A study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery found that taking probiotics after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can help obese patients shed more pounds. Probiotics also helped improve levels of vitamin B-12, which are often deficient after gastric-bypass surgery.
A Stanford study found that caloric restriction may not be beneficial for infected fruit flies, contradicting previous findings. The research suggests that diet-restricted animals may fare poorly when infected with certain pathogens.
Researchers found that finasteride use made no difference in high-grade cancer rates among men without cancer warning signs, but significantly reduced the risk in those with abnormal digital rectal exams or elevated PSA levels. The study suggests doctors can be less cautious in using finasteride for preventive treatment.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a wide range of antibodies in healthy people and Alzheimer's patients that target protein aggregates, including those found in plaques. These findings suggest that these antibodies may play a role in slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine finds that hair sheep blood is a perfect substitute for horse or sheep blood in microbiology tests, reducing costs and improving diagnosis in the developing world. The researchers also discovered that collecting blood in donation bags eliminates the need for defibrination, making ...
A Stanford bioethicist and colleagues argue that the lack of federal regulation in genetic ancestry testing poses significant ethical concerns, including potential misuse and a lack of informed consent. The authors call for stronger oversight and industry standards to protect vulnerable groups.
Researchers identified a significant association between gene variations on chromosome 6 and schizophrenia risk. The study, combining data from 27,000 individuals, found evidence of immune function's potential role in the disease.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a novel connection between the telomerase molecule and the Wnt pathway in stem cell regulation. Overexpression of telomerase's TERT protein enhances Wnt-inducible genes, suggesting a potential new target for cancer therapies.
Comparative effectiveness research can significantly improve health care quality and affordability if done correctly. Two key challenges are obtaining data earlier in the life cycle of new drugs and linking evidence to strategies that modify physician practice. The expert also highlights the need for a broader agenda, including lifesty...
Sharing personal genetic information online raises ethical questions about privacy and consent. Stanford researchers say we need more data on who's giving out information and how it's being used to fully understand its implications.
Researchers have identified a molecule called PHD2 that regulates blood vessel growth and is often found at lower-than-normal levels in human tumors. Blocking PHD2 expression allows human cancer cells to grow more quickly, increasing tumor blood vessel formation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified beta-1 integrin as a key molecule involved in tumor development and invasion. Inhibiting this molecule slowed the growth of tumors and improved tissue separation, offering new potential targets for cancer treatment.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that administering a potent clot-busting medication can benefit patients up to 4.5 hours after they experience their first symptom, improving outcomes without negatively affecting mortality.
A Stanford University study found that disrupting the interferon pathway, a critical immune signaling mechanism, can lead to cancer progression and impaired immune response. This defect was detected in patients with breast, melanoma, and gastrointestinal cancers, suggesting a possible explanation for treatment failures.
A Stanford University School of Medicine survey finds that Asian Americans living in California are adopting unhealthy sun-exposure behaviors as they become more westernized. The study highlights the need for increased skin-health awareness among primary care physicians and people of Asian ancestry.
A new Stanford University study finds that early antiretroviral treatment can reduce the risk of death or complications in HIV-positive patients with serious AIDS-related conditions. The treatment was shown to improve immune system function and increase survival rates by 50 percent.
Researchers found skin cells can become muscle-like and vice versa by changing who they associate with, providing insight into genetic reprogramming. This discovery may lead to more efficient ways to create stem cells and treat diseases like diabetes.
Researchers confirm that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disease caused by a specific immune cell variation. A study found that nearly 90% of patients with narcolepsy carry a variant of the human leukocyte antigen gene, which is also associated with other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and juvenile diabetes.
A new study from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University School of Medicine reveals that infants with bowel disease may have two distinct disease processes with different origins. The research suggests that premature infants, heart defect patients, and others with NEC may be affected by reduced blood flow to the bowe...
Researchers found that precisely tuning oscillation frequencies of certain neurons can affect how the brain processes information and implements feelings of reward. The study suggests that parvalbumin neurons play a crucial role in generating gamma brain waves, which enhance information flow among different cell types.
Scientists found ion channels on middle and shortest rows of stereocilia, not as previously thought. The discovery could lead to new treatments for hearing loss and deafness by understanding the adaptation process.
A low-dose of naltrexone reduced symptoms of pain and fatigue by an average of 30% in women with fibromyalgia, according to a Stanford pilot study. The drug's use was found to be particularly promising due to its low cost and limited side effects.
A new imaging technology uses specially designed dye-containing nanoparticles to simultaneously monitor changes in two intracellular proteins in cancer cells. This could provide a better picture of what's happening in individual tumor cells and potentially improve diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a machine that can analyze tiny blood samples for cancer-associated proteins, detecting subtle changes in protein modifications. The technique may provide a faster and less invasive way to track solid tumors and monitor treatment response.
A Stanford study found that the US AIDS Relief program reduced HIV/AIDS death tolls by over 10% in targeted African countries, saving an estimated 1 million lives. However, there was no significant impact on disease prevalence rates.
