Researchers have created a new DNA atlas that provides insights into how genes in specific cells contribute to coronary artery disease. The atlas identifies over 200 independent genetic markers associated with disease risk, offering a potential roadmap for interpreting non-coding variants.
Researchers found that men who lose their Y chromosome as they age are more likely to experience deadly heart scarring and earlier death. The study suggests an existing drug may help counteract the effects of this loss, potentially leading to longer, healthier lives for affected men.
Researchers found that factory-calibrated continuous glucose monitors are sufficiently accurate for estimating blood-sugar levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. The devices showed 'clinical reliability', with almost 99% of readings accurate enough to be used without confirmatory fingerstick blood sugar readings.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its safe-sleep guidelines, recommending babies sleep on their backs on flat, level surfaces to reduce SIDS risk. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of breastfeeding, pacifier use, and avoiding drugs and alcohol exposure.
Patients with diabetes who participate in a free Annual Wellness Visit are 36% less likely to need an amputation, according to a new study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. This preventive care service helps detect foot complications earlier, reducing the risk of amputations.
A UVA researcher is using a harmless amoeba to develop an innovative treatment for deadly C. difficile infections in young children. The approach has the potential to deliver specific antibodies directly to the gut, reducing the need for antibiotics and addressing a growing public health threat.
The number of US children suspected to have attempted suicide by poisoning increased by 26.7% between 2015 and 2020, according to researchers at the University of Virginia Health System. The majority of these cases involved girls, and the age group with the largest increase was children aged 10-12.
A team of researchers, backed by a $8 million US Department of Defense grant, aims to identify potential treatment options and ways to block brain inflammation caused by repetitive blast exposures. They will use advanced brain imaging and blood sampling to understand the role of neuroinflammation in TBI.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have made important discoveries on the crucial role of malnutrition in global tuberculosis, highlighting how gut infections impair treatment outcomes. A new funding partnership will train Tanzanian postdoctoral researchers to work specifically on this intersection.
A new app called HOPE, developed at UVA Health, aims to provide vital support to patients battling opioid-use disorder. The app offers a secure way to connect with care providers and an anonymous message board for sharing experiences and building healing relationships.
A study found that colchicine significantly improved survival rates for patients hospitalized with worsening heart failure. Colchicine may also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with a buildup of cholesterol in their arteries.
The new center aims to advance a groundbreaking combination of focused ultrasound and cancer immunotherapy, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. The partnership will focus on overcoming existing limitations of immunotherapy and expanding treatment options for various types of cancer.
Rates of postpartum depression symptoms increased nationwide during the pandemic, reaching a high of 7.7% in December 2020 to March 2021. States with fewer COVID-19 deaths and lower unemployment rates showed greater increases in symptoms, likely due to reduced access to support systems.
Scientists have discovered a shapeshifting volcano virus with remarkable properties that let it alter its shape. This finding could lead to new ways to deliver drugs and vaccines, with implications for understanding how viruses evolved and potentially creating new technologies.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered a cluster of cells in the brainstem that controls the body's response to severe blood loss. The study found that re-activating these neurons can restore blood pressure and heart rate in lab rats, offering new hope for treating traumatic injuries.
A randomized study of 379 women with obesity and unexplained infertility found that intensive lifestyle changes that shed pounds led to no better chances of pregnancy than simply increasing physical activity without weight loss. The study also showed significant health benefits from weight loss, including a decrease in metabolic syndrome.
Scientists developed a powerful new tool called Giraffe to improve genomic research by leveraging global genetic diversity. The tool allows for the use of a diverse pangenome reference point, enabling faster and more sensitive comparisons of short-read human genome sequences.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a potential way to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes in women by targeting a specific gene called KLF14. Increasing KLF14 abundance in fat cells may help alleviate metabolic abnormalities, including slower metabolic rates and less efficient triglyceride management.
A new study found that a ketogenic diet significantly improves MS symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and cognitive function. Patients on the keto diet experienced reductions in neurologic disability and enhanced overall quality of life.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the EP300 gene and its role in small-cell lung cancer. The study found that the gene makes a protein with properties that can both foster and prevent tumor formation, providing a new potential target for treatment.
A new study of over 1.1 million new mothers worldwide found that first-time mothers, women under 25, and mothers of twins are at higher risk for postpartum depression. Women aged 40 and older having twins are particularly vulnerable to the condition.
Researchers found that higher monocyte counts are linked to early signs of injury and scarring on lung imaging among community-dwelling adults. This suggests that hyperactive monocytes may contribute to lung injury at the early stages of interstitial lung disease.
Researchers developed a gene therapy called Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO), which boosts SCN1A protein production in brain cells. The treatment restored normal cell function and reduced seizures in lab mice with Dravet syndrome, offering hope for the first direct treatment of the fundamental cause.
Research from the University of Virginia Health System found that long-term use of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can lead to hardened kidney vessels. The drugs, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure, were associated with damage in both lab mice and humans.
Researchers create plan for proactively developing drug cocktails against virus families, aiming to provide effective treatments in weeks, not months. The approach prioritizes combination therapy to reduce disease spread and limit viral adaptation.
