A long-term partnership between researchers and local community members has led to significant improvements in air quality and environmental awareness in Pittsburgh's East End. The program, EJCAM, trained community leaders and advocated for green initiatives, resulting in a more informed and engaged citizenry.
Researchers at Pitt and CMU aim to develop AI-powered robotic suits that can treat and stabilize soldiers in the field, extending the 'golden hour' for medical evacuations. The project uses real-world data and medical algorithms to guide critical care interventions.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a global, cloud-based data system to improve knowledge of infectious diseases, with a focus on sharing research data and software. The system aims to accelerate infectious disease research and discoveries, leveraging the 'open science' movement.
A National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial found that light sedation and intermittent neuromuscular blockade is as effective as deep sedation and continuous paralysis in improving survival rates for ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The trial, which involved over 1,000 patients across North Ame...
Researchers used big data to identify four distinct subtypes of sepsis, each with unique clinical characteristics and treatment needs. These findings could lead to the development of precision medicine approaches for sepsis treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers found that targeting telomeres with oxidative stress can shorten them, leading to accelerated cellular aging and DNA instability. This could lead to potential cancer treatment strategies by stopping cancer cells from dividing.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing a novel repair device for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) designed specifically for the vagina. The device aims to improve treatment outcomes while minimizing complications, addressing issues that negatively impact women's quality of life.
An international team of scientists has secured a five-year, $6.2 million grant to study HIV and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection in children. The researchers will investigate the disease mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic approaches using nonhuman primate experiments.
Chemical engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a system that mimics feeding, fighting, and fleeing responses in microbial particles. The system uses catalyst-coated sheets to create chemical gradients, allowing particles to respond to their environment and interact with each other.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that responsive neurostimulation can remodel the brain to be less susceptible to seizures. By analyzing individual brain activity recordings over time, the study shows that stimulation changes brain networks, making it harder for seizures to spread.
Researchers Inanc Senocak and Cheng-Nian Xiao uncover fluid instabilities in the Prandtl model for katabatic slope flows, a complex phenomenon crucial for reliable weather predictions. Their findings suggest that dynamic stability cannot be determined by a single dimensionless parameter alone.
A Pittsburgh research team has been awarded $500,000 by the NSF to develop a thermoelectric semiconductor using tungsten disulfide. The goal is to improve thermoelectric efficiency and pave the way for widespread use of these devices in various applications.
A new study found that children who had telemedicine visits for acute respiratory infections were more likely to receive antibiotics than those who visited primary care offices or urgent care centers. The use of unnecessary antibiotics during these visits may contribute to antibiotic resistance.
The new ultra-low input CUT&RUN (uliCUT&RUN) technique allows for genome-wide mapping of DNA binding proteins from single cells and individual pre-implantation mouse embryos. This enables researchers to focus on cell heterogeneity and studies from limited biological samples.
Researchers will assess and monitor changes in microbial ecology, water chemistry and nutrient availability in Pittsburgh's water system after adding orthophosphate. The study aims to understand the impact of orthophosphate on aquatic ecosystems and provide insights for other cities implementing this treatment.
Researchers found that young patients, those with certain medical conditions, and problematic eating habits were more likely to experience weight regain after bariatric surgery. Behavioral targets such as reducing sedentary behavior and promoting self-weighing can aid in limiting weight regain.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have developed an all-in-one immunotherapy approach that not only kicks HIV out of hiding but also kills it. The key lies in immune cells designed to recognize the entirely different virus CMV.
A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers has identified a previously unknown mechanism used by tumors to suppress the immune system. The study found that tumors use two types of immune cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), to release inhibitory cytokines, which activate a protein called BLIMP1 and disable killer T cells.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has received four prestigious NSF CAREER Awards, totaling over $2 million in funding. The awards recognize faculty who exemplify outstanding research, education, and community engagement.
Researchers developed a computational model that explores how the auditory system achieves accurate speech recognition by identifying distinct categories of sounds. The model found that the brain looks for informative features, such as those characteristic of a face, to distinguish between different vocalizations.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has successfully restored fertility in a non-human primate model using cryopreserved immature testicular tissue. The breakthrough, reported in Science, offers new hope for childhood cancer survivors who are at risk of infertility due to chemotherapy or radiation.
A multidisciplinary team at the University of Pittsburgh is developing a novel intervention combining electroencephalography-guided brain-computer interface technology with virtual reality to enhance emotion regulation in individuals with autism. The approach involves creating social interaction scenarios and providing real-time feedba...
A study found that anti-vaccination arguments center on four distinct themes: trust, alternatives, safety, and conspiracy. Researchers developed a framework to help clinicians open conversations with vaccine-hesitant parents and resist online misinformation.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis reveals that waiting until October to get flu shots may save thousands of lives. The study found that compressed vaccination periods starting in October can prevent up to 22,062 cases of flu and save as many as 258 lives compared to status quo vaccination timing.
A new experimental drug, 673A, targets and annihilates stem-like ovarian cancer cells that cause recurrence. The treatment, combined with chemotherapy, resulted in significantly greater survival rates in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.
