Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new imaging technique to diagnose brain tumors, providing a definitive diagnosis based on protein levels associated with a genetic mutation. The test shows promise for precluding the need for surgery in patients whose tumors are too dangerous to biopsy.
Scientists have identified endothelial and perivascular cells as the key creators of the niche that nurtures haematopoietic stem cells. This discovery could lead to increased safety and effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation by replicating signals that promote blood-forming stem cell expansion.
A new study reveals that middle-age risk factors have a profound impact on an individual's lifetime risk for heart disease. Researchers found that people with two or more major risk factors in middle age had dramatically higher lifetime risks for cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke across the lifespan.
UT Southwestern researchers found that exercise stimulates autophagy, a process that degrades damaged cellular components. This discovery suggests that autophagy plays a crucial role in the protective effects of exercise on blood sugar metabolism and may contribute to other health benefits.
Dr. Philipp Scherer's groundbreaking research on adiponectin, a protein that declines with weight gain, has potential as a good predictor of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer risk. His work also highlights the importance of understanding fat cells' role in body energy homeostasis.
A study of nearly 12,600 participants found that higher vitamin D levels were associated with a decreased risk of current depression, particularly among those with a prior history of depression. Low vitamin D levels were linked to depressive symptoms in patients with a history of depression.
Researchers found that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is more likely caused by speedy drug metabolism rather than inconsistent doses. The study suggests monitoring patients' drug concentrations during treatment may be as important as compliance with therapy.
Researchers discovered a unique metabolic pathway in some tumors, potentially targeting for drug development. The reverse Krebs cycle pathway was found to run counter-clockwise in tumors, providing a new therapeutic target. This breakthrough could lead to effective treatments for certain types of cancer.
Researchers developed a blood test that measures lung protein levels to quantify smoking-related effects on heart disease. Smokers with high lung protein levels are more likely to develop dangerous plaque buildup in blood vessels.
A UT Southwestern study found that estrogen acts on two hypothalamic neural centers to regulate hunger and energy expenditure in female mice, keeping their body weight in check. This discovery has potential implications for postmenopausal women, who may benefit from targeted hormonal replacement therapies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the dynamic intestinal ecosystem, suggesting new approaches to prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and viral infections. They found that certain bacteria can increase polio virus infectivity by activating it.
The UT Southwestern-Parkland PROSPR Center aims to optimize colon cancer screening among Dallas residents, particularly those lacking insurance or underinsured. The partnership seeks to develop a model for screening that can be used by public hospitals nationwide.
A large-scale study found that saw palmetto extract did not improve lower urinary tract symptoms in men with prostate enlargement. The researchers tested up to three times the standard dose and discovered no measurable benefits or toxicity.
Researchers have discovered a compound that destroys several viruses, including the deadly Spanish flu, by activating a human antiviral protein called REDD1. This finding offers new hope for treating flu strains resistant to anti-influenza drugs and could potentially lead to the development of a new drug.
The UT Southwestern program identifies families with a high risk of colorectal cancer through tumor testing. Up to 50 family members can be tested for the Lynch syndrome, which carries an 80% risk of developing colon cancer.
A four-year study found that exercise can be as effective as a second antidepressant medication for half of depressed patients, with moderate exercise more effective for women with a family history of mental illness. The type and intensity of exercise needed depend on patient characteristics, such as gender.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that frequent tanning bed users exhibit brain activity and blood flow patterns similar to those of people addicted to drugs or alcohol. The study suggests that the rewarding effects of tanning beds may lead to compulsive behavior despite the increased risk of skin cancer.
Researchers found that MAVS proteins, similar to deadly prions, play a crucial role in innate immunity by forming clusters on mitochondrial membranes to defend against viral assault. This discovery may deepen our knowledge of host defense and provide insights into the development of new treatments for prion-related diseases.
UT Southwestern researchers have found a way to regulate adult blood stem cells to overcome an immune response that leads to transplant rejection. The study successfully supports human and mouse blood stem cells through culture, enabling significant repopulation of healthy cells in rodent recipients.
A UT Southwestern men's support group has published a book to reach out to husbands and partners of women with cancer. The book shares stories of five men who know firsthand what it's like to love and care for a cancer patient, offering emotional support and practical advice.
A new device called myVisionTrack has been developed to monitor degenerative eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The hand-held device allows patients to track changes in their vision over time with high accuracy, enabling timely treatment and preventing preventable vision loss.
Researchers have identified a new hormonal pathway driving advanced prostate cancer, which can be targeted by drugs. This discovery will help develop accurate biomarkers and improve treatment outcomes for resistant tumors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found at least 70 genetic mutations involved in the formation of colon cancer, surpassing previous estimates. This new understanding could lead to more effective treatments targeting multiple genes and pathways simultaneously.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that most bariatric surgery patients can perform large amounts of exercise and improve their physical fitness levels. The study participants who exercised for at least five days a week lost an average of 10 pounds and increased their daily step count significantly.
