Joana Fernandes

Aug 21, 2024 | cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com | Lindsey Shapiro |Andrea Lobo |Patricia Silva |Joana Fernandes

An Emory University program has been awarded $2 million toward optimizing the effectiveness of U.S. newborn screening programs, which help identify serious health conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF) at birth. The four-year funding opportunity comes through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and was granted to Emory’s Medical Nutrition Therapy for Prevention (MNT4P) program.

Aug 8, 2024 | sicklecellanemianews.com | Marisa Wexler |Dunstan Nicol-Wilson |Joana Fernandes |Margarida Azevedo

A bone marrow transplant may help reverse heart damage in people with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a study. The findings were published in a letter to the editor titled, “Impact of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation on Myocardial Fibrosis in Young Patients with Sickle Cell Disease,” in Blood. SCD is a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells.

May 28, 2024 | huntingtonsdiseasenews.com | Margarida Maia |Steve Bryson |Forest Ray |Joana Fernandes

Researchers in the U.S. have created the first brain-like organoids, or mini-brains, that incorporate a working blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is the membrane that regulates which circulating substances can reach the brain and spinal cord, and that typically challenges the entry of medications. Called a BBB assembloid, the human model can serve as a platform to test how and if new medications for neurological diseases like Huntington’s can get into the brain where they’re most needed.

Apr 25, 2024 | musculardystrophynews.com | Andrea Lobo |Patricia Inacio |Steve Bryson |Joana Fernandes

Most people with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) develop heart problems, according to a Danish study that followed patients for about 10 years. “Life-long cardiac screening is crucial, and we recommended that repeated follow-up is performed,” its researchers wrote in “Natural history of cardiac involvement in myotonic dystrophy type 1 – Emphasis on the need for lifelong follow-up,” which was published in the International Journal of Cardiology.

Feb 27, 2024 | myelomaresearchnews.com | Mary Chapman |Patricia Inacio |Alice Melão |Joana Fernandes

Myeloma Action Month (MAM) is observed each March to call attention to multiple myeloma and the people affected by it, and this year’s event will focus on bringing hope to patients and caregivers through action. The international campaign is designed to improve awareness of myeloma among policymakers, researchers, public authorities, health professionals, and industry representatives, along with the general public.