A new electronic stent design is being developed to continuously monitor coronary artery disease in real-time, providing a unique solution to prevent restenosis. The device will offer long-term monitoring capabilities without the need for frequent follow-up visits.
A computer model shows that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's superantigenic features interact with human T cells, leading to a 'cytokine storm' and severe inflammation. Researchers found similarities between this region and bacterial proteins causing toxic shock syndrome.
University of Pittsburgh professors Nathan Youngblood and Feng Xiong receive $380,000 to study phase-change materials for high-speed computing and optical storage applications. The project aims to overcome the challenges in electrically-controlled optical memory devices.
A team from the University of Pittsburgh is using a $1.1M grant to optimize small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular graft design and manufacturability. They aim to develop a feasible alternative to decades-old vessel harvesting methods, with the goal of reducing complications like stenosis.
Researchers will develop an adaptive traffic control system leveraging connected vehicles and infrastructures to optimize and manage traffic flow. The goal is to reduce corridor-level fuel consumption by 20 percent, while maintaining a highly operable and safe transportation environment.
A team of Pitt professors has received a $1 million NSF grant to create an at-home glaucoma monitoring device that uses acoustic waves to measure intraocular pressure. The project aims to enable patients and non-clinicians to reliably assess IOP, allowing doctors to tailor treatments more effectively.
Researchers developed a machine-learning algorithm that can detect subtle signs of osteoarthritis on MRI scans taken years before symptoms begin. The algorithm predicted osteoarthritis with 78% accuracy from MRIs performed three years before symptom onset, offering hope for preventative treatments.
Two Pitt projects have received more than $1 million in NSF funding, one investigating the water wettability of floating graphene and the other developing high-performance materials for liquid-phase energy storage systems.
A new blood protein test can detect the severity of head trauma with high accuracy and speed, potentially saving millions in medical expenses annually. The research team developed a point-of-care testing device that uses a hand-held device to measure glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in patient blood.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that people with atrial fibrillation have a 1.2-fold higher risk of stroke when exposed to greater levels of pollution. The study, which included neighborhood-specific pollution data, emphasizes the importance of air pollution alerts in advising the ...
A study found that a significant drop in US overdose deaths in 2018 was attributed to a decrease in the availability of potent opioids from China, rather than domestic policy efforts. The decline was largely driven by a reduction in carfentanil seizures, an opioid 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh isolated the smallest biological molecule to date that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2. The tiny antibody component, known as Ab8, is 10 times smaller than a full-sized antibody and has been shown to be highly effective in preventing and treating SARS-COV-2 infection in mice and hamsters.
A study analyzed public blogs and stream-of-consciousness essays to find that individuals with a larger negative emotion vocabulary tend to experience more psychological distress and poorer physical health. Conversely, those with a positive emotion vocabulary report better well-being and physical health.
Researchers created an individual biocontainment unit to keep front-line healthcare workers safe during intubation. The device, described in a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine, trapped over 99.9% of simulated SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and prevented them from escaping into the environment.
Researchers created a system that uses CRISPR to briefly suppress genes related to AAV antibody production, allowing the virus to deliver its cargo unimpeded. The study shows promise for improving gene therapy's effectiveness and preventing or treating sepsis in mice.
A recent study has found that corticosteroids improve the odds of survival for very sick COVID-19 patients. The REMAP-CAP trial combined data from 121 hospitals in eight countries and found a 93% probability that giving patients hydrocortisone would result in better outcomes.
A placebo-controlled clinical trial found that vitamin D supplements did not prevent severe asthma attacks in at-risk children. The study, led by Juan C. Celedón, followed nearly 200 children with moderately low vitamin D levels for three years and showed no benefit from the supplements.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered that pigs can grow a new liver in their lymph nodes, which could potentially treat various liver diseases. The study found that large animals with damaged livers can regenerate hepatocytes, forming an ectopic liver that takes over liver functions.
A new study found that short-term use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication can effectively prevent HIV transmission in men who have sex with men. During a vacation, 94% of participants had blood concentrations protective against HIV, while no transmissions occurred during the trip itself.
Researchers found that MOFs become more insulated when filled with gases, contrary to expectations. This discovery poses challenges for the use of MOFs outside research labs and highlights the need for further investigation into their properties.
Kurt Beschorner's $1.8M NIOSH grant focuses on measuring friction as a pathway for slip and fall risk in ladder accidents. The research will establish safety guidelines to reduce severe injuries and fatalities in the workplace and at home.
A large-scale analysis by UPMC found that patients positive for COVID-19 stay positive for an average of three weeks. Repeating tests in patients who were initially negative rarely leads to a positive result.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UCSF developed a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve to improve language learning. Participants showed significant improvements in distinguishing Mandarin tones, with some reaching peak performance twice as quickly as control participants.
Researchers have developed a three-pronged approach to predict novel electrocatalysts, which can simulate many atoms at once and transform catalyst development. The new method allows for high-throughput screening powered by machine learning, accelerating the discovery of efficient electrocatalysts.
Research finds men who endorse aggressive masculinity are more likely to engage in bullying, sexual harassment, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The 'Man Box' scale measures these norms and suggests a tool for clinicians to monitor male patients' attitudes.
