Researchers discovered that E. coli uses yersiniabactin to steal copper from host cells, allowing the bacteria to grow and reproduce. This finding could lead to new treatments for serious urinary tract infections. By blocking this thievery with a drug, patients' chances of fighting off infections may significantly improve.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that ACA11, a non-coding RNA, helps protect cancer cells from damage and makes them resistant to chemotherapy. This finding may lead to new cancer therapeutics and help guide research into better treatments for patients with multiple myeloma.
Researchers at WashU Medicine identified a protein called dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) that regulates signals telling the nerve cell it's injured, allowing nerve regeneration. The study shows DLK governs whether the neuron turns on its regenerative program.
Researchers found that bacteria take advantage of autophagy, a cellular waste disposal system, to cause recurring UTIs. Disabling this system in mice led to quicker and more thorough clearance of the infection.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that state laws limiting teen driving privileges and imposing penalties for driving under the influence reduce risky drinking and driving behaviors. Teens living in states with strictest laws were least likely to drink and drive or ride with a driver who had been drinking.
A comprehensive census of the microbial make-up of healthy humans identified over 10,000 species of microbes occupying various body sites. The research found unique communities of microbes in every site, with skin hosting the most diverse collection, while teeth and gums had distinct microbiota profiles.
Researchers have identified MDA5 as a key molecule essential for producing interferon to rally virus-fighting cells during certain viral infections. The timing and balance of interferon production are critical in determining the outcome of a viral infection, with prolonged production increasing the risk of autoimmune damage.
Stem cells in the developing embryo give rise to adult nephrons, but unlike skin and gut, kidneys can't build new ones. FGF9 and FGF20 proteins maintain the embryonic kidney's stem cell niche, which is crucial for future research on growing kidney stem cells in the lab.
Researchers identified distinct cancer signatures linked to treatment response in breast tumors, which could help personalize treatment for patients. The study found mutations in genes like TP53 and MAP3K1 associated with good response to aromatase inhibitors, while others like MALAT1 predicted poor outcomes.
Researchers found that people who restrict their caloric intake for seven years have better heart rate variability, a measure of the heart's ability to adapt to physical activity and stress. This is associated with improved cardiovascular health and may indicate a longer lifespan.
An investigational diabetes drug appears to improve insulin sensitivity in mice without the troublesome side effects of current medications, such as weight gain and bone fractures. The drug works through a different pathway, targeting mitochondria instead of PPARγ receptors.
Researchers found that over half of household members of children with Staphylococcus aureus infections were colonized with S aureus, and nearly a quarter harbored MRSA. The study highlights the importance of identifying and treating staph infections in households to prevent transmission.
Scientists at Washington University, Stanford University, and Columbia University identified rhythmic brain cell firing patterns coordinated across populations of neurons in the motor cortex. These patterns were linked to different kinds of shoulder muscle movements, providing new insights into the brain's control of movement.
A new study suggests that genetic variations can predict a person's response to drug treatments for nicotine addiction, with those at high-risk of heavy smoking showing the greatest response to pharmacologic therapy.
A study of over 7,500 women found that IUDs and implants were significantly more effective than birth control pills, patches, or rings in preventing unintended pregnancies. The study also showed that educating women about the effectiveness of these methods and providing them for free could reduce unintended pregnancy rates.
Babies with a robust innate immune response have fewer respiratory illnesses in their first year, while those with a diminished response experience more infections. Researchers measured interferon-gamma levels in umbilical cord blood samples to identify potential indicators of viral infection.
Researchers found a strong association between early drug and alcohol use and lower levels of educational attainment. The study of over 6,000 male twins found that those who started drinking or using drugs before age 14 were less likely to finish college.
A new surgical technique has restored some hand function to a quadriplegic patient with a spinal cord injury, allowing for basic independence. The procedure involves rerouting working nerves in the upper arms and can potentially benefit patients with C6 and C7 spinal cord injuries.
A team of scientists led by Washington University's Jeffrey I. Gordon will investigate the complex relationship between diet, gut microbes and immune system in severely malnourished children. The research aims to discover novel dietary and microbial therapeutics to target infants and children living in countries with rampant malnutrition.
Researchers developed a genetic test to predict ocular melanoma tumor spread, classifying tumors with over 97% accuracy. The test identified two classes of tumors: those unlikely to spread (class 1) and those more likely to develop metastatic cancer (class 2).
Researchers found that brain networks operate at distinct frequencies, similar to clocks ticking at different speeds. This 'temporal structure' may offer new insights into psychiatric conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a cancer drug, idarubicin, that enhances the human body's innate antiviral system. The new strategy screens large numbers of existing drugs to find compounds that activate genes boosting natural immunity.
A new research at Washington University School of Medicine has shown how an unusual protein plays a key role in temporarily blocking the movement of ions through channels after a cell fires off an electrical signal. The researchers found that this protein nestles into a receptor inside the channel in a highly specific way, closing it a...
Researchers have identified a rare gene mutation in the CARD14 gene that is directly linked to plaque psoriasis, accounting for 80% of all cases. The discovery may lead to more effective treatments and sheds light on the genetic pathway underlying the condition.
