Researchers identified a substance in the liver that helps process fat and glucose, which is also a component of the common food additive lecithin. Lecithin products may one day be used to control blood lipids and reduce risk for diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered how a protein molecule named Srs2 removes Rad51 from DNA, preventing unwanted exchanges of DNA sequences. This finding could lead to ways of enhancing chemotherapy drugs that destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
Researchers identified a gene that allows immune cells to start self-destructive processes underlying autoimmune diseases. The study found that the presence of the Batf gene enables T cells to produce inflammatory Th17 cells, which can lead to autoimmune conditions.
Researchers engineered mice with a persistent wound-like skin condition to study tumor growth. The study found that chronic skin wounds promote skin tumors by secreting molecules that activate dermal cells and increase inflammation. Notch1 signaling plays a critical role in this process, suggesting potential complications for drug design.
Researchers found that pig heart valves used to replace defective aortic valves in human patients failed much earlier and more often than expected. Four out of 106 patients developed severe impairment after less than four years, requiring surgery to replace the valves.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Washington University School of Medicine four grants totaling $19 million to explore the human microbiome. The researchers aim to catalog microbes found in various body sites and determine their links to good health and disease.
Research from Washington University School of Medicine found substantial reductions in binge drinking nationwide, but not on college campuses. Binge drinking rates declined among young men and minority groups, but remained unchanged or increased among female collegians.
Fruit flies resembling insomniac humans have been created to study the causes of insomnia. The flies exhibit similar behavioral patterns to humans with insomnia, including increased sensitivity to stimuli and difficulty falling asleep. Researchers believe this model can help develop new treatments for insomnia.
Researchers found that rapamycin blocks brain changes believed to cause seizures in rats and reduces spontaneous seizures in mice with a genetic condition. The drug may also help prevent common forms of epilepsy caused by brain injury, offering new hope for patients.
A new radiofrequency ablation procedure has shown promise in eliminating signs of Barrett's esophagus and reducing the risk of cancer progression. In a multicenter trial, patients treated with the procedure experienced significant reductions in dysplasia and abnormal cells.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine discovered a substance called TSLP, which is secreted by damaged skin and circulates through the body to trigger asthmatic symptoms. Early treatment of skin rash and inhibition of TSLP production may block asthma development in young patients with eczema.
A new treatment using heat therapy on lung airways reduces severe asthma attacks, ER visits and quality of life improvements. The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System shows promise for patients with uncontrolled asthma despite high medication dosages.
A new study reveals that child brains are differently organized than adult brains, but still capable of performing complex cognitive tasks. Researchers found that young brains have localized networks based on physical proximity, which transition to long-distance networks centered on functionality as children mature.
Researchers found genetically engineered mice without liver fatty acid binding protein gene developed gallstones, while normal mice did not, offering clues about genetic predisposition to gallstone formation. This study may lead to better understanding of genetic susceptibility and potential intervention before serious problems arise.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have uncovered the genetic source of pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), a rare and aggressive childhood lung cancer. The study found that some children with PPB are born with deleterious mutations in the DICER1 gene, which is involved in regulating gene expression.
Researchers created a new method to estimate bleeding risk for heart attack patients using eight basic medical facts. The CRUSADE bleeding score assigns points to each factor, ranging from very low to high risk of bleeding.
Researchers have found a way to induce sex in the disease-causing parasite Leishmania by cramming enough parasites into the gut of an insect, potentially leading to new treatments for deadly infections.
A new study by the American Lung Association found that heartburn medication does not help control asthma symptoms in adults with poorly controlled asthma and no significant heartburn symptoms. Despite using a high dose of esomeprazole, participants showed no improvement in asthma episodes or control.
Researchers found that sleep decreases the number of new synapses formed during social enrichment, while deprivation of sleep eliminates this decrease. The study identified three genes essential to links between learning and increased need for sleep, offering a promising avenue for studying plasticity.
A new, smaller, and lighter implantable heart pump has been shown to be effective in bridging patients with severe heart failure to eventual transplantation. The device, called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), was tested on 98 patients and found to improve their quality of life and survival rates.
A major study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation investigates whether gut microbes contribute to severe malnutrition in infants. Researchers at WashU Medicine will compare intestinal microbes of severely malnourished twins with healthy twins, exploring their role in malnutrition's complex interplay with diet and human genome.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed a new compound that can detect and visualize immune cell activity, highlighting the misdeeds of the immune system. The compound, called luminol, glows blue when injected into mice with active immune inflammation.
Researchers linked circadian clock to SIRT1 and NAD levels, revealing a biochemical mechanism that drives metabolic disorders. The study finds potential new avenues for treating age-related disorders and restoring healthy daily rhythms.
A major US study of 75,000 men found that annual prostate cancer screening led to more diagnoses but not fewer deaths. The study suggests that men with a short life expectancy may not need screening, and further research is needed to determine its benefits and harms.
Researchers found that blocking dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) gene may help prevent degeneration of ailing nerve cell branches, a potential trigger for painful neuropathy. The study could lead to the development of a drug to spare cancer patients considerable pain during chemotherapy.
