A study found that multigene testing is more likely to identify disease-associated genetic variants than BRCA-only testing, but may reveal mutations of uncertain clinical significance. The shift reflects a growing acceptance of multigene panel tests as a more clinically useful option for patients and their relatives.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that manipulating a mouse's diet can favor the engraftment of specific bacterial strains. By adding a carbohydrate-rich compound, they were able to control how much a bacterium grows in the intestine and even introduce new strains into the gut microbiome.
A new study links low vasopressin levels in cerebrospinal fluid to impaired social abilities in monkeys and children with autism, suggesting a potential biomarker for the condition. The researchers hope to further explore the hormone's role in autism diagnosis.
Researchers identify two brain nuclei that send signals to opposite areas of the brain, sparking timid or bold responses. Stimulating these nuclei can shift a mouse's behavior from freezing to standing its ground, offering insights into treating anxiety disorders.
A new study by Stanford University researcher Annelise Barron has developed a protein mimic that restored breathing capacity to injured rats' lungs, outperforming animal-derived counterparts. The synthetic product could lead to better and cheaper treatments for acute lung injury in humans.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators found that older people's immune cells receive a fuzzier set of instructions, leading to reduced effectiveness. The researchers analyzed hundreds of millions of immune cells using a new method to determine the impact of environmental factors on aging and disease.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to genetically edit coral, demonstrating its potential as a resource for coral biologists. The technique allowed them to identify critical genes in coral biology and alter multiple gene copies, offering hope for conserving coral reefs.
A Stanford study found a link between early-life obesity and depression in children's brains, revealing abnormalities in reward-processing areas. Young people with both conditions had lower volumes in the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a CAR-T therapy that eradicates diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumors in mice, leaving few residual cancer cells. The treatment targets the GD2 sugar molecule on DIPG tumors and has shown promising results, but side effects such as brain swelling must be carefully managed.
A Stanford-led study of nearly half a million people in the UK Biobank database found that higher levels of physical activity and fitness are associated with lower risks of heart attacks and stroke. Even those with a high genetic risk for heart disease can benefit from regular exercise.
Stanford researchers discover that telomerase-expressing liver cells can rapidly regenerate the liver during normal turnover or tissue damage. These rare cells are evenly distributed throughout the liver's lobules and play a crucial role in enabling the organ to replace damaged cells, potentially leading to cancer.
Research by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers provides the first molecular understanding of why people gain weight due to chronic stress and disrupted circadian rhythms. The team identified key molecules involved in controlling fat-cell maturation and found that the timing of glucocorticoid pulses controls weight gain.
Stanford researchers engineered yeast to produce noscapine, a promising cancer drug with less toxicity than current treatments. The breakthrough involves introducing 25 foreign genes into yeast, achieving an 18,000-fold improvement in noscapine output.
A Stanford-UCSF study has analyzed the mysterious Ata skeleton, a human fetus with severe genetic mutations, revealing multiple genes contributing to bone deformities and dwarfism. The comprehensive genomic analysis adds new mutational variants to the repository of known disease-causing genes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that young neural stem cells store large protein aggregates in lysosomes. Clearing these aggregates rejuvenates the cells' ability to activate and makes new neurons. The study highlights the importance of maintaining precise control over protein production and disposal.
The use of artificial intelligence in medicine raises important ethical questions, including bias in algorithms and the potential for data to replace human clinical experience. Researchers call for careful examination of these risks and for physicians to critically assess machine-learning tools and their limitations.
A new PET scan-compatible imaging agent can detect specific mutations in lung cancer tumors, predicting treatment success. Over 80% of patients with detected mutations showed positive response to targeted drug, while those without signals saw limited benefits.
A new technique using mass cytometry predicts relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with 85% accuracy, identifying a subset of malignant cells that predispose to relapse. The method could lead to more precise treatment and targeted therapies for high-risk patients.
Researchers used CRISPR to identify genes that help neurons defend against toxic protein aggregates, which are thought to drive ALS progression. A handful of genes, including Tmx2, show promise as potential drug targets.
A new study from Stanford Medicine found that female soldiers who give birth within six months of returning from military deployment face a higher risk of having a preterm baby. The study also found that women giving birth soon after deployment are younger, with lower education and pay.
Researchers identified elevated tissue iron as a critical factor in fungal infection risks for lung transplant recipients. Elevated iron levels prompted Aspergillus invasion into transplanted tissue, suggesting a potential new approach to curb these life-threatening infections.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that cutting carbs or fats results in similar weight loss, with no association between individual biological factors and diet success. Participants followed either a low-fat or low-carb diet for one year, showing that the fundamental strategy for losing weight is to eat whole foods.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that a specific set of nerve cells, known as mossy cells, controls the spread of seizures throughout the brain. Inactivating these cells facilitates the spread of electrical hyperactivity, leading to full-blown behavioral symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Induced pluripotent stem cells have strong immunogenic properties that provoke a systemic, cancer-specific immune response. The study suggests iPS cells may one day be used as a patient-specific cancer vaccine, potentially preventing tumor development months or years later.
Discussing patients' bucket lists with their doctors can encourage making medical care fit life plans, providing personalized care and healthy behaviors. Researchers found that 91% of respondents had made a bucket list, with those who valued faith and spirituality more likely to have one.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a cancer vaccine that eliminates tumors in mice by stimulating immune cells within the tumor site. The treatment showed promise for many types of cancers and could potentially replace or complement existing immunotherapy approaches.
