A new study found that physicians are accepting fewer patients with private insurance, despite the expansion of health care reform. This decline is attributed to low reimbursement rates and administrative complexities, which may hamper access to quality medical care.
Two studies reveal individual neurons control synaptic vesicle recycling speed, with variations across different neurons. This finding refines neuroscience's understanding of neurotransmission at the synaptic gap between brain cells.
A new drug telaprevir has been shown to offer a faster and stronger viral cure for hepatitis C than standard treatment, with 75% of patients cured compared to 44% on standard therapy. The study also found significant benefits in subgroups of patients who do not typically respond well to standard therapy.
Research by NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center reveals varicoceles cause lower testosterone levels in men. Microsurgery significantly increases testosterone levels in patients with varicoceles.
A new JAMA study reveals that adverse events, including major injury and death, occur frequently in private physician offices and outpatient clinics. The researchers found that errors in diagnosis and surgery are increasing in the outpatient setting, driven by advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques.
A study published in Nature shows that a combination therapy of RI-BPI and Gleevec eradicates cancer in cell and animal studies, targeting the Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This breakthrough offers new hope for improved survival rates for children with this aggressive cancer.
A new clinical research study is comparing the effectiveness of two medications, quetiapine and lithium, in treating bipolar disorder. The study, funded by a $10 million grant from AHRQ, aims to improve long-term treatment for patients with bipolar disorder.
Researchers from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell presented studies on the effectiveness of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, finding lower perioperative morbidity and improved oncologic outcomes compared to open and laparoscopic approaches. Additionally, they investigated the feasibility and safety of robot-assist...
A JAMA study of 500,000 heart stent patients found that clinically indicated medical therapy was lost in translation after its publication. Fewer than half of all patients received appropriate treatment with common cardiac drugs before and after their stenting procedure.
A new Weill Cornell study found that teenagers who drink alcohol tend to spend more hours using computers for non-school-related activities. The survey of 264 teenagers also linked drinking to more frequent social networking and listening to music, but not to video games or online shopping.
Researchers unveil unprecedented detail on how transporter proteins modulate neurotransmitter transfer and recycling. The study reveals the molecular workings of transporter proteins, essential for signaling in neurons, and sheds light on how they respond to binding molecules.
Weill Cornell researchers highlight the importance of cultural context in medical education and patient care. They argue that social context affects what is taught and how information is received by students, leading to a diverse range of hidden curricula.
Researchers have identified a new gene, SETDB1, that promotes the growth of melanoma and may play a role in up to 70 percent of malignant melanomas. The discovery was made using zebrafish and could lead to better therapeutic strategies for patients with melanoma.
Research studies presented at the ACC Meeting found associations between higher body mass index and increased cardiac risk factors, as well as a 47-percent reduction in radiation dose with lower kVp imaging. Additionally, persistence of left ventricular hypertrophy was linked to worse outcomes in patients with lower achieved systolic p...
Researchers have developed an immune therapy technique that can suppress fertility hormones in females and males, potentially preventing pregnancy. The treatment could be used on dogs, cats, and other mammals, as well as humans with hormonal imbalances or conditions such as androgen excess syndromes.
Bariatric surgery has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with diabetes, with 70% remission in two years and 30% remaining 15 years later. The surgery also reduces new cases of diabetes by 80% among obese patients.
A new study by Weill Cornell and UC Davis foresees improvements in patient outcomes after a major earthquake through more effective use of information technology. The control tower-style telemedicine hub could boost the likelihood that critically injured victims will get timely care and survive.
A gene therapy called NLX-P101 significantly reduces movement impairment in Parkinson's patients, with half achieving dramatic symptom improvements. The treatment introduces a gene to normalize chemical signaling, correcting dysfunction in brain circuitry responsible for coordinating movement.
A new blood test measures destruction of lung air sacs and can detect early emphysema in smokers, potentially preventing disease progression. The test is a low-cost screening tool that could help the 20% of American adults who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke understand their risk of developing this progressive lung disease.
Researchers use fMRI to probe for higher-level cognitive functioning in severely brain-injured patients, finding a wide variation in response capabilities. The study suggests that no bedside exam can accurately assess cognitive function in these patients, highlighting the need for further exploration and understanding.
A new clinical trial at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is testing whether surgery can control Type 2 diabetes as effectively as medical treatment. The study enrolls 50 patients with Type 2 diabetes, comparing gastric bypass to conventional medical therapy and lifestyle modifications.
Whole genome sequencing reveals new genes tied to prostate cancer growth, including those disrupting tumor suppressors and heat shock proteins. The study identifies genomic rearrangements that may be driving cancer development and suggests a link between gene activity and DNA rearrangement.
Researchers have developed a lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice using a safe vaccine combining bits of the common cold virus with a particle mimicking cocaine. The vaccine elicits an immune response that prevents cocaine molecules from reaching the brain, reducing hyperactivity.
A review of general anesthesia, sleep, and coma reveals that a fully anesthetized brain is closer to the state of a coma patient than a person asleep. The study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for sleep abnormalities and emergence from coma.
A team of researchers discovered that mutant enzymes in leukemia create a chemical poison to cause cancer. This finding suggests a new avenue for treating acute myelogenous leukemia and other cancers.
