The 16th World Stem Cell Summit will be co-located with the 7th annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course, featuring joint single-track programming on stem cells, biomaterials, cell therapies, clinical trials, and regulatory matters. The event aims to accelerate regenerative medicine and deliver cures.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has published a special supplement commemorating six decades of leadership in the field, featuring influential manuscripts that shaped the future of medicine. The supplement highlights landmark papers on PET, Anger camera, and fusion PET/CT, as well as the journal's past editors and associate editors.
Karol Serafin, a fourth-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2021 STFM Foundation Student Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes her commitment to academic family medicine and potential career in academia.
A systematic review published in Annals of Internal Medicine confirms health disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among Black and Hispanic populations, attributing the disparity to increased risk of exposure and transmission. The study highlights the need for targeted efforts to reduce exposure to the virus in vulnerable populations.
Dana-Farber researchers will present findings related to stem cell transplant, lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma treatment, including a study on the benefit of hematopoietic cell transplantation in older patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Another study explores the impact of clonal hematopoiesis in donors on recip...
Researchers estimate 4.3% of Kenyans had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 by June 2020, revealing more extensive exposure than reported case-based surveillance indicates. The findings support the idea that disease may be attenuated in Africa due to Kenya's demographic characteristics.
Research published in top US family medicine journals saw a significant increase in female authors, from 29% to 42% between 2008 and 2017. Grant funding and co-author presence influenced gender distribution in research output.
Dr. Thea James has been recognized with the inaugural Dr. Thea James Social Emergency Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award, created in her honor. The award recognizes her outstanding contribution to advancing social emergency medicine and improving health equity through her work.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that critically ill newborns who receive blood transfusions prior to surgery have a 50% increased rate of complications or death. The findings suggest that a 'wait and see' approach to giving infants blood during surgery may reduce surgical complications and the risk of death.
A new study led by ISGlobal found that blood transfusions can increase the survival of children with severe malaria, even at higher haemoglobin levels than recommended thresholds. In cases with complications, such as impaired consciousness or acidosis, transfusion improved survival even at high haemoglobin levels.
A new study found that older males who have recovered from severe COVID-19 are strong candidates for donating plasma to treat and prevent the disease. The study also suggests that sex, age, and severity of disease can be used to guide the selection of donors.
A 45-year-old man with asthma experienced sudden permanent hearing loss in one ear after being treated for COVID-19, highlighting a possible new side effect. Prompt steroid treatment can reverse the condition.
Scientists have discovered that tiny point mutations in a gene can modify T cells to be less aggressive, leading to reduced inflammation and autoimmune responses. This finding has potential implications for stem cell transplantation, where T-cell transfusion is used to prevent severe side effects.
The UK Research and Innovation has partnered with the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development to support eight new regenerative medicine research projects. The funding will focus on developing novel therapies for a range of disorders, including Parkinson's disease, blood disorders, and liver diseases.
SMART researchers have discovered a new way to manufacture human red blood cells that cuts the culture time by half compared to existing methods. The new protocol stores cultured cells in liquid nitrogen for 11 days and produces RBCs within 11 days.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 patients' antibody responses to guide vaccine development, finding that neutralizing activity typically drops within one month post-hospital discharge and severe cases have non-neutralizing antibodies contributing to reinfection risk.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found convalescent plasma to be a safe treatment option for children with life-threatening COVID-19 cases. The study suggests that convalescent plasma may provide the greatest benefit for early-stage patients who have not yet generated endogenous antibodies.
The REALITY trial found that restricting blood transfusion to those with very low haemoglobin levels has no negative impact on clinical outcomes, while also saving blood. The trial showed that the restrictive strategy was non-inferior to the liberal strategy in preventing 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and was more cost-eff...
A new scoring system developed by NIH-funded researchers standardizes patient data to compare rates of severe maternal morbidity between different hospitals and groups of patients. The study aims to aid maternal health research and efforts to improve maternal health across the country.
Researchers developed an injectable clotting agent called HAPPI that slows internal bleeding by 97 percent in mice. The agent can be stored at room temperature and reconstituted before injection, making it a potential game-changer for trauma care.
