Researchers have developed a blood test that can identify brain injury severity in patients, helping clinicians escalate care. The test uses two proteins, GFAP and UCH-L1, which rise in the bloodstream after injury, and can differentiate between patients with acute brain injury and those with no evidence of pathology.
Researchers developed a diet-based mouse model to study a serious immunotherapy side effect affecting up to 40% of patients. The study found that a protein in unstable immune cells can cause inflammation, which can be reversed by shutting off the protein or switching to a high fiber diet.
A new study by the University of Pittsburgh found that patients who received earlier survivorship care had better outcomes, including lower recurrence and death rates, compared to those who received care later. The study suggests that timing of survivorship care can be modified to improve patient outcomes.
A cross-disciplinary team at the University of Pittsburgh has developed a method to improve how researchers model transition metals, which are crucial for creating new materials and catalysts. The team's approach uses a combination of coupled cluster theory and Kohn-Sham density encoding to achieve high accuracy in simulations.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and international collaborators have developed an optogenetics-based treatment that improved visual function in some patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment, which combines gene therapy and visual stimulation, showed encouraging results in tests of safety and efficacy.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly one-third of people with epilepsy who took certain medications and hormonal contraceptives experienced reduced contraceptive effectiveness. The study highlights the need for greater awareness of interactions between enzyme-inducing antiseizure medications and hormonal contraceptives.
A new study found that adults with ADHD are 6.7% more likely to develop dementia or cognitive impairment compared to those without ADHD. People with a higher genetic risk for ADHD face a greater chance of cognitive decline even without a diagnosed diagnosis.
Susan Fullerton, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, has been awarded a $1.35 million grant to study a hidden layer of ions in electronic devices. The goal of the project is to design ultra-low-power devices that can process vast amounts of data in real-time.
The University of Pittsburgh will establish the Pittsburgh Laser Engine, a training center for displaced coal workers and union electricians. The center will offer 10-week hands-on courses in advanced laser processing and fiber-optic sensing, preparing workers for high-paying careers in AI data centers, power systems, and other critica...
Researchers developed an experimental mRNA therapy that reduces liver injury in mice, even when given at a much later point in time than the currently available antidote. The therapy harnesses a newly identified protective mechanism that helps liver cells survive acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress.
A startup collaboration between Silly Surfacing and the University of Pittsburgh's IDEA Lab has led to the development of a pothole-filling robot, utilizing 3D scanning, mapping, and computer vision to repair road damage. The system uses a time-of-flight camera and can fill a pothole at full scale.
Vikas Khanna, a leading sustainability scholar, has been appointed Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Pitt. He will focus on integrating AI into curricula, developing public health and computing graduate pathways, and strengthening research in water, environment, and public health. Khanna has a strong track record of resea...
A Phase 3 clinical trial showed tozorakimab reduced moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbations by 29-34% compared to placebo, impacting a broad COPD population. The therapy's safety profile was generally comparable to placebo, with injection-site reactions being more frequent.
A new T32 training program connects bioengineers and neurosurgeons to work on research projects improving neurosurgical practice. The program brings together postdoctoral associates and residents to collaborate on team-based research projects, closing the gap between neurosurgery and bioengineering.
A new University of Pittsburgh study found that low-frequency deep brain stimulation improves control of facial and tongue muscles involved in speaking and swallowing after traumatic brain injury. The treatment showed small but significant improvements in word intelligibility for one participant with TBI.
Researchers discovered that exhausted T cells can lose the exhaustion marker LAG3 to escape tumors and confer long-lasting immunity to cancer in mice. These cells play a critical role in generating a strong, durable memory response, which is essential for effective cancer immunotherapy.
A clinical trial found that refrigerated platelets stored for up to 21 days are just as effective as room-temperature platelets in treating bleeding patients. This discovery could extend the lifespan of platelets by nearly 4-fold, reducing waste and improving access to lifesaving therapy.
A national study found that about half of prostate cancer patients receiving focal therapy fell outside the recommended patient groups, highlighting the need for evidence-based treatment decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding which patients are most likely to benefit from promising new treatments.
A team of researchers has developed a new way to study heart valve disorders by creating miniature, working models of the heart. The models, called assembloids, were grown from pluripotent adult stem cells and can be used to simulate various types of valve disorders, including mitral valve prolapse.
A new study found that women living in socially vulnerable communities face a higher risk of death after an ovarian cancer diagnosis compared to those living in less vulnerable communities. The study also discovered that Black women face a significantly higher risk of death than white women, highlighting the importance of addressing ne...
A large-scale field experiment found that small monetary incentives boosted sleep habits and improved academic performance in college students. The study, published in the Journal of Political Economy, showed a 26% increase in nights with seven or more hours of sleep and 0.075–0.089 higher grade points.
A team led by Jeremy Levy and Chandralekha Singh describes the Inverse Seminar, a format that recovers hidden knowledge and decisions in scientific papers. The format involves a senior scientist listening to a junior researcher present their own paper, recovering undocumented material and uncovering new insights.
Researchers used AI and single-cell technology to study the 3D genome in brain cells from individuals with Alzheimer's disease. They found increased compartment mingling, reduced gene activity, and altered brain cell organization. The study identifies 3D genome organization as a key layer of Alzheimer's biology.
The updated clinical guidelines broaden statin eligibility by looking beyond the next 10 years to a person's risk over several decades. The new recommendations apply to approximately 56.6% of adults ages 30-79, with an additional 21.5 million Americans now eligible.
