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Johns Hopkins

All articles tagged with #johns hopkins

Johns Hopkins Develops Nasal DNA Vaccine to Augment TB Treatment
science2 days ago

Johns Hopkins Develops Nasal DNA Vaccine to Augment TB Treatment

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have created a therapeutic, intranasal DNA vaccine against tuberculosis by fusing RelMtb with Mip3α. When used with standard TB drug therapy, it strengthened lung and systemic immunity, sped bacterial clearance, reduced lung inflammation, and prevented relapse in mice, with durable immune responses observed in nonhuman primates, suggesting a path toward human trials and the potential to shorten TB treatment, including for drug-resistant strains.

Half-Matched Bone Marrow Transplant Brings Pain-Free Life to Sickle Cell Patient
health21 days ago

Half-Matched Bone Marrow Transplant Brings Pain-Free Life to Sickle Cell Patient

A woman diagnosed with sickle cell disease at 2 months old is cured after a haploidentical bone marrow transplant from her 50% genetic match at Johns Hopkins; she woke up pain-free the same day and by January 2025 was off pain medications, with doctors citing a 94% disease-free survival rate for this approach, signaling a potential cure for many sickle cell patients.

Psilocybin shows promise to beat nicotine patches for quitting smoking
health26 days ago

Psilocybin shows promise to beat nicotine patches for quitting smoking

A Johns Hopkins study found that a single high dose of psilocybin paired with cognitive behavioral therapy helped more smokers quit after six months than nicotine patches, with 17 abstinent in the psilocybin group versus 4 in the patch group and roughly 50% fewer cigarettes on average between the quit date and six-month follow-up. The study notes limitations (no placebo, participants were mostly educated and not racially diverse, and many had prior psychedelic experience) and plans a larger trial to confirm efficacy and explore scalability and cost-efficiency.

Speed-Based Brain Training May Lower Dementia Risk by 25%
health1 month ago

Speed-Based Brain Training May Lower Dementia Risk by 25%

A Johns Hopkins–led follow-up to the ACTIVE trial finds that a speed-based brain-training game called Double Decision, available on BrainHQ, reduced dementia risk by about 25% over 20 years for older adults who completed months of training with booster sessions. The benefit is thought to arise from implicit learning and neuroplastic changes, with lasting effects; only the speed game showed advantages among memory and problem-solving games. The program is accessible today and can complement regular exercise and a Mediterranean-style diet for dementia prevention.

Vera Rubin Observatory: Revolutionizing Earth-Based Astronomy in 2025
science6 months ago

Vera Rubin Observatory: Revolutionizing Earth-Based Astronomy in 2025

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a new mathematical algorithm called ImageMM that significantly improves the clarity of images captured by ground-based telescopes by effectively correcting atmospheric distortions, potentially rivaling space telescopes in image quality while maintaining the ability to survey large areas of the sky.

New Study Challenges Traditional Views on Neuron Structure
science1 year ago

New Study Challenges Traditional Views on Neuron Structure

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that axons in brain cells resemble a string of pearls rather than smooth tubes, challenging a century-old assumption about neuron structure. This finding, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggests that axon shape significantly impacts brain signaling and could influence our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. The study used advanced imaging techniques and mathematical modeling to explore how membrane mechanics affect axon morphology and function, potentially necessitating revisions in biology textbooks.

"Scientists Clash Over Origin of Mysterious Interstellar Object"
science2 years ago

"Scientists Clash Over Origin of Mysterious Interstellar Object"

Scientists from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and elsewhere are embroiled in a dispute over the origin of a mystery object, with Harvard astrophysicist Dr. Avi Loeb claiming that metal spheres found off the coast of Papua New Guinea are of interstellar origin, while critics argue that the evidence does not support this conclusion. A new analysis of earthquake-sensor data suggests that the sensor may have picked up the rumblings of a truck rather than an interstellar meteor, leading to a heated exchange between the two camps. The debate centers on the interpretation of seismic and infrasound data to determine the crash site of the object, known as IM1, with both sides presenting conflicting analyses and accusations of unprofessionalism.

"Breakthrough: Blood Test Predicts Psychiatric Disorder Risks and Brain-Related Changes"
healthtech2 years ago

"Breakthrough: Blood Test Predicts Psychiatric Disorder Risks and Brain-Related Changes"

Johns Hopkins researchers are making progress in developing a blood test that could detect changes in the brain associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders by examining extracellular vesicles in the blood, which carry messenger RNA reflecting changes in brain tissues. This advancement could lead to early detection of mental health emergencies and the development of a simple blood test for identifying brain disorders involving mood, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and substance abuse. The researchers also hope their work will pave the way for the next generation of prenatal tests, enabling doctors to screen for health issues in babies by drawing blood from the mother.

"Rising Concerns: The Emergence of COVID-19 Variant JN.1"
health2 years ago

"Rising Concerns: The Emergence of COVID-19 Variant JN.1"

The JN.1 COVID variant, initially responsible for less than 5% of US cases, now accounts for over 60%. Virologists, including Johns Hopkins' Andy Pekosz, emphasize the continued effectiveness of vaccines, tests, and antivirals against the surge. Pekosz stresses the importance of updated COVID-19 vaccines and urges more people to get vaccinated to combat the new variant.

Understanding the Concerns: A Johns Hopkins Scientist Analyzes the Uptick in Covid Cases
health2 years ago

Understanding the Concerns: A Johns Hopkins Scientist Analyzes the Uptick in Covid Cases

Shaun Truelove, an associate scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, discusses the uptick in COVID-19 cases and the impact of new variants. While the situation is still unclear, Truelove emphasizes that the new variants are not necessarily driving the increase in cases. He suggests that people should not worry excessively about the variants themselves, but rather focus on getting vaccinated and taking personal precautions like wearing masks. Truelove explains that the virus changes over time, and immunity from previous infections and vaccinations may wane, leading to the emergence of new variants. However, he believes that the current level of immunity in the population makes it unlikely for lockdowns or shutdowns to be necessary. Truelove recommends continued vigilance, including wearing masks and practicing good hygiene, to help control the spread of the virus.