Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the brain circuitry behind social reward, pinpointing oxytocin as a key player. The study suggests that oxytocin promotes sociability by binding to receptors on dopamine-secreting neurons, enhancing their firing and fostering positive social interactions.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that cutting off access to a signaling molecule can halt the growth of certain aggressive brain tumors. The team's findings suggest that interrupting the neuroligin-3 signal could be a helpful strategy for controlling high-grade gliomas in human patients.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine characterized the immune system changes during pregnancy and found a precise timing pattern. The study used mass cytometry to analyze blood samples from 18 women with full-term pregnancies and validated the findings in an additional group of 10 women.
The average paternal age at birth in the US has increased from 27.4 years to 30.9 years over the past four decades. Men over 40 now account for 9% of all births, while those over 50 make up nearly 1%. This trend is likely to have public health implications and affect demographics.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that infants' racial and ethnic identities influence the quality of medical care they receive in California's neonatal intensive care units. White infants generally received better care than those from vulnerable populations at some hospitals, while others received worse care.
A study of hunter-gatherers in Tanzania reveals a strong cyclicality in their gut-microbial composition, corresponding to seasonal dietary changes. The findings suggest that sweeping changes in the average person's diet over the past 10,000 years may be driving the loss of microbial diversity.
A study by Stanford researchers found that a widely used mouse model of the human immune system is inadequate for studying stem cell transplants. The humanized mice, engineered to have a human-like immune system, failed to robustly reject genetically mismatched human stem cells, making them unsuitable for studying immunosuppressive drugs.
Using a cryptographic approach, Stanford researchers can identify disease-associated genes without revealing individual genetic information. The 'genome cloaking' technique enables researchers to analyze genomic data in aggregate and report on findings relevant to the study, protecting participants' privacy.
Researchers suggest that reversing excitation-inhibition imbalance could alleviate autism symptoms, particularly hyperactivity and social deficits. A mouse model study shows reducing excitatory to inhibitory signaling counters these issues.
A study by Stanford Medicine and Celmatix Inc. found that elective freezing of IVF embryos can improve pregnancy rates in women with high progesterone levels and are over 35. Freezing the embryos before transfer may give hormones a chance to fall to more hospitable levels for implantation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified biomarkers associated with chronic fatigue syndrome severity by analyzing 17 immune-system signaling proteins. These findings suggest that inflammation is a powerful driver of the disease and may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options.
A Stanford study found that social forces can override genetically programmed behavior in male mice, triggering territorial rage in various situations. The researchers identified a specific nerve cell cluster that activates when a male mouse is left alone, leading to aggressive displays.
A 5% drop in MMR vaccinations among children ages 2-11 could triple annual measles cases and increase public health expenditures by $2.1 million per case. The study predicts sharp rises in measles cases if vaccination rates further decline, with potential outbreaks in previously well-vaccinated communities.
A new Stanford study found that oxytocin improves social behavior in children with autism who have low oxytocin levels, but not those with high levels. The study suggests that baseline oxytocin levels can predict which children will benefit from oxytocin treatment.
A single genetic change linked to reduced human height is also associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis. The variant has been positively selected in many human populations, suggesting it may have provided a survival advantage in colder climates.
A Stanford study found that sleep disturbances in young adults can warn of worsening suicidal thoughts, even when controlling for depression severity. Participants with varying sleep patterns reported more insomnia and nightmares, which independently predicted increased suicidal behaviors.
Researchers developed a scoring system using electronic medical records to predict patients at high risk for atrial fibrillation after stroke. The system identifies seven risk factors and assigns patients to one of three risk groups, enabling personalized treatment.
A study analyzing genetic test results, family histories, and disease status of nearly 95,600 women found that eight mutations are positively associated with breast cancer, while eleven are linked to ovarian cancer. The research provides clarity on the relative risk of developing cancer for women carrying these mutations.
A new study found that patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who received early cardiology care had a 9% lower risk of stroke and an 11% lower risk of death. Early prescription of anticoagulants also appeared to lower the risk of stroke.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine used long-read genome sequencing to secure a diagnosis for patient Ricky Ramon, who had undiagnosed Carney complex. The technique identified a deletion of about 2,200 base-pairs and confirmed the diagnosis.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a way to retrofit OCT machines with off-the-shelf components, increasing resolution by several-fold. This improvement enables physicians to perform virtual biopsies and detect retinal and corneal damage, incipient tumors, and more with enhanced accuracy.
A new study published in Cell suggests that virtually any gene can influence disease, with peripheral genes having tiny but significant effects. The 'omnigenic model' proposes a more nuanced understanding of genetic variation and its role in disease.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified an unexpected layer of gene regulation in ribosomes, challenging scientists' understanding of how cells control their genes. The discovery reveals that ribosomal proteins tune the translation process to specialize in specific cellular pathways.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a lipid metabolite called prostaglandin E2 that activates muscle stem cells responsible for repairing damage after injury or exercise. Treating mice with PGE2 accelerates muscle repair and strength regain, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit this process.
Research reveals a defective immune cell's sweet tooth predisposes people to shingles, exacerbating heart disease. The connection shows how the same mechanism disabling immune response to viral infections also affects heart conditions.
