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.
Researchers have developed a new theory to better predict the behavior of nanoclusters when a metal is introduced, reducing experimental time and costs. The theory enables the precise control of nanocluster size, shape, and composition, opening doors for tailored properties in nanotechnology.
A University of Pittsburgh professor is developing an artificial intelligence database to identify bird calls and support conservation efforts. The project, funded by a $91,208 grant, will create free, open-source models for researchers, agencies, and citizen scientists to analyze acoustic field recordings.
A Pitt engineer-clinician team has discovered that artificially creating dynamic topography on synthetic vascular grafts can resist platelet fouling, a key factor in thrombosis. The research may lead to the development of medical devices that improve treatment of injured or diseased arteries.
A University of Pittsburgh researcher is using video games to test and improve artificial intelligence algorithms. The goal is to create AIs that can learn from their mistakes in complex, uncertain environments. By analyzing gameplay data, the algorithm can refine its strategies for optimal decision-making.
A new study published in Child Development found that a short-term family-centered prevention program can have enduring effects on brain network connections into young adulthood. The program improved self-regulation skills and parental emotional support, leading to fewer disruptive behavioral problems.
QuesTek and Pitt engineering researchers will utilize new computer modeling and optimization techniques to enable faster adoption of additive manufacturing in various NASA missions. They aim to improve the quality and structural integrity of components with reduced costs.
The University of Pittsburgh engineers have created a transparent flexible material by combining silk fibroins with carbon nanotubes, exhibiting desirable optical mechanical and chemical properties. This breakthrough has potential applications in wearable and implantable electronic devices, as well as sensors for biomedical use.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have developed a new method to treat hydrofracturing wastewater by leveraging waste heat from drilling sites. The membrane distillation technology reduces the need for fresh water and produces high-quality water suitable for agriculture, industry, and other uses.
Dr. Susan Fullerton, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, has received the 2019 Marion Milligan Mason Award for her novel work on ion transport and next-generation electronic devices. The award recognizes her contributions to advancing women in the chemical sciences and provides funding and leadership development opportunities.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $1.2 million NSF grant to analyze electronic anesthesia records and prevent postoperative complications and death using machine learning and Big Data analysis. Dr. Heng Huang will develop a new deep learning algorithm to predict surgical outcomes based on historical patient data.
Warren Ruder, a Pitt engineer, has been awarded $1.5 million from the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to develop magnetically induced synthetic gene networks for cell and tissue therapies. His research combines biology and engineering to create new biomimetic systems that can regulate disease pathways.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new MOF that can selectively react with hydrogen molecules over carbon dioxide, allowing for efficient removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. This breakthrough technology has the potential to reduce net CO2 emissions and create valuable chemicals and fuels.
University of Pittsburgh professors Samuel Dickerson and Renee Clark are using computer-aided simulations to promote reflective and metacognitive thinking among engineering students. They aim to improve learning and development by encouraging frequent use of reflection and metacognition.
Researchers found gene cassettes transfer across generations in strawberry plants, leading to sex chromosome changes and homomorphic female heterogametic inheritance. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind sex chromosome evolution and has implications for creating new crop varieties.
A new technology to detect corrosion and erosion in pipelines can prevent catastrophic explosions at power plants. Dr. Piero Rizzo's project aims to develop a device that monitors pipeline conditions continuously and remotely.
A collaboration between University of Pittsburgh and Lubrizol Corporation has revealed the molecular reaction mechanism of PIB polymer. The team found that a 'superacid' catalyst is required for initiation, which could lead to designing different catalysts and controlling the reaction.
The US Federal Commission has invested $400K in the University of Pittsburgh's Nuclear Engineering Program to support two graduate fellowships. The program aims to develop cutting-edge nuclear technologies and provide educational experiences that lead to a PhD or MS degree.
The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Energy will collaborate with Leidos and NETL on a ten-year, $365 million contract. The partnership aims to provide research support services and access to the university's talented faculty in various energy-related fields.
