural framework called cancer-associated fibroblasts helps tumors evade the immune system by expressing high levels of CD73, an immune checkpoint enzyme. CAFs create a self-serving process that amplifies their own CD73 expression, suppressing immune responses.
Hospital patients with low folate levels are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal disorders, sepsis, and kidney disease. The study recommends evaluating these patients for malnutrition, regardless of weight status.
Emergency medicine physicians at MCG are equipping rural hospitals with mobile carts for remote consultation and basic diagnostic tests, guided by MCG physicians. This partnership aims to enable rural hospitals to provide higher-level emergency care, reducing transfers to larger hospitals.
Researchers find that free radicals produced by immune cells in the kidneys contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension. By targeting these ROS-producing immune cells, effective therapies may be developed to alleviate blood pressure and kidney damage.
Researchers have discovered 21 gene variants associated with estrogen signaling pathways in the brain of transgender individuals, suggesting a potential biological link to gender dysphoria. These variants may disrupt normal masculinization of the brain during critical periods of development.
A new study explores the connection between early high blood pressure and increased risk of dementia. Researchers are using advanced brain imaging techniques to examine cerebral blood flow, cognitive function, and brain structure in midlife individuals with elevated blood pressure.
After a stroke, sticky exosomes accumulate on the lining of blood vessels, activating platelets and causing them to adhere to the vessel walls. This buildup can lead to additional brain damage and worsen stroke outcomes. Synthetic exosomes may hold promise as potential treatment options.
Researchers are assembling the largest dataset of veterans with either condition or both to compare conditions and outcomes. They hope to find correlations between mental health and prostate cancer aggressiveness and explore biological risks like inflammation.
Researchers found that standard pathology tests provide better information on likely outcome and best treatment options for patients with bladder cancer than molecular subtyping techniques. The study suggests that more study is needed before molecular subtypes are used to guide patient care.
Daily physical activity improved key measures of cardiovascular health, such as good cholesterol levels and aerobic fitness, in overweight children. Gradual reductions in body fat, like that experienced by exercise participants, is more beneficial than focusing on weight loss.
A new study suggests that standardizing lab test turnaround times could improve patient care by reducing unnecessary STAT orders and increasing efficiency through automation. By cutting usual STAT time in half for most tests, facilities can reduce demand and provide faster results for critical tests.
Researchers exploring how chronic stress impacts brain function and increases risk of depression, finding link to complement system and inflammation in prefrontal cortex. Chronic stress may instigate destructive cycle leading to depression through immune response and inflammation.
Researchers discover BRN4 overexpression drives neuroendocrine prostate cancer cell conversion in patients with recurrent cancer. Exosome inhibitors under study as potential treatment.
Researchers studying spherical exosomes, tiny cargo-filled spheres that arrive at the scene of acute kidney injury, aim to learn more about their role in repair and restore function. They suspect these exosomes can be controlled to better treat injuries and prevent permanent damage.
Researchers link high glucose levels to impaired circadian clock function in obesity, which may drive cardiovascular disease. Intermittent fasting and clock repair drugs show promise in restoring normal circadian rhythms and improving cardiovascular health.
A new study has found that syphilis infection rates are significantly higher in dialysis patients compared to the general population. The study, published in the Clinical Kidney Journal, screened over 759,000 patients and found a rate more than three times that of the general population.
The study aims to examine the efficacy of a drug that inhibits an enzyme used by brain tumors to protect themselves from the immune response. Adding the inhibitor to chemotherapy and radiation therapy may enable lower doses, better quality of life, and improved survival for children with recurrent or newly diagnosed brain tumors.
A study found that patients with severe insomnia who took a sedative-hypnotic sleep aid showed significant improvement in reported insomnia severity and reduced suicidal thinking. The treatment was particularly effective in reducing suicidal thoughts in patients with the most severe insomnia.
A novel initiative called the Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) is testing six potential new stroke therapies, including compressing the arm with a blood pressure-like cuff. This approach, known as remote ischemic conditioning, may reduce stroke size and improve patient recovery.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found a link between high levels of TIMP-1 and IL-6, two molecules that contribute to chemotherapy resistance in non-small cell lung cancer. The study's findings suggest that elevated levels of these molecules may be an indicator of poor prognosis and a potential target for improving treat...
A highly predictive genetic risk score is being developed by Paul Tran to identify children at significant risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The algorithm uses a feedforward neural network to analyze thousands of gene variants associated with the disease, aiming to predict with five times better accuracy than current systems.
The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University has received a six-year $6 million grant from the NCI to improve access to clinical trials for minority and rural populations. The grant will be used to recruit patients to conduct multi-site cancer clinical trials and care delivery studies in their communities.
