A new study has made significant progress toward a novel approach to convert scar tissue into healthy heart muscle, which could improve the quality of life for people with heart failure. By removing a barrier to conversion, researchers were able to significantly increase the yield of muscle-like cells.
A team of geneticists found that the R2d2 gene distorts cell division, leading to fewer offspring and violating Darwin's principle of natural selection. The discovery has implications for fields like basic biology, agriculture, and human health.
Researchers found that certain bacteria, including Francisella tularensis and Salmonella enterica, can spread rapidly throughout the body by interacting with immune cells called macrophages. This process, known as trogocytosis, allows bacteria to evade detection and survive inside infected cells.
Researchers found that e-cigarette chemicals suppress key immune genes in the nasal mucosa, similar to smoking cigarettes. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may have broader effects on respiratory immune responses than initially thought.
Researchers discovered that TBX5 mutations lead to the inappropriate activation of cancer and neural genes in the developing heart, contributing to congenital heart disease. The study provides insight into how patients develop heart disease and a roadmap for future studies on other genetic defects.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces HIV transmission in the female reproductive tract, regardless of exposure method. This discovery has significant implications for future HIV prevention, vaccine, and cure research.
Researchers failed to find evidence of genetic overlap between schizophrenia risk and subcortical volume measures, a key finding that defines a roadmap for future studies investigating the genetic covariance between brain phenotypes and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have identified alveolar macrophages as key contributors to cystic fibrosis airway inflammation, with the overabundance of XBP-1 protein mediating their inflammatory effect. This discovery bolsters the case for targeting this pathway in therapy.
Scientists pin down structure of ALS-associated protein clumps, providing first definitive evidence of their toxicity. The breakthrough could lead to the development of drugs to stop clump formation and stem disease progression.
Scientists discovered a cellular mechanism that allows herpes simplex virus to reactivate in neurons, triggered by stress. The virus uses a protein pathway called JNK to escape the neuron's repressive environment and cause disease.
Gynecologists argue the FDA's warning on power-morcellation is based on flawed data and may limit access to safe, effective treatment options for women. The study group suggests that better preoperative identification and new techniques could improve patient outcomes.
A new study maps specific schizophrenia symptoms to distinct brain circuits, revealing novel connections between cognitive, emotional, and intellectual symptoms. The findings have important implications for diagnosis and treatment, suggesting that brain scans could help identify individual patients and track progress during therapy.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found a new way to force stem cells to become bone cells by altering gene expression with cytochalasin D. This discovery could lead to therapies for people who heal slowly from bone injuries or need replacement joints.
Scientists at UNC and UCSF create general tool to probe orphan receptor activity, illuminating their roles in behavior. They found a novel probe molecule that can modulate the orphan G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68), which is highly expressed in the brain.
A statewide shaken baby prevention effort implemented in 2007 reduced crying-related calls to a nurse advice line by 20% for children under 3 months and 12% for those ages 3-12 months. However, the study found no association between the intervention and state-level rates of abusive head trauma.
Researchers from UNC and NC State create fully functioning human gut models on a chip, using primary cells derived from human biopsies and sophisticated architecture to mimic the gut's structure and function. This breakthrough enables personalized exploration of gut behavior during healthy and diseased states.
A new analysis identified illogical thoughts as most predictive of schizophrenia risk in teens experiencing attenuated psychosis symptoms. Suspiciousness and unusual thought content were found to be the most informative symptoms, while perceptual disturbances - common features of schizophrenia - were not predictive.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that people with anorexia nervosa have distinct microbial communities compared to healthy individuals, which is associated with some psychological symptoms. The study suggests that altering gut microbiota could help patients with weight maintenance and mood stabilization.
A new study found a direct correlation between severe childhood obesity and increased risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in boys. The study's lead investigator noted that understanding elevated risk in children with more severe obesity can help target testing and interventions to prevent future disease.
Researchers have found five genetic regions that play major roles in cystic fibrosis disease severity, which could lead to new therapies. The study analyzed over 6,000 patients and identified genetic variations associated with lung disease.
A new study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found that patients participating in stage III renal cell cancer drug trials are often younger and healthier than those who ultimately receive the drugs. The study highlights concerns about the direct applicability of trial data, particularly for patients with more advanced canc...
A new study from the UNC School of Medicine reveals that a diabetes drug called rosiglitazone substantially increases bone fat, leading to an increased risk of bone fractures. However, exercise has been shown to decrease bone fat by around 10%, which can help mitigate this risk.
A new delayed-release metformin treatment has been developed to target the lower bowel and limit absorption into the blood. The treatment may help 40% of type 2 diabetes patients who currently can't take metformin due to impaired kidney function.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that a single genetic mutation disables a molecular switch in the UBE3A gene, leading to hyperactivation and abnormal brain development. This finding has implications for diagnosing and treating autism, particularly for individuals with Dup15q syndrome.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have discovered a rare type of stem cell that is immune to radiation damage due to high levels of Sox9. This finding could lead to new ways to protect the gastrointestinal system of cancer patients before treatment, allowing for more aggressive treatments to be used.
