A new clinical trial found that patients with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa improved significantly with a modified treatment approach that focused on quality of life and social adjustment. The study's results showed high retention rates and meaningful positive change, offering hope for those suffering from the disorder.
A genome-wide association study identified a novel genetic locus linked to both the onset and mortality of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study found that a variant in the TOLLIP gene was associated with an increased risk of death, suggesting an abnormal immune response may be central to the disease.
A recent study has identified a combination of genes and wheezing illness caused by human rhinovirus infection as a key predictor of childhood asthma. Children with a specific genetic variation and history of wheezing were nearly four times more likely to develop asthma by age 6.
Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that a specific region of the brain can encode both spatial and cognitive signals simultaneously. This finding suggests that multiple functions can be mapped onto a particular brain area, including individual brain cells.
Researchers have developed a new focal laser ablation treatment that uses precisely targeted heat to burn away cancerous cells in the prostate. The approach has shown promising safety results and can be performed without significant side effects.
Researchers have found six regions of the genome where humans and chimpanzees share identical genetic variants, suggesting that these traits date back to a common ancestor. This study highlights the importance of balancing selection in maintaining genetic variation and fending off infectious disease.
Scientists have developed a software model called TreeMix that compares genetic variants across populations to infer history of population splits and mixtures. This new approach reveals complex relationships among human populations, including interbreeding with wolves in dog breeds.
A study by Sliman Bensmaia and colleagues found that the timing and frequency of vibrations in the skin transmit specific messages about texture to the brain, similar to how sound is perceived. This new understanding has implications for simulating tactile sensations, such as haptic rendering and prosthetic technology.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that a medication called naltrexone can help women who quit smoking keep their weight off. The drug reduced weight gain in women by more than half, compared to those who took a placebo, and improved their overall success rate.
A study published in Cancer Discovery reveals that microRNAs can modify gene expression, converting normal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts that promote tumor growth. The researchers identified three microRNAs involved in this process and found that inhibiting these signals could disrupt the cancer's support system.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center discovered that not getting enough sleep has a harmful impact on fat cells, reducing their ability to respond to insulin. This finding suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, comparable to its role in brain function.
Researchers found cells similar to mammalian neocortex in bird brains, contradicting long-held assumptions about their anatomy. The study opens up new animal models for studying the neocortex and its evolution.
A new method uncovered a way cancer cells use HER3 to drive tumor progression despite treatment with HER1 and HER2 inhibitors. Researchers found HER3 could be up to 10 times more effective than HER2 in recruiting accessory proteins that promote cancer growth and metastasis.
A new study suggests that manipulating the microbiome may be a way to regulate weight gain. Researchers found that mice raised in a germ-free environment did not gain extra weight, even on a high-fat diet. The study highlights the importance of gut bacteria and the immune system in digestion and obesity.
Researchers developed a targeted antisense approach to treat toxoplasmosis, reducing viable parasites by over 90% in mice. The therapy combines short nucleic acid strands with peptides to disrupt genetic signals, with potential applications in non-parasitic diseases.
A new clinical trial shows that drinking eight ounces of grapefruit juice daily can increase the levels of an anti-cancer drug called sirolimus in patients with incurable cancer. This combination could help patients avoid serious gastrointestinal side effects and reduce medication costs.
A new program at the University of Chicago Medical Center will test a comprehensive care physician model to reduce spending and improve care for frequently hospitalized patients. The model aims to strengthen the bond between doctors and patients, improving continuity of care after hospital stays.
The roadmap provides evidence-based solutions to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, emphasizing the need for integrating disparities reduction into broader quality improvement efforts. Successful interventions utilize team approaches, patient navigation, cultural tailoring, and interactive skill-based training.
The Taxman Family Foundation will donate $2.5 million to the University of Chicago Medicine to support the training of specialists in digestive disease. The gift honors Dr. Joseph Kirsner, a renowned gastroenterologist who trained generations of experts.
A new study finds that patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) have higher per-patient operating costs, with additional expenses for personnel, technology, and quality improvement measures. The PCMH model aims to improve care quality and reduce wasteful spending, but its financial sustainability is threatened by these increased costs.
A new study emphasizes the importance of including parents in newborn screening programs for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), a group of rare metabolic disorders. The researchers argue that without parental consent, the 'all-or-nothing' constraint leads to inadequate informed decision-making.
A survey of resident physicians reveals that more than half had worked with flu-like symptoms, citing responsibility to colleagues and patients as top reasons. Female residents were more likely to work sick, fearing being perceived as weak. The study calls for better identification and address of presenteeism by medical educators.
The study of Acanthodes bronni, a 290-million-year-old fossil fish, sheds light on the evolution of early jawed vertebrates. The researchers found that the common ancestor of all jawed vertebrates resembled a shark, with features such as cartilaginous jaws and primitive sensory organs.
A study found that concentrated milk fats alter the composition of gut bacteria, disrupting the balance between the immune system and beneficial microbes. This can lead to an unregulated immune response, increasing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease in genetically prone individuals.
Researchers found that childhood cancer survivors develop secondary gastrointestinal cancers at a rate nearly five times higher than the general population. The study's lead author suggests implementing earlier screening guidelines for this population, particularly those with increased risk factors.
A three-drug treatment combining carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone showed rapid and durable responses in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. After at least eight cycles of treatment, 61% had a stringent complete response.
