A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals a genetic link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. Researchers used a polygenic risk score to analyze the relationship between ADHD genetic predisposition and cognitive decline, finding a higher risk of developing Alzhe...
A study of parrot vocal learning reveals species-specific differences in mimicking human speech, with some birds using words in context. Researchers also found that age and sex are weak predictors of vocal mimicry, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for these complex communicators.
Research found that states legalizing recreational cannabis saw a slight increase in alcohol consumption, particularly among young adults and men. The study suggests that targeted public health messaging and policy interventions can mitigate problem drinking. However, the impact of long-term effects on binge or heavy drinking is unclear.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have designed novel nanoparticles that co-deliver a chemotherapy drug and a novel immunotherapy, shrinking tumors in mouse models of colon and pancreatic cancer. The therapy silences a gene involved in immunosuppression by blocking Xkr8 protein distribution on the cell membrane.
New research by University of Pittsburgh scientists finds that concrete pavements are sensitive to sharp air temperature variations during the day, even in mild climates. This can lead to devastating consequences for infrastructure, such as potholes and cracks, with thicker pavements being more vulnerable.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a genetic link between melanoma tumors and telomere maintenance, which could lead to new treatments for the disease. The study found that mutations in the TPP1 gene stimulate telomerase activity, promoting long telomeres that enable cancer cells to divide in...
Researchers found age-related changes in the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence. This study provides first-ever evidence of plasticity in the frontal cortex during this critical developmental period.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide, an approved obesity drug for adults, also helps adolescents with obesity lose weight and have healthier hearts. After 68 weeks, 72.5% of participants who received semaglutide had achieved at least 5% weight loss compared to just 17% on placebo.
Researchers used live fluorescence imaging experiments to uncover the mechanism behind cell volume regulation, revealing that WNK kinases activate the 'switch' through phase separation. This discovery has implications for human health, particularly in relation to kidney function and salt-sensitive hypertension.
A new study by Pitt mathematicians uses math borrowed from neuroscience to describe how swarms of synchronous fireflies coordinate their light show. The researchers found that varying distances between fireflies affects the resulting blinks, producing patterns like ripples or spirals.
A study found that just 9% of US-based pediatrics research included non-English-speaking children or families, leading to concerns about health equity. Researchers are calling for greater inclusion of diverse languages in studies to better represent the community.
The US beef industry is found to be the least efficient at using virtual water, with a significant amount of blue water needed to produce just one ton of boneless beef. Researchers have developed a model to trace virtual water flows in beef supply chains, revealing major disconnects between consumption and production counties.
A study found that nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries who completed opioid rehab did not receive follow-up care or medication-assisted treatment within a month. Patients with prior prescriptions for opioid use disorder medications were 24% more likely to get follow-up care and medication.
Research from the University of Pittsburgh found that high COVID-19 stress in women is associated with changes in menstrual cycle length, period duration, and spotting. The study suggests that these changes can have economic and health consequences for women, including increased costs for feminine hygiene products.
Using transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) and twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP), researchers design metastable alloys that can overcome the strength-ductility trade-off. The resulting materials are self-strengthening, making them suitable for applications such as earthquake construction, naval ships, and aerospace.
Researchers found that individuals who underwent hemispherectomy surgery at a young age can still recognize differences between pairs of words or faces with remarkable accuracy. The study, published in PNAS, sheds light on brain plasticity and its limitations.
A new study found that Black veterans hospitalized with COVID-19 were less likely to receive evidence-based treatments such as steroids and remdesivir compared to their white counterparts. However, the study also found that disparities in treatment did not translate to higher mortality rates or readmission rates among Black patients.
A new project aims to create more race-inclusive AI in medicine by developing a distributed, inclusive data collection and learning framework that relies on smartphone apps. The framework uses federated learning, which allows models to be trained on device data while protecting user privacy.
Researchers found that adult heart cells have fewer communication pathways called nuclear pores, which may protect against harmful signals but prevent regeneration. This discovery sheds light on why adult hearts do not regenerate like newborn mice and human hearts.
A genetic variant associated with low levels of HDL 'good' cholesterol and high triglycerides has been identified in Polynesian people. This discovery provides new insights into the genetic causes of high cholesterol and may lead to the development of more effective treatment options.
Researchers have reverse-engineered a virus linked to chronic kidney disease in cats and described its mechanism of infection. The feline morbillivirus, or FeMV, can spread from host to host through urine, similar to the zoonotic Nipah virus.
CyberWater2 aims to lower the hurdle for researchers to couple their own models with other component models of Earth system models. The new open-source cyberinfrastructure framework will enable large-scale cross-institutional collaborations and scientific investigations across disciplines, computing platforms, and geographic boundaries.
A new study found that air pollution from factories and vehicles is associated with faster disease progression and premature death for patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease. Increasing levels of PM2.5 were linked to more severe disease, faster disease progression, and higher likelihood of dying sooner.
A large multi-center study analyzing patient records from three major cancer centers found that ILC is detected later and has worse outcomes than IDC. The research highlights the need for new imaging technologies to improve early detection of ILC, which often spreads beyond breast tissue before diagnosis.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh is using artificial intelligence to create more efficient and effective organoids. By designing and printing smarter cell structures that mimic human organs, they aim to reduce trial-and-error methods and costs, ultimately contributing to new methods in disease research and human he...
