News Top Picks: Medical Research

Johns Hopkins and Family of Henrietta Lacks Break Ground on Building Named in Honor of Henrietta Lacks

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:45:11 EST

The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine, together with descendants of Henrietta Lacks, broke ground today on the future site of the building named in honor of Mrs. Lacks, the Baltimore County woman whose HeLa cells have contributed to medical advancements around the world.

Dramatic Drop in Marijuana Use Among U.S. Youth Over a Decade: (2011 to 2021)

Florida Atlantic University — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:30:36 EST

Among 88,183 U.S. high school students, marijuana use declined from 23.1% in 2011 to 15.8% in 2021, with first-time use before age 13 dropping from 8.1% to 4.9%. In 2021, use was highest among 12th graders (22.4%) and 11th graders (18.7%). Notably, girls (17.8%) surpassed boys (13.6%) in reported use in 2021, reversing past trends. While Asian, Hispanic, and white adolescents saw declines, Black adolescents had a higher usage rate of 20.5% in 2021, indicating ongoing racial disparities.

Advancing Care of a Devastating Disease Through Gene Therapy

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 07:00:38 EST

A new international trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of gene therapy in patients with Hurler syndrome and will compare results of gene therapy against BMT which is the current standard of care. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals are among three sites in the U.S. and seven in the world now enrolling patients for the clinical trial.

New Clinical Advances in Gastroenterology Presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 89th Annual Scientific Meeting

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 12:00:00 EST

Gastroenterologists and other GI health care professionals will convene at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA, for the premier clinical gastroenterology event--the American College of Gastroenterology's 89th Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course (ACG 2024).

James Tracy Installed as ACAAI President

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 08:00:00 EST

Allergist James Tracy, DO, of Omaha, NE, was installed as president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) at the ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting on October 27 in Boston. Allergist Cherie Zachary, MD, of Eagan, MN, was elected ACAAI president-elect.

James Tracy Es Nombrado Presidente Del ACAAI

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 08:00:00 EST

El alergista James Tracy, DO (Doctor en Medicina Osteopatica), de Omaha, NE, fue instalado como presidente del Colegio Americano de Alergia, Asma e Inmunologia (ACAAI) en la Reunion Cientifica Anual del ACAAI el 27 de octubre en Boston. La alergista Cherie Zachary, MD, de Eagan, Minnesota, fue elegida presidenta electa del ACAAI.

Preclinical Studies Test Novel Gene Therapy for Treating IgA Nephropathy

American Society of Nephrology (ASN) — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 19:30:00 EST

IgA nephropathy is an autoimmune kidney disease, and complement, a component of the innate immune system, plays a role in the condition's pathogenesis. Investigators have developed and tested a novel gene therapy that enters kidney cells and enables them to block complement activation. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23- 27.

Global, National, and Regional Trends in the Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease among Women

American Society of Nephrology (ASN) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 19:30:00 EST

A recent analysis reveals that the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in women around the globe nearly tripled in the past three decades. Also, type 2 diabetes and hypertension were the leading causes of CKD-related deaths in women. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23- 27.

Researchers Identify Potential Prenatal Biomarkers of Congenital Heart Diseases

Nationwide Children's Hospital — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:00:21 EST

Single ventricle heart diseases (SVHDs), the most severe type of congenital heart disease require immediate treatment after birth. A growing number of fetal therapies make the benefits of early diagnosis even more important.

Lymph Node-Like Structures May Trigger the Demise of Cancer Tumors

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 05:00:00 EST

A newly described stage of a lymph node-like structure seen in liver tumors after presurgical immunotherapy may be vital to successfully treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a study by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

UCLA Researchers Uncover Novel Role of Protein GPNMB in Heart Repair

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 05:00:00 EST

UCLA scientists have identified the protein GPNMB as a critical regulator in the heart's healing process after a heart attack.

New JNCCN Study Suggests Medicaid Expansion Improves Cancer Care and Survival for People with Aggressive Type of Breast Cancer

National Comprehensive Cancer Network(r) (NCCN(r)) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 09:00:00 EST

New study in JNCCN-Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network that finds that people diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer subtype (HR-negative, HER2-positive) are more likely to live longer in states that participate in Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

LLNL Researchers Discover Promising New Treatment to Counteract the Effects of Fentanyl for Overdose Cases

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 08:00:00 EST

A team of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers has discovered a promising new treatment to counteract the effects of fentanyl and related opioids.

When Nerve Pain and Numbness Are Linked to Long COVID

Yale School of Medicine — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:45:18 EST

Welcome to Long COVID Dispatches. Our goal is to keep you informed of the best and newest information on Long COVID. My name is Dr. Lisa Sanders, and I'm an internist on the faculty of the Yale School of Medicine and the medical director of Yale New Haven Health's Multidisciplinary Long COVID Care Center.

Plant CO2 Uptake Rises by Nearly One Third in New Global Estimates

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:45:51 EST

Plants the world over are absorbing about 31% more carbon dioxide than previously thought, according to a new assessment developed by scientists.

RPI Alzheimer's Disease Research Program Gets Multimillion-Dollar Boost

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:40:30 EST

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has been awarded two grants by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to train graduate students on Alzheimer's disease (AD) research and commercialization. NIA is one of the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary federal agency supporting and conducting AD research.

National Poll: Many Teens Use Protein Supplements for Muscle Growth, Sports Performance

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:15:00 EST

Protein bars, shakes and powders are increasingly popular among adults - but many teens may be jumping on the bandwagon too.

Light-AI Technology Opens the Door to Early Cancer Diagnosis

National Research Council of Science and Technology — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:00:10 EST

A research team led by Dr. Ho Sang Jung of the Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science has developed an innovative sensor material that amplifies the optical signals of cancer metabolites in body fluids (saliva, mucus, urine, etc.) and analyzes them using artificial intelligence to diagnose cancer.

New Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa Shows Promise

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 16:00:56 EST

New research suggests that a new kind of gene therapy can improve vision in people who have lost nearly all sight to retinitis pigmentosa.

3D Printed Eyeglasses Help Save Children's Sight in Remote, Underserved Communities

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:10:44 EST

New study shows customized eyeglasses successfully addressed children's complex eye needs.

Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Thomas K. Varghese Jr. Named Next JACS Editor-In-Chief

American College of Surgeons (ACS) — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 14:00:30 EST

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has named Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, MBA, FACS, MAMSE, as the next Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

Considering Cataract Surgery? It Could Save Your Life

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 09:15:25 EST

New study finds untreated cataracts linked to higher risk of fractures and dangerous brain bleeds due to falls.

ACI Report Offers "State of the Science" on In Vitro Methods for Cleaning Product Safety Assessment

American Cleaning Institute — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:15:01 EST

The use of in vitro new approach methodologies (NAMs) to assess the potential for respiratory irritation depends on several factors, including the specifics of exposure methods and cell/tissue-based test systems. A new workshop report co-authored by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) examines this topic in the context of human health risk assessment for cleaning products as discussed at a 1-day public workshop held in March 2023.

Could Light Therapy Treat Dry AMD?

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:00:34 EST

New study shows a non-invasive, painless laser can reduce risk of vision loss from dry AMD.

Researchers Identify New Protein Pathway, Biological Function Important for Cell Migration, Cancer Metastasis

University of North Carolina School of Medicine — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:30:58 EST

A new study by researchers at the UNC School of Medicine has identified a new biological function of 2'3'-cGAMP in the control of cell migration and cancer metastasis. This research also provides further insights into statin drugs that block cell migration.