A new TB vaccine, using a killed Mycobacterium vaccae vaccine, has shown to enhance immunity against TB in both HIV-positive and negative patients. The study, conducted in Finland and Tanzania, suggests the vaccine may be an effective tool in preventing TB among high-risk populations.
Researchers at DMS have found that removing RIP140 allows retinoids to effectively differentiate cancer cells, slowing tumor growth and increasing the efficacy of cancer treatment. This breakthrough sheds light on the potential benefits of retinoid-based therapies for various types of cancer.
A Dartmouth study has found that RNA molecules can catalyze the transformation of normal prion proteins into disease-causing counterparts, potentially leading to early detection and treatment of prion diseases. The discovery opens new avenues for exploration in diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
A $12 million NIH grant will support interdisciplinary research on lung diseases in New Hampshire, including lung cancer and cystic fibrosis. The funding will also create infrastructure for state-of-the-art research and jobs in the local economy.
A Dartmouth study analyzing Medicare data from 1998-2000 found that racial disparities in knee replacement surgery exist not only by sex but also by geographic location. Despite similar rates among African-American women and white women, black men were half as likely to undergo the procedure as their white counterparts.
Researchers have identified a molecular understanding of the abnormal proteins causing retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. They will now focus on designing effective drugs to delay disease progression by stabilizing the mutated rhodopsin protein.
Researchers discover a new class of proteasome inhibitors that change the shape of the protein-digesting enzyme, leading to reduced activity and selective protein degradation. This finding has implications for treating diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Research found that salicylic acid in aspirin disrupts the stress system of S. aureus bacteria, reducing its ability to cause infection and adhere to host tissue. This finding offers hope for treating sepsis, a blood poisoning disease responsible for 750,000 US deaths annually.
Researchers identify protein that bridges signaling and membrane movement, linking insulin's action to glucose uptake. This finding could provide clues for understanding type 2 diabetes, where muscle and fat tissues resist insulin.
A new randomized study found that beta-carotene supplementation increased cancer risk in smokers and drinkers, while decreasing risk in non-smokers and non-drinkers. The study's findings highlight the complexity of designing safe and effective chemopreventive strategies for any cancer.
Scientists have identified a novel step in the formation of prions, proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and chronic wasting disease. By inhibiting this conversion with compounds blocking free sulfhydryl groups, researchers may be able to develop a therapeutic strategy against prion disease.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer found a link between arsenic exposure and suppressed expression of DNA repair genes. The researchers discovered that individuals with elevated arsenic levels had lower levels of certain genes involved in nucleotide excision repair, which helps protect against DNA damage.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive imaging method that predicts abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk better than traditional methods. The method, which analyzes aneurysm wall stress, was found to be 25 times more accurate in predicting rupture risk than maximum diameter.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers finds that more American men are screened for prostate cancer than for colorectal cancer, contradicting scientific evidence. The study, which analyzed data from over 50,000 men, reveals a significant disparity in screening rates between the two cancers.
A randomized, double-blind study of over 1100 patients found that low-dose aspirin reduced the incidence of polyps by 19% and advanced lesions by more than 40%. Regular aspirin tablets also showed significant reductions in adenoma occurrence.
Researchers found that antisense RNA regulates core timing genes in Neurospora's circadian clock, which drives the 24-hour light-dark cycle. The discovery provides an unexpected link between antisense RNA and circadian timing.
A new model of team care, IMPACT, significantly improved depression treatment outcomes in older adults compared to usual care. Patients assigned to IMPACT reported greater reductions in depression symptoms and improvements in daily functioning.
Researchers found that administering recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) resulted in a 19% reduction in red blood cell transfusion. The study showed improved hemoglobin levels and reduced exposure to RBC tranfusions, with potential benefits including morbidity and mortality reductions.
Sporn's groundbreaking research on chemoprevention has revolutionized the field of cancer prevention, exploring novel approaches to prevent or treat cancer. His work has led to strategies with vast potential for reducing cancer incidence and death, and continues to inspire new directions in cancer prevention research.
A new virtual clinic, developed by Dartmouth Medical School, aims to improve understanding of genetic testing and services among non-geneticists. The program uses interactive multimedia and expert simulations to train healthcare providers on genetics in clinical practice, working with labs and genetic counselors.
Dartmouth Medical School (DMS) has developed innovative ambulatory teaching models that improve preceptor productivity while maintaining or increasing learner competence. The school also established a centralized office for community-based education and research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Researchers at Dartmouth have discovered a novel photoreceptor protein that absorbs light and regulates the circadian rhythm. The protein, White Collar-1, is part of a genetic system that can be exploited to develop new drug delivery systems for treating fungal diseases.
A study by Dartmouth/VA researchers found that major US news media favored routine use of screening mammography and urged caution about tamoxifen, with greater emphasis on the negative aspects of the latter. The coverage of these issues highlights the need for balanced media reporting to focus on science rather than emotions or politics.
Researchers argue that the NY-ELCAP program cannot determine if screening saves lives due to a lack of control group. The study may harm participants, lead to overdiagnosis and make it harder to learn the true effect of spiral CT screening.
A new report by Dartmouth and VA researchers has introduced simple, low-tech risk charts that place cancer mortality in context. These charts show the 10-year chance of dying from various causes, such as heart disease, stroke, or breast cancer, side-by-side for men and women of different ages and smoking statuses.
