A U-M study found that a curcumin-based compound, FLLL32, can improve the effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment by sensitizing resistant cells to chemotherapy. The compound decreases activation levels of STAT3, making tumor cells more susceptible to cisplatin.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that half of prostate cancers have a genetic anomaly making them responsive to PARP inhibitors. These drugs are being tested in breast cancer patients and show promise in shrinking tumors and blocking cancer spread.
A new risk score can effectively identify patients with acute aortic dissection, which has a high mortality rate. The tool uses simple bedside screening to detect the condition's symptoms, including sudden, intense pain, and is backed by a large study involving over 2,500 patients.
A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that counties with higher median household incomes have a greater supply of hospice services. This suggests that wealthier communities are more likely to have access to these life-sustaining programs, which can improve pain control, maintain independence, and even ex...
Researchers found that DNA from Helicobacter pylori significantly ameliorates colitis severity in mice, reducing inflammation and bleeding. The study suggests that carrying H. pylori may be beneficial for those with colitis.
Researchers have identified a protein in blood serum that distinguishes pancreatic cancer from non-cancerous conditions. The discovery suggests a potential blood test to detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage.
A phase III clinical trial will recruit 4,000 women with low to intermediate Oncotype DX recurrence scores to determine whether a gene expression test can spare thousands of women from unnecessary chemotherapy. The RxPONDER trial aims to identify an optimal recurrence score cutpoint for these patients.
Researchers at U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center found that PARP inhibitors, currently used for breast and ovarian cancers, can also work against colorectal tumors with MRE11 gene mutations. The study suggests targeting these patients specifically could be a new therapeutic approach.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found that adding atrasentan to chemotherapy did not improve survival for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Patients who received the drug had similar progression-free survival as those given a placebo.
Overweight parents are more likely to view school-time physical activity as inadequate due to academic and budget pressures. Parents overwhelmingly support the importance of daily physical activity for children's health and development.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System has uncovered a link between genetic variations associated with alcoholism, impulsive behavior and a region of the brain involved in craving and anxiety. Variations in the GABRA2 gene contribute to the risk of alcoholism by influencing impulsive behaviors.
Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a novel gene therapy, NP2, that shows promise in providing substantial pain relief for patients with unrelenting cancer-induced pain. The study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of NP2 in reducing pain by up to 80% over four weeks.
A collaborative quality improvement program between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System has improved safety and quality in several clinical areas, resulting in significant cost savings. The program achieved measurable drops in surgical complications, with a reduction of $20 million annually.
Researchers developed small-molecule MDM2 inhibitors that activate p53 protein, killing cancer cells while avoiding DNA damage. These new drugs shrank tumors in animal models of human cancer without significant side effects.
U-M scientists identified a genetic anomaly in the KRAS gene, known for its role in numerous cancers, that may promote tumor progression in a rare subset of prostate cancers. This finding suggests different subtypes of prostate cancer will need targeted treatment strategies.
A national survey found that parents rely on their children's doctors for vaccine safety information, with 76% of respondents trusting their doctor 'a lot.' Celebrities were also trusted by some parents, particularly Hispanic parents who trust celebrities more than white or black parents.
Middle-aged adults with diabetes are more likely to develop age-related conditions like cognitive impairment, incontinence, and vision problems. The study found that those with diabetes developed these conditions nearly double the rate of those without diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new drug called AT-406 that effectively targets proteins blocking normal cell death, leading to tumor cell death while sparing normal cells. The drug has shown promising results in animal models, shrinking tumors with minimal side effects.
A new U-M study finds that nearly half of Latinas who speak little English express a great deal of worry about breast cancer recurrence. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive counseling to help women understand their risk and manage anxiety.
The article discusses how fabricated research can lead to tragic consequences, including patients fearing lifesaving interventions and clinicians altering practice. The authors call for changes throughout the research process to adjust expectations for researchers, journals, and the public.
Mouse brains compensate for disrupted neural functioning by enabling existing neurons to be more active and increasing their lifespan. The findings provide new insight into the brain's plasticity and its ability to reroute neural functioning.
The current US kidney allocation system prioritizes wait time over post-transplant survival, leading to higher repeat transplantation rates. Researchers propose ranking kidneys by potential post-transplant survival and matching them with candidates who have the longest expected survival.
The University of Michigan has received a $4.9 million grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop an obesity intervention program for Head Start preschoolers. The program aims to enhance children's ability to control emotions and behaviors, leading to healthier eating habits and reduced obesity rates.
Researchers discovered new genetic variants affecting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may help doctors diagnose and treat the condition more effectively. The study found that approximately one quarter of NAFLD variation is influenced by genetics, with potential applications for clinical algorithms and novel therapeutics.
The University of Michigan Health System has received a major grant to expand its Project Healthy Schools program, which focuses on reducing childhood obesity and promoting heart-healthy lifestyles among sixth-grade students. The program aims to create environments that encourage physical activity and healthy eating habits.
Scientists have identified a potential target to treat an aggressive type of prostate cancer, known as SPINK1. A 'blocking' antibody to SPINK1 reduced tumor growth by up to 74% in mice. The study suggests that targeting SPINK1 may be effective in treating SPINK1-positive tumors.
