Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and MIT discovered a family of genes necessary for tuberculosis bacteria to survive airborne transmission. These genes help the bacteria adapt to changes in temperature, oxygen levels, and humidity, providing new targets for therapies that could treat infection and prevent spread.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch, FLI-1, essential for blood stem cells to enter an activated state. Transiently producing FLI-1 in quiescent adult mobilized bone marrow stem cells activates them, improving their ability to expand and restore the blood cell supply in a new host.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers has identified a potential biomarker for joint inflammation in Crohn's disease patients, the bacterium Mediterraneibacter gnavus. The study found that M. gnavus is associated with increased immune cell responses and disease activity scores in patients with joint inflammation.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a precise mechanism by which an ion channel regulates its function, providing insights into fundamental biology and potential new treatments for diseases. The study identified a 'ball-and-chain' structure that plugs the channel, opening the way to modulate ion channel activity.
A new AI-based system called LILAC can accurately detect changes and predict outcomes in various medical applications. The system has been demonstrated on diverse longitudinal image series covering IVF embryos, healing tissue after wounds, and aging brains.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine develop two strains of mycobacteria with 'kill switches' that can be triggered to stop the bacteria after they activate an immune response. The new approach aims to accelerate vaccine development and overcome safety concerns.
Researchers developed reprogrammed vascular endothelial cells that provide strong support for islets, allowing them to survive and reverse diabetes long-term. The study showed that mice transplanted with islet cells plus R-VECs regained normal blood glucose control after 20 weeks.
A new study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy has found that lenacapavir is effective in controlling HIV in a population of patients in Uganda. The study sequenced the capsid proteins from 546 Ugandan patients and found little natural resistance to the drug.
Researchers found that intracranial hemorrhages double the risk of dementia in people. The study analyzed Medicare claims and observed a two-fold increase in dementia diagnoses within 5.6 years after a hemorrhage.
A preclinical study reveals that tumors drive clot formation by releasing chemokines, prompting immune cells to release small vesicles that attach to cell fragments, forming life-threatening clots. The findings may lead to diagnostic tests and safer therapies to target the root of blood clotting risk.
A study from Weill Cornell Medicine found that over two-thirds of US counties have no gastroenterologist, leaving millions without access to care. The analysis highlights the need for policy interventions and strategies to expand the workforce in underserved areas.
A new study suggests that women at risk of postpartum depression may have characteristic levels of neuroactive steroids in their blood during pregnancy. Elevated progesterone levels and imbalances in its metabolism may be associated with an increased risk of PPD.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit that appears to reduce anxiety without side effects. The study suggests a new target for treating anxiety disorders and demonstrates a general strategy for mapping drug effects on the brain.
Non-white communities had significantly less access to opioid medications, despite declines in prescription use across the US. Communities of color may be especially vulnerable to the unintended consequences of efforts to reduce opioid analgesics.
A preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that an immune protein called the inflammasome helps prevent blood stem cells from becoming malignant by removing certain receptors and blocking cancer gene activity. The study suggests that targeting the earliest stages of cancer may lead to new therapies.
A Weill Cornell Medicine study found that 97% of those who received naloxone kits were at high risk of overdose, with significant racial disparities seen among older Black men and Latino/Latina groups. The city's overdose prevention efforts aim to address these disparities through targeted programs.
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) steer Medicare patients to their own pharmacies, with PBM-owned pharmacies capturing over 60% market share in certain drug classes. The study suggests that the 'any willing pharmacy' rules may be preventing PBMs from gaining significant market share in Medicare.
A groundbreaking study finds that beneficial gut microbes produce molecules that regulate bile acid production, fine-tuning fat metabolism and cholesterol levels in the human body. Boosting these molecules may help reduce fat accumulation and high cholesterol, while dietary fiber intake also supports their production.
A large study found that patients with diabetes taking GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs had lower rates of hospital readmission, wound re-opening, and hematoma after surgery. Improved blood sugar control was not the likely mediator, suggesting other mechanisms may be at play.
Weill Cornell Medicine has received a $2.3 million CDC grant to enhance care coordination for young breast cancer survivors, focusing on racially and socio-economically diverse groups to reduce symptom burden and improve survival outcomes.
A preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists found that estrogen surges promote binge drinking in females, causing them to 'pregame' and consume large quantities of alcohol. The study identifies a neural circuit in the brain where estrogen increases activity, leading to enhanced binge drinking behavior.
Researchers developed a new benchmark for health care using reinforcement learning, which shows promise in managing chronic or psychiatric diseases. However, current methods are data-hungry and fail to perform accurately when tested on real-world data.
Researchers aim to improve treatment response in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma by reprogramming tumor cells into immune cells that recognize and kill cancer cells. This approach combines checkpoint inhibitors to enhance the immune response.
A new hepatitis B vaccine, Heplisav-B, has been shown to be more effective than an older vaccine type in inducing a protective antibody response among people living with HIV who didn't respond to prior vaccination. The study found that up to 99.4% of subjects received the new vaccine showed protective levels of antibodies.
Researchers found that EZH2 inhibition boosts T-cell immunotherapies' effectiveness by making cancer cells more visible and reducing immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells. This combination therapy showed improved survival rates in mice with lymphomas, suggesting a potential new approach to treating certain cancers.
