A new study at the University of Chicago has found that individuals of European and African genetic ancestry respond differently to influenza infection, with a stronger type I interferon pathway activation in those of European ancestry. This variation in immune response may contribute to disparities in influenza outcomes between differ...
Researchers used CRISPR gene-editing tools to show that a gene controlling bone growth in fish fins plays the same role in forming fingers and toes in four-legged creatures. The study suggests that the last common ancestor between ray- and lobe-finned fish already had the genetic toolkit to shape their appendages.
Researchers developed a new risk measure, Universal Influenza-like Transmission (UnIT) score, that outperformed existing models in predicting weekly case count forecasts. The model used 10 years of influenza hospitalization data to identify patterns and improve COVID-19 spread predictions.
Researchers developed an algorithm that leverages medical informatics to predict autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses in young children. The new approach uses diagnostic codes from past doctor's visits to calculate a risk score, identifying which patients are at risk of receiving a confirmed ASD diagnosis.
Researchers found that parental knowledge and beliefs differ across socioeconomic status, but these beliefs can be changed. Interventions aimed at shifting parental beliefs had measurable effects on child outcomes, particularly in more intensive home visiting programs.
Researchers at University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory found that primate neurons receive two to five times fewer excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connections than similar mouse neurons. The study suggests that metabolic costs may drive larger neural networks to be sparser, as seen in primates versus mouse neurons.
Researchers have found that blocking DHPS, an enzyme necessary for activating elF5A, can reduce inflammation and improve glucose control in mice. The study suggests macrophages play a key role in inflammation in obesity, and targeting this pathway may be a promising approach to treating the condition.
A recent study found that domestic violence reporting declined by 10-fold in Black communities compared to White neighborhoods during Chicago's COVID-19 stay-at-home order. The researchers attribute this underreporting to a lack of resources and mistrust in law enforcement among Black communities.
A new regional policy in Chicago has led to an increase in patients receiving endovascular therapy, a critical treatment for large vessel occlusions. The study suggests that this policy change can improve stroke outcomes and has the potential to have a major public health impact.
Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.
A new study reveals that AI tools analyzing tumor images can make inaccurate predictions due to shortcuts introduced by institutions submitting the images. The models often rely on location-specific signatures rather than biological characteristics, leading to biased outcomes for patients from certain medical centers.
A new study found that only 20 out of 51 US states included health equity committees in their COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans, with only 8 representing minority groups. The study highlights the need for standardized processes to address existing healthcare disparities and ensure equitable access to vaccines.
Researchers found that vaccines produced in chicken eggs induce an antibody response against a glycan called N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), which is not typically targeted by the immune system. This unexpected finding may impact the effectiveness of flu vaccines grown in eggs.
Scientists have imaged an entire mouse brain at the microscopic to macroscopic level using a new micro-CT approach. This technique bridges the resolution gap between MRI and electron microscopy, enabling the connection of biomarkers across multiple scales and improving image resolution.
Researchers identified neutrophil elastase as a major anti-cancer protein that activates cell death pathways specifically in cancer cells. This discovery may lead to the development of first-in-class medicines that target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues.
A new study found that a one-hour inhalation session with 25% nitrous oxide gas improved depression symptoms for over two weeks, with fewer adverse side effects compared to higher concentrations. The effects were nearly as effective as 50% nitrous oxide at rapidly relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.
Researchers restored gut microbes missing in early life dysbiosis and prevented colitis in mice by adding a single strain of Bacteroides sp. CL1-UC. This finding highlights the importance of early childhood exposures on health throughout lifetime.
Researchers identified conserved parts of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu virus that triggered strong and effective immune responses. These responses can be harnessed for a universal flu vaccine targeting stable, conserved areas of the HA protein.
A recent study has identified a constellation of genetic variants in the FTO gene that correlate with metabolic and behavioral changes linked to obesity. The research found that these variants influence the expression of IRX3 and IRX5, which collectively mediate risk of obesity.
A new study from the University of Chicago and Harvard Medical School found no relationship between low-value care exposure and favorable patient ratings. Despite concerns that catering to patient satisfaction may lead to worse outcomes, the researchers eliminated patient-level factors and gained a less-biased look at the relationship,...
A study found that lifting FDA restrictions on mifepristone would allow pharmacy dispensing, normalizing medication abortion care and making it more accessible to patients facing barriers. Providers support this change to reduce logistical barriers and increase patient autonomy over their care options.
Researchers found that fly brains use prediction to guide behavior, making them more efficient in evading predators. The visual system uses an information bottleneck to filter out unnecessary sensory data and preserve necessary information for predictions.
Researchers found that lasofoxifene outperformed fulvestrant in reducing primary tumor growth and preventing metastasis in the lung, liver, bone, and brain. Additionally, lasofoxifene prevents unwanted side effects, including menopausal-like symptoms.
A new study reveals that cyanobacteria rely on a circadian clock to precisely time DNA replication. Disruptions to this rhythm can lead to unfinished chromosomes and potential health problems. The findings have implications for understanding the impact of interrupted circadian rhythms on human health.
A new study found a decrease in major abdominal surgeries among older adults, except for certain procedures like pancreatic cancer. The study suggests improvements in medical treatments and cancer screening may reduce the need for invasive surgeries.
