A new US-Candidate Risk Score (US-CRS) predicts mortality in adult heart transplant candidates, improving upon the current system. The model combines clinical and laboratory measurements, including molecular markers associated with liver and kidney failure.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found that changes in male gender expression from adolescence to young adulthood align closely with school environment norms and are associated with subsequent patterns of substance abuse. The study suggests that public health experts can play a role in countering detrimental cultural na...
Researchers at University of Chicago Medical Center discovered a correlation between gut microbiome composition and postoperative infections in liver transplant patients. The study found that metabolites in fecal samples could predict infection risk with high accuracy, providing a potential diagnostic tool.
Researchers discovered a novel therapeutic target BAMBI that suppresses immune cells, reducing the effectiveness of radiation therapy and inducing therapy resistance in cancer patients. BAMBI's expression is associated with improved survival rates, suggesting it as a promising approach to overcome radiation therapy resistance.
A technical expert panel provides guiding principles to avoid algorithmic bias in healthcare, aiming to reduce healthcare disparities and promote health equity. The principles aim to identify biases before implementation and mitigate their impact through conscious decisions by developers, users, and regulators.
A new study found that age-related patterns in firearm-related suicide have remained stable over decades, except for accelerating rates in younger teens. States with less strict firearm laws experienced significantly higher firearm suicide rates compared to those with more strict gun laws.
Researchers developed a community-based intervention to address food insecurity and transportation difficulties, which did not increase discrimination experiences among families. The study suggests that well-designed interventions can be provided without stigmatizing patients or families, paving the way for future research.
A new study provides preliminary evidence that an existing drug, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), could be used to treat type 1 diabetes. The drug has already been FDA-approved for other indications and may offer a more convenient treatment option for patients.
Researchers developed a personalized combination treatment that turned on an immunometabolic switch to effectively control aggressive prostate cancer. The treatment showed complete tumor control and long-lasting survival without side effects in a mouse model of advanced prostate cancer.
Researchers at the University of Chicago developed a potential new PCOS treatment using mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles, which can lower androgen hormone activity and stabilize ovarian function. This approach offers a better safety profile and potential for wide-scale applications compared to conventional methods.
A phase II clinical trial shows that adding an immunomodulatory agent to treatment with a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor did not improve disease-free survival for patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. The study found cediranib to be an active agent, but combining it with lenalidomide didn't yield better results.
Research from the University of Chicago Medical Center reveals that people who experienced parental incarceration before age 18 had higher levels of hypertension and coronary disease biomarkers. The study's findings suggest that mass incarceration may have transgenerational health consequences.
A new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that stem cell gene therapy may offer a promising, curative treatment for sickle cell disease. The therapy was shown to decrease vaso-occlusive events and increase production of fetal hemoglobin, providing relief from the painful condition.
Researchers found a remarkable surge in US vasectomy rates from 2014 to 2021, with a 26% relative increase among privately insured men aged 18-64. The study highlights the importance of healthcare providers offering vasectomy counseling and services to meet growing patient needs.
A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine reveals that nearly 75% of acute stroke patients wait over two hours to be transferred to a comprehensive stroke center. The median time between initial arrival and departure was 174 minutes, with three in four patients waiting longer than the recommended maximum of 120 minutes.
A systematic review found that private equity investments in healthcare are generally associated with higher costs to patients and payers. The study also suggests that private equity ownership has mixed effects on healthcare quality, while its impact on health outcomes and operator costs is inconclusive.
A new initiative has shown that holistic, team-based care that bridges clinic treatment to community resources can improve diabetes care and management. Healthcare organizations partnering with community groups to address social factors such as food insecurity also shows promise in empowering patients to better manage their own symptoms.
Researchers found that select patients with early-stage disease who undergo a less invasive procedure have comparable outcomes to traditional lobectomy. The study adds evidence supporting the preservation of functional lung tissue in cancer patients whenever possible.
A new study found that Black patients with pulmonary fibrosis are significantly younger than their Hispanic and white counterparts, experiencing accelerated disease progression. Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors linked to environmental exposures may contribute to these disparities.
A study at the University of Chicago Medicine found that memantine significantly improved symptoms of trichotillomania and skin-picking disorder compared to a placebo. The drug, commonly used for Alzheimer's disease, showed promise as a first-line treatment option.
A University of Chicago study found that older adults living near fracking sites in Pennsylvania had higher rates of cardiovascular disease hospitalizations compared to those in nearby New York state. The study linked exposure to air and water pollution from fracking activity to increased health outcomes.
Researchers discovered a new personalized immunotherapy combination that treats aggressive forms of advanced prostate cancer. By blocking PD-1-expressing macrophages and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, the therapy significantly improves response rates in PTEN-deficient cancers.
Researchers identified 91 genes associated with fat distribution in women, which may lead to metabolic health issues. The study found that a specific gene, SNX10, is linked to higher waist-to-hip ratios and cardiovascular disease risk in women.
Researchers have found evidence that high frequency brain waves in the motor cortex contain information about planned movements, providing a new understanding of how the brain controls movement. The study's findings could inform the development of brain-machine interfaces and reveal new insights into cortical function.