A new online portal provides a robust online interactive database to address the 'antibody crisis' in molecular biology. The Histone Antibody Specificity Database allows scientists to find reliable antibodies for their research with higher confidence, using validated test results.
A new review article analyzes five interventional approaches to gallbladder disease, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, NOTES, and endoscopic transmural drainage. The authors highlight the potential benefits of these minimally invasive procedures, which offer alternatives to traditional surgery and can improve patient outcomes.
A study of college-aged women found that those with stronger emotional connections to Facebook are less likely to struggle with risky dieting behaviors. However, if they compare their bodies to friends' online pictures, it's the opposite: more concern about body size and shape, and more risk of dieting behaviors.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered two biomarkers - oxidized LDL cholesterol and fructosamine - that are strongly correlated with the development of severe coronary disease in females. Elevated levels of these biomarkers were found to be a strong predictor of severe heart disease, particularly in women.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have developed an experimental gene transfer-based treatment to deliver a missing gene into the cerebrospinal fluid of children with GAN. The treatment approach uses a genetically modified virus to deliver the gigaxonin gene, which is expected to pave the way for treatments for other related diseases.
Researchers have created a smart insulin patch that can detect increases in blood sugar levels and secrete doses of insulin, potentially replacing painful injections for diabetes. The patch uses microneedles to administer insulin, which is released when blood glucose levels get too high.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine provide direct experimental evidence for the rapid synthesis of two classes of proteins necessary to create life on Earth. They found that a single ancient gene probably used its two opposite strands of DNA to code for different catalysts that both activated amino acids.
University of North Carolina researchers provide evidence that amino acids evolved into proteins, and single cells formed plants and animals. The close linkage between the physical properties of amino acids, genetic code, and protein folding is crucial to life's origins.
Researchers from University of North Carolina School of Medicine found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) had a statistically significant detrimental effect on IQ scores, with participants receiving sham stimulation showing greater improvement. The study adds to the increasing literature showing mixed results for tDCS ...
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have created a method to find where DNA repair happens throughout the entire human genome. This breakthrough could lead to better and more effective cancer drugs or improvements in existing ones.
Researchers have developed a new chemogenetic technique that enables them to switch specific behaviors in mice on and off, demonstrating the control of brain circuits over behavior. This tool, KORD, has the potential to treat diseases such as schizophrenia, depression, and epilepsy by modulating neurons.
A new study found a significant decline in hospital mortality rates among patients with cirrhosis and liver failure. The study analyzed over 780,000 hospitalizations and found that inpatient mortality decreased steadily during the period, despite increases in patient age and medical complexity.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that a low dose of electric current enhances alpha wave oscillations, boosting creativity by 7.4% in healthy adults. The study's results now pave the way for testing this protocol to alleviate symptoms in people with depression.
Researchers have identified various ways that HER2-positive breast cancer tumors resist therapy and discovered a potential combination therapy to overcome multiple mechanisms of resistance. A novel combination of lapatinib and a BET bromodomain inhibitor was found to block the growth of cancer cells, making the activity of lapatinib du...
A new study found disruptions in brain connectivity among infants exposed to prenatal cocaine, potentially leading to arousal dysregulation. The research used MRI scans to investigate the impact of maternal drug use during pregnancy on newborn brain function.
Researchers identified HIV replication in the brain as early as four months post-infection, with 20% of participants exhibiting central nervous system (CNS) replication. This finding highlights the importance of routine HIV testing and prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy to prevent neurocognitive impairment.
Researchers have identified a naturally occurring protein in the brain that can act to suppress binge alcohol drinking. The study found that Neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases inhibition on cells producing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), leading to reduced binge drinking.
A novel study published in Nature Genetics shows that mammals use more of the DNA inherited from their dads to develop and express genes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding complex diseases like type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and schizophrenia.
A study by UNC School of Medicine researchers identified genetic pathways that play a major role in determining the severity of cystic fibrosis. The findings may lead to new personalized treatments to lessen pulmonary symptoms and increase life expectancy for people with CF.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care found that the Rasa3 protein is critical to the success of Plavix, a common anti-platelet drug. The discovery could lead to more personalized approaches to controlling platelet activity and developing new compounds aimed at altering platelet function.
Researchers discovered that Yersinia pestis bacteria traffic to lymph nodes on their own, not relying on human phagocytic cells. Most microbes get trapped in a bottleneck in the skin or node, and only a few break free to cause disease.
Researchers found a gene called R2d2 that breaks Gregor Mendel's century-old 'law of segregation', leading to unequal inheritance of genes in mammals. This discovery has wide-ranging implications for fields like evolutionary genetics, biomedical science, and infectious diseases.
Scientists from UNC-Chapel Hill have developed a groundbreaking research tool to investigate epigenetic mechanisms, shedding light on the critical role of histone proteins in gene regulation. This breakthrough may lead to new insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Researchers found that exclusively breastfed babies had microbial communities more ready for solid foods, while those with mixed diets experienced a dramatic shift. This study provides support for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
Researchers used brain connectivity scans to identify patterns that predict success with behavioral activation talk therapy. Patients with major depressive disorder who had stronger connections between brain regions involved in cognitive control and emotion regulation responded better to the therapy.