Health Newsfeed – Johns Hopkins Medicine Podcasts

NPTX2 is a protein that’s pivotal for helping your brain decide to remember certain things and forget others, and when levels of it decline it suggests that neurodegenerative processes like dementia may be beginning. That’s according to research by Paul … A protein that’s made in your brain at night helps you remember things, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Many theories on how brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease begin point to proteins called amyloid beta and tau as accumulating and disrupting the function of neurons. Research by neuroscientist Paul Worley and colleagues at Johns Hopkins points to declining levels … How do neurodegenerative diseases begin? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

You probably know how complex your brain function is, relying on a delicately balanced system full of proteins that act as signals and specialized nerve and structural cells. Turns out there is an interplay of some neurons being shut down … A change in a protein in the brain signals possible neurocognitive disorders, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

NPTX2 is the abbreviation for a protein found in the brain that may allow much more accurate prognosis of who’s at risk for developing neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. That’s according to Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Paul Worley, … Accurately predicting who’s at risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease may now be easier, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Proteins known as tau and beta amyloid have been part of the dialogue on Alzheimer’s disease development for many years, with methods to measure them and drugs to remove them active areas of research. Another protein involved in the process … What can proteins in the blood and elsewhere teach us about developing dementia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Sickle cell disease was thought to be cured using gene therapy, but longer term follow up reveals that while the condition improves many are not cured. Now a new approach developed at Johns Hopkins and around the world uses ‘half-matched’ … Sickle cell disease should be treated with a half-matched donor approach, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Gene therapy for sickle cell disease has a breathtaking price tag of 2-3 million dollars per person, and for some people who receive it, is doesn’t actually cure the condition. That’s according to Richard Brodsky, a sickle cell expert at … Gene therapy for sickle cell disease often isn’t a cure, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Headlines have announced that sickle cell disease can be cured with gene therapy. Now there’s a better way developed at Johns Hopkins and other centers around the world, using what are called ‘half-matched donors,’ to give new bone marrow to … A new technique is better than gene therapy for curing sickle cell disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Bone marrow transplants used to be limited to just those people with sickle cell disease who could receive bone marrow from a matched donor. Rick Jones, an expert in blood disorders and cancers at Johns Hopkins, and colleagues have just … A new technique cures most people with sickle cell disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Sickle cell disease is a genetic abnormality that causes red blood cells to sickle instead of being round, and a host of problems result, including excruciatingly painful sickle cell crises. Rick Jones, an expert in blood disorders and cancer at … What’s the best way to cure sickle cell disease? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Improvements in breast cancer detection and treatment have resulted in improved survival, but now those improvements seem to have stalled, a new analysis shows. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, says two groups of women … Breast cancer survival rates have stalled, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are cancer drugs that for many have been a lifeline. Yet they are associated with a range of reactions that really need to be cataloged so they’re easier to recognize, some experts argue. Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer … Possible impacts of new cancer drugs need to be cataloged, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Microplastics you’ve inhaled and eaten are found all over your body, a recent study shows, and while no one knows exactly how they’re impacting your health, odds are they aren’t good for you. Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson at … How might microplastics be related to cancer risk? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Microplastics are formed from the breakdown of plastics in the environment, and they’ve now been found in many places in the human body, a new study reveals. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, says it’s … Your body has microplastics in many places, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Breathing through your mouth makes health issues from dryer air even worse, says David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins. His recent study shows the deleterious impact of dry air on our respiratory system but says there are … There are things you can do to help protect your respiratory health even with dryer air and poor air quality, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Very tiny particles known as PM2.5 are a part of pollutants in the air, and have been shown to negatively affect health. Ditto for warming temperatures, which dry out our respiratory system, research by David Edwards, a respiratory health expert … How is poor air quality related to dry air and respiratory health? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Dry air just isn’t good for your respiratory health, new research by David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins, has shown. Dry air makes mucus thicker and harder to expel, and traps both toxins and pathogens in our … Does dry air contribute to more respiratory infections? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

