The National Science Foundation is funding a new supercomputer at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) with a $10-million grant. The Bridges-2 system will provide massive computational capacity and flexibility to researchers in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
Researchers found that providing a year's supply of birth control pills upfront can reduce unintended pregnancies and lower healthcare costs. The study estimates that this policy change would prevent 583 unintended pregnancies and save the VA approximately $2 million annually.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are investigating how small amounts of water affect the molecular structure of ionic liquids at solid-liquid interfaces. The goal is to leverage this understanding to achieve better performance in applications such as energy storage devices and manufacturing.
A new neuromorphic vision system will be developed to capture visual information based on the human brain, reducing redundant data storage and enhancing energy efficiency. This technology has major applications in self-driving vehicles, neural prosthetics, robotics, and general artificial intelligence.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis confirms that cutting ACA cost-sharing reduction payments improved health insurance affordability for Marketplace enrollees. Silver loading and switching strategies maximize premium affordability for both on- and off-Marketplace customers.
The study identifies significant knowledge gaps in regional stormwater management and proposes the creation of a centralized database to track maintenance costs, economic benefits, and water quality impacts. A comprehensive approach to green infrastructure is also recommended to consider its effects on community residents.
Researchers create flexible optical plastic with nano-Enoki mushroom structures that repel liquids while maintaining transparency. The surface resists staining from various liquids, including blood, coffee, and olive oil.
Researchers discovered that an antibody in breastmilk, IgA, is necessary to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. The study found that more bacteria bound to IgA reduced the likelihood of NEC in formula-fed babies compared to those fed breastmilk.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has shed light on the practices surrounding inpatient opioid prescribing, revealing that patients who receive opioids during hospitalization are more likely to continue using them after discharge. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Schoo...
Pitt and CMU researchers reveal that mastering a new skill involves the generation of new neural activity patterns, which enable new behavioral abilities. Long-term learning leads to the emergence of these patterns, allowing individuals to perform complex tasks.
A new study published by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that removing excess fluid too quickly from critically ill patients with failing kidneys increases the likelihood of death. For every 0.5 milliliter increase in fluid removed per kilogram of patient weight per hour, risk of death increases.
Bariatric surgery patients are nearly triple as likely to die from drug- and alcohol-related causes compared to the general public. Fewer than half of those who died had triggered a safety protocol for problematic substance use.
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.