A Stanford-led team discovered 12 genes relevant to endometriosis-related infertility, offering potential targets for new treatments. These findings could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of the disease, reducing reliance on surgery and medication.
Researchers at Stanford have shown positive results with a new chemotherapy combination, Iressa and FOLFOX, in treating colon cancer. The treatment has been effective in shrinking tumors by up to 75% in patients who had never received chemotherapy before.
A study of 4,764 Internet users found that 40% of American adults with online access use the Internet for health information. The study also revealed that men and individuals over 75 were less likely to use the Internet for health, while those who do use it tend to have a more limited frequency of use.
The Stanford study found that FDG-PET is highly effective for lung nodule diagnosis but most cost-effective when used selectively with CT scans. The researchers recommend relying on CT as the initial test for almost all patients and using FDG-PET in cases where the risk of cancer conflicts with CT results.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have successfully isolated a key protein that helps maintain the youthful state of hematopoietic stem cells. The discovery, led by Irving Weissman and Roeland Nusse, reveals how this protein, Wnt, triggers stem cell division and expansion.
The national report outlines three basic areas of genomic research, including understanding the relationship between genomics and race/ethnicity. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research, such as genetic testing and its impact on individuals and society.
Researchers found that Noggin prevents premature skull fusion by keeping bone-promoting proteins apart. The discovery could lead to early diagnosis and treatment of infants at risk, offering a promising alternative to complex craniofacial surgery.
A Stanford research team conducted a comprehensive analysis of low-carbohydrate diets, finding they lead to short-term weight loss through reduced caloric intake. However, there is insufficient evidence on the long-term effects and potential health risks associated with these diets.
Researchers found that mice lacking NKT cells remained resistant to asthma-inducing stimuli, while those with NKT cells developed airway hyper-reactivity and symptoms. The study suggests NKT cells play a key role in asthma development and may be targeted for treatment.
Researchers found that mutations causing lysosomal storage diseases are no more common than other inherited diseases in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, indicating a lack of selective advantage. The study suggests that these disease-causing mutations were present in the ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews and were passed down through generations.
Researchers have found that addictive drugs, such as cocaine, morphine, and amphetamines, increase the sensitivity of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Stress triggers a similar response, which may lead to addiction. The study's findings could help develop new treatments for addiction.
Researchers have identified 48 genes involved in tuberculosis latency, revealing a genetic program that contributes to the bacteria's persistence. The study also highlights the delicate balance between latency and virulence, with reactivation triggered by changes in oxygen levels and nitric oxide levels.
A symposium at Stanford Medicine explores the ethics of using race as a research variable, with Dr. Cho arguing that genetic differences are often misrepresented by racial classification. The discussion focuses on the implications of this approach for drug development and our understanding of human identity.
Gavin Sherlock, PhD, director of the Stanford Microarray Database, discusses the history of gene microarray databases and their growing importance in making research data publicly available. A common standard, Minimal Information About a Microarray Experiment, has been established to facilitate easy access to the data.
Research by Stanford's Eric Knudsen shows that barn owl's brain mapping can be altered by early life experiences, leading to a persistent effect on visual and auditory navigation. Young owls wearing lenses that shift their visual world can develop a new mental map, but adult owls without this experience cannot form a new map.
Researchers found that healthy individuals vary in gene expression levels in circulating blood cells, with some genes used at varying levels depending on time of day and age. Despite these differences, the study revealed remarkable similarity in the genes used among the subjects.
Stanford is conducting an online self-management program for individuals with heart disease, lung disease, and type-II diabetes. The program aims to improve health outcomes by teaching participants how to manage their conditions effectively, including managing medications, exercise, and stress.
Researchers have found that bone marrow cells from transplants can relocate to brain tissue, carrying Y chromosomes into Purkinje cells involved in balance and movement. This discovery suggests that these cells may act as a repair squad to treat damaged tissues throughout the body.
Researchers have identified a new gene, endothelial lipase (LIPG), that regulates HDL cholesterol levels and impacts the risk of developing heart disease. By altering LIPG expression in genetic models, scientists found an inverse relationship between HDL cholesterol and EL expression.
Stanford researchers have identified a potential cause of prion disease, linking it to a mutation in a ubiquitin ligase that flags proteins for destruction. The study suggests that the buildup of cellular trash may contribute to the development of spongy degeneration, leading to neuronal death.
A Stanford study found a significant link between depression and chronic pain, suggesting that pain may guide doctors to effective treatments for depressed patients. The research also indicates that continuous pain increases the likelihood of major depressive disorder diagnosis.
A Stanford study finds that medications for heart disease, including warfarin, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors, are underused in outpatient settings. The researchers urge improved education, quality-improvement practices, and patient involvement to address this issue and reduce complications.
A new definition of transient ischemic attack (TIA) is proposed to improve stroke treatment, focusing on brain injury rather than arbitrary time limits. The revised definition aims to increase the use of clot-busting medication and reduce delays in treatment.
Researchers found that COX-2 inhibitors impede new bone growth, delaying healing of fractures or joint implants. A six-week 'time-out' period from COX-2 inhibitors is recommended to promote bone recovery.
