The US Latino population faces systemic health inequalities, including lower health insurance coverage, higher rates of chronic diseases, and limited representation in the healthcare workforce. The authors urge uplifting Latinos to improve health and societal presence, citing COVID-19 mortality disparities and the need for culturally s...
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that within 15 years of a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, 60% of participants had at least one diabetes-related complication. Lifestyle modification and approved medications are not enough to manage the disease, emphasizing the need for expanded treatment options.
A recent study found that nearly all patients with cancer developed good immune responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, with 94% developing antibodies. However, a small subset of high-risk patients showed no response, raising concerns about future vaccination strategies.
A study published in Nature Metabolism suggests that a Western high-fat diet can increase the risk of painful disorders, such as arthritis and diabetes-related neuropathic pain. By altering diet or developing drugs that block fatty acid release, chronic pain patients may find relief.
Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio developed a new tool to stop hiccups, FISST, which showed nearly 92% success rate in relieving symptoms. Users reported high degrees of effectiveness and ease of use, with most finding it easy to use and very happy with results.
A new study published in JAMA Oncology found that convalescent plasma therapy improved survival rates in COVID-19 patients with blood cancers. The analysis showed a 48% reduced risk of death for these patients, with even greater benefits for those hospitalized in intensive care or requiring mechanical ventilation.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus exploits metal ion concentration changes to evade immune surveillance. Metal ions form a bridge between viral messenger RNA and a protein complex, stabilizing it for modification.
Researchers are using machine learning to identify mouse pups' cries that may predict social abnormalities in autism. The study aims to develop a diagnostic algorithm for ASD, enabling early intervention and potentially improving outcomes.
A multinational study validated a four-month multi-drug therapy regimen as effective as the standard six-month treatment for active tuberculosis, reducing treatment time by a third. The new regimen, which includes rifapentine and moxifloxacin, was safe and well-tolerated.
Risk-reducing mastectomy saves lives of women with hereditary or other risk factors, but also considers quality-of-life issues. Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations have a very high lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers analyzed 43 brain disorders using BrainMap database, finding striking overlap between disease-related co-alteration networks and functional networks involved in normal behaviors. The study suggests metabolic stress in high-traffic hubs as a key underlying cause of network-based degeneration.
A study led by UT Health San Antonio found a 45-fold increase in insomnia and a 30-fold increase in sleep apnea among active-duty military members between 2005-2019. The most likely military member to be diagnosed was married, male, white, higher-ranking enlisted Army service member aged 40 or older.
A recent survey of nearly 7,500 physicians globally found that burnout has reached a very high rate, with women in healthcare suffering the most. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue, and policymakers must work with the scientific community to develop a comprehensive burnout prevention strategy.
A systematic review found that early tracheotomy decreases ventilator-associated pneumonia risk by 40%, shortens ICU stay by 6.3 days, and improves ventilator-free days by 1.7 days. The procedure also reduces mechanical ventilation time.
A study by the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio found that bladder cancer is more advanced and deadly in South Texas residents than in many parts of the country. The disease disproportionately affects Latinos and women, with worse survival rates regardless of geographic location.
A study found that assessing surgery patients for frailty before surgery reduces post-operative mortality, regardless of surgical specialty. The review of national patient databases showed that frailty was a consistent risk factor for death after surgery across all specialties.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a human protein called SAMHD1 that can recognize and respond to the HIV virus. This recognition mechanism may lead to a new approach for treating HIV/AIDS by targeting the protein with a specific drug.
A study published in JAMA found that the risk of stroke following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) has decreased over time, from 23.9% to 7.6%. Despite this improvement, patients with TIAs still face a significant risk of subsequent stroke, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management of cardiovascular risk factors.
A clinical trial involving COVID-19 patients hospitalized at UT Health San Antonio and University Health found that a combination of the drugs baricitinib and remdesivir reduced time to recovery. Patients on high oxygen therapy had a recovery time of 10 days with combination treatment, compared to 18 days with remdesivir alone.
A century of data suggests SARS-CoV-2's expected long-term effects on the brain and nervous system will have chronic consequences on quality of life and independence. The study, funded by the Alzheimer's Association, aims to understand how COVID-19 increases risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and psychiatric conditions.
Scientists at UT Health San Antonio found that acute exposure to alcohol inhibits norepinephrine release, a chemical that activates vigilance-dependent astrocyte calcium activation. This leads to impaired attention and motor coordination, contradicting the cerebellum's role in motor control.
Researchers developed two molecules that inhibit SARS-CoV-2-PLpro, an enzyme used by the virus for production and immune system disruption. This discovery provides a framework for anti-COVID-19 drug design.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have discovered lactate, a metabolite elevated during exercise and diseases, acts as a signal to activate magnesium ions. This finding is expected to lead to the development of novel therapies for cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders like diabetes, and other conditions.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio discovered that childhood chemotherapy changes the function of cells that repair heart injury, leading to increased risk of heart failure in survivors. The study found that damage to these cells may contribute to late effects seen in childhood cancer survivors when they become adults.
A study of 45,000 healthy adults found associations between 160 genes and brain shrinkage in the cortex, a dimply outer layer of the brain. The findings may lead to new targets for developing drugs to intervene before disease symptoms appear.
