A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found that nearly half of all US medical care is delivered by emergency departments. Emergency department visits increased by 44% over a 14-year period, with African-American patients and those without insurance using these services at a higher rate.
A new study identifies RC-101 as a potential protective agent against flu and other infections. The protein targets the virus and inflammation, improving symptoms and mortality rates in animal models.
A study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found that elevated kynurenine levels disrupt sleep, leading to cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. The discovery could lead to new treatments targeting kynurenine's role in the disease.
A recent study has uncovered millions of previously unknown genes from microbial communities in the human gut, skin, mouth, and vaginal microbiome. The research triples the amount of data previously analyzed and provides new insights into the role these microbes play in human health and disease.
Researchers have identified a key molecular connection between inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The discovery sheds light on how chronic inflammation increases the risk of developing insulin resistance, which can lead to full-blown diabetes.
The study identified rotavirus as the leading pathogen among children under five, with a high incidence of severe cases in infants. Effective preventive measures include vaccination, oral rehydration salts, and proper hygiene practices.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are developing a vaccine to protect against Shigella and certain E. coli, leading causes of diarrheal diseases in young children and travelers. The $2.47 million grant will support translation from an animal-tested prototype to a human-ready vaccine for Phase 1 clinical trials.
Researchers will analyze adaptive immune responses of infants with different HIV exposure in utero, comparing those exposed to low and high levels of HIV infection. The goal is to understand the mechanism of increased susceptibility to infections and develop strategies for improving infant health.
Researchers have identified a crucial protein, CIB2, essential for sound wave conversion into brain signals in the inner ear. The study reveals how this protein facilitates mechanotransduction, enabling people to interpret sounds.
Researchers found that multiparous female mice had increased metabolic risk but showed surprising resistance to ischemic brain injury and improved behavioral recovery after stroke. They exhibited less brain inflammation, smaller injuries, and enhanced angiogenesis compared to non-reproducing females.
A mutated version of the OBSCN gene may lead to irregular heartbeat and a weakened heart, especially when combined with stress. The study found that this mutation affects protein regulation in heart muscle cells, leading to inefficient heart function.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that CHD4, a protein that usually prevents mutation, can become a protector of cancer cells. The protein plays a key role in DNA damage repair and may be linked to cancer progression.
Researchers have identified a gene, Prkca, that plays a key role in the formation of neural tube defects, commonly found in infants of pregnant women with diabetes. The study's findings may lead to new methods for reducing risk and potentially prevent these birth defects.
A University of Maryland expert has diagnosed Francisco Goya with a rare autoimmune syndrome or syphilis after suffering from severe illness and hearing loss in 1793. She notes that Goya's condition would have been treatable today.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $9 million grant to develop new tools against drug-resistant malaria. The research aims to accelerate malaria elimination in Southeast Asia by integrating clinical and field research findings.
A new study found a link between neurological birth defects in infants and several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. Researchers also identified a medicine that could treat these diseases by reducing misfolded proteins.
A new mechanism by which inflammation can spread throughout the brain after injury has been identified. The findings may explain chronic and long-lasting inflammation that occurs after traumatic brain injury and could transform understanding of brain injury and disease.
A Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrates the PfSPZ Vaccine's ability to protect against at least two strains of malaria. The vaccine activated T cells and induced antibody responses in all recipients, providing some insights into its protective efficacy.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new pathway that recognizes three distinct bacteria, including Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi. By targeting key molecules, scientists may now try to make ticks less vulnerable to infection by these microbes.
A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found adjusting kynurenic acid levels can reduce schizophrenia-like behavior in mice. Higher KYNA levels are associated with cognitive problems and reduced glutamate signaling in people with schizophrenia.
Researchers at UM SOM and SOD published 22 articles on infectious agents, vaccines, and immune system activation. Studies focused on Ebola, Clostridium difficile, biofilms, and other topics, advancing knowledge in infection and immunity research.
A new study found that vaccinating 200,000 stray dogs annually can reduce rabies incidence by 90% in Tamil Nadu, India, while costing approximately $1.27 million per year.
Scientists have identified seven key proteins in the Zika virus genome that may be responsible for its damaging health effects. The study provides valuable clues for future research on how the virus interacts with human cells and how to develop treatments or prevention strategies.
A modified rabies virus expressing a protein from the MERS virus protects mice against both diseases. The dual compound could lead to an effective human vaccine for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and prevent its spread in camels.
Researchers have developed two new mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that exhibit protein clumping and display clinical features seen in patients. The models may help scientists better understand the disease and develop new treatments.
A new system has been developed to better understand variables involved in survival from gunshot wounds to the head. The study found that level of consciousness upon arrival, pupillary reactivity, and injury severity score are key factors in determining survival rate.