A Stanford study reveals that HLA molecules, crucial for immune function, also contribute to brain circuits involved in learning and memory. The absence of these molecules can enhance motor learning but may compromise other learning abilities.
A new study by Stanford researchers has developed a method to assess the quality of women's eggs, which could enhance IVF success rates. The non-invasive test uses metabolomic profiling to identify unique biomarkers in the eggs that predict embryo viability and pregnancy rates.
A new study published in The Lancet found that coronary artery bypass graft may be a better treatment choice than percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) for patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease who have diabetes and are older than 65. In contrast, PCI may be the best option for patients 55 years and younger.
A Stanford study found that stimulating neural wires rather than cells in the subthalamic nucleus can improve Parkinson's symptoms, offering new insights into the disease and possible treatments. The researchers used optogenetics to activate specific types of cells in rodents, revealing a key role for axons in transmitting signals.
Researchers discovered that neutrophils respond to conflicting signals from cystic fibrosis patients' lungs, leading to severe lung damage. The study's findings suggest that targeting the molecular pathway responsible for this response could lead to new disease therapies.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have compiled a list of 93 common HIV mutations associated with drug resistance to track the spread of the virus. The updated list is based on data from over 15,000 patients and will be used globally to gauge the effectiveness of HIV medication programs.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a technique to generate solid organs using stem cells. By utilizing microcirculatory beds and a bioreactor, the team can keep tissue healthy enough for reimplantation into a second animal, overcoming the major hurdle of blood supply in tissue engineering. The techniqu...
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine found that brain activity patterns differ in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder compared to those without the condition. The research suggests that increased attention to one's own responses to erotic stimuli may play a role in sexual dysfunction.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a protein complex that plays a pivotal role in controlling the ability of embryonic stem cells to become any cell type. The finding is an important advance in harnessing the unique abilities of embryonic stem cells to treat disease and generate replacement tissue.
A new immune-system 'atlas' will improve doctors' ability to monitor transplanted organs and shed light on the mechanisms of gradual, cumulative kidney malfunction after transplant. The atlas allows for inexpensive, noninvasive blood tests that show whether a donated kidney is infected or accruing chronic injuries.
Scientists developed a gene-based strategy for warfarin dosing using data from over 5,000 patients worldwide. The algorithm predicts ideal doses with high accuracy, reducing the need for trial-and-error approaches.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have devised a new biological marker to monitor mitochondrial disorders, which cause organ failure, seizures, and premature death. The discovery enables researchers to hunt for treatments and helps physicians check patients' status before health crises erupt.
A Stanford study finds that dogs that bred with wolves thousands of years ago passed on a genetic mutation for dark coat color to their wild ancestors. This mutation is now found in nearly exclusive in North America's black wolf population, which has a selective advantage over lighter-colored wolves in forested areas.
A new study by Stanford researchers finds that combined estrogen plus progestin hormone therapy increases the annual risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, with a doubling of risk after five years. Stopping hormone therapy can quickly reduce this risk, as observed in a follow-up study.
Cancer stem cells are more resistant to radiation due to a protective pathway that shields normal stem cells from DNA damage. By blocking this pathway, cancer stem cells become more susceptible to killing by radiation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified a key protein involved in pancreatic cancer growth. Blocking its expression slowed or prevented tumor growth in mice and made cultured cancer cells vulnerable to low oxygen conditions.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a protein called TCAB1, which is crucial for telomerase to repair the ends of chromosomes. This discovery may lead to new anti-cancer therapies by blocking the inappropriate expression of TCAB1 in human cancer cells.
A Stanford study establishes a method for projecting future kidney function, which could improve transplant outcomes for older kidneys. The research found that older kidneys perform only 70% as well as younger ones and contain fewer functioning glomeruli.
A new diagnostic tool can help doctors determine whether stenting is necessary for patients with coronary artery disease. The study found that using this tool resulted in a significant reduction in cardiac events, including death, heart attack, and repeat stenting or bypass surgery.
Stanford researchers have discovered a connection between two aging pathways, SIRT6 and NF-kB, which could lead to a new understanding of how cells age. The study found that SIRT6 regulates gene expression by modifying histones, making it harder for NF-kB to trigger the expression of genes associated with aging.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine and UC-San Francisco have successfully isolated stem cells from human testes, which can differentiate into various types of tissues. The findings suggest that these cells are not as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells but have unique therapeutic applications.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that metastatic cancer cells use a protein called lysyl oxidase (LOX) to target specific organs. By blocking LOX expression, the cells' migration and invasion can be prevented, offering a potential new approach to treating human disease.
A leading researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine argues that the time has come to shift from mouse-centered approaches to a broader 'systems biology' approach to tackle human diseases. The current small-laboratory approach has limitations in translating results to humans.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that a fruit fly's immune system responds to infections based on its daily cycle and circadian rhythms. The study suggests that understanding the relationship between sleep patterns and immunity could have significant implications for human health.
Researchers successfully recreate a functional stem-cell niche in adult mice, enabling further study of stem cell development and fate. The discovery has potential implications for leukemia treatment and bone healing.