A 345-million-year-old eel fossil, Tarrasius problematicus, has been found with a human-like spine, contradicting the long-held assumption that such complex anatomy is exclusive to land-dwelling animals. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of spinal organization in fish species.
A web-based video instructional program significantly improves patient compliance with colonoscopy screenings, cutting no-show rates by up to 40%. The study found that patients who watched the video were more likely to arrive prepared and cancel appointments less frequently, leading to better outcomes for cancer detection and treatment.
Researchers discovered a link between the metabolic system and brain activity in anxiety disorders, finding that increasing Glo1 expression lowers methylglyoxal levels, reducing anxiety behaviors. A small molecule inhibitor of Glo1 showed promise in reducing anxiety-like symptoms in mice.
A new study found that patients who received guidance on sexual activity before leaving the hospital were more likely to recapture their sex lives after a heart attack. Researchers urge doctors to address sexual health as an important part of overall physical function, especially for women.
A compound isolated from honeybee hive propolis has been found to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells and tumors in mice by shutting down their system for detecting sources of nutrition. The compound CAPE arrests early-stage prostate cancer by suppressing proteins involved in cell proliferation, offering a promising co-treatment a...
A study confirms that prostate cancer screening is widely ignored in men aged 75 or older, defying 2008 guidelines. Nearly half of men in this age group continue to receive screenings, highlighting the need for selective screening.
A large-scale study shows that introducing sophisticated biologic therapies early in treatment improves response to medication and reduces the need for surgery. Patients treated with biologic therapies earlier were significantly less likely to need steroids and required fewer surgeries related to their Crohn's disease.
A new study found that social stress changes the expression of nearly 1,000 genes in rhesus macaques, affecting their immune response and other functions. The researchers discovered significant differences in gene expression between high-ranking and low-ranking females, suggesting a strong link between social environment and biology.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that low doses of olanzapine improved survival in mice with exercise-based anorexia, a common condition in people with the eating disorder. The antidepressant fluoxetine was ineffective in improving survival rates.
The University of Chicago Medicine will launch a new program to study the role of spirituality in medical practice and education, with a focus on how a physician's personal beliefs inform their professional life. The Faculty Scholars program aims to train junior faculty to conduct research on this topic.
A national survey of OB-GYNs found that most doctors do not routinely ask about sexual problems or satisfaction, and even fewer inquire about a patient's orientation. This omission can lead to missed opportunities for diagnosis and treatment, with women often suffering in silence due to fear or embarrassment.
Two studies suggest that opioids can stimulate tumor growth and spread in cancer patients, with laboratory research indicating the mu opioid receptor plays a key role. Medications blocking this receptor may reduce cancer growth and metastasis.
Providing personal mobile computers to medical residents increases their efficiency and enhances continuity of care. The study found that residents submitted 5% more orders before morning rounds and 8% more orders before handing off responsibilities.
A large-scale genomic study in Bangladesh has identified genetic variants that increase the risk of skin lesions from chronic arsenic exposure. Variants near the enzyme responsible for metabolizing arsenic into a less toxic form were found, suggesting that individuals with these changes are more susceptible to arsenic-related disease.
Researchers discovered that manipulating two biochemical signals regulating mitochondria in cells can shrink human lung cancers in mice. By boosting fusion signal or blocking fission, they reduced cell division and increased cell death.
Researchers Stefano Allesina and Si Tang refined Robert May's 1972 formula to incorporate predator-prey relationships, allowing for greater ecosystem diversity. The new model predicts that large ecosystems can support an infinite number of species through complex interactions.
A new study finds that varenicline increases the negative effects of alcohol and decreases drug liking in heavy-to-moderate social drinkers. This effect could reduce bingeing and other forms of abuse. Varenicline may be an effective treatment for individuals with both nicotine and alcohol dependence.
A study found that patients leaving hospitals against medical advice do not have to pay the full cost of their stay, as insurance companies typically cover the expenses. However, many physicians and some consent forms incorrectly inform patients that they may be held financially responsible if they leave AMA.
A new analysis of clinical trial data found that treatment with fluoxetine did not increase or decrease suicidality in children compared to placebo. The study also showed that two different antidepressant drugs were effective at reducing suicidal behavior and depressive symptoms in adult and geriatric patients.
The current lung transplant system allocates organs based on proximity rather than medical urgency, resulting in sicker patients being left waiting. This can lead to a decrease in the overall benefits of transplantation and an increase in mortality rates for those most in need.
A systematic review of FDA warnings and alerts over 20 years found that communicating health risks can be a complex science, with varying impacts on drug use and health behaviors. The most effective notices were those warning about serious adverse events, but even these had variable effects.
Neural recordings reveal brain activity that encodes visual categories in the posterior parietal cortex, outperforming the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that the parietal cortex is more involved in the categorization process, particularly for spatial and visual tasks.
Researchers found that delaying effective hypertension treatment for up to a year results in small-quality adjusted life expectancy loss, but longer delays cause significant damage. The study suggests patients and providers focus on diabetes self-management and lifestyle modification within the first year after diagnosis.
A team of scientists recreated the evolution of complexity in a molecular machine by analyzing ancient genes and testing their functions in modern organisms. They found that the increase in complexity was due to complementary loss of ancestral functions rather than gaining new ones.