A retrospective cohort study in Sweden found ongoing transmission of hepatitis C before anti-HCV screening was implemented in 1992. The study identified undiagnosed hepatitis C patients living in Sweden who received transfusions pre-1992, emphasizing the need for testing and treatment.
The study found family medicine residents are likely to remain in primary care, alleviating the shortage concern. Moderately encouraging findings suggest these graduates continue practicing in the field.
The Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation and Training (AR3T) has received a $5 million NIH grant to continue its work in expanding scientific knowledge and expertise in regenerative medicine. The network aims to increase the efficacy of interventions designed to help people with disabilities be more independent and engaged.
Researchers at The Rosalind Franklin Institute have engineered llama antibodies that can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, blocking its entry into human cells. These nanobodies show promise as a potential treatment for patients with severe COVID-19.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science developed a fully automated micro-lab on a chip that can quickly and reliably determine a patient's blood type. The device can dilute whole blood automatically and detect weak coagulation with the naked eye, holding potential for use in emergency medical situations.
A novel, portable device called iCoagLab has been developed to measure blood clotting ability in minutes, reducing time and accuracy of traditional tests. The test was compared to a conventional test on 270 patients and found to be as sensitive at detecting bleeding risk with higher accuracy.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that women comprise only 22% of full-time professors and 39% of full-time faculty in academic hospital medicine programs. Furthermore, male hospitalist leaders are more likely to have attained the rank of full professor than female leaders.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that investigational convalescent plasma is safe to use in a diverse group of 20,000 patients, with a significant decline in seven-day mortality rates compared to previous studies. The study also found lower serious adverse events and a more rapid availability of plasma for treatment.
The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) has issued a position statement on sexual violence in sport, defining it as an egregious violation of an athlete's right to safety. The statement outlines key principles for reducing sexual violence, including mandated reporting, training, and background checks.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that convalescent plasma therapy is a safe treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. The therapy showed significant improvement in 76% of patients, with no adverse side effects caused by the plasma transfusion.
Researchers at Colorado State University used riboflavin and UV light to eliminate a large amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus from plasma and whole-blood products, demonstrating its feasibility as a pathogen reduction technology.
Researchers found similarities between COVID-19 deaths and severe rheumatic illnesses, suggesting that treatments boosting immune-regulating NK cells may help. Regular exercise is also recommended to enhance NK cell activity in non-infected individuals.
A recent study presents an automatic method to detect and segment the intrauterine cavity using artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques on MRI data from 71 pregnancies. The proposed method achieves high segmentation performance, highlighting its potential for use in daily clinical practice as a surgical planning method.
A new drug delivery method using light-activated vitamin B12 molecules could reduce whole-body side effects from rheumatoid arthritis treatments. The approach decreases arthritis symptoms while carrying and delivering much lower quantities of the medication.
The global nuclear medicine community has shared approaches to containing the spread of COVID-19, including triage, reduced elective studies, improved hygiene practices, and rotation of medical personnel. These measures aim to minimize patient contact and optimize distance to reduce the risk of transmission.
Dr. Emelia J. Benjamin, a renowned researcher and educator, has been recognized with the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine Diversity Award for her tireless efforts to promote ethnic, racial, and gender diversity within Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center.
Researchers have identified a promising new drug combination that can help the immune system target and kill cancer cells. By combining an anti-nausea drug with existing cancer treatments, the treatment works by altering the surface of tumor cells to make them more recognizable to the immune system.
The new journal will publish peer-reviewed articles on end-of-life care and relief of suffering, focusing on improving quality of life for patients and their families.
A new microfluidics device has identified two super donors with long-lasting red blood cells, offering potential for improved transfusion safety. The study, published in Lab on a Chip, could benefit over 4.5 million patients requiring regular blood transfusions.
A five-year case study at a Boston family medicine clinic shows medical facilities can help physicians treat chronic pain while deterring opioid misuse. The study introduced new systems, structures, and staff support to create collaborative, interdisciplinary care.
Researchers at LMU have discovered that inhibition of a specific enzyme can effectively prevent heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a potentially life-threatening condition. The study shows that Btk inhibitors can block platelet activation and prevent the formation of harmful clots, offering a new promising therapeutic option for t...
