A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh has developed a novel textile coating that can repel viruses and bacteria, making it potential candidate for creating safely reusable personal protective equipment (PPE). The coating was tested against adenovirus types 4 and 7 and shown to be effective in repelling these viruses.
Researchers are developing a smartphone app to diagnose COVID-19 at home using acoustic sensing and AI techniques. The system measures changes in human airway mechanics, which are uniquely correlated to COVID-19 infection.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to a significant increase in long-term survival of transplanted organs. The study found that the innate immune system can specifically remember foreign cells, paving the way for new drugs that can prevent chronic rejection.
Researchers found that drug overdose deaths shifted from older to younger age groups as generations changed, with Baby Boomers facing higher risks in their mid-40s, Generation X in their late 30s, and Millennials in their early 20s. The study's results suggest a strong sociological imprinting effect, where attitudes towards drug use sh...
Researchers developed a low-toxicity antimicrobial peptide that effectively fought drug-resistant bacteria in laboratory cell cultures and mice, offering hope for treating respiratory infections. The new peptide, D8, showed remarkable stability and activity against superbugs, posing less risk to human cells.
A new model for respiratory infection treatment is being developed using mathematical modeling to predict and treat patients at risk of extreme lung inflammation. The University of Pittsburgh's Jason Shoemaker received a $547K NSF CAREER Award to create computational models of the immune response to seasonal influenza viruses.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a brain-computer interface technology that can readjust itself in real-time to ensure smooth operation. The system uses electrodes smaller than a hair to record neural activity, allowing users to control devices with greater precision and accuracy.
A novel clinical trial using the REMAP-CAP platform aims to rapidly test multiple treatment approaches for COVID-19. The UPMC-REMAP-COVID19 trial will integrate with electronic health records, allowing doctors to prescribe treatments quickly and efficiently.
Researchers designed a polymer that can twist and bend in response to light, mimicking human muscle movement. The polymer's chiral structure changes direction when exposed to different light sources, enabling simultaneous bending and twisting motions.
Takashi Kozai aims to design a coating technology that can control neuron activity using biomolecules. The goal is to establish the relationship between different types of stimulation and their impact on excitability, which could improve BCI technology for rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases.
A new vaccine candidate, PittCoVacc, has generated a surge of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within two weeks of injection. The vaccine follows a more established approach, using lab-made viral protein pieces to build immunity, and is delivered through a novel microneedle array that can be manufactured at scale.
University of Pittsburgh researchers develop microparticles that can trick the body into accepting transplanted tissue as its own, avoiding the need for lifelong immunosuppression. The treatment logistics are simpler and more efficient than current cell-based therapy methods.
A team of researchers led by the University of Pittsburgh is developing a smart device that uses AI, bioelectronics, and regenerative medicine to regrow muscle tissue. The device aims to prevent stiff scars from forming in wounds over 20% damaged, which often leads to significant disability.
A study found that drug prices in the US increased 159% in inflation-adjusted list prices, but only 60% in net prices, which account for manufacturer discounts. Net prices rose 3.5 times faster than general inflation.
A new tool for identifying frail patients has been successfully implemented in a large health system setting, reducing surgical risks. The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) uses clinical and patient-reported factors to generate a score representing each patient's level of frailty, enabling swift stratification and improved outcomes.
Researchers have created a hydrogel that responds to optical stimuli and modifies the stimulus in response, trapping light within regions of the material. The discovery opens new pathways toward creating devices that aren't reliant on human control.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that nearly all weight-loss surgery patients quit smoking at least a month before their operation, but the prevalence of smoking steadily climbs back to pre-surgery levels within seven years. The researchers suggest that ongoing support is needed to reduce and quickly respond to relapses.
A survey of 153 transgender youth found that 47% intentionally avoided disclosing their gender identity to healthcare providers outside the clinic. Participants suggested ways clinics can create spaces for comfortable disclosure, including materials, forms, and staff education. The study highlights the need for improved provider-patien...
The study reveals a new electronic state of matter where electrons form bunches of two, three, four and five electrons behaving like new types of particles. Researchers recognized a sequence within Pascal's Triangle that helped them understand the discovery, which features properties related to quantum entanglement.
A new analysis from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) finds that heart disease risk increases significantly as women enter menopause, with arterial stiffness rising by up to 7.5% within a year before and after the last menstrual period.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that mechanical cues can drive goblet cell regeneration on the surface of frog embryonic organoids. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that changing the stiffness of the environment can induce significant changes in cell behavior. This finding has implications for...
A new study found that Catholic hospitals have a significant market share in many US counties, but often limit reproductive health services. Despite this, Health Insurance Marketplace plans' provider networks include fewer Catholic hospitals than overall county markets.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have created a biodegradable nerve guide that can regenerate long sections of damaged nerves without stem cells or donor nerves. The technology has been tested in monkeys and shown promising results, including restored nerve conduction and replenished Schwann cells.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that the expansion of health insurance coverage in Massachusetts led to a 7% decline in advanced stage colorectal cancer diagnoses. This early diagnosis increase is attributed to increased access to screening and diagnostic services.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh propose a system called 'EasyPass' that uses existing wireless channels to create extra opportunities for lag-free connections in IoT devices. Lab tests demonstrate a 90% reduction in data transmission delay and up to 2.5 Mbps throughput.
