A small clinical trial showed that 22 out of 27 patients experienced improvement in symptoms such as weakness and pain after taking pentoxifylline for eight weeks. Researchers believe the drug may help reduce inflammation and improve quality of life for those with radiation fibrosis.
Since 1991, end-of-life care has seen significant improvements in palliative care and hospice availability. Timothy Quill's father's death provided a unique opportunity to illustrate the good and bad in end-of-life care, highlighting the need for consistent availability of care options.
Researchers found that platelets can promote diabetic complications and contribute to inflammation in heart disease. They discovered a common Type II diabetes drug can dampen platelet inflammatory activity, potentially leading to new treatments for vascular diseases.
A team of researchers discovered a specific genetic mutation, Tbx10, responsible for causing cleft lip and palate in mice. This finding suggests that similar mutations may exist in humans, shedding light on the complex development of facial features.
Scientists are developing a new anthrax vaccine that requires fewer shots and has fewer side effects. The study aims to improve upon the existing vaccine, which causes numerous side effects and takes 18 months to confer protection.
A recent study led by University of Rochester Medical Center professor Günter Oberdörster investigates the link between nanotechnology and human health. The research suggests that nano-sized particles may accumulate in the body and cause harmful inflammation, potentially leading to brain damage or central nervous system disorders.
A new study, led by experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center, explores the effects of environmental agents and toxins on children's health. The report highlights the significant knowledge gap in understanding how environmental factors affect children compared to adults.
A new study finds that cephalosporin drugs are more effective in treating strep throat than penicillin, with a superior bacterial cure rate. First-generation cephalosporin drugs offer the same narrow-spectrum effect as penicillin at comparable costs.
Researchers caution against linking strep bacteria to neuropsychiatric disorders like OCD and tics in children. Neurologist Roger Kurlan and Edward L. Kaplan argue that the criteria for establishing a connection between strep and behavioral disorders are too vague, citing a lack of evidence from large, carefully controlled studies.
Scientists found that common cholinesterase inhibitors ease behavioral symptoms like agitation and psychosis in patients with existing symptoms. The medication also delays the onset of these behaviors in patients not yet displaying them.
A study led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Rochester Medical Center is testing a vaccine against H9 bird flu, which infected several people in Hong Kong in 1999. The goal is to prepare for potential transmission of the virus from person to person.
Researchers explore simple measures to improve the lives of nursing home residents with dementia. Simple pleasures like warm water bottles, fleece muffs, and creating memory boxes can reduce agitation and promote calmness.
Researchers found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lead to poorer hearing performance in women, especially in noisy environments. The study involved 32 women who had received HRT and compared their hearing with 32 women who had not.
A new protein called VLA-1 enables the immune system to develop peripheral immunity by anchoring virus-killing cells to tissues in the lungs. This allows for an instant strike against flu viruses, potentially delivering a better defense against deadly strains like avian flu.
Researchers have discovered that a compound used to treat sepsis also protects vital brain cells from programmed cell death. The finding opens the possibility of creating a new compound with similar effects without increased bleeding side effects.
Researchers created immortal human nerve cells by introducing a telomerase gene into progenitor cells, allowing them to continuously divide and produce specific types of neurons. The cells were used to partially repair damaged spinal cords in laboratory animals without forming tumors.
Researchers have successfully created a new kind of mouse by replacing its genetic material with that from another species, paving the way for studies on mitochondrial medicine. The goal is to improve treatment options for people with currently untreatable diseases, such as infertility, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
A team of researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered that a genetic defect affects lysosome protein arginine regulation, causing Batten disease. This condition leads to lysosomes malfunctioning and cells swelling with waste, ultimately killing brain cells and resulting in severe medical problems.
A JAMA study validates a new class of drugs for treating advanced Alzheimer's, improving cognitive function and daily life. The combination of memantine and donepezil shows statistically significant benefits for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
A 7-month-old boy named Lukas received a groundbreaking artificial corneal transplant using the AlphaCor device, offering renewed hope for patients with high-risk traditional corneal transplants. The procedure's success marks a significant milestone in the development of this innovative technology.
This year's flu season is severe due to a mutated virus that has changed slightly since last year's vaccine was designed. Young children are at higher risk of getting seriously ill as they haven't encountered the virus before and lack immunity. Experts recommend vaccinating all children aged 6 months to 23 months to prevent complications.
Researchers successfully remyelinated nearly entire mouse brains with human stem cells, producing thousands of times more myelin than previous experiments. This breakthrough offers potential treatment for diseases like Canavan disease and Tay-Sachs disease.
A nationwide survey found that 56% of women with early stage breast cancer received less than 85% of their prescribed chemotherapy dose intensity. Treatment delays and dose reductions were common due to neutropenia, a shortage of infection-fighting white blood cells.
The guidelines recommend five medication types to treat neuropathic pain, including gabapentin, lidocaine patches, and narcotics. Neuropathic pain affects 4-6 million people in the US, caused by nerve damage from conditions like shingles, diabetes, and cancer.
The Rochester center will focus on three uncommon neurological disorders: periodic paralysis, episodic ataxia, and nondystrophic myotonias. These disorders are caused by abnormal cell channels or gates that regulate crucial chemicals in our cells, leading to symptoms such as paralysis, muscle stiffness, and coordination loss.
