Research
“Teenage” red blood cells could hold the key to a malaria vaccine
Malaria parasite infection, which affects our red blood cells, can be fatal. Currently, there are about 200 million malaria infections in the world each year and more than 400,000 people, mostly children, die of malaria each year. Now, studying blood samples from patients treated for malaria at a clinical field station in Brazil’s Amazon jungle, ... Read More about “Teenage” red blood cells could hold the key to a malaria vaccine
Research
Inhibiting inhibitory neurons gets mice with spinal cord injury to walk again
Most people with spinal cord injury are paralyzed from the injury site down, even when the cord isn’t completely severed. Why don’t the spared portions of the spinal cord keep working, allowing at least some movement? A new study just published online by Cell provides insight into why these nerve pathways remain quiet. Most intriguingly, it shows that ... Read More about Inhibiting inhibitory neurons gets mice with spinal cord injury to walk again
Research
A huge leap for cloning
Animal cloning, the creation of a genetically identical copy of an individual organism, holds promise for many different reasons, including its use to conserve endangered species and to improve our understanding of developmental biology, which could eventually help us prevent or reverse developmental disorders from the get-go. Although more than 20 species of animals have ... Read More about A huge leap for cloning
Patient Stories
Muriel’s story: Choosing life after loss
I was with my mom when she had a heart attack. I was only 3 years old, but I remember her falling down and the EMTs arriving and later being told she had passed away. As I got older, I understood that my mom’s weight and health habits caused her heart disease and ultimately her ... Read More about Muriel’s story: Choosing life after loss
Research
Getting a grip on genetic loops
A new discovery about the spatial orientation and physical interactions of our genes provides a promising step forward in our ability to design custom antibodies. This, in turn, could revolutionize the fields of vaccine development and infection control. “We are beginning to understand the full biological impact that the physical structure and movement of our ... Read More about Getting a grip on genetic loops
Health and Parenting
What parents should know about hypospadias
It’s one of the most common birth defects, affecting an estimated 1 out of 200 boys. But most parents aren’t aware of hypospadias until their child is diagnosed with it. In this condition, the opening of a boy’s urethra (through which both urine and semen pass) is located on the underside of his penis rather than at ... Read More about What parents should know about hypospadias
Health and Parenting
What parents of musicians should know about upper extremity injuries
When it comes to orthopedic injuries, sports are usually talked about as high-risk activities, but it’s not often we consider the risk that musicians take when playing an instrument for hours every day. Musicians can get overuse injuries the same way that athletes do, and are at risk for neck and back injuries, as well ... Read More about What parents of musicians should know about upper extremity injuries
Patient Stories
Football and family: Overcoming brachial plexus birth palsy
Chase is only a few months away from fulfilling a lifelong dream; playing college football. It’s a dream thousands of other kids across the country will be living out this fall — but they aren’t like Chase. “The first time I saw Chase was in 2000,” says Dr. Peter Waters, Orthopedic Surgeon-in-Chief and director of the Brachial ... Read More about Football and family: Overcoming brachial plexus birth palsy
Research
Solving the DIPG puzzle a single cell at a time
For more than 15 years, pediatric neuro-oncologist Mariella Filbin, MD, PhD, has been on a scientific crusade to understand DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma). She hopes to one day be able to cure a disease that has historically been thought of as an incurable type of childhood brain cancer. “While I was in medical school, I ... Read More about Solving the DIPG puzzle a single cell at a time
Health and Parenting
Stroke in kids: What’s different?
Every May, we recognize National Stroke Awareness Month to honor everyone who has experienced a stroke — and to raise awareness of this disease. That awareness is especially important for pediatric stroke, which is more common than you might imagine. “Stroke occurs throughout childhood, from birth through 18 years of age, and more commonly than ... Read More about Stroke in kids: What’s different?