Methodology could lead to identification of new markers for cancers, other diseases Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new molecular tool they call EXoO, which decodes where on proteins specific sugars are attached—a possible modification due to disease. The study, published in issue 14 of Molecular Systems Biology, describes the development of the tool and its successful use on human blood, tumors and immune cells. Half of all proteins made in human cells have sugar molecules attached to them, the most common of which are N-glycans and O-glycans. Until now, O-glycans have been more difficult to study because … Continue reading →

New study reveals that the largest population of human tissue macrophages, liver macrophages, do not contain infectious forms of HIV In a proof-of-principle study, researchers at Johns Hopkins revealed that certain immune system cells found in the human liver, called liver macrophages, contain only inert HIV and aren’t likely to reproduce infection on their own in HIV-infected people on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is a regimen containing combinations of HIV-targeting drugs that prevents the growth of the virus but does not eradicate it. The report on the findings, published in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, … Continue reading →

Johns Hopkins researchers have analyzed patient data from 45 cases of what they thought was acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), the polio-like outbreak occurring in U.S. children, and realized that only 75 percent of diagnosed cases were AFM. The researchers say they hope that clearer diagnostic criteria identified in their study, published on Nov. 30 in JAMA Pediatrics, will help patients receive the right treatment for their diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) defines AFM as weakness in one or more arms or legs as well as damage to the gray matter of the spinal cord as detected … Continue reading →

Dear SAFE User Community: I wanted to share some good news with you: beginning Monday, December 3, when you log in to the SAFE desktop, you will connect to an upgraded desktop with 16 GB of memory (RAM) and 6  processors (CPU). The current hardware supports 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPUs. We value your input and constructive feedback. If you have any issues with using the SAFE desktop or with the applications provisioned with the desktop, please call the IT Help Desk at 410-955-HELP (4357) so that a support ticket can be logged and escalated to the correct … Continue reading →

Laboratory study hints that plant compounds may be better than current antibiotics at treating persistent Lyme bacteria and associated symptoms Oils from garlic and several other common herbs and medicinal plants show strong activity against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. These oils may be especially useful in alleviating Lyme symptoms that persist despite standard antibiotic treatment, the study also suggests. The study, published Oct. 16 in the journal Antibiotics, included lab-dish tests of 35 essential oils—oils that are pressed from plants or their fruits and … Continue reading →

Study results suggest that common breast cancer therapies induce bone loss, even for women age 50 or younger Women diagnosed with breast cancer who are 50 or younger face a much higher risk of the bone-loss condition osteoporosis compared to women of the same age who do not have cancer. The findings, which complement prior research showing higher bone-loss risk in older breast cancer survivors, come from a study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study, published Nov. 13 in the journal Breast Cancer Research, compared the rates of osteoporosis and a less severe bone-loss … Continue reading →

Highlighting 20 Years of Advancing Research and Practice at Johns Hopkins and Beyond The Johns Hopkins Biostatistics Center (JHBC) is hosting a showcase, Friday, December 7 beginning at 11:45 am in the Woods Basic Science Building. JHBC plans to share how they’ve collaborated to enhance the quality and efficiency of research and practice at JHMI. The showcase will feature 5 grand-rounds presentations with leading JHMI researchers and JHBC consultants demonstrating various statistical methods: design and analysis of multi-cohort survey data longitudinal data analysis in large observational studies analysis of complex hierarchically-structured data data management solutions multi-center clinical trials with unconventional … Continue reading →

Findings underscore need to find alternatives and supplements to opioids, researchers say In a study tracking the severe crisis pain of sickle cell disease and its management in 73 adults over a period of a year, Johns Hopkins researchers found that even among those on high doses of daily at-home opioids, a persistent subset was more likely to seek emergency hospital care for crisis pain and was less likely to have the pain controlled by intensive treatment. The researchers say their findings, described in the September issue of the American Journal of Hematology, underscore the persistent difficulties, poor patient outcomes … Continue reading →

        The National Cancer Institute (NCI)’s Speeding Research-tested INTerventions (SPRINT) program is designed to foster an innovation ecosystem for interventionists by providing real-world, hands-on training on how to transform innovations in cancer control into market-ready products and services. ELIGIBILITY NCI-funded investigators with either a currently active R01 grant (that is at least in year 2) or an R01 that was completed after January 1, 2014, are eligible to apply. The focus of the R01 grant must be on the design, testing, delivery, and/or implementation of an intervention or tool to advance cancer prevention and control. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS … Continue reading →

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say they have added to evidence that measuring and monitoring tumor DNA that naturally circulates in the blood of melanoma patients can not only reliably help reveal the early stages of cancer growth and spread but can also uncover new treatment options that tumor genetic analysis alone may not. “For some patients in our study, ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) levels measured in a relatively simple blood test revealed tumor mutations that could be potentially targeted with current or new drugs that inhibit tumor growth mutations that are not revealed by genetic profiling … Continue reading →

Slow reading rate can significantly disrupt day to day tasks that require visual concentration for long periods of time. Johns Hopkins researchers report that chronic dry eye, a condition in which natural tears fail to adequately lubricate the eyes, can slow reading rate and significantly disrupt day to day tasks that require visual concentration for long periods of time. In a study of 186 adults, published online Nov. 15, in Optometry and Vision Science, dry eye specialists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say the condition can slow a person’s reading speed by as much as 10 percent and can make it … Continue reading →