Researchers at WashU Medicine used whole brain scans to discover that different groups of neurons become active at different times of day, despite being on the same molecular clock. This reveals a new mechanism for encoding daily rhythms in neural signaling.
Using laser probe, neurosurgeons deliver chemotherapy drugs to patients with glioblastoma after opening the blood-brain barrier. The technology allows for longer treatment windows and potentially limits harmful effects of chemotherapy.
Researchers found that trehalose prevents the buildup of fat in liver cells by blocking the transport of energy from sugar into liver cells. This triggers autophagy, a natural process where cells consume stored fats and other waste materials. The study suggests that trehalose may offer a potential treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver...
Children under age 5 with stunted growth are found to have low levels of essential amino acids and nutrient choline, which can prevent cognitive development, increase susceptibility to illness, and shorten life spans. Researchers hope to develop new approaches to treat this debilitating condition by targeting dietary intake.
A new study found that losing just 5% of body weight has significant health benefits for obese patients, including reduced risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study also showed improvements in metabolic function in liver, fat, and muscle tissue.
A new study found that marijuana use among US adults increased by about 20% over the last decade, but problems related to the drug remained steady. The study's findings contradict previous reports of a doubling in marijuana use and its associated disorders.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that chlorhexidine-alcohol is significantly more effective in preventing surgical-site infections after cesarean sections. The research, which included 1,147 patients, showed a nearly half reduction in infection rates compared to iodine-alcohol.
Blocking receptors inside nerve cells may offer a more effective and safer pain relief option by reducing drug-induced side effects. The study found that targeting glutamate receptors in the nucleus of spinal nerve cells can effectively relieve neuropathic pain in rats, with no changes in pain sensitivity observed in normal rats.
A team of neurosurgeons and engineers has developed wireless brain sensors that monitor intracranial pressure and temperature, dissolving over time without the need for surgery. These devices have potential to monitor patients with traumatic brain injuries and could be used to track activity in other organ systems throughout the body.
Researchers found that children raised in poverty have weaker connections between the hippocampus, amygdala, and other brain areas, increasing their risk of depression. The study highlights the importance of early intervention to foster positive brain development and reduce adverse outcomes.
The McDonnell Genome Institute will receive $60 million from the National Institutes of Health to study the genetics of common diseases. The research aims to uncover how differences in DNA contribute to disease risk, with potential benefits for improved diagnosis and treatment options.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine suggest atherosclerosis is driven by processes similar to brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Protein buildup inside macrophages, facilitated by p62, interferes with their ability to function.
A team of healthcare workers developed guidelines for treating Ebola-infected children, recommending an aggressive approach that includes fluid therapy, highly fortified food, and increased bedside care. The protocol aims to improve survival rates among young patients and provide a basis for future outbreaks.
A new analysis of genetic information from over 4,000 cancer cases reveals rare germline mutations in 114 genes associated with cancer. The study found varying frequencies of these mutations across 12 cancer types, including a surprising inherited component to stomach cancer.
Children who suffer from clinical depression as preschoolers have abnormally developed gray matter, affecting emotion regulation and brain maturation. The study found a steeper drop-off in gray matter volume and thickness with increasing depression severity.
New research reveals that current genome analysis approaches miss detecting complex cancer mutations in well-known genes that could be targeted by existing drugs. The developed software tool, Pindel-C, identifies a large number of such events in critical cancer genes.
New research reveals a genetic influence on choosing immediate rewards over delayed ones, linked to serotonin and kappa opioid receptors. This finding suggests a potential genetic basis for impulsivity and addiction-related behaviors.
A recent study found a significant increase in infant deaths and injuries caused by crib bumpers, with 48 deaths specifically attributed to the bedding accessory between 1985-2012. The researchers recommend a nationwide ban on crib bumpers due to their role in suffocation and strangulation incidents.
A new personalized method for testing drug effectiveness in multiple myeloma predicts the best treatments for individual patients. The test suggests commonly prescribed drugs or combination therapies, as well as optimal dosages.
Researchers found that giving common antibiotic azithromycin at the first sign of cold symptoms can reduce the risk of severe lower respiratory tract illness in children. The study tested azithromycin against placebo in 607 children and showed a significant difference in the severity of infections between the two groups.
A recent study has found that treating a parasitic worm infection can reduce lung damage and susceptibility to tuberculosis in mice. The research suggests that using inexpensive anti-parasitic drugs could be an effective way to prevent TB in areas where both infections are common.
Researchers identified two chemical scents in female mouse urine that arouse sexual behavior in males, providing insight into mouse pheromones controlling behavior. The chemicals, waste products of steroid metabolism, were found to mimic the increased interest shown by males towards female urine.
Scientists have identified broadly neutralizing antibodies that protect against infection by multiple alphaviruses, including Chikungunya virus. These antibodies block key steps in the viral life cycle and can provide protection against multiple related viruses.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have created flexible, implantable devices that can activate and potentially block pain signals in the body before they reach the brain. The devices contain microLED lights that can stimulate specific nerve cells to alleviate pain.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have discovered an enzyme that enables some fish and amphibians to supercharge their vision to detect red and infrared light, aiding navigation in murky waters. This discovery could lead to advances in biomedical research, particularly optogenetics, where light is used to control brain activity.
