Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a unique method to detect antibodies in the blood, enabling simple diagnostic tests for diseases without known microbial causes. This approach successfully led to the detection of HIV antibodies and holds potential for diagnosing various conditions with just a single drop of bl...
Pittsburgh researchers uncover a major reason why alpha-synuclein, a key protein in Parkinson's disease, is toxic to neurons. They found two ways to prevent the toxicity: gene therapy and a protein that blocks alpha-synuclein from sticking to mitochondria.
Participants in a 22-session program increased their moderate intensity physical activity by 45-52 minutes per week, with average weekly activity levels maintained after the program ended. The study found that season and weather influenced physical activity levels, with more activity during summer months.
Regular skin checks during PCP visits improve melanoma detection and treatment outcomes. Thinner melanomas detected through screening have a better prognosis than thicker ones.
A large, randomized international trial has shown that immunotherapy, specifically nivolumab, significantly improves overall survival and quality of life in patients with rapidly progressing head and neck carcinoma. The treatment also demonstrated a lower rate of serious adverse events compared to standard chemotherapy.
A phase II clinical trial found that pembrolizumab reduces tumor size in four types of soft tissue sarcomas and three types of bone sarcomas. Undifferentiated pleomorphic and osteosarcoma subtypes showed particularly promising results, with 44% and 30-40% reductions in tumor size, respectively.
An international clinical trial led by University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) professor Atilla Soran found that surgery to remove the primary tumor followed by standard therapy adds months to patients' lives compared to standard therapy alone. Surgery resulted in nearly 42% of women living to five years after diagnosis.
Cardiac arrhythmia is a significant complication following lung transplantation, affecting long-term patient survival. Researchers found that about 30% of patients developed arrhythmia, mostly during the first week post-surgery, with older patients and previous heart surgery being risk factors.
A study found that more than half of those making decisions for critically ill patients have significantly different estimates of survival rates than their doctors. The research team hopes to train physicians to better communicate with these decision-makers, improving treatment outcomes and alleviating suffering.
The minimally invasive implantation of tiny coils improves exercise ability, lung function and quality of life for patients with severe emphysema. Patients who received coils showed a modest improvement in walking distance and lung function compared to those who didn't receive them.
A randomized controlled trial found online computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) to be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression. The study, led by the University of Pittsburgh, showed that CCBT programs can provide significant improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms, even when used alone or in combination with int...
Researchers found that respecting patient preferences for physician gender and clothing preferences can increase comfort during full-body skin cancer checks. These simple steps may lead to higher rates of skin cancer detection, ultimately saving lives.
A study found that frequent social media use is associated with a greater risk of developing eating and body image concerns in young adults. Participants who spent more time on social media had a higher risk of reporting these issues. The research suggests that preventative messages should target a broad population.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a simple physics principle, cooperativity, that explains how we detect a wide variety of smells. The team created a computational model to predict olfactory receptor gene expression and found a three-pronged regulation mechanism.
A potential drug therapy developed at the University of Pittsburgh has proven effective against bacterial biofilms and a deadly respiratory virus simultaneously. The eCAP was 50 times more effective at fighting the biofilm than traditional treatment, and reduced viable virus particles by over 150-fold in RSV-infected airway cells.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a computational model to discover new protein-protein interactions associated with schizophrenia. The study identified over 500 never-before-known PPIs, which could lead to greater understanding of the disease and its relation to other complex diseases.
Researchers found that high-intensity blue light reduces inflammation and organ damage at the cellular level in mice before surgery. This potential pre-treatment light therapy could improve outcomes in patients undergoing procedures with blood restriction.
New research reveals that US areas with high drug-overdose death rates are not always associated with high drug trafficking, contrary to expectations. Despite this, Western Pennsylvania and other regions like southern Michigan and eastern Ohio experienced rapid growth in overdose deaths nationwide.
A phase II clinical trial showed that watercress extract significantly inhibits the activation of tobacco-derived carcinogens in cigarette smokers, with a stronger effect in those lacking certain genes involved in processing carcinogens. The extract also detoxifies environmental carcinogens and toxicants found in cigarette smoke.
A type of thyroid cancer, EFVPTC, is being reclassified as non-invasive and low-risk due to its low recurrence rate. The new name, NIFTP, guides pathologists in diagnosis and reduces aggressive treatment, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
A study of 2,221 patients found that most experienced improvements in pain and walking ability after bariatric surgery, particularly in those with significant weight loss. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions or depressive symptoms were less likely to see improvements in pain and mobility.
A study by University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health suggests that middle-aged black women have higher levels of a protein in their blood associated with heart disease risk. The research recommends routine blood testing for this population to determine heart disease risk and potentially start therapies.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has designed a more effective version of an FDA-approved epilepsy drug with the potential for fewer side effects. The experimental agent could also prove to be a treatment for tinnitus and other disorders caused by volatile neural signaling.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found a significant association between social media use and depression among US young adults. Participants who spent more time on social media had a higher risk of depression, with some platforms showing stronger correlations than others.