A large clinical trial has found that fresh red blood cell transfusions do not reduce the risk of organ failure or death in critically ill children. The study included 1,461 patients and showed similar outcomes between fresh and older red cells.
A new study finds that transfusions using fresh red blood cells are no more beneficial than older red blood cells in reducing the risk of organ failure or death in critically ill children. The results indicate that current standard blood-bank practice of dispensing older red cells is just as safe and effective.
David Coleman, MD, will receive the Robert H. Williams, MD, Distinguished Chair of Medicine Award from the Association of Professors of Medicine (APM) for his exceptional leadership as chair of the Department of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and physician-in-chief at Boston Medical Center.
A study by Oregon State University found that 18 batches of supposedly pure human blood serum contained caffeine, cough medicine, and anti-anxiety drugs, highlighting potential issues with contaminated blood transfusions. The research also tested for interactions between botanical supplements and prescription drugs.
Dr. Yamamoto received the prestigious Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award and Lectureship for his work on blood group genes. He has contributed to a better understanding of glycosylation polymorphisms and cancer-specific glycosylation alterations.
A two-year study by Cleveland Clinic researchers found that patients treated with functional medicine experienced significant improvements in health-related quality of life. Compared to those seen in primary care, these patients showed larger and more sustainable benefits in their physical health.
Women with anemia are at high risk of postpartum hemorrhage and other complications after cesarean delivery. Early screening for iron deficiency can help prevent these issues by prescribing oral iron supplements or IV therapy as needed, potentially reducing blood transfusions.
Dr. Kathleen Neuzil's pivotal research informed global vaccine policy, saving millions worldwide. As a member of the National Academy of Medicine, she will continue to shape public health policy.
The global demand for blood transfusions exceeds the available supply by 30 million units annually, with the largest shortages found in lower-income countries. The estimated shortfall varies sharply between countries, with some requiring up to 75 times more blood than their supply can provide.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that women have half the average number of followers as their male counterparts, despite similar tweet activity. The disparity holds implications for gender disparities in academic medicine and the effectiveness of social media platforms.
New research warns Canadians against taking daily aspirin for primary prevention due to increased risk of major internal bleeding and potential increase in cancer deaths. Experts recommend alternative preventive measures such as smoking cessation, exercise, blood pressure tracking, and considering the Mediterranean diet.
A large cohort study found attempting a vaginal birth after previous cesarean section increases the risk of serious maternal complications, including uterine rupture and sepsis. The study suggests that planning another cesarean may be a safer option for women with a history of cesarean section.
Researchers have developed a laser incubator for blood that can slash incubation time to just 40 seconds, improving pre-transfusion testing and saving lives. This technology has the potential to prevent fatal blood transfusions in critically ill patients and detect antibodies in pregnant women.
Researchers have identified three genes from a probiotic Lactobacillus species as critical for mediating adhesion to the vaginal epithelium. This is likely crucial for how this species benefits vaginal health.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new mouse model that mimics the effects of red blood cell transfusions on human infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The study found that severe anemia increases the risk of NEC after transfusion, and that free hemoglobin can trigger an immune response in the intestine.
A new study found that postpartum transfusions carry a greater risk of adverse events, particularly among women with preeclampsia. The number of postpartum transfusions increased by 40% over 20 years, and the risk was twice as high for pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women.
Researchers at Waseda University developed a new nanoparticle combination therapy that effectively resuscitates trauma patients with massive hemorrhage. The therapy, using nanoparticles with hemostatic and oxygen-carrying potential, shows comparable results to conventional transfusion.
Research from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing finds that one in 270 births experience both premature birth and severe maternal complications. The study, which examined data from California births between 2007-2012, also reveals racial disparities in health outcomes, with Black women twice as likely to have a dual burden birth.
Researchers at Pitt/UPMC are testing a technique called red cell exchange transfusion to prolong life and slow organ damage in sickle cell disease patients. The SCD-CARRE trial aims to determine whether red cell exchange can lower deaths and reduce hospitalizations.