Scientists identified several FDA-approved drugs, including metformin and inhaled anesthetics, that may prevent or treat noise-related hearing loss. The study analyzed changes in gene expression in mouse ears after damage caused by loud noise.
A randomized clinical trial found that yogurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 protected against harmful changes in the gut microbiome after antibiotic administration. The study also showed that levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acid acetate returned to baseline within 30 days.
Researchers have found that maternal diabetes can cause premature aging of neural tissue, leading to birth defects such as neural tube defects. A study published in Science Advances suggests that treatments could be developed to prevent miscarriages and certain birth defects in babies born from mothers with diabetes.
Researchers found that genetically similar mice prefer each other's company, while PDE11 mutant mice show no preference for familiar friends. This discovery may indicate a biological basis for human social choices and improve healthcare outcomes.
Researchers found a mobile telemedicine unit to be as successful as traditional treatment clinics in treating opioid use disorder, with 64% of patients remaining in treatment after two months. The unit also significantly reduced illicit opioid use among patients, with an average reduction of one-third.
A team of researchers has uncovered the intricate cellular mechanism behind calcium's role in regulating energy supply to specific brain regions. By studying calcium signals in capillaries, they found that increased calcium levels trigger nitric oxide production, leading to vessel relaxation and enhanced blood flow.
A new portal, gEAR, enables researchers to easily utilize complex genetic data from sophisticated studies, advancing medical discoveries in hearing loss. The tool provides visualizations of datasets and allows inputting of own data for comparison, saving time and facilitating analysis.
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine found hospitals are not adequately prepared for the next pandemic. The Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index (HMSPI) tool assesses a hospital's ability to handle sudden influxes in patients due to mass shootings, infectious disease outbreaks, or pandemics.
Dr. Linda Chang's award-winning project aims to eradicate all traces of HIV from the body and treat co-existing substance use disorders using a multi-disciplinary approach. The team will utilize gene-editing technology, CRISPR, and an MRI-guided focused ultrasound system to target hidden reservoirs of virus in the brain's immune cells.
A study published in Nature Communications found that the process removing old light sensors is disrupted in progressive blindness, leading to age-related macular degeneration. The researchers identified mTORC1 as a key component involved in photoreceptor recycling and suggest potential treatments using drugs against mTORC1.
A team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has identified a new gene, AP1G1, that is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities. The gene plays a crucial role in transporting essential materials within brain cells, and its disruption can lead to significant developmental delays.
Researchers at UMSOM aim to expand genetic databases to include under-represented minority populations, improving polygenic risk score accuracy for clinical use. The goal is to identify best practices for translating scores into clinical practice across diverse populations.
Two new rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 have been developed, detecting the virus in as little as five minutes and showing high sensitivity even in low levels of infection. The tests use innovative techniques that improve accuracy and do not require advanced laboratory techniques.
Research found nearly 20% of patients with unexplained sudden cardiac death carried rare genetic variants that raised their risk. Genetic screening may have prevented deaths if doctors knew about the genetic predisposition to heart disease.
A global study found that each city has a distinct microbial signature, with over 4,246 known species identified. The research also revealed a core set of 31 species found in 97% of samples across urban areas.
A study of nearly 1,100 pregnant women and 9,800 non-pregnant patients found that pregnant women with severe COVID-19 infections have significantly lower death rates than their non-pregnant counterparts. However, differences in health conditions between the two populations may affect mortality risk.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine found that primary care practitioners significantly overestimated the likelihood of conditions such as cardiac ischemia and breast cancer. The study highlights the need for better decision-making tools to help doctors estimate risk based on laboratory findings.
A new study maps brain regions responsible for alcohol's intoxicating effects, revealing that acetate produced in the brain plays a key role in cognitive impairment. The research also suggests that abnormalities in enzyme production can lead to detrimental effects associated with alcohol misuse.
Researchers found that psilocybin restored the pleasure response in mice with depression, even when the psychedelic effects were blocked. The study suggests that a version of the drug without or with less psychedelic effects could be developed to make therapy more accessible and cost-effective.
Children who regularly snore have structural brain changes that may explain behavioral problems such as lack of focus, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties. Thinner gray matter in certain brain regions correlates with these issues.
Researchers have discovered a new potential mechanism for age-related macular degeneration, suggesting that the structural organization of light-sensing cells may be affected by the disease. This finding offers hope for identifying new molecular targets to treat the condition and potentially reversing its effects.
Researchers found associations between lifestyle factors and COVID-19 infection risk, including maintaining healthy weight and high HDL cholesterol levels. These factors may help lower the risk of COVID-19 infection.
Researchers used an FDA-approved cancer drug to blunt the effects of a toxic COVID-19 viral protein on human cells. The study found that the drug improved cell survival by 12% and restored damaged cellular functions.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that healthcare personnel who contracted COVID-19 had stronger risk factors outside the workplace than in their hospital or healthcare setting. Having a known exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the community was the strongest risk factor.
