A study has discovered a connection between ferroptosis, a type of iron-dependent cell death, and inflammatory bowel disease. Lipid ROS activate ferroptosis, which drives cell death in the colon lining, and inhibiting this process may lead to new treatment options for IBD.
A new poll reveals significant variation in older adults' preparations to age in place, with 46% having taken steps to make their home more age-friendly. However, differences persist based on health, disability, and home ownership status, highlighting opportunities for policymakers and families.
A new study of 591 women with early-stage breast cancer found that nearly two-thirds opted for continued endocrine therapy beyond the initial five years. Patients with higher-risk stage 2 disease were more likely to continue treatment, highlighting potential benefits in extending hormone-based therapy for these patients.
A new study explains how the gene CDK12 drives high-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. Researchers discovered that inactivating CDK12 triggers an immune cell response and identified a partner gene, CDK13, as a target for a degrader or inhibitor.
Researchers found that histotripsy treatment reduces tumor hypoxia, triggering an anti-tumor immune response that targets distant cancer cells. This breakthrough understanding may lead to more effective treatment options with less patient side effects.
Researchers identified the PROX1 gene as an early driver of prostate cancer aggression, which leads to treatment-resistant tumors. The team found that a class of FDA-approved drugs, HDAC inhibitors, can disable PROX1 and reduce tumor survival in aggressive prostate cancer subtypes.
A new study found that problems with accessing high-quality care were a major driver for switching Medicare Advantage plans, not cost concerns. Dissatisfaction with medical care access was more common among those in poor health, and those who enrolled in MA plans with low star ratings were also more likely to switch.
New University of Michigan studies find that women primary care physicians are more likely to experience burnout from patient portal messages, but also spend more time managing these messages. Innovative solutions like Patient Asynchronous Care Effort (PACE) slots can help reduce workload and improve physician experiences.
A pilot study found that the Mediterranean diet provided symptom relief for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with 73% of participants experiencing improvement. The low FODMAP diet was also effective but led to greater improvements in abdominal pain intensity and IBS severity score.
Scientists have engineered a herpes virus to activate pathways in T cells, enhancing their ability to fight cancer. The approach uses proteins from the herpes virus to recruit enzymes that sustain T cell function in tumors.
A new study found that eight times more American young adults now take HIV-prevention medication than a decade ago, but inconsistent use and barriers persist. PrEP can reduce the chances of acquiring HIV by 99%, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers and public health agencies to promote consistent use among high-risk patients.
Roundworm C. elegans avoids deceased conspecifics due to olfactory cues from metabolites AMP and histidine, leading to reduced fitness and increased egg laying. The detection of these signals may be an evolutionarily maintained mechanism for detecting cellular death.
A new protein target has been identified for treating childhood medulloblastomas. High levels of dihydrolipoyl transacetylase make Group-3 medulloblastomas vulnerable to cuproptosis, a newly discovered form of copper-dependent cell death.
Experts recommend stopping pacifier use and thumb-sucking before two years old due to potential dental health and speech development impacts. Parents report various strategies to break the habits, including hiding the pacifier, limiting use, or using deterrents like hot sauce.
A new molecular process discovered by researchers contributes to the failure of donor hearts after transplant, but a therapy using medication for high blood pressure has been found to reduce damage. The treatment significantly improves the function of donor hearts and increases their distance in cold storage.
Researchers found that specific combinations of personality traits can predict bipolar disorder outcomes, with certain styles raising and others lowering the risk of depression. The study used data from over 2,500 people with bipolar disorder and suggests a personalized approach to treatment planning.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed an improved model system to study embryo development, revealing insights into critical periods of formation. The new system allows for the prolonged culture of gastruloids, enabling researchers to visualize key processes such as mesoderm migration and gene expression.
Researchers identified a balance between two proteins, STAT3 and STAT5, as crucial for making tumors vulnerable to immune checkpoint therapy. Targeting STAT3 degradation with molecules SD-36 and SD-2301 boosted immunity and increased STAT5 signaling, effectively treating large, advanced tumors.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Investigation found that the loss of SOX9 gene contributes to greater tumor invasion and poorer outcomes in mice. The team discovered that combined inactivation of SOX9 and APC results in more invasive tumors, highlighting the potential for targeting both genes as a future treatment strategy.
A recent study found that calprotectin levels can predict future atherosclerotic heart disease risk in healthy individuals, even after accounting for common risk factors. Higher calprotectin levels were associated with increased coronary artery calcium scores and higher risk of heart disease.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that Medicaid unwinding may have disrupted the care of people receiving treatment for opioid addiction. Patients were less likely to continue filling buprenorphine prescriptions and more likely to pay with cash or private insurance in states with large versus small Medicaid enrollment drops.
A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids' and young adults' access to chronic disease medication, particularly for those living in states with the largest drops in Medicaid enrollment. The disruptions led to increased use of private insurance or cash for prescriptions, exacerbating health issues.
A new poll by Michigan Medicine reveals that nearly two-thirds of Americans over 50 believe Medicare will cover their nursing home costs, despite it not currently paying for this type. Only half have taken key actions to prepare for long-term care needs. The poll also shows that 70% of people who survive to age 65 will need long-term c...
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that the proportion of men undergoing surgery for low-risk prostate cancer decreased by over fivefold between 2010 and 2024. This decline is attributed to increased adoption of active surveillance and improved diagnostic methods.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that robotic cholecystectomy is associated with a higher risk of bile duct injury compared to the conventional laparoscopic approach. The study, led by Dr. Cody Mullens, analyzed Medicare data and found that bile duct injuries were approximately three times more common in robotic chol...