A team of researchers has discovered that the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is crucial for the survival of neural stem cells that produce new brain cells. This finding opens up new avenues for improving brain function and health by modifying AMPK activity.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that individuals with lower levels of amyloid beta 42 in their cerebrospinal fluid had reduced whole brain volumes, suggesting early brain damage. The results suggest that Alzheimer's disease may harm the brain for years before symptoms appear.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 male twins to find that a history of major depression significantly increases the risk of heart disease. Men with depression were twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those without a history of depression.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that methadone is processed differently than previously thought, leading to under- or overdosing. The study suggests better dosing guidelines could improve treatment outcomes and reduce fatalities related to methadone use.
Researchers found that artificial disc replacement is as effective as, or even better than, spinal fusion surgery in treating damaged discs in the neck. Patients who received an artificial disc lost less motion and recovered faster than those who had a disc removed and the bones of the spine fused.
A study by neurology residents at Barnes-Jewish Hospital showed that they can safely administer clot-busting enzyme tPA to stroke patients, reducing door-to-needle times from 81 minutes to 60 minutes. With proper training and feedback, residents can make complex decisions without increasing the risk of brain bleeding.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine found that bacteria causing urinary tract infections produce compounds called siderophores to steal iron from their hosts. These tools provide a potential way to target bad strains of bacteria for eradication without affecting good strains. The discovery could lead to new treatment...
A study confirms that using genetic information can more accurately estimate warfarin doses, reducing the risk of overdose or underdose. The gene-based dosing algorithm was found to be more effective than traditional clinical formulas in identifying patients at high risk of bleeding or clotting.
A comprehensive childhood asthma study shows that children who initially improved with steroid drugs no longer see those improvements after stopping the medications. The Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) trial found that continued benefit of these medications likely requires continued use to manage symptoms.
A comprehensive analysis of 52 studies found that physical activity significantly lowers the risk of colon cancer. Regular exercise is associated with a 24% lower risk, regardless of intensity or duration.
Researchers developed a 50-gene set to identify the four known types of breast cancer, allowing for personalized treatment. The test was found to be highly sensitive and predictive for chemotherapy response, particularly for poor-prognosis tumor types.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a gene that controls protein translation in microscopic worms, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments. This discovery has implications for conditions like stroke, heart attack, and cancer, and may lead to new therapies for preventing cell death from hypoxia.
Researchers found that Plasmodium falciparum relies heavily on the Pcalp protein, which is essential for its cell cycle progression. By manipulating Pcalp levels, they revealed the parasite's vulnerability to inhibition.
Researchers discovered seven new genetic variants that increase the risk of psoriasis, clustering in pathways involving IL-23 and NF-kappaB. The absence of skin genes LCE3B and LCE3C also increases the risk of the disease, suggesting an inappropriate immune response.
Researchers have discovered that the innate immune system's natural killer cells can learn from experience and fight more effectively when called into battle a second time. This new ability, known as 'memory-like,' was found in natural killer cells that could respond more easily and vigorously to reactivation.
Researchers discovered that just four genetic variants in three yeast genes account for nearly 90% of the genetic contribution to sporulation efficiency. The findings suggest that transcription factors may harbor significant variations and point to the need for better statistical models and tools to understand genetic interactions.
A Brazilian city government program offering free exercise classes in public spaces increased physical activity among community members. The study found that participants were three times more likely to exercise than non-participants, highlighting the potential of similar programs in US cities.
A study published in Preventive Medicine found that rural Americans who regularly eat at buffets and engage in low physical activity are more likely to be obese. The research also highlights the importance of community-friendly transportation and access to healthy foods in reducing obesity rates.
Researchers used DTI to estimate chronic effects of optic nerve inflammation three months in advance. DTI showed a correlation between damage and lower scores on visual health tests, indicating potential predictive information for MS flare-ups.
A church-based initiative in St. Louis increased first-time African-American blood donations by 60%, with nearly 700 participants donating blood over three years. The Sickle Cell Sabbath Program educated predominantly African-American churches about sickle cell disease and its benefits, leading to more donors.
A study found that estrogen therapy can stop the growth of tumors or cause them to shrink in about a third of women with metastatic breast cancer that has developed resistance to standard estrogen-lowering therapy. The high-dose regimen had significant side effects, while the low-dose regimen was well tolerated.
Researchers identified a key role for dendritic cells in responding to Leishmania parasites, which cause illness in developing nations and have been detected in US soldiers. The study provides insights into the early stages of the immune response and has implications for vaccine development.
Researchers created a model that explains how genes are turned on and off by analyzing DNA sequences and transcription factor interactions. The study found that simple rules govern gene expression patterns, accounting for 65% of variation between cells.
New research suggests that excess liver fat is a key contributor to metabolic problems, including high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The study found that children with fatty liver disease had abnormalities in glucose and fat metabolism, including lower levels of HDL cholesterol.
A twin study found that identical and fraternal female twins had distinct gut microbial communities, but shared a common core set of genes that performed key functions. Obese individuals had an increased representation of bacterial genes devoted to extracting calories from food.