A study published in Nature Mental Health found that nearly half of young asylum seekers in the US exhibit worrisome symptoms of cardiovascular disease, including heart palpitations and chest pain. This unexpected prevalence highlights the need for clinicians to consider cardiovascular concerns when evaluating this younger population.
Researchers found that tumor cell secreted DNA in extracellular vesicles acts as a 'danger' signal to activate an anti-tumor response in the liver, reducing liver metastasis risk. The discovery improves understanding of cancer progression and anticancer immunity.
Researchers found that increasing levels of the naturally occurring endocannabinoid 2-AG can counteract the rewarding properties of opioids, reducing addiction-like behaviors in mice. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic strategy to alleviate pain while minimizing opioid addiction risk.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 virus infection causes significant damage to mitochondria in infected cells, leading to an overactive renin-angiotensin-activation-system (RAAS) and associated blood clotting. This damage contributes to the multi-organ damage seen in severe COVID-19.
A yeast called Kazachstania pintolopesii is found to be exceptionally well adapted to mice, boosting their immune protection against parasites while also enhancing their vulnerability to some allergies. This fungus is a true commensal, rapidly colonizing the gastrointestinal tracts of laboratory mice and evading antifungal immunity.
A new study led by Weill Cornell Medicine found that tirzepatide reduced the risk of diabetes in obese and prediabetic patients by more than 90% after 176 weeks. The treatment also showed significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that keeping the nucleolus small can delay aging in yeast cells. This finding could lead to new longevity treatments and may also reveal a mortality timer that determines how long a cell has left before it dies.
A new model of neuronal circuit provides insight into how the brain handles short-term memory and guides eye movement. The study used a simplified artificial circuit based on the architecture of the zebrafish brainstem network to predict activity in the system.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists reveals that the enzyme EZH2 drives aggressive tumor growth in treatment-resistant prostate cancers. The absence of protein PKCλ/ι enables EZH2's alternative function, promoting cancer progression despite androgen receptor inhibitors.
A new treatment combination of surgery and embolization for subdural hematomas has been shown to reduce the risk of follow-up surgeries. The procedure, which blocks specific blood vessels, resulted in a 4% recurrence rate compared to 11% without embolization.
The Cornell Health Policy Center aims to develop effective, evidence-based health policies to ensure quality, comprehensive, and affordable care for all patients. The center will connect health policy researchers across Cornell's campuses to inform policymaking processes that improve health outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA found that for-profit hospices, which care for nearly 75% of Medicare patients, performed substantially worse than not-for-profit hospices. The study highlights the need for policy interventions to increase transparency and accountability in hospice ownership.
Researchers will develop a high-resolution PET scanner that can accurately detect amyloid plaques and tau tangles, enabling earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The portable scanner aims to improve accessibility and portability for underserved communities.
A large-scale clinical trial will enroll 644 children across the US to determine if adding acetaminophen or ketorolac to opioid-based pain control reduces pain in critically ill children. The study aims to improve pediatric intensive care worldwide by reducing side effects and increasing long-term patient outcomes.
Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have received $10 million in grants from the Starr Cancer Consortium to fund research on common cancers and related treatment strategies. The grants will support three teams led by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists, who plan to develop new methods for detecting and treating cancer.
Researchers discovered a mechanism used by ovarian tumors to cripple immune cells by blocking the energy supply T cells depend on. The discovery points toward a promising new immunotherapy approach for treating ovarian cancer.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine identified a unique enzyme called FTSJ1 that enables melanoma cells to escape oxidative stress and spread. By targeting this enzyme, therapies may prevent or treat metastasis with minimal side effects.
A new AI-based system, BELA, accurately assesses IVF embryo quality by analyzing time-lapse video images and maternal age. The system generates a predictive score for euploidy or aneuploidy, offering an objective measure of embryo quality.
A recent study published in eClinicalMedicine found that a combination of amubarvimab and romlusevimab did not reduce the occurrence of long COVID symptoms. The researchers assessed symptom diaries and health-related quality of life questionnaires, but saw no significant difference between treatment and placebo groups.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a biomarker that can predict which patients with liver cancer are likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The study found that high levels of the immune-suppressing protein NBR1 may identify patients who will not respond to treatment, while lowering NBR1 levels may help shrink tumors.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a virtual screening approach to identify small molecule drug candidates targeting cancer checkpoints. The method successfully identified two compounds with potential therapeutic activity against TIM-3 and VISTA inhibitory checkpoints.
A new magnetic gene therapy technology allows for precise control of specific brain circuits non-invasively with magnetic fields. The technology has shown promise in reducing abnormal movements in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, and may have potential applications for treating psychiatric disorders and chronic pain.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that antiviral enzymes and chemotherapy can cause early mutations in bladder cancer, leading to resistance to treatment. Complex circular DNA structures also play a key role in driving the progression of urothelial carcinoma, a common type of bladder cancer.
Removing protected class regulation from Medicare Part D policies could reduce US prescription drug spending, potentially saving $47 billion between 2011-2019. The study found that rebates for protected classes of drugs grew at a slower pace than non-protected classes.
A multicenter study found that specific KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer can affect patient outcomes, with some variants associated with better overall survival. The research suggests revising clinical guidelines to recommend routine molecular testing in all patients with pancreatic cancer.