A new minimally invasive procedure called hidden incision endoscopic surgery (HIdES) eliminates visible scarring in kidney surgeries. The technique, developed by Dr. Patricio Gargollo, offers greater technical flexibility than laparoscopic surgery and has been shown to provide higher satisfaction rates among patients.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found an accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule to be effective and well-tolerated in high-risk pregnant women. The study's findings suggest that a shortened 12-week vaccine regimen can provide long-term immunity and is comparable to the standard 6-month adult schedule.
A new anti-inflammatory drug has been shown to improve kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The study found significant increases in estimated glomerular filtration rates at weeks 24 and 52, with continued benefits after discontinuation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified compounds that inhibit a signaling pathway in Huntington's disease, a fatal genetic disorder. The quinazoline-derived compounds block the store-operated calcium entry signaling pathway, potentially slowing the progression of degenerative nerve disorders.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that ghrelin, the 'hunger hormone', triggers comfort food cravings in stressed mice, leading to overeating and increased body weight. The study suggests that ghrelin signaling plays a crucial role in stress-induced food-reward behaviors.
Cervical ripening in preterm and term births has distinct processes, with preterm ripening caused by inflammation-induced changes and not an acceleration of the physiologic process. The study aims to determine effective therapies for each cause of preterm birth.
Researchers have discovered how ketamine produces a fast-acting antidepressant effect, shedding light on its potential as an emergency room treatment for high-risk patients. The study's findings could lead to the development of faster-acting and longer-lasting antidepressants.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Urology found that a surgical technique for repairing hypospadias in boys results in a postoperative success rate better than 95%. The procedure, called tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair, is effective regardless of anatomy, and offers a more natural appearance after surgery.
A gene linked to emphysema is also found to contribute to lung cancer development, with men showing a higher incidence of the disease. The study suggests that PLAGL2 expression could be used as a marker for cells at risk of malignant transformation.
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that blocking two specific RNA molecules can suppress abnormal blood vessel growth in degenerative eye disorders. This finding suggests a potential strategy to treat age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness among older people.
A multicenter clinical trial found stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to be an effective treatment option for patients with localized prostate cancer, delivering results in just five 30-minute sessions. The study's findings suggest that higher doses of radiation are safe and can lead to improved outcomes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that the cancer drug SAHA increases cell-signalling protein progranulin levels in cultured mouse cells and restores near-normal production in human subjects with FTD. The study suggests SAHA may be a promising first-generation treatment for familial frontotemporal dementia.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that a promising cancer treatment drug can restore function of a heart en route to failure from high blood pressure. The drug has been shown to reverse the harmful effects of autophagy in heart muscle cells of mice, leading to regression of heart disease.
Pelvic organ prolapse is caused by a combination of loss of elasticity and breakdown of proteins in the vaginal wall. Researchers found that fibulin-5 blocks enzymes degrading protein support structures, leading to prolapse.
Ray Johnston, a former NBA player, has survived acute promyelocytic leukemia thanks to experimental drug tamibarotene, which induced cancer cells to differentiate into mature cells. The rare form of leukemia is typically curable with current therapies but becomes more resistant and harder to treat upon relapse.
A simple fitness test can predict a person's risk of heart attack or stroke over the next decade or more. Middle-aged individuals who can run a mile quickly have a lower lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that hydroxyurea significantly reduces pain and complications in young sickle cell anemia patients, including a decrease in chest syndrome and hospitalization. The treatment is safe and effective as a preventive measure for children as young as 9 months.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a protein that guides blood vessel development and may lead to a treatment to starve cancer cells of nutrients. The protein, Rasip1, is specific to blood vessels and essential for their formation, making it a potential target for blocking tumor growth.
Children whose mothers are successfully treated for depression show progressive improvement in their own behaviors even a year after treatment discontinuation. The faster mothers get better, the faster and greater their children's improvements are.
Researchers discover gamma deltaintraepithelial lymphocytes (γδ IEL) play a crucial role in maintaining friendly relations between gut microbes and intestinal lining. These cells patrol intestinal borders, sensing microbial invasion and producing antibiotic proteins to prevent rogue bacteria from spreading to deeper tissue.
A UT Southwestern researcher has identified the most comprehensive measurement to date of estrogen's effect on breast cancer cells, showing that estrogen regulates a strikingly large percentage of all RNA molecules in a rapid and transient manner. This finding could lead to new therapeutic applications and provide a model for understan...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that the telomerase enzyme repairs chromosomes in two distinct ways, depending on cell division and stress. This finding could lead to new cancer-fighting therapies by inhibiting this enzyme.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that combining two antidepressant medications does not hasten recovery from depression in a national study involving 665 patients. The study revealed similar remission and response rates across three treatment groups, but higher side effects in the third group.
A clinical trial at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a biweekly dose of dactinomycin had a higher complete response rate than a weekly dose of methotrexate for treating low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. This regimen also required fewer treatment cycles and had lower toxicity.
Researchers analyzed data from the largest study on depression treatment, finding that even responders experience residual symptoms like insomnia and decreased concentration. The study suggests a need for more targeted antidepressant therapies to decrease depressive symptoms and understand their association with concentration.
Researchers assigned participants with NAFLD to eat a low-carb diet or a low-calorie diet for 14 days. After two weeks, the study found that the low-carb diet resulted in more significant reductions in liver fat. Both diets led to weight loss of approximately 10 pounds.