Pediatric dysphagia affects 35-80% of newborns with neurodevelopmental disorders, leading to malnutrition, choking, and infections. The GW researchers will develop fundamental understanding of the disorder through three projects, aiming to define pathology, developmental origins, and prevention strategies.
A team of researchers is using Twitter to gather information on vaccine refusal patterns, combining traditional survey techniques with social media analysis. The study aims to gain insights into people's reasoning about vaccines and how these reasons vary among communities.
The GW Cancer Institute will launch a yearlong study to gather key information about barriers encountered by patients with cancer, create evaluation tools for patient navigation at the community level, and translate research findings for practice-based audiences.
A study found that patients often believe taking antibiotics can't hurt and might make them better, even if they have a viral infection. Researchers are calling for new education tactics to address these misconceptions and reduce overprescription of antibiotics.
Research examines programs aimed at reducing gender-based violence worldwide and finds community-based initiatives with men and women's involvement are the most effective in preventing violence. The study also highlights the importance of a two-pronged approach to address both prevention and response to reduce pandemic levels of violence.
The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to develop training programs for first responders in mass casualty events. The training will focus on medical readiness and immediate victim care, utilizing the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) framework.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing vaccines and new drugs for parasitic worm infections, which affect over 300 million people worldwide. Paul Brindley, a GW University researcher, is adapting new technologies to combat these diseases, highlighting the need for urgent action.
Dr. Lijie Grace Zhang is developing a novel 3-D bioprinted smart vascularized nano tissue to address critical-sized bone defects and inadequate vascular networks in transplant patients. Her project combines nanobiomaterials, tissue engineering, and drug delivery with advanced 3-D bioprinting techniques.
Dr. Leana Wen calls for standardized medical training curriculum to address inadequate care for patients with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of provider awareness and advocacy to counter prevalent stigma.
A newly discovered ant species, the mirror turtle ant (Cephalotes specularis), has been found to use social parasitism by mimicking its host ant's movements and scent. The study reveals that nearly 90% of host territories are parasitized.
A research team from George Washington University has developed a new method for diagnosing pneumonia that uses DNA sequencing to identify bacterial pathogens. This approach could lead to more targeted and effective treatment, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
A GW researcher is investigating the phenomenon of global brain injury in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The study aims to understand the impact of ICH on clinical outcomes and develop more effective treatment strategies. With a grant of $154K, Dr. Shahram Majidi will analyze CT scans and clinical data from 354 patients.
A $2 million NIH grant will support a five-year study on the effects of malpractice risk and financial incentives on cardiac testing. The researcher aims to explore three motivations for testing: patient benefit, financial incentives, and malpractice liability.
Researchers at GW University developed a new model to study the impact of faculty development programs on institutional behaviors. The study found that graduates exhibited enhanced confidence and new behaviors, influencing their colleagues' practices and work units.
A GW researcher has received a grant to develop genetic tools to study parasitic nematode (PN) infections, which affect one-third of all deaths worldwide. The goal is to better understand the infective process and host immune response.
Valerie Hu, a GW University researcher, has received a $435K grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to investigate how environmental factors affect the gene RORA in individuals with autism. Her research aims to understand how endocrine-disrupting compounds may contribute to increased risk for autism.
A large-scale biogeographic analysis by GW researcher Alex Pyron shows that amphibians have moved across the planet throughout time, with some species dispersing long distances over water. The study reveals three major processes driving their distribution: vicariance, dispersal, and unexpected oceanic dispersals.
George Washington University researcher Anthony-Samuel LaMantia will investigate the link between autism and brain development using a valid animal model with a genetic mutation highly associated with autism. The research team will examine connectivity, behaviors related to autism, and their relationship during development.
A new study by George Washington University researchers found that autoimmune disorders and cancer share common pathogenic mechanisms. The study identified survivin as a key mediator of autoreactive cell survival in myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that can lead to severe muscle weakness. The findings suggest a potential therap...
A GW researcher has discovered an antibody that recognizes ancestral fossil viruses in the human genome, providing a new target for HIV-1 immunotherapy. This breakthrough could help overcome the virus's frequent mutations and improve treatment options.
Researchers at George Washington University call for improved follow-up care for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), who often present later in life with chronic kidney disease (CKD). AKI and CKD are interconnected syndromes, both linked to cardiovascular disease.
GW researcher Alexandros Tzatsos receives over $1 million in grants to study pancreatic cancer's epigenetic regulators. He aims to develop targeted therapies for this aggressive form of cancer by understanding the role of histone demethylase.
A GW researcher advocates for a sustainable approach to controlling soil-transmitted helminths (STH), proposing the use of biogas technology to provide sanitation, parasite control, and energy supply. This grassroots solution offers cost-effectiveness and community-driven development in underdeveloped areas.
The GW Cancer Institute has received a $100,000 grant from the Avon Foundation to support a patient navigator. The patient navigator will help remove barriers and coordinate access to care for over 1,000 patients with breast cancer in the Washington D.C. area.
Nikki Posnack's study will investigate BPA and DEHP's impact on the cardiovascular system, including their effect on internal stability and mechanical function. She aims to determine whether real concentrations of these chemicals can cause adverse cardiac effects.