When you’re in an environment where the air is dry, a whole cascade of responses renders you more susceptible to respiratory conditions and diseases. That’s according to research by respiratory health expert David Edwards at Johns Hopkins. Edwards: It's understood … How are dry air and respiratory disease connected? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

As our planet warms, relative humidity hasn’t changed much but evaporation rate has increased, so things are dryer. This is a prescription for increased respiratory problems, says David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins.  Edwards: We took airway … Dry airways and inflammation are linked, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Climate change and increasing temperatures are already taking a toll on your health, research by David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins, has shown.  Edwards: Airway mucosa is drying out, like the earth's top soil with warming temperatures, … What are increasing global temperatures doing to your airways? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Findings on a routine EEG called sleep spindles may be helpful in determining if a nonresponsive person who’s had a brain injury will recover, a new study reveals. Susanne Muehlschlegel, a critical care neurologist at Johns Hopkins, says this may … How is the decision on how long to continue life sustaining treatment made? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

If someone has suffered a brain injury and is on life support, determining when to cease that treatment is challenging if they haven’t recovered consciousness, with a new study identifying something called sleep spindles, seen on EEG, as helpful. Johns … Is two weeks long enough to determine if someone will recover consciousness? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Deciding when to stop life sustaining treatment for someone who’s unconscious after brain injury may be easier now that a new study identifies sleep spindles, which can be seen on electroencephalograms, or EEGs, along with other testing, to predict who … How long should someone remain on life support? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Something called sleep spindles are spikes that show up in an electroencephalogram, or EEG, and may help predict whether someone  who’s had a brain injury will regain consciousness, new research shows. Johns Hopkins critical care neurologist Susanne Muehlschlegel says this adds … Sleep spindles may help discern who may regain consciousness, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

When a patient is not responsive following a traumatic brain injury it is very difficult to tell when or if they’ll recover. A recent study may help by identifying characteristic tracings on an electroencephalogram, or EEG, that may be associated … It’s always a challenge when someone is unresponsive to determine how active their brain is, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Shingles is a skin infection that results from reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox. It can occur in areas like the eye where it may compromise vision, and is also associated with persistent and unremitting pain at the … The shingles vaccine is on the do not miss list, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Vaccines against human papilloma virus or HPV have been shown to dramatically reduce the rates of cervical cancer among recipients, data over decades now shows. Vaccine expert Anna Durbin at Johns Hopkins says males who receive the vaccine also reap … Vaccines against human papilloma virus reduce cancers, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Among the many advances seen while Covid was rampant, mRNA vaccines stand out. That’s according to Anna Durbin, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins. Durbin: These mRNA vaccines are very safe. mRNA itself the way it's presented to you it's … After billions of doses, mRNA vaccines have demonstrated their safety, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

The technology that produced the vaccines against Covid relies on a type of RNA known as messenger RNA. Johns Hopkins vaccine expert Anna Durbin explains why utilizing this approach stimulates an effective immune response. Durbin: What we like about mRNA … Why are mRNA vaccines effective? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

RNA stands for ribonucleic acid, and since the development of Covid vaccines a class of it known as ‘messenger RNA’ or mRNA for short has been much in the news. Anna Durbin, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins, explains a … What is RNA and how is it used in vaccines? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

It’s probably not high on your fun list to go and get vaccinated, so can more than one vaccine be given at a time so you can minimize the number of visits you need? Yes, says Anna Durbin, a vaccine … Should you get more than one vaccine at a time? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

The majority of flu vaccines are grown in eggs, so people with egg allergies would avoid them. Johns Hopkins vaccine expert Anna Durbin says that landscape has changed. Durbin: The original flu vaccines the way they're made is we pick … If you are allergic to eggs should you avoid flu vaccines? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

You probably know people who got the Covid vaccines but still got the illness, sometimes multiple times. Ditto for flu vaccines. Before you simply choose not to be vaccinated, consider some facts about vaccines offered by Anna Durbin, a vaccine … Why might you get an illness even when you’ve been vaccinated? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

