Researchers at Stanford University found that a larger amygdala and stronger connections with other brain regions are linked to higher anxiety levels in young children. The study provides new insights into the developmental origins of anxiety and could aid in early identification and treatment.
A Stanford study found that dilute bleach baths can impede skin damage caused by aging, excess sun exposure, or radiation therapy. The inexpensive chemical may provide a new way to treat radiation dermatitis, a common side effect of cancer treatment.
A new study by Stanford researchers reveals the genetic roots of Caribbean populations, shedding light on historical events such as European colonization and African immigration. The research uses a novel DNA analysis method to infer genetic ancestry at a fine geographic scale.
A Stanford-led study of pesticide exposure and hypospadias in male infants found only weak evidence of an association. The researchers analyzed thousands of birth records and commercial pesticide application records for eight counties in California's Central Valley, identifying 15 chemicals with possible associations with the condition.
Researchers show that mice injected with small dose of bee venom developed immunity to lethal dose, surviving three times longer than control mice. Protection depends on IgE signaling and mast cell activation, suggesting a positive evolutionary pressure for this type of defense.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a fast and efficient way to turn fat cells extracted from routine liposuction into liver cells. This method, which uses spherical culture, produces human liver-like cells that flourish inside mice bodies without signs of being tumorogenic.
Researchers collect first solid evidence of brain activity pattern similarity between experimental conditions and everyday conversation. The study's novel method allows for real-life brain monitoring, potentially enabling applications like communication devices for patients with strokes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a technique that induces egg growth in some infertile women, allowing five of them to produce viable eggs for in vitro fertilization. The successful pregnancy and birth represent a breakthrough for women with primary ovarian insufficiency, who often rely on egg donation.
A new study from Stanford researchers suggests that FDA-approved antidepressants may be effective in combating small-cell lung cancer, a particularly deadly form of the disease. The drugs activated a cellular self-destruct pathway that killed cancer cells, and further investigation showed they work through G-protein-coupled receptors.
Researchers discovered that beta-amyloid destroys synapses by binding to a receptor called PirB, leading to a cascade of biochemical activities. The study suggests that Alzheimer's disease starts to manifest long before plaque formation becomes evident, offering new hope for earlier treatments.
Stanford researchers have identified a molecular pathway involved in diabetes development and found an approved cancer drug that can regulate it. The drug, aflibercept, works by blocking the growth of blood vessels into tumors and starving them of oxygen, which has beneficial effects on blood glucose levels.
Defective stem cell regulation throughout the body may contribute to learning and physical disabilities in people with Down syndrome. Reducing the expression of the Usp16 gene on chromosome 21 alleviates these defects and raises the possibility of an eventual therapy.
Researchers found that oxytocin plays a unique role in one-on-one bonding, which likely evolved from an existing affinity for group living. The discovery has implications for neurological disorders like autism and suggests possible new treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions.
Researchers discovered a defect in microglia's internal recycling program, leading to faulty phagocytosis and accumulation of A-beta protein. This impairment may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease by allowing toxic substances to remain in the brain.
Researchers found that antibiotics create a nutrient surplus in the gut, allowing pathogens to establish themselves. The study suggests that friendly gut bacteria compete with pathogens for nutrients, and when this defense falters, harmful microorganisms can thrive.
Researchers developed a collagen patch that speeds up generation of new cells and blood vessels in damaged heart tissue, reducing tissue damage and improving cardiac function. The patch replaces the epicardium, the outer layer of heart tissue, allowing for growth of new tissue and improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
A Stanford study found that blocking an inflammation-producing molecular pathway reverses pulmonary hypertension in rats, suggesting a potential cure for the deadly disease. The research could also lead to better understanding of other inflammatory diseases.
Children with autism exhibit exceptional math skills compared to non-autistic peers, linked to altered patterns of brain activity in visual object processing areas. The study suggests that atypical brain development can lead to remarkable cognitive strengths, contradicting the idea that autism only brings deficits.
Patients who quit smoking through a simple intervention had better mental health outcomes and were less likely to be hospitalized again. The study challenges the long-held assumption that smoking serves as a useful tool in treating some psychiatric patients.
Salmonella bacteria can manipulate macrophages to switch from an inflammatory to anti-inflammatory state, promoting chronic asymptomatic carriage of typhoid fever. This mechanism could lead to new treatments for typhoid fever, a disease that causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that a virtual adviser, named Carmen, significantly increased walking among older Latino adults with low literacy levels. The participants who received personalized feedback and encouragement from Carmen showed an eight-fold increase in walking compared to the control group.
Researchers develop bioengineered peptide to distinguish tumors from healthy tissue, demonstrating promising results in imaging medulloblastomas in lab mice. The new approach offers real-time imaging and potential for targeted drug delivery to cranial tumors.
Researchers have established that two individuals, Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromosomal Adam, shared a similar timeline for their existence, with estimates suggesting they overlapped between 120,000 to 156,000 years ago.
Despite claims of their existence, Stanford researchers failed to identify pluripotent 'embryonic-like' cells in the bone marrow of adult mice. The study's findings contradict previous research and highlight the need for rigorous validation of scientific results.
