Researchers developed an intensive treatment combining radiation and chemotherapy to control locally advanced head and neck cancer, achieving complete local control for 92% of patients. The therapy increased long-term survival to 55%, with most side effects resolving after treatment.
Researchers have developed a new technique to identify elusive human genes expressed at low levels, which could play crucial roles in normal processes or disease prevention. The approach reduces the 'tail' of genetic material, retaining more copies of these genes and increasing their discovery rate.
Researchers found that 10 out of 20 bioflavonoids tested caused breaks in the MLL gene, which is a key player in about 80% of infant leukemias. The study suggests that high dietary intake of bioflavonoids could cause DNA damage and potentially trigger leukemia.
A $11-million grant will support a research team in understanding how genetic variation affects the response to anti-cancer drugs. The team aims to develop personalized dosing strategies to increase treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered exactly how beta-lactamase deactivates penicillin, a crucial step in understanding the mechanism of resistance. This breakthrough could lead to improved antibiotic design and help combat hospital-acquired infections caused by resistant bacteria.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that doctors predict their terminally ill patients will live 5.3 times longer than they actually do, leading to unsatisfactory end-of-life care. The study suggests that some improvements may be made by having disinterested doctors provide predictive second opinions.
Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered how neighboring skin cells adhere to form sealed barriers, a critical function for maintaining body fluids and keeping germs out. The study found that calcium concentration plays a crucial role in this process, enabling the formation of adherence junctions and 'puncta' between cells.
Researchers found that genes involved in male reproductive processes, such as sperm production and morphology, have evolved at a faster rate than non-sexual genes in humans. This accelerated evolution is attributed to sexual pressure, including competition for mating success and internal sperm competition.
Methylnaltrexone reverses opioid-induced constipation in over 90% of patients, providing relief from debilitating symptoms. The drug is designed to block morphine's effects on gut motility without interfering with pain relief.
Researchers found that low E-cadherin levels are the strongest prognostic factor for a poor long-term outcome in node-negative breast cancer patients. High or intermediate levels add little assurance of good prognosis, but abnormally low levels indicate a substantially increased risk of metastasis.
A four-year study found that consistently low salivary cortisol levels in boys aged 7-12 are associated with early onset and persistence of aggressive behavior. Boys with low cortisol levels exhibited three times the number of aggressive symptoms and were more likely to be singled out by their classmates.
The University of Chicago is set to receive a new laboratory complex, the Interdisciplinary Research Building, thanks to a $131.5 million investment from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The 375,000-gross-square-feet building will bring together researchers from various fields, enhancing collaboration and idea-sharing.
Researchers are using two major grants to develop a new diagnostic nomenclature for children's mental health, combining valid symptoms and rules from competing systems. The studies aim to identify clusters of co-occurring symptoms and test hypotheses regarding the syndromes of mental disorder.
Researchers have defined and sequenced the centromeres of five chromosomes in Arabidopsis thaliana, a flowering plant that has become the primary model for plant genetics. The findings represent the first time scientists have identified the genetic boundaries of centromeres in a multi-cellular organism.
The University of Chicago has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to expand its programs in immunology and structural biology. The grant will be used to fund six new junior faculty members, support pilot projects, and establish shared facilities.
A study of 14 patients with refractory Crohn's disease found that all participants responded to thalidomide treatment, with significant improvements in disease activity and fistula closure. The median daily steroid dose fell by over 70%, indicating a potential steroid-sparing effect.
A new technique allows scientists to introduce desired genes directly into embryonic cells using the baculovirus, enabling the study of gene function in non-model organisms. This method has shown promising results in fruit flies, beetles, and other species, offering a breakthrough for understanding developmental processes.
Scientists have found evidence that trichromatic or full color vision originated in prosimians, a group of lemurs, Bush Babies and pottos, rather than in higher primates. The new research pushes the origin of primate color vision back roughly 20 million years to about 55 million years ago.
The X and Y chromosomes are thought to have originated from a pair of identical autosomes, diverging over 300 million years through four discrete stages. This divergence led to the formation of distinct sex chromosomes, with X-Y genes serving as fossils for reconstructing their evolutionary history.
Researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to changes in glucose tolerance and hormone secretion, resembling the effects of advanced age or early stages of diabetes. Sleep deprivation also altered thyroid-stimulating hormone production and cortisol levels, with significant consequences for overall health.
Researchers found that extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis significantly reduce cellular damage due to free radicals. The extract helped cells regain their ability to contract rhythmically after simulating cardiac arrest, reducing cell death by 47% compared to untreated cells.
Researchers at the University of Chicago are developing new therapies to induce immune tolerance for islet transplants and autoimmune diseases. The grants aim to improve the success of transplants and treatments for type 1 diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
A University of Chicago study found that neighborhoods with more racially integrated populations have higher rates of bystander CPR during cardiac arrests. In contrast, predominantly white and black neighborhoods had lower CPR rates.
Scientists have pinpointed a protein called plethodontid receptivity factor (PRF) that directly influences female receptivity in salamanders, shortening the courtship time by 15%,. This discovery highlights the importance of pheromones in survival and provides insights into the evolution and mechanism of action of these complex chemicals.
Researchers found that the Rpm1 resistance gene in Arabidopsis is approximately 9.8 million years old, with minimal changes over time, contradicting the 'arms race' theory. The study suggests an alternative 'trench warfare' model, where cycles of disease epidemics maintain stable forms of resistance and susceptibility genes.
