A study conducted in rural Uganda found that verbal autopsy interviews performed by community health workers provided more accurate data on deaths than traditional health facility-dependent surveillance methods. The results showed that many deaths were not reported due to incomplete or inaccurate patient registration at health facilities.
Researchers found implicit bias and mistrust issues leading to reduced treatment rates for black patients. A new system-based intervention eliminated disparities by providing real-time transparency and enhanced patient-centered communication.
A new study found that persistent low body mass index (BMI) in children starting as young as age 2 for boys and 4 for girls may increase the risk of developing anorexia nervosa later. Persistent high BMI in childhood also increases the risk of other eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and purging disorder.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that Lin28a is needed for the development of pathological hypertrophy, a process where the adult heart enlarges in response to cardiac stress. This discovery could lead to more potent therapeutics for heart disease treatment.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and Notre Dame University have coined a new term 'in fimo' for the experimental examination of excrement, derived from the Latin root laetus meaning fertile or happy. The study aims to improve scientific accuracy in discussing gut bacteria and their role in human health.
A pay-it-forward model increased gonorrhea and chlamydia testing among Chinese gay men, with 54% opting in compared to 6%. The program identified previously untested individuals and may be a promising strategy for integrated HIV/STD testing.
Researchers uncovered a crucial quality-control mechanism inside cells that fails when contributing to major diseases including cancers. The discovery found an enzyme called casein kinase II adds molecular tags onto Spt6, a key protein in transcription, preventing inappropriate transcription.
Researchers have created a sophisticated genomic model that links DNA variations and gene activity to the risk of brain disorders. The model identifies 321 genes associated with schizophrenia, revealing its primary role as a disorder of neurons rather than other brain cells.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine discovered that replacing the faulty UBE3A gene in children's brains can prevent seizures, but not in adults. The study suggests a window of opportunity for prevention between early childhood and adulthood.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and Duke University demonstrate why coughing often cannot clear mucus from airways in diseases like CF and COPD. They show how to make mucus thinner and less sticky, allowing coughing to become a therapeutic aid for patients.
Researchers successfully targeted and enhanced alpha oscillations in the somatosensory cortex, resulting in significant decreases in symptoms associated with chronic lower back pain. The study suggests that non-invasive treatment strategies like transcranial alternating current stimulation may one day be used to treat chronic pain.
A recent study found that wood smoke exposure results in higher inflammatory markers for male subjects and lower inflammatory markers for female subjects. The researchers suggest that sex-specific effects may be missed when lumping data together, emphasizing the need to consider sex-specific responses when studying environmental pollut...
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine discovered that cystic fibrosis drugs targeting the faulty CFTR protein work best when patients' airways are inflamed, not when taking anti-inflammatory medications. This research has significant implications for treatment strategies in managing cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine aim to create ultra-long-acting antiretroviral formulations for HIV treatment and prevention. The new grant will enable them to continue and expand upon a line of work that showed promise in animal models, where the implant delivered the drug effectively for five months.
Researchers found that adult-like functional brain connections for emotional regulation emerge during the first year of life, predicting anxiety and emotional regulation in 4-year-olds. The growth of these brain circuits during the second year of life also predicted IQ at 4 years old.
Research reveals 73% of patients with drug-associated infective endocarditis are uninsured or on Medicaid, adding significant burden on hospitals and government budgets. The median hospital charge for valve replacement surgery exceeds $251,000, with over 280 surgeries performed annually in North Carolina.
Ross Boyce, a clinical instructor at UNC Chapel Hill, receives a Grand Challenges Explorations grant to study vaccination coverage in Uganda. He aims to identify gaps and develop innovative solutions to improve immunization rates, particularly for marginalized communities.
A new long-acting injectable implant developed by UNC School of Medicine researchers has shown promising results in animal models, delivering anti-HIV medication over time with minimal toxicity. The implant can be quickly and safely removed if needed, making it a potential game-changer for HIV treatment and prevention.
Researchers found that low colonic miR-31 expression is associated with worse disease outcomes in adults and future development of strictures in children. This discovery has the potential to improve clinical trial designs and develop more personalized therapeutic strategies for Crohn's disease patients.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care discovered that medical providers in central North Carolina frequently neglect to test for Ehrlichia when treating tick-borne infections. The study found nearly 80% of patients were tested for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but only one-third were tested for Ehrlichia. This dis...
Researchers at UNC will investigate the epidemiology of Zika virus in pregnancy and its effects on infant neurodevelopment. The team will follow infants exposed to Zika in Nicaragua and test new diagnostic protocols to understand the virus's impact.
Researchers found that NLRP12 promotes healthy gut bacteria, which produce butyrate and propionate, protecting against obesity and insulin resistance. The study suggests a potential therapeutic target for treating obesity and diabetes.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have developed a powerful algorithm to quickly categorize long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) based on their molecular makeup and predicted functions. The method, called SEEKR, uses protein-binding sequences to identify lncRNA communities with similar functions in humans and other species.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill HIV Cure Center and Cell Microsystems will use the NIH grant to automate and streamline the measurement of the HIV reservoir. The team aims to accurately detect emergence of HIV after exposure to potential therapeutics and evaluate the efficacy of latency reversal therapies.
Researchers found a 9% increase in HIV testing during the intervention period, with crowdsourcing effective in promoting HIV self-testing among MSM. The study suggests crowdsourcing as a tool for developing youth-friendly HIV services and improving treatment outcomes worldwide.