A combination of bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens reduces obesity-related changes in rats, including fat cell accumulation and insulin resistance. The treatment also increases beneficial gut microbes and improves metabolic health, making it a promising alternative to tamoxifen for women at high breast cancer risk.
A recent study discovered that simultaneously targeting PIKfyve and KRAS-MAPK can eliminate tumors in preclinical human and mouse models. This approach shows promise for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer, which is challenging to treat due to its cellular environment.
A study found that patients who experienced vision impairment due to microbial keratitis had poorer treatment outcomes if they delayed seeking medical attention or had more extensive eye damage. In contrast, patients in the US who wore contact lenses had better outcomes, possibly due to earlier treatment by their physicians.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have created nanodiscs that can target cholesterol levels in glioblastoma, starving cancer cells and increasing survival rates of treated mice. The combined treatment with radiation therapy was able to preserve normal brain structure and elicited an immunological memory.
Researchers successfully treated atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease using DT-109 in nonhuman primates, which has potential as a dual therapy for two common conditions. The compound reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification.
Researchers found that using twice-daily tacrolimus resulted in lower rates of chronic lung allograft dysfunction and improved overall survival after lung transplantation compared to cyclosporine. This study provides promising news for lung transplant patients, highlighting the importance of effective treatment strategies to prevent CLAD.
A national poll suggests parents are evenly split on when to start talking about puberty, with some fearing embarrassment or saying the wrong thing. Parents' own experiences may influence their approach, with many having had limited discussions themselves.
Researchers have found that adults with cerebral palsy are often prescribed medications that don't align with the underlying type of symptom they're experiencing. Physical and occupational therapy, two primary interventions for pain management in children with CP, were prescribed for only 41% of adult participants in the study.
A new study found that Michigan Medicaid telehealth improved access to care for adults with low incomes, including those living in rural areas. The program increased the use of telehealth among enrollees, who were highly satisfied with the experience, and reduced barriers such as transportation and caregiving responsibilities.
A new study finds that a remote patient monitoring program reduced hospitalizations by 59% among high-risk patients, even after they mailed back their devices. The program uses digital health devices and clinician support to monitor vital signs and symptoms.
A new study reveals that the US national vaccine strategy saved more money than it spent on testing, buying and delivering COVID-19 vaccines after just one year. The analysis found that the vaccines reduced serious illness and deaths, resulting in significant cost savings.
A new University of Michigan study will test the best way to help people who smoke menthol cigarettes quit. The five-year study will work with 1,200 adults who smoke menthol cigarettes and compare Tobacco Quitline coaching with an incentive program involving daily breath monitoring.
A study found that 76% of people aged 50+ have patient portal accounts, with 65% sending at least one message in the past year. However, 13% report paying co-pays or charges for these interactions, especially those with Medicaid or low incomes.
A study from Michigan Medicine researchers reveals that X-carrying and Y-carrying sperm compete for binding to Spindlins, influencing gene expression and the sex ratio. The findings suggest that this competition is crucial for maintaining the optimal balance of female and male offspring in mice.
Researchers have discovered that planarians can regenerate body parts and even grow new heads, reversing signs of aging such as lost neurons and muscle mass. This finding has implications for understanding age-related decline in mammals, including humans.
A study of nearly 30,000 adults found that heart failure is associated with a significant decrease in cognition at diagnosis and rapid decline over time. Adults with heart failure reach the threshold for meaningful decline in global cognition nearly six years earlier than those without it.
A recent study from Michigan Medicine found that 85% of postpartum-initiated lactation in ICUs aligns with national averages. Limited documentation and delays during mechanical ventilation are identified as barriers to lactation. The research team is developing an algorithm and guideline to support patients' lactation goals.
A new study led by the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center found that patients with three specific variants face no extra risk of dying from their cancer. The researchers used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results programs in Georgia and California, looking at a total of about 78,000 patients with breast, colo...
Researchers developed a personalized app that tracks users' circadian rhythms and provides behavioral recommendations to reduce daily fatigue. The app, called Arcasync, was tested on 138 participants with breast, prostate, and blood cancer, resulting in decreased fatigue and improved quality of life.
A large majority of older Americans believe health insurance – including Medicare – should cover anti-obesity medications. Nearly 37% of respondents met the criteria for overweight and 36% for obesity. Medicare currently covers a drug used for weight management but only in people with diabetes or a history of heart attack or stroke.
Research published in JAMA Network Open found that college graduates experienced faster cognitive decline after a stroke compared to those with less education. The study highlights the importance of identifying patients at high risk for post-stroke cognitive decline to target future interventions.
A new poll found that nearly 3/4 of older Americans have experienced at least one extreme weather event, increasing their concern about climate change's effects on their health. Those who lived through such events are more likely to express worry about the impact on themselves and future generations.
A new study published in CHEST Critical Care shows that continuous glucose monitors can accurately measure glucose levels during diabetic ketoacidosis, potentially preventing ICU admissions. This tool reduces fingerstick frequency, simplifies management, and improves patient outcomes.
Researchers found that avapritinib decreases aggressive gliomas in animal models and in an initial cohort of patients with high-grade glioma. The drug targets the PDGFRA gene, which is commonly mutated in this type of cancer.
Researchers emphasize the importance of regular screenings and treatment to prevent vision loss in patients with diabetes. Current guidelines recommend eye exams for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, while adolescents and young adults are at higher risk due to difficulty controlling their condition.