A new procedure can increase the length of human telomeres by up to 1,000 nucleotides, allowing researchers to generate large numbers of cells for study or drug development. This breakthrough may lead to new ways to treat diseases caused by shortened telomeres.
A Stanford University School of Medicine investigation found that the environment, rather than genetics, influences the state of the human immune system. The study compared monozygotic and dizygotic twins to determine the relative contributions of nature and nurture to immune variation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a stem cell in mice that gives rise to bone, cartilage and stroma. The discovery sets the stage for therapies for skeletal disorders such as bone fractures, brittle bones, and damaged cartilage.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a modified version of an aminoglycoside that works effectively in mice without causing deafness or kidney damage. The new antibiotic, N1MS, was created by modifying the drug molecule to prevent it from entering the inner-ear cell's ion channels.
Researchers have developed a safe and effective skin patch to deliver a drug that enhances the healing of diabetes-related ulcers. The patch has been shown to accelerate wound healing and prevent ulcer formation in mice, offering new hope for millions of people with diabetes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that faulty stem cells surrounding muscle fibers are responsible for the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A drug called losartan has been shown to inhibit fibrosis and partially restore muscle function in laboratory mice, offering new hope for potential treatments.
A study of 9,387 men with fertility issues found a correlation between poor semen quality and various health conditions, including hypertension and skin/endocrine disorders. The study suggests that treating male infertility may also benefit overall health.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that blocking a single molecule on microglia restored their function, reversing memory loss and other Alzheimer's-like features in mice. The study suggests that microglia play a crucial role in clearing A-beta protein clusters, which contribute to the disease's progression.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating epidermolysis bullosa by using induced pluripotent stem cells to grow back healthy skin cells. The new technique, called therapeutic reprogramming, was tested on mice and showed promising results.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered an enzyme that repairs damaged DNA but can also cause destruction. The study found that endonucleases, which are attracted to DNA/RNA hybrids, cut the DNA and damage it when present.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine and colleagues have discovered a previously unknown immune response to the mitochondria of pluripotent stem cells created through nuclear transfer, which can prompt rejection in mice. This finding may pose a hurdle for using such therapies in humans, but it is considered surmountable.
The study, Mouse ENCODE, compared mouse and human genome regulatory elements to understand similarities and differences in gene control. Researchers found that the general principles of gene regulation are similar but with distinct details between species.
Researchers used big data analysis to identify crizotinib, a cancer drug, as a possible candidate for a new stent coating. The medication helped prevent stent disease and protected the endothelium without affecting blood vessel lining in mice.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers reveals that the protein retinoblastoma, a known tumor suppressor, also inhibits the vital property of pluripotency in stem cells. This finding provides a direct molecular link between cancer and stem cell science.
A new study found that child-mortality rates declined the fastest among the poorest families in developing countries, resulting in a narrowing gap between wealth groups. The study also identified four factors contributing to this convergence: government effectiveness, rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
A Stanford/VA study found that pregnant women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely. The study analyzed over 16,000 births to female veterans and found that having PTSD in the year before delivery increased the risk by 35 percent.
A new method predicts AMD progression on a personalized basis by analyzing imaging data from routine retinal scans. The formula distinguishes likely from unlikely progressors by analyzing patient data collected by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found a direct link between oxytocin levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid and anxiety. Low oxytocin levels are correlated with high anxiety scores, suggesting that oxytocin may be a biomarker for anxiety and a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers at Stanford University have found that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome exhibit distinct brain abnormalities, including reduced white-matter content and abnormal nerve tract function. The findings may lead to more definitive diagnoses and potentially identify new treatment targets.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have devised a new way to edit the genome without using enzymes or promoters, which may lead to a safer and longer-lasting treatment for genetic diseases like hemophilia. The technique successfully cured mice with hemophilia by inserting a gene for a clotting factor missing in the animals.
Researchers developed a new strategy to detect bladder cancer using CD47, a protein that signals the immune system not to attack. The technique improves bladder cancer detection, guides precise surgery, and reduces unnecessary biopsies, increasing patients' quality of life.
Parents can learn scientifically validated autism therapy through group classes, improving their children's language skills and reducing stress. The treatment involves rewarding the child for trying to talk, with benefits including improved happiness and a sense of community.
A study by Stanford researchers found that medical practices in less competitive health-care markets charge more for services. The study analyzed U.S. health-care data from 2010 and found that areas with lower competition had higher prices for office visits, translating to tens of billions of dollars in extra spending.
Researchers found that antibiotics can exacerbate Salmonella infection in mice, turning non-superspreaders into superspreaders. The study highlights concerns about the routine use of sub-therapeutic doses of antibiotics in livestock.
Researchers found that treating inmates with sofosbuvir is cost-effective compared to other treatments approved by the FDA. The study suggests that the treatment can add up to 2.1 quality-adjusted life years and save healthcare programs from paying out more in the future.
Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells to compare heart muscle cell survival decisions in people with and without a genetic mutation. They found that the mutation affects heart health by controlling cell survival during stress, and identified a protein involved in programmed cell death.
