Researchers found that vaccinated mothers can protect their newborns from neonatal herpes, a disease that can cause brain damage and death. The study also identified two scenarios that are particularly dangerous for newborns: acquiring genital herpes late in pregnancy or exposure to the virus through non-protected contact.
A critical review of existing literature reveals that social media big data can be used to monitor and intervene on behalf of people with drug addiction and abuse problems. Researchers have developed an evidence-based framework to inform future social media-based substance use prevention and recovery programs.
A Dartmouth study found that adolescents in medical marijuana states with many dispensaries are more likely to try new methods of cannabis use, such as edibles and vaping, at a younger age. The researchers used online surveys distributed through Facebook to collect geographically diverse data on cannabis-related questions.
Two new studies on DAR-901, a non-pathogenic bacterium-based vaccine, demonstrate improved protection against tuberculosis compared to the current BCG vaccine. The studies suggest that DAR-901 is likely to be as effective as the original formulation and may be the first protective TB vaccine in humans since BCG.
A recent Dartmouth-led study found a strong association between fast-food TV ads and increased consumption among pre-schoolers. The research team recruited 548 parents and tracked their child's exposure to child-targeted ads, revealing that moderate or high exposure increased the likelihood of consuming fast food by about 30%.
A Dartmouth team developed a novel approach for near infrared optical measurements of resected breast tissue using molecular dyes used for surgical specimen margin orientation. This method allows for intraoperative assessment during breast conserving surgery and avoids follow-up resections.
Researchers found that teens aged 15-17 who mixed energy drinks with alcohol were four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. The study highlights the potential risks of combining these substances, particularly among adolescents.
A study by Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Camilo Fadul and colleagues found no correlation between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and patient survival in glioblastoma. The researchers used a novel epigenetic quantitative analysis methodology to quantify lymphocyte populations, including Tregs, in tumor tissue and peripheral blood.
A new clinical trial found that early initiation of palliative care significantly improved one-year survival rates among patients with late-stage cancer. Additionally, caregivers experienced reduced depression and stress levels when interventions started earlier in the patient's life.
Dartmouth researchers have identified a specific temperature that stimulates an antitumor immune response, which resists metastatic disease. Using iron nanoparticles and alternating magnetic fields, they found that temperatures of 43 degrees centigrade trigger the systemic immune response.
The National Cancer Institute has renewed its grant to Norris Cotton Cancer Center, solidifying its status as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. The center offers top-notch patient care, cutting-edge research, and innovative treatments.
A Dartmouth investigator found an mHealth app acceptable to diverse and low-income women for breast health risk assessment. The study showed that 11 of the 15 participants preferred using the mobile health device over a paper tool.
A study published in JAMA found significant discrepancies in diagnoses of atypia and DCIS, highlighting the need for women to seek second opinions. The study involved 115 pathologists and 6,900 breast biopsy interpretations, revealing a concordance rate of 75.3% for invasive carcinoma but only 48% for atypia.
A study published in Nature Reviews Immunology reveals a 'window of vulnerability' for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to infect the female reproductive tract. The researchers found that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle create an optimal environment for implantation, which also increases susceptibility to STIs.
Researchers found that fast food companies fail to promote healthy menu items in their kid's ads, while prioritizing toy premiums. Children recalled toys more than 70% of the time, but noticed food less than half of the time.
A recent study by Samir Soneji found that the US spends significantly more on cancer treatment than Western European countries, yet mortality rates have decreased only modestly since 1970. The study suggests that much of this spending may be unnecessary and not leading to significant quality-adjusted-life-year gains.
Researchers from Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have discovered the Cherenkov Effect can be measured to improve radiation therapy. The study found that light emission correlates with dose, making it suitable for narrow beam stereotactic radiation therapy and surface dosimetry applications.
Researchers have developed a new algorithm called Gene Rank (GR) to describe gene connectivity, which can be used for disease prognosis and early cancer detection. GR is based on gene expression data and reflects how well a particular gene is connected to other genes.
Dartmouth investigators develop new algorithms that employ molecular modeling to optimize deimmunized drug candidates. The approach resulted in highly-active and stable biotherapeutic designs that addressed immunogenic hotspots not easily targeted by earlier methods.
Researchers at Dartmouth have found that introducing a specific strain of bacteria into the microenvironment of ovarian cancer tumors can transform tumor cells from suppressors to attackers, sparking a strong anti-tumor immune response. The study's results demonstrate a new potential for treating various types of cancers.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have identified ERBB4 as a driver protein in breast cancers that have developed resistance to HER2 targeted therapies. The discovery suggests that anti-ERBB4 drugs could be highly beneficial for patients who no longer respond to first or second-line treatments.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine have identified a determinant of the circadian clock's period, suggesting that protein structure plays a crucial role in determining clock speed. This finding may lead to new treatments for sleep disorders and other health problems tied to circadian rhythms.
The Dartmouth team created a systematic testing platform to analyze deimmunized protein design space. Their analysis revealed that experimentally measured molecular fitness mapped closely onto the computational design space for 18 deimmunized drug candidates, demonstrating potential to predict and design tradeoffs between immunogenicit...
Researchers used denoising autoencoders to effectively extract key biological principles from breast cancer gene expression data, resulting in gene expression features that generalize across studies and represent important clinical factors.
