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.
A University of Michigan-led study found that depressed mothers' bodies may play a role in the development of their unborn children's brains. Babies born to depressed moms had higher levels of stress hormones and decreased muscle tone, but also showed signs of neurological maturity.
Researchers have shed light on dopamine's role in the brain's reward system, finding that individual differences in response to environmental cues can fundamentally influence chemical reward patterns. The study provides new insights into compulsive behavior and may lead to preventive tools or treatments for addiction.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that chemotherapy delays are common among patients with surgical complications after colorectal cancer surgery. The study, which analyzed data from 17,108 patients, suggests that surgical complications can have long-term impacts on quality of care.
A U-M study found that adding an interactive online community to an Internet-based walking program significantly decreased participant dropout rates. Seventy-nine percent of participants who used the social component stuck with the program, while only 66% of those without it completed it.
Researchers found that the Caprini Risk Assessment Model is effective in predicting which plastic and reconstructive surgery patients will develop blood clots. Patients with a high-risk score are at disproportionately higher risk for developing late clots if not given clot-preventing medications after surgery.
Scientists have solved the structure of a protein integral to maintaining healthy hearts and nervous systems. The discovery of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) may lead to smarter drug design for better understanding of homocystinuria, a genetic disorder affecting cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
A new study found a 30-40% higher risk of colorectal cancer among men treated with hormone-based therapy for prostate cancer. The study suggests continued routine preventive care, including colorectal cancer screening, is essential during prostate cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered key differences in how E. coli bacteria behave in humans compared to mice, identifying potential targets for a vaccine. The study's findings could lead to the development of a vaccine that saves billions in healthcare costs and millions of doctor visits annually.
A study by the University of Michigan Health System found that specialists spend over 650,000 work weeks on routine follow-up care for patients with common chronic conditions. Delegating a proportion of this care could create system-wide efficiencies and free up specialists to focus on new patients and complex cases.
A new indicator, TLR9 receptor, has been found to mark rapidly progressing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers identified the receptor in patients' lungs and showed its role in fibrotic tissue growth using human cells and mice.
A University of Michigan Health System study reveals that younger adult cancer patients experience more pain flares and emotional issues compared to older adults. Younger adults also reported smaller incomes and struggled more with paying healthcare bills, affecting their overall well-being.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that door-to-balloon time has dropped dramatically for heart attack patients, from 113 minutes in 2003 to 76 minutes in 2008. However, despite the quicker hospital care, mortality rates remained unchanged at around 4%.
A recent study found a decline in unnecessary care for prostate cancer patients not likely to benefit from treatment after Medicare policy changes reduced reimbursement. In contrast, patients with clear benefits from the therapy continued to receive it at the same rate.
A University of Michigan concept for value-based insurance design is featured in a thematic cluster of papers in the November issue of Health Affairs. The approach focuses on removing barriers to high-value services and aims to improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach may reduce the severity of colitis caused by Salmonella. The research found that H. pylori infection alters the immunological environment of the lower gastrointestinal tract, leading to reduced inflammation.
Research found that 60% of hospitalizations for severe sepsis were associated with worsened cognitive and physical function among surviving older adults. Cognitive impairment was 3.3 times higher following an episode of sepsis than for other hospitalizations.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers shows that providing small amounts of flexible, targeted follow-up care can help chronically depressed patients manage their symptoms. The approach includes self-monitoring tools and follow-up phone calls from a care manager, resulting in higher remission rates and reduced-function days.