Two family-based therapies are found to be effective in treating anorexia nervosa in teenagers, with one approach producing faster weight gain and lower hospitalization rates. The study suggests that involving parents in treatment can lead to improved outcomes for adolescents struggling with the life-threatening eating disorder.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that immune cell activity within the first 24 hours after surgery can predict a patient's recovery time. The researchers used single-cell mass cytometry to analyze blood samples from patients undergoing hip-replacement procedures, revealing a unique pattern of immune response.
A new study found that pregnant women's immune cells produce more cytokines and chemokines when exposed to flu viruses, leading to a hyperinflammatory response. This unexpected finding highlights the need for new treatment approaches for severe influenza in pregnancy.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that re-analysis of clinical trial data can change conclusions, particularly when data is not shared. The study identified 37 published re-analyses, with 13 concluding that different patient populations or treatment protocols could benefit from the tested medication.
A genetic mutation caused by ultraviolet light is linked to millions of human skin cancers, according to Stanford researchers. The mutation occurs in the KNSTRN gene and can cause genomic catastrophe, leading to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.
A large study found that breast cancer patients with bilateral mastectomy did not have better survival rates than those who underwent lumpectomy plus radiation. The study analyzed nearly 190,000 California women and found a slightly lower survival rate among those who had unilateral mastectomy.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have mapped the binding sites and cellular expression patterns of regulatory factors in fruit flies, roundworms, and humans. The study identifies shared and distinct patterns across species, shedding light on how genes are turned on and off.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a non-addictive and safe-for-the-heart compound called Alda-1 that reduces inflammatory pain. The compound was found while searching for the reason behind moderate drinkers' less-severe heart attacks.
Stanford researchers found that targeted brain stimulation using optogenetics significantly improved motor ability and weight regain in mice affected by strokes. The study's findings have potential implications for developing new clinical therapies for stroke recovery, including the placement of electrical brain-stimulating devices.
A new study from Stanford Medicine explains how children's brains reorganize themselves as they learn math facts. The research found that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in building a schema for mathematical knowledge and provides a scaffold for learning and consolidating facts into long-term memory.
A study published by a Stanford researcher found that poor sleep quality significantly increases the risk of suicide among older adults. The study, which analyzed data from 14,456 adults aged 65 and older, confirmed that disrupted sleep is an independent risk factor for late-life suicide.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that the protein Myc drives cell growth by blocking the expression of genes involved in DNA packaging and cell death. The study identifies critical genes regulated by Myc and a microRNA family, offering new therapeutic targets for Myc-dependent cancers.
Researchers found that digoxin increases the risk of death in patients with atrial fibrillation, regardless of age or other factors. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests alternative treatments may be safer and more effective.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure insulin levels in fruit flies with high sensitivity and reproducibility. This breakthrough is expected to transform the field of diabetes research by bringing the power of fruit fly genetics to bear on the devastating condition, enabling rapid testing of diabetes risk factors.
A new study from Stanford Medicine found that blood-oxytocin levels are within the normal range in children with autism. The researchers discovered that higher oxytocin levels are linked to better social functioning in all groups, including those with autism, their siblings, and unrelated children.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified a link between the tumor-suppressive protein p53 and the rare developmental disorder CHARGE syndrome. The study found that p53 plays a crucial role in regulating cellular growth, and mutations in the gene can lead to CHARGE symptoms.
Children with autism have a relatively inflexible brain at switching from rest to task performance, leading to increased restrictive and repetitive behaviors. The study found that autistic brains showed reduced connectivity in key networks compared to typically developing peers.
A portable, microchip-based test can diagnose type-1 diabetes outside hospital settings, distinguishing it from type-2 diabetes. The test uses nanotechnology to detect auto-antibodies in the blood, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution for patients and researchers.
A new study of nearly 1 million California births found that women who are obese before becoming pregnant face an increased risk of delivering a very premature baby. The risk was highest at the earliest gestational ages and for non-Hispanic, white first-time mothers in the most obese category.
Researchers used optogenetics to manipulate activity in a particular brain circuit, linking it to increased social interaction and decreased interest in strangers. The findings may shed light on psychiatric disorders marked by impaired social interaction, such as autism and schizophrenia.
A new study suggests that blocking endocannabinoids, the brain's internal versions of marijuana's psychoactive chemicals, may trigger early Alzheimer's deficits. A-beta, a substance strongly suspected to play a key role in Alzheimer's, impairs learning and memory by blocking endocannabinoids' beneficial action in the brain.
A new noninvasive blood test detects increasing amounts of donor DNA in the recipient's blood, identifying heart-transplant rejection weeks or months earlier than biopsy. The test outperforms existing methods, including AlloMap, with higher accuracy and potential to revolutionize patient care.
A comprehensive analysis of Mexico's genomic diversity identified a dazzling mosaic of genotypes and population substructures across the country. The researchers found that variations in Native American ancestry significantly affect biomedical traits like lung function.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine discovered a single nucleotide change in human DNA that affects the expression of a key protein involved in hair color. This subtle change in gene expression can have significant impacts on an individual's hair color, with blonde hair resulting from increased KITLG expression in hair follicles.