A team of scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College has developed a new approach to turn human embryonic and pluripotent stem cells into plentiful, functional endothelial cells, critical for blood vessel formation. This breakthrough technique boosts the efficiency of producing these cells by up to 40-fold.
Researchers have identified a human genetic alteration associated with anxiety-related behavior in both humans and mice, which can inform the development of new clinical strategies to treat anxiety disorders. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to reveal altered brain function in individuals with this abnormality.
Researchers identified dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS) in patients with Parkinson's disease who reduced their medication dosage. DAWS causes anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and other symptoms that are not alleviated by other treatments.
A study published in Cancer Cell reveals that epigenetic differences can distinguish patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) into subtypes with varying responsiveness to therapy. A set of 15-gene DNA methylation biomarkers was found to be highly predictive of patient survival.
A consensus statement on diabetes surgery recognizes the legitimacy of surgery as a dedicated treatment for type 2 diabetes in carefully selected patients. The document summarizes evidence showing that bariatric surgery effectively reverses type 2 diabetes, and its findings justify considering surgery as a specific diabetes intervention.
A new compound, PU-H71, has been discovered that may prove to be a powerful target for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The compound was found to suppress tumor formation in lab testing and animal models.
Researchers successfully delivered high-dose chemotherapy to malignant brain tumors via intra-arterial Avastin, potentially avoiding common side effects of systemic chemotherapy. The innovative technique has shown promising results in early trials and may offer a new treatment option for patients with resistant brain tumors.
Weill Cornell Medical College researchers aim to boost NAD+ levels after spinal cord injury, potentially preventing permanent nerve death. The study involves synthesizing a molecule that increases NAD+ production in cells, which may activate sirtuins and prevent cell death.
The study found that teenage girls' attitudes toward smoking influenced their use of multiple substances, while boys were more likely to engage in poly-drug use if they perceived smoking as prevalent in their age group. Both boys and girls reported higher rates of poly-drug use when friends drank or smoked.
The Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry has received a $10 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to advance research on geriatric depression. The team will focus on understanding the biological, medical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of depression in older adults.
Researchers have found a genetic link between inherited cardiac arrhythmias and thyroid dysfunction, suggesting that mutations in the KCNE2 and KCNQ1 genes could also cause thyroid problems. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for both heart and endocrine diseases.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified new anti-tuberculosis compounds that inhibit the disease-causing bacteria's mechanism for surviving dormant in infected cells. The findings could lead to drugs that destroy TB in its dormant stage, potentially revolutionizing treatment.
Researchers found that abnormal QRS duration is a significant predictor of sudden cardiac death, especially in patients with hypertension. The study suggests that regular electrocardiograms can be used as a warning signal for increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
A new cost-effectiveness study found that genetic testing for metastatic colorectal cancer patients may be beneficial if it leads to nearly as effective dose-reduced treatment, improving life expectancy and reducing healthcare costs. The test identifies patients with a specific DNA variation that increases the risk of severe neutropenia.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medical School researchers highlights the importance of quick detection and treatment in defense against anthrax attacks. Delays beyond three days could overwhelm hospitals with critically ill people, necessitating powerful antibiotic treatments.
Researchers have discovered a new gene fusion, NDRG1-ERG, that produces a protein potentially targeted by drug therapies. This finding may improve prostate cancer testing and treatment options.
A new study identified adding a trained depression care manager to primary care practices increases treatment, remission rates of depression, and reduces suicidal thoughts. Nearly 90% of patients in the PROSPECT care management group received treatment after two years.
A study of 5,434 patient records found that physicians failed to report clinically significant abnormal test results in nearly one in every 14 cases. Implementing simple processes such as routing all test results to the responsible physician and documenting patient notification can greatly lessen error rates.
A Phase IIb clinical trial shows that adding a hepatitis C protease inhibitor called telaprevir to standard therapy can significantly improve the chances of being cured, with a 67% cure rate in patients treated for 24 weeks. The treatment also reduces side effects and treatment duration compared to standard therapy alone.
A new study using SmartPill capsules found that patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis have more acidic conditions in their colons compared to healthy individuals. This discovery may impact the effectiveness of mesalamine treatments, which rely on specific pH levels for release.
Weill Cornell Medical College has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to study the dormant state of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. The project aims to understand how it protects itself from the body's natural defenses and develop a drug target to break through its protective shield.
Researchers identified microRNAs that can predict transplant rejection with high accuracy. Additionally, a new gene-based urine test has been developed to diagnose common kidney transplant complications. The study also explores increasing transplantation through donor chains and transplanting single kidneys from pediatric donors.
Researchers discuss a combined approach to maximize the benefits of stem cell therapy while minimizing risks. Gene therapy has the potential to solve the problem of wayward stem cells wreaking havoc after transplantation by genetically modifying them prior to use.
A new vaginal ring has been designed to prevent both HIV transmission and unintended pregnancy, offering a non-hormonal alternative to existing methods. The device combines multiple antiviral drugs and compounds that arrest sperm motility, making it a promising solution for empowering women to protect themselves.
Researchers led by Dr. Robert C. Young are conducting studies to investigate the effects of medications on older adults with bipolar depression, aiming to improve treatment outcomes. The studies focus on quetiapine and lamotrigine, and will help better manage care for geriatric bipolar patients.
