Latest news with #WashU
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Found a Secret Weapon That May Stop Blindness Before It Starts
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in people over the age of 50, and while there are treatments, there are few options to stop the degradation in its tracks once the disease has taken hold. A new study finds that the molecule apolipoprotein M, or ApoM—known for its protective and anti-inflammatory qualities—could help clear away vision-damaging cholesterol deposits as they accumulate in the retina. Not only could an increased dose of ApoM in the bloodstream help ward off AMD, the molecule could be useful in treating certain heart ailments as well. The human eye is a wonder of evolution, but it's also host to a variety of maladies that can make a once clear, crisp, and colorful world a dull and blurry one. One of the most prevalent of these vision-based ailments is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—when the central part of our retina (the macula) begins to waste away. This begins with changes in the retinal pigmented epithelium, which guard the inside and outside of the retinal, as they begin failing to clear waste away from the eye. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50, and the disease leads to an overall loss of central vision, which is needed for reading, driving, and recognizing faces (all pretty important stuff). Now, a team of researchers—led by scientists at Washington University (WashU) in St. Louis—has found a handy molecule that could possibly help treat AMD as well as certain ailments in the heart. Known as apolipoprotein M, or ApoM, this molecule is a lipocalin (an extracellular protein capable of transporting hydrophobic molecules) that binds with the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate, or S1p. The new study found that when this protein was increased in the bloodstream, it helped clear away the cholesterol-rich deposits in the eye that lead to AMD. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications. 'Current therapies that reduce the chance of further vision loss are limited to only the most advanced stages of macular degeneration and do not reverse the disease,' Rajendra S. Apte, the senior author of the study from WashU, said in a press statement. 'Our findings suggest that developing treatments that increase ApoM levels could treat or even prevent the disease and therefore preserve people's vision as they age.' These cholesterol deposits are only the beginning of a patient's problems when experiencing AMD. Someone might not experience any vision loss in the early stages of this disease, but the deposits eventually increase inflammation and eventually lead to 'dry' macular degeneration caused by geographic atrophy—a kind of neurodegeneration that's also found in Alzheimer's patients. While treatable, this advanced stage of AMD is not reversible. However, new treatment using ApoM—which, in recent years, has been shown to be a protective molecule with anti-inflammatory attributes—could potentially stop AMD before it develops past the point of no return. When tested in mice, the rodents showed evidence of improved retinal health, including both better performance from light-sensing cells in the retina and reduced cholesterol build-up. Of course, there's another area of the body particularly sensitive to cholesterol—the heart. Amazingly, the researchers also found that ApoM could also play a pivotal role in treating certain heart diseases. 'One of the exciting things about this collaboration is realizing the links between retinal pigment epithelial cells and heart muscle cells, which are both vulnerable to low ApoM,' Ali Javeheri, a co-author of the study from WashU, said in a press statement. 'It is possible that the interaction between ApoM and S1P is regulating cholesterol metabolism in both cell types.' The eye is undoubtedly one of the most impressive organs we have, and a new era of vision medicine aims to keep it that way, even as we age through the years. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
The Star
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Tailored mindfulness techniques for different types of anxiety
Although mindfulness is generally useful in easing anxiety and stress, it doesn't work the same for everybody. — AFP In a world full of constant obligations, notifications and pressures, it's becoming urgent to find simple ways of making our daily lives more manageable. Mindfulness is one such practice, and it's gaining ground. Now, an American study suggests that different kinds of mindfulness practices might be helpful for different types of anxiety. Mindfulness has its roots in traditional meditation techniques. It involves embracing the present moment and accepting it as it is, without judgement. You breathe, feel and observe your thoughts, without trying to change them. Once seen as a spiritual practice, it has now gained legitimacy in the therapeutic field. And with good reason: it has proven its effectiveness in tackling anxiety and stress. But mindfulness doesn't work in the same way for everyone. So why does it work better for some people? And above all, how can we adapt this practice to each individual? This is the subject of a study published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews . Its authors suggest adjusting the form of mindfulness practised according to the type of anxiety experienced. The results are based on solid data and confirm what many people feel, without always being able to explain it. 