A 40-year study found sustained community-wide programs in rural Maine reduced hospitalizations and death rates by targeting cardiovascular risk factors. Improvements were seen in hypertension control, cholesterol management, and smoking cessation.
A new use of an existing antibody cocktail has been confirmed to provide key information about tumor recurrence in head and neck cancer patients. The ProExC cocktail allows pathologists to differentiate between true pre-neoplasia and reactive biopsies, enabling surgeons to make informed decisions about therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at Dartmouth Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center developed a prognostic test for E2F4 in ER+ breast cancer, significantly predicting patient outcome regardless of treatment status. The test identifies patients who should receive aggressive follow-up treatment.
A health promotion program combining gym membership with trained health coaches significantly improves fitness and weight loss in people with serious mental illness. The In SHAPE program, a 12-month program, showed more than half of participants achieving clinically significant reductions in cardiovascular risk.
A study found that one-third of Hawaiian adolescents have tried e-cigarettes, with half having never used another tobacco product. E-cigarette users ranked somewhere between never-smokers and dual-users in terms of risk factors for smoking cigarettes.
A Dartmouth study found that low-income adolescents consume more fruits and vegetables when eating at school, while high-income peers consume fewer during the school months. School food plays a crucial role in improving dietary quality among vulnerable students.
A new study suggests that supplementing breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts may not be the most effective approach. Instead, it could lead to an increase in unnecessary biopsies, highlighting the need for alternative methods to screen these high-risk individuals.
A Dartmouth study found that hookah smoking increased the probability of trying cigarette smoking over two years by 19%. Hookah and snus use are associated with later cigarette smoking in non-cigarette smoking adolescents and young adults. The study highlights the need for FDA regulation to restrict manufacturers' ability to flavor, pa...
Researchers developed a fluorescence imaging technique to accurately identify protein receptors in tumors without tissue biopsy. The new approach strongly correlates with clinical immunohistochemistry and may impact oncology patient outcomes.
A new study from Dartmouth researchers suggests that lung cancer screening using annual low-dose CT scans can be done in a cost-effective manner, particularly for adults aged 65-75. The study found that the screening test produces $81,000 in quality-adjusted life years per dollar spent.
A Dartmouth study found that Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Tomography (DOST) imaging can accurately predict which patients will respond well to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, enabling earlier and more effective treatment. This breakthrough could significantly improve disease-free survival rates for breast cancer patients.
Researchers found that individuals with severe mental illness use YouTube to share personal stories, strategies for coping, and seek support from others. This natural peer-to-peer connection helps alleviate feelings of loneliness and fosters a sense of hope and community.
Dartmouth researchers have identified nine traits that predict single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) reproducibility without relying on P-values. The Replication Score (RS) model can select SNPs for validation and prioritization, improving the accuracy of genetic association studies.
Researchers at The Geisel School of Medicine discover that changes in metabolism, mediated by the HIF1α pathway, are critical for trained immunity. This finding has potential implications for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases and enhancing vaccine efficacy.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has established a link between longer telomeres and increased melanoma risk. The research team identified seven genetic variations associated with telomere length and found that those with the longest telomeres are at a 30% increased risk of developing melanoma.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine have found that the genetic mutation BRAFV600E promotes melanoma tumor growth by modifying normal cells around the tumor. Targeting this mutation with Vemurafenib reduces aggressive growth and suggests new treatment options for melanoma therapy.
Researchers found a significant racial disparity in breast reconstruction after mastectomy, with African American women receiving 55% fewer reconstructions. Hospitals' characteristics, such as location and volume of breast cancer surgeries, also impact reconstruction rates.
A new study found that residency training in locations with less intensive practice patterns is associated with better clinical decision-making. Physicians trained in these environments consistently scored higher on a management exam subscale, indicating their ability to make conservative decisions without sacrificing patient outcomes.
Researchers found that high out-out assortativity in transcription factor networks contributes to robustness, with similar numbers of outgoing connections among connected TFs. This signature is a predictor of robustness, with an above-average number of connected TFs exhibiting this property.
A recent Perspective piece in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the US may no longer need a separate, expensive VA healthcare system for its rapidly shrinking veteran population. The authors propose transitioning out of the hospital business while continuing to provide specialized services like mental health and rehabil...
Researchers tracked spending and utilization in three states and one insurance group, finding that price increases drove growth, not use. The study provides a mechanism for promoting provider accountability on prices through transparency.
The study developed a novel approach for evaluating the relevance of interactions using a Bayesian hierarchal mixture framework. The model successfully identified significant interactions in cutaneous melanoma and lung cancer risk by controlling false positive discovery and estimating parameters.
Researchers identified two antidepressant classes, including the alpha-2-adrenergic receptor antagonist Mianserin, that improve symptoms of depression in cancer patients. However, these treatments may be less well-tolerated due to potential side effects.
Early exposure to ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning increases the risk of basal cell carcinomas in young people. Researchers found that teens and young adults who use indoor tanning devices are more likely to develop BCC, especially on the torso.
A recent study by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center found that 22 out of 552 women had their tumor type incorrectly classified using conventional HER2 testing. The study confirmed the importance of accurate HER2 testing, as incorrect classification can have significant implications for treatment decisions.
Researchers found an association between decreased carbohydrate intake and reduced breast cancer recurrence among women whose tumor tissue is positive for the IGF-1 receptor. The study suggests that personalized diets based on molecular characteristics of primary tumors may be possible, but further research is needed.