The international research team has discovered and named the earliest and most primitive pterodactyloid species, Kryptodrakon progenitor, which lived above the earth 163 million years ago. The fossil was found in northwest China and revealed that pterodactyloids originated and evolved in terrestrial environments.
Narine Sarvazyan invents a new organ, the 'mini heart', made of cardiac muscle cells, to help return venous blood flow. The cuff can be created from patient's own adult stem cells, eliminating rejection risk and treating chronic diseases like venous insufficiency.
Researchers found a dramatic rise in opioid analgesic prescriptions during US emergency department visits from 2001 to 2010, with some opioids increasing by 668.2 percent. Despite modest increases in painful conditions, the findings suggest a concerning trend that may lead to misuse and addiction.
The George Washington University has received a record-breaking $80 million in gifts from the Milken Institute, the Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation, and the Milken Family Foundation to address global public health challenges through prevention and wellness initiatives. The gifts will support new research, scholarships, and pro...
Scientists investigate how flying snakes glide through the air, discovering lift enhancement mechanism to boost flight. The research uses computational fluid dynamics to model a snake's cross-section, providing insights into air pressure and rotation.
A GW researcher has discovered that gene therapy can elicit a regenerative response in pig hearts after a heart attack. The treatment utilizes the Cyclin A2 protein to stimulate cellular division and promote cardiac repair.
A collaborative study out of George Washington University found early signs of feeding and swallowing disruption in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. The research suggests that cranial nerves controlling food intake and swallowing are not developing correctly, leading to mis-coordination.
A GW researcher has found a connection between the pathogenesis of prion disease and HIV, discovering that impairment of cellular cholesterol metabolism is key to their development. The study suggests that stimulation of ABCA1, a cellular cholesterol transporter, could inhibit conversion of prions into a pathogenic form.
A team led by George Washington University researcher will receive funding to develop an approach to rapidly identify the root cause of biological and chemical threats, potentially reducing processing time from years to 30 days. The project aims to enhance national security efforts against these threats.
Research published in Ecology Letters reveals the ancestor of snakes and lizards likely gave birth to live young, contrary to long-held assumptions. The findings support the idea that live birth has a more ancient past than previously thought, dating back 175 million years ago.
A novel approach predicts heart failure outcomes in patients by targeting impaired energy metabolism, a diseased heart's underlying mechanism. This method could help tailor therapeutic interventions and improve treatment planning for physicians.
A new study published in Health Affairs suggests that providers and organizations can reduce acute care costs through public health measures and educational initiatives. The authors propose a fee-for-service payment system with incentives based on resource and quality measures to encourage high-value care.
A large study identifies genetic variants that contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease in African Americans. APOL1 risk variants were found to be associated with higher rates of end-stage renal disease and progression of chronic kidney disease among black patients compared to white patients, regardless of diabetes status.
A team of researchers at George Washington University and the University of Haifa have uncovered a 3,000-year-old wine cellar in Israel, containing jars holding nearly 2,000 liters of liquid. The contents are believed to be ancient medicinal wines, with a recipe similar to those used for 2,000 years in ancient Egypt.
Researchers at George Washington University found that outpatient emergency department encounters could reimburse more for patients gaining Medicaid or private insurance through the Affordable Care Act. On average, uninsured patients who will be eligible for Medicaid would receive 17% higher reimbursement per visit, while those becomin...
The National Science Foundation has awarded a nearly $408,000 grant to three GW faculty members to develop technologies for tailored cloud computing services. The goal is to provide more choice for cloud consumers by offering flexible plans and optimized security.
A systematic review of outside interventions found two-thirds of studies showed reductions in ED visits, with patient education being the most effective. However, some interventions increased overall healthcare consumption without reducing ED use, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of new programs.
A team led by Dr. Aleksandar Jeremic will investigate the molecular and biochemical events leading to amylin aggregation, a key factor in type 2 diabetes. Their research may lead to new treatments for the disease by preventing amylin toxicity.
Valerie Hu's study reveals RORA regulates more than 2,500 genes, many involved in neuronal development and functions. The gene's expression is reduced in RORA-deficient brain tissues from individuals with autism.
Researchers found that the human shoulder acts like a slingshot during a throw, storing and releasing energy to produce fast throws. This ability first emerged in Homo erectus approximately 2 million years ago and was crucial for hunting and survival.
A new study by GW Professor Tianshu Li provides direct computational evidence that nucleation of ice in small droplets is strongly size-dependent. The team's findings demonstrate that water at the nanoscale can no longer be considered bulk water, with implications for climate research and atmospheric science.
A GWU biologist has created the largest-ever evolutionary family tree for all known snake and lizard groups, covering over 4,000 species. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, provides a comprehensive classification system for these reptiles.
A new species of small theropod dinosaur has been identified in northwestern China, with fossil remains estimated to be less than a year old. The discovery, made by a team led by George Washington University biologist James Clark, provides insights into the early evolution of meat-eating dinosaurs.
Teenagers who increased daily exercise to at least 20 minutes were able to cut back on their smoking habit. The study found that this short walk helped teens resist lighting up a cigarette and increase their chances of quitting altogether.
Dr. Michael Keidar is researching ways to cut human tissue more efficiently using plasma technology, which could minimize the need for blood transfusions during surgery. His goal is to understand the physics of plasma interaction with living tissue and develop new devices that can safely and effectively cut through human tissues.