Researchers are developing a strategic approach to studying metastasis, targeting the molecular and cellular players that mediate changes at future sites of metastasis. This could lead to new cancer treatments that target each step along the metastatic pathway.
Scientists have discovered two biomarkers that may indicate the presence of smoking-related lung injury and cardiovascular side effects of COX-2 inhibitors. Elevated levels of PGE-M and LTE4 in urine could lead to earlier detection and treatment, reducing the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart problems.
Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital found hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) to be as safe and effective as standard laparoscopy. The procedure allows for a human touch, facilitating complex surgical maneuvers and reducing post-operative complications.
A novel gene fusion, SLC45A3-ELK4, is highly expressed in prostate cancers and detectable in urine. This biomarker may help distinguish clinically significant from indolent disease.
Researchers are comparing two family-based therapies to treat adolescent anorexia nervosa. The Maudsley Approach involves supervised feeding and monitoring, while Family Systems Therapy focuses on family dynamics. Both approaches aim to break the vicious cycle of starvation and obsessive behavior.
Researchers identify TMEM density as key to predicting distant organ metastasis in breast cancer. The new marker could enable custom-tailored therapies and prevent over- or under-treatment.
A new medication called Promacta has shown promising results in treating ITP, with 59% of patients achieving platelet counts at or over 50,000 per microliter of blood. The treatment works by stimulating the production of cells in bone marrow that form platelet cells in the blood.
A new study finds that more than half of African-American teens are vitamin D deficient, with girls at higher risk and overweight teens nearly double their normal-weight counterparts. The researchers highlight the importance of educating the public on vitamin D's benefits and consider national fortification strategies.
A study by Weill Cornell Medical College finds that New York state's health IT initiatives have achieved significant success, with 100% of programs remaining active and functioning after two years. The initiative has improved quality of care, increased efficiency, and reduced medical errors.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College discovered that chloroquine is a highly active inhibitor of infection by Hendra and Nipah viruses. The drug blocks the action of cathepsin L, an enzyme essential for virus growth and maturation.
A Weill Cornell Medical College study reveals that proBDNF, a neural growth factor, is present during the perinatal period when brain circuitry and memory-encoding regions are refined. The research provides new insights into how the brain is wired and how this wiring is refined, particularly during developmental stages.
Researchers created a simple model to predict patients at high risk for chronic kidney disease, using an eight-point risk factor checklist. The model accurately stratifies middle-aged and older patients and has been validated across different cohorts.
Researchers discovered a protein that accelerates scar tissue formation after a heart attack, leading to impaired heart function. The finding offers potential for the development of new treatments to prevent this damage.
A Phase 2 clinical trial of pralatrexate found a complete or partial response in 27 percent of patients with recurrent or resistant peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The treatment, which mimics folic acid, showed durable responses in patients who had failed multiple prior treatments.
Retinal detachment is a condition that affects about 10,000 Americans each year, putting vision loss or blindness at risk. NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell ophthalmologist Dr. Donald J. D'Amico highlights advanced surgical techniques that offer high probabilities of reattachment and visual improvement.
The college has received two $100,000 grants to support research on new antiviral approaches and tuberculosis emerging from latency. The projects aim to tackle diseases such as respiratory viral infections and tuberculosis that affect millions worldwide.
The MOTIVATE trials show maraviroc significantly suppresses the virus at 48 weeks, increasing immune system T-cell counts and providing consistent clinical benefit for treatment-experienced patients with R5 HIV-virus infection. Maraviroc provides a valuable additional treatment option for a wide spectrum of treatment-experienced patients.
A recent study suggests that genetic testing for HLA-B*5701 is cost-effective when used to guide abacavir-based treatment, but not if compared to tenofovir-based treatment. The test costs less than the alternative treatment, making it a more affordable option.
A new collaborative study explores how operations research can maximize efficient use of limited resources, including antiretroviral drugs and medical personnel. The researchers show that using mathematical modeling approaches can help plan national drug distribution systems and predict demand for services.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a key membrane protein, Rv3671c, essential to Mycobacterium tuberculosis' defense against immune cell acidification. Disabling this protein makes the bacterium vulnerable to acidification and killing.
The study found that patients treated with IGIV demonstrated significantly better cognitive function, daily functioning, and activities of daily living compared to those receiving placebo. The benefits persisted over 9 months, showing promise for IGIV as an antiamyloid immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University Medical Center have described the specifics of how brain cells process antidepressant drugs, cocaine, and amphetamines. Their breakthrough research reveals a finely-tuned process in which two sodium ions bind to enable neural signaling in the brain.
Researchers found that women derive less benefit from high-blood-pressure-lowering drugs than men for reducing left-ventricular hypertrophy, a marker for future heart disease. This may explain why women are at greater risk for heart disease later in life despite similar blood pressure reduction.
A study published in Journal of Neurosurgery found that early nutritional supplementation can improve survival rates for traumatic brain injury patients, with a four-fold increase in chances of survival. The researchers recommend a minimum of 25kcal/kg daily intake to achieve optimal healing.
Physician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell presented Phase II trial data showing a monoclonal antibody targeting prostate cancer cells effectively reduces PSA levels in patients with late-stage metastatic disease. The researchers also present results on RAD001, which slows cancer progression in recurrent endometrial c...