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Pushing kidney-stone fragments reduces stones’ recurrence

A recent study found that using a handheld ultrasound device to nudge patients' kidney-stone fragments can significantly lower their risk of returning for another operation within five years. The procedure has been shown to reduce the recurrence rate by 70% in patients with small fragments remaining in the kidneys.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Urology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 19, 2024

Drug testing evolved

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a human iPS cell-derived kidney organoid-based proximal tubule-on-chip that mimics in vivo renal physiology. This model exhibits enhanced expression and polarity of essential renal transporters, making it a powerful tool for assessing drug transport and nephrotoxicity.

SourceKyoto University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 18, 2024

New method predicts worsening of chronic kidney disease

Researchers from Aarhus University developed a new method to predict which patients with chronic kidney failure are at risk of losing kidney function over time. The method analyzes acid-base balances in urine samples, revealing early signs of acid buildup that can be harmful to kidney function.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2024

Research spotlight: Radiology test can be used to diagnose immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury

F18-FDG PET-CT scans showed significantly higher levels of radioactively-labeled glucose in kidneys for patients with ICI-AKI compared to those with AKI from non-ICI causes. This suggests a potential non-invasive testing option for differentiating cause of AKI as being ICI-related vs. non-ICI-related.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 5, 2024

New study shows cells get involved in unhealthy relationships after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice

Researchers have identified key cellular interactions and microenvironments that contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides new insights into how damaged cells interact within disease-promoting microenvironments.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2024

Cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease

A Leipzig study found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) activates microglial cells, disrupting potassium balance in nerve cells and leading to cognitive impairment. Researchers identified a mechanism involving the blood-brain barrier and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Study shows donor kidneys with toxoplasma do not increase risks for transplant patients

Researchers analyzed 51,000 transplants and found rejection and graft failure rates were similar for toxoplasma-positive and negative donor kidneys. The study suggests it is safe to transplant toxoplasma-positive kidneys with additional monitoring, potentially increasing the supply of donor kidneys.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalTransplant International·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 8, 2024

Eating more fruits & vegetables to reduce dietary acid lowers blood pressure and improves kidney and heart health in patients with hypertension

A five-year randomized control trial found that diets high in fruits and vegetables lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve kidney health. The study also suggests that incorporating fruits and vegetables into treatment plans can be more effective than traditional medication approaches.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

ACE-ing protein detection in single cells

A new DNA-powered signal amplification technology called ACE significantly enhances the sensitivity of mass cytometry, enabling the detection of multiple proteins in single cells. This breakthrough allows researchers to investigate complex biological processes and study immune cell functions with unprecedented depth.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 30, 2024

Kidney dysfunction may predict sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure

A recent study published in ESC Heart Failure found that kidney dysfunction can be used as a criterion to stratify patients requiring implantable defibrillators. The research identified two key independent predictors for the risk of sudden cardiac death: left ventricular ejection fraction and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalESC Heart Failure·TypeObservational study·DateJul 29, 2024

New imaging technique reveals intracellular energy dynamics in kidney cells

A newly developed imaging system has allowed researchers to visualize ATP production and utilization in different kidney cell segments. The study found distinct ATP synthesis pathways in proximal tubules and podocytes, suggesting targeting these pathways could lead to more effective treatments for kidney diseases.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2024

Timing is everything: Study finds link between bowel movement frequency and overall health

Researchers found that bowel movement frequency is linked to long-term health, with younger people, women, and those with lower BMI tending to have less frequent bowel movements. The study also showed associations between bowel movement frequency and chronic disease risk, mental health history, and gut microbiome composition.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateJul 16, 2024

Researchers develop an AI model that predicts Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy survival

A UCLA-led team created a machine-learning model that can accurately predict short-term CRRT survival, providing a data-driven tool for clinical decision-making. The study aims to improve patient outcomes and resource use by serving as a basis for future clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 10, 2024

Combining popular diabetes drugs offers complementary heart and kidney benefits

Researchers found that combining sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and chronic kidney disease progression by 11% and 33%, respectively. The study suggests using this combination to further improve outcomes in patients with typ...

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 8, 2024

Would astronauts’ kidneys survive a roundtrip to Mars?

A new study found that astronauts' kidneys are 'remodelled' by space flight, with permanent damage and loss of function possible after extended periods. The researchers' findings highlight the importance of kidney health in space travel and may lead to the development of new technologies or pharmaceutical measures to protect astronauts.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024

Silkworms help grow better organ-like tissues in labs

Researchers at Duke University created an ultrathin silk membrane that helps cells grow into functional tissues used for research, enabling the development of kidney disease models. The new membrane improves communication and growth between cells, mimicking natural human organ structures.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Study finds older adults hospitalized for heart failure had high risk of kidney complications

Researchers found that 6% of patients with heart failure progressed to dialysis within a year, highlighting the need for integrating heart and kidney care. The study emphasizes prioritizing kidney function assessment in all patients with heart failure and promoting systemic changes to manage both conditions simultaneously.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2024

Semaglutide significantly reduces risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, groundbreaking study reveals

A groundbreaking study reveals semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Semaglutide also shows improved safety and efficacy profiles.

SourceBeyond·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2024

A long-term ketogenic diet accumulates aged cells in normal tissues, a UT Health San Antonio-led study shows

A new study led by UT Health San Antonio found that long-term ketogenic diets can induce senescence, or aged cells, in normal tissues, affecting heart and kidney function. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet regimen eliminated these pro-inflammatory effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2024

Analysis of previously unstudied areas of the human genome suggests people with more copies of ribosomal DNA have higher risks of developing disease

A new study analyzed 500,000 individuals and found a strong statistical association between rDNA copy number and well-established markers of systemic inflammation, as well as kidney function. The research suggests that wider genome analysis could bring opportunities for preventative diagnostics and novel therapeutics.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalCell Genomics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 14, 2024

Weight-loss surgery before kidney transplantation improves health and eligibility of patients with obesity and renal failure, Mayo Clinic study finds

A Mayo Clinic study found that laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy can improve the health and eligibility of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and obesity. The procedure reduced cardiovascular risks, including diabetes and hypertension, and improved access to kidney transplantation.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMay 2, 2024

First-ever combined heart pump and pig kidney transplant gives new hope to patient with terminal illness

A combined mechanical heart pump and gene-edited pig kidney transplant has given new hope to a patient with heart and kidney failure. The surgery was performed in two stages, first implanting the heart pump and later transplanting the gene-edited pig kidney. This innovative approach has shown promise for patients who would otherwise no...

Navigation software supports kidney research

Researchers developed a new computer method to clarify the question of whether protein excretion in the urine is caused by severely damaged or moderately damaged glomeruli. The technique uses three-dimensional image processing and a highly parallelized geometric algorithm to determine the fastest route on a two-dimensional map.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalKidney International·DateApr 10, 2024