Researchers have solved the structure of seipin, a protein essential for proper fat storage in humans. The study reveals two conformations of seipin, which create and grow lipid droplets used for energy storage.
A UT Southwestern study found that COVID-19 patients who received a palliative care consultation were more likely to receive comfort care at the end of life, but had similar rates of CPR. The study highlights the need for hospitals to improve their outreach to Black communities and incorporate palliative care into pandemic planning.
Patients with both high lipoprotein(a) and coronary artery calcium score face a 20% increased risk of heart attack or stroke over 10 years. Researchers hope to raise awareness and improve early prevention for these patients.
Rates of uncontrolled high blood pressure increased from 15% to 19%, with greater rises possible in the general population, Dr. Eric Peterson warns. Slight changes in blood pressure control can have significant consequences downstream.
A new study by UTSW researchers found that giving clot-busting drug alteplase to stroke patients on long-term blood thinners is safe and improves recoveries. The study of over 160,000 patients revealed no increased risk of bleeding, but rather better outcomes for those treated with the drug.
A pilot study at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) spurred regeneration in dormant parts of failing hearts. The study's results showed evidence of regeneration in areas considered dead, suggesting a promising avenue for developing regenerative heart therapies.
UTSW researchers develop novel strategy to combat viral infections by inhibiting protein network. The approach has shown promise in preventing replication of RSV and coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, a leading cause of pediatric deaths worldwide.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a promising liver-specific microRNA drug that shows minimal toxicity in mice, preventing cancer cells from establishing themselves in the liver. The new treatment has potential as a candidate for companies developing mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.
A study published in Cell Metabolism reveals unique features of brain metastasis in breast cancers, highlighting potential new targets for therapies. Researchers found that metabolically distinct cells have varying levels of glucose and glutamine usage, which can be targeted to reduce metastatic activity.
A unique study by UT Southwestern researchers found that food pantry clients experienced increased economic hardship, food insecurity, and psychological distress due to the pandemic. The study gathered narratives from individuals describing how the pandemic affected their daily lives and emotional well-being.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women in areas with worse health disparities have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. These outcomes include increased risks of preeclampsia, abruption, and preterm birth.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a potential cure for strongyloidiasis, a deadly tropical disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Combining dafachronic acid and ivermectin increased survival rates to 85% in animal models, offering a new therapeutic target for parasitic nematode diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a high-tech sleeping bag that may prevent vision problems caused by brain pressure in space. The study found that suctioning fluids from the body can unload brain pressure and prevent progressive flattening of the eyeball, swelling of the optic nerve, and vision impairment.
Researchers have identified 103 memory-sensitive neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, which increase their activity when memory encoding is successful. These findings may lead to new deep brain-stimulation therapies for brain diseases and injuries.
The Kidney Cancer Program (KCP) at UT Southwestern has launched a national resource to advance precision medicine for kidney cancer, featuring the largest and most diverse catalog of kidney cancer tumor models. The platform includes models for over a dozen types of kidney cancer, allowing for more precise and personalized treatment.
Researchers developed AI models to predict protein interactions, identifying over 100 probable complexes and 700 previously uncharacterized ones. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for human disease.
A recent UTSW study found that Hispanic ischemic stroke patients receive lower-quality thrombectomies than their white counterparts, with similar outcomes observed between Black and white patients. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve access to high-quality stroke treatment for underserved populations.
Researchers have identified new MRI brain imaging biomarkers that can predict the effectiveness of antidepressants with high accuracy. These biomarkers bring a new level of precision to prescribing the most effective treatments, potentially saving patients from months of taking the wrong medication.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the behavior of mutated RAS proteins, which are responsible for 20-25% of all cancers. By developing new targeted therapies that exploit specific mutations and signaling pathways, they aim to improve treatment options for patients with le...
Researchers found that blocking nerve growth factor can prevent heterotopic ossification, a challenging condition where bone abnormally grows in soft tissue during healing. The study suggests that pain-relief drugs currently being tested could also protect against this condition.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a method to safely replicate the weight-loss benefits of a plant compound, celastrol. By deleting a specific protein in brain cells, they were able to mimic the effects of celastrol, resulting in mice losing 7% of their body weight without experiencing harmful side effects.
Researchers at UTSW Medical Center discovered a way to abolish the formation of amyloid beta plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting the NHE6 gene. This breakthrough suggests a possible treatment approach for preventing late-onset Alzheimer's, a condition affecting nearly 6 million Americans.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a protein called Xbp1 that plays a crucial role in halting the cell cycle in response to stressful events. The study uses innovative techniques to track proteins in individual cells over time, revealing a previously unrecognized function of Xbp1 in regulating the cell cycle.
A new study found that rewarming after cooling therapy can increase the risk of seizures in oxygen-deprived newborns, with a three-fold increase during the rewarming period. This elevated risk is associated with a doubling of the risk of death or disability by age 2.
Experts recommend prioritizing obesity treatment over glucose control in Type 2 diabetes. Dropping 15% of body weight can have a disease-modifying effect, according to UT Southwestern's Ildiko Lingvay.
