Primary care clinicians may be missing three-fourths of the alcohol problems in their patients due to relying on hunches rather than screening questions. Regular screening with brief alcohol questions can identify individuals at risk and reduce risky drinking, according to a new study.
Researchers discovered a paradoxical relationship between diminished mitochondrial function and increased insulin sensitivity in mice. The study found that mice with mitochondrial mutations lived longer and had reduced body fat due to increased fat utilization.
Researchers found that starting antiretroviral therapy within four months of estimated HIV-1 infection significantly improves restoration of CD4+ T-cell counts. The study used data from 468 patients followed in the San Diego Primary Infection Cohort, and recovery rates were observed to be higher for those initiating therapy early.
Scientists have identified a gene expression that initiates a protective electrical response after seizures, which could prevent recurrent seizures and the onset of devastating epilepsy. This discovery also has implications for relief from chronic pains, cardiovascular disease, and recovery from mood disorders.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered a potential cure for triple-negative breast cancer. They found that microRNAs can sensitize drug-resistant tumors to chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that RSV selectively kills cancer cells, with minimal side effects compared to traditional treatments. The virus is expected to be safe due to its childhood origins and limited lung infection.
Researchers found that flies on low-calorie diets exhibit enhanced transmission of nerve signals in their brains and mouthparts. The team discovered increased release of neurotransmitters, which could be a novel therapeutic approach for people suffering from neuromuscular disorders.
A study of 400 patients found that 20.3% met the criteria for chemical intolerance, a condition characterized by sensitivity to common substances. Patients with chemical intolerance often experience multi-system symptoms and may need to avoid certain chemicals, foods, or medical prescriptions to manage their condition.
Researchers discovered a protein, IGFBP3, that helps stop cancer cell proliferation and found other proteins working together with it. This finding could lead to a therapeutic strategy to reprogram cancer cells into permanent dormancy.
A hormone with anti-diabetic properties called adiponectin has been shown to reduce depressive-like symptoms in stressed mice. Administering adiponectin produced antidepressant-like effects, especially in mice with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that rapamycin enhances learning and memory in young mice and improves these faculties in old mice, negating the normal decline with age. The drug also lowered anxiety and depressive-like behavior in the rodents.
A revised definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) includes a distinction between severe and less advanced cases, allowing for earlier detection and intervention. The new guidelines are based on evidence from over 4,000 patients and have the potential to improve treatment outcomes.
A study found that behavioral support from peers and primary care office staff can help patients with poor blood pressure control improve their blood pressure levels by as much as starting a new drug. The intervention reduced systolic pressure by 7.2mmHg in the treatment group compared to 0.8mmHg in the control group.
Researchers found that naked mole rats have a greater number of proteasomes and higher protein-disposal activity in liver cells, enabling them to maintain good health. The discovery provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the animal's exceptional ability to resist aging.
Researchers found that long-lived species maintain higher levels of NRG-1 in their brains, with the naked mole rat having the highest levels. This discovery highlights the importance of protective mechanisms in determining species life span and has implications for aging research.
A review of 30 years of life-threatening asthma cases found annual ICU admissions have dropped significantly. Education programs and adherence to controller medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, are credited for the decline.
A new study finds that immunotherapy can be effective in elderly cancer patients when combined with a specific treatment targeting age-related immune suppressor cells. The approach offers less toxic effects and improved outcomes compared to traditional therapies.
Researchers have developed a method to deliver nanoparticle radiation directly to brain tumors, reducing side effects by sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The treatment uses fat-enclosed nanoparticles to irradiate the tumor with up to 20 times the current dose of radiation therapy.
A new infection-control protocol for children healing from cardiac surgery reduced sternum infections by 61 percent, according to a two-year study. The protocol included preoperative baths with skin disinfectant and administration of antibiotics before surgery.
A rare kidney disease study reveals how sodium and potassium levels are moderated in the body, shedding light on hypertension and familial high blood pressure disease. Researchers identified novel mutations linked to increased sodium activity and decreased potassium activity, providing a better understanding of this inherited condition.
Researchers found that hydrogen sulfide decreases the production of scarring proteins in kidney cells exposed to high glucose levels. The study paves the way for future research in animal models of diabetic kidney disease.
A toxin produced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been found to initiate and intensify asthma and other allergic airway diseases in humans, animals, and patients. The discovery is supported by a $11.5 million grant and provides new insights into the role of chronic infectious states in lung disease.
A new study reveals altered insulin signaling in the pancreas of Type 2 diabetics, resulting in a decrease in beta cell production and quality. The distorted signals disrupt the replication process of beta cells, leading to a major defect in insulin secretion.
