Head and neck cancer patients with comorbidities have a significantly higher risk of death, with some cases increasing by up to seven-fold. The study highlights the importance of considering co-existing conditions in estimating cancer survival statistics.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine suggests that cooling the brain may prevent nerve cell death in infant mice exposed to anesthesia. The study found that hypothermia blocked neuroapoptosis and reduced low-level neuroapoptosis during brain development, potentially preventing cognitive and developmental delays.
Scientists have determined that pain and itch are regulated by different molecular mechanisms. Researchers at WashU Medicine separated itch and pain sensations in mice, a finding that could have important implications for treating both pain and chronic itching. GRPR gene plays key role in transmitting itching sensations.
New research reveals that commonly used drugs to treat chronic lung damage in premature infants can cause brain cell damage, potentially leading to cognitive and motor-control issues. Synthetic glucocorticoids like dexamethasone and betamethasone were found to be toxic to neural progenitor cells in mice.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a gene chip technology to detect pneumonia in ICU patients on ventilators, identifying 52 cases in a large-scale study. The technology uses a 85-gene riboleukogram to monitor changes in immune response before clinical symptoms develop.
Scientists found that higher education may delay cognitive decline in individuals with brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential 'cognitive reserve' benefit.
Scientists report that a simple decision-making task does not involve the frontal lobes, instead relying on the parietal lobe to process sensory information and control responses. This finding challenges the traditional view of human decision-making as willful acts, suggesting that many decisions may be driven by automatic processes.
Researchers at Washington University sequenced a cancer patient's genome to discover 10 unique genetic mutations relevant to her acute myelogenous leukemia. The study sets the stage for using comprehensive genome-wide approaches to diagnose and treat cancer.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a rare immune cell, NK-22 cells, that can produce IL-22 to promote wound healing and prevent tissue damage. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Interferon-gamma plays a deciding role in whether immune cells attack and injure the central nervous system in mice. The protein is protective in cerebellums and brainstems but causes nerve cell damage in spinal cords.
In an animal model, sulfonylureas' effects were found to be reversible after cessation, suggesting beta cells can recover and produce insulin again. This finding may lead to rethink treatment strategies, such as using older drugs or alternating periods of drug treatment with insulin injections.
Researchers found that blocking worms' sense of smell extends their lifespan by up to 29% with the anticonvulsant drug ethosuximide. This suggests a link between sensory perception and metabolic regulation, potentially applicable to human aging.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified the first gene linked to clubfoot in humans, PITX1. The mutation was found in all affected family members and carriers, providing a crucial step towards improved genetic counseling and novel therapies.
Researchers have discovered 26 new genes linked to lung adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The study's findings suggest that these genetic alterations can be targeted with specific treatments, offering new hope for patients.
A new study found that self-induced DNA breaks in immune cells activate genes responsible for their migration and homing to fight invaders. This discovery sheds light on a rare genetic disorder, ataxia telangiectasia, and may have implications for cancer research.
Researchers have developed a new technique using Granger causality to analyze brain activity, revealing the flow of information between brain regions. This breakthrough could advance efforts to help patients recover from brain injuries and mental disorders.
Research finds disabled gut cells linked to Crohn's disease, with altered genetic activity leading to increased hormone production. The study suggests a potential role for autophagy and Atg16L1 in Paneth cell function, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind the inflammatory bowel disorder.
Researchers have discovered a persistent brain signal that never switches off, suggesting its role in supporting cognitive functions and maintaining the brain's structure. This low-frequency signal is thought to be more fundamental than previously identified gamma frequency activity.
Researchers found a protein called TREM-2 in the spinal fluid of MS patients, suggesting it may be contributing to the disease. The protein's presence could lead to new pharmaceutical targets for MS prevention and treatment.
A study published in Aging Cell found that calorie restriction did not lower IGF-1 levels in humans, unlike in animals. However, strict vegans had significantly less circulating IGF-1, suggesting a correlation between protein intake and longevity.
The Pristionchus pacificus worm genome is substantially larger and more complex than C. elegans, containing nearly 170,000 chemical bases and 23,500 protein-coding genes. The genome supports the theory that P. pacificus might be a precursor to parasitic worms.
A new predictive measurement, called a PEPI score, can help determine the treatment of breast cancer patients. A low PEPI score indicates little risk of relapse and allows patients to safely avoid chemotherapy after surgery. Women with high PEPI scores are at high risk of having their cancer return and require aggressive therapy.
A new $10 million clinical trial is testing a treatment that can chew up deep vein thrombosis (DVT) clots and administer clot-busting drugs, with the goal of preventing long-term complications like post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The trial aims to provide a safer, quicker and more effective approach to treatment.
Researchers have developed a dual treatment combining nanoparticles with a statin to stop the growth of blood vessels feeding arterial plaques. The treatment reduces plaque activity and prolongs stability in high-risk patients, offering hope for human clinical trials.
A narrow genetic region on chromosome 15 has been found to significantly increase the risk of familial lung cancer by 5.7- to 7.2-fold, regardless of smoking status. The study identified specific genetic variants associated with the increased risk and suggests they may be targeted for cancer therapies.
