A study of over 3,600 participants found that Long COVID causes significant financial and employment difficulties, lasting up to three years. Vaccination against COVID-19 was associated with improved work and financial outcomes, reducing the burden of Long COVID.
A global research initiative analyzing data from nearly 2 million people in diverse populations worldwide has uncovered multiple new genes associated with osteoarthritis. The study also identified key genetic pathways and 69 genes whose protein products are targeted by approved drugs, paving the way for repurposed treatments.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that frequent social activity may help prevent or delay dementia in old age, with socially active individuals showing reduced rates of cognitive decline over a five-year period. Social activity strengthens neural circuits and activates areas o...
Rush is creating a data warehouse to identify 'hot zones' of chronic diseases and inspire solutions, leveraging data from various sources to address health inequities. The project aims to make healthcare more equitable by providing insights into the root causes of poor health outcomes.
Researchers found a significant difference in gut microbiome between patients with and without lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. The study suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in back pain and disability, potentially leading to new treatment options.
New research from Rush University Medical Center finds an association between outdoor light exposure at night and Alzheimer's disease prevalence in those under 65. The study suggests that higher nighttime light intensity may disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake pattern, leading to increased inflammation and disease risk.
Research published in Menopause found that mixed urinary incontinence is associated with a higher risk of disability in midlife women. The study suggests that exploring treatment options early on may help decrease this outcome and prevent future health problems.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the MIND diet had a significant improvement in cognition during the first two years, but no significant difference in three-year changes. The study enrolled 604 people with suboptimal diets and family history of Alzheimer's disease.
A muscle-building supplement called beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to reduce plaques and increase factors for neuronal growth in mice with Alzheimer's-like pathology. The study found that HMB stimulates a nuclear hormone receptor to improve memory and learning in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study by the INSPIRE group identified four clinically distinct symptom presentations in patients with long COVID, suggesting that each patient experiences post-COVID symptoms in a unique way. The study's findings may lead to more targeted treatments for persistent symptoms.
A two-week intervention targeting the circadian system helped shift teens' bedtime by an hour and a half earlier, increasing total sleep time by approximately an hour. The study also found improved concentration, reduced irritability, and better morning alertness in participants.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have developed potential new treatments for Parkinson’s disease that showed success in slowing its progression in mice. The lab-developed peptides helped slow the spread of alpha-synuclein, a protein that occurs in abnormal deposits in the brain.
Researchers found a higher MIND diet score associated with better memory and thinking skills, independently of Alzheimer's disease pathology. The diet may contribute to cognitive resilience in the elderly, with potential benefits for brain health.
A six-country study found that awake prone positioning significantly reduced the need for mechanical ventilation in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The intervention improved blood oxygen levels and lung function by matching blood flow and ventilation.
A phase two study found that an experimental treatment improved cognitive function and language in patients with fragile X syndrome. The treatment, BPN14770, increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the brain, which is critically involved in memory formation.
A 15-year research campaign led by Rush pediatricians resulted in new national manufacturing standards making microwaves more difficult for young children to open. The change aims to protect kids from severe microwave-related burns that scar hundreds of children under 5 each year.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have successfully tested a new peptide therapy that reduces fever, protects the lungs, improves heart function, and reverses cytokine storm in mouse models with COVID-19. The treatment also prevents disease progression and has potential as a post-vaccine measure to manage severe symptoms.
A nationwide study, INSPIRE, aims to track the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 infections on various age groups over a two-year period. Researchers will examine COVID-19 survivors' health care utilization, clinical events, and physical and mental function.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that including unhealthy foods in an otherwise healthy Mediterranean diet may reduce cognitive benefits. The study analyzed data from 5,001 older adults and found that those who followed a Western diet had no beneficial effect on slowing cognitive decline.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found a potential link between opioid use and increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The study, which analyzed data from 1999-2016, suggests that opioid consumption may be an unidentified risk factor contributing to the rising incidence of pancreatic cancer in the US.
Observational study finds COVID-19 patients with high suPAR levels are at increased risk for acute kidney injury and death. Elevated suPAR levels were found in over a third of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, leading to a 20-fold increase in dialysis needs.
A new model of screening combines better risk assessment, noninvasive testing options, and targeted referrals for colonoscopy to save more lives. The American Gastroenterological Association proposes a universal approach to screening that reaches more people and offers alternatives to colonoscopy.
A global survey of 902 spine surgeons revealed that 75% of surgical cases were canceled weekly due to COVID-19. The majority reported elevated anxiety and uncertainty about managing patients with the virus.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that high plasma suPAR levels are associated with worse lung outcomes and increased risk of intubation. The study suggests that measuring suPAR could help identify patients who may need ventilatory support, enabling earlier intervention and potentially improving outcomes.
Researchers have identified a new treatment target for preventing acute kidney injury, which affects up to 10% of hospitalized patients. High levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) are linked to the risk of acute kidney injury, and reducing suPAR levels may help prevent damage to healthy kidneys.
Researchers found that injecting influenza vaccines into tumors increases the immune system's response, changing cold tumors to hot ones. This triggers an immune-stimulating effect, reducing tumor growth and improving survival rates. The study suggests that flu shots could be repurposed as cancer treatments.
