Tulane University researchers discovered a possible genetic cause of hypermobility and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, linking it to folate deficiency due to the MTHFR gene variation. Elevated folate levels in blood tests can aid in diagnosis, while methylated folate has shown promising treatment results for patients.
Researchers at Tulane University found that social rank affects the stress response in adult female mice, particularly in how they respond to chronic social stress. The study revealed differences in brain areas activated by social encounters based on social status, with higher-ranking mice more susceptible to social isolation and lower...
A Tulane University study found that areas with paid sick leave mandates experienced significant increases in breast cancer (4%) and colorectal cancer (6-8%) screenings among private sector employees. The findings suggest that non-monetary barriers to healthcare access can have a meaningful impact on health outcomes.
A new study from Tulane University compared popular diets on nutritional quality and environmental impact, finding that keto and paleo diets scored among the lowest on nutrition quality and had the highest carbon emissions. Vegan diets, on the other hand, generated significantly less carbon dioxide per calorie consumed.
Researchers have developed a new synthetic skin, made of hydrogels, to study how mosquitoes transmit deadly diseases. The hydrogel system can mimic different blood vessel patterns, allowing for more consistent testing and analysis. This breakthrough may help identify ways to prevent the spread of disease.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that breast cancer cells use complex immune-modulatory programs to evade immune clearance, leading to treatment resistance. They identified 16 immune checkpoint genes and found that chemotherapy triggers a program of immune checkpoints that shield cancer cells from different lines of attack.
Researchers at Tulane University have discovered that following a low-carbohydrate diet can lead to reduced hemoglobin A1c levels and improved fasting glucose levels among individuals with unmedicated diabetes and prediabetes. The study suggests that a low-carb diet may be a useful approach for preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes.
A study at Tulane University found that recently formed stroke plaques contain messenger RNA that causes inflammation and degrades a protective cap, leading to rupture. This discovery could lead to new tools to stop strokes from happening and develop new drugs or diagnostics to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that using advanced image-guided technology didn't lead to better outcomes for patients, but rather put them at higher risk of strokes. The study suggests that a simpler approach may be more effective in treating atrial fibrillation.
Researchers discovered that stress neurotransmitter norepinephrine stimulates a specific population of inhibitory neurons in the amygdala to generate a repetitive bursting pattern of electrical discharges. This leads to the formation of fear memories, which can be difficult to forget due to their association with traumatic experiences.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed a new family of two-dimensional materials called transition metal carbo-chalcogenides (TMCC), which combines the properties of two existing families. The TMCC material has promising applications in advanced electronics, high-capacity batteries, and other fields due to its unique set of pr...
Researchers found severe brain inflammation and injury in COVID-19 patients, with neuron damage and death also present. The study suggests that nonhuman primates can serve as a proxy for understanding human neurological consequences of COVID-19.
A study by Tulane University found that swapping just one serving of beef per day for a more planet-friendly alternative can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 48% and water-use impacts by 30%. This simple change could collectively make a substantial difference in reducing the carbon footprint of US diets.
A global study found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients with metabolic syndrome had a 20% higher risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and dying. The study examined records of over 46,000 patients in 181 hospitals across 26 countries.
A Tulane University study successfully leverages artificial intelligence to identify and diagnose colorectal cancer with a performance comparable to, if not better than, highly experienced pathologists. The AI-powered program achieves an average accuracy of .98 in accurately identifying colorectal cancer from tissue scans.
A novel material has been engineered to achieve high power and energy densities, potentially reducing charging times from hours to minutes. This breakthrough could address the need for electrochemical energy storage devices capable of handling high charging rates and high capacity.
BioAesthetics Corp., a Tulane University spin-out company, has received a $256,000 grant to develop a novel graft for treating pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The graft, strengthened with biodegradable polymers, will be tested in Kristin Miller's lab to compare its elasticity and strength to normal tissue.
The new test detects a specific protein (CFP-10) in children's blood samples with high sensitivity and accuracy, identifying TB cases with 100% accuracy. It can detect TB up to 60 weeks before diagnosis, offering early detection and potentially saving lives.
A recent study by Tulane University researchers found that human-made levees on the Mississippi River have reduced the amount of organic carbon released into the atmosphere. The team measured sediment ages and deposition times, revealing that ancient carbon was buried at a slower rate before modernization.
A new Tulane University study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had metabolic syndrome were over three times more likely to die from the disease. The study also showed that patients with metabolic syndrome were nearly five times more likely to be admitted to an ICU, need a ventilator, or develop ARDS.
Researchers developed a hybrid solar energy converter that generates both electricity and thermal energy with high efficiency and low cost, enabling zero-net-energy development and greenhouse-gas-free operations. The system demonstrated 85.1% efficiency and is projected to have a system levelized cost of 3 cents per kilowatt hour.
A recent study published in Nature shows that CO2 emissions from the African continent's rift system are destabilizing diamond deposits, which could have significant implications for the environment.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered a way to inhibit aggressive triple negative breast cancer by targeting the TRAF3IP2 gene. Suppressing this gene suppresses tumor growth and metastasis, while silencing another gene, Rab27a, only delays tumor growth but not metastasis.
A new Tulane University study finds that coastal marshes in the Mississippi Delta are experiencing tipping points, where a small increase in sea-level rise leads to widespread submergence. The researchers predict that most marshes will drown in a few centuries once the rate of sea-level rise exceeds a certain threshold.
