A USF Health study discovers drugs targeting TAS2R14 can prevent reduced therapeutic effectiveness in poorly controlled asthma. Researchers found that one drug, diphenhydramine, worked better than others to maintain signaling and dilate airways without desensitization.
A University of South Florida researcher is studying whether a home-based exercise program can decrease the severity of nerve and muscle symptoms from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer survivors. The study aims to provide an evidence-based intervention for patients suffering from persistent neuropathy.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have identified key signaling pathways involved in lymphatic valve development and maintenance. The study suggests targeting these pathways may one day be a viable therapy for patients with lymphedema, a debilitating disease characterized by chronic swelling and fluid buildup.
Researchers from the University of South Florida have published a seven-year study on the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. The study found that fish populations have recovered significantly since the disaster, with some species like the red snapper and southern hake showing notable declines.
Researchers from University of South Florida have identified oleic and linoleic acids in ancient pottery from Sicily, dating back to the Early Bronze Age. The discovery confirms olive oil existed in Italy hundreds of years earlier than previously recorded.
A study by Dr. Dipayan Biswas found that ambient music volume affects consumers' preferences for healthy vs. non-healthy foods. Softer music leads to healthier choices like salads, while louder environments stimulate cravings for unhealthy options like cheeseburgers and fries.
A study by the University of South Florida found that prescription drug commercials increasingly emphasize lifestyle changes over medical information, leading to a rise in off-label use and misinformation. The researchers call for regulatory action to ensure pharmaceutical ads prioritize health awareness.
Researchers developed a new method to study liver-stage malaria in vitro, using primary human liver cells on 384-well plates. This technique reduces costs and biomaterials requirements, making it more accessible for screening preclinical drugs and vaccines.
A new movement monitoring system using Real Time Location System (RTLS) technology helps identify residents at risk of falling, enabling early interventions to prevent hospitalizations. By tracking wristbands with RTLS sensors, a study found that fractal dimension values can indicate long-term cognitive impairment due to dementia.
Researchers at USF Health have identified 2,600 essential genes in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate drug and vaccine development, potentially saving millions of lives.
Researchers found inducing labor at 39 weeks reduced C-section rates by 22 percentage points compared to waiting until after 41 weeks. This study used a rigorous mathematical model of 100,000 patients to simulate patient outcomes, revealing fewer maternal complications and stillbirths.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a mobile version of ELISA, enabling point-of-care testing in doctor's offices and clinics. The new MELISA device measures progesterone levels and other hormones, making biomedical testing simple and affordable.
Historian J. Michael Francis discovered a 1601 gunpowder expenditure list from St. Augustine that confirms the city's residents held a St. Patrick's Day procession in honor of San Patricio, the Spanish name for St. Patrick. The records also reveal that St. Patrick was identified as the patron saint of the city's maize fields.
African Americans are disproportionately affected by heart failure due to a genetic defect linked to the CACNB4 gene. The study, led by the University of South Florida, identified this genetic variation as a key contributor to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in African Americans.
A study found that 82% of African American young adults who tried molly attributed its use to hip-hop music, particularly lyrics from artists like Kanye West and French Montana. Researchers suggest that hip-hop may be an effective source for prevention, health promotion, and harm reduction messages aimed at this demographic.
Researchers have detected a significant acceleration in sea level rise since 1993, with ocean waters moving up the shore by almost 1 millimeter per decade. This acceleration means that the next generation will experience a far different landscape due to rising sea levels, posing significant concerns for vulnerable areas like Tampa Bay.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found that animal species are shifting the timing of their seasonal activities in response to changing temperatures and precipitation patterns. This shift can have adverse effects on ecosystems, human food supplies, and diseases.
A new comprehensive system, SAEBRS, equips teachers to identify students at risk of mental health issues through student self-assessments. The tool aims to provide early intervention and support to nearly 1 in 5 students who experience severe mental or behavioral health problems during their academic careers.
A study highlights the need for better training and education in the dental community to discuss HPV prevention methods with patients. Most dentists don't address HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers due to lack of knowledge and communication skills.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found a significant link between opioid prescriptions and child removal from homes due to parental neglect. The analysis revealed a 129% increase in such removals since 2012, with an estimated annual state fiscal cost of $40 million.
The East Antarctic Ice Sheet's stability is being questioned after a marine geologic survey found that some regions have been sensitive to climate change for millions of years. This ice mass loss could lead to catastrophic sea level rise, affecting Florida and other major US cities.
A randomized controlled trial found that computerized speed of processing training significantly reduced the risk of dementia among older adults. Participants who completed more training sessions had lower risk, with a 5.9% incidence rate compared to 10.8% in the control group.
