Researchers identified fibers that selectively increase the abundance of beneficial microbes and tracked down the bioactive components responsible for their effects. The study provides insights into how gut communities compete or cooperate with each other for dietary fiber ingredients.
Researchers prove the psychosine hypothesis correct by showing that mice with genetic mutations causing both Krabbe and Farber diseases do not develop Krabbe disease. They then test a drug known to inhibit acid ceramidase, carmofur, which modestly extends the lives of mice with a model of Krabbe disease.
A phase one/two study found that a single high dose of radiation significantly reduces ventricular tachycardia episodes, with a 72% overall survival rate at one year and 52% at two years. The noninvasive procedure is a last line of defense for patients who have exhausted other treatments.
A study found that premature babies' gut microbiomes remain disrupted after antibiotic treatment, leading to an increased risk of disease and health problems later in life. The research suggests that minimizing antibiotic use in preemies may help prevent these issues.
Researchers have developed a way to detect cells infected with chikungunya virus that survive the infection, shedding light on the cause of chronic viral arthritis. The study found that the virus can persist in muscle and connective tissue cells for up to 114 days after infection.
A vaccine that protects against a worrisome superbug has been successfully tested in mice, providing hope for a solution to the growing global health threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The vaccine, developed using genetically modified E. coli, proved highly effective in preventing severe disease and death.
Research at Washington University School of Medicine found that stable home lives and nurturing mothers can significantly improve the psychiatric health of preterm children. The study revealed four distinct groups of preterm children, with those from healthier homes showing normal psychiatric outcomes.
Initial urinary tract infections can cause long-lasting changes to the bladder's immune response, making it more prone to future infections. The study found that targeting TNF-alpha or other inflammatory responses may help prevent or alleviate recurrent UTIs.
Children with mild asthma can effectively manage their condition by using inhalers when symptoms occur, reducing steroid medication use by almost 75%.
A team of scientists has identified two genes, MS4A4A and TREM2, that influence the risk for both late-onset and early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Variants in these genes affect the brain's immune cells, which may hold a new strategy to delay or protect against the disease.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect Alzheimer's disease with 94% accuracy when combined with age and genetic risk factor. The test measures levels of amyloid beta in the blood to predict brain changes, potentially allowing for earlier intervention.
A study of Finns with their similar DNA identified 26 potentially harmful genetic variations relevant to cardiovascular and metabolic health. These variations are more common in Finland than elsewhere in Europe, making them a valuable resource for understanding disease risk.
Researchers found that enhanced medical rehabilitation, which incorporates motivation during therapy sessions, leads to a 25% improvement in functional recovery among patients. The approach focuses on specific goals important to individual patients, resulting in better outcomes.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have found a set of genes that help cells survive exposure to cytokines, which can trigger a deadly cytokine storm. Targeting these genes may lead to new treatments for sepsis, a life-threatening condition that claims 15% of patients despite prompt medical care.
A new type of therapeutic food targeting gut microbes proves superior to standard treatment in an initial clinical trial. The food, containing chickpea, soy, bananas and peanuts, restored healthy growth and gut microbial communities in malnourished children.
Researchers identified a compound that promotes a vigorous immune assault against pancreatic tumors, significantly shrinking them and improving survival. The compound, ADH-503, shifts the balance of myeloid cells toward those that activate T cells to attack cancer, making resistant cancers susceptible to immunotherapy.
Children who control their tics exhibit fewer and less significant problems when followed up after a year. Researchers identified factors predicting problematic tics at the one-year mark, including anxiety disorder history, vocal tic frequency, and autism spectrum behaviors.
A study has identified a key connection between two damaging proteins in Alzheimer's disease: amyloid beta and tau. Immune cells called microglia may be the missing link between these proteins, which can cause brain tissue damage.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have successfully grown the most common type of Cryptosporidium in the lab using a new technique. This breakthrough will accelerate efforts to treat the deadly infection and identify potential drug candidates.
Scientists studying Leishmania parasites found that they can mate to produce hybrid offspring carrying genetic material from multiple strains, suggesting a true sexual reproductive cycle. This discovery could lead to improved treatment for deadly Leishmaniasis infections.
Researchers have identified a protein called eNAMPT that plays a vital role in keeping mice healthy. Supplementing older mice with this protein extends their life spans and slows the decline in health, including improved insulin production, sleep quality, and cognitive function.
Researchers have identified an experimental antiviral drug that cures mice infected with Bourbon virus, a deadly tick-borne illness. The drug, favipiravir, inhibits a key protein the virus needs to multiply and has been shown to be effective in treating infected mice in multiple experiments.
Researchers have identified a biomarker that can accurately predict which pancreatic cysts are likely to become cancerous, offering new hope for improved diagnosis and treatment. The biomarker, mAb Das-1, was found to be more accurate than current methods in predicting cancer risk, with a accuracy rate of 95%.
Researchers identified a master cell that coordinates the body's immune defenses in the first days after TB infection. Boosting this cell's activity could help prevent TB and reduce new infections. The findings suggest a new avenue for TB control and may aid development of more effective vaccines.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have discovered a previously unknown autoimmune muscle disease causing sudden onset of debilitating muscle pain and weakness. The syndrome can be effectively treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage related symptoms.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine uses wearable motion-tracking devices to identify children with subtle motor impairments. The researchers found that typically developing children under age 3 use both arms equally, but in children with motor impairments, the ratio shifts significantly.