New research reveals that a common genetic variation in claudin-14 increases the risk of kidney stones. The study found that alterations in the gene's activity influence stone development when calcium or salt intake is high, leading to an increase in urine calcium levels.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have devised a treatment that prevents optic nerve injury in glaucoma by exposing mice to low levels of oxygen. The study found that preconditioning induced tolerance protects against neurodegenerative disease, with mice losing only 3% of retinal ganglion cell bodies after 10 weeks.
Scientists at WashU Medicine are using DNA sequencing to map the genetic evolution of disease and monitor response to treatment. By analyzing tumor samples, they can identify 'driver' mutations and determine whether cells carrying those mutations have been eliminated by treatment.
According to Washington University public health researchers, more than half of all cancer is preventable through lifestyle choices and societal changes. The main obstacles to implementing these strategies include skepticism, short-term focus, intervening too late in life, research focusing on treatment rather than prevention, debate a...
A recent study found that inadequate bowel preparation during a colonoscopy can lead to missed pre-cancerous lesions, which were later discovered during a second screening. This highlights the importance of proper preparation for colonoscopies, as even minor issues can have significant consequences.
The university will lead the clinical trials, which aim to determine if Alzheimer's disease can be halted or delayed before symptoms appear. Researchers plan to give promising pharmaceuticals to family members with early-onset Alzheimer's gene and biological markers of disease.
Researchers have found that a new drug called plerixafor can help drive leukemia cells out of the bone marrow and into the bloodstream, making them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. In a clinical trial, 46% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia achieved complete remission after treatment.
Researchers have discovered a dramatic improvement in life span and motor function in mice with infantile Batten disease when treated with gene therapy and bone marrow transplants. The combination therapy created a striking synergy, with mice living nearly 18.5 months, more than double the lifespan of untreated mice.
Goblet cells, previously thought to only secrete mucus, have been found to chaperone food antigens in the intestine, connecting them to dendritic cells. This discovery provides new insights into intestinal immunity and potential targets for therapies against inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and food allergies.
Researchers sequenced DNA from cancer cells in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes who later developed leukemia, finding that the disease is an early form of cancer. The study suggests that targeted cancer drugs should be aimed at mutations that develop early in the disease.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that lifestyle interventions can slow weight gain and improve blood pressure in high-risk, low-income patients. Despite modest six-month weight losses, participants who received lifestyle intervention maintenance over two years experienced significant improvements in blood pressure control.
Researchers report improved symptoms in patients with hypophosphatasia after one year of treatment with a new compound, including increased bone strength, better breathing, and improved motor development. The study found significant progress in motor skills, such as walking, sitting, and crawling, in most patients.
Researchers found that higher levels of VILIP-1 in the spinal fluid are linked to faster mental decline in patients with early Alzheimer's disease. This study suggests that VILIP-1 may be a better predictor of Alzheimer's progression than other markers.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are studying children with weakened immune systems to identify the viruses that make them sick. They will collect samples from 400 children and analyze them using advanced technologies to draw conclusions about which viruses cause illness.
Researchers discovered significant brain differences in infants as young as six months old who later develop autism. Infants with autism showed changes in white matter pathways, which may be used to diagnose the disorder earlier.
Scientists discovered that problems controlling blood sugar in the intestines can lead to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Researchers found a link between fatty acid synthase enzyme defects and diabetes, suggesting potential new targets for therapy.
A study published in Autism found that 83% of children with autism spectrum disorder were below average in motor skills, while their siblings scored in the normal range. The researchers suggest that genes play a role in these impairments, potentially explaining the association between motor coordination and social responsiveness.
According to investigators at Washington University School of Medicine, antibiotics do not reduce symptoms in sinus infection patients, with most people getting better on their own. The study suggests treating symptoms and watchful waiting may be more effective than antibiotic treatment.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered a potent regulator of insulin sensitivity, protein TBC1D3, which helps improve blood sugar control. Higher levels of TBC1D3 impede feedback loops that normally deactivates insulin signals, keeping the pathway open longer.
Scientists have developed a new method using DNA sequencing to identify cancer cells that can be targeted by the immune system. By analyzing genetic data from cancer cells and normal cells, researchers were able to identify specific mutated genes whose altered proteins trigger immune system attacks.
The study found rare variants in key Alzheimer's-related genes in 13% of analyzed samples, with 5% likely contributing to the disease. The findings suggest a common disease mechanism for both early- and late-onset Alzheimer's, leading to potential changes in classification.
Research by child psychiatrists and neuroscientists reveals that children with more nurturing mothers have larger hippocampi, a key structure important for learning and memory. The study provides concrete evidence of the powerful effect of early childhood parenting and nurturing on brain development.
Researchers have identified a human receptor that can taste fat, suggesting individual variability in sensing fat's presence. People with a specific genetic variant of the CD36 gene are more sensitive to fat, making it easier to detect.
Researchers found that chemotherapy can lead to DNA damage in cancer cells, which can cause them to evolve and become resistant to treatment. The study suggests that targeted therapies based on individual mutations may be more effective than current treatments.
New research confirms that annual prostate cancer screening does not reduce deaths from the disease, even among men in their 50s and 60s with underlying health conditions. The study found that six years of aggressive screening led to more diagnoses of tumors but not fewer deaths.
Researchers have identified a crucial role for FGF20 in the development of the mouse inner ear, revealing a potential target for regenerating outer hair cells and treating human deafness.