New Mayo Clinic studies to be presented at American Society of Hematology meeting

Mayo Clinic researchers will present findings at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting Dec. 7–10 in Orlando.
New Mayo Clinic studies to be presented include:
DNA analysis identifies elevated risk factor for myeloma in individuals of African ancestry
Study identifies more precise assessment measures for patients newly diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Researchers develop method to assess cancer-fighting cell therapy’s effectiveness

Researchers identify ‘Achilles’ heel’ of drug-resistant superbug

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) have identified a protein that allows vancomycin-resistant enterococci to defy antibiotic treatment and immune system attacks. Their discovery opens the door for future treatment options in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Rutgers-led Team Launches Science and Medicine Research Initiative to Transform Health Care in New Jersey

At an event Thursday at Rutgers, thought leaders from academia, health care, government and the pharmaceutical industry discussed the future of scientific and clinical trial innovation in the state, as a result of an innovative consortium between Rutgers University, Princeton University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Study finds associations between rheumatoid arthritis, other diseases before and after diagnosis

A Mayo Clinic-led study involving 3,276 patients has found that people with inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes or blood clots may be at increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, also found that people who have rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing heart disease, blood clots and sleep apnea.

Experimental cholesterol-lowering drug effective at lowering bad cholesterol, study shows

Twice-yearly injections of an experimental cholesterol-lowering drug, inclisiran, were effective at reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called bad cholesterol, in patients already taking the maximum dose of statin drugs, according to data of the ORION-10 trial presented Saturday, Nov. 16, at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2019.

Dr. Shravani Mikkilineni Earns Top Honors in Ophthalmology Times® Research Scholar Program

Shravani Mikkilineni, M.D., MBA, resident physician in Henry Ford Health System’s Department of Ophthalmology, was recognized among the top five honorees in the third-annual Ophthalmology Times® Research Scholar Honoree Program, earning first place for her presented research, “T2 Magnetic Resonance Assay for Detection of Ocular Candidiasis.”

“Nudging” Heart Patients to Take Their Statins Leads to Better Medication Adherence and Better Patient Outcomes

In a new study presented to heart specialists from around the world, researchers at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute in Salt Lake City found that simple “nudges” in the form of texts, emails and phone calls, not only help patients fill that first statin prescription, but also continue to help them take their medications over the long term.

Common early sign of cardiovascular disease also may indicate cancer risk, study finds

A Mayo Clinic-led study involving 488 cardiac patients whose cases were followed for up to 12 years finds that microvascular endothelial dysfunction, a common early sign of cardiovascular disease, is associated with a greater than twofold risk of cancer.

The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, finds that microvascular endothelial dysfunction may be a useful marker for predicting risk of solid-tumor cancer, in addition to its known ability to predict more advanced cardiovascular disease, says Amir Lerman, M.D., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and the study’s senior author.

Alzheimer’s subtypes could affect future treatments, Mayo Clinic researchers find

Despite decades of scientific scrutiny, Alzheimer’s disease researchers have yet to work out its cause or treatment. Understanding what underlies its three distinct subtypes is thought to be a promising new research avenue.

In a new study in JAMA Neurology, a team of neuroscientists at Mayo Clinic in Florida led by Melissa Murray, Ph.D., examined a key region of the brain and found that patterns of Alzheimer’s-related damage differed by subtype and age of onset.

Chronic kidney disease patients at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, Mayo Clinic study finds

Chronic kidney disease, which afflicts an estimated 6.4% of U.S. adults 45 and older, is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes, according to new research from Mayo Clinic.

Society is Rejecting Facts; Medical Researchers Can Help

Anecdotes, fake news and social media have created a skeptical and misinformed public who is rejecting the facts. A commentary says that medical researchers must help the public understand the rigorous process of science and help them to discern an anecdote from peer-reviewed scientific results. The best way to do this? By continuing to ensure integrity, rigor, reproducibility and replication of their science and to earn the public’s trust by being morally responsible and completely free of any influences.

CNS Publishes Guidelines for Pediatric Myelomeningocele

The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) has developed an evidence-based guideline for the treatment of patients with myelomeningocele. Executive summaries of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Pediatric Myelomeningocele were published today in Neurosurgery. Full text of the guidelines can also be found on cns.org.

Mayo Clinic No. 1 in Phoenix and Arizona on U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings

Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona is again ranked No. 1 in Arizona and the Phoenix metro area, and No. 18 nationally, by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the third time that Mayo Clinic has been recognized with two hospitals on U.S. News & World Report’s”Best Hospitals Honor Roll,” which includes the top 20 hospitals in the nation. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 nationally. The results were published July 30 on the U.S. News & World Report website.

The Congress of Neurological Surgeons Approves $1 Million Gift to the CNS Foundation

The Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) voted unanimously during its winter Executive Committee meeting to approve a $1 million gift to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Foundation (CNS Foundation). The CNS Foundation’s mission is to improve worldwide patient health by supporting innovative programs that allow neurosurgeons to collaborate globally as researchers, learners, educators and caregivers.