A study found that recovery from brain injury increases amyloid beta levels in patients, with better neurological status correlating to higher levels. The findings suggest a new understanding of the connection between brain injury and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that silver-coated endotracheal tubes significantly reduced ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates, with a 36% decrease compared to uncoated tubes. The study also showed that silver-coated tubes can delay VAP onset and reduce its severity.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered a gene's effect on height that may change tumor disorder treatment for patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. The study found that the NF1 gene affects stature through a different pathway than previously focused on for cancer treatment.
Researchers found that genetically tweaking a part of the brain involved in learning and memory in fruit flies allowed them to stay sharp even after being deprived of sleep. This discovery may lead to new treatments for mental acuity, particularly for people who need to stay awake for extended periods.
Researchers developed nanobialys, spherical particles that can deliver drugs and imaging agents directly to tumors and plaques. The manganese-based nanoparticles are safer than gadolinium-containing particles and have shown promise in animal studies.
A study found that older people who engaged in endurance exercise training for a year had metabolically younger hearts. Women benefited more than men from the training, with improved glucose uptake and fatty acid metabolism.
The Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine will lead a six-year, $16 million international collaboration to study inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope to identify biomarkers in individuals with known mutations to shorten diagnosis time and develop new treatments.
A molecule called HMGB1 is released by dying cells, determining whether the immune system responds to cell death. Apoptotic cells produce free radicals that modify HMGB1, preventing it from stimulating an immune response. This finding may have implications for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer.
A new hearing aid technology has been shown to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments like restaurants. The open-fit hearing aids with directional microphones outperformed traditional options and provided a 20% improvement in speech clarity.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have successfully directed mouse embryonic stem cells to build the heart using the Mesp1 gene, a crucial discovery that may lead to new therapies using human stem cells. The study found that Mesp1 regulates cardiovascular fate restriction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in differentiating ES cells.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that study subjects on strict diet and exercise programs tend to lose weight more slowly than expected because they eat more on weekends than during the week. The investigators report their findings in the advance online publication of the journal Obesity.
Research suggests that hedgehog antagonists, used to treat certain cancers, can worsen cardiac function and lead to death in mice with heart disease. The study highlights the need to monitor patients' cardiovascular health when using these drugs.
Researchers identified five genetic variations that increase metabolic syndrome risk and a sixth variant that protects against the condition. Variants in the CD36 gene were associated with abnormal HDL cholesterol levels.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered steroids in female mouse urine activate nerve cells in male mice' noses with unprecedented effectiveness. The compounds, known as glucocorticoids (GCCs), are involved in energy metabolism, stress and immune function.
Researchers identified a genetic variation associated with an earlier age of onset in Alzheimer's disease, which affects the brain's tau protein levels. The study suggests that these variations lead to higher tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid and earlier cognitive problems once amyloid plaques form.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a new type of immune response linked to severe asthma and COPD, enabling more precise diagnosis and targeted treatment. The study's findings promise to revolutionize the management of chronic inflammatory lung disease by detecting specific biomarkers in the lungs or bloodstream.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that a bone-strengthening drug called zoledronic acid reduced the growth of breast tumor cells in bones by 23% after three months. Women treated with the drug were also less likely to develop large metastatic tumors, suggesting it may help prevent cancer spread.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that disabling an enzyme that attaches sugars to a hormone increased fertility levels in mice by nearly 50 percent. The altered hormone regulation may be used to enhance human fertility.
A study of nearly 65,000 women found that physical activity significantly reduces the risk of premenopausal breast cancer. Women who exercised regularly had a 23% lower risk of developing breast cancer before menopause.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified dendritic cells carrying insulin fragments as a key player in the development of type 1 diabetes. The discovery sheds light on how an immune system attack can destroy the islets of Langerhans, leading to insulin deficiency and the disease.
The platypus genome provides a comprehensive understanding of the animal's mix of features, including duck-billed snout, venomous spur, and electroreceptors. The analysis compares the platypus genome with other mammals and birds, revealing conserved genes and traits, as well as unique characteristics such as odor receptor expansion.
Tumor cells can be made more sensitive to hyperthermia-enhanced radiation therapy by inhibiting telomerase, a protective enzyme. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that moderately increasing heat activates telomerase in tumor cells.
A study of 3,546 female twins found that genetics influence the rate of progression to problem drinking and alcohol dependence. Environmental factors played a significant role in the initiation of alcohol use, while genetic factors accounted for up to 47% of the influence on women's alcohol-related problems.
Research found that 40% of African-Americans have a genetic variant that protects them from heart failure and prolongs their lives. The variant has an effect similar to beta blockers, which are widely prescribed for heart failure. This study resolves the controversy surrounding beta blocker efficacy in African-American patients.
Researchers found that phosphate-binding drugs can decrease vascular calcification, which is a major source of cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. These treatments may also reduce the activity of genetic programs that stimulate bone-forming cells in blood vessel walls.