Researchers have identified the mouse lemur as an ideal model for studying primate biology and human diseases such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's. The study, which involved analyzing hundreds of lemurs in Madagascar, has already revealed unique genetic traits including obesity and progressive eye disease.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a computer algorithm called MiSL that identifies pairs of cancer-associated genes, known as synthetic lethals, which could be targeted with drugs. This approach aims to develop less-toxic treatments for various cancers by pinpointing the genetic partners of well-known cancer mutations.
A study by Stanford Medicine researchers identifies cost-effective ways to combat HIV risk among intravenous drug users, with opioid agonist therapy and needle-syringe exchange programs showing high value. The study also found that combining these methods could avert up to 40,000 HIV infections over 20 years.
A recent Stanford University School of Medicine study found that fitness trackers generally accurately measure heart rate but struggle with calculating energy expenditure, which is often used to track calories burned. The study evaluated seven devices and found that six were accurate in measuring heart rate within 5% error, while none ...
A new biologic drug, ixekizumab, has shown significant symptom reduction in patients with refractory psoriatic arthritis, including joint tenderness and swelling. The study's results suggest that the drug may offer a more effective treatment option for patients who have not responded to standard pharmaceutical treatments.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that antibodies to PD-1 and PD-L1 can also prompt immune cells called macrophages to engulf and devour cancer cells, expanding the use of this cancer treatment.
A growing threat to health equity, dementia care disproportionately falls on women due to lack of affordable in-home care options. Working women face higher risk of career trajectory disruption and stress-related disability claims if not addressed.
After two high-profile mass shootings, California's handgun sales spiked by 53% and 85% in the following weeks. The study found that these spikes were driven by increased concern over personal security, with many individuals motivated to acquire firearms for self-protection.
Researchers successfully assembled and monitored functioning human forebrain circuits, enabling the study of normal brain development. The method also enables the personalized study of psychiatric disorders by attributing defects to conditions like Timothy syndrome.
Researchers identified a protein, TIMP2, that had the same effect when injected into older mice. The findings could lead to new treatments for age-associated declines in mental ability.
A Stanford study has identified a protein called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that can prime mouse stem cells to quickly respond to injury. The researchers found that HGF helps activate a critical signaling pathway in the cells, stimulating the production of proteins important for alerting stem cells and promoting tissue repair.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified a pathway that drives fibrosis in many organs, including scleroderma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Blocking the CD-47 signal reverses lung fibrosis in mice.
A Stanford-led study has developed a wearable sweat sensor that can diagnose cystic fibrosis and monitor diabetes, offering a non-invasive and real-time solution. The device collects sweat, measures its molecular constituents, and transmits the results electronically for analysis and diagnostics.
A study at Stanford University revealed that suppressing a specific protein in a mouse model of ALS extends the animal's lifespan. Researchers found that mice treated with a drug designed to block the production of this protein lived over 400 days, while untreated mice died within 29 days.
A recent survey found that half of women with breast cancer who undergo genetic testing do not have high-risk mutations. This highlights the need for genetic counselors to help patients and physicians understand genetic test results. Many physicians surveyed in the study stated they manage patients with uncertain significance in the sa...
A study by Stanford researchers identifies a near-global repressor protein, Myt1l, that works to block many cell fates but one. This discovery suggests the possibility of a network of master regulators specific to each cell type.
Stanford researchers discovered that accumulating monounsaturated fatty acids can extend the life span of roundworms. The finding suggests that this type of fat may be beneficial for life span, contrary to previous studies on caloric restriction which often show thinner animals to live longer.
Researchers have developed a new method to diagnose cancer using ultrasound and microbubbles that can identify malignant tumors with high accuracy. The technique has shown promise in distinguishing between benign and malignant breast and ovarian tumors, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries.
A Stanford Medicine study found that gun violence resulted in significant national medical costs, with the government bearing a large share of the burden. The study estimated total hospital costs for firearm-related injuries over a nine-year period and highlighted the need for fact-based research to inform health policy decisions.
A Stanford-led study analyzed over 3,000 meta analyses to identify the most common sources of scientific bias across 22 disciplines. Small studies consistently overestimate effect size, while factors like early career status and isolation from other researchers increase bias risk.
A new study found that an antibody targeting CD47 can effectively treat five types of pediatric brain cancer in mice, with no harm to healthy brain cells. The treatment, developed at Stanford, has shown promising results in preclinical trials and is expected to reach clinical trials in children with brain cancer in one to two years.
A Florida clinic's unproven stem cell treatment blinded three women with macular degeneration, causing vision loss and other complications. The treatment, which involved injecting fat cells into the eyes, lacked proper scientific design and oversight.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that a time-honored mnemonic method can be taught to people with no prior hint of prodigious memorization skills. The method, known as the 'method of loci,' induces patterns of activity within new trainees' brains that closely resemble those of memory athletes.
A combination of two cancer drugs has been found to inhibit both dengue and Ebola virus infections in mice, with efficacy also shown against West Nile and Zika viruses. The study identified a molecular mechanism by which the drugs disrupt RNA viruses' genetic material.
Scientists have successfully converted mouse alpha cells into insulin-producing beta cells by blocking the expression of two specific genes. The research suggests that this natural flexibility in cell fate may be exploited to develop a new therapeutic approach for Type 1 diabetes.