Researchers sequenced 91 human sperm from one man, revealing the whole-genome sequence and degree of genetic mixing, with implications for studying cancer, infertility, and other disorders. The study provides a detailed view of recombination in individual sperm, allowing for diagnosis and detection of potential problems.
The Gene Expression Commons enables researchers to see the whole picture of gene expression in a sample, overcoming limitations of DNA microarray technology. By analyzing collections of thousands of publicly available DNA microarray experiments, scientists can compare absolute levels of expression among many genes in each cell type.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a novel molecular mechanism responsible for anhedonia, the loss of pleasure in major depression. The study's findings suggest that targeting a hormone known to affect appetite may be a promising approach to treating depression.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that community health center physicians performed as well as their private practice colleagues in 13 of 18 measures. Community health center physicians followed recommendations a higher percent of the time for certain conditions, such as congestive heart failure...
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully sequenced a fetus's genome using only a maternal blood sample. The new approach, published in Nature, has significant implications for prenatal diagnosis and could bring genetic testing one step closer to routine clinical use.
A Stanford-led study found that short-term stress stimulates immune activity, mobilizing key cells to fight infections and wounds. The research offers hope for developing new treatments to improve recovery from surgery or vaccines.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study has found that genetics significantly impact the severity of opiate side effects, such as nausea and respiratory depression. The research also suggests that genetic variations can influence an individual's risk of addiction to these powerful painkillers.
A Stanford University Medical Center study found that minimally invasive weight-loss surgery is safer and more effective than open surgery, with lower mortality rates, complication rates, and hospital stays. The study examined 156,271 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass cases and confirmed the superiority of minimally invasive techniques.
The proposal to test female athletes' testosterone levels for competition eligibility raises concerns about fairness, discrimination, and the reliability of such tests. Stanford scientists argue that there is insufficient evidence to set a benchmark for normal testosterone levels in elite female athletes.
Researchers found that ApoE4 gene variant affects brain function in healthy older women, causing changes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, but has little impact on men. The study suggests a gender distinction in Alzheimer's risk, with implications for risk assessment and experimental avenues for understanding the disease.
A Stanford researcher discovered that certain human embryonic stem cells produce molecules that benefit themselves and nearby cells during stress, exhibiting 'altruistic' behavior. This unique trait is linked to an increase in p53 protein fluctuations, enabling some stem cells to maintain their stemness and secrete antioxidant glutathi...
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that vismodegib is effective in treating basal cell carcinoma, a common cancer caused by sun exposure. Researchers found that patients with Gorlin syndrome who took vismodegib developed an average of two new tumors per year, compared to 29 in those taking placebo.
A new study by Stanford and USC researchers found no significant difference in overall mental abilities between postmenopausal women who took soy supplements and those who didn't. The 2.5-year study also showed a potential gain in visual memory for women taking the supplements, but emphasized the need for further research.
A Stanford study found that an antioxidant supplement, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), lowered irritability in children with autism and reduced repetitive behaviors. The researchers believe NAC could be a valuable tool to treat certain features of autism, but further trials are needed.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method to repeatedly encode, store and erase digital data within the DNA of living cells. This breakthrough enables the creation of a binary digit equivalent to a 'bit' in data parlance.
A new study by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers found that the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) contributed to a significant decline in adult death rates from all causes in Africa. The program saved over 740,000 lives between 2004 and 2008 in nine countries targeted by PEPFAR.
Research finds that sleepwalking is more prevalent among US adults than previously thought, affecting up to 8.4 million people. The study also shows an association between nocturnal wanderings and certain psychiatric disorders.
A new retinal prosthesis uses tiny solar-panel-like cells and near-infrared light to stimulate photoreceptor cells and activate neurons in the retina. This device aims to help people suffering from retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
A new Stanford study reveals that the cells sloughed off from a cancerous tumor into the bloodstream are genetically diverse and may require different treatments. The research found that these cells can express genes that predict their response to therapy, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study has identified a homegrown genetic variant responsible for naturally blond hair in the indigenous people of the Solomon Islands, distinct from European genes. The research found that the gene variant accounted for 50% of the variance in hair color among the islanders.
Two Stanford University professors propose a new approach to teaching that replaces traditional lectures with short online videos, allowing students to learn at their own pace. The flipped-classroom model has shown promising results in improving student reviews and class attendance.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found that anxious mice developed more severe cancer than calm counterparts, with accelerated tumor growth and invasive cancer. The researchers discovered that anxiety is linked to increased levels of immune-suppressing cells and a dampened immune system.
A Stanford study suggests a potential treatment for stroke by increasing the generation of new nerve cells in the brain. The compound, LM22A-4, was administered three days after a stroke and showed faster recovery of athletic ability in mice. This approach may be a more accessible alternative to stem-cell therapy.
Researchers created lab-made heart cells from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, exhibiting abnormal structure and response to calcium signals. The cells responded to beta blocker treatment and gene therapy approach, offering potential for improving drug screening and saving lives.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that socioeconomic and environmental variables are more effective than race or geography in predicting premature mortality. The researchers identified 22 key factors, including education, income, and job, which account for most of the differences between racial and ethnic groups.