Commercially insured children in the US see pediatricians less often, with primary care visits decreasing by 14% and problem-based visits declining by 24%. The trend may be driven by higher out-of-pocket costs and changes in healthcare behaviors, including increased use of telemedicine and urgent care.
A six-month clinical trial found that higher doses of vitamin D supplementation reduced fasting blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity in overweight, vitamin D-deficient children. However, the study did not show improvements in other cardiovascular health markers.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals sepsis is responsible for an estimated 48.9 million global cases and 11 million deaths in 2017, representing a doubling of previous estimates.
A large study of over 33,000 bariatric surgery patients found that gastric bypass patients were significantly more likely to end up back in the hospital after five years compared to those who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. The researchers also found higher rates of endoscopy and abdominal operations for gastric bypass patients.
A new program has been shown to reduce abusive behaviors among middle school male athletes towards their female peers. The Coaching Boys Into Men program, which trains coaches to speak frankly with their male athletes about stopping violence against women and girls, was found to increase positive bystander behaviors by over 50% in part...
A Pitt engineer has received a $1.6M NIH award to develop a wireless neural device for precise and long-term stimulation of specific neurons. The proposed technology uses photostimulation to activate neurons with great precision, minimizing tissue damage and improving spatial selectivity.
Researchers found that relaxin upregulates sodium channels, improving electrical signaling in the heart, and reverses age-related reductions in cell adhesion molecules. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease treatment.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology suggests that early clinical treatment for concussions can significantly reduce recovery time. Athletes who received treatment within the first week of their injury recovered faster than those who delayed care, with longer recovery times reported after eight days to three weeks post-injury.
A new study found that delivering the TB vaccine intravenously dramatically improves its potency, offering nearly full protection against TB in monkeys. The vaccine was highly effective when administered via injection into a vein, reducing bacterial burden by 100,000-fold and inflammation in lungs to near zero.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that teenage boys who witness their peers abusing women and girls are more likely to bully and fight with others. In contrast, those with equitable gender attitudes had lower odds of reporting violent behaviors.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed an artificial synapse that mimics the human brain's ability to create neuronal connections. This breakthrough technology could revolutionize AI and cognitive computing, enabling faster and more efficient processing of complex tasks.
Sangyeop Lee, a Pitt engineer, has received a $500K NSF CAREER Award to develop machine learning models that predict material conductive properties. The project aims to create more efficient heat management in electronic devices and energy storage systems.
An analysis found that rural subsidized enrollees pay less in premiums than urban counterparts after the Trump Administration's 2017 cut of Cost Sharing Reduction payments. Silver loading and switching have led to more affordable insurance for some consumers, but also encourage enrollment in bronze plans with less financial protection.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using advanced MRI technology to study the connection between small vessel disease and Alzheimer's disease, aiming to identify new prevention and treatment targets. The team will visualize cerebrospinal fluid flow in real-time, shedding light on pathways linking SVD and CSF clearance.
New research published in PNAS finds the missing link between soft surface adhesion and the roughness of the hard surface it touches. The study reveals that small-scale roughness can create more surface area for soft materials to grip, explaining predicted adhesion behavior.
A new study found that fertility treatments cause epigenetic changes associated with rare diseases, while maternal age does not. Researchers used mice to dissociate the effects of technology and aging on gene expression.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that up to 40% of women over age 60 experience low libido. The most surprising theme was that many women identified sexual dysfunction in their male partners as a major contributor to their own lack of desire for sex.
Researchers are developing new metal conductors to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), addressing limitations such as high cost and poor performance. The new technology, funded by a $1 million DOE grant, aims to improve OLED displays with enhanced brightness and flexibility.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that carbon nanotubes can both repel and hold water in place, creating a parahydrophobic surface. This unique property allows for stable water droplets to cling to the CNT forest, enabling applications such as printing, spectroscopy, and harvesting surfaces.
Researchers found that identical twin kidney transplants have high success rates, but patients often require immunosuppressive drugs due to misidentification. The study proposes genetic testing and management guidelines for identical twin transplants to minimize side effects.
A new study found that physicians who received gifts related to opioid medications were more likely to prescribe opioids the following year. The study also revealed significant variability in opioid prescribing across different medical specialties, with primary care physicians and psychiatrists being among those most likely to be in th...
Pitt researcher Dr. James McKone investigates using renewable electricity as energy source for industrial hydrogenation reactions, which are crucial for producing fuels and fertilizers.
Researchers at Pitt and CMU are developing an all-in-one implantable device that can record neural activity, identify cell type, and determine cell function through chemical stimulation. This innovation aims to provide more information on brain function and reduce invasive methods.
Researchers found that bacteria living in biofilms develop unique adaptations to resist antibiotics, whereas free-floating bacteria become more resistant but vulnerable to other classes of antibiotics. This discovery highlights the importance of studying bacteria in their natural lifestyle.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Northeastern University received a $1.2M NSF award to develop a BCI system for detecting, assessing, and rehabilitating unilateral spatial neglect in stroke survivors. The system will use EEG monitoring and augmented reality to provide personalized intervention strategies.