Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that wisdom teeth stem cells can transform into corneal cells to repair scarring. The discovery could lead to new treatments for corneal blindness, a condition affecting millions worldwide.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis of 70 YouTube videos depicts drunkenness found little portrayal of negative outcomes, with humor often juxtaposed. The study suggests targeting men in future interventions debunking alcohol-related myths on social media.
Teenage exploration and risk-taking can be attributed to dramatic changes in the brain, driven by the need for immediate reward. According to Dr. Beatriz Luna's research, the teen prefrontal cortex is not immature but rather overruled by heightened motivation centers.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine aims to create a prosthetic limb that not only moves like a natural one but also feels like it. By integrating sensory technologies, they hope to improve users' dexterous control and intuition when interacting with the device.
A primary care-based program has been shown to increase physical activity in overweight, middle-aged women, with improvements of up to 90 minutes per week compared to self-guided groups. The interventionist-led group also maintained higher levels of activity over time.
Providing fact sheets on contraception during dermatology office visits can improve women's awareness of the most effective birth control options. This education may prevent unintended pregnancies and birth defects caused by acne drugs like isotretinoin.
Researchers analyze patients' genetic makeup to determine potential reactions to medications and reduce adverse effects. The goal is to increase the quality of life for individuals in behavioral health services, reducing emergency room visits and healthcare costs.
Researchers found that sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, induced the liver to produce greater amounts of cyclic GMP, reducing TNF signaling and preventing liver damage. Experiments with human liver cells also showed the protective effects of the drug.
Laurie Sanders, a Pitt assistant professor of neurology, will receive the William N. & Bernice E. Bumpus Foundation Innovation Award. The award supports her research on unrepaired mtDNA damage and its role in Parkinson's disease development.
A new study seeks to improve the health of sedentary people at risk for diabetes and heart disease by decreasing their sitting time. The program will test whether reducing sedentary behavior is as effective as increasing physical activity in improving overall health.
A new preservation system that uses machine perfusion keeps livers healthier for up to nine hours before transplantation, leading to better liver function and increased survival rates. The system has shown promising results in animal studies, with 100% of pigs surviving after receiving perfused livers.
A Pitt study links biomarkers to long-term kidney damage and death in critically ill, highlighting the importance of early intervention. Researchers found that tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and IGF-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7) can identify patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes.
A multidisciplinary team found that adding head and neck cancer screenings to recommended lung cancer screenings could improve early detection and survival. The study suggests that people at risk for lung cancer are also at higher risk for head and neck cancer, with the five-year survival rate being over 83% when caught early.
A 12-year study found that genetic variants, combined with lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking, can lead to chronic pancreatitis. Researchers identified a specific gene variant that may fail to protect pancreatic cells from injury, increasing the risk of inflammation and scarring.
A recent report led by a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health investigator found that people with type 1 diabetes who intensively control their blood glucose soon after diagnosis are likely to live longer. The study showed a 33 percent reduction in deaths over the past several decades among participants.
A study found that the high-dose flu vaccine significantly improves immune response to flu virus in frail, older residents of long-term care facilities. The vaccine provided superior protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza illness compared to the standard vaccine.
A woman with quadriplegia used her thoughts to control a prosthetic arm and hand, achieving 10-degree brain control and grasping various objects. The study's findings indicate that highly coordinated movement can be restored to people with paralyzed arms and hands.
A treatment pioneered at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research is far more effective than traditional antibiotics in inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. The new drug, called engineered cationic antimicrobial peptides (eCAPs), inhibited growth in about 90% of test bacterial strains.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery in treating corneal injuries by using stem cells from a patient's own eye. The study found that these cells can regenerate healthy corneal tissue, clearing the cloudy surface and restoring vision.
A new study using PET scans reveals that these tests can accurately predict which TB treatment drugs are likely to be effective in human trials. The findings could lead to the development of more effective treatments for patients with multi-drug resistant TB.
An international team of researchers identified 20 real or perceived barriers to public health data-sharing, classifying them into six categories. The team proposes creating a treaty for global data-sharing and commissioning a body to monitor and facilitate data exchange.
Researchers found significant differences between two commercially available datasets used to analyze the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and food and alcohol establishments. The study highlights the need for accurate data to support policy decisions on issues like incentives for grocery stores in econom...
Patients with atrial fibrillation taking dabigatran are at a higher risk of major and gastrointestinal bleeding compared to warfarin users. The study found that African-Americans and patients with chronic kidney disease were more likely to experience major bleeds.
NSAIDs protect against colorectal cancer by inducing cell suicide pathways in intestinal stem cells carrying a mutated gene. The research team found that NSAIDs activate the so-called death receptor pathway, selectively triggering a suicide program in dysfunctional cells. This mechanism could help design new drugs to prevent colon cancer.
Research found links between chromium and styrene exposure and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, affecting one in 68 children.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a pool of stem cells in the esophagus, which could lead to new treatments for esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus. The study found that these stem cells divide slowly compared to other cells in the esophagus, suggesting they may play a role in tissue rene...
