A study in Malawi found that patients with stroke and spinal cord injuries faced significant obstacles upon return home, including physical barriers and social exclusion. The lack of rehabilitation services after discharge has severe consequences for patients' mental health and ability to reintegrate into society.
Researchers predict a 50-76% decrease in Medicaid payments for antipsychotic medicines by 2016 and 2019, respectively. Generic versions of these medications will become more widely available, leading to substantial financial savings.
Scientists have identified promising compounds that could treat depression in less than 24 hours while minimizing side effects. The compounds, called GABA-NAMs, target the brain's excitatory and inhibitory communication, restoring balance and relieving symptoms.
Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered two therapeutics that neutralize the MERS virus, providing early hope for treatment and prevention. The study validated these treatments using animal models, setting the stage for clinical trials to test their effectiveness in humans.
Researchers have identified a 'decoy' molecule that can modulate the body's immune response to the flu virus, reducing the risk of deadly inflammation. The molecule, 2R9, has shown promising results in mice, with only 22% dying from flu compared to 90% in untreated groups.
The authors warn that unstable funding may harm the country's position as a world leader in biomedical research. Early-career scientists are particularly vulnerable, and support is needed to address this issue.
A new drug, Neupogen, has been approved by the FDA for treating acute radiation injury, increasing survival rates. The drug counteracts the effects of radiation on the bone marrow and production of white blood cells, offering a safe and effective treatment option.
A new study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that proton therapy significantly reduces toxic side effects in esophageal cancer patients. Proton therapy targets tumors while minimizing harm to surrounding tissues, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified a never-before-seen tick-borne illness transmitted by the taiga tick, which may be common in areas where the tick resides. The new species of bacteria, Anaplasma capra, causes symptoms like fever and muscle aches and can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine discovered a key mechanism for thiazide drugs' failure in some patients, leading to the development of new treatments. The study found nearly 400 genes change their activity to help regulate salt retention, shedding light on how the body counteracts thiazides.
Research suggests that probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modifies the activity of other gut bacteria, fostering a healthy immune system and promoting several species of beneficial microbes. The discovery could lead to more effective strategies for maintaining a balanced gut ecosystem.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers reveals that the brain's 'gender' may be more flexible than previously thought. The study found that a specific enzyme plays a key role in masculinization, allowing certain genes to be 'unsilenced'. This process can even occur after the window for brain sexual differentiation has closed.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a critical protein called C protein that enables heart muscle fibers to contract synchronously. This discovery could lead to new treatments for severe arrhythmias that cause sudden death, affecting millions worldwide.
A nationwide study found that a new transfusion technique significantly improved survival rates among trauma patients with major bleeding. The equal-ratio blood transfusion reduced mortality within the first 24 hours and stopped bleeding in 86% of patients, compared to 78% in the unequal-ratio group.
A new study led by University of Maryland School Medicine researcher Joana C. Silva found that five common Plasmodium species have not changed which animals they infect for at least 3 million years. This suggests that host switching by malaria-causing parasites is not a common event on an evolutionary time scale.
Researchers discovered that calcium phosphate deposits, known as hydroxyapatite, are a key triggering factor for AMD. The study found these deposits form around HAP and cause damage by blocking nutrient flow and waste removal in the retina.
A new study suggests that traumatic brain injury triggers long-term inflammation in the brain, causing chronic degenerative problems. The research proposes that this inflammation is a major treatable cause of brain damage after trauma.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has begun a clinical trial in health care workers in Mali to evaluate a promising experimental Ebola vaccine. The vaccine, developed by the Vaccine Research Center at NIAID, has shown highly protective immune responses in animal model challenge studies.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new pathway that connects the brain to increased blood pressure, involving the unusual steroid ouabain. This discovery offers potential new approaches for treating high blood pressure and heart failure.
A candidate Ebola vaccine is being tested on healthy volunteers in the UK, The Gambia, and Mali as part of an international collaboration. The phase 1 trials aim to ensure the vaccine's safety and immunogenicity before deployment to high-risk populations.
The University of Maryland Schools of Dentistry and Medicine have received a five-year $10.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the causes, prevention, and treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases. The study aims to identify novel molecular biomarkers of susceptibility to STIs and disease severity.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine will examine the role of kynurenic acid in schizophrenia, a devastating psychiatric disease affecting one percent of people worldwide. The study aims to uncover its potential linchpin role and develop new treatment interventions.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified over 60 drugs that could inhibit the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). These drugs, which are either approved for another condition or in advanced clinical trials, provide new targ...
A new experimental vaccine developed by Novavax has been shown to induce a neutralizing antibody response in mice, blocking infection with the MERS-CoV virus. The vaccine uses recombinant nanoparticle technology and is based on the major surface spike protein of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.
University of Maryland scientists have discovered a way to transform sodium channels into calcium channels, which could lead to the development of new treatments for heart failure and various neurological conditions. This breakthrough, reported in the journal Science, opens up novel targets for drug discovery and molecular medicine.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine discovered that mature B cells can reactivate genetic machinery to produce novel antibodies in response to antigens. This antigen-driven process enables the immune system to adapt and respond more effectively to threats, potentially leading to faster recovery for cancer patients.
Researchers found that motor skills are most vulnerable to impairment during the first 6 hours after learning, shifting to more stable neural pathways after 5-6 hours. This discovery has implications for skills training in educational and industrial settings.
High blood pressure can lead to enlargement of heart cells and a silent defect in the heart's pumping mechanism. The researchers found that this defect reduces contraction in each heart cell, contributing to heart failure. Developing novel treatments may be possible with improved understanding of the molecular defects.
Researchers visualize calcium stored deep within intact muscle and brain cells, discovering tiny, discrete compartments that can be opened or closed by drugs or natural chemicals. This finding could lead to a better understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and aging.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School Medicine discovered that mature B cells can re-activate V(D)J recombination, allowing them to produce different antibodies and adapt to new antigens. This finding may help scientists better understand and control the immune system's response to infections.