A study found that minority college students are at higher risk of sexual assault, with some groups facing even greater danger. Inclusive campus climates may reduce this risk, empowering bystanders to intervene and deterring perpetrators.
A study found that black, Hispanic, and less-educated women consume a less nutritious diet in the weeks leading up to their first pregnancy. The diets were assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2010, which measures 12 key aspects of diet quality.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh reveals that nearly 40% of reproductive-aged women in the US have limited or no nearby access to assisted reproductive technology clinics. This leaves 25 million women without choice and adds to their already stressful experience.
The Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model successfully saved Medicare $345 per person in medical costs without driving up prescription drug coverage costs. Providers' payments are aligned with performance in improving quality and reducing costs, leading to integrated care and effective treatments.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women are underrepresented as speakers during grand rounds, despite making up 47% of medical students. The researchers analyzed data from over 200 grand rounds websites and found that women were 44% less likely to be invited as speakers in clinical specialties.
A national analysis found that frequent social media use is associated with increased social isolation, even when controlling for demographic factors. The researchers suggest that social media may displace authentic social experiences and elicit feelings of envy, contributing to feelings of isolation.
A telephone-delivered collaborative care program improved health-related quality of life and anxiety symptoms in primary care patients compared to usual care. The intervention also produced significant improvements in mood symptoms, with African-Americans and men reporting the greatest levels of improvement.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh found a potential inverse relationship between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis, with eight genes showing opposing effects on risk. The study suggests that immune system dysfunction may play a role in both disorders.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study discovered that Japanese men who produce equol, a substance made by gut bacteria when metabolizing isoflavones, have lower levels of heart disease risk factors. The research suggests that equol production may hold the key to why some people derive a heart-protective benefit from eating soy foods.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a novel genetic mechanism and marker that may predict response to a class of drugs in many cancer types. Elevated levels of IGF2BP3 protein were found in both thyroid and other common cancers, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for treatment response.
A recent study has provided the first details of how enteroviruses, which cause millions of infections worldwide annually, may enter the body through the intestine. The researchers used a mini-gut model to demonstrate that echovirus 11 induced significant damage to intestinal cells, facilitating passage into the bloodstream.
A new study found that a specific type of heart fat associated with an increased risk of coronary artery calcification, an early sign of heart disease. In postmenopausal women and those with lower estrogen levels, epicardial fat volume was linked to higher risk of heart disease.
A new study found that sepsis accounts for the highest rate of hospital readmissions and associated costs among four tracked conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, COPD, and pneumonia. The study highlights the need to improve sepsis outcomes and reduce readmissions.
A landmark trial found that shortened antibiotic courses for ear infections in young children (9-23 months) resulted in more treatment failures and adverse events without reducing antibiotic resistance. The study showed a significantly higher risk of recurrent infections when residual fluid was present after treatment.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that teenage girls in urban settings took significantly fewer steps per day than their suburban counterparts, averaging only about 5% of the recommended daily activity level. This disparity puts them at risk for poor quality of life and chronic diseases.
A national survey found that young adults who use seven to 11 social media platforms have more than three times the risk of depression and anxiety compared to those who use zero to two platforms. Multitasking, navigating platform rules, and committing social media faux pas may contribute to these negative outcomes.
Scientists have linked a new class of bacterial enzymes to the chronic lung inflammation hallmark of cystic fibrosis. The discovery provides two potential strategies for interrupting or correcting this interference by opportunistic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have engineered a protein called Ngb H64Q that reverses carbon monoxide poisoning in mice, reducing CO half-life from 320 minutes to 23 seconds.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute have discovered molecular changes in primary tumors of breast cancer patients who developed brain metastases. The findings suggest that targeted therapies should be tailored not only for the original breast cancer but also for the brain tumors.
A new analysis found that restarting dabigatran after a major bleeding event leads to lower recurrent hemorrhage risk compared to warfarin. Resuming anticoagulation therapy also reduced the likelihood of stroke-free survival, with dabigatran associated with nearly half the risk of another major bleeding event within one year.
A new study found that palliative care significantly improves patients' quality of life and symptom burden, while also increasing patient and caregiver satisfaction. Researchers analyzed 43 trials involving 12,731 adults with serious illness and their family caregivers.
A multidisciplinary international team of scientists solved the mystery of ferroptosis, a type of controlled cell death that uses iron to safely destroy and recycle malfunctioning cells. The study aims to develop potential therapies for conditions like radiation injury, cancer and radiation-induced cellular damage.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute discovered that cancer cells exploit a previously unknown mechanism called alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) to reset their telomere clocks. This allows them to continue dividing and growing, making them more aggressive and resistant to treatment.
Pitt researchers discovered how oxidative stress accelerates telomere shortening by damaging DNA precursor molecules. This finding offers a new way to inhibit telomerase activity, potentially treating cancer. The study also reveals that oxidative stress can promote telomere lengthening.