A research collaboration led by Pittsburgh University's Swanson School of Engineering received a $750,000 Department of Energy grant to develop innovative technologies for fossil energy power systems. The team will utilize additive manufacturing and integrated computational materials engineering to design superior alloy components.
Dr. Bedewy will explore the kinetics of activation and deactivation in large populations of carbon nanotubes known as 'nanotube forests' using experimental and modeling techniques. The research aims to gain a fundamental understanding of how these forest structures behave collectively, impacting their properties for emerging applications.
Researchers developed an artificial synapse inspired by the human brain, which efficiently processes information and demonstrates excellent energy efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to the development of energy-efficient neuromorphic computing, revolutionizing AI devices and transforming industries.
Bioengineering professor TK Kozai is developing in vivo imaging technology to investigate the role of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in chronic brain implant degradation. This research aims to identify targets for intervention strategies to improve device performance.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering is leading a $1 million project to advance design and manufacture of nuclear plant components via 3D printing. The team aims to develop innovative dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to reduce costs and improve structural integrity.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a new approach to model complex chemical reactions, enabling better understanding of fundamental reactions and their impact on chemical engineering. PhD student Yasemin Basdogan created an artistic depiction of the research for the journal cover.
Pitt researchers create a network model to analyze the interconnectivity of US food, energy, and water resources. The study aims to identify 'virtual' resources consumed in production but not intended for direct use, and provide solutions to minimize environmental impact.
Researchers have created a database to screen for environmentally sustainable nanomaterials, allowing designers to weigh performance characteristics like toxicity and antimicrobial activity before developing products. The tool aims to reduce unintended consequences and promote sustainable nanotechnologies.
The fifth Act 54 five-year report assesses the impact of long-wall, room-and-pillar, and retreat mining methods on surface structures and water resources. The study provides vital information for environmental remediation and restoration efforts in Pennsylvania.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new way to store gases using porous materials, known as MOFs. This could lead to more efficient gas storage and alternative energy production methods.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel 'Tic-tac-toe' RF coil system for high-resolution brain imaging, addressing technical difficulties associated with ultrahigh field human MRI. The technology enables better understanding of neurological diseases such as depression, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia.
A University of Pittsburgh bioengineer uses experimental and computational approaches to study the neural mechanisms of eye movements directed to stationary and moving objects. The team records activity in neurons of the superior colliculus to understand how the brain processes visual information during saccadic eye movements.
University of Pittsburgh researchers are developing computer models to predict world events such as famine in South Sudan and refugee displacement. The models will analyze complex socioeconomic and geopolitical dynamics, incorporating both numerical and textual data.
A researcher at the University of Pittsburgh is using ultrasound imaging to develop a more precise interface between exoskeletons and individual muscles in people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. This technology aims to provide more efficient rehabilitation tools, reducing the risk of falls during robot-assisted walking.
American chemical manufacturers are adopting new technologies to improve efficiency, thanks to a $10 million grant collaboration between academia and industry. The goal is to replace traditional batch processing methods with continuous processing, which could lead to significant energy savings and improved competitiveness.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's NSF Center for Space, High-performance, and Resilient Computing has developed a radiation-resistant computer capable of high-performance computing in space. The system will be launched on the International Space Station and is nearly three times more powerful than its predecessor.
Researchers studying water quality around hydraulic fracturing found a blueprint for moving conversations forward through publicly available data and collaboration. The Shale Network has fostered dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including citizens, watershed groups, and energy companies.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have developed a novel solution to prevent plastic waste. They propose using nano-engineering to create a recyclable material that can replace complex multi-layered packaging, mimicking nature's use of few molecular building blocks.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Jonathan Vande Geest at the University of Pittsburgh has received a $673K NIH grant to construct biomimetic, small-diameter vascular grafts that mimic the body's own blood vessels.
The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Medical Innovation has awarded grants to five engineering and medicine groups to develop novel biomedical devices. The projects focus on treating conditions such as peripheral artery disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and improving auditory pathology detection.