The University of Chicago Medicine's emergency department continued routine HIV screening alongside COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. The number of HIV tests remained at pre-pandemic levels, while the rate of acute HIV diagnoses rose. This successful implementation is attributed to targeted efforts and a strong partnership between ...
A phase 1 clinical trial found that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is safe for treating patients with multiple metastases. The treatment used precisely targeted beams of high doses of radiation to destroy tumors, reducing damage to noncancerous tissue.
A study found that US women faced increased health-related socioeconomic risks, leading to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. The survey also showed that nearly half of all women reported new or worsening conditions, with food insecurity being the greatest challenge.
A novel mechanism has been identified that might explain why a rare mutation is associated with familial Alzheimer's disease. The presence of the S198P mutation resulted in elevated levels of A? peptides due to rapid folding of APP, leading to faster production and deposition of A? peptides.
A new study found that apes, including humans and chimpanzees, mount a stronger early response to viral and bacterial stimulation compared to African and Asian monkeys. This robust response may be due to differences in life history, with apes living longer and being larger, increasing their lifetime risk of pathogen exposure.
Research found that high vitamin D levels above traditional sufficient levels are associated with a lower risk of COVID-19, especially in Black individuals. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of testing positive for COVID-19.
A new study reveals that modern lamprey larvae are a relatively recent innovation, contrary to the long-held hypothesis. The fossil discoveries indicate that ancient lampreys resembled modern adult lampreys, with large eyes and toothed sucker mouths.
Researchers discovered that green sulfur bacteria exploit quantum mechanics to move energy between pathways depending on oxygen presence. This phenomenon, vibronic mixing, helps the bacterium conserve energy while avoiding damage from oxygen.
A new study from the University of Chicago found that nursing homes with larger proportions of non-White residents experience higher rates of COVID-19 deaths due to size and local community spread, not underlying health or quality of care. The study suggests that large facilities are more vulnerable to outbreaks.
The Genomic Data Commons has become a leading cancer genomics resource with over 84,000 anonymized patient cases and 65 projects contributing to the platform, providing a critical role in advancing precision medicine.
A University of Chicago study has identified multiple targets to improve cancer therapy outcomes. By depleting Ter cells and blocking artemin signaling, researchers found enhanced control of tumor burden in mice.
A daily oral combination therapy has been found to be reliable, safe and effective for long-term treatment of uterine fibroids. The therapy, which combines relugolix with small doses of estrogen and synthetic progesterone, led to dramatic improvements in fibroid-related measures such as volume of menstrual blood loss and pain.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that some neurons in the brain can compensate for the loss of their neighboring neuron, a process known as synaptic plasticity. However, not all neurons have this capacity, and the remaining neuron's ability to compensate depends on its functional properties.
A study involving two participants with sensory impairments reveals that physical embodiment can occur without the sense of touch. Kim and Ian, who cannot feel touch, use visual information to develop a sense of their bodies. Their unconscious body representations differ from those of control subjects.
A recent NIH study found that women are less likely to be represented as chairs and reviewers on study sections, especially in institutes with higher total funding. Women are also more likely to hold lower academic ranks and temporary memberships.
A new study from the University of Chicago found that asymptomatic cases contribute to community transmission, making up at least 50% of driving force of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding supports the crucial role of mask wearing and social distancing in reducing community transmission.
Researchers found US COVID-19 treatment trials disproportionately excluded Black and Hispanic patients, pregnant women, lactating women, and children due to perceived complexities. This exclusion leads to inadequate evidence for vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for inclusive studies.
Researchers found that medicated drops can close small macular holes within two to eight weeks, allowing some patients to avoid surgery. The treatment was most effective for patients with holes less than 200 micrometers in diameter, and showed promise as an alternative to traditional vitrectomy surgery.
A phase 2 clinical trial using a personalized treatment approach found increased survival rates among patients with metastatic tumors in gastroesophageal cancers. The study used genetic profiling to tailor treatments, resulting in a 66% one-year survival rate and a median survival time of 15.7 months.
A new study identified novel metabolites and specific gut bacteria distinguishing healthy from food-allergic twin pairs. The research found that certain bacteria, such as Phascolarctobacterium faecium and Ruminococccus bromii, played a protective role against food allergies.
Researchers have identified a unique genetic 'mimicry switch' that determines whether male and female Elymnias hypermnestra palmflies mimic the same or different species. The study found that sexual dimorphism arose repeatedly in different populations, linked to a gene associated with melanin localization and regulation.
A 10-year study found that individuals with high sensitivity to alcohol's pleasurable effects are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder. Higher sensitivity, not tolerance, is linked to increased risk and addictive behavior.
A recent study found that pregnancy causes the immune system to become sensitized to transplanted organs, particularly those from the father of the child, while becoming tolerant to the fetus. This paradoxical effect increases the risk of transplant rejection.
A new study on people with amputations using bionic hands for over a year found that the brain never shifted its perception of touch sensations to match the prosthetic thumb. The participants' brains persisted in perceiving the sensation in other locations, such as their middle finger or palm.
A recent study published in Genome Biology has shed new light on the genetic makeup of microbial communities in the mouth. The research team used metagenomics to analyze the genomes of microbes found in dental plaque and tongue, revealing surprising similarities with those found in soil and the gastrointestinal tract.