High levels of progesterone enable increased mineralocorticoid receptor expression, leading to blood vessel damage in young females with obesity. The study found that removing or blocking progesterone and aldosterone receptors can prevent blood vessel dysfunction.
A recent study found that boosting levels of tiny RNA miR322 can reduce heart muscle death by 40% after a heart attack. The research suggests that miR322 regulates the enzyme FBXW7, which tags cells for elimination, and its overexpression can protect the heart from damage.
Scientists found that Nqo1 is necessary for liver cancer cells' ability to thrive by activating key pathways. Blocking Nqo1 dramatically suppresses liver cancer cell proliferation.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have identified a chemical that can improve communication between the body's smallest blood vessels and larger vessels, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to the heart muscle. By blocking an enzyme that inhibits this chemical, they found that it can reduce diastolic heart failure symptoms.
Researchers found that whole body vibration increases levels of Alistipes, a bacterium producing short chain fatty acids that decrease inflammation. This shift also improves the balance between macrophages promoting and suppressing inflammation.
A new study suggests that measuring both birthweight and length provides a more accurate indication of fetal growth and future cardiovascular risk. A low ponderal index or body mass index at birth is associated with an increased risk of heart problems later in life.
Researchers found clinically relevant disease in 14% of patients with major depressive disorder, insomnia and suicidal thoughts. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may improve symptoms of depression, suggesting comprehensive screening for the sleep problem should be included for treatment-resistant depression.
Researchers studying functional hyperemia found that blood flow to brain cells increases when neurons are activated, and this response may be beneficial for the health of neurons. The study aims to clarify the link between neural activity and blood flow changes, which could improve our understanding of brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers suggest that strengthening muscles, rather than losing fat, may be a better way to protect against weight-related health risks like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Muscle health is linked to metabolic function, insulin sensitivity, and glucose uptake, making it a potential indicator of overall health.
Children with obesity participating in a fun-driven aerobic exercise program showed no significant improvement in mood compared to those in a sedentary after-school program. However, the sedentary group reported depressive symptoms decreased over time, possibly due to social interactions and friendships developed during the program.
Researchers studying CD73, an enzyme suppressing the natural immune response, hope to block its production to help treat aggressive head and neck cancers. High levels of CD73 are associated with poor prognosis in these cancers.
Keratoconus, an eye condition affecting 1 in 2,000, is caused by genetic and environmental factors, including UV light and vigorous eye rubbing. Researchers are exploring gene mutations, mitochondrial function and oxidative stress to develop new diagnostic tools and treatments.
Scientists are working on a new method to detect glaucoma by analyzing the protein profile in eye fluid. They compare this profile with clinical data, including images of optic nerve damage, to identify a 'proteomic signature' for glaucoma. The goal is to develop a reliable diagnostic tool and monitor patients' progress.
A small randomized pilot study found that lower-amp ECT was as effective as standard amplitude ECT in treating suicidal thoughts, with faster relief and fewer cognitive side effects. Patients receiving low amp ECT also experienced higher degrees of relief from depressive symptoms.
Researchers investigating the link between aging fat cells and Alzheimer's disease have found that fat cells play a crucial role in supporting neuronal growth and survival. The study suggests targeting a specific receptor, PPAR-γ2, could lead to a new treatment for Alzheimer's.
A new program aims to prevent substance abuse among children and parents, offering tailored classes and social norms campaigns to reduce alcohol and e-cigarette use. The initiative, funded at $1.4 million, also provides referrals to support groups and smoking cessation classes.
Researchers compared common bedside testing platforms to determine blood clotting speed and found the iSTAT platform offers a better balance of speed and accuracy. The Hepcon system provides consistent results with lab-based anti-Xa tests but lacks physiologically active heparin levels, making it less valuable for patient care.
Two new urine tests have shown promise in accurately detecting bladder cancer, determining its severity, and detecting recurrence. The tests use a gene variant called V1, which is elevated in bladder cancer, and have been found to be 90% effective at detecting the disease.
A new study reveals that obesity and insulin resistance can break down the protective blood brain barrier in the brain, leading to problems with learning and memory. Blocking Adora2a receptors in a model of diet-induced obesity maintained barrier function, suggesting that controlling inflammation may prevent cognitive impairment.
Researchers identified UNC45A as a key player in cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. Inhibiting UNC45A was found to decrease cancer cell proliferation and cause mitotic catastrophe, leading to cell death.
Current diagnostic criteria do not account for differences in kappa and lambda light chains, leading to missed diagnoses and false positives. The researchers propose new criteria that take into account the varying levels of these light chains to improve accuracy and detect cases of lambda-associated lesions.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia found that higher levels of CCR4 gene are associated with better survival rates and longer lifespan in patients with colorectal cancer. The gene helps the immune system differentiate between good cells and bad cells.