A new brief survey called the Brief Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (BREESI) can help identify individuals with chemical intolerance by answering just three yes-or-no questions. The BREESI was developed to address the growing concern of chemical intolerance, which affects 8-33% of individuals, and its impact on health.
A literature review found that Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) caused significant cardiac damage, including coronary blood vessel dilation, depressed ejection fraction, and aneurysms. Children with MIS-C require lifelong monitoring and interventions due to the severity of the condition.
Primary cilia, acting as cell TVs to detect signals, are present in fewer numbers in mice with Fragile X syndrome. Increasing their number might lead to reversing neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and intellectual disability.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus modifies its messenger RNA cap to evade cell recognition, leading to a new target for antiviral drugs. Researchers at UT Health San Antonio deciphered the structure of an enzyme involved in this process, providing a foundation for designing effective treatments.
Researchers found that high genetic risk scores, including apolipoprotein E ε4, increase dementia risk by 2.6 times, while favorable cardiovascular health reduces the risk by 0.45 times.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a new class of proteins that protect synapses from destruction. These proteins, called complement inhibitors, may offer a novel therapy for managing Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Scientists have discovered a potential new target for treating Ewing sarcoma, a childhood cancer that affects the bone and soft tissue. The researchers found that an imbalance in genetic code-reading machines causes nucleoli to break up into smaller entities in Ewing sarcoma.
Researchers have discovered that DNA resection pathways are highly specific and designed to repair distinct types of DNA damage, challenging the notion of redundancy in these mechanisms. This understanding has significant implications for cancer therapy and the development of new treatments.
Barth syndrome is a rare condition with shortened life expectancy due to heart weakness. A recent study found that impaired mitochondrial energy production, specifically the interaction between MCU and cardiolipin, contributes to the pathology of the disease.
A large systematic review of children with COVID-19 from 26 countries found that most cases had mild symptoms, with 19% having no symptoms. Laboratory findings showed abnormal inflammatory markers, but severe cases were rare, with only seven deaths reported.
A new analysis of the Framingham Heart Study found that brain bleeds called intracerebral hemorrhages remained stable in incidence among all age groups over the past 30 years. However, they increased in people 75 and older, with a threefold increase in seniors taking anticoagulants. The study suggests that thinners could be a factor, b...
A study led by Dr. Dharam Kaushik found that the Nox4 protein is associated with high-grade kidney cancer progression and poor survival rates in patients. The research also identified a subgroup of patients who progress rapidly, making them ideal candidates for future targeted therapy studies.
Researchers found that cancer therapy can trigger the formation of large, aggressive cells with multiple chromosomes. A scientist is now developing a drug to prevent or treat these rogue cells, which can lead to cancer recurrence.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio identified key drivers of tumor plasticity, a phenomenon where cancer cells change their behavior to evade treatments. The study found that targeting these genetic signals could increase therapy effectiveness and potentially cure more cancers.
A study found that cognition and gait speed often parallel each other in determining a person's health trajectory. Mexican Americans were more likely to experience cognitive and physical vulnerability, which was associated with diabetes and a higher risk of mortality.
A protein sensor called MICU1 restricts sugar and fat conversion in cells during starvation, but could be fine-tuned to promote more conversion in people with metabolic conditions. This discovery offers a potential solution for cardiovascular- and metabolic syndrome-related diseases.
The U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have jointly issued new guidelines for assessment and treatment of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea in military personnel and veterans. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the recommended treatment, while positive airway pressure therapy is suggested for sleep apnea.
A new book published by international cancer experts offers promising research findings on Latino cancer and strategies for reducing health disparities. The book provides recommendations for creating studies based on subgroups and moving towards precision medicine to address the projected 142% rise in Latino cancer cases by 2030.
A study of over 4,700 participants found a strong link between elevated sCD14 levels and increased risk of dementia, as well as brain atrophy and decline in executive functions. The researchers hope that sCD14 could serve as a useful biomarker for assessing cognitive decline and dementia risk.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have discovered a new class of drugs called PROTACs that target the BCL-XL protein in cancer cells. These drugs show safe and potent antitumor activity, potentially treating T-cell malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma.
A retrospective study of 432,828 veterans patients found that frail individuals had higher mortality rates after low-stress and moderate-stress surgeries. The 30-day mortality rate among frail patients after a low-stress procedure was 1.55%, significantly higher than the 1% often used to define high-risk surgery.
Researchers found rapamycin modifies blood flow and cognitive decline with aging. The study provides evidence that TOR drives loss of synapses and cerebral blood flow during aging.
Researchers discovered 48 genetic variations associated with brainstem and subcortical structure volumes, including those related to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study's findings may lead to novel drug targets for treating these conditions.
Patrick Sung, a leading BRCA expert, has received the National Cancer Institute's Outstanding Investigator Award, providing $6.1 million through 2026. His work focuses on understanding BRCA biology and its role in cancer initiation and progression.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a novel way to kill cancers caused by inherited BRCA1 mutations. Adding back microRNA 223-3p forces BRCA1-mutant cancer cells to die, offering a potential treatment for inherited breast and ovarian cancer.