A clinical trial led by Stanford University researchers found that brain-imaging software identified patients who could benefit from clot-removal procedure up to 10 hours after stroke onset. The study showed improved outcomes for nearly half of patients treated between six and 16 hours after symptoms began.
A new Stanford study identifies a brain pathway linking positive attitudes toward math to better math performance in children. Researchers found that having a strong interest and self-perceived ability in math enhances memory and efficient engagement of the brain's problem-solving capacities.
A Stanford-led study found that even modest weight gain causes significant changes in the human microbiome, cardiovascular system, immune system, and gene expression. When participants lost the weight, most systems recalibrated back to normal states.
A study found that new treatments and screening methods have reduced breast cancer deaths by 49% since 2012, compared to 37% in 2000. The reduction is largely due to advances in treatment, with screening contributing 31-48% depending on the molecular subtype.
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that veterans receiving VA care have lower rates of excessive end-of-life interventions compared to those on Medicare. The research suggests that the financial incentives of Medicare's fee-for-service model drive higher-intensity care for patients nearing death.
Researchers developed a technique to pinpoint potential targets for cancer therapies that rely on the immune system. The technique identified two human antigens relevant to immunotherapies and found evidence of shared self-antigens between patients, offering a key to developing effective treatments.
A team of researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified four on-the-market drugs that successfully quelled symptoms triggered by several overabundant proteins in patients with a rare eye disease. The findings demonstrate the potential of treating rare and complex eye conditions using precision health approaches.
A study led by Stanford University School of Medicine found that higher blood sugar levels in early pregnancy are associated with a greater risk of congenital heart defects in babies. The researchers analyzed data from over 19,000 pregnancies and found a significant link between blood glucose levels and the risk of heart defects.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered a new antiviral drug, NGI-1, that blocks the replication of multiple mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including Zika, dengue, and yellow fever. The drug targets the host's oligosaccharyltransferase complex, reducing the need for high concentrations and minimizing harm to human cells.
A new clinical trial found that combining oral immunotherapy with omalizumab increased the speed and safety of treating multiple food allergies in children. The study showed significant efficacy and safety improvements, allowing patients to tolerate more foods without severe reactions.
A Stanford-led study of nearly 3,000 women with early stage breast cancer reveals a significant decline in chemotherapy use between 2013 and 2015, from 34.5% to 21.3%. This decrease reflects a growing trend towards personalized treatment approaches, with physicians increasingly considering tumor genomic testing to guide treatment choices.
The $125,000-per-dose cost of the drug nusinersen poses barriers for many patients with spinal muscular atrophy, who may not have access to it due to insurance restrictions. Early treatment is crucial for halting muscle degeneration, but unequal access to the medication raises ethical concerns about fairness and decision-making.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that men with varicoceles, enlarged veins in the scrotum, are more likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. However, asymptomatic varicoceles do not increase the risk of these diseases.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a second biological pathway that signals immune cells not to engulf and kill cancer cells. By blocking this newly discovered pathway, combining it with anti-CD47 antibody may enhance the immune system's ability to eradicate many types of cancers.
A clinical trial suggests a new form of gene therapy, targeting CD22, achieved significant remission rates in children and young adults with treatment-resistant B-cell leukemia. The therapy was well-tolerated and showed promise in patients who had previously failed anti-CD19 CAR T-cell treatment.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine found that isolated stem cells have a different gene-expression profile than their counterparts in the body. The study suggests that conclusions about stem cell function may need to be reconsidered due to changes in cell biology during isolation.
A Stanford study found that mechanical heart valves are beneficial until age 70 for mitral valve replacement and until age 55 for aortic valve replacement. Researchers examined patient records from 142 hospitals in California between 1996 and 2013, resulting in the largest number of patients ever studied to examine this issue.
Researchers employed MultiMAP technology to monitor nerve cells' activity in zebrafish brains, linking each neuron to its specific cell type. This method revealed distinct neuronal circuits not previously suspected to be associated with alertness, shedding light on the forces driving this essential brain state.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that frequent marijuana users had increased coital frequency compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 Americans aged 25-45 and found a positive association between marijuana use and sexual activity across all demographics.
Researchers found that robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for kidney removal had comparable patient outcomes but higher costs, with a 46.3% chance of prolonged operative time compared to traditional procedures.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that infants with trisomy 13 or 18 who underwent heart surgery had a significant decrease in in-hospital mortality and an increase in survival rates. This benefit lasted for up to two years, doubling the number of babies that survive more than one year after surgery.
A Stanford-led study discovered a specific mutation in the p53 gene that enhances its anti-tumor activity, creating a 'super tumor suppressor' that protects against pancreatic cancer. The researchers found that this mutant hyperactivates p53, leading to a surge of activity in downstream target genes.
A recent study led by Stanford Medicine researchers found a significant decrease in hospital admissions for prescription opioid overdoses, but an increase in heroin and synthetic opioid poisonings. This shift suggests that individuals misusing or addicted to prescription opioids are switching to these alternative drugs.
A study published in Health Affairs found that communication-and-resolution programs significantly improve patient safety while reducing liability costs. The programs, which include apologies and explanations for medical errors, lead to a low percentage of events resulting in lawsuits, with only 5% leading to malpractice claims.