A daily pill to prevent HIV infection is cost-effective for men at high risk of acquiring the virus, according to a Stanford University study. The researchers found that targeted use of the drug in this population could save $495 billion over 20 years compared to widespread use.
Researchers at Stanford University developed nanoparticles that can be imaged three ways at once and highlighted brain tumors, precisely delineating their boundaries. The technique could improve prognosis for patients with glioblastomas, the most aggressive form of brain tumor.
Researchers have identified 32 previously unidentified genetic regions associated with osteoporosis and fracture, suggesting the combined contributions of dozens of genes. The study also highlights the complexity of the genetic architecture of disease and the need for larger studies to identify genes important in disease.
Researchers used public databases to find a novel gene associated with type-2 diabetes, which shows increased activity in fat tissue. The findings suggest that CD44, a cell-surface receptor, plays a major causal role in the disease's development.
A Stanford study reveals that an invasive heart test is being dramatically overused, particularly among patients who recently underwent similar tests. The study found that the procedure, left ventriculography, was performed as an add-on during coronary angiograms at a rate of 81.8% in some cases, despite less-invasive methods available.
A new study by Stanford researcher Joseph Garner found that providing laboratory mice with nesting material allows them to naturally regulate their temperatures and builds cozy nests. This results in mice being physiologically comparable to humans, potentially leading to more meaningful research outcomes.
Stanford researchers found a disconnect between reported cardiac toxicities in journal articles and FDA labeling for sunitinib, a kidney cancer treatment. The authors argue that the current method of measuring adverse events is inadequate, leading to under-reporting of side effects.
A Stanford study shows a single antibody can shrink human tumors in mice by blocking a protein flag on cancer cells. The treatment achieved dramatic responses in various types of cancers, including breast, ovarian, colon, bladder, and prostate cancers.
Researchers found that removing specific molecules can improve recovery from induced strokes in mice, even days after the event. The treatment may work as a long-term solution for patients who cannot receive current stroke treatment tPA.
A Stanford imaging study found that children with math anxiety show increased activity in fear centers and decreased activity in problem-solving regions of the brain. This suggests that math-specific fear interferes with the brain's information-processing capacity and ability to reason through math problems.
A new study led by Stanford researchers found that ibuprofen significantly reduced the incidence of altitude sickness in a double-blind trial. Ibuprofen reduced symptoms by 26% and was found to be more attractive than other medications, such as acetazolamide, due to its safety profile.
Researchers have developed a mutated version of the IL-2 protein that enhances its anti-cancer efficacy while reducing severe side effects. The new molecule, dubbed Super-2, has been shown to outperform natural IL-2 in slowing tumor growth and minimizing pulmonary edema.
A Stanford researcher used an integrative 'omics' profile to discover and track his own type-2 diabetes onset, demonstrating the potential of personalized medicine. By analyzing his DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, and immune system responses, he was able to identify the disease early and make lifestyle changes to prevent further damage.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a computer algorithm to quickly identify true drug side effects and interactions from millions of patient reports. The method, which includes a list of dozens of prominent drug interactions, has been tested on patients' electronic health records and confirmed accurate.
A new medical sensor has the potential to simplify disease diagnosis by measuring white blood cells in small samples. The sensor could be used to diagnose conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency, allergies, infections, and cancer.
A new phase-3 trial confirms that ruxolitinib reduces spleen volume and alleviates symptoms in patients with intermediate or advanced myelofibrosis. The study, led by Stanford Medicine, found significant improvements in patients taking the drug compared to those on placebo.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that common baker's yeast has engaged in promiscuous mating in fermentation vats, leading to a genetic mash-up. This unexpected behavior affects the flavor of wine and makes tracing lineage difficult.
Two tiny molecules, miR-21 and miR-29b, have been found to strengthen the aorta during bulge growth, reducing abdominal aortic aneurysms in mice. The team believes this could lead to a new treatment for the disease.
A computer model used by researchers at Stanford University found that new triple-therapies for genotype-1 hepatitis C are cost-effective for patients with advanced disease. The treatment options have more severe side effects and boost costs, but help these patients avoid costly cancers and liver transplants.
Researchers found that variation in the level of expression of a gene called CMG2 affects the success of the anthrax toxin in gaining entry into human cells. The study highlights the importance of host genetics in determining individual susceptibility to pathogens like anthrax, HIV, and malaria.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully converted mouse skin cells into neural precursor cells with high efficiency. This breakthrough could potentially refute the need for pluripotency and offer a more direct way to generate specific cell types for therapy or research.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study analyzing electronic medical records found that women report more intense pain than men across virtually every disease category. The researchers identified significant differences in pain intensity for conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraine, acute sinusitis, and cervical spine disorders.
A major public health campaign is needed to address the epidemic of unnecessary suffering caused by acute and chronic pain in the US. The need for improved education, particularly among physicians, is highlighted as a key challenge.
Researchers at Stanford University have used a computer algorithm to find markers that predict how deadly bladder cancer will be, offering faster and more accurate analysis of cancer risk. The test can be performed by someone with little training and may help identify patients with the most aggressive subtype before it becomes invasive.
A Stanford study found that a well-known protein complex controls DNA expression and prevents pancreatic cancer. The researchers discovered genetic changes in the protein complex were present in nearly a third of human pancreatic cancers, suggesting its role in tumor suppression.