A new study published in Neurology found that in-person license renewal laws and vision testing significantly reduce crashes involving drivers with dementia. Hospitalized drivers aged 60-69 were 37% less likely to have dementia in states with in-person renewal laws.
A large study found that children with ADHD engage in substance use at a younger age than those without ADHD, with a significantly higher prevalence of regular marijuana and cigarette use. The study also found a faster progression of substance use during childhood and adolescence.
A new study published in Prehospital Emergency Care suggests that risk management approach can combat EMS fatigue. The guidelines recommend limiting shifts to less than 24 hours, providing access to caffeine, allowing naps while on duty, and educating personnel on fatigue risk management.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association calls for improved care for sepsis survivors, focusing on strategies to minimize physical disability and cognitive impairment. The recommended approach includes high-quality early sepsis care, post-discharge assessment and treatment, and screening for pre-exist...
A large-scale international trial found that modifying baby formula to reduce cow's milk proteins didn't decrease the risk of type 1 diabetes. The study followed 2,159 infants with a family member affected by type 1 diabetes and genetic risk for years to determine which developed diabetes.
Researchers developed an algorithm using smartphone data to detect worsening symptoms in cancer patients, allowing for early intervention and improved quality of life. The study enrolled 14 patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, showing 88% accuracy in identifying high-symptom days.
A new video game has been shown to improve doctors' ability to recognize and triage severe trauma patients, outperforming traditional text-based education. The game, which uses narrative engagement to promote behavior change, recalibrated physicians' brains to make quicker decisions with incomplete information.
A new study found that e-cigarette users are more than four times as likely to begin smoking tobacco cigarettes within 18 months. The research, published in the American Journal of Medicine, suggests that e-cigarettes serve as a gateway to traditional smoking, contradicting their use as a smoking cessation tool.
A new study establishes expert consensus on managing concerning behaviors in patients taking opioids for chronic pain, including assessing risk and safety concerns, identifying pain symptoms, and providing patient education. The study also highlights the importance of referral to other pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that earlobe attachment is influenced by an interplay of at least 49 genes. This complex genetics challenges traditional teaching methods, which often focus on dominant and recessive genes.
A patient-centered medical home model implemented in over 800 Veterans Health Administration primary care clinics showed significant improvements in chronic disease outcomes, including better blood pressure and cholesterol control for up to 1-5% of patients. The model, known as Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), provided multidisciplin...
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health shares a training protocol for community health center leaders and staff on using big data for informed decision-making. The protocol provides access to over 100 training programs, webinars, and tools to address specific needs in health informatics.
A recent analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that when low-income parents enroll in Medicaid, their children have a significantly higher chance of receiving annual well child visits. These visits are crucial for growth and development, immunizations, and proper nutrition and child behaviors.
A new analysis found that when low-income adults were newly covered by Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, they were more likely to quit smoking cigarettes than their counterparts in states without Medicaid expansion. Smoking cessation programs provided through Medicaid led to a significant increase in quitting rates.
A groundbreaking study found that clot removal may be beneficial for some stroke patients even if they arrive beyond the 6-hour treatment window. Researchers used brain imaging and clinical criteria to select patients, showing significant benefit in nearly half of those treated with endovascular therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified the key player in the immune system's defense against Candida albicans, a fungus that causes oral thrush. The study reveals that a fungal toxin called Candidalysin plays a crucial role in triggering an immune response to prevent infection.
A new computer program has been developed to help doctors detect acute kidney injury earlier, reducing its severity and improving survival rates. The program, which was tested in over half a million patients, showed a significant reduction in hospital mortality, length of stay, and dialysis rates.
Scientists have discovered a key protein controlling ferroptosis, a highly regulated cell death process that plays a role in health and disease. The research links ferroptosis to diseases such as asthma, kidney injury, and brain trauma, suggesting potential drug targets for treatment.
Research examines the benefits of palliative care in heart failure treatment, showing improved patient-centered outcomes. Palliative care can address symptoms like pain and depression to enhance treatment effectiveness.
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that many women after weight-loss surgery do not follow recommended contraceptive practices. The findings highlight the need for more frequent referral to counseling for contraception guidance throughout the bariatric surgery process.
A genetic test developed by UPMC scientists proved highly sensitive in detecting pancreatic cysts associated with aggressive pancreatic cancer. The test, PancreaSeq°, correctly classified patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and identified cysts that would progress to cancer with 100% accuracy.
The Magee Prize will be awarded to a collaborative team of researchers proposing innovative projects in women's health research. The winners will collaborate with MWRI researchers to improve women's health globally, focusing on topics like early human development, reproductive sciences, and gender-based biology.
Researchers recommend expanding flu vaccine recommendation to middle-aged adults with chronic health conditions due to modest effectiveness of standard-dose vaccine. High-dose and recombinant trivalent vaccines show promise in providing better protection for high-risk patients.
A new antibody treatment has been shown to reduce the rate of exacerbations by nearly 20% in patients with a subgroup of treatment-resistant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that patients with high eosinophil counts benefited more from the treatment, indicating a potential biomarker for the disease.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research and National Institutes of Health found that tick saliva-based drug Ixolaris reduces inflammation in monkeys infected with SIV, a primate form of HIV. The study suggests that targeting this inflammation pathway could improve the clinical management of HIV-infected ...