A study by Stanford researchers found that genetic testing improved student learning in a personalized medicine class. Students who had their genome tested as part of the course showed a 31% increase in knowledge compared to those who didn't undergo testing.
A new study from an international team of researchers found that only eight out of 160 meta-analyses of potential neurological treatments yielded statistically significant, unbiased data. The study highlights the need for more stringent requirements to assess animal studies before testing treatments in human patients.
A new technique developed by Stanford researchers allows for the tracking of mesenchymal stem cells after transplantation, giving surgeons a better sense of whether the procedure was successful. The approach uses an FDA-approved iron supplement to label the cells, alleviating risks associated with standard labeling methods.
A Stanford-led study reveals that mammals can manipulate sex ratios of their offspring to produce extra grandchildren. Females and grandmothers strategically choose sons over daughters to increase reproductive success.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a mouse model that accurately mimics the course of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans. The study demonstrates a molecular basis for the cardiac defect and provides evidence for a potential treatment to prolong heart function.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that a formoterol, an asthma medication, strengthens nerve connections in the hippocampus and improves contextual learning in mice with Down syndrome. The study provides initial proof-of-concept for targeting beta-2 adrenergic receptors as a potential treatment strategy.
A study by Stanford researchers found that loud blasts can cause damage to the cochlea's hair cells and nerve cells, leading to permanent hearing loss. The researchers believe that treating the ear with certain medications after exposure to loud blasts may limit the damage.
Researchers have identified unique patterns of chemical marks on histones that distinguish quiescent from active stem cells in muscles of young mice. These findings suggest that stem cells may be more versatile than previously thought, with the potential to become different types of tissue entirely.
A clinical trial of a DNA vaccine has delivered promising results, suggesting that it may selectively counter the immune response that causes Type 1 diabetes. The vaccine reduced levels of immune cells believed responsible for the disease and maintained insulin production levels in patients.
A Stanford-led study found that men diagnosed with azoospermia have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer than the general population. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,200 infertile men, found that azoospermic men were nearly three times more likely to receive a cancer diagnosis than non-azoospermic men.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that brain regions tailored to respond to voices are poorly connected to reward-processing circuits in children with high-functioning autism. This weakness may impede their ability to experience speech as pleasurable, contributing to communication deficits.
A Stanford/Packard study found that a short self-defense course can dramatically reduce the vulnerability of adolescent girls to sexual assault in Kenya. The 12-hour training program taught verbal and physical self-defense techniques, resulting in a significant decrease in rape cases among participants.
Researchers found DBI calms key brain rhythms and could be valuable for developing novel therapies for epilepsy, anxiety, and sleep disorders. DBI binds to GABA receptors, enhancing inhibition, and its actions are tightly controlled to occur only in specific brain areas.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified mutations in genes that encode chromatin regulators, which may contribute to the development of sporadic ALS. The study found 25 de novo mutations, including five in chromatin regulatory proteins, which could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers found that Africans develop type-2 diabetes through increased insulin resistance, while East Asians develop it through lower insulin-secretion ability. This understanding could lead to more targeted therapies for the disease.
African clawed frogs in California are found to carry a deadly fungal infection that has led to the decline or extinction of some 200 amphibian species worldwide. The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatis, is transmitted through water and can cause skin thickening, electrolyte imbalance, and brain swelling.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a new technique to visualize cell interactions in living mice, pinpointing metastatic cancer cells' locations after breaking off from initial tumor sites. The method uses light-emitting proteins and has potential applications in studying various cell interactions.
A Stanford study reveals that a protein complex called BAF may play a crucial role in preventing many forms of cancer. The complex, which affects DNA packaging in cells, works to suppress tumor development in various tissues.
Researchers found that if 90% of seriously injured patients survive with ground transport, 91.6 need to survive with helicopter transport for it to be considered cost-effective. The study aims to reduce uncertainty about the factors driving the use of critical care resources.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have created a mouse model where degenerating muscle tissue gives off visible light, enabling precise monitoring of disease progression. This technique paves the way for quicker and more accurate assessment of therapeutic drugs.
A new method to predict which patients with heart disease benefit more from surgery versus angioplasty has been developed by Stanford researchers. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, found that individual characteristics such as gender, age, and diabetes history significantly impact the effectiveness of these procedures.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that focusing on changing both diet and exercise simultaneously gives a bigger boost than tackling them sequentially. Participants who started with both diet and exercise habits at the same time were more likely to meet national guidelines for exercise and nutrition.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine found that using anesthesia during the external cephalic version procedure can increase the likelihood of successful breech baby turns, resulting in fewer cesarean sections. This leads to cost savings for women and their families.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully transformed skin cells directly into oligodendrocyte precursor cells, which can insulate neurons. This breakthrough could lead to cell therapies for diseases like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found a consistent pattern of activity across individuals in several brain structures, including those involved in movement planning, memory, and attention. The study suggests that higher-level centers direct subcortical auditory structures to respond preferentially to music.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a process called CLARITY that renders mouse brains transparent, enabling 3D imaging and molecular analysis. This breakthrough technology allows scientists to study the brain's complex structures without sectioning or damaging the tissue.