A new University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study identifies barriers to prescribing hormone therapy for cervical cancer patients who experience early menopause due to radiation treatment. Despite clinical guidelines supporting the use of hormonal therapy, research shows it remains underused. The study found that oncologists are ...
A University of Kentucky study has identified a distinct immune fingerprint in the blood of patients who develop amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) after treatment with lecanemab, the first FDA-approved drug to slow Alzheimer's disease progression. This finding could lead to a more personalized approach to Alzheimer's care an...
A study by researchers at the University of Kentucky has found that plant immune responses and human neurological health share common biochemical pathways. This discovery highlights the importance of plant-based diets for essential vitamins and amino acids, and suggests a link between disruptions in amino acid metabolism and human health.
The University of Kentucky survey found significantly higher dental decay rates for Kentucky children ages 2-5 compared to the national average. Demographic and geographic factors such as region, age, facility type, and rural location influenced tooth decay rates among the children screened.
A new University of Kentucky study reveals that cancer diagnosis rates in the US dropped in 2021, exacerbating the pandemic-induced backlog of undiagnosed cases. The findings highlight the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on cancer care in the country.
The University of Kentucky has been awarded a six-year, $18 million NSF grant to establish the NSF ESCAPE center for assessing pathogen emergence. The center will focus on environmental surveillance using social science, engineering, bioinformatics, and risk modeling to predict and prevent pandemics.
The study identified 99 RNA isoforms that were either increased or decreased in Alzheimer's brains, even when overall gene activity didn't change. This discovery shows the importance of understanding isoforms and their unique functions in a gene along with their roles in human health and disease.
Fireflies are sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation, with changing climatic trends impacting breeding cycles and habitat quality. Urban growth and light pollution also pose significant threats, while certain agricultural practices can support firefly populations.
A new study estimates that over 134,000 cancer cases went undiagnosed in the US during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer diagnoses were found to be 13% lower than expected during this period, with a 28.6% reduction in March to May 2020.
A University of Kentucky team studied macrophages in spiny mice to see how they contribute to regenerative healing. They found that specific proteins released by these cells promote tissue rebuilding and growth, suggesting a potential key to triggering regeneration in humans. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for injuries...
A recent study found that people with lower education levels in Appalachian Kentucky have higher colorectal and lung cancer incidence rates. An intervention program increasing educational attainment was shown to effectively increase knowledge of cancer among middle and high school students.
The program provides training and resources to equip students to become doctors practicing in rural areas. The scholarships aim to increase the number of physicians in underserved communities, addressing high rates of chronic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on a new device to quickly measure tumor properties using spectroscopic imaging. This technology aims to make radiation treatment more effective for patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, which is resistant to radiation.
University of Kentucky researcher Kenneth S. Campbell has helped map out an important part of the heart on a molecular level, solving a 60-year-old mystery about the human cardiac myosin filament. The study reveals three different types of crowns and provides new information about how molecules interact in the heart.
A study by UK researchers found that patients with a history of infectious disease were more likely to be tested for opioids after starting treatment. The study analyzed data on Medicaid beneficiaries in nine states from 2016 to 2019, showing increased testing rates over time.
A large-scale effort has been conducted to understand the co-occurrence of mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) among individuals of diverse ancestries. Researchers detected mCAs using existing DNA sequencing data and found associations between mCAs and increased cancer risk.
Researchers will investigate the brain's signaling pathways when xylazine and fentanyl are used together, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. The study could lead to new strategies for treating individuals struggling with combined substance use.
A recent University of Kentucky study found that inhibiting the p38 protein in microglia may alter interactions between brain immune cells and Alzheimer's pathology. The research suggests that early inhibition of p38 may be beneficial without causing noticeable adverse effects.
A recent Markey Cancer Center study reveals persistent cancer disparities in Appalachian Kentucky. The research found striking disparities in cancer incidence and mortality rates compared to the rest of the country, with a focus on lung, colorectal, cervical, and oral cancers.
Physicians at the University of Kentucky call for standard-of-care opioid treatment for incarcerated patients to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and lower mortality risk. The article highlights the need for physician advocacy to address the moral distress experienced by doctors when patients are denied these treatments.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that succinate plays a critical role in enhancing cancer cell plasticity and identifies PLOD2 as a regulator of succinate during breast cancer progression. Targeting PLOD2 may be a promising strategy to suppress breast cancer metastasis and drug resistance.
The University of Kentucky and its partners in Kentucky and Tennessee have been awarded a $1 million NSF Engines Development Award to advance circular economy technologies. The award aims to create a diverse innovation hub that secures U.S. competitiveness in Next-Generation Manufacturing and supply chain logistics.
A recent study by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center validates a new radiopharmaceutical compound as a viable treatment option for patients with advanced cervical cancer. The radioactive drug, 212Pb-DOTAM-GRPR1, targets gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, a protein expressed by cancer cells.
A new University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study found that people in Kentucky's Black communities may not be aware of all available colorectal cancer screening options, particularly stool-based tests. Regular screening beginning at age 45 is key to preventing and finding colorectal cancer early.
The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center has received a renewed $360,000 grant from the American Cancer Society to continue supporting junior faculty in establishing and advancing cancer research programs. The grant will provide seed money for nine pilot awards over three years.
