Researchers found that a parent-coaching intervention called Adapted Responsive Teaching (ART) can significantly improve the outcomes of one-year-old children at risk for autism. The study, published in Autism Research and Treatment, compared ART to early intervention and monitoring, showing promising results.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine used new deep-brain imaging techniques to link individual neuron activity patterns to specific behaviors in mice. The study found that nearly identical neurons had separate functions, with some activated during searching for food and others during consumption.
A study led by a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher identified genomic changes in head and neck cancers linked to the sexually transmitted disease HPV. The findings, published in Nature, may help lead to new therapies and identify markers for patients likely to respond to treatment.
Researchers used fMRI to show that autistic individuals have significantly different brain activity related to emotion regulation compared to non-autistic individuals. The study suggests that improving prefrontal cortex activity could help autistic people regulate their emotions and reduce severe symptoms.
A team of UNC genetics researchers discovered how two genes interact to trigger cancer and spur its development. The research found that ARID1A and PIK3CA mutations led to the overproduction of Interleukin-6, a cytokine crucial for cell signaling that triggers inflammation.
A new study found that postpartum depression can have onset of symptoms that begin in pregnancy, impacting prognosis and treatment tailoring. Women who experienced symptoms during pregnancy may be at risk for more severe postpartum depression.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that the chemotherapy drug topotecan suppresses a gene essential for normal brain function, leading to neurological side effects like memory loss and confusion. The effects are reversible upon removal of the drug, suggesting a potential link to autism.
A new study published in JAMA found that hospitalized patients with STEMI heart attacks are more likely to die than those who had the same type of heart attack outside the hospital. The study analyzed data from over 62,000 patients and found that these patients were older, female, and less likely to receive routine treatments for STEMI.
A novel siRNA-based approach successfully targets and silences the KRAS oncogene, a well-studied but hard-to-halt protein important for cancer development and metastasis. The treatment significantly slows cancer growth and stops metastasis in cultured cells and mice.
Researchers identify a new type of melanoma cell in blood vessels that resists anti-angiogenic therapies. The cells, which express the protein PECAM1, help tumors evade treatment by forming functional blood-filled channels.
A new study found that babies whose mothers used cocaine during pregnancy have increased amounts of hyperphonation in their cries, indicating nervous system damage. The researchers also identified a similar spectral characteristic in rat pups treated with prenatal cocaine exposure, paving the way for translational analyses to detect is...
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered a new way to generate more blood vessels following a heart attack by turning fibroblasts into endothelial cells. Increasing the level of p53 in scar-forming cells significantly reduces scarring and improves heart function after heart attack.
Researchers at UNC Health Care are testing the effect of physical activity calorie expenditure (PACE) labels on consumers' food decisions. The goal is to determine if labeling calories with equivalent exercise time can lead to reduced calorie consumption.
Dr. Patrick F. Sullivan, a psychiatric geneticist, received the 2014 Lieber Prize for his distinguished work on schizophrenia. He heads large international projects and directs mega-analyses involving 90,000 participants.
A new large-scale study aims to address knowledge gaps on sexual assault survivors' health outcomes and experiences. Nine hundred women will be enrolled and followed for one year to understand physical and mental health during recovery, as well as interactions with law enforcement, the legal system, and medical care.
A new study by UNC researchers found that younger elite athletes are more likely to suffer repeat ACL reinjuries than those who experienced their first injury during collegiate play. The study also showed significant differences in return-to-play and reinjury rates between precollegiate and intracollegiate groups.
Researchers at University of North Carolina Health Care developed a blood test that identifies individuals at high risk for developing psychosis. The test measures immune and hormonal system imbalances, as well as oxidative stress, and shows promise in predicting the development of severe mental disorders like schizophrenia.
A multi-site research study found that individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods experience worse musculoskeletal pain outcomes over time after stressful events like car accidents. The study suggests that the environment plays a significant role in chronic pain development, with stress systems involved in pain worsening outcomes.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered how Period and Cryptochrome genes interact to control the circadian clock. The findings have implications for developing drugs for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers found that the protein RBM4, crucial to gene splicing, is drastically decreased in multiple forms of human cancer, including lung and breast cancers. This discovery offers a new route toward therapies targeting altered genetic pathways that allow cancer cells to proliferate and spread.
A new study by UNC researchers led by Kathleen Caron, Ph.D., shows that deleting CXCR7 allows adrenomedullin to run rampant, triggering enlarged heart and overgrowth of lymphatic vessels. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of CXCR7 in cardiovascular health.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new integrated approach to pinpoint genetic drivers of cancer, identifying eight genes linked to luminal breast cancer. These findings offer hope for personalized medicine and potential targeted therapies.
A new study by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that over half of older emergency department patients were either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Most of these patients had not previously been diagnosed as malnourished, highlighting the need for better nutrition assessments and support services.
Researchers have completed the largest cancer genetic analysis ever conducted, revealing a new way of classifying cancers. The study found that one in 10 cancers would be classified differently using this new approach, which could lead to better treatment options for patients.
