A study in mice found a connection between obesity and elevated blood sugar levels, potentially leading to new treatments for Type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that targeting glucagon, a pancreas-produced hormone, may be an effective pathway to lowering sugar levels.
Native gut bacteria help fend off invaders, suggesting ways to prevent or treat deadly forms of E. coli by selectively removing nutrients and boosting others. The study also identifies potential targets for prevention and treatment using antibiotics.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new type of cell in mice that causes asthma symptoms even in the presence of steroids. Similar cells were found in humans with asthma, suggesting a possible target for new treatment options. Further research is needed to explore the role of these cells in human asthma.
A new University of Michigan Health System study found that middle-aged and older adults with diabetes showed strong survival rates, even those living in nursing homes or with multiple health issues. The study suggests that interventions can prevent or delay diabetes complications.
Researchers have discovered that immune cells in the brain use a two-tier approach to combat infections, sending signals to neighboring cells while focusing their attack on infected cells. This finding may help researchers develop new treatments for brain tumors and autoimmune diseases.
According to a new study, about one baby is born every hour in the United States addicted to opiate drugs. The number of newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome has increased five-fold between 2000 and 2009.
A new human embryonic stem cell line has been developed to aid research on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a common inherited neurological disorder. The line, derived from a donated embryo carrying the gene defect responsible for CMT, is now available for federally-funded research.
A new study reveals that outpatient surgery patients are at risk for blood clots due to multiple factors such as age, surgery length, and type of procedure. The study suggests a need for better screening and prevention strategies in the growing outpatient surgery population.
A new University of Michigan study found that patients with early-stage kidney cancer who underwent partial nephrectomy had better survival rates than those who received radical nephrectomy. The study analyzed data from 7,138 Medicare beneficiaries and showed that younger or medically compromised patients benefited most from the less i...
A new poll found that nearly 1 in 4 grandparents store prescription medicines in easy-to-access places, posing a significant risk of accidental poisoning to young children. The poll also showed strong support for single-dose packaging to prevent such incidents.
A web-based intervention tool called Guide to Decide helped post-menopausal women understand their breast cancer options and feel comfortable with their choice, leading to less uncertainty and increased decision-making. The study found that tailored information reduced anxiety and improved decision outcomes for high-risk women.
A study led by University of Michigan physicians shows a single dose of indomethacin can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis, reducing hospitalizations and costs. The medication is part of a category of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibits an inflammatory response in the pancreas.
A study by Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium found that most practices followed guidelines for breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, but had gaps in managing symptoms and end-of-life care. To improve quality, the consortium initiated a project to provide palliative care delivery.
A University of Michigan study found that older adults who get infections are at a higher risk of hospitalization for deep vein or lung blood clots. Infections were the most common predictor of hospitalization for venous thromboembolism, which can be life-threatening.
Researchers from University of Michigan and MIT create 3-D images of vitamin B12 and its partner molecules twisting and contorting during a crucial reaction called methyltransfer. This process is vital for human health and has potential implications for alternative renewable energy sources.
A new U-M study finds that US employment downturns affect remittance payments to chronically ill patients in Central America, leading to reduced access to healthcare. Patients with lower education and multiple chronic health problems face significant financial strain.
Researchers found that suppressing bacterial communities with antibiotics may actually help treatment-resistant bacteria flourish, leading to more infections. The study suggests new avenues for developing more effective treatments and improving patient outcomes.
A new national poll found that 81% of adults think an educational program or counseling is an appropriate consequence for teens who sext. Most adults also favor non-criminal programs such as schools giving information on sexting and requiring community service.
University of Michigan researchers lead a longitudinal study on concussions and sports, aiming to create unprecedented data on brain health. The study will follow athletes through their lifetime, monitoring the long-term effects of head injuries.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that most stroke patients undergo both MRI and CT scans, resulting in unnecessary redundancy and increased costs. This practice contributes to the growing burden of healthcare expenses nationwide.
A University of Michigan Health System study found that living in a poor neighborhood worsens chronic pain for young adults. The research highlights the importance of considering structural barriers and access to resources in pain management.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that TAK-875, a novel oral medication, significantly improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The results suggest that targeting free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) may be a viable therapeutic target for treating type 2 diabetes.
Research shows that fruit fly pheromones produced by older flies can reduce their attractiveness, but adding young pheromones can increase it. This study provides insight into the connection between aging and physical attractiveness in fruit flies.
A new study at the University of Michigan Health System found that exposure to loud noise can cause long-lasting changes to sensory pathways. Touch-sensing nerve cells may be the gateway to future tinnitus treatments.
A mutant protein in nearly all pancreatic cancers plays a role in its development and continued growth, according to a U-M study. Inactivating Kras eliminated tumors in mice, but left fibrous areas similar to scar tissue, suggesting possible treatment targets.
A U-M study reveals that many parents fail to enforce booster seat use when carpooling, despite most reporting requiring it in family car rides. Experts stress the importance of using booster seats for every child not fitting properly in an adult seat belt on every trip.
