A simple blood test commonly used to screen adults for tuberculosis can predict which children infected with the TB bacteria are likely to progress to active disease. The test, known as QuantiFERON-TB assay, is a valuable predictor of severe TB in high-risk countries like South Africa.
Researchers developed a cardiac safety index to rank commonly used chemotherapy drugs based on their likelihood of causing lasting heart damage in patients. They found that some drugs known to be particularly dangerous had the lowest safety indices, while better-tolerated ones ranked higher.
A study found that many high-risk breast cancer patients are not recommended for genetic testing, despite being interested in it. The lack of testing puts doctors at risk of missing opportunities to prevent cancers in mutation carriers and their family members.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a cheap and reusable diagnostic 'lab on a chip' with the help of an ordinary inkjet printer. The technology has the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities around the world, especially in developing countries where access to early diagnostics is limited.
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Tokyo successfully transplanted functional mouse islets into diabetic mice, reversing their condition with minimal immunosuppression. The study suggests a potential approach to generate genetically matched human organs in large animals.
A study by Stanford researchers found that a systemic, whole-body immune response is essential for effectively attacking and eradicating tumors. The researchers used mass cytometry to monitor the physical attributes of individual cells in samples of millions or billions, revealing an increase in immune cells and regulatory T cells in s...
A new imaging technique allows researchers to visualize and monitor the behavior of immune cells used to treat cancer patients. The technique reveals whether T cells have found a tumor, how many T cells have arrived, and whether they are alive. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of why immunotherapy doesn't always work.
A Stanford-led study found that astrocytes, once thought to be supporting cells, can become toxic and destroy nerve cells, driving many neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery has profound implications for treating these diseases by blocking or countering the toxin secreted by harmful astrocytes.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine used wearable sensors to monitor health data from 60 participants, revealing patterns of deviation that correlate with specific health problems. The study demonstrated the potential for wearable devices to monitor illness before symptoms appear, making them a valuable tool in precision health.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that diabetes impairs the activity of bone stem cells, leading to impaired fracture healing. A newly identified protein stimulates the activity of skeletal stem cells, counteracting this decrease and promoting efficient fracture repair.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that a subgroup of glioblastoma patients with highly vascularized tumors benefited from anti-angiogenic therapies, living an average of one year longer than those without. The study highlights the importance of properly categorizing tumors to personalize treatment.
Researchers designed a new diagnostic tool that measures gene activity in skin samples to predict disease progression of autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis. The test, called the SSc Skin Severity Score, can distinguish between patients who are improving and those who are not 12 months after treatment begins.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine used optogenetics to show that inducing synchronized activity in a specific nerve tract within the thalamus is sufficient to cause seizures, while disrupting it can terminate them. This finding may lead to improved ways of reducing or preventing absence seizures in susceptible child...
A new Stanford study utilizes smartphones to collect data on individuals' physical activity patterns, heart rate, and other cardiovascular metrics. The study found that not just the amount of activity matters but also the pattern, with those who were active throughout the day reporting better levels of cardiovascular health.
A new blood test may provide a cheap and effective way for doctors to manage lung cancer by analyzing genetic profiles of tumor cells in patient blood samples. The test is safer, cheaper, faster, and more effective than alternative diagnostic approaches, costing less than $30.
Researchers identified two drug combinations that could improve survival rates for breast cancer patients, including anti-inflammatory and lipid modifiers. The study analyzed data from nearly 10,000 women with breast cancer and found three pairs of drug interactions associated with better outcomes.
A Stanford patient has become the first infant to receive an experimental drug that shows significant improvement in motor milestones and function. The drug, nusinersen, is being rapidly progressed through regulatory approval, with FDA approval expected within two months.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that stem cells can police themselves to reduce scarring by producing a truncated version of a protein. This discovery holds promise for treating muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy and promoting healthy aging.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a receptor that attracted a key cancer-causing molecule called Gas6, slowing the progression of pancreatic and ovarian cancer in mice. The 'decoy receptor' showed a higher ability to reduce or stop cancer growth than other treatments did.
A Stanford-led study identified 14 individuals in Sierra Leone who had Ebola antibodies but no symptoms, contradicting previous assumptions about the disease's severity. The research suggests that 25% of Ebola infections were minimally symptomatic, and public health efforts may not have been effective in containing the virus.
A recent study found structural differences between the sexes in one part of the insula, a brain region involved in emotion processing. This difference may help explain why girls are more likely to develop PTSD than boys after experiencing trauma. The findings suggest sex-specific treatments for traumatic stress and emotion dysregulation.
Researchers developed a DNA sequencing technique that can accurately identify lymphoma subtype, mutations, and predict prognosis. The method allows for real-time monitoring of tumor evolution and early warning systems, enabling personalized cancer treatment.
A large national study confirms high-intensity statins increase survival rates for people with cardiovascular disease, including those over 75. The study found a 9% increased chance of survival for patients on high-intensity statins compared to moderate-intensity treatments.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully repaired the gene causing sickle cell disease using CRISPR gene editing technology. The corrected human hematopoietic stem cells were then transplanted into mice and showed promise in producing functioning hemoglobin molecules.
