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.
Researchers at Pitt and Drexel have discovered that electrocatalysts can promote chemical reactions that generate ozone in water through corrosion and solution phase reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable electrochemical ozone production technologies.
Researchers have discovered a repurposed cancer drug that can convert acinar cells into insulin-producing cells, which could provide a new avenue for treating diabetes. The treatment partially improved hyperglycemia and persisted without additional treatment in diabetic mice and non-human primates.
A study published by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that ACA insurance expansions led to an increase in patients receiving care at accredited cancer hospitals in Pennsylvania. The study suggests that these expansions make a difference in improving access to high-quality cancer care, particularly for those living in areas wi...
Scientists at University of Pittsburgh show that limiting glutamine and serine intake can halt disease progression in rodent models. The findings suggest a potential new therapy for patients with pulmonary hypertension, offering hope for improved treatment options beyond medications.
A research team developed a fentanyl sensor that can detect the drug at ultralow levels, thanks to the use of carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, and fentanyl antibodies. The sensor has a 91% success rate in distinguishing fentanyl from other opioids.
Atrial fibrillation is more common and deadly among young Americans than previously believed, a new study found. The study of over 67,000 patients under 65 years old showed higher rates of hospitalization, stroke, heart attack, comorbidity, and mortality compared to their peers without Afib.
Bacteria divide by adding a specific number of molecules rather than reaching a predetermined size, according to new mathematical modeling published in Physical Review Letters. This approach, known as the adder strategy, is more precise and less sensitive to errors during replication.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered how to overcome resistance to conventional immunotherapies in metastatic uveal melanoma. They developed a clinical tool called Uveal Melanoma Immunogenic Score (UMIS) to predict patient response and improve treatment outcomes.
The Kidney-CHAMP study found that the intervention helped primary care physicians identify and triage patients with kidney disease, improving patient access to specialists and educational materials. Despite a null result, the study's findings suggest that the framework is scalable and provides equitable access to healthcare.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, permanent sterilization procedures among young adults increased nationwide, with tubal sterilizations rising twice as high as vasectomies. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on young women, who ar...
Researchers found that cardiologists who received payments from LVAD manufacturers were more likely to use those devices during percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. The study highlights the need to reevaluate industry gifts and their potential impact on clinical decision-making.
The study found that the cerebellum uses information about errors to refine movement and contributes to cognitive functions. The posterior lateral region of the cerebellum is interconnected with the prefrontal cortex and helps shape cognition.
A digital health platform with one-on-one telehealth coaches significantly improves patient adherence to pre-surgical preparation and post-surgical recovery guidance. Patients who used the platform had shorter hospital stays and lower risk of readmission compared to those who didn't use it.
Researchers will characterize initial environmental exposures and collect biospecimens and data from residents potentially impacted by the disaster. Investigators will evaluate biospecimens for early signs of liver dysfunction, detecting known liver carcinogen vinyl chloride.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh are developing a platform to genetically modify glia cells using bioengineering modified RNAs. The goal is to increase or decrease disease-relevant genes in astrocytes or microglia to potentially treat Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Research from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC found that primary care telemedicine visits are associated with lower antibiotic prescription rates for children compared to virtual-only direct-to-consumer providers. The study highlights the importance of integrated telemedicine within primary care settings.
Researchers developed a web-based decision aid to support pregnant individuals in making informed decisions about tubal sterilization. The study found that those who used the decision aid had significantly higher knowledge of the procedure's permanence and reduced uncertainty, compared to those who did not use it.
Researchers have identified a potential path to eliminate the viral reservoir that prevents people from being completely cured of HIV. A new drug candidate, called a proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) molecule, triggers the degradation of the Nef protein, which suppresses HIV replication and restores immune system detection. This ...
A Phase III clinical trial showed that cancer patients who received specialized mental health support experienced lasting improvements in quality of life, reduced pain, depression, and fatigue. The intervention also led to lower risk of cardiovascular disease in family caregivers and substantial cost savings for the healthcare system.
