Researchers have identified a critical genetic mutation in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, which can progress to leukemia. The mutation is found in nearly 9% of patients, increasing the risk of developing acute leukemia by almost three times. The study raises hopes for improved diagnosis and treatment of this blood cancer.
A study found that high tau protein levels in fluid bathing the brain are linked to poor recovery after head trauma. Patients with higher initial tau levels had worse outcomes six to 12 months later.
A recent study by the CARE Network found that daily inhaled steroid treatment for young children with frequent bouts of wheezing was not more effective than treating symptoms at the first signs of a respiratory tract infection. The trial showed comparable results in reducing episodes, symptom days, and quality of life.
Researchers have discovered a drug that can alter the DNA of uveal melanoma cells, rendering them less aggressive. The treatment, known as histone deacetylase inhibitors, may slow or prevent tumor growth in patients with metastatic eye cancer.
A new study found that mutations in a gene called NAGPA, which affects lysosomal function, are associated with persistent stuttering. The research provides evidence that impairment in cellular recycling centers may play a role in causing some people to stutter.
Researchers found that taking a probiotic before radiation therapy can protect the intestine from damage in mice, and may help prevent similar problems in human patients. The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG protected the lining of the small intestine in mice exposed to radiation.
Researchers developed a novel compound that blocks bacterial adhesion to bladder walls, alleviating weeks-long infections in mice. The treatment has the potential to treat antibiotic-resistant UTIs and may be effective against other types of infections.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine finds that adolescent girls with a family history of breast disease have a higher risk of developing benign breast disease as young women, and this risk rises with increasing alcohol consumption. The researchers suggest limiting alcohol intake to lower risk or avoid increasing it.
A study of 313 spine surgery patients found that more than half had inadequate vitamin D levels. Patients with insufficient vitamin D may benefit from taking supplements before and after surgery to aid in recovery.
Researchers found that high levels of protective protein Nmnat1 reduce brain damage caused by oxygen and blood flow deprivation. The study offers a potential new strategy for treating cerebral palsy, strokes, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a specific variant of the opioid receptor that mediates itch and found a way to block it without interfering with pain relief. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for treating opioid-induced itching in cancer, surgery, and chronic pain patients.
Researchers developed a brain scan method to quickly test whether drugs increase dopamine levels, alleviating attention deficits in mice with neurofibromatosis type 1. The technique may lead to matching specific treatments to patients with NF1 and attention deficit disorders.
Scientists have found that nicotinamide mononucleotide, a naturally occurring compound, can reverse diabetes in mice by improving glucose tolerance and reducing cholesterol levels. The study suggests that this compound may one day be used to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a genetic variant associated with the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. The variant, located in the TLL1 gene, was found to correlate strongly with the extent of coronary disease, even better than traditional clinical factors.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that saw palmetto extract did not relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, even at high doses. The research involved over 300 men with moderate symptoms and took a placebo or saw palmetto for nearly 17 months.
A daily pattern of rising and falling amyloid beta levels in spinal fluid echoes the sleep cycle, with younger individuals exhibiting stronger highs and lows. As people age, this pattern flattens, potentially providing an opportunity for the body to clear away the Alzheimer's marker.
A new study reveals that millions of dollars are raised annually for breast cancer research and prevention programs through revenue-generating initiatives. States with higher breast cancer death rates are more likely to offer specialty license plates, which generate significant revenue.
Scientists at WashU Medicine reveal that CD8 alpha+ dendritic cells (CD8a+ DCs) help fight infections, but can also be hijacked by bacteria like Listeria to cause harm. The trait that makes these cells both an asset and a liability is the way they alert other immune cells.
Researchers tested a device to prevent intraoperative awareness and found it was no more effective than a less expensive method. The study involved over 6,000 surgical patients and found that both methods were probably effective in decreasing the incidence of awareness.
A research team found that blocking the p38α MAPK protein influences behavior, contributing to depression-like symptoms and risk for addiction. The study suggests a novel therapeutic target for promoting stress resilience in models of depression and addiction.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a new technique to rapidly access brain landmarks, enabling better brain maps and insights into how the healthy brain works. The technique speeds up long-distance signaling by mapping myelination levels, shedding light on brain evolution and function.
Researchers will study diet, weight, physical activity, and environment's impact on cancer and cancer survivorship. The goal is to reduce cancer-related deaths from obesity and improve treatments.
High-dose vitamin D significantly reduces musculoskeletal pain and improves quality of life for breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors. The study found that high-dose vitamin D may also help maintain bone density, providing a potential tool to enhance treatment tolerability.
Researchers found that intravenous fluids can lower the odds of developing severe kidney failure in children infected with E. coli O157:H7, a common cause of pediatric kidney failure. The study suggests that early fluid administration may protect kidneys and reduce the need for dialysis.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine used evolutionary clues to reveal how a key clotting protein assembles. They found that two histidines play a crucial role in sensing pH changes and guiding the assembly of von Willebrand Factor, leading to new insights into common bleeding disorders.