'A lot of research has shown that mindfulness can reduce anxiety symptoms,' explains study co-author and Washington University (WashU) in Saint Louis' Mindfulness Science & Practice research cluster postdoctoral research associate Dr Resh Gupta in a news release. 'We all experience anxiety, but it can manifest in many different ways. 'It's a tough problem to pin down.' To find out more, the researchers explored how the brain works, in particular, what is known as cognitive control. This function helps us stay focused, resist distractions and make choices in line with our intentions. Anxiety, however, scrambles this mechanism. It invades the mind, upsetting priorities and complicating decision-making. Conversely, mindfulness can reinforce this ability to stay on course. Moreover, certain techniques are more suited to different profiles. Focused-attention mindfulness meditation, for example, enables people experiencing a lot of anxious thoughts to focus on an anchor point such as breathing. 'You keep bringing your attention back to that anchor every time your mind wanders. 'Instead of focusing on the worry, you're focusing on the present moment experience,' Dr Gupta explains. Other people experience anxiety in a more physical way, with rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms and tightness in the chest. For them, an approach called open monitoring seems more beneficial. It involves observing and welcoming everything that arises, without judgement or rejection. It's a way of making peace with our inner turmoil, rather than fighting it. This research is part of a wider dynamic, supported by the WashU Mindfulness Science and Practice cluster, which also organises events open to all. 'We're dedicated to helping the WashU and greater St Louis community get access to tools to learn about mindfulness science and practice,' says Dr Gupta. For study co-author and WashU professor of psychological and neurological sciences Dr Todd Braver, offering a variety of options is essential. 'People have different options they can choose from, so it becomes easier to find one that best fits your particular temperament, concerns or current situation,' he says. Gone is the one-size-fits-all model. The future of mindfulness promises to be more flexible and more personalised, with an approach that's in tune with each individual, transforming an age-old practice into an everyday tool. – AFP Relaxnews
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Bradshaw: Use summer before college to relax, foster connection
Dear Freshman, Congratulations on your acceptance to Washington University — a distinguished institution and an excellent launch pad for the years ahead. You're asking the right question at the right time. How you spend this summer won't determine your entire college career, but it will shape how you begin it. And beginnings matter. Start with this principle: use the summer to recharge, not to retreat. For twelve years, your life has been defined by structure — bell schedules, exam calendars, and application deadlines. Come September, you'll encounter another structure, but one that demands far more independence and self-regulation. The summer is your bridge between the two. Use it to stretch your intellectual and emotional muscles in low-stakes settings. Here are a few ideas to make the most of the months ahead: 1. Read beyond the syllabus. Pick a few books that challenge you — classics you've always meant to read or contemporary works that engage with the issues shaping your generation (climate, AI, social justice, geopolitics). Washington U doesn't admit students because they memorize well. They admit those who can think. Reading deeply, not just widely, will sharpen that edge. 2. Work — even part time. Whether it's bussing tables, interning at a local firm, or helping in a family business, there's value in showing up, being accountable, and learning to navigate different kinds of people. A summer job doesn't need to impress admissions committees anymore. It needs to teach you responsibility and humility — both of which will serve you better than a dozen padded résumés. 3. Practice digital discipline. You're entering a world where productivity and distraction live on the same screen. This summer, take stock of your relationship with technology. Learn to write emails well. Use AI tools like ChatGPT not to cut corners, but to explore ideas and refine your thinking. Knowing how to use tech without being used by it is a 21st-century superpower. 4. Connect with classmates. Check if WashU offers any pre-orientation groups or online forums for incoming students. It's not about building a social network early — it's about beginning to understand the diversity of perspectives and talents that you'll soon be surrounded by. It'll make your arrival feel less like a plunge and more like a reunion. 5. Talk to your parents. This may seem like odd advice, but you're standing at the edge of a significant shift. Take a walk with your dad. Cook with your mom. Ask them how they felt at your age. These moments are more valuable than you think — and harder to come by once you're away. 6. Rest — but intentionally. You don't need to be busy every day. You do need to be present. Use this summer to get good sleep, enjoy quiet time, travel if you can, and reflect on the kind of student — and person — you want to become. The most successful college students aren't necessarily the ones with the longest list of accomplishments. They're the ones who arrive curious, grounded, and ready to engage. If you spend your summer cultivating those traits, you'll be ready not just for freshman year — but for whatever follows. Enjoy the break. You've earned it.
