Researchers found that macrophages can recognize foreign cells using the CD47 protein, not MHC class I as previously thought. This discovery challenges an important dogma and has implications for autoimmune diseases and ovarian cancer.
Researchers discovered a direct link between apoE and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a leading cause of bleeding strokes in the elderly. Decreasing apoE expression may inhibit CAA buildup, lowering the risk for cerebral hemorrhage.
The study identified metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a key player in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The researchers found that MMP-9 production was significantly reduced in patients who took doxycycline, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing aneurysm expansion.
Researchers train embryonic stem cells into oligodendrocytes, which can rewrap nerve axons and remyelinate damaged spinal cords. The study demonstrates a potential approach to restoring neurological function in patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Researchers link HIV-protease inhibitors to increased diabetes risk due to impaired glucose storage, prompting reevaluation of screening methods and development of new treatments. Up to 83% of patients on the drugs develop excess belly fat and type 2 diabetes.
A new study contradicts the long-held assumption that the Helicobacter pylori bacterium has been with humans forever. Researchers analyzed DNA from over 500 strains from five continents and found that strains from Peru resemble those from Spain, not those from eastern Asia.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that most household members were exposed to significantly less radiation than the government allows. The study's findings suggest that outpatient care for thyroid cancer patients is safe and poses minimal risk to those around them.
Researchers have identified five genes statistically linked to prostate cancer in about 500 men. The strongest candidate has the hallmarks of a gene that thwarts cell division, potentially playing a major role in causing prostate cancer when it fails to function.
Researchers found that apoE4, a high-risk version of the lipoprotein, directly promotes the development of neuritic plaques in the brain by enabling amyloid-beta to form into hair-shaped fibrils. ApoE3 had less damaging effects. The study used a mouse model and showed that apoE interaction with amyloid-beta leads to neurodegeneration.
Scientists discover a new way cells can relay messages to affect gene activity through a protein-processing program that dismantles proteins into fragments acting as messengers. The study reveals a fragment of the developmental protein Notch serves as a messenger determining a cell's fate, influencing gene activity and cell behavior.
Researchers identified a new treatment approach that could prevent life-threatening complications of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. A drug called 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) improved secretion of mutant protein, increasing levels by 20% to 50%. This approach may also help patients with other diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers determine tensile strength of individual carbon nanotubes, finding they can withstand forces up to 63 GPa before breaking. This discovery suggests potential applications for ultra-lightweight, high-strength cables and composites.
A research team has found that the immune system protein Crry is essential for fetomaternal tolerance in mice, preventing destruction of the developing fetus. Without this protein, complement components activate, leading to embryonic death and miscarriage.
A team of scientists has discovered that a lack of the B cell linker protein (BLNK) is responsible for an immunodeficiency in mice and a young man with recurring bacterial infections. The study reveals that BLNK plays a crucial role in B lymphocyte development, leading to impaired immune function.
Researchers developed a treatment using embryonic stem cells that improves rat spinal cord injury recovery. The treatment, involving nerve cell precursors, promotes substantial improvements in locomotion when instituted after the injury process is complete.
A new study of 27,050 kidney transplants found that patients with locally matched kidneys require less long-term care and incur lower costs. The average cost to Medicare was $60,436 for identical HLA markers, increasing by 34% as mismatches rose from one to six.
A recent study reveals that long-term nerve damage in diabetic rats can be reversed by treatment with an insulin-like protein. The protein may prevent or alleviate certain nerve complications associated with diabetes, such as irregular blood pressure control and digestive issues. Researchers are hopeful about the potential therapeutic ...
A recent study found that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can reverse nerve damage in diabetic rats, with 80% fewer swollen nerve endings observed. The protein may compensate for the loss of a healthy factor or be a nourishing agent itself.
Scientists use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to separate expectation and perception, revealing the role of the posterior parietal cortex in funneling expectations into the visual cortex. This breakthrough may shed light on attention deficits after brain injury and inform rehabilitation strategies.
Scientists have identified a network of cellular receptors in the spinal cord that transmits sensations of chronic pain. Blocking their activity may provide a new strategy for pain management. The discovery suggests that pain can be caused by pathways normally not painful.
Researchers found that a muscle protein rapidly disappears from synapses when not receiving nerve signals, supporting the idea of rapid molecular changes in learning. This discovery may explain why withdrawal of certain agents can be fatal to patients on respirators.
A recent study suggests that the immune system protein CD2AP may play a critical role in kidney function. Researchers found that mice lacking CD2AP developed defective glomeruli and died of renal failure, highlighting the protein's importance in maintaining kidney health. The discovery also sheds light on other diseases, such as congen...
The matrilysin enzyme plays a key role in activating defensins to combat bacterial infections in the intestine. The researchers found that matrilysin is essential for regulating antimicrobial activity and protecting the epithelial lining from bacterial invasion.
Scientists have developed a method to deliver large proteins into cells using a molecular passport. The technology allows for lower doses and fewer side effects, making it a promising avenue for therapeutic approaches. This breakthrough could enable the creation of drugs that act only in disease-related cells.
Researchers developed a technique to visualize nerve fiber bundles in the living human brain, providing detailed maps of connections between different areas. This study may lead to improvements in brain surgery, diagnosis, and understanding of neurological diseases, such as schizophrenia.