A groundbreaking study published in Science Translational Medicine has successfully restored the sense of touch in individuals with spinal cord injuries using brain-computer interface technology. The study found that electrical pulses delivered to the somatosensory cortex remained stable and localized over a period of up to 10 years, w...
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a new imaging technique to visualize nerve patterns in densely innervated joints, such as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The c-Clear method produces a three-dimensional map of nerves with minimal tissue damage, allowing for better understanding of disorders like TMDs and TMJ pain.
A randomized clinical trial found that long-acting analogue insulin glargine was associated with less time spent in dangerous hypoglycemia and fewer nighttime low blood sugar events. However, benefits only emerged after a year into the trial.
The University of Pittsburgh's DPT-PhD Bioengineering Program has been awarded a five-year NIH T32 training grant. The program, co-directed by Rakié Cham and Patrick Sparto, supports students in integrating physical therapy education with bioengineering research training.
Researchers paired CAR T cell immunotherapy with a targeted radiopharmaceutical to improve tumor regression in preclinical models of neuroblastoma. The combination therapy worked through different mechanisms depending on the tumor's sensitivity to radiation.
A new study has identified biological pathways that explain why air pollution affects some people with asthma more than others. Researchers found that individuals with specific genetic variants are more susceptible to the harmful effects of fine particulate matter, and that targeted interventions may be able to blunt these effects.
A study reveals that H5N1 bird flu causes severe infection in cow udders instead of lungs, and identifies a specific glycan receptor subtype as the key to its unusual behavior. This discovery provides a new way to predict the virus's next host jump and potential disease manifestation.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a more sustainable and economically competitive process to produce battery-quality graphite, with hydrogen generated as a valuable co-product. The new method uses molten metal catalysis to dehydrogenate ethane, producing high-quality graphite that is currently dominated by China.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that a single TV episode sparked a surge in awareness and conversations about the historic ambulance service. Online search trends and social media conversations revealed how entertainment media can spark curiosity and learning about forgotten topics.
Nikhil Bajaj's $649K NSF CAREER Award aims to develop a unified computational framework for designing nonlinear systems. The approach targets bifurcation behavior in devices such as ultrasensitive gas-leak detectors and energy harvesters. By starting from explicit behavior specification, researchers can engineer systems backwards.
Graphonos Materials, a startup from the University of Pittsburgh, has developed a novel technology to produce battery-quality graphite and hydrogen using molten metal catalysis. This process is more energy-efficient and sustainable than current methods, which require high temperatures and generate significant carbon emissions.
A clinical trial tested four remote monitoring approaches against usual care and found that none outperformed usual care in reducing readmissions. The study highlights the importance of studying real-world care models to optimize outcomes.
A new study suggests that lower baseline dopamine may drive teenage risk-taking behavior, such as substance experimentation, which tends to decrease with age. The research found that adolescents with lower dopamine levels were more likely to try substances, but their use declined after the college years.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that maternal RSV vaccination reduces hospitalization risk in young infants by nearly 70%. The vaccine also showed effectiveness against severe lung infections caused by the virus.
A pioneering pilot clinical trial showed that spinal cord stimulation improved arm strength by 32% in stroke survivors, with significant reductions in muscle spasticity. The intervention required minimal training time and was safe with no serious adverse events.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered an unexpected chromosome interaction between telomeres and centromeres in some aggressive cancers. This interaction creates a genetic signature that could help identify ALT-positive tumors, which are often challenging to treat due to genomic instability.
A new brain imaging test can detect Alzheimer's disease pathology in twice as many people before symptoms appear. The test uses a new tau PET tracer that identifies more tau-positive cases than the current standard, leading to better decisions about who is on an Alzheimer's trajectory.
A recent study published in PNAS has found no meaningful health impacts from exposure to wind turbines. The researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 households and found no correlations between turbine installation and health problems such as headaches, depression, or sleep disturbances.
A nationwide trial found that giving whole blood or its component parts to patients with severe bleeding before arriving at the hospital is equally effective. The study, which included over 1,000 patients, also showed no difference in outcomes between newer and older blood within a certain time frame.
The Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases will investigate how environmental exposures cause neurodegeneration and develop methods to prevent or mitigate these exposures. The project aims to improve diagnostics and future therapies for Parkinson's disease, a condition characterized by heterogeneity across individuals.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that older scientists produce fewer disruptive new ideas than younger ones, creating a 'nostalgia effect' that influences scientific advancement. As scientists age, their papers tend to cite older research in new combinations rather than introducing wholly new concepts.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that eating creates a temporary metabolic state that influences T cell function, leading to improved responses to infection. The findings have particular relevance for cancer immunotherapy and may inform when immune cells are collected or activated.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training can help students build resilience in the face of emotional threats, leading to increased engagement in college physics. After five days of training, students reported feeling less threatened and more motivated to learn.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze satellite data, combining public and private sources to predict lava flow patterns. The study's findings can aid in early warning systems for volcanic eruptions, providing critical information for safety and analysis.
A video game developed to improve trauma triage decision making in emergency doctors has shown promising results. The game reduced under-triage rates for older patients by 49% compared to those who did not play the game, suggesting improved diagnostic abilities and adherence to guidelines.
A first-in-human trial shows that an infusion of immune cells derived from a donor's blood can prime the recipient's immune system to accept a donor liver, potentially reducing lifelong immunosuppression. Eight out of 13 participants achieved complete withdrawal of immunosuppression and remained off for more than three years.