A study in C. elegans suggests that disrupting meiosis in reproductive cells accelerates aging and triggers a decline in healthspan, similar to humans. The research highlights the importance of reproductive fitness for overall health, with potential applications for early detection and treatment of age-related diseases.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh create microcapsules that exhibit life-like autonomy through self-generated motion and chemical signals. The system mimics protocell behavior, showcasing the potential for simple mechanisms to produce complex biological functions.
A new genetic test called PancreaSeq accurately classifies pancreatic cysts as potentially cancerous or benign, improving the accuracy of diagnoses compared to current guidelines. The test distinguishes between different types of cysts with higher accuracy than traditional forms of surveillance and current pancreatic cyst guidelines.
Tagbo Niepa's research aims to capture and store a person's healthy gut microbiome, then restore balance when ill. The technology has the potential to revolutionize illness treatment, especially for diseases like C. diff infection.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that a cellular channel outside the kidneys plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. The study found that subtle mutations in this channel can influence blood pressure, providing a potential new target for existing medications.
Recent CERN experiments provide evidence for the existence of new particles called pentaquarks, which consist of four quarks and one antiquark. The discovery raises the possibility that a whole new class of matter is at the cusp of being discovered.
Researchers have identified a complex of proteins in a tiny marine invertebrate that share similarities with the human immune system, suggesting an earlier origin for the building blocks of our immune system. The study could ultimately guide the development of new immunotherapies and improve understanding of transplant rejection.
A team of neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University aim to create an ultra-high resolution molecular atlas of the brain, enabling precise gene delivery to specific cell types. This project has the potential to revolutionize treatment of fatal brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A team of researchers developed a comprehensive guide to making fieldwork safer and more equitable for students from diverse backgrounds. The document addresses risks such as mobility challenges, cultural sensitivities, and structural inequality, providing resources for leaders to create inclusive teams.
A clinical trial found that using positive words and images during the window of heightened brain plasticity after a single ketamine treatment can help maintain depression relief for at least one month. Researchers developed an automated intervention to pair ketamine with computer-based training, showing promising initial findings.
Geologists mapped how historical coking and smelting led to toxic metal pollutants in Pittsburgh's soil, particularly in the eastern half of the city. The team found that concentrations of soil metals were higher in valleys influenced by rivers, with cadmium posing a lesser-known risk.
Scientists developed a software platform to analyze surfaces, creating digital twins that predict material properties like adhesion and durability. The contact.engineering platform standardizes procedure and facilitates open science, allowing users to share measurements and collaborate.
A mutation in the TMEM163 zinc transporter gene has been definitively linked to hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, a rare and often fatal neurological disorder. The study's findings provide new insights into the role of zinc in normal brain development, injury, and disease.
Researchers are developing wearable tonometric sensors that can collect blood pressure data without disrupting patients' sleep. The new cuffless monitoring system uses gecko-inspired adhesion technology to provide accurate readings.
For seven years after bariatric surgery, participants showed clinically important improvements in pain levels, physical function, and work productivity, with some backsliding over time. The study found durable effects on walking speed, fitness, and most metrics of pain, even among older adults.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that older adults with consistent daily routines are happier, less depressed, and have better cognitive function. Participants who rose early, stayed active throughout the day, and followed a regular routine performed better on cognitive tests than those with disrupted patterns.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a universal mechanism for lysosomal repair, known as the PITT pathway, which helps maintain cellular longevity. The study reveals that damaged lysosomes are quickly repaired through the PITT pathway, but defects in this process can contribute to age-related diseases such as Al...
The study reveals that somatostatin neurons act as highly coordinated subpopulations throughout the cortex, with local networks tailored to specific cognitive processes. This finding highlights the specialized roles of somatostatin neurons in different brain regions.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that the TV drama 'This Is Us' reduced stigma around Alzheimer's disease and encouraged family discussions about aging plans. The narrative was developed in consultation with experts and met with the show's writers to ensure accuracy.
A majority of early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds experience psychological distress due to social unrest caused by systemic racism. However, the study found that mentoring relationships have a positive impact on their well-being.
Astronomers discovered that merging galaxies can rip away gas fueling new stars, providing a possible explanation for why large galaxies are dead. The team found a 'post-starburst' galaxy seven billion light years away with signs of available star-forming fuel, suggesting an extreme collision caused the gas to escape.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.
A novel subset of CD8+ regulatory-like T cells (CD8+TRLs) has been identified as 'first responders' to stroke, providing fast-acting and lasting protection. These cells reach the brain within 24 hours after stroke onset, releasing molecules that provide direct neuroprotective effects.
Scientists have identified two areas of the auditory cortex specialized to recognize human voice sounds without linguistic meaning. These regions help react to sound cues allowing people to identify characteristics of the person speaking, such as gender, age, and height. This discovery sheds light on neurological disorders affecting vo...
A nationwide analysis found that 88.9% of the population lives within 5 miles of a community pharmacy, but only 48.1% live within 1 mile. The study highlights the importance of pharmacies in providing access to healthcare services, particularly for rural residents.