Researchers have identified detectable changes in biological markers in the spinal fluid up to 20 years before dementia onset. Participants with inherited Alzheimer's mutations exhibit lower amyloid beta and higher tau protein levels in their cerebrospinal fluid, indicating potential for prevention trials.
A study found that participants with high levels of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, had twice the typical annual rate of falls for their age group. This suggests that falls may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease in people with preclinical symptoms.
A new study found that bariatric surgery is a cost-effective treatment option for all obese patients, with significant savings in medical costs over lifetime. The analysis suggests that the procedure should be universally available to all obese people, making it a good value and a potential game-changer in obesity treatment.
Researchers found that African-Americans with glaucoma have significantly higher oxygen levels in their eyes compared to Caucasians. This suggests that excess oxygen may damage the drainage system and lead to elevated pressure, causing optic nerve damage and vision loss. Further study is needed to confirm this association.
Researchers found that exposure to large amounts of alcohol interferes with key receptors in the brain, inhibiting long-term potentiation and memory formation. The steroids manufactured by neurons inhibit synaptic plasticity, causing amnesia.
Scientists at WashU Medicine identified three unexpected players, small RNA molecules, that help a cell initiated its own demise when overloaded with fat. The research links these molecules to the cellular damage characteristic of common metabolic diseases like diabetes.
Researchers found a group of approximately 20 cells in the brains of fruit flies that controls when and how long they sleep. This sleep state is essential for long-term memory formation, suggesting a connection between memory and sleep. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding sleep and its role in memory consolidation.
Physicians at Washington University used an artificial lung to treat a two-year-old boy with severe pulmonary hypertension, saving his life. The boy, Owen Stark, was initially treated with medication and a ventilator before being placed on the life-support machine called ECMO.
Researchers used advanced imaging technique to detect blast-related injuries in US military personnel, finding abnormalities in brain white matter. These findings suggest fundamental differences between blast-related and civilian traumatic brain injuries.
Researchers found that zebrafish fin regeneration relies on multiple cell types, each retaining its original identity, rather than a single pluripotent stem cell. This discovery has implications for regenerative medicine in humans.
Researchers at Washington University and King's College London have independently identified a DNA region on chromosome 3 associated with depression. The region contains up to 90 genes and shows genome-wide significance, suggesting that many genes may be involved in depression.
A new study suggests that disrupting the supply chain of nerve cells may contribute to Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that a drug called MPP+ damages mitochondria, which can't be transported to axons, leading to cell death.
Researchers found that estrogen-lowering drugs can shrink tumors and reduce mastectomy rates for patients with stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors, which block the production of estrogen, were shown to be effective in reducing tumor size and improving surgical outcomes.
Researchers found that increased NOTCH activity helps sleep-deprived fruit flies learn and behave normally. Boosting NOTCH may provide a natural way to combat cognitive deficits caused by prolonged wakefulness.
Researchers found that higher cell chatter in affected regions boosts amyloid beta levels, contributing to plaque formation. Studies on mice suggest reducing activity in these regions may help prevent Alzheimer's plaques.
Researchers found that patients already taking statins experienced greater restoration of blood flow to the brain compared to those not on statins. This could lead to better outcomes for stroke patients and potentially improved recovery rates.
Two studies highlight the power of sequencing cancer patients' genomes, identifying novel genetic mutations that guide treatment. Researchers used genome sequencing to diagnose a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and breast cancer, changing her course from stem cell transplant to targeted chemotherapy.
Researchers found that welders had an average 11.7 percent reduction in dopamine markers in the brain compared to non-welders, suggesting potential neurotoxic effects from manganese exposure. The study also revealed brain changes consistent with manganese deposits, highlighting a potential public health concern for U.S. workers.
Scientists have successfully developed a technique to decode brain signals associated with speech and movement. By analyzing frequency of brain wave activity, patients can learn to control a computer cursor by thinking or saying specific sounds, marking the beginning of 'reading minds' technology.
A recent study suggests that estrogen-only hormone therapy may decrease the risk of breast cancer in women who have had a hysterectomy. However, experts caution against long-term use due to unknown consequences and conflicting evidence from previous studies.
Researchers sequenced whole genomes of tumors from 50 breast cancer patients and compared them to healthy cells, finding over 1,700 unique mutations. The study highlights the complexity of cancer genomes and offers new insights into personalized medicine.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that combining diet and exercise improves physical performance by 21% in obese seniors, compared to 12% with weight loss alone and 15% with exercise alone. This combination also leads to significant improvements in strength, balance, and quality of life.
Researchers sequenced a mouse cancer genome to find mutations driving human cancer. They identified genetic changes in three genes, including a mutation that also occurs in human patients with leukemia.
Researchers identified genetic errors in women with autoimmune diseases and preeclampsia, suggesting new treatments and screening tests. The study found mutations in three genes involved in the immune response to injury, providing a potential link between preeclampsia and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Researchers at WashU Medicine successfully grew and manipulated human intestinal microbes, identifying new probiotics and exploring microbe transplants as a treatment for obesity and diseases. The study provides a pipeline for manipulating diverse microbial communities from people of different ages and cultures.