Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered Paneth cells, which line the gut and secrete antimicrobial proteins to keep harmful bacteria from invading tissues. These cells serve as a defense mechanism to prevent disease and illnesses such as food poisoning.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found no difference in liver disease progression among patients treated with interferon compared to those who did not receive it. The HALT-C Trial showed that interferon, often used as a maintenance treatment, is ineffective in slowing disease progression.
UT Southwestern researchers found that interferon and another signaling protein are needed to create memory cells that remember how to fight off the virus. Without these cells, the body is defenseless against re-infections.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a brain circuit that suppresses appetite and induces weight loss. The study found that blocking serotonin receptors in specific neurons can normalize abnormal metabolism and prevent obesity-related disorders.
UT Southwestern researchers have discovered a connection between disrupted calcium metabolism in nerve cells and a fatal genetic neurological disorder called spinocerebellar ataxia 3. The study suggests that blocking excessive calcium release may alleviate symptoms, with results showing improved coordination and slowed brain atrophy in...
UT Southwestern researchers have developed a new strategy for broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs that targets a lipid molecule on infected cells, triggering the immune system to attack and destroy infected cells. The treatment, bavituximab, shows promise in treating viral diseases, including Lassa fever and cytomegalovirus.
Researchers discovered that Cdk5 protein stimulates stem-cell maturation but also causes neurodegenerative diseases. Removing Cdk5 from immature nerve cells promotes normal cell division, but the cells never reach maturity. The 'Mr. Hyde' component of Cdk5 causes destructive effects on motor coordination and learning.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has awarded UT Southwestern Medical Center a nearly $2 million grant to expand geriatric training in the medical school curriculum. The Southwestern Aging and Geriatrics Education (SAGE) program will improve physician trainees' knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards caring for elderly patients.
A new study has identified 11 clinical risk factors that can help doctors weigh the risks and benefits of carotid surgery. The study found advanced age and non-white patients are at higher risk for death or stroke after surgery.
UT Southwestern researchers found that tumors growing around nerves require cooperation from immune cells to grow. A new therapy targeting the immune system has shown promising results in treating previously untreatable tumors.
A two-year study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that combining a vaginal delivery with a Caesarean section for the second twin is generally safe. The researchers compared over 1,000 women who underwent this procedure and found that it was associated with a slightly higher risk of infection, but this risk was easily treated.
UT Southwestern researchers suggest that RSV may persist in the lungs of children, leading to recurrent wheezing and chronic airway disease. The study's findings contradict current thinking on the destruction of ribonucleic acid viruses like RSV.
A single molecule in the intestinal wall, activated by gut bacteria waste products, slows food movement and allows nutrient absorption, leading to weight gain. This discovery points to a potential method for controlling obesity by regulating energy intake.
Researchers at UT Southwestern found that adding corticosteroids to traditional antimicrobial therapy can help people with pneumonia recover faster and have less inflammation in their lungs. The study also suggests a potentially more effective therapy for asthma attacks triggered by bacterial pneumonia.
The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21, examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors on asthma, birth defects, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The study, authorized by Congress in 2000, is being conducted by a consortium of federal agencies, including NIH institutes and the CDC.
Researchers found a specific form of the PNPLA3 gene linked to higher liver-fat content and increased risk of liver inflammation. Hispanics are more likely to carry this gene variant than African-Americans and Caucasians, highlighting a genetic explanation for ethnic disparities in fatty liver disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found immature fat cells embedded in blood vessel walls that can grow into adult monsters with excess calories. These cells, called progenitor cells, could be used to treat obesity, diabetes and other metabolic conditions by isolating them from unwanted fat.
A national study published in JAMA found that 23.7% of women experience pelvic-floor disorders such as urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence. The risk increases with age, childbirths, and obesity.
A new coating made from carbon nanotubes improves the signals received and transmitted by electrodes, potentially advancing electrical nerve stimulation therapy. The coating bolsters both stimulation and receptive capabilities, showing promise in treating diseases such as epilepsy, depression, and chronic leg and back pain.
Researchers found that history and physical examinations accurately estimated fluid levels in patients with congestive heart failure. Additionally, those with extra fluid were at increased risk of hospitalization or death within six months.
Dialysis patients with depression are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized or die within a year compared to those without depression. The study found that more than 80% of depressed patients died or were hospitalized, while only 43% of non-depressed patients experienced these outcomes.
A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a bacterial molecule must be inactivated, not just killed, for an animal to regain full health after infection. The 'signal' molecule, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), triggers the immune response and causes inflammation, but also suppresses it temporarily.
Low-birth-weight children may develop hypertension later in life, and measuring blood pressure is crucial to identify this condition early. Automated devices might overstate systolic blood pressure, so manual methods are recommended to confirm results.