A new study found that physically active older adults have larger gray matter volumes in key brain areas, which can help prevent cognitive decline. People with high calorie burn are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or experience less volume reduction over time.
Overdose deaths in PA rose 14-fold between 1979 and 2014, with highest rates among young women and white men. The analysis suggests potential targets for public health intervention and law enforcement efforts.
Researchers developed a cell-based model of the human placenta that can help explain how pathogens, like Zika virus, cross from mother to unborn child. The model recapitulates the barrier properties of naturally occurring cells and resists infection by certain viruses.
Research led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that state laws mandating influenza immunization for health care workers increased their vaccination rates from 22.5% to 50.9% between 2000 and 2011. The study suggests that stronger laws, including mandates and education, lead to higher vaccination rates.
A new study found that students who attend schools with programs and policies supporting LGBTQ youth are less likely to binge drink, regardless of their sexual identity. Living in states or cities with more affirmative school climates was associated with fewer binge drinking days for gay/lesbian and heterosexual students.
An international task force has updated definitions of sepsis and septic shock to bring clarity to diagnosis and treatment. The new definitions include the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) to help clinicians diagnose septic patients and start life-saving treatment.
The Testosterone Trials found that testosterone treatment increased blood testosterone levels and improved all aspects of sexual function, including desire and ability to get an erection. The treatment also showed benefits in mood and depressive symptoms, but not energy or distance walked.
UPMC's PreCISE-Rx program uses pharmacogenomics to individualize patient treatments, targeting the right drug for each patient based on their genes. The goal is to reduce hospital readmissions and recurrent illness while improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers found associations between CMV, HSV-2, and Toxoplasma gondii exposure and different aspects of cognitive decline in older people. The study suggests that chronic viral infections may trigger neurotoxic effects, leading to age-related cognitive impairment.
The study reveals the core of protein clumps found in Huntington's brains has a distinctive structure, which may lead to new therapies. The findings provide crucial insights into how proteins undergo misfolding and aggregation, shedding light on neurodegenerative diseases.
The UPMC-developed GlioSeq test provides rapid and accurate profiling of genetic abnormalities in brain tumors, guiding treatment planning. This next-generation sequencing test identifies previously known alterations as well as new molecular markers, enabling personalized management of patients.
A recent study published by the University of Pittsburgh found a significant link between social media use and sleep disturbances in young adults. Participants who checked their accounts frequently or spent more time on social media had three times and twice the likelihood of sleep difficulties, respectively.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that bullying significantly impacts the positive youth development of sexual-minority youth. The research used data from a survey of over 1,800 adolescents and revealed that these youths scored lower on key indicators such as competence, confidence, and connection ...
Adults with severe obesity who spend more time sitting are at higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Replacing sedentary behavior with low-intensity physical activities may improve cardiometabolic health.
A new meta-analysis reveals that hookah smokers inhale a large load of toxicants, with one session delivering 25 times the tar and 125 times the smoke of a single cigarette. The study suggests that hookah tobacco smoking should be monitored more closely to address this growing health concern.
A study found that doctors give less compassionate nonverbal cues to black patients compared to white patients, potentially leading to miscommunication and mistrust. The researchers suggest that physicians be aware of their verbal and nonverbal communication to build trust with black patients.
Children under 5 living in economically disadvantaged rural areas have a higher risk of medication poisoning. The study found that these areas have lower household income, high unemployment, and fewer resources for child supervision.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that the circadian rhythm of gene activity changes with aging, leading to altered sleep and cognitive patterns. The team identified core genes that make up the molecular clock in the prefrontal cortex, which may explain some age-related alterations in brain function.
A new system, TCRN, facilitates data and biospecimen sharing among cancer centers to speed up cancer research findings. This federated network uses advanced text processing technology to promote translational research across all cancer centers.
A study by UPMC and KingMed Diagnostics researchers found that international telepathology consultations significantly improved patient care in China, altering treatment plans for over half of cases. The consultation service expanded access to pathology expertise, facilitating the diagnosis of rare malignancies.
A University of Pittsburgh-led trial found that a text message-based program successfully reduced binge drinking among 18-25 year olds. After 12 weeks, participants who received the full program reported an average of one less binge drinking day per month and a 12% reduction in binge drinking.
Achieving a healthy weight before becoming pregnant significantly reduces the risk of infant death in the first year of life. Gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy also plays a crucial role in infant mortality.
A recent study found that chronic arsenic exposure can lead to stem cell dysfunction, impairing muscle healing and regeneration. Inhibiting a certain protein in an inflammatory pathway can reverse the harmful effects of arsenic exposure.
A study of over 2,200 obese patients found that bariatric surgery leads to significant improvements in bodily pain, physical function, and walking speed. However, patient age, income level, depressive symptoms, and pre-existing medical conditions can affect the likelihood of improvement.
The University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research has received a $7.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate development of drugs and vaccines against alphaviruses, deadly viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. The team aims to develop therapies and protection against these diseases.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health is launching a study to promote health among aging gay and bisexual men living with HIV. The research team will identify protective factors, or resiliencies, that help some men stay healthy and could be extended to others.