A study found that 39 out of 147 research presentations received prominent newspaper coverage, despite being preliminary findings. The publications record for these presentations was almost identical to the overall publication rate, highlighting the need for scientists to emphasize limitations when interviewed by media.
Recent medical press releases have been found to often exaggerate results, fail to acknowledge study limitations, and lack transparency. The authors suggest that journals can improve the quality of press releases through enhanced editorial oversight and standardized presentation formats.
Researchers analyzed care in US, Australia, Canada, and UK to find similar survival rates for low-birth-weight babies. The US spent more on neonatal intensive care but less on reproductive and prenatal care.
A Dartmouth study reveals uneven regional distribution of newborn specialists and intensive care beds, correlating poorly with improved survival rates. The research suggests that increasing neonatal resources beyond a certain point may not lead to further gains in outcomes.
The study found that older patients fared better at high-volume hospitals for certain high-risk surgeries, including cancer and heart valve replacements. Higher volume hospitals had lower death rates compared to lower volume hospitals, particularly for patients over 65.
Researchers at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth have identified a genetic switch that turns on a program to destroy leukemic cells and potentially other tumor cells. This target gene, called UBE1L, mimics the action of retinoic acid, which causes remissions in acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Researchers at Dartmouth have discovered a mutant strain of the T. gondi parasite that can provide protection against the normal parasite, while also being harmless to infected individuals. The mutant strain was created by inactivating a key enzyme in its biochemical pathway, rendering it unable to cause disease.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that restricting R-rated movies is associated with lower rates of adolescent alcohol and tobacco use. The study surveyed over 4,500 students in grades five through eight, showing a significant decrease in smoking and drinking among those who never watched R-movies.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of membrane fusion in yeast cells, which challenges prior assumptions about the process. The study offers a practical tool to study and modulate fusion events, with potential applications in understanding disease and developing treatments.
A Dartmouth study found biases in cancer screening trials that may have overestimated its benefits, suggesting a need for alternative mortality analysis methods. The research recommends using all-cause mortality alongside disease-specific mortality to ensure accurate assessment of screening's value.
A statewide study found that people who used tanning lamps were 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma than non-users. The risk of these skin cancers increased with younger age at use.
Researchers surveyed 5,000 middle school students and found that those exposed to more movie smoking were 2.5 times more likely to start smoking than those with minimal exposure. The study also showed strong correlations between on-screen actor endorsement of cigarette brands and increased likelihood of smoking.
Dartmouth Medical School biochemists identify a transport receptor that selects soluble proteins for export from cells, resolving a long-standing puzzle. The discovery opens up new avenues for understanding protein secretion and its role in diseases such as hemophilia.
Researchers have identified a new class of microRNAs in the roundworm C. elegans, which are tiny regulatory RNAs that can regulate gene expression without producing proteins. The study found dozens of these genes, including two that are also present in humans and could play a role in heart tissue development.
A study published in The Lancet found that prescription-drug advertisements rarely quantify a medication's expected benefit and instead rely on emotional appeals. This lack of clear information can lead to consumer misinformedness about treatment options and potential side effects.
Researchers at Dartmouth/VA reveal that operative mortality for major surgery varies significantly by procedure and patient age. Elderly patients face two- to four-fold higher mortality risks than younger patients, highlighting the need for more realistic estimates in decision-making.
A study by Dartmouth Medical School researchers found significant regional variation in neonatal intensive care workforce distribution, with cities like Washington DC and Newark NJ having higher numbers of neonatologists. The team's findings suggest that more resources do not necessarily lead to better outcomes for newborns.
Dartmouth Medical School's Interactive Media Laboratory has been designated a national Center for Public Health Preparedness, focusing on applied communications technology and E-learning. The center aims to enhance public health readiness by developing cutting-edge interactive education and training programs.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have clarified the molecular gears that drive biological clocks, revealing a simple model with striking parallels. The study found that light and dark cycles reset the clocks, but are not required to run them, and identified fundamental properties shared among all living clocks.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have discovered a way to inhibit the enzyme that many bacteria use to infect and damage hosts. This finding could provide a foundation for developing new agents to combat bacterial infections, potentially leading to therapies against cystic fibrosis and other diseases.
A Dartmouth-VA study found that for-profit hospital ownership is associated with higher per capita Medicare spending and faster spending growth compared to non-profit hospitals. The analysis controlled for various factors that might influence health care costs.
A recent study led to misleading reports due to incorrect presentation of data, leading the researchers to urge for improved communication of research findings to the public. They suggest using absolute event rates, presenting risk ratios instead of odds ratios, and avoiding overgeneralization to provide realistic expectations.
Heavy metal contamination was found in northern Mexico's residential areas near smelters and refineries, exceeding maximum acceptable levels for cleanup. The contamination poses serious health risks to children and adults, including lead exposure, neurological damage, and increased cancer risk.
A multi-centered study led by Dartmouth Medical School found that supplementation with calcium can reduce the recurrence rate of large bowel adenomas in people with a history of these particular polyps. The findings suggest promising measures that are fairly simple and inexpensive to help prevent colorectal cancer.
Researchers found a genetic variation that increases collagenase production, potentially facilitating cancer invasion and spread. This discovery offers clues to molecular switches controlling cancer progression and provides tools for detection and treatment.