A new study from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio challenges the idea that lacking a copy of the IGF1 receptor gene would increase life span. Knocking out one copy of the gene failed to lengthen male mice lifespan, with only modest increases in female mice.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have identified potent compounds in the bat plant that can selectively kill cancer cells. The taccalonolides stabilize microtubules in cancer cells without affecting healthy cells.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have discovered that old stem cells can be rejuvenated by being placed in a young microenvironment. This could lead to personal stem cell banks treating age-related diseases, with the potential for regular rescue and infusion.
A global team has sequenced the complete genome of the naked mole rat, a long-lived rodent that lives up to 31 years in captivity. The study reveals genetic secrets behind its extraordinary longevity, cancer resistance, and ability to survive in low-oxygen environments.
Researchers propose combining modern engineering with traditional social principles to manage rainwater as a common pool resource. Effective monitoring and management can help reduce pressure on ground and surface water supplies, as well as mitigate flash flooding in urban areas.
The molecular structural basis for severe head deformities and ambiguous sex organs in babies born with Antley-Bixler syndrome has been revealed, suggesting that riboflavin therapy may reverse enzyme defects. The study also found that the enzyme NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase plays a crucial role in human syndromes.
Two studies suggest diet soft drink consumption may lead to increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Diet soda users experienced a 70% greater increase in waist circumference compared to non-users.
Research suggests that aging lung cells are more susceptible to infection by pneumonia-causing bacteria, increasing the risk of community-acquired pneumonia. Controlling inflammation may hold the key to preventing this deadly disease in the elderly.
Researchers found that a small RNA pathway is required to establish DNA methylation, a process that silences genes. This discovery may lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases by reactivating silenced tumor-suppressor genes.
A new mouse study has found that maintaining body fat rather than losing it can lead to longer lifespan in mice. The findings contradict the widely held view that weight loss is essential for extending life, suggesting that individuals with difficulty losing weight may benefit from dietary restriction more.
A daily pill of pioglitazone prevented type 2 diabetes in more than 70% of participants with obesity and other risk factors. The study also showed a 31% decrease in carotid artery thickening, indicating improved glucose control.
Researchers found that eliminating caspase-2 prolongs the life of neurons stressed by pesticide chemicals, a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Neurons lacking caspase-2 increase autophagy to survive.
Researchers found alpha cells can harm beta cells through glutamate toxicity, leading to diabetes. A protective protein called GLT1 helps regulate glutamate levels and may offer a new diagnostic test or therapeutic target.
Researchers have found that increasing serotonin levels improves social behavior in mice with autism. A medication called buspirone was used to mimic the effects of serotonin, resulting in improved social interaction behaviors. Further study is planned to investigate the impact of a diet rich in tryptophan on social behavior.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have identified a new molecule that works with amyloid-beta to speed up Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that disrupt this interaction, potentially blocking or slowing disease onset and progression.
Researchers found that obese mothers who lost weight before pregnancy had healthier male offspring with reduced triglycerides and insulin resistance. The study suggests pre-pregnancy dietary intervention can reverse adverse metabolic effects of maternal obesity on offspring.
A study found that moderate decreases in maternal nutrition during early pregnancy impaired fetal brain development, including decreased cell-to-cell connections and growth factors. The research uses a nonhuman primate model to demonstrate the importance of good maternal health and diet on fetal development.
Scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that sodium handling in the distal nephron is controlled by a local regulatory system. This system helps set blood pressure and its dysfunction leads to hypertension.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone with wide-ranging benefits for obesity-related medical complications. This discovery provides important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for these diseases.
Scientists from UT Health Science Center San Antonio discovered a relationship between phosphoinositide kinases and calcium ions in nerve cells, which could lead to treatments for neurological disorders. The study's findings have implications for epilepsy, stroke, dementia, hypertension, mental illness, and other diseases.
Researchers identify a key process leading to brain cell death in Parkinson's disease, offering hope for slowing progression and diagnosis. Blocking this process preserves parkin function and spares neurons.
Researchers at UT Health Science Center San Antonio have found that increasing a protein called CBP can restore learning and memory in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. This breakthrough provides a novel therapeutic target for the development of Alzheimer's medications.
Researchers have identified key factors in cancer cell development and reconstituted the first step in the process in a test tube. The study, published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, found that DNA breaks are a major instigator of cancer cell development.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio identified Ume6 as a key transcriptional regulator involved in Candida albicans' hyphal filament-development mechanism. This finding may lead to targets for antifungal therapies, which could help combat hospital-acquired infections caused by this fungus.
Researchers at UT Health Science Center San Antonio will study protein fragments released into the bloodstream following heart attacks to identify those who need more intensive treatment. The goal is to develop a blood test to diagnose which heart attack survivors are at risk of heart failure.
A long-term study found that women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations significantly reduced their risk of breast and ovarian cancer with preventive surgeries. Risk-reducing mastectomies and removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries lowered cancer risks, including those with prior breast cancer.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that certain plant substances can suppress damage that can cause skin cancer. The substances were tested on mice and proved protective even at low doses, with synergistic effects seen when given in combination.