Researchers at Stanford Medicine have shown that iPS cells can mirror the defining defects of Marfan syndrome as well as embryonic stem cells. This study advances the credibility of induced pluripotent stem cells for modeling human diseases and offers an ethically uncomplicated alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the molecular pathway through which physical force contributes to scarring in mice. They found that blocking this enzyme can reduce inflammation and fibrosis, offering a potential new approach for treating fibrotic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid a...
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered a pathway that reveals how podocytes, specialized epithelial cells in the kidney, can regenerate and renew themselves during normal kidney function. This finding could lead to the development of therapies to treat people with chronic kidney disease.
Researchers studied hematopoietic stem cells in healthy young and elderly individuals, finding that older stem cells produce fewer lymphocytes and more myeloid cells. This bias may lead to inadequate immune responses and increased risk of blood cancers.
Researchers found a gene mutation causing calcium channels to be defective, leading to impaired neuronal communication and development. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to grow brain-like spheres from skin cells of patients with Timothy syndrome, which showed abnormalities in calcium levels and gene expression.
A new mathematical model developed by Stanford University scientists can help guide attempts to improve blood-based tumor detection methods. The model predicts that tumors can grow for 10 years or longer before detection using current blood tests, but may allow early detection within a shorter timeframe with the right biomarker.
A new diagnostic test for coronary artery disease is associated with a higher rate of subsequent invasive cardiac procedures and higher health-care spending. The study found that patients who underwent coronary CT angiography were nearly twice as likely to have a subsequent cardiac catheterization as those who had a stress test.
A Stanford team developed a machine-learning-based method called Computational Pathologist (C-Path) to analyze breast cancer microscopic images, outperforming human evaluations. The model assesses 6,642 cellular factors and identifies structural features that matter in predicting patient survival.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study reveals that osteoarthritis is driven by low-grade inflammatory processes. The researchers found that inflammation sets in motion a chain of molecular events that escalates into an attack on the damaged joint, leading to its progression.
A Stanford study found that Caucasians who avoid sun exposure have lower blood levels of vitamin D, with a 40% prevalence among all participants increasing to 53% and 56% among those wearing long sleeves and staying in the shade. The use of sunscreen did not significantly affect vitamin D levels due to insufficient application.
A Stanford study found that nitroglycerin's continuous use can lead to increased heart attack severity in rats. Treatment with Alda-1 enzyme activator reduced the detrimental effects of prolonged nitroglycerin use.
Researchers found that women related to a patient with a hereditary breast cancer mutation but without the mutation themselves have no increased risk. The study settles a controversy and supports current practice guidelines advising non-carriers on no additional risk attributable to their family-specific BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
Researchers found a significant association between a specific gene variation and accelerated decline in intellectual function with aging. The 'met' version of the BDNF gene was linked to steeper declines in flight simulator scores and smaller hippocampi, a critical brain region for memory and spatial reasoning.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that modifying proteins in a laboratory roundworm increases the life span of both the original animal and its descendants, even when the modification is no longer present. This suggests that longevity can be inherited in a non-genetic manner over several generations.
A Stanford study found that family members of gastric-bypass patients lost an average of 8 pounds, adopted healthier habits, and increased physical activity. The 'halo effect' was observed, where accompanying the patient to pre- and post-operative visits led to significant weight loss and behavioral changes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a key molecular pathway responsible for the decrease in insulin-producing cells with age. Activating this pathway may lead to a new treatment for diabetes, and recent studies have shown promising results in mice.
A new study by Stanford researchers suggests that a novel mathematical formula can predict the success of certain cancer therapies by tracking the rate of tumor response during the first weeks of treatment. The formula, which uses advanced high-school-level math, identifies oncogene addiction in cancers, allowing for targeted therapies...
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel protocol that allows kidney-transplant recipients to avoid immune-suppressing drugs without compromising the health of their new kidney. The treatment involves combining targeted radiation with stem cells from the donor's blood, resulting in a successful outcome for eight patien...
A new study from Stanford University reveals that North American babies infected with toxoplasmosis in the womb are more likely to suffer severe complications, including brain calcifications, hydrocephalus, and eye disease. The study suggests that a lack of prenatal screening and treatment may be contributing to these outcomes.
A new Stanford University study found that the overall quality of a pregnant woman's diet is linked to a lower risk of two types of serious birth defects. Women who ate better before and during pregnancy had fewer infants with brain and spinal cord malformations or orofacial clefts, such as cleft lip and palate.
A Stanford study on cox-2 inhibitors may lead to new stroke treatments by increasing blood flow and enhancing recovery. The research also sheds light on why some drugs failed to live up to their promise, revealing that blocking a specific receptor can be beneficial.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new technique that allows them to pinpoint the exact DNA sequences and locations bound by regulatory RNAs. The study reveals the intricate world of gene expression and how RNA molecules control neighboring and distant genes.
Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activation patterns of poor readers with and without low IQs. Both groups showed reduced activations in left inferior parietal lobule and fusiform gyrus, indicating impaired phonological processing. This study provides biological evidence against using IQ to diagnose dyslexia.
A large study led by Stanford urologist Michael Eisenberg found that childless men are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than fathers. The study tracked over 135,000 male members and found a 17% increase in mortality risk among childless men compared to fathers.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a unique gene fusion in ovarian cancer that could enable early detection and targeted therapies. The fusion, involving genes ESRRA and C11orf20, was found in 15% of aggressive ovarian cancer cases.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have engineered human heart cells that respond to light, using optogenetics. These light-sensitive cells could lead to a new class of pacemakers and genetically matched replacement heart cells, potentially replacing traditional electrical pacemakers and addressing tissue rejection issues.
