The new imaging system allows scientists to capture high-resolution fluorescence images in real time under normal room lighting, giving them a more complete picture of biological changes. SphynxVision can capture multiple images per second and reveal remarkably small details, such as tiny blood vessels and clusters of cancer cells.
Scientists at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center discovered a protein called lysyl oxidase that helps triple-negative breast cancer cells survive. Blocking LOX creates a weakness, which can be exploited with a second drug to block tumor growth without chemotherapy.
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that nearly 1 in 3 women in their 20s have never been screened for cervical cancer, with 45% of this age group unvaccinated against HPV. The trend is particularly concerning among uninsured women, those living in the South, and racial minorities.
A new blood test, ADLiB, combines genetic clues with machine learning to identify patients most likely to have lymphoma. The platform analyzes cell-free DNA and prioritizes patients who need a tissue biopsy, helping clinicians diagnose the disease more quickly.
A new MUSC study found that patients with college experience and those without health insurance are more likely to decline participation, while younger adults and those who feel unwell or disinterested also opt out. However, many who declined still want help, suggesting it's not the peer support itself that's unappealing.
A new set of recommendations provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance on discussing smoking cessation, including the use of nicotine e-cigarettes as a treatment option. The authors emphasize that the best approach will vary from person to person and should be tailored to each patient's goals, preferences, and medical needs.
New research finds that exclusive cigarette use is being replaced by exclusive use of electronic cigarettes, especially among young adults. The study's findings have important implications for predicting the future burden of tobacco-related cancer and highlight a need to address smoking cessation among older adults.
A new study from MUSC suggests that combining flexible testing options and community partnerships can bring populationwide genomic screening to rural and socially vulnerable communities. Over 50,000 adults have completed screening through In Our DNA SC, a program that has reached participants in all 46 South Carolina counties.
Researchers discover that kidney cancer cells lacking the tumor suppressor gene SETD2 become highly dependent on protein BCL-xL for survival. By targeting this dependency, they can selectively eliminate SETD2-deficient cancer cells, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for patients with aggressive subset of kidney cancers.
Researchers found that patients often wait an average of four weeks for biomarker test results, with the first step taking up to 23 days to order testing. This delay can lead to mismatched therapies, toxic side effects, and reduced treatment options, emphasizing the need for improved testing turnaround times.
A new study found that conversations about prostate cancer screening are uncommon in primary care visits but lead to higher screening rates when they do occur. The study suggests a gap between national guidelines and clinical practice, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making for individualized care.
Prostate cancer cells use the PIM1 protein to survive treatment by activating autophagy, a cellular recycling process. Researchers have discovered a potential strategy to overcome this resistance by removing the PIM1 protein entirely using a proteolysis-targeting chimera.
A comprehensive study of the protein repair system reveals changes in post-translational modifications, or PTMs, that disrupt the system's ability to respond to misfolded protein stress signals. The findings suggest that IDCM can be viewed as a protein misfolding disease, with potential treatments being explored in cancer research.
Michele Esposito, a young cardiologist, has received a K23 award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The award aims to develop innovative approaches for treating peripheral microvascular dysfunction in heart failure, which affects exercise tolerance.
A new stem cell therapy has been developed by MUSC researchers, which shows promise in reversing Type 1 diabetes in a mouse model. The therapy uses mesenchymal stem/stromal cells genetically modified to produce alpha-1 antitrypsin, shielding surviving insulin-producing cells and stopping the overactive immune response.
Researchers developed a personalized risk prediction model to identify cancer patients who may struggle with treatment costs, medical debt, and anxiety. The model uses patient information to estimate the likelihood of financial toxicity, balancing detection sensitivity with minimizing false alarms.
A new study found that polyopioid use, depression, and persistent pain are strong predictors of suicidal ideation in SCI patients. Researchers urge healthcare providers to screen for suicidal ideation when prescribing multiple opioids or showing signs of misuse.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have identified a potential way to reduce relapse in medulloblastoma by targeting tumor cells most likely to survive treatment and drive regrowth. The dual-pathway approach, focusing on CK1α, shows promise in preclinical models.
A Phase 2 trial found that combining opaganib with abiraterone and enzalutamide showed promising results in slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes. The treatment's tolerability was also well-tolerated, with most side effects mild to moderate.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center found that stimulating a specific brain region regulates self-control reduced how much people smoked, with participants showing significant reductions in smoking and cravings after treatment
Researchers have found that formoterol, a widely used asthma medication, may reverse fatty liver damage and improve metabolic function. The study's findings suggest that the drug could be repurposed to treat MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), a leading cause of liver transplantation.
A study published in JAMA Oncology reveals that nearly half of patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer never receive treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. The research emphasizes the importance of referring patients promptly to an oncologist and improving access to life-saving treatments.
A recent study found that risk perceptions of e-cigarettes rose sharply during and after the EVALI outbreak, lingering even after scientists identified the cause. This shift in perception was more pronounced among non-white participants, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities.
Scientists at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center mapped the architecture of healthy breast tissue to uncover early biological changes linked to cancer risk. The study found that body weight and breast density shape the underlying structure of breast tissue, offering new clues about how cancer risk may develop long before tumors form.
Lindsay Squeglia, Ph.D. of the Medical University of South Carolina received the 2026 ACTS Award for Supporting an Excellent Translational Science Workforce. She is a leading figure in substance use prevention and adolescent brain development research.