A study of 182 Oklahoma City bombing survivors revealed high rates of postdisaster psychiatric disorders, with 45% experiencing symptoms in the six months following the explosion. The investigation also identified specific symptoms that indicated the need for treatment, including avoidance and numbing symptoms.
Researchers found a dual-purpose protein, FucR, that allows Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to control its nutrient intake by silencing or activating genes involved in fucose metabolism. This communication mechanism may be crucial for maintaining intestinal ecosystem stability and preventing the overgrowth of harmful microbes.
Researchers have identified a structural anomaly in the Taq DNA polymerase enzyme that hampers its performance in DNA sequencing. By modifying this anomaly, scientists created an improved version of the enzyme, which increases sequencing speed and reduces errors.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a potential new approach to treating glaucoma by inhibiting an enzyme that produces excessive nitric oxide, leading to cell damage. The study found that rats with elevated eye pressure lost less than 10% of their retinal ganglion cells when treated with the inhibitor.
Researchers have obtained X-ray images of crucial steps in bacterial infection, revealing the structure of pili and adhesins that enable bacteria to cling to tissue. The findings provide new insights into the development of effective antimicrobial strategies and vaccine candidates.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique to identify abnormal blood vessels in the brain, improving diagnosis and treatment of related conditions. The 'high resolution BOLD venography' method revealed detailed information on blood vessel malformations in nine out of ten patients.
Researchers found that Slit repels young cells from their target destination, guiding them through the brain via concentration gradients. The discovery has implications for understanding neural migration and potentially treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine has been awarded a grant to develop new treatments for spinal cord injuries. They plan to use embryonic stem cells to replace damaged tissue and restore lost functions, with the long-term goal of enabling patients to regain bladder and bowel control and potentially walk ...
Phyllis I. Hanson, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine, has been awarded a Keck Foundation grant to study the molecular machinery that neurons use to communicate. Her work may one day suggest treatments for neuromuscular and psychiatric disorders resulting from faulty communication between neurons.
Researchers have discovered a new form of ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia ewingii, previously known to infect dogs, in humans in Missouri and other states. The disease can be fatal if left untreated, causing symptoms similar to the flu, and can lead to serious liver and lung problems.
Researchers used imaging to 'movie' the interaction between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell, revealing specific protein rearrangements that form an immunological synapse. This structure determines whether a T cell will respond to an antigen.
Researchers found that premature infants respond to pain and can differentiate between more and less painful procedures. They recommend universal pain management in newborns to mitigate the effects of early procedural pain. Premature babies, even those born very prematurely, become more responsive to pain with age.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that high doses of cortisol, produced in response to stress, can significantly impair memory performance after several days. Memory impairment was seen only in those who received a high dose of cortisol and only after four days of treatment.
Researchers found that women with a history of depression had smaller hippocampal volumes than those who never had been depressed. This is significant because the hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory. Treatment not only prevents suffering but may also limit long-term damage to the brain.
Researchers recommend genetic screening for pregnant women with liver illness and their families to prevent life-threatening conditions. The E474Q mutation is identified in 19 children out of 24 families studied, leading to AFLP or other liver disorders in mothers.
A study of over 50,000 transplant recipients found that kidney transplants from living donors are more cost-effective than dialysis treatments. The total cost of care within five years is roughly $47,000 less for living donor transplants compared to dialysis.
A new study of 27,050 kidney transplants reveals that the need for care within three years increases significantly as the number of mismatched surface markers increases. The cost of care rises by up to 34% with more mismatches, making well-matched organs a more cost-effective option.
Researchers found that epithelial cells contain an anti-virus alarm system which triggers persistent inflammation in asthma. The study challenges the traditional view of asthma as an allergic response and suggests a new approach to treatment.
A study found that thickening of the aorta at its attachment to the heart increases the risk of stroke and death. Researchers identified moderate and severe atherosclerosis as major risk factors, with higher mortality rates among patients with more advanced disease.
Scientists discovered that p-glycoprotein and a similar protein collaborate to limit drug traffic through the brain. This finding could lead to improved treatment of diseases like AIDS, depression, cancer, and more.
Researchers link Fas and FasL interaction to immune-privilege in the eye, affecting age-related macular degeneration. Deficiency of Fas or FasL leads to increased growth of new retinal vessels.
Researchers found that changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer's disease begin years before clinical symptoms like memory loss. The study used brain tissue from over 60 subjects, including healthy individuals and those with dementia, to identify amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
A landmark study involving women with invasive cervical cancer showed that adding chemotherapy to radiation therapy significantly improves survival rates and disease-free survival. The study found that 73% of patients who received both treatments survived for at least five years, compared to 58% of those given only radiation.
A study is testing smart cards for pregnant women to access their medical records. The card contains a computer chip summarizing the patient's record, which can be updated with new information upon each visit. This system aims to improve healthcare efficiency and reduce redundant tests.
Researchers have successfully developed a novel therapy that uses a fusion protein to selectively kill HIV-infected cells by triggering a chain of suicidal events. This approach has potential applications in treating other infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and malaria, and may also be used to target cancer cells.