Researchers have developed a new drug, ximelagatran, that is absorbed quickly and has no food or drug interactions, making it easier to manage than warfarin. The study found that the new drug was significantly superior to warfarin in preventing blood clots, with fewer side effects.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have identified a key role for bone-forming osteoblasts in controlling the expansion of blood-forming stem cells. The discovery could lead to new treatments for bone marrow-transplant patients, who often face challenges due to limited stem cell availability.
A study found that using aggressive chemotherapy with high doses of methotrexate, asparaginase, and doxorubicin improves survival rates for children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by 15 percentage points. The new approach also showed minimal long-term effects beyond those seen in lower-dose treatment regimens.
Scientists found certain fibroblasts can transform into myofibroblasts, leading to fibrosis, and lipofibroblasts, developing into fat cells that cause thyroid eye disease. This research may lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases like fibrosis and fatty tissue buildup.
Research suggests that cutting off blood vessels to starve tumors of oxygen may not always be effective, as it can also make them harder to treat. Instead, feeding the tumor with oxygen may be a more viable option to kill cancer cells.
Researchers found that wrist bands with acupressure or stimulation applied to an acupuncture point on the wrist reduced nausea in breast cancer patients by 15% compared to no band. Patients who expected the bands to ease their nausea experienced even greater relief, reporting a 25% decrease in nausea severity.
A new combination cancer-killing drug regimen has shown promising results in extending patient survival, with 16% tumor shrinkage and 35% stable disease progression after six months. The orally administered treatment has been well-tolerated and offers a more convenient option for patients compared to traditional IV chemotherapy.
Scientists discovered two green tea compounds, EGCG and EGC, that inhibit the aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor, a molecule linked to cancer. The findings suggest that green tea may exert its anti-cancer activity through multiple pathways.
Researchers have developed a new herpes-based AIDS vaccine that could help the immune system produce more infection-fighting antibodies and killer T-cells, potentially making it more effective. The vaccine uses an amplicon to deliver DNA from the AIDS virus, which is then amplified and used to trigger an immune response.
Researchers used RNA interference to impair cancer cells' ability to produce telomerase, resulting in a 85% shortening of telomeres over 75 days. The technique reduces but doesn't fully block telomerase production, paving the way for potential therapy against most cancers.
A national study found that 43% of patients reported nausea on the day of treatment, and 73% experienced nausea one or more days later. Delayed nausea is a significant problem, affecting twice as many patients who felt ill in the following days compared to those who felt queasy initially.
Researchers found that the p53 gene plays a crucial role in distinguishing which lung cancer patients are most likely to survive four years or more. The study identified a sub-group of early-stage lung cancer patients without p53 mutations who had a significantly higher survival rate, providing hope for a new treatment approach.
Researchers discover that Alzheimer's protein amyloid beta is transported into the brain by riding piggyback on a larger molecule called RAGE. This discovery opens up new possibilities for treating the disease. By blocking RAGE, blood flow to the brain can be restored and amyloid plaques reduced.
A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that childhood cancer survivors are at risk of cardiovascular problems, including cardiomyopathy and premature atherosclerosis. The research also showed that these survivors were less active and had different body compositions compared to their siblings.
A recent study published by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that consuming large quantities of seafood during pregnancy does not pose a detectable risk to children. The study, which followed 300 children from birth in 1989 and 1990, found no adverse effects from low levels of mercury in fish.
A study by Dr. Scott MacRae found that larger pupils are more likely to experience problems with laser vision correction surgery, emphasizing the need for surgeons to consider a wider treatment zone and caution when treating patients with dilated pupils.
The Prevnar vaccine, developed at the University of Rochester, has shown remarkable real-world effectiveness in reducing invasive pneumococcal infections by 69% among children under two years old. This translates to approximately 20,000 fewer cases of infection each year in the United States.
A team of researchers has discovered that the medial superior temporal area (MST) acts as both a compass and biological global positioning system, providing mental maps to help understand location and movement. This finding helps explain why people with Alzheimer's disease struggle to navigate their environment.
A four-year study found that implantable cardioverter defibrillators reduce death rates by 31% in patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The devices detect irregular heartbeats and deliver electrical shocks to restore normal function.
A study by physicians at 10 hospitals in the US and Canada found that continuous doxorubicin infusion for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia does not prevent heart damage, contrary to previous assumptions. The treatment resulted in increased hospitalizations and higher medical costs.
A new study found that methylphenidate (MPH) is effective in treating children with both attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and tic disorders like Tourette's. The treatment was previously thought to worsen tics, but the study showed no increase in tics and even eased them in some cases.
A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that people with Alzheimer's disease struggle to perceive their own motion while driving, leading to increased risk of getting lost. The researchers tested 26 elderly patients with Alzheimer's and found they had difficulty judging their location on the road.
Despite modern IUDs' excellent safety record, their use is limited due to misconceptions and restrictive criteria among obstetrician-gynecologists. Education on IUDs' benefits can increase their adoption among women.
A new surveillance program aims to collect detailed information on every head-injury patient at the University of Rochester Medical Center. This will help identify geographic clusters, environmental conditions, and potential treatment improvements for head injuries.
Rochester's innovative double-helix curriculum assesses students' performance in real clinical sessions, emphasizing patient-physician interaction and interpersonal skills. The program has attracted national attention and potential federal recognition for its focus on reducing medical errors and improving care quality.