Researchers found that fish oil supplements may actually impair brain healing after injury, contrary to previous assumptions. The study suggests a specific omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil, EPA, can lead to weaker vascular repair and impaired recovery.
Researchers from MUSC and elsewhere found a strong link between loneliness and increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes in patients with chronic leg and foot wounds. This can delay healing. The study suggests that addressing loneliness through cognitive behavioral therapy may improve health outcomes.
A new structured virtual palliative care program, SUPPORT-D, is designed to support patients and caregivers with dementia. The six-week program provides guided support in four main areas, including understanding the disease, patient self-care, caregiver care, and planning for the future, to reduce burdens and improve quality of life.
Researchers developed an AI-based tool called BIOPREVENT to identify patients at higher risk for chronic GVHD and dying from transplant-related causes. The tool combines immune biomarkers, clinical data, and machine learning to create a personalized risk estimate over time.
A mobile endoscopy team performed over 500 procedures in rural hospitals across Western Cape, South Africa, revealing a high burden of treatable gastrointestinal diseases. The program substantially reduced patient travel, improving continuity of care and early cancer detection.
A new treatment combining cognitive and occupational therapy is being tested to improve stroke recovery, especially for rural patients. The 'cognition-first' approach tackles cognitive difficulties before physical rehabilitation, addressing a significant gap in existing treatments.
Graduate students at MUSC are earning digital badges in science communications, highlighting their ability to explain complex scientific concepts to the public. This program is part of a larger shift towards providing graduate students with valuable skills that apply to multiple career paths in science.
According to a new study, Massachusetts is close to eliminating cervical cancer due to its low incidence rate of 4.3 cases per 100,000 in recent years. In contrast, the Southeast and Southwest regions have higher rates of 11.2 and 9.9 cases per 100,000, respectively, making it challenging for these states to reach elimination goals.
A study led by Aaron Hobbs and Rachel Burge reveals the distinct cell signaling and tumor microenvironment behind a slower-growing pancreatic tumor mutation. G12R KRAS mutations lead to better patient outcomes, including earlier diagnoses and longer survival times.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina are developing a new therapy for Type 1 diabetes that combines stem cell biology, immunology, and transplantation science. The goal is to restore beta cell function and insulin production in people with T1D without using immunosuppressive drugs.
A new study from the Medical University of South Carolina suggests that the complement system, a part of the body's innate immune system, plays a major role in brain damage after repeated concussions. The research found that reducing complement activation can help protect the brain and reduce cognitive impairments.
A recent study from Medical University of South Carolina research team challenges the notion that hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is an isolated connective tissue disorder. The studies reveal a genetic variant associated with the disease and disruption of the immune system, which may be the underlying cause. This new understanding a...
A new study developed an antibody that blocks several ways TNBC cells survive, grow, and evade the immune system. The antibody suppressed primary tumor growth and reenergized cancer-fighting immune cells, including T-cells and macrophages, in preclinical models.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) endorses a federal policy that sets a maximum nicotine product standard, limiting nicotine levels in combustible cigarettes and related tobacco products to 0.7 mg/g. This reduction aims to make cigarettes minimally or non-addictive, striking at the chemical that keeps people hooked. E...
A new study by Alana Rojewski and Katherine Sterba aims to improve access to tobacco cessation treatments for people living with HIV who smoke. The ENHANCE-TTS program will train pharmacists as tobacco treatment specialists and tailor-design programs for each clinic, taking into consideration the unique needs of the local population.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have identified a previously unknown hub in the brain's lymphatic drainage system, which helps remove waste from the brain. The study provides evidence of a slow-moving fluid flow through true lymphatic vessels, rather than blood vessels.
New tools, such as CheatBlocker and QuotaConfig, help address challenges of data integrity in decentralized clinical trials. CheatBlocker detects fraud, while QuotaConfig ensures sample representativeness. These innovations aim to increase the reliability and security of remote clinical trials.
The BRIGHT Center aims to equip researchers with state-of-the-art tools to expand the impact and reach of trauma interventions. The center's goal is to make a difference in the lives of those affected by trauma in South Carolina and across the nation, building resilience after trauma.
A new national study suggests that strengthening screening programs at community-based federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) could significantly increase cervical cancer screening rates and ultimately save thousands of lives. Currently, only about 55% of women seen at FQHCs are up to date on cervical cancer screening, far below th...
A team led by Dr. Betty Tsao seeks to uncover the genetic drivers of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using DNA sequencing. By analyzing more than 90 families with a history of SLE, they hope to identify rare mutations that could lead to new treatments.
Researchers found that a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease also strengthens the immune system, offering insights into innovative treatments for cancer, aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The protein, amyloid beta, plays a dual role in the body by damaging brain cells while boosting T-cells' energy production.
A new MUSC study found that machine learning can analyze brain activity images to identify smokers most likely to benefit from targeted rTMS sessions, leading to improved effectiveness and reduced side effects. The research uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to detect changes in blood flow and measure brain activity.
The MUSC anesthesia team reduced IV fluid use by 60% without increasing related problems. They implemented strategies like oral hydration and used smaller syringe IV fluids to conserve resources.
A new study from the Medical University of South Carolina reveals that shorter storage durations of donor human milk are linked to reduced gastrointestinal complications in premature infants. The findings suggest minimizing milk storage time may help preserve protective properties crucial for preterm gut health.
Adults with both conditions are just as likely to work, volunteer, and experience quality of life as those with Down Syndrome alone. They reported higher rates of employment and volunteer participation despite having more neurologic problems.