An experimental immunotherapy using a protein called MAGE-A3 is being tested to prevent lung cancer recurrence in patients who have undergone surgical removal of their tumor. The therapy has shown promising results in clinical trials, offering a potential new weapon against non-small cell lung cancer.
Researchers found that boosting hepcidin levels may directly affect relieving anemic patients of their body's iron overload. Two studies illustrated a potential new dietary treatment for patients with hemochromatosis by increasing hepcidin levels and reducing iron absorption from the gut.
The study reveals that specialized blood vessel cells initiate and sustain liver regeneration by producing growth factors. This finding opens the door for designing new therapies to treat damaged livers. The researchers identified specific genes, such as Id1 and Wnt2, that enable endothelial cells to regulate liver regeneration.
A large-scale multicenter study is evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia in extending survival and reducing brain injury in infants and children after cardiac arrest. The treatment has shown promise in adult cardiac arrest patients and newborns, but its use in pediatric cases is still untested.
Weill Cornell Medical College has received $200,000 in new funding from the Gates Foundation for tuberculosis research. The grants will support projects led by Dr. Carl Nathan and Dr. Kyu Rhee, aiming to understand the genetic mechanism of TB emergence from latency and develop new therapies.
Weill Cornell Medical College researchers discovered secondary mutations in prostate cancer cells that make them lethal. This finding could lead to better tests and individualized therapy for deadly prostate cancers.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have found a combination therapy that is more effective than traditional treatments and can kill cancer cells without harming surrounding tissues. By targeting BCL6 and EP300, they were able to suppress and eradicate human DLBCL in mice.
A new study reveals that telaprevir significantly improves sustained viral response rates for first-time hepatitis C patients to 75%, even for African-Americans and those with advanced liver fibrosis. The regimen's shorter treatment time also produces lower discontinuation rates for side effects compared to standard therapy.
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a potential new treatment for the Nipah and Hendra viruses, which are lethal and emerging viruses with no current treatment or vaccine available. The approach uses cholesterol-tagged peptides to target the membrane where the virus fuses with host cells, preventing infection.
Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell report that gene therapy to the brain reverses depression-like behavior in mice, with human data backing up the promise of such therapy. Autopsy studies reveal significantly reduced levels of p11 protein in patients with severe depression.
A new study found that even low levels of secondhand smoke and infrequent smoking can cause harmful genetic changes in the lungs, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research suggests that no level of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke is safe.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that patients with an elevated resting heart rate over a five-year period were at a significantly increased risk of death from both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Tracking heart rate over time can provide a simple yet important marker of health issues, allowing for potentia...
Scientists have outlined the molecular mechanism of membrane transport, revealing how proteins transform shape to transport substances across cell membranes. This new understanding may lead to better treatments for depression and substance abuse by targeting specific transporter proteins.
A sticky gel made from a polycarbonate of dihydroxyacetone may help prevent seroma formation after surgery. The gel, developed from the same compound found in spray tanning lotion, is biodegradable and water-soluble, reducing the risk of infection.
Physician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center present research findings on suicide prevention, with funding prioritized for post-hospital discharge care. They also explore the relationship between music and creativity through the analysis of composer Frederic Chopin's life.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on gluconeogenic substrates for growth and persistence, with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) playing a pivotal role. This finding could lead to the development of new drug therapies targeting the enzyme, potentially improving treatment outcomes fo...
Weill Cornell researchers discovered a single gene, Slitrk5, responsible for OCD-like behaviors in mice. The genetically altered mice exhibited repetitive self-grooming and extreme anxiety, with altered brain functioning mirroring those seen in human OCD patients.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant that affects cancer protection from statin drugs, enabling personalized use of the drug. The study suggests offering patients a test to determine if they have the right gene profile to benefit from current statins.
Researchers design compound that effectively blocks BCL6's cancer-causing actions, killing off cancer cells with minimal toxicity. The discovery opens possibilities for treating other tumor types and improving survival rates for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
IGIV has preserved thinking abilities and significantly reduced brain atrophy and ventricular enlargement in mild- to moderate-stage Alzheimer's patients. The study also found a dose-related effect on brain ventricular enlargement, suggesting IGIV may spare brain tissue.
The new center, ORBIT, focuses on reducing obesity and its related risks through behavioral changes and mindful eating strategies. The team will develop personalized programs for community members in Harlem and the South Bronx.
Researchers discovered endothelial cells can grow copious amounts of adult stem cells and their progeny over weeks, revolutionizing organ regeneration and cancer cell growth inhibition. This vascular-cell model could manufacture unlimited blood-related stem cells for transplantation.
A new study shows that robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) does not compromise surgical outcomes for patients with prostate cancer. Surgeons can use visual cues to improve clinical outcomes, including the color of tissue, vein locations, and signs of inflammation.
A new study finds that machine perfusion preserves donor livers as well as cold storage, reducing hospital stays and long-term complications. This technique could expand the pool of available organs for transplantation.
The Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Disparities Research and Community Engagement (CEDREC) will engage in collaborative research and outreach programs aimed at addressing health disparities. CEDREC will focus on improving the health of medically underserved African-Americans in Central Harlem and the South Bronx, where one in thr...