A team at Washington University School of Medicine has created a detailed picture of the chikungunya virus latched onto a protein found on cells in joints. This image promises to accelerate efforts to design drugs and vaccines to prevent or treat arthritis caused by chikungunya or related viruses.
Researchers have identified a potential therapy for limb girdle muscular dystrophy using lithium to improve muscle size and strength in mice. The findings suggest that inhibiting the protein GSK3beta with lithium chloride can lead to significant improvements in mouse strength and muscle mass.
Researchers found a compound, C10, that prevented TB bacteria from forming biofilms, making them easier to kill with antibiotics. The compound reversed drug resistance in lab-grown bacteria, potentially shortening treatment regimens for millions suffering from the deadly infection.
Researchers found that immune cells recruited by tumor cells drive faster growth, suggesting targeting immune system cells could slow brain tumor growth in people with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The study suggests reprogramming T cells to shut down tumors, a promising new strategy for treating NF1.
A multicenter research team will scan the brains of 250 infants in North America using MRI scans while they are sleeping, from 6 and 12 months old, to analyze brain structure and function. The goal is to identify differences in the brain that accurately predict which children are most likely to develop autism spectrum disorder.
A study led by Washington University School of Medicine found that proton therapy results in fewer side effects than traditional X-ray radiation therapy for many cancer patients, with similar cure rates. Proton therapy reduced the risk of severe side effects by two-thirds within 90 days of treatment.
Researchers discover that metronidazole reduces lesions caused by endometriosis in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for the painful condition. The study also reveals that gut microbiota may play a role in driving or preventing endometriosis progression.
A recent study analyzing data from over 51,000 people found that most Americans spend at least two hours per day sitting and watching television or videos. Sedentary behavior is linked to poor health in many areas, and reducing it could have a significant impact on overall health.
A new study finds that hospitals serving richer patient populations will face increased financial penalties under the revised system, while those with poorer patients will see reduced penalties. The changes aim to address concerns about the original program unfairly penalizing safety-net hospitals.
A new study found that probiotic bacteria can evolve and change inside the mouse's gut, making them less effective and sometimes harmful. The researchers discovered that the bacteria's DNA changes and they develop new capabilities after living in the mice's intestines for a few weeks.
A high-fat, high-sugar diet in pregnant mice causes heart problems in their offspring, which are then passed down to subsequent generations. The defects in heart mitochondria are thought to be caused by epigenetic changes in the mother's eggs.
A combination of topical creams reduces precancerous skin lesions and lowers the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. The therapy combines 5-fluorouracil with calcipotriol, activating the immune system's T cells to attack tumor cells.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a pain killer that blocks kappa opioid receptors to restore motivation in rodents. The compound dampens the negative emotions associated with pain without causing euphoria, offering a potential approach to less addictive pain treatment.
Researchers have found a compound that reduces IBD symptoms in mice by blocking the activity of a gene linked to blood clotting. This compound may be a new therapeutic option for people with severe IBD or those who don't respond to current treatments.
A new study at WashU Medicine finds that making a simple electronic system change can reduce bacterial culture tests ordered without compromising patient care. The change encourages doctors to first look for signs of UTIs before testing urine for bacteria, resulting in a nearly half reduction in unnecessary tests.
A new study suggests that surgery is a viable option for adults with scoliosis, but nonoperative treatments can also be effective. The extent of disability was found to be the most important factor in deciding whether to operate, with patients who had adequate quality-of-life benefiting from nonoperative treatment.
A new study found that closely monitoring brain activity during surgery and adjusting anesthesia levels had no effect on preventing postoperative delirium. However, patients with close brain monitoring had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates.
A new study finds that women's brains are metabolically three years younger than men's of the same age, which may contribute to their greater mental sharpness in later years. The researchers used PET scans and machine-learning algorithms to measure brain metabolism and calculate each person's brain age.
A new study has identified a pair of genes that can mimic the effects of BRCA proteins, potentially making tumor cells susceptible to PARP inhibitors. The researchers found that targeting these genes could improve treatment options for people with breast or ovarian cancer caused by BRCA defects.
A recent study published in Science has found that sleep deprivation increases levels of the key Alzheimer's protein tau, leading to accelerated brain damage and dementia. In mice and people, researchers discovered that disrupted sleep causes tau tangles to spread through the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
A new blood test reliably detects signs of brain damage in people with Alzheimer's disease, even before symptoms of confusion and memory loss arise. The test may also identify neurodegeneration in other brain diseases, injuries, and conditions such as multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury.
Scientists have developed a gene therapy that blocks axon destruction in mice, suggesting a therapeutic strategy to prevent the loss of peripheral nerves in multiple conditions. This breakthrough could help prevent peripheral neuropathy, a disease affecting 20 million people in the US, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed a new method for producing insulin-producing beta cells from human stem cells, which are more responsive to fluctuating glucose levels. The resulting cells were transplanted into diabetic mice and effectively controlled blood sugar for several months.
Researchers found a link between decreased deep sleep and increased levels of the toxic brain protein tau, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that poor-quality sleep may be an early indicator of deteriorating brain health.