A team led by University of Pittsburgh's Jingtong Hu is working on a project to train algorithms that can accurately diagnose pneumonia caused by COVID-19 using CT scans. The goal is to create a mobile scanning device that can quickly screen for signs of the disease in crowded places.
A team led by Pitt professor Katherine Hornbostel is developing a hybrid plant that captures more carbon than it produces, making it carbon negative. The system integrates natural gas with two carbon capture technologies to achieve high CO2 removal rates during both normal operations and off-peak hours.
Sachin Velankar receives $292K from NSF to study micromechanics of surface tension, exploring its impact on material flow behavior. The research aims to understand particle cluster dynamics and inform industrial processes like oil drilling, 3D printing, and food industry mixing.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Michigan Medicine, and Stanford Medicine are conducting a study to evaluate whether convalescent plasma can prevent the progression of COVID-19 illness in patients with mild symptoms. The goal is to understand the immunologic impact of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies on the disease af...
A phase I clinical trial found that the antiviral drug cocktail ledipasvir/sofosbuvir resulted in a 100% hepatitis C cure rate among nine pregnant volunteers, with none of their babies contracting the virus. The study suggests that pregnancy could be an excellent time to diagnose and cure hepatitis C infection.
A study published in The Lancet Digital Health demonstrates an AI program's highest accuracy to date in recognizing and characterizing prostate cancer. The algorithm achieved 98% sensitivity and 97% specificity in detecting prostate cancer, surpassing previously reported results.
The University of Pittsburgh's CANELa lab is advancing nanoparticle research by modeling metal nanoclusters with exact structures, allowing for accurate theory and investigation of their properties. This breakthrough enables the creation of active sites for catalysis, a key focus of the lab.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh's Rehab Neural Engineering Labs has repurposed spinal cord stimulators to provide sensory feedback to amputees, generating sensations such as touch and pressure. The devices were found to be stable and effective in restoring feelings of touch in users.
Researchers discovered that a protein called Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) suppresses immune responses to cancer. Blocking NRP1 improves the immune system's ability to remember tumors, leading to better protection against recurrence and improved response to immunotherapy.
Researchers found that infusing umbilical cord blood safely and effectively treated 44 children born with various non-cancerous genetic disorders. The treatment resulted in a halting of neurological decline and normal enzyme levels in patients with metabolic disorders, with high safety and efficacy rates.
The Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation and Training (AR3T) has received a $5 million NIH grant to continue its work in expanding scientific knowledge and expertise in regenerative medicine. The network aims to increase the efficacy of interventions designed to help people with disabilities be more independent and engaged.
A University of Pittsburgh research team received $330K to study the effect of silver on water disinfection. The goal is to determine if silver-coated shower fixtures effectively prevent opportunistic pathogen exposure and minimize antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute identified a novel drug that can protect the brain during and after a stroke. The study shows that injured neurons can remain viable if prevented from following biochemical pathways leading to cell death.
A new 3D-printed membrane designed by Pitt ChemE professor Lei Li has the potential to efficiently separate oil and water. The membrane's unique surface topography and pore size will enable effective separation of oil-water emulsions, converting oily wastewater into purified water.
McKone's project aims to convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals, addressing the environmental impact of excess CO2. He is developing new catalysts and reactors to mimic biological enzymes and improve efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using a new scalable manufacturing method to create customizable types of nanocarbons directly on flexible materials. This process enables patterning functional nanocarbons needed for emerging flexible-device applications in healthcare, energy, and consumer electronics.
New research investigates how viruses trick cells into forming lipid rafts, allowing them to enter and infect the human body. The study suggests that understanding this process could lead to innovative approaches to fight viral infections.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that applying intense optical fields to electrons in metals can change their electronic properties. This 'dressing' effect allows for potential applications in conventional electronics, quantum computing, and entirely new areas of research.
Feng Xiong is developing a two-dimensional synaptic array to enable computers to process vast datasets with less power and greater speed. This technology aims to mimic the brain's efficient learning process, allowing for more precise adjustments between states.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh and Politecnico di Milano advances computational catalysis by simulating realistic catalysts under reaction conditions. The researchers developed a method to model catalyst morphology and catalytic activity under reaction conditions, enabling the prediction of unpredictable reactions.
Researchers developed a metal-organic framework material that sensitizes lanthanide ions, allowing for unprecedented imaging in tissues. The material enables longer-lasting luminescence, providing a time advantage for studying biological systems.
A team led by Nathan Youngblood and Feng Xiong investigated how light affects 2D materials like MoTe2 for improved data storage. They found that reducing material dimensions increases efficiency due to energy proportional to area rather than volume.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have created fully functional mini livers using skin cells from human volunteers. The lab-made organs were then transplanted into rats, with results showing they survived for four days and functioned like a normal liver.
A $2.6M NIH award will examine how sex differences impact cognitive impairment and dementia, with a focus on the brain vascular system. The project aims to uncover personalized molecular targets for therapy and improve treatment of dementia.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute have identified neural pathways connecting the brain to the stomach, suggesting a bidirectional communication network that influences digestion and gut health. This discovery provides new insights into common gut disorders and may lead to the development of brain-based therapies.