A new study by UNC researchers provides evidence that could help improve CF pharmacotherapies. They found that a mutant CFTR protein loses its ability to function properly when in the presence of two drugs, suggesting that drug developers should take this destabilization effect into account.
Researchers have identified over 100 genetic locations associated with schizophrenia risk, revealing biological pathways that could inform new treatment approaches. The study expands understanding of the disorder's genetic basis and underlying biology.
A new study has identified a previously unknown mechanism used by neurons to survive, which is also hijacked by brain cancer cells. The discovery may lead to new investigations of brain cancer treatments and provide insight into Parkinson's disease.
A new survey of North Carolina doctors reveals concerns over the increasing number of requests to assess patients' competency for concealed weapons permits. Many physicians feel uncertain about their ability to make such assessments, leading to worries about the doctor-patient relationship and potential ethical consequences.
Researchers at UNC have found that Set2 plays a crucial role in DNA repair, which can lead to the development of cancer cells if impaired. The discovery offers insights into creating more targeted therapies for various forms of cancer.
A new 5-question clinical tool, VIO-SCAN, can help clinicians screen for risk of violence in military veterans by considering financial stability, combat experience, alcohol misuse, and PTSD plus anger. The study highlights the need to focus on non-PTSD factors beyond just PTSD when understanding violence in veterans.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found that mucins play a major role in failing lung function in cystic fibrosis patients. The study reveals that diluting the concentration of mucins in CF mucus may be key to improving treatments.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found a new target for treating chronic pain by targeting the enzyme PIP5K1C. By reducing the level of this enzyme, they showed that the levels of a crucial lipid called PIP2 in pain-sensing neurons is also lessened, thus decreasing pain.
Researchers have identified DAZAP1 as a 'master regulator' of gene expression in cancer cells, inhibiting the progression of several types of cancer cells. The discovery sheds new light on the protein's potential as a drug target for cancer treatment.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that cellular interactions can affect aging and infertility in nematodes. Tweaking a specific signaling pathway allowed worms to overcome infertility while living longer lives.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that cancer cells stiffen in response to mechanical force, opening gaps for immune cells to pass through. This discovery sheds new light on cancer development and metastasis, potentially leading to new therapies.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have identified a specific RSV-encoded non-structural protein (NS2) as the genetic trigger for severe lung infections in infants. The discovery could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments, reducing hospitalizations caused by RSV infection.
A new study found all classes of obesity in US children have increased over the last 14 years, with more severe forms of obesity rising significantly. The study analyzed data from 26,690 children ages 2-19 and found 17.3% were obese in 2011-2012.
Researchers measured p16 levels before, after and a year after chemotherapy to determine its impact on molecular aging. The study found that curative chemotherapy increased molecular age by an equivalent of 15 years in breast cancer patients. This suggests the p16 test may help evaluate treatment effects on long-term health and survival.
A new non-invasive genetic test detected 92% of colon cancer cases, outperforming a traditional fecal immunochemical test in asymptomatic participants. The test's high sensitivity could lead to increased screening rates and reduced deaths from colorectal cancer.
A new study found that many parents, regardless of their race or ethnicity, engage in
A new biochemical technique allows researchers to study how specific proteins called kinases interact to trigger cellular behavior, such as cell movement. The method, developed by Klaus Hahn's team, enables the activation of just one kinase and its interaction with another molecule in real time.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have discovered a new target for human antibodies that could hold the key to a vaccine for dengue virus. The team found that natural human antibodies bind to a specific region called an epitope hinge, which is composed of just 25 amino acids.
The University of North Carolina has received a seven-year, $40 million award from the NIH for its Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Clinical Trials Unit. The unit will lead research on HIV treatment, prevention, and cure, with a focus on high-risk populations in the US and sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that bladder cancer subtypes are genetically similar to breast cancer subtypes. The study revealed two distinct genetic subtypes of invasive bladder cancer, basal-like and luminal, which share genetic similarities with breast cancer subtypes.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have developed a new ultrasound imaging technique that can visualize tumors using a contrast agent composed of tiny bubbles paired with an antibody. This method improves resolution and tumor-detecting ability, potentially leading to lower costs and increased accessibility for cancer treatment.
A study of 52 patients with metastatic brain tumors found that early tumor shrinkage after stereotactic radiosurgery indicates a positive outcome, reducing the need for further monitoring. Tumors that did not respond initially were more likely to recur or require additional treatment.
A new study reveals that persistent musculoskeletal pain is common among car crash victims, affecting nearly 70% six weeks post-accident. Most victims who develop persistent pain do not sue, with only a minority engaged in litigation.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and The Scripps Research Institute found a way to modulate specific pathways in opioid receptors, allowing for more precise targeting of brain diseases. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment options for chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, and depression with fewer side effects.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine deploy a combination therapy targeting persistent HIV-infected cells that standard therapies cannot kill. The study uses mouse models and finds that an antibody combined with a bacterial toxin can penetrate infected cells and kill them, resulting in a six-fold drop in the number of infected cells.
Researchers have developed a powerful technique to visualize the shape and motion of RNA at the atomic level using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). This allows for better understanding of RNA's structure and function, which can lead to the development of new drugs for diseases with genetic bases such as cancer.