A new nomogram model predicts the probability of renal cancer recurrence 12 years after initial treatment, using tumor and patient characteristics to maximize predictive accuracy. The model helps clinicians counsel patients and customize treatment recommendations for individual patients.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a technique called bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to track the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs. The technique involves adding luciferin to the bloodstream, which is carried to cells that have been altered to carry the firefly gene, causing them to emit light.
UT Southwestern faculty members Dr. Lora Hooper, Dr. Youxing Jiang, and Dr. Hongtao Yu were named as Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators for their outstanding biomedical research. The HHMI appointment brings the total number of UT SWM faculty members to 13.
Researchers found that adding noninvasive imaging to risk-assessment protocols increased the number of people classified as high risk for heart disease. This approach is proposed by the Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education task force, which aims to identify more patients who could benefit from cholesterol-lowering therapy.
UT Southwestern researchers found gene mutations in mice that control electrical excitability in the brain involved in sleep create a human-like insomnia disorder. The mutant mice slept half as much as normal mice and did not readily get restful sleep even after sleep deprivation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that methylation acts as a biological clock indicating cell division history and cancer risk. Having children or approaching menopause can turn the clock back, reducing breast cancer risk.
A multicenter trial found that breast ultrasound combined with mammography detected more cancers than mammography alone in high-risk women. The study used over 2,800 participants, including 40 diagnosed with breast cancer, and showed that breast ultrasound is a cost-effective and non-invasive screening option.
Researchers developed a new MRI technique that can detect diffuse axonal injury, a type of brain damage often overlooked. The test analyzed water motion in areas surrounding nerve cells and found significant links to recovery rates.
Dr. David Mangelsdorf, chairman of pharmacology at UT Southwestern, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his contributions to understanding lipid and bile acid metabolism. His work on nuclear receptors and ligands has led to insights into cholesterol regulation.
Dr. Jane Brotanek, a pediatrician at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has received a two-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to investigate the relationship between infant feeding practices and iron deficiency. Her research aims to identify factors contributing to iron deficiency in high-risk populations.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that where and how the body stores excess calories is more important than overall weight in determining an individual's risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Overeating, rather than obesity itself, may trigger the development of this health condition.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used a drug-treated blood stem cell compound to transform human blood stem cells into immature heart cells. This helped improve the function of injured rodent hearts and may lead to new treatments for heart attacks.
A simple and fast screening technique has been developed to identify promising synthetic molecules that mimic therapeutic antibodies and can treat cancer at a lower cost. The new method screened over 300,000 peptoids and isolated five candidates that showed promise in treating human tumors.
A landmark study shows that corneas from older donors (up to 75 years old) are as successful for transplants after five years as those from younger donors. This finding allows for the expansion of the donor pool, addressing a shortage in the Dallas area.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a new anti-microbial compound targeting bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. The goal is to combat increasing microbial resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that the malaria parasite uses a two-step process for reproduction, which could lead to a new type of vaccine. By blocking one protein, they were able to stop the spread of the disease in mice and mosquitoes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new tool to study the mysterious link between body temperature and multiple sclerosis symptoms. By tracking eye movements, they found that as body temperature rises, eye movement disorders worsen in people with MS.
A recent study found that weight loss and major lifestyle changes are more effective in treating type 2 diabetes than intensive insulin therapy. Insulin resistance, caused by high-calorie diets, can lead to organ damage and increase the risk of complications such as heart disease and blindness.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that arsenic linked to a cancer-homing drug provides a powerful imaging agent for detecting hard-to-find tumors. The technique allows physicians to detect early tumor deposits and monitor cancer's response to therapy with clear images.
Researchers found that low blood oxygen saturation increases the risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease. A commonly used predictive model was deemed inadequate, highlighting the need for better screening tools.
A study found that nearly 55% of teenagers with treatment-resistant depression showed improvement when switched to a different medication combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. The results suggest that clinicians should not hesitate to switch treatments, especially if an adolescent hasn't responded to initial treatment.
A nationwide survey of children's health shows significant disparities in healthcare for minority kids, including unequal access to medical services, higher rates of asthma, hearing and vision problems, diabetes, and dental care. These disparities may have long-term effects on the health of these populations.
UT Southwestern researchers have determined the specific way in which PCSK9 disrupts LDL receptor activity, leading to increased 'bad' cholesterol levels. By designing targeted antibodies to disrupt this interaction, they aim to develop a new class of drugs to lower cholesterol.
A new computer-based tool, eTBLAST, compares multiple documents in a database for similarities, helping to detect duplicate or plagiarized publications. The tool has been shown to identify potential plagiarism cases in over 7,000 papers, and may also aid in detecting duplicated publications.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, showing that finasteride reduces prostate cancer risk by 25% but also causes side effects like impotence. The study encourages men to consider both benefits and drawbacks before taking the drug to prevent prostate cancer.