A recent review study found that sit-stand desks can reduce sitting time and increase comfort, but physiological effects were mixed. To fully benefit from SSDs, workplaces need to understand proper usage and setup, including desk height, monitor height, and anti-fatigue mat use.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center have developed an AI model that can accurately identify benign nodules in low-dose CT scans, reducing false positives by up to 30%. This means patients with benign nodules won't need additional testing or biopsies, streamlining their care.
Researchers at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered genetic flags in 17% of tumors indicating susceptibility to existing chemotherapy drugs. The study's findings could lead to personalized treatment approaches for pancreatic cancer patients, increasing survival rates.
Tevis Jacobs will study individual nanoparticles using electron microscopy to understand atomic-scale relationships between adhesion and coarsening. The award enables the development of new methods for measuring nanoparticle attachment and stability on surfaces.
A simple age-based recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination at 50 may improve immunization rates and mitigate racial disparities, with potential cost-effectiveness improvements as vaccination rates increase
A new Prediction Risk Score developed by researchers predicts suicidal behavior more accurately than psychiatric diagnoses alone. The score combines factors such as depressive symptom severity, variability, and childhood abuse to identify high-risk individuals.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has developed a method to trap the pathological protein TDP-43, which is linked to 97% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. An oligonucleotide-based approach prevents TDP-43 aggregation and rescues neurons from neurodegeneration.
Carla Ng will use her NSF CAREER award to study the health and environmental impact of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. She aims to identify ways to eliminate them from the environment and design selective sorbents for efficient removal.
Researchers create ultrasmall, untethered electrodes activated by near-infrared light for neural stimulation, reducing inflammation and scarring in neural tissue. The technology offers improved spatial precision and potential for deeper tissue access.
A large study found that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can be cured in conflict-affected communities using molecular diagnostics, shorter treatment periods, and socioeconomic incentives. The new approach led to a 83% cure rate compared to 74% for conventional therapy.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that UCHL1, a brain protein, plays a critical role in nerve cell repair after stroke damage. The research found that preventing the inhibition of UCHL1 can decrease injury to axons and preserve neuron function.
Researchers visualize two distinct meshworks in the nuclear lamina, an outer layer made of lamin B1 and an inner layer of lamin A. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of genetic diseases like ADLD and how cells can compress without damaging their nuclei.
A new study published in Science found that people with prior dengue infections have lower risks of contracting Zika. The research, conducted in a poor neighborhood in Brazil, suggests that cross-protective antibodies from dengue may provide protection against Zika.
Researchers identify a new molecular pathway that suggests rapamycin, an anti-rejection medication, could be repurposed to treat certain liver cancers with β-catenin mutations. The study found that tumors are 'mTOR addicted' and can be inhibited by rapamycin, offering a precision medicine approach for improved treatment success.
New research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that disrupting memories associated with environmental cues and cocaine use significantly reduces drug-seeking behavior in rats. This breakthrough may lead to developing more effective therapies to prevent relapse, such as targeting specific memories strengthened b...
Research at the University of Pittsburgh found that negative experiences on social media increase feelings of loneliness in young adults, with a 13% increase for every 10% increase in negative experiences. Positive interactions had no significant impact on feelings of loneliness.
Researchers developed computational modeling to identify improved mixed matrix membranes for capturing CO2. The hypothetical membranes offer a more economical solution, predicting a cost of less than $50 per ton removed.
Researchers found that frequency affects neural activation during electrical stimulation, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery opens up new possibilities for activating different neural circuits with the same implant, which could lead to improved neuromodulation therapy.
A study from the University of Pittsburgh found that rising drug costs are driven by both new and existing medications. While new drugs contribute to price increases, existing products explain most of the cost rises, particularly for brand-name drugs with multiple patents preventing competition.
Researchers at Pitt develop a two-dimensional, shape-changing sheet that wraps, flaps and creeps in a reactant-filled fluid. The team introduces a coating of catalysts on the flexible sheet, initiating motion and reconfiguration through catalytic chemical reactions.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are partnering with General Carbide to optimize tungsten carbide for additive manufacturing. The goal is to improve durability and reduce breakage in 3D printed parts. The project aims to develop better base powders and printing methods to enhance the use of tungsten carbide in metal printing.
A research team led by Heng Huang aims to create a framework for secure and efficient multi-site collaborative big brain data mining. The project addresses computational challenges in analyzing complex brain disorders and genomics data.
Susan Fullerton is developing all 2D materials for next-generation electronics, with potential applications in information storage, brain-inspired computing, and security. Her research uses a novel approach to ion utilization, which could represent a paradigm shift in high-performance computing.
Researchers developed a method to screen different catalysts for converting light alkanes into olefins, potentially providing a more economical solution for olefins production. The breakthrough could be a game-changer in the petrochemical and polymer industries.
A University of Pittsburgh professor has designed a microcapsule technology to capture CO2 emissions from power plant exhaust, potentially lowering costs and environmental impact. The system uses a common household item, baking soda, as a solvent, making it cheaper and safer than traditional methods.