A study found that few people are aware of the Nursing Home Compare website, which aims to help families find high-quality care facilities. The site's accuracy is also compromised by trust issues and limited information on costs and activities.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that afatinib significantly extended time to disease progression in patients with advanced urothelial cancer and at least one of two specific genetic abnormalities. The treatment also showed promise for patients without these mutations, although the response rate was lower.
A new study has identified a significant link between intermittent explosive disorder and exposure to the common toxoplasma gondii parasite. Individuals with IED were found to be twice as likely to have been exposed to toxoplasmosis, which is typically carried by undercooked meat or cat feces.
LGBTQ patients of color face significant health disparities due to intersecting marginalized identities. A new series of articles provides a roadmap for healthcare providers to improve doctor-patient communication and shared decision-making.
A study published in SLEEP found that sleep deprivation amplifies the joy of eating, particularly sweet and salty high-fat snack foods. Sleep-restricted participants ate nearly twice as much fat as those with normal sleep, despite minimal energy needs.
Researchers found proofreading molecules apply physical tension to RNA, preventing splicing errors and enabling alternative splicing sites. This mechanism regulates splice site choice, shifting the perspective on the realm of possible activities for this class of enzymes.
A phase-3 clinical trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of clot-busting therapy in reducing mortality and post-stroke disability in patients with severe intraventricular hemorrhage. The treatment significantly reduced death rates by 10% and improved functional recovery in patients with larger clots.
A recent study found that sensory loss is a common issue among older adults, affecting 94 percent of those in the US. The most prevalent deficit was decreased sense of taste, with 48% of participants rated as poor. Understanding the underlying causes and developing prevention strategies are crucial for improving quality of life.
Researchers have discovered that pectoral fins in fish possess neurons and cells sensitive to touch, conveying information about pressure and motion. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary biology of touch and may inspire new advances in underwater robotics design.
A study of over 287,000 patients found that African-American patients with connective tissue diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis were twice as likely to develop narrowed or atherosclerotic blood vessels. Young African-Americans with CTD also had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.
David Freedman, a neuroscientist from the University of Chicago Medical Center, has been awarded the 2016 Troland Research Award for his groundbreaking research on how the brain learns and recognizes visual categories. His work reveals that individual neurons in the parietal and frontal cortices can encode information about categories.
A study found that two consecutive nights of extended sleep can counteract the increased risk of diabetes associated with short-term sleep restriction during the work week. Insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk returned to normal after two nights of extended sleep.
The University of Chicago Medicine will receive a $5 million donation from the Hospira Foundation to create the Hospira Foundation Professorship in Oncology. This professorship will support research aimed at discovering new therapies and treatments for cancer.
Researchers identified an ancient protein mutation that enabled the evolution of a protein necessary for multicellularity in animals. The study, published in eLife, describes a molecular mechanism involved in the origin of complex life and establishes a paradigm for research in evolutionary cell biology.
A study by University of Chicago cancer specialists found that expensive research biopsies in early cancer drug studies had no impact on subsequent drug development or treatment decisions. Only a small percentage of the biopsies yielded statistically significant results.
A new mouse model study suggests that the death of specific brain cells may trigger an autoimmune response against myelin, a characteristic of multiple sclerosis. Nanoparticle therapy has been shown to prevent this reaction, offering potential new treatments for humans.
Thyroid cancer patients report poor quality of life after diagnosis and treatment compared to other patients with more lethal cancers. Researchers found that thyroid cancer survivors reported an average quality of life score of 5.56 out of 10, which is worse than other cancer types.
A national survey of 255 Muslim American physicians found that nearly half felt greater scrutiny at work, and one in four experienced workplace religious discrimination. The study emphasizes the need for policies to promote respect and accommodation for minority religions in the healthcare workforce.
A national survey of 255 Muslim American physicians found nearly half experienced greater scrutiny at work due to their religion. Despite no association with religious appearance or practice, these doctors face similar rates of career advancement restrictions, sparking calls for targeted workforce diversity efforts.
A new study finds that bacterial circadian clocks are set by metabolic rhythms, rather than light exposure. Genetically engineered cyanobacteria showed that the clock responds to sugar availability and can maintain a regular rhythm in complete darkness.
A new study by scientists from the University of Chicago reveals that the unique pectoral fins of skates and rays are built using repurposed genes from typical limb-development pathways. The findings provide insight into the genetic mechanisms behind the evolution and diversification of vertebrate appendages.
Researchers found CTCs in 100% of patients with suspected tumors, but only 4% detected through peripheral blood. Portal vein samples provided more accurate tumor cell information, enabling better clinical decisions. The test could help predict patient outcomes and guide treatment options.
A new analysis of the jaw of Haramiyavia clemmenseni clarifies the timeline of early mammalian evolution. The study found complex teeth and chewing motions adapted for an herbivorous diet, indicating diverse feeding adaptations evolved early among proto-mammal lineages.
Researchers analyzed millions of articles and patents to find that scientific research is often conservative, with scientists prioritizing established knowledge over risk-taking. However, they identified more efficient approaches that could unleash innovation, including a focus on exploring new connections and taking greater risks.
A study found that even small tumors contain extremely high genetic diversity, which can lead to resistance against standard cancer treatments. This raises important questions about how to reevaluate treatment strategies for tumors with high intra-tumor diversity.
