The UK HealthCare team has been awarded a prestigious CDC grant to optimize stroke prevention and care in Kentucky. The three-year grant will focus on implementing comprehensive stroke systems for those at high risk and stroke patients, with the goal of reducing mortality rates and addressing disparities.
A new University of Kentucky study will examine the effects of flavored tobacco product restrictions on health disparities among communities of color, low-income populations, and youth. The research aims to inform community leaders about how policies can help eliminate health inequities.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have developed a new technology that can simultaneously measure glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain on a second-by-second basis. The study aims to explore the balance of these neurotransmitters in the aging brain and could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
A University of Kentucky team will study the culprit behind thoracic aortic aneurysms with a $5.6 million grant from the NIH. The goal is to find new medical options to prevent surgical intervention.
University of Kentucky researchers found that brain glycogen contains 25% glucosamine, a crucial sugar for protein decoration. This discovery has implications for understanding neurological diseases, including Lafora disease and glycogen storage disorders.
Researchers aim to identify adrenal insufficiency in sepsis patients before glucocorticoid therapy. The study's findings suggest that supplementing glucocorticoids may not be necessary or beneficial for all patients, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.
The UK Markey Cancer Center has launched a clinical trial to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of ArtemiLife coffee products in preventing ovarian cancer recurrence. Participants will drink coffee up to four times daily for five months after completing treatment, aiming to delay or eliminate cancer return.
A new study published in Diagnostics demonstrates that artesunate, a drug synthesized from Artemisia annua, kills ovarian cancer cells. The researchers found anticancer activity at achievable concentrations, supporting the clinical development of this strategy.
A new three-part cancer education curriculum has been created for middle and high school teachers in Appalachia, addressing the region's highest rates of cancer incidence and mortality. The curriculum includes information on cancer data, risk factors, and cultural aspects specific to the region, aiming to increase cancer education in c...
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have established a new way to predict individual risk of cognitive decline using brain signatures during mental activity. This approach is more sensitive and accurate than current behavioral testing, with left-frontal brainwaves being key predictors for dementia risk.
University of Kentucky researchers discovered that low blood amylin levels may protect against Alzheimer's disease progression, suggesting a potential therapeutic target. The study found that modulating blood amylin levels could improve cognitive decline and slow the disease.
A new study reveals how climate change impacts the fishery of Lake Tanganyika, a major African fishery, and its potential effects on food security for millions of people in eastern Africa. High frequency variability in climate can lead to disruptions in the lake's food web.
A recent study by University of Kentucky researchers uses new technology to identify receptors responsible for encoding the complex odor of cigarette smoke. The study's findings could lead to the development of blockers to improve smoking cessation rates, which are notoriously low.
A new pathway discovered by researchers at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has shown that eIF5A hypusination governs TDP-43 accumulation and aggregation. Pharmacological inhibition of an enzyme generating hypusinated eIF5A significantly reduced TDP-43 cytoplasmic accumulation and aggregation in cells.
A University of Kentucky College of Medicine study reveals how the angiotensinogen (AGT) protein contributes to blood pressure regulation and atherosclerosis. Replacing amino acids in AGT did not affect blood pressure or atherosclerosis in mice, suggesting these proteins may not be critical regulators.
A new therapeutic approach to treating Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by researchers at the University of Kentucky, using an antibody to target inflammation and promote microglia to clear amyloid deposits in the brain. The study found that this approach leads to reduced amyloid deposition and improved cognition.
Researchers have identified a new form of dementia, LATE disease, which shares symptoms with Alzheimer's but is caused by different brain processes. The study provides criteria to differentiate between frontotemporal dementia and LATE disease, offering hope for future therapy development.
A novel function of spermine synthase (SMS) has been identified as facilitating colorectal cancer growth, with excessive accumulation of spermidine having harmful effects on cell viability. Combined inhibition of SMS and MYC signaling induces cancer cell death and tumor regression.
The AHEAD 3-45 study is a Phase III clinical trial aiming to prevent worsening memory and thinking among individuals at risk for future decline. Researchers hope to find that BAN2401 can help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study by the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has identified a previously under-recognized form of dementia, quadruple misfolded proteins (QMP), linked to TDP-43 proteinopathy. The study found that about 20% of participants with dementia had QMP, resulting in the most severe dementia cases.
A study of 1,201 patients found that pre-surgery use of opioids, sedatives, or antidepressants increased complications after colorectal surgery. Regular opioid users faced higher risks of infections, respiratory failure, and mortality.
A new study led by University of Kentucky researcher Sidney Whiteheart aims to understand how platelets function in hemostasis and during immune responses. The research may lead to therapies to regulate platelet activation and lessen the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with HIV1/AIDS or COVID-19.
A new study found that pharmacies in Appalachian Kentucky are limiting buprenorphine dispensing due to concerns about DEA caps, distrust of pharmaceutical companies, and stigma against people who use drugs. This limits access to effective treatment for opioid use disorder, which affects fewer than two in ten individuals.
The University of Kentucky's Superfund Research Center has received a five-year, $8.7 million grant to conduct research on chlorinated organic compounds and their impact on human health and the environment. The center will investigate strategies to reduce risks posed by environmental contaminants in vulnerable communities.
A first-in-human study of a drug candidate targeting brain inflammation has shown promising results, supporting its further development for treating acute brain injuries. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky and other institutions, found that MW189 was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers.
Researchers found that B cells migrate to multiple brain areas after a stroke, targeting regions critical for motor and cognitive recovery. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic avenues for stroke patients.
A new study found that a cancer education intervention improved cancer literacy in middle and high school students in Kentucky by 30%. The study's results highlight the importance of providing cancer education material to vulnerable populations like young students, who are at risk for developing unhealthy behaviors.
A new study suggests that targeting Hsp47 could block cancer cell-platelet interaction and inhibit metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer patients. The protein is often amplified in the genes of metastatic breast cancer tissue, potentially serving as a biomarker for metastasis.
A new study by University of Kentucky researchers suggests that banning menthol-flavored tobacco products could help address disparities in public health. The study found that policies restricting flavored tobacco products but not menthol flavors disproportionately affect African American communities.
A class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides has been found to be effective in treating frontotemporal dementia by fixing a genetic mutation that prevents the production of progranulin protein. Researchers discovered two specific antibiotics, Gentamicin and G418, which were able to recover up to 50-60% of progranulin protein levels.
The Geographic Variation in Addiction Treatment (GATE) study aims to identify factors influencing opioid medication use among individuals with opioid use disorder in the criminal justice system. The study will investigate how personal networks, structural factors, and geographic location shape treatment decisions.
Research suggests that supplementing with short chain fatty acids can improve stroke recovery by reducing inflammation and promoting neuroinflammation. The study found that mice who drank water with added fatty acids experienced better stroke recovery, including reduced motor impairment and increased spine growth.
A University of Kentucky-led coalition is partnering with employers to connect men in rural Kentucky with critical lung cancer prevention and control resources. The worksite intervention targets predominantly male employees in eight rural counties, providing tobacco treatment, lung cancer screenings, and smoke-free workplace policies.
Women from Appalachia are less likely to receive breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy due to lack of adequate care and patient education. Researchers highlight the need for better comprehensive breast cancer care, including access to reconstructive plastic surgeons.
A clinical trial by University of Kentucky researchers found that metformin did not enhance muscle mass gains in older adults undergoing rigorous resistance exercise training. Progressive resistance training was shown to retain or build muscle mass in older adults.
A new $2.8 million grant will support a preclinical efficacy study of MW150, a potential treatment for dementia. The drug targets dysregulated brain inflammation driven by p38-MAPK, which is also linked to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.
A unique partnership between an engineer and a scientist challenged prevailing wisdom about Toxoplasma gondii's behavior, revealing potential targets for treatment. The team's work showed that parasites are actively replicating with complex patterns, forcing a reconsideration of the parasite's life cycle.
The University of Kentucky received a grant to establish a Clinical Research Center to provide quality addiction treatment for opioid use disorder in criminal justice settings. The grant will enhance access to treatment for women transitioning from jail to the community, addressing unique vulnerabilities.
Markey researchers identify nuclear glycogen's role in cancer progression and find epigenetic connections between glycogen metabolism and gene expression. The study reveals new therapeutic targets to treat non-small cell lung cancers.
Research in mice reveals that XX sex chromosomes increase blood fat levels, leading to narrowed arteries and higher heart attack risk. The study suggests a new therapeutic target for treating coronary artery disease in post-menopausal women.
A new study at the University of Kentucky reveals that mitochondrial changes, rather than glucose, drive chronic inflammation in type 2 diabetes. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that glucose is the primary cause of inflammation in the disease.
A novel antibody-enzyme fusion has virtually eliminated Lafora bodies in LD mouse brains, restoring normal brain metabolism. The therapy has potential treatment applications beyond Lafora Disease, including other glycogen storage diseases.
The study found that naloxone dispensing significantly increased in states with legal mandates for coprescription, up to a 7.75-fold increase compared to states without such mandates. Naloxone prescriptions per 100,000 patients ranged from 6 to 111, depending on the state.
A comprehensive analysis of school disciplinary practices found persistent ethnic/racial disparities, with African American students at increased risk for suspension/expulsion. Schools with higher poverty rates and diversity reported higher discipline action rates.
Scientists have discovered that bacterial proteins and endotoxin activate the inflammasome, leading to pyroptosis and the release of tissue factor, which initiates blood clotting. This understanding may lead to new treatments for sepsis by targeting inflammatory responses.
A new form of dementia, Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), has been characterized by researchers. LATE affects multiple areas of cognition and its progression is more gradual than Alzheimer's disease. Further research into LATE may lead to the development of disease-specific drugs.
A new drug targeting brain inflammation, MW-151, is ready for its first round of human testing. The medication aims to block 'bad' inflammation that destroys neurons in Alzheimer's disease.
A new editorial argues that the term 'second victim' unfairly shifts blame from healthcare systems to individual providers. The University of Kentucky's Melissa Clarkson and co-authors advocate for a patient-centered approach, prioritizing cultural changes over institutional scapegoating.
A research team led by Natalia Korotkova has identified a potential target for developing a vaccine against Group A Streptococcus, which causes strep throat and other serious infections. The gacH gene, which enables the bacteria to reinforce its resistance to the immune system, is a promising candidate for vaccine design.
A recent study by the University of Kentucky has identified a potential cellular mechanism that connects smoking during pregnancy with an increased risk of offspring obesity later in life. The research found that expectant mothers who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy induce distinct changes in chemerin gene expression in their offspring.