A study of 526 older adults found that hospitalizations accelerated cognitive decline, especially for those with more brain pathology. The research suggests that having Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain is bad enough, but being hospitalized adds insult to injury.
A new study at Rush University Medical Center aims to determine whether a combination of lifestyle changes can protect memory and thinking skills in people at risk of developing dementia. The two-year U.S. POINTER clinical trial will enroll 2,000 adults between 60-79 years old with no current memory problems or exercise habits.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have developed a new composite ranking system that aggregates data from five leading hospital rating systems into a single score. This system aims to provide consumers with a clear and easily understandable measure of hospital quality, helping them make informed decisions about their care.
Researchers discover a novel compound that activates CD11b receptors on white blood cells, promoting an anti-tumor immune response and overcoming resistance to immunotherapies. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for the third deadliest cancer in the US.
Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) is a newly-defined brain disorder resembling Alzheimer's disease but caused by misfolded TDP-43 protein. It affects 25% of individuals over 85 years old, causing gradual cognitive decline and impacting daily life.
A case study illustrates how institutional and cultural embedded racial hierarchies prevent people of color from meeting their basic needs. The authors suggest that identifying structural racism in healthcare can lead to improved outcomes, such as reducing disparities in breast cancer mortality.
Researchers found that using antibiotic soap and nasal ointment reduces infections in non-ICU patients with medical devices. The study showed a 30% decrease in bloodstream infections and nearly 40% decrease in antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections.
A decolonization protocol, including antiseptic soap, mouthwash, and nose ointment, was found to reduce MRSA infections by 30% compared to hygiene education alone. Patients who adhered to the regimen had significantly fewer MRSA infections, with a 44% reduction in those who missed no doses.
Researchers found that mavoglurant improves eye gaze behavior and alters reactivity to faces in patients with fragile X syndrome. The study shows significant improvements in eye contact and reduced pupil reactivity to emotional faces.
A recent study published in Neurology found that older adults who engage in regular physical activity may maintain better thinking and memory skills despite having brain lesions or biomarkers linked to dementia. The study, conducted by Rush University Medical Center, compared cognition test results and activity data for 454 older adult...
Researchers found that non-elective hospitalizations accelerate cognitive decline in older adults by 50% compared to pre-hospital rates. Elective hospitalizations did not have the same effect. The study involved 777 older adults and suggested that emergency hospitalizations carry a higher risk of long-term cognitive decline.
Researchers discover a potential therapy that can disrupt the recruitment of myeloid cells by cancerous tumors, boosting the function of disease-fighting M1 type of myeloid cells. This approach shows great promise in reducing tumor growth and promoting a microenvironment where T cells can attack cancer.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center developed a metal-coordinated molecule, poly-zinc-liothyronine (PZL), which works well in laboratory studies and may provide an improved therapy for all hypothyroid patients. PZL's slow release of active hormone can supplement standard therapy, offering a more effective solution for treatme...
A large international study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that daily low-dose aspirin has no effect on healthy independent living in older adults. The study enrolled over 19,000 participants and followed them for an average of 4.7 years.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that Chicago news media reported 59% of child traffic crash deaths and 38% of fire-related deaths, but not a single case of sudden unexpected infant death. This lack of reporting contributes to parents' unawareness of the risks involved, leading to unsafe sleep environments.
A meta-analysis of 99 studies found that levothyroxine, a common medication for hypothyroidism, is inadequate in controlling high cholesterol levels. The study's findings suggest that patients may require additional therapies or adjustments to their treatment plans.
The Eat, Love, Move (ELM) program will be expanded to six cities across the US after a successful two-year pilot project at Rush University Medical Center. The six-year, $9 million grant aims to determine whether lifestyle changes can reverse metabolic syndrome and improve quality of life.
A three-week intensive outpatient treatment program reduced PTSD symptoms by more than half in military veterans, with over 90% sticking to the program. The program combined evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy with wellness interventions, showing that concentrating therapy over consecutive days can be an effectiv...
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that low-dose aspirin may reduce plaques in the brain by stimulating lysosomes and increasing the activity of TFEB, a protein responsible for waste removal. This could lead to improved treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center identified two biomarkers that indicate patients likely to develop osteolysis, a condition causing joint loosening and potential revision surgery. These biomarkers can be detected up to six years before diagnosis.
A team of scientists has created a map of the molecular network in the aging brain, revealing two new Alzheimer's disease target genes that can be deleted or modified to treat the disease. The study provides a unique resource linking molecular changes in nearly 500 older brains to cognition and brain pathology.
South Asian-Americans are at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke due to increased risks of severe atherosclerosis, diabetes, and poor diet habits. Behavioral factors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary choices contribute to this risk.
The study found a significant increase in hospital-acquired infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii among US children over a 13-year period. Children with chronic conditions are at higher risk of infection due to compromised immune systems.
Researchers found that African Americans with a common genetic variation are 30% more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease dementia. In contrast, European Americans without the polymorphism are not at increased risk. Further studies are needed to understand why this correlation only appears in African-Americans.