Research at the University of North Carolina found that patients with higher co-payments were 70% more likely to stop taking their cancer treatment and 42% more likely to skip doses. The cost of many new pharmaceuticals can exceed $100,000 per year.
A systematic review of 40 studies found that ear tube surgery has no significant impact on hearing, speech, or other functional outcomes beyond a short period. Adenoidectomy also showed limited benefits in reducing time with ear infections and improving hearing up to two years.
Two esophageal conditions, eosinophilic esophagitis and PPI-responsive esophageal eosinophilia, are so similar that even a biopsy is not enough to distinguish one from the other. Patients may need an 8-week antacid trial and repeat endoscopy for proper diagnosis.
A new gene therapy has led to a dramatic decline in bleeding events in dogs with naturally occurring hemophilia A. The treatment involves packaging specialized blood platelets with genes that express clotting factor, resulting in significantly fewer serious bleeding events over three years.
Research analyzed top-grossing children's movies from 2006-2010, finding 70% included weight-related stigmatizing content. The study also reveals that 26% of movie segments showed exaggerated portion sizes and 51% depicted unhealthy snacks.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that only 1.45% of new inmates in North Carolina prisons tested positive for HIV, with most having previously been diagnosed. The findings suggest that screening incoming prisoners may not be an effective strategy for detecting new undiagnosed cases.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have identified Engrailed 1 as a protein overexpressed in basal-like carcinomas, which can lead to chemotherapy resistance. A synthetic peptide designed by Adriana Beltran and colleagues can disrupt Engrailed 1's function, causing rapid cell death.
A recent study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found obesity to be a major risk factor for developing basal-like breast cancer in women. Researchers at the University of North Carolina discovered that obesity alters the cellular microenvironment of mammary glands, promoting the growth of basal-like tumors.
Researchers found that brain dendrites actively process information, multiplying the brain's computing power. Dendritic spikes are selectively generated depending on visual stimuli, indicating local processing within dendrites. This discovery has exciting implications for understanding neurological disorders and brain circuitry.
A UNC School of Medicine researcher found that three specific drugs affect three different kinds of neurotransmitter receptors crucial in Fragile X syndrome. This discovery suggests that therapies acting through different receptors may improve behavioral symptoms and intellectual outcomes for people with Fragile X.
Military veterans who struggle with managing their finances are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that money mismanagement is a significant predictor of future homelessness among veterans, regardless of income or mental health status.
Patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer are at higher risk of complications if they have low albumin levels before surgery. A study found that patients with low preoperative albumin levels had twice the risk of experiencing postoperative complications within 30 days after the operation.
A study of 1,789 women aged 50+ found that 12.2% are satisfied with their body size, which is associated with better overall functioning and fewer eating disorder symptoms. Despite this, many satisfied women still report dissatisfaction with other aspects of their appearance.
Researchers pinpointed the precise cellular connections responsible for triggering overeating behavior in mice, suggesting a neurological basis for obesity and eating disorders. The study highlights a potential target for drug treatments to correct malfunctioning brain circuits.
Radiation oncologists face higher workloads and decreased confidence when treating unfamiliar cases, as shown in a UNC study. The researchers used NASA-TLX to measure perceived workload and found that performance decreased with longer completion times.
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology shows that abiraterone acetate significantly delays pain progression and quality of life deterioration when taken with prednisone. Patients experienced a more than eight-month delay in pain progression and a four-month delay in quality of life decline.
The University of North Carolina will house two Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science, focused on tobacco communication and lung health. Research from these centers will inform potential tobacco regulatory activities.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found a class of drugs known as MDM2 inhibitors effective in regressing abnormal blood vessels responsible for vision loss associated with macular degeneration. The treatment has potential to reduce the burden on patients and physicians.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine challenge the widely-held theory that RNA self-replicated without protein enzymes, instead suggesting a 'Peptide-RNA World' scenario where proteins accelerated key chemical reactions. The study's findings support the idea that ancient protein enzymes played a vital role in life's emergence.
A new pathway has been identified by UNC researchers that triggers septic shock, a condition where the immune system overreacts to bacterial infections. The pathway involves two sensors: one outside and one inside cells, both detecting lipopolysaccharide, a molecule found in bacterial cell membranes.
Li Qian, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, has received a New Scholar in Aging Award from the Ellison Medical Foundation. The award provides four years of funding to support her research on regenerating or repairing injured heart cells.
Researchers at UNC will sequence the genome of 400 infants to determine useful clinical data from genomic tests. The study aims to build a model for informed choices about newborn testing, including educational tools and parental consent protocols.
Researchers have identified a potential new angle for drug development in preventing thrombosis, a dangerous blood clot that can lead to stroke and heart attack. The study uncovered a key platelet protein that could be exploited to develop drugs that keep platelets from forming pathological clots.
A new study found that adults who engage in moderate physical activity up to two and a half hours a week do not increase their risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. The study also found no association between race, sex, or body weight and the risk of knee osteoarthritis.
A study by University of North Carolina Health Care researchers found that problems with topoisomerases can affect brain development and potentially lead to autism spectrum disorder. The discovery has significant implications for ASD detection and prevention, as inhibiting these enzymes could have a profound effect on neurodevelopment.