UPMC's investigation into GI scope-related infections led to the discovery that sterilization, not disinfection, is necessary in preventing serious infections. The new approach has already been implemented and no additional healthcare-associated infections have been linked to scopes since switching to sterilization.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has implemented successful techniques to improve hand hygiene compliance, reducing infections by educating patients about proper hand-washing techniques. The initiatives have led to significant increases in hand hygiene rates, with near-perfect compliance rates maintained over time.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a four-year, $11 million grant to lead a Big Data to Knowledge Center of Excellence. The center will develop and disseminate tools that can find causal links in large biomedical data, enabling researchers to uncover new insights in health and disease.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a multidisciplinary consortium to explore strategies for whole-eye transplantation, with the goal of restoring vision in patients with traumatic or degenerative eye damage. The project aims to overcome challenges related to immune rejection and optic nerve regeneration.
A team led by Drs. Mary L. Marazita and Seth M. Weinberg will recruit 6,100 individuals for genetic studies to identify genetic susceptibility for cleft lip and palate in low-risk populations in Nigeria, the Philippines, and Colombia, as well as mid-risk populations in Pittsburgh and Lancaster.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are developing a state-of-the-art 3D liver model to better predict organ physiology, assess drug toxicity and build disease models. The project aims to improve ways of predicting drug safety and effectiveness through collaboration with researchers from 11 institutions.
The Fashion Footwear Association of New York and QVC presented $240,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute for breast cancer research. The grant will fund research on why breast cancer recurs and metastasizes, a potentially major impact on breast cancer survival rates.
Researchers found that combining targeted radiation therapy (SBRT) with the drug cetuximab improved treatment outcomes for patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The study showed a significant reduction in severe toxicity, allowing patients to complete treatments faster.
A genetic discovery has led to a highly accurate test for aggressive prostate cancer recurrence, identifying new avenues for treatment. The test is 91 percent accurate and could potentially lead to a cure through genetic therapy.
Researchers developed a new test to assess vestibular ocular system, which is predictive of longer outcomes from sports-related concussions. The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) was shown to be 90% accurate in identifying patients with concussion, providing a more comprehensive assessment.
Researchers found that African American men with mid-section fat are at higher risk of heart disease, while Korean men with higher BMIs have increased fat around the heart. These findings suggest that race and ethnicity should be considered when designing obesity prevention programs to effectively reduce heart disease risk.
Pitt researchers identify natural TH17 cells as a key player in preventing oral thrush, a common infection among HIV patients and those with impaired immune systems. These innate immune cells produce IL-17 to fight Candida albicans, a fungus that causes painful white lesions.
An analysis from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests acute hemodialysis may not decrease mortality in people with sudden kidney failure. The study found that patients who received acute hemodialysis had a nearly twice the risk of death compared to those who did not receive treatment.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that individuals with depression and mild cognitive impairment after age 65 are more likely to experience accelerated brain aging. This accelerated process increases their risk of developing dementia.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy found that community pharmacist interventions can significantly boost drug adherence rates. The project showed a 3-4% increase in medication adherence across five common medication classes, resulting in substantial cost savings for healthcare systems. By leveraging pharmaci...
Researchers predict that widespread screening and treatment of hepatitis C will reduce liver-related deaths by 161,500 and liver transplants by 13,900 from 2014 to 2050. The model also estimates that nearly 1 million cases of hepatitis C would be identified in the next 10 years under universal screening.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that eating baked or broiled fish once a week is associated with greater grey matter brain volumes in areas responsible for memory and cognition. The study suggests that lifestyle factors contribute to structural changes in the brain, rather than biological factors.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found dementia patients are more likely to receive a pacemaker for atrial fibrillation than those without cognitive impairment, despite being diagnosed with less aggressive interventions. The likelihood was highest among dementia patients, even after accounting for clinical factors.
A molecular testing panel developed at UPMC has improved the chances of correct initial surgery for thyroid cancer patients by 30 percent. The test, available at the UPMC/UPCI Multidisciplinary Thyroid Center, bypasses initial surgeries and allows for more efficient removal of cancerous tissue.
Researchers found nine variants in the CFTR gene associated with pancreatitis, sinusitis, and male infertility, but leave the lungs unaffected. The study identifies mechanisms behind these conditions, paving the way for treatments and potential medications.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that midlife sex hormone changes are associated with lower quality cholesterol carriers, which predict higher risk of heart disease. The study suggests that advanced testing methods may be needed to evaluate menopause-related dynamic changes in women.
A computer simulation analysis found that lowering the toxicity of new HIV drugs can increase patient quality-adjusted life expectancy by up to 11%, or more than 3 years. This reduction in side effects can lead to increased patient survival and improved treatment outcomes.
A team of researchers has found a potential way to enhance the body's ability to sense and inhibit viral infections by boosting a naturally occurring protein called OASL. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for viruses ranging from hepatitis C to the flu.
A new animal study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that male mice exposed to alcohol before breeding had less likely offspring who consumed less alcohol and were more sensitive to its effects. The study suggests environmental factors, such as epigenetics, may play a role in shaping drinking behaviors.