Researchers at Stanford University have tested the effectiveness of mirtazapine, a non-tricyclic antidepressant, against paroxetine in treating depression in elderly patients. Mirtazapine was found to be equally effective as paroxetine but with fewer side effects and improved onset of action.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy technique that integrates DNA without using viral vectors, inserting the DNA at known locations. The technique successfully integrated a gene coding for Factor IX into mouse DNA, making 12 times more protein than control mice.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine identified a protein fragment called gliadin as the cause of gluten intolerance. They also proposed using a dietary enzyme to break down the fragment into harmless bits, offering hope for future treatment.
Researchers at Stanford University broke the learning process down into smaller steps for adult owls, allowing them to adjust their mental maps more accurately. This method showed promise in overcoming the age-related decline in learning abilities, with implications for treating brain injuries and improving physical therapy outcomes.
A novel gene therapy technique developed by Stanford researchers allows for the integration of large genes into human chromosomes, enabling continuous production of proteins. This technique has the potential to treat a variety of diseases, including Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis.
A Stanford study found that a single adult stem cell could only repopulate blood and immune cells in mice, casting doubt on its ability to form all adult tissues. The research suggests that embryonic stem cells remain the most promising option for tissue formation.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have confirmed that pill-splitting can be a safe and viable cost-saving strategy for certain medications. By splitting higher-strength pills to achieve desired dosages, patients can reduce medication costs by up to 50%. However, the practice must be implemented with careful controls and...
A Stanford researcher found that vaccinating the entire population and using antiviral medications on those who get sick benefits society. The study found vaccination strategies were optimal in 95% of runs, with treatment of flu patients also benefiting 85% of the time.
Researchers at Stanford University found that briefly disrupting a single mutant gene can permanently alter the course of cancer. The study, led by Dean Felsher, used a gene called MYC to induce cancer cells to revert to normal bone cells after treatment was stopped.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have developed a gene-therapy technique that can switch off genes in mice using RNA inhibition. The method has shown promising results in reducing light production from a firefly gene, suggesting its potential use in treating diseases such as cancer and hepatitis C by deactivating virus...
Researchers discovered that an inactivated chickenpox vaccine may prevent healthy elderly people from developing shingles and protect transplant recipients against viruses and bacteria. The vaccine boosted memory T cells to mount an attack during the transplant and recovery, reducing shingle risk.
Anal cancer is under-recognized, but rates of 350 cases per million in HIV-negative men and double in HIV-positive men indicate a need for prevention. Stanford researcher Mark Welton proposes an approach using yearly pap smears to detect precancerous cells before they develop into cancer.
A Stanford team has discovered a permanent signal that controls the growth of axons in neurons, which can lead to paralysis. This finding suggests that age is not the key to an axon's inability to regenerate, but rather an outside signal from retinal cells.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have identified genes needed by cancerous liver cells but ignored or used at different levels by normal liver cells. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments and screening tests for liver cancer in Asian populations, who are 10 times more likely to develop the disease due ...
Stanford researchers have established a link between creative genius and mental illness, with healthy artists showing more similarities in personality to individuals with manic depression. Emotional range was found to be a key factor in this relationship.
Researchers at Stanford University have created diabetic fruit flies by destroying insulin-producing cells, allowing them to study the development of pancreatic cells. The fly model could help understand the origin of insulin-producing cells in people with Type I diabetes.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified hundreds of new genes involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. The study found genes expressed differently in acute and chronic attacks, including those associated with pregnancy and allergic responses, which could lead to new treatment strategies.
The Stanford study found that the quality of care received by depressed patients has significantly improved since the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in 1988. The study also revealed a notable increase in physician visits for depression, largely driven by the adoption of SSRIs.
Researchers have discovered that the old drug sirolimus can also protect blood vessels of transplanted hearts, preventing chronic rejection. The study found that sirolimus can stop proliferation of smooth-muscle cells, which build up scar tissue and block oxygen supply to the heart.
A groundbreaking study by Stanford University Medical Center has discovered a way to transplant kidneys without lifelong use of immune-suppressing drugs, improving patient quality of life. The innovative approach uses radiation and stem cells to create a hybrid immune system that recognizes the donor organ as 'friend' rather than foe.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have developed a novel approach to fighting cancer using a modified cold virus that targets cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. In a phase I study, 28 patients who received the highest dose of the virus survived for nearly a year and saw significant tumor shrinkage.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified a medical condition causing violent 'sleep sex' behaviors, characterized by loud moaning and sexual assault during sleep. The disorder can be treated with standard sleep disorder treatments, including therapy and medication.
The new antigen microarrays can diagnose diseases on the first visit, enabling clinicians to pinpoint specific antigens under attack in autoimmune diseases. The arrays also aid in designing effective treatments tailored to individual patients, bypassing the entire immune system.
Researchers found that low doses of Gd-Tex selectively kill HIV-infected T cells, which could be an effective approach to attack the virus. The drug's effectiveness remains uncertain and requires further testing to ensure its safety and efficacy as an HIV therapy.
Researchers at Stanford University are conducting a randomized, multi-site clinical study on using therapeutic cooling to preserve heart muscle in heart-attack patients. The study aims to prevent or minimize damage caused by reduced blood flow during an attack.
A Stanford study shows that hormone therapy can improve mental health and reduce depression in women experiencing hot flashes, but may have negative effects on those without symptoms. The research suggests that women should discuss their individual risks and benefits with their doctor before making a decision.