A study found that rural women are less likely to get screened for colorectal cancer compared to urban counterparts, despite similar breast cancer screening rates. The disparity may be attributed to limited access to testing and financial constraints, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions.
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center discovered how a common gene mutation disrupts cells' ability to suppress tumors. The mutation in the UTX gene forms tiny droplets that help prevent tumor formation.
A new study reveals that rural Americans face significant challenges in accessing COVID-19 treatment trials, with many living more than an hour away from the nearest trial site. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are particularly affected, with over 50% living more than 60 minutes from a trial site.
Researchers at UVA Health System found that fluoxetine, an antidepressant commonly known as Prozac, shows promise against age-related macular degeneration. Patients taking fluoxetine were less likely to develop dry AMD, a condition affecting nearly 200 million people worldwide.
Researchers found that somatostatin interneurons can cause seizures when they go haywire, disrupting the brain's balance. The study identified a rare epilepsy syndrome and developed mouse models to understand the neurological dysfunction, paving the way for new treatments.
Microglia play a vital support role in maintaining blood vessels in the brain, regulating blood flow and capillary diameter. This discovery may lead to new therapies for diseases affecting small brain vessels, such as Alzheimer's and stroke.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System have discovered a new treatment target for osteoporosis and bone loss from rheumatoid arthritis. A cellular protein called ELMO1 promotes the activity of osteoclasts, which break down bone, leading to excessive bone degradation.
New research from an international team of scientists found that poor timing of influenza vaccination campaigns in Brazil led to increased premature births, lower birth-weight babies, and the need for more cesarean sections. The study suggests that earlier flu vaccination campaigns could better protect pregnant women and their babies.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified 14 genes that can cause and three that can prevent weight gain, offering a promising lead in developing new treatments for obesity. The findings were made using a worm model of obesity and automation to test hundreds of genes.
Researchers have discovered toxic DNA buildup in the eyes of patients with geographic atrophy, a devastating form of age-related macular degeneration. Common HIV drugs or safer alternatives, such as Kamuvudines, may block inflammation and protect against retinal cell death, offering new hope for treatment.
Researchers developed an Internet information system, virusMED, to provide a comprehensive picture of viruses' most important regions. The database contains over 800 strains from 75 different families, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, Ebola, and HIV-1, enabling scientists to respond quickly and effectively against the next pathogen.
Jochen Zimmer, a UVA professor, has been awarded $9 million by the HHMI to pursue his research on biopolymer transport across biological membranes. His work aims to develop new biomaterials for medicines, food, and energy, potentially combating diseases, hunger, and climate change.
A new study found that cholesterol produced by astrocytes is required for controlling amyloid beta production, leading to the accumulation of insoluble plaques. Blocking this cholesterol manufacturing reduced amyloid beta production in lab mice, offering a potential strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a groundbreaking discovery about cells' 'batteries,' revealing how they sense problems and perform quality control on mitochondrial function. This finding could lead to better treatments for non-communicable diseases, which are estimated to cause 71% of all deaths.
A new study from the University of Virginia Health System found that Moderna's vaccine produced higher antibody levels than Pfizer's, especially in older subjects. The researchers caution that measuring antibody levels does not necessarily predict vaccine effectiveness.
A nationwide survey of US hospitals found a wide variety of approaches to newborn skincare, including the timing of the first bath. The researchers urge the formulation of more consistent guidelines built on hard evidence to improve care for babies born in US nurseries and mother-baby units.
A new AI technology enhances magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images to capture scar tissue in the heart, eliminating the need for contrast injections. The approach, called Virtual Native Enhancement (VNE), produces higher-quality images and better captures evidence of scar without contrast.
A study by researchers at the University of Virginia Health System has linked American Indigenous ancestry to an increased risk of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency among Hispanic Americans. The genetic variation associated with this deficiency can be used to identify patients at risk and provide personalized nutritional guidance.
A large retrospective analysis of 14,000 patients with colorectal cancer found that common blood-pressure drugs like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers were associated with decreased mortality. Patients who took their blood-pressure drugs consistently were less likely to die from their cancer.
A new study found that states with low initial use of HIV-prevention drugs continue to fall behind in usage among people at risk for the disease. Researchers urge federal and state governments to close gaps by implementing successful policies from early-adopting states, such as telehealth programs and expanding Medicaid.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered that combining drug palbociclib with ruxolitinib could effectively treat myelofibrosis by preventing bone marrow scarring and improving blood cell counts. This potential new treatment offers a promising approach to devastating blood disorder.
Researchers have determined the location and function of natural blood-pressure barometers inside our bodies, which detect subtle changes in blood pressure and adjust hormone levels to maintain healthy blood pressure. The discovery has significant implications for developing new treatments for high blood pressure.
University of Virginia researchers identified a potential avenue for treating seizure-related brain injuries by harnessing the brain's natural immune response. Microglia cells were found to form pouches that tend to swollen dendrites, suggesting a 'healing' process.
A large-scale genetic study has identified new drug targets to treat type 1 diabetes by examining 61,427 participants and pinpointing 78 regions on the chromosomes that influence risk. The researchers found 36 previously unknown regions and specific gene variations that can be used to identify potential drug targets.