A series of five papers highlights critical public health challenges related to cancer control in eight SAARC countries and the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh. The studies identify barriers contributing to significant disparities in cancer outcomes and actionable solutions to address these challenges.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a molecular pathway involving protein BLIMP1 that generates Th2 cells in response to inhaled house dust mite, driving allergic asthma. The study also found signaling molecules IL2 and IL10 are required for BLIMP1 expression, offering new therapeutic options.
Researchers found that scientists exhibiting intellectual humility are perceived as more trustworthy and producing rigorous research. The study, involving over 1,000 participants, measured the impact of intellectual humility on perceived trustworthiness and belief in evidence-based science.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering is leading a $3.3 million project to optimize HVDC converter design for increased power density and decreased cost. The project aims to help affordably integrate more renewable energy generation onto the grid via HVDC lines.
A new clinical trial found that the addition of immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard treatment improved disease-free survival rates for patients with stage 3 soft tissue sarcoma. The study showed that pembrolizumab reduced recurrence or death for patients by 15 percentage points compared to standard treatment.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that Black patients are two to three times as likely to retain or gain additional weight compared to white counterparts. The study suggests interventions addressing the underlying stressors of discrimination could complement community and clinical interventions.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that blocking the uptake of lactic acid, a key factor in T cell exhaustion, can reinvigorate these cells. This new approach shows promise for improving tumor control and treatment outcomes in various cancers.
A multidisciplinary team of engineers and architects applied origami techniques to create living buildings that respond to environmental factors. The researchers combined human design creativity with computational intelligence to increase the effectiveness of designs for environmentally responsive building technologies.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that the combination of vidutolimod and nivolumab led to tumor control in 55% of patients, with higher levels of immune-related proteins detected in responders. The study also uncovered unique signatures of TLR9 activation and a link between gut microbiome and response to therapy.
A new study published in JAMA found that reports of drug supply-chain issues were 40% less likely to result in drug shortages in Canada compared to the US. The analysis looked at drugs with reports of supply-chain disruptions between 2017 and 2021 in both countries, and found nearly half resulted in shortages in the US within 12 months.
A new study aims to promote better in-class engagement by tailoring resources to individual students' needs. The experimental group will use an adaptive learning platform, while the control group will access class materials through a traditional online learning management system.
Researchers from Pitt, UC Santa Barbara, University of Cagliari, and Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a new method for photonic in-memory computing that combines non-volatility, multibit storage, high switching speed, low switching energy, and high endurance in a single platform.
A new study found that HDL particle quality declines over time in women after menopause, increasing risk of episodic memory loss. Women with smaller, more functional HDL particles are less likely to experience cognitive decline.
Researchers validate a new blood test platform that can measure multiple biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving early diagnostics and treatment. The platform captures changes in proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases and may help track disease progression over time.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh discover that deep brain stimulation instantly improves arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke. The therapy stimulates the motor thalamus, a key relay hub of movement control, and significantly improves activation of muscles and grip force.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that delivering microparticles containing CCL2 directly to the gums can inhibit bone loss and speed up bone repair in a mouse model of periodontal disease. The therapy modulates the immune response, shifting macrophages from inflammatory M1 type to anti-inflammatory M2 type.
Researchers identified CYP1B1 as a biomarker for HSC activation and liver fibrosis in patients and mice. Inhibition of CYP1B1 led to the accumulation of trehalose, which has anti-fibrotic activity, protecting mice from liver fibrosis.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a 10-year, $100 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue its Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network. The network will fund new research on trauma care and expand ongoing studies.
A Pitt study found that protein STING plays a protective role in cellular stress clearance and cell survival, increasing autophagy and lysosome production. The findings suggest targeting inflammation pathway downstream of STING may be a better approach to develop therapeutics for age-related diseases.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery analyzed 333 slap fighting competitions and found that more than half of sequences resulted in visible signs of concussion. The research also showed that nearly 80% of fighters demonstrated a visible sign of concussion at least once in the series of matches.
New research from the University of Pittsburgh shows that treating abandoned mine drainage in Pennsylvania is both successful and cost-effective, particularly benefiting vulnerable communities. However, current appropriations are insufficient for long-term treatment and addressing other hazards, requiring an additional $3.9 billion.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 cases in US states, finding oscillating waves every six months that start near the southern border in July-August. The data suggests a larger pattern sweeping up and down North America, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these seasonal oscillations.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed an innovative smartphone application that can measure pulse pressure, a critical metric for detecting hypertension. The app uses motion-sensing accelerometers and front cameras to calculate pulse pressure, which is closely correlated with hypertension, according to the study.
Researchers Rohit Velankar and his father Sachin Velankar discovered that flexible containers drain faster but produce smaller glugs, contradicting initial assumptions. Their experiment used sensors to measure pressure oscillations in different types of bottles.
A study found that only six states successfully delivered medications for opioid use disorder to at least 50% of people referred to treatment by the criminal legal system. This disparity leads to a high risk of overdose death among individuals leaving jails and prisons, highlighting the need for better access to effective treatments.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh mapped nitrogen losses county by county, finding high spatial disconnects between where beef is eaten and where nitrogen impacts are felt. This disconnect results in people living far from the area where their beef was produced experiencing negative environmental effects.