A new study by UT Southwestern researchers found that conservative treatment can effectively manage 'superbug' breast infections in nursing mothers. The study revealed that community-associated MRSA was more common among women with both mastitis and abscesses, but not all cases required antibiotics against MRSA.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that antidepressants need new nerve cells to reduce depression-like behavior in mice. Exercise also stimulates the generation of new nerve cells in the same area. The study suggests a possible mechanism for developing drugs to treat depression by stimulating growth of nerve cells.
Researchers found that excessive drug use causes increased brain connections as a defense mechanism against addiction. Boosting MEF2 protein activity may help combat addiction, according to the study.
Researchers found that leptin can lower blood glucose levels and maintain them in a normal range for extended periods. The study shows promise for treating type 1 diabetes without insulin injections.
Researchers found molecule LED209 interferes with biochemical signals causing bacteria to release toxins, allowing pathogen to grow but not become virulent. The study showed potential new way to combat illness and develop novel antimicrobial compounds targeting bacterial pathogens.
Researchers found that V para hijacks host cell processes to trigger rapid autophagy, leading to cell death within three hours. The study highlights the importance of understanding this pathogen's molecular mechanisms to develop effective treatments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that miR-126 is essential for creating new vessels in developing embryos and repair of injured blood vessels. However, its role in maintaining established vascular systems is unclear.
Researchers have discovered a single dose of small interfering RNA (siRNA) can significantly reduce cholesterol levels in rodents, with effects lasting for weeks. The siRNA works by blocking the production of PCSK9, a protein that raises LDL cholesterol, and has shown promise in nonhuman primates as well.
A recent study suggests that limiting fructose intake can lead to increased weight loss, as it is quickly converted into body fat in the liver. Dr. Elizabeth Parks' research found that even small amounts of fructose can contribute to greater triglyceride synthesis.
The Combining Medication to Enhance Outcomes of Depression (CO-MED) trial aims to test multiple-medication treatment for depression. Researchers hope to find a better approach than using single medication, with the goal of improving remission rates and long-term prognosis.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center predict that global warming will cause a 30% growth in kidney-stone cases by 2050, with an additional 1.6-2.2 million new cases. Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stones, and warmer temperatures are expected to exacerbate this effect.
Researchers found that UVA1 phototherapy is effective for patients with morphea and related diseases regardless of skin type. The study analyzed over 100 patients and showed no significant correlation between skin type and clinical improvement scores.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that the protein TCF7L2 actually suppresses the growth of human cancer cells in culture, contrary to its previous role in promoting colorectal cancer. This groundbreaking finding opens new avenues for understanding and treating colorectal cancer.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new target for RNAs that regulate genes, finding that these tiny strands bind to non-coding RNA transcripts and recruit proteins to activate or inhibit gene expression.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that giving infants and children 100% oxygen after a brain injury can cause more harm than good. The study suggests that brief exposure to 100% oxygen during resuscitation worsens white-matter injuries, leading to increased brain-cell death and coordination problems.
Children with acute osteomyelitis are developing more severe MRSA infections, resulting in longer hospital stays and antibiotic therapy. Researchers found that MRSA infections were associated with higher rates of bone abscesses, muscle inflammation, and the need for surgical drainage.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that FGF21 blocks the effects of growth hormone, potentially extending life span. The study found genetically altered mice with resistance to growth hormone produced greater amounts of growth hormone.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a novel pheromone detection mechanism in fruit flies, where the pheromone docks onto LUSH protein before activating nerve cells. This finding may lead to developing compounds that block pheromone action, controlling pest behavior.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified four hidden fat compartments in the cheeks, which can be restored using fat or tissue fillers for a more youthful look. Restoring these compartments improves volume loss under the eyes and gives more curve to the upper lip.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a panel of seven biomarkers that can predict prostate cancer recurrence with 86 percent accuracy. This finding holds promise for personalized medicine and targeted therapy, potentially improving treatment outcomes and patient care.
Researchers use monoclonal antibodies attached to carbon nanotubes that heat up when exposed to near-infrared light, killing cancer cells. The technique shows promise for targeting specific sites on lymphoma cells and potentially delivering a deadly payload.
Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that ghrelin levels rise with chronic stress, decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but also increasing food intake and body weight. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between hunger hormones and mood regulation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created a small molecule, Isx-9, that can stimulate nerve stem cells to mature into nerve cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for diseases such as Huntington's disease and brain cancer.
Researchers develop a computerized treatment system to assist doctors in treating patients with depression. The system provides step-by-step guidance and helps track patient progress, addressing inadequate treatment practices.
A UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher found that children in non-English-speaking households are more likely to be poor, overweight, and uninsured. They also experience barriers to healthcare access due to language gaps between caregivers and providers.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center has linked amphetamine abuse to a higher risk of heart attacks in young adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 3 million people and found a significant correlation between amphetamine abuse and heart attack diagnoses.
Researchers at UT Southwestern have developed a mouse model that mimics hyperglycemia and allows pancreatic beta-cell regeneration. The PANIC-ATTAC mouse model provides insights into improved treatments for type 1 and gestational diabetes, as well as temporary hyperglycemia.