Researchers have identified a gene variant linked to chronic pain after traumatic injury, specifically the FKBP5 gene, which regulates the stress response and is affected by microRNA miR-320a. Individuals with this variant are more likely to experience increased pain due to altered cortisol levels and nerve sensitization.
Researchers have crystallized serotonin receptors bound to several compounds, revealing why some drugs cause severe side effects while others do not. The study provides valuable insight into the receptor's structure and binding mechanisms, enabling drug developers to create safer and more effective medications.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered a rare gene mutation causing hydrops fetalis, a fatal condition in fetuses. The mutation impairs CLR receptor interaction with RAMP protein, disrupting adrenomedullin signaling and leading to fatal consequences.
Researchers from University of North Carolina and University of Auckland have made a significant advance in resolving the mystery of genetic translation. Their analysis reveals previously hidden rules by which key translational molecules interact, suggesting that simpler ancestors of these molecules worked together at the dawn of life.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that mossy cells regulate adult neural stem cells to control neurogenesis, which is disrupted in many common brain disorders. Targeting these cells may offer a new treatment strategy for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and depression.
Scientists have discovered a new gene expression mechanism involving the Spt6 protein, which helps regulate messenger RNA levels in cells. The discovery suggests a potential target for treating cancers and other diseases, as abnormal RNA levels can lead to diseases such as cancer.
A UNC study found that administering the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy significantly reduces the occurrence of infant pertussis, with a 75% decrease in hospitalizations and a 46% decrease in all cases. The study suggests optimal timing of immunization between 27-36 weeks of pregnancy.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how gene defects lead to congenital heart defects. The researchers found that the absence of the CHD4 protein allows for the production of abnormal, 'hybrid' muscle cells that cannot pump blood efficiently.
Researchers found that T cells can establish and maintain HIV infection in the brain, suggesting a reservoir for future HIV cure approaches.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine found that natural body temperature affects the stability of a promising vaccine component, potentially rendering it ineffective against dengue and Zika viruses. The study suggests that stabilizing the pairing propensity of this component is critical to creating an effective vaccine.
A recent case report documents how a patient's use of biotin supplements caused clinically misleading test results, prompting multiple consultations and unnecessary testing. The study highlights the need for caution when using biotin supplements, as they can interfere with certain lab tests.
Researchers measured DNA repair in mice treated with cisplatin over a 24-hour period, finding nearly 2,000 genes repaired according to the circadian clock. This study suggests that understanding the interaction between circadian clocks and DNA repair could lead to more effective chemotherapy regimens.
Substantial barriers to access persist in US states with medical aid-in-dying laws despite legalization. Socioeconomic inequalities exacerbate disparities in healthcare, limiting access to lethal medication for terminally ill patients.
A meta-analysis of over 135,000 people with major depression and 344,000 controls identified 44 genomic variants significantly associated with the condition. The study also found that major depression shares genetic links with schizophrenia, obesity, and sleep quality.
A new compound called EP055 has been discovered to stop sperm temporarily without affecting hormones, offering a potential 'male pill' alternative. The study found that the compound significantly slowed sperm mobility, limiting fertilization capabilities.
Researchers discovered that plant DNA repair works more efficiently on active genes, which are transcribed into RNA and proteins. The system's efficiency varies according to the day/night cycle, reflecting normal daily variations in transcription activity.
Researchers discovered that larger, more visible SOD1 protein aggregates are protective rather than harmful to neurons. The study suggests that these fibrils could be a solution to reduce toxicity in SOD1-ALS, and finding drugs to promote their formation may help mitigate the disease.
The gonorrhea bacterium has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, with ceftriaxone being the last effective option. Researchers identified mutations that enable resistance to ceftriaxone, which also impairs growth rate, but lab experiments showed resistant strains can quickly outcompete non-resistant strains.
Researchers used MRIs to show that babies with fragile X syndrome had less-developed white matter compared to infants without the condition. The study identified 12 fiber tracts with significant differences in development, which could serve as an objective marker for treatment effectiveness.
Researchers developed a new screening technique to evaluate e-liquid toxicity, finding that some ingredients are more toxic than others. The study suggests that even small doses of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can significantly reduce cell growth rates, highlighting the need for further regulation of e-liquid ingredients.
Researchers at UNC and NC State developed a biodegradable hydrogel scaffold system to release combination chemo-immunotherapeutic drugs, significantly inhibiting cancer recurrence after primary tumor removal. The approach could work in other tissue types and has shown promising results in animal models.
Researchers have mapped detailed molecular events underlying the transformation of ordinary fibroblast cells into therapeutic cardiac muscle cells. The study reveals key changes in protein levels, including a sharp rise in Agrin, which promotes repair processes and inhibits organ size regulation.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill identified mixing patterns among men who inject drugs in Vietnam to pinpoint high-risk groups for HIV transmission. They found assortative mixing by age and linked this information with HIV infection rates, revealing key risk groups.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine and UCSF have solved the first high-resolution crystal structure of the dopamine 2 receptor bound to risperidone, a commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication. This discovery may lead to more selective medications with fewer side effects for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autis...
Researchers found that lung bacterial infections and inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients start much earlier than expected in childhood. Therapies to break up mucus may offer the best route to a longer life for CF patients, as early intervention could dramatically increase quality of life.