A subset of CD4 T cells create an anti-inflammatory environment within the lung tissue, protecting against TB reinfection by limiting bacterial growth and disease severity. The discovery complements previous research on protective immune T cells in controlling TB infection, suggesting a potential key to improving existing vaccines.
Women with regular annual mammograms had higher overall survival and lower late-stage cancer rates than those screened less frequently. The study's findings contradict current guidelines, suggesting a significant benefit to annual screening for women over 40.
Research finds that people who use illicit opioids are at risk of developing severe xylazine-related wounds, often due to lack of access to proper wound care. The study highlights the need for comprehensive, low-barrier wound care services and compassionate care without judgment.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh receive a $251,981 DARPA award to design more effective underwater adhesives inspired by mussels. They aim to optimize molecular-level properties for strengthened underwater infrastructure and fluidic environments.
Over a 22-year period, researchers found significant cultural changes in the dialects of yellow-naped amazon parrots, including shifting dialect boundaries and new call variants. The findings suggest that the species' vocal learning ability may serve an adaptive role in responding to changing social dynamics.
A team of researchers, led by Jason Shoemaker, are studying the effects of hormones on the immune system's response to the flu. Their goal is to develop targeted therapies based on a person's sex or hormone levels. The study aims to identify the molecules or pathways that affect the cells and begin to develop personalized treatments.
Researchers uncovered how combining immunotherapies targeting PD1 and LAG3 enhances CD8+ T cell responses, leading to improved cancer-killing prowess and enhanced survival rates. The studies also revealed that relatlimab is not inert and can be combined with other immunotherapies to improve responses.
Scientists successfully mapped transcriptomes from 1.3 million brain cortex cells to gain molecular insights into Alzheimer's vulnerability and resilience. The resulting atlas holds promise for gene and molecular discovery across pathways affecting brain health.
Researchers analyzed collision-type mixed ductal-lobular breast cancers and found that IDC and ILC regions had distinct gene expression profiles. The study reveals tremendous variation within this already highly variable disease, highlighting the need for personalized treatments.
Researchers developed an electronic health record nudge to remind surgeons about the risks of lymphedema and potential overtreatment. The intervention led to a 49.3% reduction in sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures among eligible patients.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that hormone modulating therapy (HMT) used to treat breast cancer was associated with a 7% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The protective effect of HMT decreased with age, particularly for women over 80.
Researchers found that H5N1 virus particles in unpasteurized milk can remain stable on metal and rubber components of commercial milking equipment for over an hour. This increases the potential for bird flu exposure among dairy farm workers and animal-to-animal transmission.
Researchers developed a portable lab-on-a-chip device that uses blood to generate electricity and measure its conductivity, enabling quick and convenient diagnostics. The device has been shown to accurately assess various health parameters and detect medical conditions, opening doors to remote healthcare.
A potential new strategy for reducing diabetes risk associated with antipsychotic medications involves co-administering drugs that block dopamine receptors in the brain alongside those that stop these same receptors in the pancreas. This approach may limit metabolic side effects and improve glucose metabolism.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University propose locally embedded thermoelectric devices (TEDs) to actively cool hot spots in circuits. TEDs remove heat from hot spots using thermoelectric effects, improving cooling efficiency by a factor of 100 compared to conventional materials.
A new study found that adolescents with higher rates of prediabetes often experience adverse social determinants of health, such as food insecurity and low household income. Screening for these non-medical factors may help identify youth at risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
A new risk equation could lead to a significant reduction in statin prescriptions, with 28.3 million adults potentially eligible instead of 45.4 million under current guidelines. The PREVENT equations incorporate recent insights into the biology of cardiovascular disease and remove race as a factor.
A research team has developed a new framework for the circular economy, which aims to reduce negative impacts on environmental and human health. The SpheriCity project provides a tool for cities to conduct circularity assessments and collaborate with each other.
A mobile app survey during the first trimester predicted future depression with a high level of accuracy, identifying modifiable risk factors such as sleep quality and access to food. The study's findings offer a new approach to predicting perinatal depression and tailoring preventive care for pregnant individuals.
A breakthrough in trauma care has nearly quadrupled the 'golden hour' for treating large animals with internal bleeding during emergency ground and air transport. Researchers used a closed-loop, autonomous intervention system to resuscitate pigs with traumatic injuries, extending their survival time by several hours.
Researchers found low rates of metastasis and lymph node involvement in post-menopausal patients with early-stage ER+ breast cancer. This suggests that clinical guidelines for de-escalating surgery may be safely extended to younger patients.
Researchers have found that lithium can be extracted from Pennsylvania wastewater with high efficiency, potentially supplying up to 40% of the country's demand. This could bring the US closer to meeting its goal of producing all lithium domestically by 2030.
Researchers developed a synthetic biomarker technology that can differentiate between prior Zika and dengue virus infections. The technology, using epitope surrogates, correctly identified people previously infected with Zika virus 85.3% of the time.
A new study found that PARP1 is involved in the repair of telomeres, which can lead to genomic instability and cancer. Impairing this process can lead to telomere shortening and increased risk of cancer. The findings challenge existing dogma and open up new possibilities for improving cancer therapies.