Unvaccinated pregnant women are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations due to the Delta variant, with severe cases requiring ventilators and resulting in deaths. The proportion of hospitalizations among unvaccinated women has more than doubled since last year.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that stringent lineage tracing is essential for studies of nerve cell regeneration. The study identifies reliable lineage tracing tests and strongly recommends their use in all laboratories doing nerve cell regeneration research.
Researchers developed an AI technique, pMTnet, to predict which cell surface peptides are recognized by the immune system. The algorithm shows high accuracy in identifying binding or nonbinding combinations of neoantigens and T cell receptors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a gene linked to eczema that regulates sex hormones and skin lipid production. The study suggests that targeting this gene could provide relief for patients with eczema by increasing sebum production.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that LRP1 is the vehicle by which retinol enters myeloid cells, suggesting a potential target for treating inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease. The study also found that inhibiting this process could boost immune activity, making oral vaccines more effective.
Researchers discovered that protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A) is a key player in the development of preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine. Inhibiting PP2A with a drug may be a viable treatment option for preeclampsia.
A new study led by UT Southwestern researchers found that fat cells release extracellular vesicles containing dying mitochondria, which trigger oxidative stress in the heart. However, this stress triggers a strong protective response from antioxidant molecules, reducing cardiac damage.
Researchers have developed a new adaptive radiotherapy strategy called PULSAR, which combines radiation and immunotherapy to improve tumor control. The approach uses artificial intelligence to personalize treatment plans, allowing oncologists to replan cancer treatment in under 30 minutes.
A study involving 2,200 patients found that therapeutic-dose anticoagulation improved survival rates among moderately ill COVID-19 patients. The treatment reduced the likelihood of needing cardiovascular respiratory organ support by 27% and increased chances of survival without such support by 4%.
Researchers have identified a gene called Npas4 that appears to influence hundreds of other genes for timekeeping in the brain. The study suggests that Npas4 is a master regulator of many light-induced genes, which could lead to new treatments for managing challenges such as jet lag and sleep disorders.
Researchers have developed a two-arm molecule that selectively depletes regulatory T cells in tumors, allowing the immune system to fight off cancers without causing autoimmune diseases. The treatment led to significant tumor shrinkage in mouse models and showed promise for human patients.
A new study uses viruses to induce mutations in cancer-driving proteins, shedding light on drug resistance. The LentiMutate approach could aid in developing drugs that circumvent resistance and validate new targets.
A recent review article reveals significant disparities in diagnosing and treating headaches among different racial and socioeconomic groups. The study found that African American men receive the least care for headache diseases, despite being affected at the same rate as other groups.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to assess metastatic potential in skin cancers, predicting disease characteristics that can guide treatments. The tool distinguished subtle features in images that are invisible to the human eye, offering new insights into cancer prognoses.
Researchers identified mono(ADP-ribose) and NMNAT-2 as potential biomarkers for ovarian cancers, enabling clinicians to determine which patients may respond well or poorly to treatment. The discovery also highlights a selective advantage that can be exploited to inhibit cancer growth.
Researchers found that levels of REG3G, a natural antimicrobial molecule, fluctuate on a circadian rhythm prompted by resident gut bacteria. This cycling has significant consequences for the ability to fight off infection, with higher bacterial burdens and rates of death when exposed at sunset.
UT Southwestern researchers report the first structural confirmation that endogenous molecules can trigger innate immunity in mammals through the TLR4?MD-2 receptor complex. The discovery has wide-ranging implications for treating and preventing autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Researchers identified an immune component, STING, linked to Niemann-Pick disease type C, a condition with no effective treatments. The discovery suggests a new therapeutic target for the disease and offers hope for treatment with immune inhibitors.
Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify novel gene candidates associated with immune traits in mice, including 101 new genes with over 95% chance of being required for immunity. The study's software, Candidate Explorer, helps predict causation of mutations and has already verified hundreds of genes with novel functions.
The new method uses a simple unit consisting of two rotating mirrors to form projections from multiple angles, bypassing the need to acquire image stacks. This allows for real-time imaging without physically moving the specimen or requiring expensive computer hardware.
A new study found that middle-aged adults who experienced upward wealth mobility had lower cardiovascular risk after age 65, compared to those with downward mobility. The researchers estimate a 1% swing in cardiovascular risk for every $100,000 gained or lost by individuals.
Researchers discovered that lowering iron content in fat cells limits the absorption of lipids by intestinal cells, leading to reduced weight gain and associated health issues. This finding could lead to new therapeutic approaches to protect against obesity and related diseases.
Researchers developed a novel treatment using stereotactic ablative radiation (SABR) to deliver high doses of radiation to tumor vein extensions. The approach has shown promise in reducing metastases and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers found that HER3 gene mutations can amplify activity of a protein that spurs tumor growth in breast cancer. A new study suggests that targeting this protein may lead to more effective treatments for patients with both HER2 and HER3 mutations.
A study published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer found that immunotherapy outcomes differ based on dosing strategy and patient weight. Overweight patients receiving weight-based dosing lived an average of over 20 months, compared to less than 10 months for lighter patients.