A new genome-wide association study has identified two major pathways involved in causing schizophrenia, including a calcium channel pathway and a micro-RNA 137 pathway. The study, published in Nature Genetics, provides the strongest clues to date for understanding the causes of this debilitating mental illness.
Vinculin plays a critical role in enabling cell movement by interacting with the actin cytoskeleton. Disrupting this interaction can lead to chaotic cell movement, impacting organ development and cancer progression.
The UNC-Malawi cancer pathology laboratory has provided invaluable service to patients and built capacity at a national teaching hospital. The lab, which assessed over 3,600 specimens, is now helping to relieve diagnostic delays and provide essential diagnostic services to Malawians suffering from cancer.
Scientists developed a histology expression predictor for common types of lung cancer using paraffin samples, achieving accuracy comparable to pathologists. The technology has potential applications in predicting responses to therapies and prognostication.
A study of 601 women with breast cancer found that African-American women were more likely to experience delay in treatment due to type of treatment received or younger age. White women experienced delay if they underwent immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy.
The University of North Carolina will assist the President's Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood Initiative by designing maternity homes, training healthcare providers, and establishing a residency program. The grant aims to reduce maternal and infant deaths in Malawi, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
Research by a University of North Carolina-led team shows that inhibiting MerTK signaling in macrophages can activate the immune system to kill cancer cells, slowing tumor growth and metastasis. The study's findings suggest combining this approach with existing therapies may offer a new avenue for activating anti-tumor immunity.
Researchers discovered the Arl13b gene plays a crucial role in guiding neuron formation and placement during early brain development. The study found mutations in this gene may contribute to brain malformations seen in Joubert syndrome and autism-like features.
The UNC team developed biomarkers for challenging molecular subtypes of human breast cancer using genetically engineered mouse models. They found that these models accurately predicted human response to chemotherapy drugs, providing valuable insights into breast cancer treatment.
A study has found that human and canine B-cell lymphoma expression profiles are similar, providing a new model for understanding the disease. This discovery may facilitate faster development of new therapies for both humans and dogs with lymphoma.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine identified cryptopatches as the foundation for human GALT development, a critical component of intestinal immune function. The study suggests that repairing damaged GALT could lead to therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders.
Recent data suggest that aspirin reduces heart attacks, but also increases risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and stroke. The study found that including a cancer mortality benefit influences aspirin prescribing thresholds, making middle-aged men eligible for prevention.
A University of North Carolina study found that 47% of medical decisions in radiation oncology were made without available randomized clinical trial data. This highlights the need for well-designed observational studies and alternative clinical trial designs to inform patient care.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the activity of GSK-3 alpha, a protein that promotes oncogenic KRAS function. The study found that blocking GSK-3 alpha resulted in an anti-tumor response in mouse models, suggesting a viable treatment option.
Researchers discovered neurons employ distinct Caspase mechanisms for axon pruning and apoptosis, providing insights into neurological disorders. The study's findings shed light on the processes underlying neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may not be more effective than conformal radiation therapy (CRT) after prostatectomy. The study compared outcomes of 457 IMRT and 557 CRT patients treated between 2002 and 2007, showing no significant difference in long-term side ...
Researchers at the University of North Carolina will assess three types of blood sugar home testing approaches on patient outcomes in a community-based clinic setting. The study aims to inform better, evidence-based decisions about glucose monitoring for patients with type 2 diabetes not treated with insulin.
A new study has identified a genetic risk factor for persistent pain after traumatic events, such as motor vehicle collisions and sexual assaults. The research found that variation in the gene encoding for the protein FKBP5 is associated with a higher risk of moderate to severe neck pain six weeks after a motor vehicle collision.
Researchers found that fetuses produce a hormone called adrenomedullin, which protects mothers from preeclampsia. This discovery could lead to new methods for detecting and preventing the condition.
A study found that training women to self-collect genital samples for HPV testing can increase cervical cancer screening coverage in Kenya. Self-collection showed strong agreement with physician-collected samples, indicating its potential as a viable means to detect cervical lesions.
Researchers at UNC have identified a key regulatory switch that controls the development of blood vessels. Disrupting this gene, CASZ1, can prevent proper vessel formation and lead to cardiovascular disease. Further study may reveal new therapeutic targets for treating cardiovascular disease.
A novel monoclonal antibody targeting SFRP2 has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in pre-clinical models of breast cancer and angiosarcoma. The antibody is the first therapeutic discovered that targets SFRP2, a protein linked to angiogenesis and cancer progression.
Dr. Margaret Gourlay's study defined appropriate bone density screening intervals for older women, reducing the need for frequent tests and targeting those at higher risk of osteoporosis. The research has been instrumental in shaping clinical practice guidelines, benefiting human health and welfare.
Patients who have STEMI heart attacks while hospitalized are at a significantly higher risk of death compared to those treated outside the hospital. The survival rate for inpatients with STEMI is around 60%, while outpatients have a survival rate of over 96%.
Researchers found that HIF1 and HIF2 are overexpressed in melanoma tumors, promoting the spread of cancer through the lymphatic system. Suppressing these transcription factors reduced the rate of metastasis in mouse models.