Donna Wilcock and her team are exploring the adverse effects of aducanumab and lecanemab on patients with Alzheimer's disease. They aim to understand how these immunotherapies cause Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA) and find ways to prevent it.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have created a new class of gold(III) compounds that show promise in treating aggressive breast cancer. These chiral compounds possess a unique mechanism of action that causes cancer cells to dysfunction, depriving them of energy and inhibiting growth.
A team of researchers at Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been awarded a grant to study the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to develop treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementias. The project focuses on understanding astrocyte function and dysfunction in disease pathology.
A University of Kentucky-led project aims to understand how aquatic biodiversity in the Great Rift Valley is affected by climate change. The five-year study, funded by $2.5 million from the NSF, will assess scenarios of climate change and its effects on lake ecosystems using high-resolution geological records and genetic tools.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky are developing strategies to decrease antibiotic resistance and combat medical device infections through NSF-funded engineering research. Biofilms can form on implant surfaces, making them difficult to remove and contributing to disease progression.
The University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has received a $1.5 million grant to further research a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The grant will help move work forward on a brain-penetrant, small molecule drug candidate called MW189.
A new study suggests that betamethasone could improve outcomes for prostate cancer radiation therapy by protecting normal cells from injury and making cancer cells more susceptible to treatment. The research found that betamethasone increases hydrogen peroxide levels, activating a protective protein in non-cancerous cells.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons suggests that liver transplantation is a viable option for older patients with liver cancer, offering a significant survival benefit. The research compares outcomes between patients over 70 who received liver transplants and those who underwent ablative treatments...
Researchers developed a membrane that captures and deactivates the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, providing enhanced protection against coronavirus transmission. The new membrane provides a protection factor above N95 masks, filtering out 95% of airborne particles.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have developed an online portal to visualize how biases in RNA sequences impact gene expression. The study found that over 3,000 genes exhibit variable ramp sequences, which correspond to increased gene expression in specific tissues and cells.
Researchers found brain changes from LATE may be 40% in older adults and 50% in people with Alzheimer's. The study analyzed over 6,000 brains and included data from international cohorts, providing insight into the prevalence of this form of dementia.
The University of Kentucky has received a $3.7 million grant to investigate the causes and consequences of sleep deficiencies in rural Appalachian communities. The five-year study will track the sleep patterns of 400 adults from 12 counties, exploring factors that drive sleep deficiencies and health outcomes.
A University of Kentucky study suggests that asymptomatic COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can trigger immune responses and inflammation in the placenta, potentially leading to adverse outcomes. Researchers analyzed immune cells in placental tissue and blood from pregnant mothers with or without SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The University of Kentucky is part of a five-year, $10 million NSF initiative led by CU Boulder to develop new cyberinfrastructure support services. The project aims to transform the way researchers use NSF-funded cyberinfrastructure, leveraging existing tools and expertise.
A new University of Kentucky study published in Science Signaling suggests that replenishing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol could be an effective treatment for sepsis. The research found that a synthetic form of HDL provided protection against sepsis in mice, increasing survival rates and improving kidney function.
A recent study from the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has shown promising results for a blood test that could identify Alzheimer's changes in the brain before symptoms appear. The test detects proteins associated with Alzheimer's and brain damage, which may indicate preventative treatments can be used.
University of Kentucky researchers found enhanced ApoE proteins in dementia patients without the APOE ε4 allele. The correlation between dementia diagnosis and ApoE peptides was stronger than that seen for Tau, Aβ, or α-Synuclein, suggesting an active disease-driving role for ApoE.
The University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has received a five-year grant renewal to discover and validate biomarkers for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. The program, which aims to develop a toolbox of biomarkers, will increase to 200 participants and focus on inclusivity and diversity.
The University of Kentucky is launching a new cultural heritage lab with a $14 million NSF grant, focusing on developing innovative AI solutions for heritage objects. The EduceLab facility will integrate engineering, humanities, and sciences to enhance understanding of the past, inform the present, and guide the future.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have identified a gene that plays a central role in the evolution of limb development in vertebrates. By manipulating this gene in mice, they were able to activate an ancestral form of limb development seen in early tetrapods.
A new study reveals climate change has dramatically altered the Sierra Nevada's aquatic ecosystem, impacting water resources. The research found that the region's snowpack and lake sediments show significant changes in response to warming temperatures, posing major threats to California's water supply.
The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science has received a $23.5 million award to support groundbreaking health care innovations in Kentucky. The center has successfully catalyzed clinical and translational discoveries, including COVID-19 vaccine trials, with continuous funding since 2011.
A University of Kentucky study found that higher intake of specific nutrients is associated with lower brain iron concentration and better cognitive performance in older adults. The research team evaluated the relationship between nutritional intake, brain iron, and cognitive performance in a group of healthy, older adults.
Researchers discovered that the majority of the spike protein degrades within 24 hours, providing insights into infection and vaccination processes. The study also shed light on the role of key host factors in cell-to-cell fusion, a crucial aspect of COVID-19 pathology.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have demonstrated the potential benefit of using an inhibitor of the PI3K/mTOR pathway to increase the toxic effect of radiation therapy in models of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The study showed that combining radiation therapy with a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor produced a synergistic...