The study improves computational tools for medical interpretation of genomes, enabling disease-risk prediction and personalized medication responses. The research involves a four-person family with a history of blood clotting, allowing for the identification of genetic variants associated with health risks.
Researchers have developed a diagnostic tool that uses brain activity patterns to give an objective physiologic assessment of pain, accurately predicting thermal pain in healthy subjects 81% of the time. The study aims to improve detection and treatment of chronic pain.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that only 33.3% of medical schools spent any time on LGBT health-related content during clinical training, despite the unique health risks faced by these patients. Almost all medical students are being taught to ask about sexual history, but the conversation needs to go deeper.
A new study by Stanford Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital uses a novel method to analyze brain-scan data, distinguishing children with autism from typically developing children. The findings show that gray matter in social communication and self-related brain regions has a distinct organization in people with autism.
Researchers found that substances in old mice's blood inhibit new nerve cell generation and impair cognitive function in young brains. Eotaxin, a protein attracting immune cells to areas where it has been secreted, was identified as a key factor contributing to aging-related changes.
A Stanford team cataloged the bacterial genome's essential elements, revealing 12% crucial for survival. The researchers used an efficient new method to map the genome and identify 480 protein-coding genes, 402 promoter regions, and 130 non-coding segments of unknown function.
Researchers at Stanford and UCSF have developed a novel method to grow large volumes of modified malaria parasites that no longer cause the disease, revealing how the parasite's survival depends on isopentenyl pyrophosphate. This breakthrough could speed up drug development and provide a basis for an effective vaccine against malaria.
A team of Stanford researchers has developed a sutureless method for joining blood vessels, which appears to be faster, safer, and easier than traditional suturing. The new technique uses a poloxamer gel and bioadhesive to reconnect severed blood vessels without causing inflammation or scarring.
Researchers found that interbreeding with archaic humans introduced beneficial variants of immune system genes, such as HLA-B*73, into modern human populations. These gene variants are now more common in West Asian and East Asian populations, where they provide an advantage to modern human fitness.
Researchers identified a brain-circuit defect that triggers absence seizures, the most common form of childhood epilepsy. The study showed defective signaling between the cerebral cortex and thalamus can produce absence seizures in experimental mice.
A new Stanford study found a significant correlation between narcolepsy onset and seasonal H1N1 infections, suggesting that getting vaccinated may provide protection. The study of over 900 patients in China revealed a five-to-seven month delay between flu/cold outbreaks and narcolepsy cases, with the disease most frequent in April.
Researchers used an 'opposites attract' algorithm to match drugs with diseases, finding potential benefits for lung cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Preclinical tests confirmed the effectiveness of two existing drugs in treating these conditions.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a way to remove pluripotent human embryonic stem cells from their progeny before transplanted into patients. The technique uses antibodies to recognize and bind to only pluripotent cells, eliminating the risk of teratomas.
Researchers have discovered a compound that attacks cancer cells by depriving them of glucose, a process found in most rapidly dividing cells. The team tested the compound on kidney cancer cells and found it nearly halved glucose uptake and slowed tumor growth, with minimal side effects.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that low blood pressure during dialysis significantly increases the risk of blood clotting at vascular access points. Researchers discovered that patients who experienced frequent episodes of low blood pressure were twice as likely to develop a clotted ...
Researchers analyzed golf swings of 10 professionals and 5 amateurs, finding consistent rotational-biomechanic elements among pros. Key findings include highly consistent peak X-factor and free moment, essential to power generation in professional golfers.
Scientists use optogenetics to induce social-behavior deficits in mice resembling those seen in people with autism and schizophrenia. The findings lend credence to a hypothesis that an altered balance between excitatory and inhibitory nerve cells may contribute to the development of these disorders.
Researchers used optogenetics to fragment sleep in mice, finding that minimal uninterrupted sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. The study suggests that compromised sleep continuity, such as in sleep disorders like apnea, may contribute to memory impairments.
Researchers found that alpha-B-crystallin reduces brain lesion size and inflammation in mice after a stroke, even when administered 12 hours post-event. The protein acts as a brake on the immune system, lowering levels of inflammatory molecules.
Researchers found that testing every new colon cancer patient for Lynch syndrome can reduce cancer deaths at a reasonable cost. Testing multiple family members after the initial diagnosis is crucial to spreading the benefit across more relatives, according to the study.
A new study reveals that pediatric cardiologists have a lower accuracy rate when interpreting ECGs for young athletes, highlighting the need for better training and guidelines. This can lead to unnecessary exclusion of healthy young people from sport participation and potential false reassurances to families.
Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine successfully converted skin cells into fully functional neurons using two specific gene snippets, known as microRNAs. This breakthrough finding opens up new avenues for studying neuronal development, modeling disease processes, and testing treatments.
Physicians can tailor treatment decisions by assessing the outcome of each treatment on smaller subgroups of patients, streamlining decision-making while keeping expenditures low. The approach aims to provide more accurate cost-benefit analysis for individual patients, complementing population-level analyses.
Researchers discovered that elite college basketball players who slept for 10 hours a night showed significant improvements in sprint speed and shooting accuracy. A moderate-to-high baseline level of daytime sleepiness was common among the athletes, highlighting the need to prioritize sleep over other training aspects.