Researchers discovered that introducing a specific strain of bacteria into mice with melanoma boosted their immune systems to attack tumor cells. The findings suggest that manipulating gut bacteria can improve immunotherapy outcomes, providing a new approach to treating cancer.
A group of 17 US scientists has formed the Unified Microbiome Initiative to coordinate microbial research and inform funding recommendations. The initiative aims to integrate research objectives across disciplines to better understand the role of microbes in human health and ecological systems.
A retrospective survival analysis of 229 patients with late-stage cancer found that those who received methylnaltrexone lived twice as long and had fewer tumor progression reports compared to placebo groups. The study suggests methylnaltrexone may play a role in cancer therapy, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
Researchers have developed a new method to create an artificial sense of touch through direct brain stimulation, which could lead to the development of advanced prosthetic limbs. The study, led by Sliman Bensmaia, has identified key characteristics of electrical signals that trigger specific sensations in the brain.
A 125-million-year-old fossilized mammal named Spinolestes xenarthrosus has remarkably preserved fur, hair follicles, hedgehog-like spines, organs, and even a fungal hair infection. The study pushes back the earliest record of preserved mammalian hair structures by over 60 million years.
A University of Chicago team aims to establish a new system of diagnosis for psychotic diseases using biomarkers, which may guide the development of novel therapies. The Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes will recruit additional study participants over five years.
Researchers found that the brain processes motion from both visual and tactile inputs using similar computations, integrating information from individual neurons with a small perspective of the object. This common representation of motion can be seen in experiments using plaid stimuli presented visually or tactilely.
A study found that probiotic formula can reverse cow's milk allergies in infants by altering their gut bacteria. Infants who developed tolerance to cow's milk had higher levels of beneficial bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which help maintain gut homeostasis.
A new computational model measures disparities between biomedical research resources and disease burden, identifying unmet medical needs. The Research Opportunity Index (ROI) provides a data-driven framework to assess resource investment and allocate funds efficiently.
A new study has found that protein aggregates formed after heat exposure are fully reversible and resume normal cellular functions after returning to normal temperatures. The research sheds light on the biological nature of protein aggregates, which were previously considered toxic dead-end products.
Scientists solved the atomic structure of a fluoride ion channel using synthetic proteins called monobodies. The discovery revealed a unique 'double-barreled' architecture with two pathways for fluoride ion flow, differing from typical ion channels.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have developed a novel approach to control enzyme activity using monobodies, synthetic proteins that recognize and bind specific target molecules. They successfully altered the specificity of an enzyme used in the food industry without modifying it, paving the way for bespoke reactions.
Researchers find that using a monoclonal antibody to block the 'eat me' signal on malignant cells triggers a more potent immune response in dendritic cells, which then activate killer T cells and boost adaptive immunity. The study suggests a new approach for developing an effective cancer immunotherapy.
The California two-spot octopus genome was fully sequenced, revealing widespread genomic rearrangements and a dramatic expansion of genes involved in neuronal development. The findings provide an important foundation for evolutionary studies and deeper investigations into the genetic mechanisms underlying cephalopod-specific traits.
A new method, PrediXcan, uses transcriptome data to estimate gene expression levels and integrate with genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. This improves the detection of genes linked to complex diseases and biological traits.
The University of Chicago Medicine has contributed to the Illinois Transplant Fund, providing financial assistance for organ transplants to qualified uninsured residents. The fund, launched by the ITF, offers insurance premium support and financial help to patients in need.
A study found a significant association between long telomere length and increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma. Long telomeres were associated with more rounds of cell division, potentially allowing for more opportunities to accumulate carcinogenic mutations.
A yearlong study found that patiromer can reduce elevated blood-potassium levels and prevent life-threatening adverse events in patients with chronic diabetic kidney disease. The drug consistently maintained normal serum potassium levels over 52 weeks, with minimal discontinuation due to adverse events.
Researchers found that immune tolerance can spontaneously recover after an infection-triggered rejection event, and hosts can accept subsequent transplants as soon as a week after. Regulatory T-cells play a key role in this process, acting as a 'brake' to prevent other immune cells from targeting the second transplant.
The study identifies extensive genetic changes responsible for woolly mammoths' adaptations to arctic life, including genes linked to fat metabolism, insulin signaling, and temperature sensation. Researchers resurrected a mammoth gene involved in temperature sensation and characterized its protein product in the laboratory.
Scientists developed ICeChIP, a new technique to calibrate chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments with an internal standard. This improves accuracy and reproducibility in epigenetic studies, enabling comparisons between experiments and discovery of new findings, including the prevalence of bivalency in stem cells.
Researchers compiled summaries of 71 leading cardiovascular drugs and their interactions with genetic variations to improve prescribing decisions. The study found that seven frequently prescribed medications warrant pharmacogenomic guidelines, which can help prevent adverse drug reactions and treatment non-response.
Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab was effective in 24.8% of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer, resulting in significant tumor shrinkage and improved outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have identified a cell-intrinsic cancer-causing pathway that disrupts T cell infiltration in melanoma, enabling tumors to evade immune surveillance. Disrupting this signaling pathway could help restore T cell access and enhance the potential of immune-mediated cancer treatment.
A new statistical analysis of mRNA and protein levels in budding yeast found that mRNA levels account for 85% of differences in protein levels, amplifying the relationship between the two. This discovery contradicts previous studies suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation overrides mRNA levels.