The Initiative for Design of Bio-Inspired Materials receives a $2-million grant to explore new physical materials based on biological templates. Researchers aim to develop functional materials and control biological processes using advanced techniques.
Scientists at the University of Chicago Medical Center have discovered a key gene that enables skin to acquire its barrier function, which is crucial for preventing dehydration and infections in premature babies. The study uses genetically engineered mice with a mutated Klf4 gene to demonstrate the importance of this factor.
A large-scale study by the University of Chicago found that immunotherapy, a treatment aimed at preventing recurrent miscarriage, is not effective. Women who received this treatment had more and later miscarriages compared to those receiving a placebo.
Researchers discovered that male fruit flies displace and incapacitate a previous male's sperm to fertilize eggs. The study found that the last fruit fly to mate with the female sires most offspring, and that seminal fluid alone cannot cause displacement of stored sperm.
Researchers have discovered that plakin proteins bind to all three components of the cytoskeleton, providing an integrated bracing system that gives cells their strength and flexibility. This finding sheds new light on how nerve axons maintain their rigidity and allow for the transport of neurotransmitter-filled vesicles.
Researchers found that blocking VEGF can significantly increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy against various types of cancer. The combination of anti-VEGF and radiation resulted in greater tumor reduction and slowed re-growth, even with minimal added toxicity.
Researchers at University of Chicago discover that a single amino acid change in viral protein ICP0 prevents herpes virus from entering nervous system. The finding reveals a potential new target for herpes vaccines or future therapies.
Researchers describe the first case of sporadic fatal insomnia (SFI), a neurologic disorder matching Shakespeare's witches' curse, caused by protein misfolding rather than a mutant gene. The condition's symptoms and neuropathology are identical to those of fatal familial insomnia.
Researchers have demonstrated a faster and safer approach to cancer vaccine therapy, producing encouraging results in melanoma patients. The new method involves using circulating white blood cells and moderate doses of IL-12, showing promise for treating advanced melanoma.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that yeast can form an interconnected system where one organelle gives rise to another through outgrowths of its own membrane. This finding sheds light on disorders such as Menkes disease and polycystic kidney disease, which are caused by defects in Golgi function.
Researchers found that intense stimulation is required to create lasting memory T cells, which are crucial for killing HIV-infected or cancerous cells. This discovery may provide a solution to vaccine challenges in treating AIDS and cancer.
A mathematical model resolves a scientific debate on the origins of modern placental mammals, suggesting that a 65-million-year gap in the fossil record is unlikely due to incomplete preservation. The study finds that the quality of the mammalian fossil record is more consistent with genetic data than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered the precise three-dimensional shape of the complex between tamoxifen and the estrogen receptor. This clarifies how estrogens turn on genes and shows precisely how tamoxifen blocks this process, setting the stage for intentional drug design with precise action.
Researchers found that brief angiostatin exposure is sufficient to enhance the effects of radiation therapy. The combination of angiostatin and radiation resulted in significantly smaller tumors compared to other treatment groups.
Physicians at the University of Chicago Medical Center have found a way to bring full immune system power against cancer using co-stimulation technology. Patients with advanced or recurrent lymphoma have experienced anti-tumor effects and complete remissions after receiving expanded, co-stimulated T cells.
Eating foods high in solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGAs) like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants days before surgery may delay the metabolism of anesthetic drugs, leading to unpredictable responses. SGAs inhibit two enzymes responsible for breaking down anesthetics, causing them to act longer than expected.
A University of Chicago study found that 15-40% of outpatient surgery patients using short-acting anesthetics can bypass the recovery room, with annual savings ranging from $50,000 to $158,000 per site. This trend is expected to shift from academic centers to community hospitals and private offices.
Myuanan Long, a University of Chicago researcher, has received the David and Lucile Packard Fellowship to study gene evolution. He believes that new genes arise through shuffling and mixing of existing genes or gene fragments, with 'junk' DNA playing a crucial role in this process.
Researchers discovered that trace amounts of nicotine can raise blood pressure in an animal model by releasing the neurotransmitter lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The study suggests that even small doses of nicotine may cause short-term high blood pressure and potentially hypertension in humans.
Researcher Joy Bergelson finds that genetically engineered plants can outcross with wild relatives at a higher rate than previously thought, potentially leading to the creation of super-weeds. This could lead to increased pesticide use and crop competition for water and nutrients.
A study of heat stroke patients during the 1995 Chicago heat wave found that nearly half died within a year and many suffered permanent loss of independent function. Most patients developed multi-system organ dysfunction, including neurologic impairment, which persisted long after discharge.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a new protein, calgranulin, that can prevent the formation of kidney stones in minute amounts. Calgranulin is present in the kidney and human urine and can stop the growth of calcium oxalate crystals, the major component of kidney stones.
Researchers found that combining low doses of angiostatin with standard radiation therapy improves response rates without increasing toxicity. The combination causes significant growth inhibition in animal models, even in mice with large tumors.
Scientists have identified a powerful combination of heat shock proteins that can restore aggregated proteins to their functional states. The Hsp104-Hsp40-Hsp70 trio helps stabilize proteins during aggregation and refolding, providing essential protection against denaturation and promoting cell survival.
A rare medical archive enabled researchers to determine that patients with high nm23 levels and low density of newly formed blood vessels were more likely to survive 14 years after treatment. Low micro-vessel count was also a predictor, with 92% of patients surviving at least 14 years.