Researchers have developed a technique to sort embryonic stem cells to preserve only the desired muscle-type cells, avoiding tumor formation and improving muscle strength and coordination. The study shows significant improvements in muscle function and quality of life for mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that hormonal components in over-the-counter dietary supplements can stimulate cancer-cell growth and make anti-cancer drugs less effective. The study's findings highlight the need for patients to inform their doctors about any herbal or hormonal supplements they are taking.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that anti-retroviral drugs given daily before and after exposure to HIV can prevent vaginal transmission of the virus. This breakthrough could empower women worldwide to protect themselves from HIV infection.
Dr. Beth Levine, a renowned specialist in autophagy, received the award for medicine for her groundbreaking work that has propelled forward medical research on cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and infectious diseases. Her investigations have identified key genes involved in autophagy, contributing to various diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center uncovered the mechanism underlying Fragile X syndrome, affecting communication between brain cells. The study suggests targeting the acetylcholine system might provide an alternative to drugs targeting glutamate pathways.
Dr. Joseph Ravenell receives $416,558 grant to study physician inertia and its impact on hypertension treatment in African-American men. The award supports his research to benefit underserved patients and decrease health disparities.
The Center of Research Translation will investigate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through a four-group approach, focusing on B-cells, disease progression, and gene contributions. This project aims to translate basic research findings in mice to human SLE, improving treatment options for patients.
Researchers found that some morbidly obese patients have better cardiovascular disease risk profiles than those who are less obese. Bariatric weight-loss surgery may benefit individuals with a BMI as low as 30, not just those with higher BMIs.
Patients with subclinical Cushing syndrome experience significant clinical improvement after adrenalectomy, including improved diabetes and hypertension. The study highlights the benefits of surgery for some patients with large adrenal tumors who suffer from hormonal disorders.
A UTSouthwestern urologist has used botulinum toxin A (Botox) injections to treat involuntary bladder contractions in quadriplegic patients. The treatment has shown promising results, enabling patients to regain control of their bladders and improve their quality of life.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found that the hormone orexin activates HIF-1, which increases energy production in cells. This activation is linked to the body's response to low blood sugar and hunger, suggesting a new mechanism for metabolic regulation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified four molecules in the urine of mice with lupus nephritis that may serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis. These molecules, including VCAM-1 and CXCL16, could help predict kidney disease in patients with lupus.
Researchers develop synthetic compound that promotes death of lung-cancer cells and tumors by mimicking natural 'death-promoting' protein Smac. The compound was effective against nearly one-quarter of lung-cancer cell lines tested, with some breast cancer and melanoma cells also showing sensitivity.
A recent study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that government-imposed restrictions on bariatric surgeries in the US significantly limit access to these life-saving procedures for low-income and underinsured populations. Despite high-volume centers performing better, low-volume centers with higher-risk patients achieve co...
The study found that mice with a better ability to cope with stress had increased activity of potassium channels in the brain, which counters increased nerve firing and BDNF release. In humans, depressed individuals showed a 40% increase in BDNF levels in the nucleus accumbens, suggesting a link between stress handling and depression.
UT Southwestern researchers Dr. Luis Parada and Dr. Thomas Südhof have been elected to the Institute of Medicine for their international distinction in developmental biology and neuroscience. They join a prestigious group of medical scientists shaping public health policies and advising federal governments.
A $11.5 million clinical trial is examining the effectiveness of induced hypothermia in treating brain swelling in children with severe traumatic brain injuries. The study aims to improve survival rates and outcomes for these patients.
Dr. Gumbo's award aims to develop a treatment regimen based on blocking the mechanisms that tuberculosis bacteria use to avoid being killed by antibiotics, potentially reducing treatment time from months to weeks.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a likely cause of kidney transplant rejection: antibodies attacking MICA antigens. The study found that patients who showed the most marked effect from these antibodies were those considered high-risk for clinical transplantation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified nearly 350 genes related to female fertility, providing a new understanding of the causes of female infertility. These discoveries may lead to improved diagnostic tests and tailored therapy for infertile women.
The UT Southwestern-based collaboration aims to speed the transfer of laboratory discoveries to new therapies that improve human health. The initiative will carry out several key functions, including improved design of clinical research studies and expanding outreach efforts to medically underserved communities.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that a byproduct of cholesterol metabolism, 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), interferes with the protective effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular system. When 27HC levels are high relative to estrogen, it blocks estrogen's function and leads to a loss of protection against heart disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that patients with metabolic syndrome have highly acidic urine, which increases the risk of developing uric-acid kidney stones. This association was independent of age and renal function, suggesting a link between metabolic syndrome components and increased acidity in urine.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women with a family history of heart disease are less likely to quit smoking and engage in physical activity, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease. Women with this history also tend to have higher rates of unhealthy eating habits.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a technique using veins from a patient's own leg to repair infected aortic grafts. The study found that patients had few side effects and fared well in the long-term after receiving natural grafts, reducing risks of infection and blockage.