Researchers found that high levels of CYP24A1 enzyme can predict lung cancer survival, with patients having higher levels experiencing nearly half the survival rate as those with low levels. The study suggests using vitamin D to prevent or delay cancer recurrence after surgery.
A University of Michigan-led team has developed a potential game changer for pathologists using Spatially-Invariant Vector Quantization (SIVQ) to analyze digital images made from tissue slides. SIVQ can pinpoint cancer cells, calcifications and other critical features with high accuracy and speed.
A study by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that the hemoglobin A1c test is not as reliable for diagnosing diabetes in children as it is for adults, potentially leading to missed cases. The authors suggest using a fasting plasma glucose test instead.
A study by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center found that being a woman does not necessarily increase the risk of dying from treatment for a severe heart attack. However, women tend to be older and sicker at the time of treatment, leading to higher mortality rates.
A new study found that depression symptoms increase over time for addiction-prone women, contradicting the common notion that these disorders are either genetic or caused by environmental factors. The research highlights the complex interplay between biological, social, and community-level factors that influence these disorders.
A new study by the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and University of Michigan Health System found that peer support programs reduce symptoms of depression better than traditional care alone. These programs, which involve patients and volunteers sharing information, were also as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Young, uninsured, or Medicare Part D participants face challenges affording medications after stroke, leading to increased risk of future strokes and cardiovascular disease. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to screen for cost-related barriers and improve access to affordable medications for post-stroke patients.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that routine analysis of pediatric tonsillectomy specimens may not be worth the money. The analysis rarely leads to the discovery of hidden disease. Pathologists examine tonsillectomy specimens in two ways, but microscopic examination is nearly three times more expensive than visual inspectio...
The use of second-generation antipsychotic medications in dementia patients began to decline significantly in 2003, years before a FDA 'black box' warning was issued. This drop in medication use is attributed to emerging understanding of the increased risk of diabetes and stroke associated with these medications.
Researchers have discovered a genetic variation linked to lower neuropeptide Y levels, increasing stress sensitivity and emotional processing in key brain circuits. This finding may aid in identifying individuals at high risk of developing major depressive disorder, enabling targeted interventions.
A recent study found that more than half of clinical trials exclude people based on their age or age-related conditions. This exclusion leaves healthcare providers in the dark when determining which treatment will best serve their patients.
A University of Michigan study found that obese children tend to eat more school meals, watch more TV, and exercise less than their normal-weight peers. The researchers suggest increasing physical activity, reducing screen time, and improving school lunch nutrition can help reverse childhood obesity trends.
Researchers found that fusion protein API2-MALT1 links with enzyme NIK, splitting it in half and making it stronger. This results in cancer-causing activity, with tumors becoming more aggressive and resistant to treatment. Blocking NIK or preventing its stability may halt tumor growth.
A new study questions US Task Force recommendations for breast cancer screening, finding that starting at a younger age and screening more frequently saves more lives. The research found that women who undergo yearly mammograms between ages 40-49 have a 40% reduction in breast cancer deaths.
Researchers will compare non-transplant eligible patients with implanted devices to those with current medical therapy, examining potential benefits for patients less advanced than current LVAD recipients.
U-M researchers found that breast cancer stem cells are regulated by mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow, creating a 'niche' for the cancer cells to replicate. By blocking signals from this niche, researchers hope to target and kill breast cancer stem cells using existing medications.
A recent U-M study reveals that cancer survivors are likely to experience pain at some point in their care, with 43% of racially diverse survivors experiencing pain since diagnosis. The study also found that women and blacks are more prone to chronic pain and disability due to pain.
Researchers at University of Michigan have found that an individual's genetic make-up determines their susceptibility to depression and response to stress. The analysis included nearly 41,000 participants and supported previous findings on the serotonin gene's relationship to depression.
A new U-M study shows that children frequently receive medical imaging procedures using radiation, with an average of 7 procedures by age 18. The study raises awareness about the issue and highlights the importance of initiatives to ensure necessary and low-dose tests.
Researchers at U-M have developed a new diagnostic tool to predict bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), the leading cause of death for lung transplant recipients. A high stem cell count after transplantation is linked to an increased risk of developing BOS.
A new study found that black patients with early-stage liver cancer have a higher mortality rate than white patients, with median survival times ranging from 8-10 months. The disparity in treatment access also affects the survival rates of Hispanic and black patients compared to white patients.
Researchers at U-M Medical School have found a potential therapeutic target for the adult form of Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome by modifying brain changes associated with FXTAS, which is caused by overproduction of toxic mRNA.
Researchers found that a depression drug, duloxetine, reduced joint and muscle pain in women taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer treatment by at least 30%. The study suggests that duloxetine may be an effective treatment option for this type of pain, with only mild additional side effects.
A new three-drug combination, CRd, has shown promising results in treating newly diagnosed blood cancer patients, including a high response rate and minimal side effects. The study found that all participants responded to treatment and achieved significant reductions in disease.