Researchers found that spaced learning benefits item memory, but associative memory improves with stability. Variability in content across repetitions affects the timing of spacing effects.
A new study has revealed a molecular fingerprint of biological aging, shedding light on why people age differently. The researchers identified 25 metabolites that can reflect biological age, known as the Healthy Aging Metabolic (HAM) Index, which was found to be more accurate than other aging metrics.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a small-scale system that forms three-dimensional patterns, which serve as chemical fingerprints that allow chemicals in solutions to be identified. The system utilizes fluid flows and flexible posts coated with enzymes to generate distinct visual patterns.
A new cellphone app developed by physician-scientists uses artificial intelligence to accurately diagnose ear infections in young children, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. The AI tool is more accurate than trained clinicians and offers a simple solution for healthcare providers.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that reinsurance programs increased minimum cost coverage for middle-class enrollees in Georgia, leading to lower enrollment rates. The programs, intended to reduce premiums, ultimately made coverage less affordable for those with incomes between 251% and 400% of federal poverty level.
The study found that bariatric surgery improved blood sugar control and reduced diabetes medication use more effectively than medical and lifestyle modifications. Bariatric surgery also led to superior cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can contribute to fewer heart attacks and strokes.
A new roadmap has been published by IEEE EMBS, outlining five primary medical challenges that need to be addressed through advanced biomedical engineering approaches. The paper, written by 50 renowned researchers from 34 prestigious universities, aims to guide future research and funding for groundbreaking innovations.
A new study found that geographic disparities in access to addiction treatment medication are significantly higher in racially and ethnically diverse populations. In contrast, predominantly white areas have a higher number of buprenorphine prescribers and prescriptions dispensed.
Researchers discovered that consuming over 22% of daily calories from protein can lead to increased activation of immune cells contributing to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Leucine, an amino acid found in animal-derived foods, plays a disproportionate role in driving pathological pathways linked to atherosclerosis.
Researchers use bacteriophages to target and kill drug-resistant bacteria, with a patient experiencing complete resolution of infection after combination therapy. However, immune response may lead to recurrence, highlighting need for further clinical trials.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that familiar scents can strengthen memory recall in depressed individuals, potentially aiding recovery. Researchers discovered that odors engage the amygdala, a key component of memory formation, more effectively than words.
A new study has identified a genetic marker that can predict which patients are likely to respond to immunotherapy in various types of cancer. Tumors with high intragenic rearrangement (IGR) burden, which indicates cryptic structural rearrangements of the genetic code, may respond better to immunotherapy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a molecular mechanism behind noise-induced hearing loss, which affects millions of Americans. They found that excess zinc in the inner ear causes cellular damage and disrupts normal cell communication, leading to hearing loss.
A new study found that phenylephrine is the most popular nasal decongestant despite lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. Removal from the market could disrupt supply chains and require significant investment in infrastructure for over-the-counter drug review.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy's PERU has received a $7.8 million grant to develop and implement measurement-based care into community opioid treatment programs across Pennsylvania. This project aims to improve treatment access, promote recovery, and reduce fatal overdoses by addressing patient needs through personaliz...
Researchers are developing new materials to treat spinal injury, repair, and recovery. A team led by Pitt Engineer Amir Alavi is testing the first
Researchers found a shared genetic trait that predicts a higher risk of small lung vessel disease and its severe form, pulmonary arterial hypertension. This discovery could lead to personalized treatments for patients with limited oxygen response.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh highlights how lack of contraceptive coverage by Medicare prevents disabled enrollees from accessing contraception. Contraceptive use is low among reproductive-aged people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare, with only 14.3% having an insurance claim for contraception in 2019.
Researchers found that baseline amyloid burden and brain health are stronger predictors of Alzheimer's progression than age alone. The study also showed that individuals with higher amyloid levels developed dementia two years earlier than those without.