Researchers found that Avastin and Sutent, anti-angiogenesis drugs, increase cancer stem cells in breast tumors, fueling growth and spread. The study suggests combining these drugs with cancer stem cell inhibitors may enhance treatment effectiveness.
Researchers found that less expensive, high-yield glucose tolerance tests are rarely used for peripheral neuropathy diagnosis, despite being more cost-effective.
Researchers developed a new combination drug therapy that successfully suppressed hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in a significant proportion of patients. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on treating patients who had not responded to previous treatment with PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin.
Research from Michigan Medicine shows a 15% increase in post-liver transplant kidney failure among recipients since the implementation of Model of End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) allocation. Modifiable risk factors identified include African American race, hepatitis C, and pre-transplant diabetes.
Researchers found that alpha-1-antitrypsin significantly reduced intense inflammation and increased T-regulatory cells, which play a positive role in immune responses. The drug may provide a potential new approach for treating graft-vs.-host disease.
Researchers found that patients with 'matted' lymph nodes had a 69% survival rate over three years, compared to 94% for those without matted nodes. The study's results may help doctors identify patients at higher risk and reduce standard treatment side effects.
A new software tool called Spatially Invariant Vector Quantization (SIVQ) has been developed to analyze digital pathology images with high accuracy. The program was tested on a case of micropapillary urothelial carcinoma and showed promise in separating malignancy from background tissue.
Patients with cirrhosis are more likely to be Hispanic, have lower education, and higher healthcare utilization. They also experience significant functional disability, requiring twice the amount of informal caregiving as non-cirrhotic peers.
A new US study confirms that updated rotavirus vaccines do not increase the occurrence of severe bowel obstruction, a potentially fatal side effect. The re-introduction of these vaccines has been credited with reducing diarrhea-related hospitalizations among children.
A nationwide survey found that few hospitals are aggressively combating catheter-associated urinary tract infections, a common healthcare-associated infection. The study suggests that hospitals may not be using enough prevention practices for UTIs, despite increased use of methods to prevent other hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers found that a combination of anti-estrogen drugs anastrozole and fulvestrant can lengthen the lives of post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. The therapy also showed promise in patients who had not previously received tamoxifen therapy.
Patients on liver transplant waiting lists prefer to receive high-quality donor organs, even if it means waiting longer, according to a new study. The research found that 58% of candidates would only accept organs with a risk of graft failure of 25% or less.
A University of Michigan Health System-led analysis of federal data found that over half of women who killed themselves had a known mental health diagnosis, with mood disorder being the most common. The study highlights the importance of identifying risk factors in pregnant and postpartum women to intervene and prevent suicide.
A University of Michigan pilot study found that identifying a patient's mutational landscape can match them with existing clinical trials based on biomarkers. The study aimed to overcome practical challenges in sequencing genetic material from advanced or treatment-resistant cancer patients.
A U-M study reveals Hemoglobin A1c test fails to identify children with diabetes, highlighting the need for improved nonfasting testing strategies. Researchers recommend using a nonfasting one-hour glucose challenge test or random glucose to identify children at risk of developing diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered two cancer-spurring gene rearrangements that may trigger 5 to 7 percent of all breast cancers. These rearrangements, seen in the MAST kinase and Notch family genes, can give scientists targets for potential therapies.
A 10-year follow-up study found that infants with high hemoglobin levels who received iron-fortified infant formula had poorer long-term developmental outcomes. The study suggests that the optimal amount of iron in infant formula may need to be redefined.
Researchers have discovered a key trigger for producing normal red blood cells that could lead to a new treatment for those with sickle cell disease. Increasing the expression of proteins TR2 and TR4 more than doubled the level of fetal hemoglobin produced in sickle cell mice, reducing organ damage.
Researchers have found a biomarker that can rapidly identify severe graft-versus-host disease of the intestine in hematopoietic cell transplant patients with leukemia, lymphoma or other blood disorders. The biomarker, REG3-alpha, helps doctors ensure patients receive appropriate treatment as early as possible.
A study by U-M-led researchers found that internet message boards are increasingly used by women to cope with pregnancy loss, revealing significant disparities in support. The study revealed that only half of the women surveyed had experienced a recent loss, and those from African American backgrounds were underrepresented online.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of physician practices in the US do not meet national standards for 'medical homes', a model of care that aims to provide higher quality and cost-efficient care. The lack of access to these medical homes disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those living below the poverty l...
A new ultrasound-based diagnostic tool could allow doctors to accurately distinguish between intestinal fibrosis and inflammation, enabling targeted treatment. The method has shown promising results in animal models and pilot human studies, paving the way for a long-term clinical trial.
A U-M study has identified the p38-gamma molecule as a key regulator of aggressive breast cancer cell movement. By understanding how this molecule influences cell motion, researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that can improve treatment outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that older patients who underwent carotid artery stenting from lesser experienced physicians had a higher risk of death within 30 days. The study analyzed Medicare data and found that doctors with less than six procedures per year performed worse outcomes.