You may recall hearing that this year’s flu vaccine was 40-60% effective against the flu. Why isn’t it more effective? Anna Durbin, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins, explains that’s a function of the process that’s used to make the … Why is the flu vaccine sometimes more effective than other times? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Vaccines are public health success stories, with the most effective ones often what’s called ‘live attenuated,’ meaning they do replicate in our bodies but don’t cause infection. Vaccine expert Anna Durbin at Johns Hopkins says there are people who shouldn’t … Who shouldn’t take a live vaccine? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

One way to avoid the reported epidemic of insomnia is to create a routine you follow before you go to bed, resetting your brain to prepare for sleep. That’s according to sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins. Gamaldo: There's … How should you create a sleep routine? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Insomnia appears to be epidemic in the US in some studies, with additional data suggesting the problem is growing. Johns Hopkins sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo says there are things you can do to prevent insomnia. Gramaldo: Blue light wavelength suppresses … What can you do to protect yourself from developing insomnia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Apple watches and other electronic self-monitoring tools may up the risk that you might think you have insomnia when you don’t. That’s according to Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins. Gramaldo: All of our devices are great from … Could your electronic devices mislead you into thinking you have insomnia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Everyone has trouble at times falling asleep or staying asleep, but when does that become the diagnosis of insomnia, and when should you seek help? Sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins offers a few metrics. Gamaldo: How much time … What questions should you ask yourself if you suspect you may have insomnia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

When you experience interrupted sleep it can quickly progress to feeling exhausted, but when should you consult a physician about it? Sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins says it never hurts to ask the question. At baseline everybody's going … When should you be concerned that you may have a sleep problem? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Good quality, regular sleep is vital to your health, with many studies finding that when it’s not you are at higher risk for a range of health consequences. Johns Hopkins sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo says you should be asked about … Should sleep be assessed just like blood pressure or vision? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Many millions of people worldwide complain of insomnia, putting them at risk for poor health outcomes. Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins, says while it is tempting to just turn to a medicine to help you sleep, that’s … Solving sleep problems starts with an assessment, Elizabeth Tracey reports. Read More »

While it’s been observed that disease and poor sleep seem to sort together, ongoing research is looking into the why of it. Johns Hopkins sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo says a couple of possible causes have emerged. Gamaldo: A couple of … How might compromised sleep put one at risk for poorer health outcomes? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

If your sleep is chronically interrupted or too long or short in duration, you may be at increased risk for some types of cancer, research suggests. Sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins says it’s unclear whether sleep quality puts … Is compromised sleep related to the development of cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Sleep is increasingly being recognized as important in human maladies. Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins, says sleep quality is important in both management and prevention strategies. Gamaldo: How is sleep potentially impacting the management and the progression … Increasingly sleep is recognized as a modifiable risk factor for disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Blood in your urine, so-called hematuria, is fairly common, with a new genetic test being studied to rule out bladder cancer as a cause. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, says such a test would … Does blood in your urine mean you have cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Blood in your urine is definitely a reason to seek medical attention, and for many people cancer is a top concern. Now a new genetic test that can spot changes in the DNA known as mutations can help rule out … Can a genetic test spot bladder cancer in people who have blood in their urine? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy translates to chemotherapy for cancer before surgery, with a recent study demonstrating its benefit for people with esophagus cancer. Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson at Johns Hopkins says this strategy is time tested. Nelson: Neoadjuvant therapy is … Are there advantages to receiving chemotherapy for cancer before surgery? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Cancer of the esophagus is a tough cancer to treat, and more people worldwide are developing it. A recent study compares one regimen giving chemotherapy and radiation before surgery versus another strategy using four chemotherapy drugs plus surgery. William Nelson, … What is the best way to treat esophageal cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Pain in nerves, called neuropathy, is more common when a couple types of cancer drugs are used or when someone has lung cancer versus other types of cancer, a new study concludes. Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson … Is it possible to catch nerve pain early in cancer treatment and minimize it? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »