Research participants experienced improved blood pressure and heart rate regulation after receiving epidural stimulation, with stabilized levels even after stimulation was turned off. The therapy also increased independence and alertness, allowing individuals to live more normal lives and engage in activities without limitations.
A UofL study found that brief cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and chronic stress in female caregivers of children with severe health conditions. The therapy improved sleep quality after just five sessions.
The University of Louisville launches the Envirome Institute with a $5 million gift, supporting research on the holistic approach to studying how the human-environment interrelationship impacts people's lives. The institute aims to introduce a new approach to health research incorporating community engagement and citizen science.
A University of Louisville researcher conducted a literature review on racism and systemic racism in public health, highlighting the need for examination of systems and structures. The study found that addressing systemic racism is crucial for reducing health inequities.
New study finds that eye dominance and visual acuity are governed by separate areas of the brain, making it possible to correct one without affecting the other. Researchers can now address acuity directly, bypassing normal eye dominance restoration.
The presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) drives the digestion process of dead cells through efferocytosis. This mechanism helps limit host inflammation and regulates the immune response. Producing optimal levels of ROS is essential to prevent autoimmune disease and chronic conditions.
The University of Louisville will receive a five-year, $11.2 million federal grant to establish an interdisciplinary research program focused on the microbiome, inflammation, and disease development. Researchers will study various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, periodontitis, and neurological disorders.
Researchers found that over one-third of patients denying a self-inflicted gunshot wound were likely trying to kill themselves. Hospitalized patients who denied a suicide attempt were nearly 11 times more likely to be discharged without inpatient psychiatric care. Brief psychological interventions can improve treatment outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that an expert panel of pediatric injury experts can reliably identify injuries in young children as abuse or accidents. The panel achieved nearly perfect reliability and accuracy, both individually and collectively.
Researchers at University of Louisville have found that epidural stimulation can safely and effectively elevate blood pressure in individuals with severe spinal cord injury. The study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, included four research participants who experienced significant improvements in blood pressure regulation.
Researchers found that gabapentin is being mixed with other substances to produce euphoria, and some users are turning to it after crackdowns made it difficult to obtain opioid prescriptions. The medication's low cost and increasing popularity have contributed to its misuse, highlighting the need for further study on its abuse potential.
Research finds TAK1 is essential for maintaining muscle mass and mitochondrial function in mature skeletal muscle. Removing or reducing TAK1 has negative effects on muscle health, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers at University of Louisville find activity-based training improves bladder and bowel function, increases sexual desire in individuals with severe spinal cord injury. The training also strengthens neural circuits that control urogenital and bowel functions.
Researchers propose a new term, mapranosis, to describe the interaction between gut microbiota and brain proteins that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. The process involves amyloid protein misfolding and inflammation in the nervous system.
A new medical school curriculum aims to educate healthcare professionals on recognizing the signs of human trafficking, a public health crisis in the US. The M-SIGHT program utilizes patient simulation training to prepare students to identify victims and intervene on their behalf.
Researchers at UofL discovered the critical role of MyD88 in muscle development and regeneration, highlighting its potential to improve therapies for degenerative muscle disorders. The study also suggests that increasing MyD88 levels could inhibit growth of rhabdomyosarcomas and enhance engraftment of exogenous myoblasts.
Researchers at UofL will investigate the link between chemical exposure and cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The five-year grant aims to improve understanding of environmental determinants and health conditions.
Researchers at the University of Louisville discovered a new autoimmune disease that causes kidney failure, dubbed anti-brush border antibody (ABBA) disease. The disease was identified after analyzing biopsied kidney tissue from patients with acute kidney injury, and it affects the nephrons' brush borders by coating them with antibodies.
A research participant regained voluntary motor function, including standing and moving without stimulation, six years after a complete spinal cord injury. The recovery was achieved through extended activity-based training with epidural stimulation, challenging previous beliefs that severe injuries would not improve over time.
The University of Louisville has received a $13.8 million grant from the NIH to study a promising new adult cardiac stem cell that may treat heart failure. The research aims to repair damaged heart tissue and make the heart stronger, potentially revolutionizing heart disease treatment.
Researchers found utilizing local artists' images and dialects helped address misperceptions about Ebola treatment, involving trusted messengers for two-way communication. The study's evidence-based approach can inform message development and implementation during public health emergencies.
Dr. Matthew Cave is awarded $4 million to investigate the long-term effects of environmental chemicals on liver health. He plans to explore how endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA contribute to fatty liver disease, using a flexible research approach.
A free mobile app has been developed to help healthcare providers assess and address intense grief in patients following a pregnancy loss or newborn death. The app uses the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (PGIS) to predict patients at risk for clinical-level anxiety, depression, and continuing grief.
A study by University of Louisville researchers found that Medicaid expansion in Kentucky significantly benefited those living in poverty, particularly children. The expansion reduced the state's uninsured rate and improved access to healthcare, with the most notable effects seen in areas with high poverty concentrations.
The study found significant variability in AED registration and maintenance, leading to unknown true risk for failure. Regions with high registration rates had significantly more operational AEDs.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease had difficulty distinguishing novel figures called Greebles, even when others could not. This method may allow for earlier detection and potential treatment of the disease.
Researcher Nathan Schmidt aims to determine which gut microbes protect against malaria and how they interact with the parasite. His study builds on previous findings showing that mice with certain gut microbiota are less susceptible to severe malaria infection.
The GSG III Foundation has pledged over $1 million for a new research program at the University of Louisville, aiming to develop better methods for studying lung inflammation and explore potential therapies. The program will focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and asthma.
A new model examines how drug policy and criminal justice practices contribute to racial disparities in HIV rates. The tool highlights the disproportionate impact of drug-related arrests and sentencing on African American communities, affecting social marginalization, health care access, and intimate relationships.
Dr. Aaron McGee is awarded the Disney Award for Amblyopia Research to investigate approaches for improving recovery from amblyopia and reversing loss of depth perception. His research aims to 're-open' critical periods in adulthood to enhance brain circuitry flexibility.
A recent study found that the uninsured rate in Metro Louisville decreased from almost 17% to under 8% in one year. The remaining uninsured population is disproportionately Hispanic, African American, male, and younger, with key reasons including expense and confusion about the enrollment process.
Researchers found that exposure to bacterial proteins can cause brain proteins to misfold and lead to inflammation in the brain. The study suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in initiating these diseases, potentially leading to new treatments.
A University of Louisville researcher found that having children in the home does not prompt parents to test for radon and secondhand smoke, both major contributors to lung cancer. Radon and tobacco smoke have synergistic effects, increasing lung cancer risk, especially in Kentucky where incidence rates are highest.
A study published in American Journal of Public Health found that using stand-biased desks in classrooms for two consecutive years reduced the BMI percentile of children by 5.24%. The study, conducted over a two-year period, involved 193 third- and fourth-grade students at three Texas elementary schools.
A $440,000 NIH grant is supporting a 3-year study examining the impact of cigarette smoke and genetic factors on female fertility. The researchers will assess ovarian reserve, in vitro fertilization success rates, and NAT2 genotype to better understand the relationship between smoking, genetics, and infertility.
A research team has identified the AF1q protein as an adverse prognostic factor for multiple myeloma, particularly in cases where extramedullary disease is present. The study found that high expression of AF1q is associated with a higher incidence of EMD.
Researchers found that tobacco smoke increases the likelihood of certain bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis colonizing the body. Biofilms formed by these pathogens can be difficult to eradicate and promote antibiotic resistance.
University of Louisville researchers have identified CD2AP as a crucial player in neural growth, which could lead to therapies for various neurological conditions. The protein orchestrates the branching of nerve axons, creating new connections, but excessive growth can be harmful.
A University of Louisville cardiologist is conducting a study to determine if certain lipids in blood can be used to identify women at risk for a heart attack. The presence of oxidized phospholipids may allow doctors to pinpoint women with increased risk before permanent damage occurs.
Researchers found that Porphyromonas gingivalis is present in 61% of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a type of esophageal cancer. The bacteria was only detected in 12% of tissues adjacent to the cancerous cells, suggesting it may be a risk factor for ESCC.
A University of Louisville study found that low-income Kentuckians without health insurance declined by 68% from 35% to 11% between 2013 and 2014. The study also revealed declines in people lacking a regular source of healthcare and those with unmet medical needs.
Researchers have found a significant association between certain oral bacteria and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. The study suggests that oral health is important for brain health and may play a role in the development of other diseases such as dementia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Current diagnostic techniques make aggressive treatment unnecessary for many patients with metastasized skin cancer. The Sunbelt Melanoma Trial found that interferon therapy offered no benefits for stage III melanoma patients with minimal lymph node involvement.
Research by UofL professor Daniel J. Conklin found e-cigarettes may cause atherosclerosis, a plaque-causing disease leading to heart attacks and strokes. The study exposed mice to varying levels of e-cigarette aerosol, tobacco smoke, or nicotine alone, revealing that multiple constituents have cardiovascular disease-causing potential.
The University of Louisville has received a $2.55 million grant to establish the Kentucky Rural & Underserved Geriatric Interprofessional Education Program (KRUGIEP), which aims to address workforce shortages, culturally appropriate care, and chronic disease burden in rural areas.
University of Louisville scientists enhance understanding of muscle repair process by revealing the vital role of protein TAK1 in regulating satellite stem cells. The protein is required for satellite cell proliferation and survival to regenerate adult skeletal muscles after injury or disease.
Researchers at UofL discovered a mechanism involved in skeletal muscle repair that may enable clinicians to boost the effectiveness of adult stem cell therapies. TRAF6 ensures the vitality of stem cells, which regenerate muscle tissue, and its removal depletes Pax7, resulting in reduced muscle regeneration.
Researchers analyze salamander hunting skills to understand how animals compensate for sensorimotor delays. By predicting prey movement, salamanders successfully catch over 90% of their targets. The study's findings provide new insights into human motor processing and prediction strategies.
A Phase I research study is underway to develop a vaccine that could prevent recurrence of some childhood cancers in patients who have relapsed after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The trial has enrolled three patients so far and aims to stimulate the immune system to attack specific tumor proteins.
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology suggests that a single dose of the HPV vaccine Cervarix can provide similar protection to three doses, offering hope for improving vaccination rates. This finding is particularly relevant for states like Kentucky with low completion rates.