A University of Pittsburgh-developed program successfully increases vaccination rates in adult patients seen at primary care offices. Practices participating in the 4 Pillars Practice Transformation Program had nearly three times the increase in Tdap vaccine uptake compared to non-participating offices.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health recommends distributing naloxone to inmates upon release from jail and improving overdose data collection to combat the opioid epidemic. The policy focuses on vulnerable populations such as veterans, inmates, and school children.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a $10.8 million contract to launch the LITES Network, which will create a nationwide trauma system capable of conducting detailed research on trauma care. The network aims to reduce preventable deaths after injury and minimal trauma-related disability.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have successfully developed a brain-computer interface that allows a paralyzed man to feel sensations in his arms and fingers. The technology, which uses microstimulation of sensory cortex, enables the individual to distinguish pressure intensity and even identify objects through touch.
A multidisciplinary team will study how motor and linguistic speech information is encoded in the brain to develop specific treatments for speech disorders. The researchers aim to understand which neuronal activity in the subthalamic nucleus is responsible for different aspects of speech.
The Pitt Urology Department has been awarded $7.7 million to investigate BPH and LUTS, aiming to develop novel preventative and therapeutic approaches. The center will focus on inflammation involved in these conditions.
A new immunotherapy drug nivolumab has been shown to significantly increase survival rates and reduce adverse side effects in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer. The trial found that patients on nivolumab survived an average of 7.5 months, compared to 5.1 months for those receiving standard therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine identified a unique 'constrained motion' pattern in which Rad4, a repair protein, scans DNA for structural faults. This discovery could lead to therapies that enhance existing treatments and counter drug-resistance, particularly in cancer.
The Pitt team has received a $2.5 million contract from the US Department of Defense to further develop a retrievable stent for treating life-threatening hemorrhages in servicemen and civilian gunshot victims. The device can be rapidly placed by non-vascular physicians with minimal training, simplifying treatment in emergency situations.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed two successful Zika vaccines that protect against neurological damage in newborn mice. The microneedle array vaccine showed significant protection, while the adenovirus-based vaccine was used as a proof-of-principle vaccine to test the envelope protein antigen.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that eliminating dendritic cells from transplanted organs can prolong transplant survival by reducing T cell proliferation. This breakthrough could lead to new methods for preventing or treating organ transplant rejection without compromising the patient's immune defenses.
Researchers have discovered a new group of compounds that could treat pulmonary hypertension by altering vessel stiffness and its downstream control of metabolism. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, highlight the use of these drugs to target the molecular origins of the disease.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy approach using ultrasound energy and microbubbles to selectively open cells, allowing delivery of therapeutic agents. The study's findings will help refine this technique as a clinical tool and translate it into an effective gene or drug delivery tool for patients.
Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh identified key brain regions influencing the adrenal medulla, shedding light on the mind-body connection. The study provides a neural basis for psychosomatic illness and suggests meditation and exercise can modulate stress responses by targeting specific cortical areas.
Researchers found that 64% of treatment-resistant depression patients had a deficiency in neurotransmitter metabolism, which improved symptoms with underlying deficiency treatment. The study suggests a new avenue for patients who have failed conventional treatments.
Researchers discovered that cancer tumors starve immune T cells by shrinking their mitochondria, limiting their ability to fight cancer. Boosting mitochondrial function in T cells improves their performance and could enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy drugs.
Researchers at Pitt School of Medicine identify mechanism by which bioscaffolds influence cellular behavior, promoting tissue repair and reconstruction. The study reveals the presence of nanovesicles in bioscaffolds, which enable cellular communication and facilitate regenerative processes.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that tumor sampling techniques used with new breast cancer tests may lead to underestimation of risk. The study suggests that refining the sampling process is crucial to ensure accurate treatment plans for patients with more aggressive tumors.
Researchers found that community-based behavioral lifestyle intervention programs improve health-related quality of life by nearly 10% among participants. Those with lower baseline quality of life showed the greatest improvement, with scores increasing from 61.8 to 74 after completing the year-long program.
A study analyzing 762 gun recoveries found that nearly 80% of perpetrators carrying a gun were not the lawful owners, indicating significant theft and trafficking issues in the region. The study also found that more than 30% of recovered guns were reported stolen before recovery, with women being underrepresented as victims.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine showed significant improvement in strength and range of motion, as well as evidence for skeletal muscle regeneration in patients treated with bioscaffolds. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of regenerative medicine in i...
Researchers found that each 1% decrease in trauma center volume is linked to a two-fold worsening in patient survival odds. The study suggests that unnecessary trauma centers can have a significant negative impact on patient outcomes.
Researchers followed 1,455 women for 15 years, finding four distinct trajectories for hot flashes and night sweats. Characteristics such as education level, alcohol consumption, and depression/anxiety levels were associated with different symptom patterns.
A trial by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that broccoli sprout extract activates a detoxification gene, protecting against oral cancer recurrence. The results were confirmed through human, animal, and laboratory tests.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that blacks with atrial fibrillation have nearly double the risk of adverse outcomes compared to whites. The study analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and found significant racial differences in outcomes related to AFib.
A Pittsburgh researcher has received a grant to study the effects of prolonged space travel on bones using a 3D microphysiological system. The research aims to develop new treatments for osteoporosis and enhance personalized medicine.