Medscape
16-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
New ‘Real World' Data on Lecanemab Side Effects
Patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) who initiated lecanemab treatment at a specialty memory clinic showed an expected and manageable side-effect profile, new research showed. 'The findings are very reassuring,' Barbara Joy Snider, MD, PhD, professor of neurology, and director of the Memory Diagnostic Center and Knight ADRC Clinical Trials Unit, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, told Medscape Medical News . 'We found similar rates of side effects in our patient population as were found in the phase 3 studies of lecanemab. Clinical trial volunteer participants tend to be very healthy, so it is not always a given that side effects will be similar in the clinical population, especially in older adults,' Snider explained. The study was published online on May 12 in JAMA Neurology. Real World Data Lecanemab was the first disease-modifying treatment for AD to receive traditional approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2023. However, side effects, including brain swelling and bleeding, which emerged during clinical trials, left some patients and clinicians hesitant to initiate treatment in appropriate patients. In this real-world analysis, Snider and colleagues took a look back at 234 patients with early symptomatic AD who initiated lecanemab infusions (10 mg/kg intravenous every 2 weeks) in the memory clinic at WashU Medicine over 14 months. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 87 (37%) study participants and were typically mild. During an average treatment period of 6.5 months, amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) were observed in 42 of 194 patients (22%) who received at least four lecanemab infusions and underwent at least one monitoring MRI scan. Overall, 29 (15%) patients developed ARIA with edema/effusion, with or without ARIA with hemorrhage/hemosiderin deposition (ARIA-H) and 13 (6.7%) developed isolated ARIA-H. The majority of ARIA was asymptomatic and radiographically mild and most patients who developed ARIA stayed on treatment. Eleven patients (5.7%) developed symptomatic ARIA; only two patients (1.0%) had clinically severe ARIA. No deaths or microhemorrhages were observed. 'Importantly,' wrote the investigators, patients with mild dementia at baseline (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR], 1) had a 15-fold higher rate of symptomatic ARIA than patients with mild cognitive impairment or very mild dementia (CDR, 0.5) at baseline (27% vs 1.8%, P < .001). 'We do not know for sure why people with very mild dementia had fewer side effects than people with mild dementia,' Snider told Medscape Medical News . 'Some findings published based on the clinical trials have shown that people with very mild dementia likely get more benefit from these medications, so this emphasizes the importance of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease when symptoms are very mild. We have a discussion with each patient and their family about the potential risks and benefits of these medications, so this will be part of that discussion,' Snider said. 'We need to gather more information and follow more patients, not only at our site but more broadly through efforts like ALZ-NET [Alzheimer's Network for Treatment and Diagnostics] to better understand what factors affect the risks and benefits of these medications,' Snider added. Summing up, Snider said this real-world analysis showed that 'recently approved antibodies against amyloid can be used in an outpatient clinical practice, side effects are as expected and can be managed, and only 1%-2% of patients had clinically concerning side effects.' 'Valuable' Evidence Commenting on this study for Medscape Medical News , Ozama Ismail, PhD, director of scientific programs at Alzheimer's Association, said the findings of this study 'support using approved amyloid-targeting treatments in clinical practice.' Ismail, who wasn't involved in the study, said this research contributes 'valuable evidence' about the side effects of lecanemab and their management and the findings 'align with what was seen during clinical trials.' 'That said, this is just one demonstration of how these treatments are being effectively implemented, administered, and managed within a regional population. Every clinic may have a different perspective and will be serving a different patient population,' Ismail cautioned. He noted that new FDA-approved treatments offer 'real hope for people living with early Alzheimer's, and they are redefining how Alzheimer's is addressed. Understanding how these therapies work in real-world settings is essential to improving treatment for everyone — this requires robust data collection beyond controlled clinical trials,' Ismail said. He also noted that Washington University Memory Diagnostic Center, where this work was done, is part of the ALZ-NET — a nationwide network where healthcare providers collect real-world data from patients who are being evaluated for treatment or are receiving treatment with new FDA-approved AD therapies. ALZ-NET now has more than 2000 patients enrolled in nearly 100 locations across the United States.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WashU to strip anatomy leader's name from honors over ties to eugenics, human remains collection
ST. LOUIS – Washington University in St. Louis will remove the name of a former anatomy department leader from all university honors and features following an ethics review that cited his promotion of eugenics and nonconsensual collection of human remains. The university announced plans Friday to remove the name of Robert J. Terry, MD, from campus branding, including the Robert J. Terry Lecture Series and the Robert J. Terry Professorship at the School of Medicine. Terry, who died in 1966, was once the leader of the anatomy department at WashU Medicine, the university's medical school. A day in the life of a St. Louis Mayor The decision to strip his name from WashU features followed a formal request submitted last fall by 12 students and later endorsed by the Washington University Native American Students Association. The submission called for the removal of Terry's name based on his support for eugenics and involvement in collecting human remains without consent, practices that the submission claimed to disproportionately affected African Americans. After reviewing more than 3,000 pages of archival material, the university's Naming Review Board determined that Terry's actions were fundamentally inconsistent with the university's values of equity, inclusion and respect for human dignity. 'This is about more than a name change,' said Paul Scott, a WashU senior who helped lead the submission effort. 'It's about acknowledging the real harms that were done — and that continue when we fail to confront them — and committing to do better moving forward.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The NRB's final report, which is available in full online, outlined two core recommendations: First, to remove Terry's name from all university-affiliated features without legal impediments, and second, to create educational opportunities to contextualize the decision and encourage deeper engagement with the historical and ethical issues raised by Terry's practices. Additionally, the university will continue with ongoing efforts to ethically manage Terry's specimen collection, a set of human bones and tissue samples acquired primarily from local hospitals and institutional morgues in the St. Louis area. The collection was previously used for research and teaching purposes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