A survey of 15,000 patients at treatment centers found that many drug abusers use both heroin and prescription painkillers. The study suggests that regional variations exist in the use of these substances.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have found a new component of the interferon system that enhances the body's innate immune defenses while attacking a protein relied on by many viruses. This dual mechanism could lead to effective antiviral drugs and may explain improved survival rates in genetically engineered mice.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that premature babies have weaker brain connections, particularly in networks linked to attention, communication, and emotions. Early intervention may improve outcomes for these children.
Researchers matched behavioral symptoms to specific brain abnormalities, providing a new way of thinking about schizophrenia. The study found distinct subgroups of patients with schizophrenia that correlate with symptoms, offering a step toward improving diagnosis and treatment.
A new test called ViroCap can detect viruses at low levels and identify variant strains, making it especially useful in situations where diagnosis remains elusive. The test increases sensitivity by 52% compared to standard testing, providing detailed genetic information about viral subtypes.
A two-drug combination of venlafaxine and aripiprazole relieved depression in 44% of treatment-resistant patients over 60, while reducing suicidal thoughts. The study's findings suggest that older adults may respond to this treatment strategy, offering new hope for those with hard-to-treat depression.
Researchers found that concentrated beet juice increases muscle power in patients with heart failure by up to 13% within two hours, benefiting activities of daily living. The study suggests dietary nitrates may be a valuable strategy for improving quality of life in this population.
Researchers have developed a combination of three antibiotics that can effectively treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in test tubes and laboratory mice. The synergistic action of the drugs prevents MRSA from developing resistance, offering potential treatment against this deadly pathogen.
A new study found that viruses flourish in the guts of healthy infants, with diverse viral strains and a dynamic ecosystem of interacting organisms. The researchers discovered viral strains that exclusively kill bacteria, which declines as the babies grow older.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a new strategy to slow glucose production in the liver, which can lead to more effective drugs for type 2 diabetes. The approach involves inhibiting a protein involved in making glucose, demonstrating potential for treating millions of people affected by the condition.
Researchers found that activation of same brain regions can produce both reward and aversion responses, leading to cancelled effects in patients. This discovery may help develop more targeted treatments for addiction and depression.
A new study at WashU Medicine found that probiotics did not prevent the colonization of drug-resistant microbes in the intestinal tract of critically ill patients. Researchers followed 70 patients and administered them either probiotics or routine care, but no significant difference was seen in colonization rates.
A new study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that nearly all parents who use e-cigarettes are not aware of the risks to their children, including lethal ingestion and skin exposure. The researchers emphasize the need for pediatricians to ask about nicotine use and discuss safe storage practices.
Researchers found that patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who retained genetic mutations after chemotherapy were more likely to relapse and die. This approach to genetic profiling could help predict prognosis and determine treatment response, potentially improving outcomes for AML patients.
A recent study at Washington University School of Medicine found that quitting smoking after a heart attack leads to immediate improvements in chest pain, daily life, and mental health. The benefits became apparent as little as one month after quitting, with more pronounced effects after a year.
A $7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports research to eliminate river blindness and elephantiasis, two neglected tropical diseases affecting millions. Researchers will conduct field projects in eight countries and resuming a project suspended due to Ebola.
Researchers identified a pathway that leads to atypical blood vessel formation in age-related macular degeneration. Inhibiting this pathway may halt or restore sight in people with the disease.
Researchers found that people over 80 years old take over 10 hours to clear amyloid beta 42 from the brain, leading to rising levels and increased Alzheimer's disease risk. The study suggests age-related changes in brain clearance may drive the disease.
A new study published in JAMA Surgery found that gastric bypass surgery can alter how the body metabolizes alcohol, leading to higher and more rapid blood-alcohol levels. Women who underwent the surgery experienced changes similar to those seen in men, with a significant increase in blood-alcohol content after consuming just two drinks.
A five-year grant is funding research into strategies to help older adults prevent or reverse typical age-related cognitive decline. Researchers will recruit 580 people over 65 with significant memory problems but no dementia, and evaluate their progress with cognitive tests and MRI scans.
A new diagnostic test has been developed to quickly detect enterovirus D68, a respiratory virus that caused unusually severe illness in children last year. The test is more effective than previous methods and can be completed in just a few hours, reducing the time needed to detect the virus.
Researchers have identified two signaling molecules required for proper cochlea development. The study contributes to understanding of inner ear development and its potential goal of regenerating sensory hair cells, a key step toward reversing hearing loss in mammals.
Researchers developed a wireless device implanted in mice brains that can deliver drugs via remote control. The technology targets specific brain circuits, promising fewer side effects for neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered that multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii can voluntarily relinquish its antibiotic-resistance genes, making it susceptible to existing antibiotics. This finding provides new strategies for combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Changes in key biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease during midlife may help identify those who will develop dementia years later. The study found that drops in amyloid beta 42 levels among cognitively normal participants are linked to the appearance of plaques in brain scans years later.