The largest study on hardmetal workers found no increased risk of lung cancer or death due to the substance's use in the industry. Short-term workers showed small excesses in lung cancer mortality, attributed to lifestyle and behavior factors rather than occupational exposure.
Neurons can dynamically modify their dopamine content by adjusting vesicle acidity, contradicting the existing textbook model. This finding has important implications for understanding dopamine-related diseases like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
Research finds that black women who gain fat around their midsection are more likely to accumulate heart fat, while white women's risk increases when they gain weight overall. The study, which analyzed data from over 500 women, suggests that excess abdominal fat is a greater threat for both black men and women.
A study found that adolescents with an increasing pattern of marijuana use over their teens had the greatest dysfunction in brain reward circuitry, highest rates of depression, and lowest educational achievements. The findings highlight the importance of understanding marijuana use across adolescence to predict long-term impacts.
Researchers revamped a 50-year-old flu virus model, revealing loopholes that allow viruses to swap genetic material and give rise to new strains. This discovery could lead to better pandemic predictions and disruption of the flu virus.
Researchers have discovered that corticosteroids, a main treatment for asthma, can actually exacerbate the disease in certain cases. The study found that high levels of inflammatory protein CXCL10 and interferon-gamma are linked to poor lung function and worsening symptoms.
Most reproductive-age and pregnant women who use opioids for non-medical purposes also use at least one other substance, including nicotine, alcohol, or cocaine. This finding suggests that public health efforts addressing the opioid epidemic should include interventions targeting concurrent use of multiple substances among these women.
A 14-year study found that slowed walking speed in older adults is associated with cognitive impairment, particularly in the right hippocampus. Regular measurement of walking speed and monitoring for changes may help detect early signs of cognitive decline.
Experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a key molecule, SIRP-alpha, that triggers innate immune system activation and leads to organ rejection. Sequencing this gene could lead to better donor-recipient matches and new ways to prevent transplant rejection.
Targeting a subset of immune cells called regulatory T cells could be an effective approach to treating cancers. By blocking or deleting a surface protein called neuropilin-1, researchers found that tumor growth was dramatically reduced in mice, suggesting this could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments.
A study of over 2,000 surgical weight-loss patients found that opioid use increased within 7 years after surgery, surpassing pre-surgery rates. The study highlights the need for alternative pain management approaches in post-surgical patients.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a test sensitive enough to detect 'hidden' HIV, which reveals that people who appear cured may still carry a larger virus reservoir than previously estimated. The test, called TZA, is faster, less labor-intensive and less expensive than existing tests.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified two genes, Sap130 and Pcdha9, that play a crucial role in causing hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The study reveals that mutations in these genes can cause HLHS by compromising blood flow to the body.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study covering nearly 50,000 patients found that hospitals in New York State that followed the 'three-hour bundle' protocol for sepsis treatment had lower mortality rates. The protocol requires early identification and treatment within three hours of diagnosis, with completion averaging 1.3 hours.
A large study of adults who underwent weight-loss surgery found that nearly one in five developed problems with alcohol. The most common procedure, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, was associated with a higher risk of alcohol use disorder than other procedures.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis found that young adults who have a positive attitude towards hookah smoking are more likely to take their first puff. The study suggests that prevention efforts should focus on countering the image of hookah smoking as a fun social activity rather than emphasizing health risks.
A randomized controlled trial found that endovascular treatment was effective in reducing disability among patients treated within 6 to 24 hours after a stroke. The study showed that nearly half of patients who received endovascular therapy had a good outcome at 90 days, compared to only 13% of those treated with clot-busting drugs alone.
Recent studies identified targeted therapies that improved benefits for patients with pancreatic cancer, including one with an ALK gene mutation. The assessment of actionable alterations is now part of routine care at UPMC.
Researchers used CRISPR genome editing technology to target unique DNA sequences formed by fusion genes, cutting out mutated DNA and replacing it with a gene that leads to cancer cell death. This approach improved survival rates in mouse models of aggressive liver and prostate cancers.
A new analysis suggests that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendation against the inhaled flu vaccine may not be detrimental if it becomes effective. The study found that close surveillance will be needed to ensure the vaccine continues to do more good than harm.
A new blood test has been developed to detect acute intracranial hemorrhage due to abusive head trauma in infants, with a high sensitivity rate of 90%. The test uses a combination of biomarkers and hemoglobin levels to identify infants at risk.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that integrating informal caregivers into discharge planning reduces hospital readmissions by 25% for elderly patients. Proper training and support enable caregivers to manage complex care responsibilities, preventing readmissions.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a new brain pathway that controls hand movements, contradicting the long-held belief that motor functions originate from the frontal lobe. This finding has implications for understanding hand movement and may lead to better treatments for patients with motor function disorders.
A study published in the AACR Annual Meeting found that longer-than-expected telomeres are associated with an increased risk of cancer. The research analyzed blood samples from over 28,000 Chinese people and found a significant link between telomere length and cancer incidence.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that higher levels of tumor-associated immune cells and certain T cell types are associated with better response to immunotherapy. This could lead to more effective treatments for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.