Researchers have sequenced 64 full human genomes, capturing genetic diversity and enabling population-specific studies on genetic predispositions to human diseases. The new reference dataset reflects 25 different human populations and better captures genetic differences than previous composite genomes.
A landmark animal study reveals that exposure to opioids during pregnancy can cause long-lasting impairments in the brain's ability to process sensory information. The study found that newborn mice exposed to fentanyl developed withdrawal symptoms and sensory processing disorders that lasted until adolescence.
The study analyzed over 53,000 individuals from minority populations, providing new genetic insights into heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. The research aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common conditions leading to disability or death.
A study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found a 58% drop in meals provided to school-age children during the first three months of the pandemic. This led to an increase in food insecurity among children in need, with many likely experiencing health ramifications due to disrupted access to regular meals.
Researchers found that adolescents raised in nurturing environments had significantly higher IQ scores compared to those without such care. This was particularly true for children who experienced early adversities, such as poverty and pre-term birth.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients who are men, obese, or have complications from diabetes or hypertension have a higher risk of dying. The analysis also showed that age remains the strongest predictor of mortality from COVID-19.
Researchers have created a comprehensive gene expression database to study pneumococcal infections. The database reveals that the bacteria behaves differently depending on the site of infection and the organs respond accordingly. This could lead to new treatments, such as anti-inflammatory therapies.
New drug compounds have been discovered that disrupt the functioning of a protein complex inside human cells, which is critical for coronavirus replication and survival. The compounds target viruses such as influenza, Ebola, and coronaviruses, showing broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking daily low-dose aspirin had lower risk of ICU admission, ventilation, and dying from the virus. The study found a 44% reduction in mechanical ventilator use, 43% decrease in ICU admission, and 47% decrease in hospital death compared to those not taking aspirin.
A new study found that malaria-preventive drugs can dramatically reduce infections in school children by half, leading to improved learning and reduced anemia. The analysis included 15,000 schoolchildren across seven African countries and showed a significant association between preventive treatment and better health outcomes.
Researchers found that having elevated cholesterol during teens or early twenties increases risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular event in middle age. Regular cholesterol screenings starting in early adulthood may help reduce this risk.
A study by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers identified GFI1 as a vital protein in the development of functioning adult hair cells. In its absence, embryonic cells were likely to develop into neuron-like cells. The findings could lead to new methods for regenerating lost hair cells and restoring hearing.
Scientists have identified stem cells in the optic nerve that help preserve vision and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for disorders causing blindness. The discovery presents a new theory on why glaucoma develops and provides potential ways to treat this leading cause of blindness in American adults.
A team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has developed a potent antibody cocktail that can treat COVID-19 by targeting the virus's spike protein. The cocktail will be tested in a clinical trial to evaluate its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will partner with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to rapidly test hundreds of drugs approved for other conditions to see if they can be repurposed to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new genetic defect linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating condition causing progressive paralysis and mental deterioration. The discovery may lead to new treatments for ALS, with potential implications for other neurodegenerative diseases.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (Ciheb) received $4 million from the CDC to support COVID-19 response activities in four countries. In Nigeria, a population-based study will estimate COVID-19 prevalence and inform local response efforts.
Researchers created an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that visually detects the virus in 10 minutes, without advanced laboratory techniques. The test uses plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present.
Researchers found that taking doxycycline had no effect on reducing the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms over two years. The finding could lead to a change in treatment for life-threatening vascular conditions.
Researchers are testing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a preventative therapy for COVID-19 in healthy individuals who have been exposed to infected patients. The study aims to prevent infection and symptoms, with the goal of protecting vulnerable populations and reducing transmission within households.
A study has uncovered a mechanism explaining how genetic mutations lead to nephrotic syndrome, a rare genetic kidney disorder. The researchers found that disruptions in the recycling of cell membranes cause abnormal kidney cell structure and function.
A study found that stress can alter sperm composition and influence fetal brain development in the womb, potentially affecting future generations. Researchers discovered a biological mechanism by which stress changes sperm and interacts with maturing sperm, leading to significant changes in brain development and stress response.
Researchers created a gene catalog called VIRGO, comprising nearly 1 million genes from the human vagina. This comprehensive resource facilitates deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiome's function and potential treatments for gynecologic conditions.
A preclinical study suggests that targeting overactive immune cells in the brain can limit brain cell loss and reverse cognitive and motor difficulties caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mice treated with an experimental drug recovered markedly better than control mice, showing less tissue loss and improved motor and cognitive per...
Experts cite urgent need for influenza vaccinations to prevent outbreaks in detained migrants and asylum seekers. The logistics of vaccine administration are relatively straightforward, with a low risk of adverse effects.
Research shows that older patients with untreated sleep apnea need greater medical care due to higher costs and increased health risks. The study found that Medicare beneficiaries with OSA had nearly $20,000 more in costs per year compared to those who were diagnosed and treated.