A recent study found a measurable bias toward European ancestry data in top genomic databases, with African ancestry data underrepresented. This bias can lead to inaccurate medical genetic diagnoses and higher costs, highlighting the need for greater diversity in genomic databases.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism in a combination drug therapy that disrupts cancer cells' ability to survive DNA damage. The therapy combines DNA methyltransferase inhibitors with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, causing massive DNA damage that leads to cancer cell death.
A five-year study has identified 30 inherited genes linked to intellectual disability, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 213 million worldwide. The discovery could lead to DNA screenings and personalized therapeutic protocols to improve intellectual function.
Researchers capture images of smallest human protein, STRA6, responsible for transporting vitamin A into cells. The study reveals unusual features and potential protection mechanism against excessive vitamin A.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that MRI-guided focused ultrasound significantly improves tremors and quality of life for patients with essential tremor. The treatment was shown to achieve nearly 50% improvement in tremors after three months, while retaining a 40% improvement after a year.
Scientists at the University of Maryland School Medicine have elucidated details about synaptic transmission, a crucial aspect of brain function. They discovered an unexpected and precise pattern in neurotransmission using single-molecule imaging, revealing the core architectural structure of synapses.
A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers has identified key aspects of the Mucorales fungi that may lead to treatment development. The fungus invades weakened immune systems, causing sometimes-deadly mucormycosis infections.
A new minimally invasive tissue sampling technique will help determine the cause of death in children, facilitating ways to save lives and improve health in vulnerable areas. The CHAMPS project aims to create a network of disease surveillance sites to address child mortality rates, which claim nearly 6 million lives annually.
A new study found that vaccinating mothers against flu can significantly reduce the risk of their infants getting flu during the first four months after birth by 70 percent. This breakthrough could help reduce flu-related deaths, particularly in poor developing countries where access to healthcare is limited.
Researchers have developed a new computing technique that can analyze large amounts of genomic information, which could lead to better understanding of diseases and environmental issues. The approach, called GISMO, uses Gibbs sampling to find biological signals in the data, improving upon conventional sequence alignment programs.
Scientists have found conclusive evidence that a specific jumping gene plays a key role in generating some colon tumors. The study reveals how this gene can trigger cancer by causing mutations in other genes that suppress cancer. Researchers discovered 27 L1 insertions in the tumor, which were not found in surrounding healthy tissue.
Researchers have identified Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease as Christina Olson's condition, which led to her loss of mobility and hand use. The diagnosis was made by Marc Patterson after reviewing her medical history and Andrew Wyeth's artwork depicting her.
A team of researchers has identified a ketamine metabolite that quickly reverses depression in mice without ketamine's major side effects. The study suggests that this compound may work by activating AMPA receptors, potentially opening up new vistas for the development of safer antidepressant treatments.
Researchers identified a compound that reverses symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in genetically altered fruit flies. The study suggests that the treatment could work for humans by targeting a specific enzyme involved in disease progression.
Scientists at University of Maryland School of Medicine identified a key pathway for regulating the 'switch' between wakefulness and sleep. The study found that BK potassium channels play a critical role in encoding circadian rhythm in the brain, particularly during inactivation.
A new immune-suppressing drug regimen has led to the longest survival yet for a cross-species heart transplant, involving pig hearts in baboons. The study's results could lead to increased use of xenotransplantation and potentially help severe organ shortage among human patients.
A new study has linked a common parasite to repeated bouts of rage in individuals with intermittent explosive disorder (IED). Chronic latent infection with Toxoplasma gondii is associated with increased aggression and impulsivity in adults. The study found that IED patients are more than twice as likely to have been exposed to the para...
Researchers found that Cirara, an investigational drug, powerfully reduced brain swelling and death in patients who suffered a type of large stroke called malignant infarction. Six months after the stroke, patients who received Cirara had a three-fold reduction in overall mortality and a ten-fold decrease in death from brain swelling.
Researchers at University of Maryland School Medicine have developed a new treatment for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that uses genetically modified cows to produce anti-MERS antibodies. The treatment has shown promising results in mouse models, with the potential to be effective in humans.
Scientists have identified the genetic makeup of deadly E. coli strains, which kill hundreds of thousands worldwide each year. The study could lead to better understanding of bacterial damage and more effective treatments for diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of child mortality.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine suggests that air evacuation may worsen neurological function and increase brain cell loss in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The study's findings have major implications for the treatment of military injuries.
A new Ebola vaccine has been found to be well-tolerated and stimulate strong immune responses in adults in Mali and the US. The study's findings could offer crucial protection for contacts of patients with confirmed Ebola disease, helping to interrupt transmission.
A new study identified RFX transcription factors as key regulators of genes that help auditory hair cells grow. Researchers used mice with fluorescent markers to analyze gene expression and found that these proteins play a critical role in the development and survival of hair cells.
The 1000 Genomes Project has completed an unprecedented analysis of human genetic variation, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers. The project identified 136 candidates related to diseases, including cancer, and found a cluster of variants involved in successful pregnancy completion.