A phase-1 clinical trial demonstrates that gene therapy can restore functional type-7 collagen protein expression and improve wound healing in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The treatment appears safe and well-tolerated, with improved outcomes for patients who had not healed for five years.
A study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that progressively shortening telomeres in heart muscle cells triggered a DNA damage response compromising mitochondrial function. This led to cardiomyopathy and death in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
Physicians can use strategies such as assessing illness acuity, depersonalizing the event, and validating the emotional experience to establish trust with families. The study found that immediate medical needs should be prioritized, and accommodating family requests may reinforce prejudicial thoughts.
Researchers mapped under-5 mortality rates across 28 African countries using data from 82 US Agency for International Development surveys. They found local-level factors like climate and malaria exposure were predictive of child mortality.
Researchers identify Adamts1 as a key regulator of fat cell differentiation, triggered by high-fat diets and stress hormones. The hormone's production affects fat storage in different parts of the body, with implications for obesity treatment.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that a diet deficient in the amino acid valine can effectively deplete blood stem cells in mice, allowing for successful transplantation. This finding may lead to new ways to treat certain cancers and bone marrow disorders without chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
A new retrospective study found that men with prostate cancer treated with testosterone-lowering drugs are twice as likely to develop dementia within five years as those whose testosterone levels are not tampered with. The study used deidentified records from Stanford Medicine's clinical-research data warehouse and aggregated several f...
A Stanford University School of Medicine study suggests that prion proteins can help yeast survive hard times and pass advantageous traits down to their offspring. The researchers found that protein-based inheritance is more widespread than previously believed and could play a role in evolution.
A team of Stanford University School of Medicine researchers discovered a critical defect that precedes the death of nerve cells in Parkinson's disease, impairing mitochondria function. This finding may lead to earlier diagnoses and new treatment approaches for the condition.
Stanford researchers have identified a key brain circuit that regulates both sleep-wake cycles and the reward system, providing potential new therapeutic avenues for insomnia and other disorders. The discovery sheds light on how dopamine plays a crucial role in these processes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that retinoic acid levels play a critical role in suppressing colorectal cancer. Higher levels of the metabolite were found in mice and human tissues with less severe intestinal inflammation, suggesting new ways to prevent or treat colorectal cancer.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that physicians provide inconsistent and varied advice on e-cigarettes to patients. The study analyzed over 500 online interactions between doctors and patients discussing e-cigarettes and identified significant knowledge gaps in the medical community.
A study by Stanford Medicine researchers found that many Egyptian women are still seeking doctors' advice on female genital cutting, a practice with severe health risks. Despite being illegal in Egypt, physicians are legitimizing the procedure, perpetuating the problem.
According to new guidelines, physicians and parents can ward off problems at both ends of the weight spectrum by avoiding focusing teens' attention on weight or dieting. Family meals protect against weight problems, while promoting a balanced diet and regular exercise can help teenagers develop a healthy body image.
Researchers created stem cell heart muscle cells that mirror the expression patterns of native heart tissue, enabling prediction of drug-related heart damage and development of personalized therapies. The study validates the use of these cells to test cardiotoxicity and devise new treatments for conditions like cardiomyopathy.
Researchers identified a novel compound with comparable painkilling power to morphine but without respiratory suppression. The new compound's potential is enhanced by early signs of reduced addiction potential in mouse studies.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine developed a machine-learning approach that accurately differentiates between two types of lung cancers and predicts patient survival times better than human pathologists. The method assesses critical disease-related features, including cell size, shape, and texture, to improve patient outcomes.
A new approach uses computational tools and machine learning to compare patients' genomes to existing gene databases, accelerating diagnosis in rare genetic diseases. Comparing patient genes to their parents' also helps identify new disease-causing mutations.
Researchers have devised a method to conduct blood stem cell transplantation without the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This technique uses antibodies to deplete blood-forming stem cells, allowing transplanted blood stem cells from a donor to take up residence in the bone marrow and generate a new immune system.
A Stanford-led study of nearly 50,000 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers between 2011 and 2014 found no significant increase in mortality among those carrying sickle cell trait, contradicting earlier assumptions.
Researchers identified three key brain regions involved in hypnosis, including decreased activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate and increased connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula. These changes may help understand how hypnosis affects perception and body control.
A recent study published in Neurology found that hormone therapy has a negligible impact on verbal memory and mental skills in postmenopausal women, with or without early treatment. The research suggests that healthy women at any stage after menopause should not take estrogen to improve their cognitive abilities.
Researchers identify CD47 protein in atherosclerotic plaques, which enables immune system to evade clearing dead cells, leading to plaque buildup and cardiovascular disease. Anti-CD47 antibodies show promise in preventing plaque formation and regression in mouse models.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have mapped out biological signals necessary to direct human embryonic stem cells to become pure populations of bone, heart muscle, and cartilage. The ability to generate these cell types quickly is a key step toward regenerative medicine.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that patients undergoing certain types of surgery are at increased risk of becoming chronic users of opioid painkillers. The study highlights the need for surgeons and physicians to closely monitor patients' use of opioids after surgery and use alternate methods of pain control.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully restored multiple key aspects of vision in mice by coaxing severed optic-nerve cables to regenerate and re-establish connections with the brain. This breakthrough could potentially lead to future work on restoring vision in blind people.