A Vanderbilt-led team has developed a method for detecting 'cell-free' tumor DNA in the bloodstream, showing promising results in distinguishing prostate cancer from normal controls. The technique, called a 'liquid biopsy,' demonstrated over three times the sensitivity of current PSA screening and accuracy rates of up to 91 percent.
A Vanderbilt University study suggests replenishing 2-AG levels in the brain could alleviate mood and anxiety disorders. By restoring normal levels of 2-AG, researchers may have found a potential therapeutic strategy for treating depression and anxiety.
Researchers found that metformin use was associated with a 23% decrease in mortality compared to other treatments, and may have therapeutic benefits for certain types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
A Vanderbilt study reveals a significant increase in the number of women with early-stage breast cancer choosing mastectomy over breast conservation surgery. The trend was most pronounced among younger women and those with smaller tumors, suggesting factors other than disease burden are at play.
A Vanderbilt University study found a nationwide decline of 30% in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients between 2006-2011. This decrease may lead to reduced experience among emergency doctors, potentially affecting the timeliness and quality of care for time-sensitive heart attacks.
A recent survey of symptomatic HIV-positive people in rural Mozambique found that those who initially consulted traditional healers had a 2.4 times longer delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of HIV. The study highlights the need to engage traditional healers in HIV care and provide incentives for referrals.
A transgenic mouse with a rare human genetic variation in the dopamine transporter protein may lead to improvements in ADHD, autism and bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment. The mice exhibit unusual "darting behavior," which could be related to impulsivity and abnormal dopamine release.
A new pneumonia vaccine has led to a 27% decline in hospital admissions among children under 2 in Tennessee, with an overall 72% reduction since introduction of the first vaccine in 2000. The success of pneumococcal vaccines challenges common assumptions about antibiotic treatments for childhood pneumonia.
A recent study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that a child's ability to distinguish musical rhythm is related to their capacity for understanding grammar. The study, led by Reyna Gordon, suggests that rhythm could be used as an indicator of grammar skills in children with language disorders.
Antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria can exchange nutrients with each other and even with normal microbes to increase virulence during an infection. This challenges existing dogma on infectious diseases and may inform new treatment strategies.
A new analysis found that FDG-PET technology is less accurate in diagnosing lung cancer versus benign disease in regions with high rates of histoplasmosis or tuberculosis. Misdiagnosis could lead to unnecessary tests and surgeries, with potential complications and mortality.
A retrospective study found that 62% of veterans reported getting sunburned while deployed, and 29% noticed changes in their moles, highlighting a potential deficiency in sun protection among military personnel. The study suggests room for improvement in skin cancer prevention and early detection in the military population.
A nationwide study found significant declines in central line-associated bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonias among critically ill neonates and children. The rates of these infections decreased by 61% in NICUs and 76% in PICUs, resulting in estimated cost savings of $131 million.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have found that endothelial cells in the coronary arteries can function as cardiac stem cells to produce new heart muscle tissue. This discovery could lead to new treatments for heart failure and repair after a heart attack, particularly in cases of coronary artery disease.
A new trial suggests that regular blood transfusion therapy can significantly reduce the recurrence of silent strokes and overt strokes in children with sickle cell anemia. The study found that monthly blood transfusions reduced repeat cerebral infarcts by 58% in children with pre-existing silent strokes.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme therapy that improves bone growth, mineralization, and strength in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type-1. The treatment, asfotase-alpha, reduces fractures by clearing accumulated pyrophosphate, a strong inhibitor of bone mineralization.
A Vanderbilt-led study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the high-dose flu vaccine is 24% more effective than the standard-dose vaccine in protecting persons ages 65 and over against influenza illness. The study, which enrolled 31,989 participants, showed that the high-dose trivalent vaccine induces significan...
A Vanderbilt study finds that bacteria produce a therapeutic compound that inhibits weight gain, insulin resistance, and other adverse effects of a high-fat diet in mice. The researchers genetically modified E. coli to produce NAPE, which reduces food intake and weight gain, suggesting a potential new treatment for obesity.
Researchers have identified three genetic changes linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in East Asian women. These findings provide new insights into the genetics and biology of breast cancer.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have found a probiotic that prevents obesity by inhibiting weight gain, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in mice. The study suggests manipulating the gut microbiota could treat obesity and other chronic diseases.
A new study found that peer-led interventions targeting parental well-being can significantly reduce stress, depression, and anxiety in mothers of children with disabilities. The interventions led to improvements in mental health, sleep, and life satisfaction, as well as fewer dysfunctional parent-child interactions.
A Vanderbilt University-led team has identified protein 'signatures' of genetic mutations that drive colorectal cancer. The study's findings may lead to new advances in diagnosing and treating the disease by identifying patients who would benefit most from chemotherapy after surgery.
Bromine is the 28th element essential for tissue development in all animals. Fruit flies died without bromine but survived with its restoration. This finding has implications for human diseases such as kidney function and dialysis patients.
A new Vanderbilt University study found that women with blood in their urine were less likely to be referred to a urologist for further tests than men with the same issue. The disparity may contribute to delayed diagnoses and worse mortality rates among women with bladder cancer.
A Vanderbilt study found that two-thirds of ICU patients experience somatic symptoms like weakness, appetite change, and fatigue, surpassing cognitive symptoms. The study highlights a significant public health issue, with millions of patients admitted to ICUs annually.
Researchers have discovered that intestinal cells use adhesion molecules to build the nutrient-absorbing brush border, a critical structure for absorbing nutrients and defending against pathogens. The findings provide new insights into intestinal pathologies associated with inherited and infectious diseases.
A targeted violence intervention program was found to reduce violent behavior and increase competencies to deal with violence among middle school students. The program showed a significant decrease in violent behavior and victimization rates, with students reporting 'never' getting beaten up or threatened with a gun.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found evidence that the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas can regenerate. This surprising discovery suggests that understanding how regeneration occurs may lead to new treatments for the rising tide of diabetes, affecting over 8% of the US population.
Researchers identify cannabinoid receptors in the central nucleus of the amygdala, a key emotional hub involved in regulating anxiety and stress responses. The discovery may help explain why marijuana users take the drug to reduce anxiety.
A Vanderbilt study finds that premature babies who receive a combination of their mother's voice and a pacifier-activated music player learn to eat more efficiently and have their feeding tubes removed sooner. The intervention also reduces stress and shortens hospitalization times.
Researchers have made a significant discovery that could lead to the development of an effective RSV vaccine, a major cause of infant mortality worldwide. The team designed artificial proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against RSV using a new software app.
Children with autism have difficulty integrating simultaneous information from their eyes and ears, according to a Vanderbilt study. The research suggests that deficits in sensory building blocks for language and communication can hamper social and communication skills in children with autism.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study tracked over 36,000 children taking two commonly prescribed antidepressants and found no evidence of increased suicidal risk. The research aimed to inform decision-making on treatment options for pediatric patients with major depressive disorder.
Researchers discovered a 500-million-year-old chemical bond essential for animal life, which could lead to new cancer therapies. The sulfilimine bond is formed by hypohalous acids and is crucial for blood vessel formation.
Narrow-spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin and penicillin, are equally effective as broad-spectrum antibiotics in treating less severe childhood pneumonia. The study, published in Pediatrics, compared outcomes among children hospitalized with pneumonia between 2005 and 2011, receiving either narrow-spectrum or broad-spectrum antib...
Researchers identified a biomarker for prostate cancer recurrence, revealing that patients with CD151free protein have cancer recur earlier than those without. This discovery may aid in determining patient care and predicting disease progression.
A Vanderbilt University study found nearly half of orthopaedic surgeons sustain injuries during their careers, with inadequate resources available to them. The study also revealed that 38% of respondents reported no institutional resources, leading to increased lost productivity.
Researchers used genotype data from 13,835 individuals to perform the first large-scale phenome-wide association study (PheWAS), discovering 63 previously unknown SNP-disease associations. The study validated known associations across hundreds of previous studies and found genes associated with multiple diseases or traits.
A Vanderbilt study found that women with chronic autoimmune diseases who take immunosuppressive medications during their first trimester of pregnancy are not putting their babies at significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes. The study included over 600 infants and used health plan data from three geographically diverse health pl...
A Vanderbilt study found that providing patients with a simple biosketch card about their doctor can improve patient satisfaction scores by 22%. The study showed that patient comfort with care is crucial for recovery, and this intervention is an easy and cost-effective way to enhance the patient experience.
A toxic factor released by a deadly frog-killing fungus disables the amphibian immune response, preventing conventional lymphocyte activation. The fungus's ability to inhibit cell growth in cancerous cells suggests potential new treatments.
A Vanderbilt study found that 74% of patients with respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, or septic shock developed delirium in the hospital, leading to dementia-like brain disease even a year after discharge. Cognitive deficits persisted for up to 12 months in both older and younger patients.
Researchers have discovered that non-coding genes are regulated by protein-DNA interactions and can be targeted with more effective drugs. Using high-resolution technology, scientists identified 150,000 complexes along non-coding stretches of DNA in leukemia cell lines.
A novel biomarker, 2-aminoadipic acid (2-AAA), has been identified that can predict diabetes risk up to 12 years in advance. Individuals with high levels of 2-AAA concentrations had a fourfold risk of developing diabetes compared to those with lower levels.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study reveals that prescribing atypical antipsychotic medications to children with behavioral problems or mood disorders triples their risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a year. The risk persists even after medication discontinuation.
Researchers have developed substrate-selective COX-2 inhibitors that relieve anxiety behaviors in mice by activating natural endocannabinoids without gastrointestinal side effects. The findings suggest a new approach to treating mood and anxiety disorders, potentially paving the way for clinical trials and new treatments.
Researchers have identified a staph-killing compound and developed a new mouse model to test its effectiveness. The study may lead to new strategies for restoring bone balance, even if the infection is not fully eliminated.
A Vanderbilt research program trains community pediatricians to diagnose autism, leading to a significant increase in diagnoses within their practices. The training improved diagnostic accuracy and shifted the comfort level of discussing ASD diagnoses with caregivers.
A new Vanderbilt study finds that vaccinated children are reducing the spread of pneumonia to grandparents and other older adults. The vaccine has been linked to a 40% reduction in pneumonia hospitalizations among young children, while also benefiting older adults with significant reductions in hospitalizations across age groups.
A new compound has been identified that can kill staph bacteria causing bone infections. A mouse model has also been developed to test the compound and generate additional therapeutic strategies.