A new study from Tulane University has identified a protein on tumor-derived extracellular vesicles that indicates if NSCLC tumors are likely to metastasize. This discovery could lead to the development of an early diagnostic test for patients at high risk of cancer spread.
Researchers found a significant spike in new colorectal cancer diagnoses between ages 49 and 50, indicating many latent cases were likely going undiagnosed until screening began. The majority of these cases (93%) were invasive, requiring aggressive treatment, including surgery.
A new Tulane University study published in JAMA Network Open found that black and Hispanic patients are more likely to be offered appointments but asked about insurance status, and receive appointments further in the future. This bias in scheduling systems can lead to longer wait times and worse health outcomes for these groups.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that good sleep habits can compensate for a high genetic risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers analyzed over 385,000 participants and found that those with healthy sleep patterns had a 35% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
The NIH Telomere Research Network will set methodological standards for studying telomeres, a biological marker of aging and age-related diseases. Dr. Stacy Drury's network aims to define the extent to which telomere length can be used as a sentinel of aging-related disease risk.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a common cold virus can infect cells from human placentas, suggesting a possible link between maternal infection and fetal lung infections. Researchers suspect RSV could attack lung tissue within the fetus, potentially predisposing offspring to asthma.
A recent study led by Tulane researchers reveals that while more adults are attempting weight loss, the average BMI of Americans continues to increase. Researchers found that only a minority of those who tried to lose weight achieved success, highlighting the need for effective weight loss strategies.
A Tulane University study links long-term soil lead changes to children's blood lead levels, highlighting urban areas' role in exposing kids to toxic metals. The research also reveals socioeconomic disparities in lead exposure, with black children more likely to have higher blood lead levels.
Researchers developed a non-addictive painkiller that accelerates recovery time and prevents relapse to chronic pain. The new opioid, ZH853, outperforms morphine in treating pain while diminishing inflammation and reducing recovery time.
A new study by Tulane University researchers found that improved WIC food packages reduced obesity risk for 4-year-olds by 12% for boys and 10% for girls. The changes, made in 2009, added more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while reducing juice, milk, and cheese.
Researchers use photoacoustic imaging to detect placental ischemia in pregnant rats, revealing early signs of preeclampsia. The non-invasive procedure poses little risk to the fetus and may lead to better treatment outcomes.
A new Tulane University study questions the reliability of sea-level rise measurement in low-lying coastal areas, suggesting higher rates of relative sea-level rise due to subsidence. The research, published in Ocean Science, calls for a rethinking of how sea-level rise is measured in rapidly subsiding coastal lowlands.
A new Tulane University study found that lower-carbon diets are not only good for the environment but also healthier, with Americans eating less red meat and dairy. Diets high in saturated fat and greenhouse gas emissions were found to have a negative impact on nutritional value.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that a single dose of medication is not enough to eliminate trichomoniasis, a common curable STD causing serious birth complications and increasing HIV susceptibility. Researchers suggest multiple doses of treatment may be necessary for effective elimination of the parasite.
A new Tulane University study using optical dating found that the rate of land building from river diversions will be dwarfed by wetland loss. The study suggests positioning diversions in areas with greatest potential for land-building and protecting population centers.
A new study published in Psychology Research and Behavior Management found that school-based yoga can help children better manage stress and anxiety. Third-graders who participated in small group yoga/mindfulness activities for eight weeks showed improved psychosocial and emotional quality of life scores compared to their peers who rec...
A new study found that almost 100 million adults in China suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with men having a higher prevalence than women. The study highlights the need for public health strategies to prevent COPD, including smoking cessation programs and stricter control of ambient air pollution.
A new study from Tulane University finds that medical students who devoted more time to the humanities during medical school had significantly higher levels of positive physician attributes like empathy, tolerance of ambiguity, wisdom, and emotional intelligence. This is linked to lower levels of adverse traits like burnout.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE and American Journal of Pathology suggests that Lyme bacteria can survive a 28-day course of antibiotics for months after infection. The study found living B. burgdorferi spirochetes in ticks and multiple organs of primates treated with doxycycline, as well as persistent infections in some subjects.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed a new drug, AQ-13, effective against non-severe cases of malaria. The clinical trial results match the effectiveness of widely used treatment regimens and hold promise for combating drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains.
Tulane University has received a $12 million grant to test a promising drug treatment for Lassa fever and develop a vaccine against the deadly disease. The vaccine targets a recently discovered key antibody target on the surface of the virus, which can block it from infecting host cells.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a possible explanation for the rapid spread of the Ebola virus, pinpointing a small protein as the culprit. The delta peptide, produced in large amounts during infection, damages host cells and may contribute to severe gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to high mortality rates.
A new guide from Tulane University aims to address inherent sex bias in pre-clinical research on metabolic diseases. The guide emphasizes the need to consider sex differences in biological mechanisms, not just hormones, to accelerate discovery and treatment.
A new Tulane University study reveals that Louisiana's westernmost wetlands are vulnerable to sea-level rise, with over 60% of sites on track to drown. The research uses an unconventional method to measure sea-level change and provides a significant step forward in assessing the situation.
A Tulane University study reveals that using cockroach bait alone can significantly reduce asthma symptom days in children, with 47 fewer days reported over the course of a year. The intervention also led to lower numbers of unscheduled clinic visits and emergency room trips.
Researchers discovered that some monkeys with depleted immune systems still had a second line of defense against tuberculosis, targeting CD8 and B cells. This finding could lead to more effective vaccines for TB, which affects people co-infected with HIV.