Researchers investigate how lung cancers evade the immune system to develop more effective immunotherapy treatments. The study aims to uncover a new way lung cancers disguise themselves from the immune system, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed an app to track CPAP use, sleep patterns, and other health metrics to provide a new adherence metric that aligns therapy with individual need. This tool can help patients and providers deliver more effective sleep apnea treatment by tracking progress toward a personalized dose of therapy.
Researchers at University of Chicago Medical Center have identified biomarker predicting response to combined RT and ICB treatment in mNSCLC. High tumor aneuploidy associated with improved survival when RT is added to ICB, while low aneuploidy shows no survival benefit.
Researchers discovered a unique anatomical design in octopus nerve cords that connects arms symmetrically, providing new insights into alternative nervous system structures. This discovery may aid in the development of new engineered technologies, such as robots and autonomous underwater devices.
Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that yeast cells use membrane-less compartments to drive high-level gene expression in response to environmental stress, mirroring a mechanism used by mammalian cells. This finding has implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.
Research found that the Black Death drove changes in immune-related genetic variants, affecting disease susceptibility. A specific gene variant, ERAP2, was associated with increased protection against the plague, but also linked to autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease.
A new study found that hormone therapy experiences differ significantly by race among women experiencing menopause symptoms. White women reported higher rates of hormone therapy use and better quality of life compared to women of other ethnicities.
A new study found that caregivers, particularly women, experience higher odds of health-related vulnerabilities such as food insecurity and financial strain. Caregivers must balance their own lives with those of their dependents, finding ways to care for themselves while dedicating time to caring for loved ones.
Researchers used data from over 400,000 individuals to model genetic and environmental factors influencing common neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene-environment interactions accounted for a significant proportion of variability in some disorders, while others showed more substantial contributions.
During the pandemic, UChicago Medicine's Feed1st pantry program doubled its distribution rates, providing over 42,000 pounds of food to patients and staff. This open-access model maximizes dignity and facilitates use, increasing the likelihood that individuals in need will access food resources.
Researchers at the University of Chicago found that Medicare residents in US nursing homes report only 59.7% of pressure ulcers, with disparities affecting Black and Hispanic residents, who experience more severe stage 4 ulcers.
A new study finds that primary care physicians need at least 26.7 hours/day to see an average number of patients, with team-based care reducing the time to 9.3 hours/day. The research highlights the challenges of providing comprehensive care within the constraints of a clinic workday.
Researchers found a rapid decline in sense of smell predicts cognitive impairment, including dementia and smaller brain areas, in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The study suggests using smell tests as an early screening tool to identify high-risk patients.
A new study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that paintball gun assaults can cause vision-threatening emergencies, including ruptured globes and permanent blindness. The research revealed a significantly higher rate of severe eye injuries than previously known, with some patients requiring multiple surgeries.
A new study by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine found that COVID-19-related deaths could have been prevented in 52 of Chicago's zip codes with more equitable vaccine coverage. The study revealed a 75% reduction in deaths if the least-vaccinated areas had followed the same vaccination trend as the most-vaccinated areas.
A study found epigenetic differences in airway cells of patients with asthma who have asthmatic mothers, suggesting impaired immune responses and potential new therapies for this subtype of asthma. The research was conducted in a diverse population and replicated in independent children's cells.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University of Amsterdam have identified a new mechanism that prompts T cell responses, including MHC-I cross-dressing. This discovery may lead to improved vaccine design and targeted cancer treatment strategies.
A new study by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine has identified a set of sporadic genetic mutations that make it more likely a person will develop cavernous angiomas, which can lead to stroke and seizures. Understanding these underlying causes is key to identifying patients at risk and finding effective treatments.
Researchers discovered that ovarian cancer tumors evade immune attack by redirecting tryptophan breakdown to the serotonin pathway, increasing NAD+ levels. Blocking this pathway with IDO1 inhibitors can be ineffective due to the adaptation of tumor microenvironments.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that a combination treatment of nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline is more effective for smoking cessation in heavy drinkers, resulting in 44.3% abstinence rate. Participants also showed significant reductions in drinking rates, with 25% decrease in weekly drinking days.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found no evidence that LSD microdosing improves mood and cognitive function. However, the study did confirm that taking small doses of LSD is safe, with participants building a tolerance to the drug over time.
A new study found that increasing sleep duration by an average of 1.2 hours per night reduced participants' overall caloric intake by an average of 270 kcal per day. This translates to roughly 12 kg, or 26 lbs., of weight loss over three years if the effects were maintained.
A study found that many big box retailers lack Spanish language COVID-19 vaccine resources, hindering access for Hispanic populations. The researchers recommend increasing the visibility of these resources and incorporating non-English materials into public health strategies.
A study published in Science Advances found that cannabidiol (CBD) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in human cells and mice, suggesting its potential as a preventative or early treatment for COVID-19. CBD's effects were confined to high purity doses and specific situations.
A Chicago study found that providing individual hotel rooms and medical support to high-risk homeless individuals reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rates by 75% compared to citywide rates in shelters. The intervention also led to improvements in health measures such as blood pressure and glycemic control, with over half of participants movi...
Researchers found that gut microbiome changes can reduce b-amyloid deposits in male mice, indicating a potential target for preventing and treating dementia. Daily fecal matter transplants restored the pre-antibiotic microbiome, suggesting microglia memory plays a role.