The NEWgenerator generates nutrients, energy and water from wastewater, providing a sustainable solution for urban settlements. The system can generate up to 1,000 users' worth of clean water, energy and fertilizer, reducing strain on sewer systems.
Pregnant women who consume high-dose omega-3 fatty acids daily during the 3rd trimester are less likely to develop asthma in their children. Researchers recommend 8-12 ounces of low mercury fish per week for similar benefits.
Researchers from University of South Florida use bat guano to study climate change in east-central Europe since the Medieval Warm Period. Isotopes found in bat guano provide a near annual record of winter precipitation for the region.
The USF team uses 3D imaging and photogrammetry techniques to preserve historic sites like Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas. The project aims to document the forts' histories and cultural influences, strengthening management and conservation efforts.
Chemical analysis of ancient pottery from Monte Kronio in Sicily reveals the presence of tartaric acid and sodium salt, characteristic of winemaking processes. The discovery provides a new perspective on the economy of ancient Italy, challenging traditional views on wine production.
The federal government does not require Medicaid to cover hearing aids, resulting in inconsistent coverage across states. Inconsistencies exist due to varying guidelines, with some states requiring moderate or greater hearing loss for coverage.
Using metformin to treat patients with prediabetes could save the US healthcare system approximately $20 per patient each year. The medication is underused, with only 0.7% of eligible patients currently prescribed it.
The 2016 hurricane season was the second-longest on record, with a series of extremes that included Hurricane Matthew, which claimed over 600 lives and caused $15 billion in damage. The season's conditions were characterized by a dramatic change in relative humidity, leading to an increase in Accumulated Cyclone Energy.
Researchers at USF Health used bone marrow stem cells to repair damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier in mice with ALS, improving motor functions and nervous system conditions. The study demonstrates an early step towards pursuing stem cell therapy for potential ALS treatment.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that valbenazine can significantly reduce tardive dyskinesia symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorder. The medication showed a 50% improvement rate compared to the placebo group.
A US study reveals that the annual cost of neurological diseases in the US is nearly $800 billion, with an estimated $600 billion to be spent on stroke and dementia treatment by 2030. The study emphasizes the need for increased funding to develop treatments and cures for these conditions.
A University of South Florida study found that placental syndromes increase women's short-term risk for cardiovascular diseases. Women with placental syndromes and poor fetal outcomes have a 45% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease within five years of their first pregnancy.
Researchers found long-term damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier after ischemic stroke, leading to a 'toxic environment' in the spinal cord. This damage can cause further disability and exacerbate disease pathology, including motor neuron deterioration and motor dysfunction.
Marina E. Emborg and Eng H. Lo received the 2016 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for their outstanding contributions to neurodegenerative disorders and stroke research. Their work focuses on developing safe neuroprotective strategies using stem cells and advanced imaging techniques.
A randomized controlled trial enrolls 350 firefighters from Tampa Bay's three largest fire departments to assess the effectiveness of a worksite exercise regimen. The study aims to reduce low back injury and disability, improving health and preparedness for firefighters.
A University of South Florida research team developed a novel chemogenomic profiling approach to identify drug targets for the most lethal strain of malaria. The study identified six new genes critically involved in P. falciparum's response to artemisinin, providing insights into the drugs' mechanisms of action.
A national study by University of South Florida researchers and Aetna found that only 36.8% of women received genetic counseling before BRCA testing, with Obstetrician/Gynecologists having the lowest rates. Women who received counseling demonstrated greater knowledge and satisfaction.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that neurogenin 3-expressing cells in the exocrine pancreas have the capacity to become insulin-producing beta cells. This discovery may lead to novel drug therapies to replenish cells destroyed or damaged by diabetes.
A new study by USF researchers suggests that transplanted human bone marrow stem cells preferentially migrate to the spleen, reducing systemic inflammation and secondary brain cell death in post-stroke rats. The anti-inflammatory effects of the stem cells promoted reduced lesions caused by acute stroke.
A two-week research expedition collects sea floor sediments and water samples at the site of Mexico's 1980 IXTOC blowout to project the impact of the Deepwater Horizon spill. The study aims to better predict long-term environmental effects of oil spills.
The University of South Florida (USF) and the cancer advocacy organization FORCE will advance a clinical research network focused on hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The project aims to improve health outcomes for patients by leveraging large volumes of health data, enabling quicker and less expensive clinical research.
USF researchers found that storm surge, high rainfall, and rising sea levels contribute to devastating 'compound flooding' in coastal cities. Their analysis identified key mechanisms, including elevated water levels and moderate storm surges, which exacerbate flooding impacts.
A new NCI-funded study will investigate the impact of a meditation-based stress reduction program on cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors. Researchers will assess the intervention's effects on objective and subjective cognitive functioning among 300 participants.
A University of South Florida study confirms the dilution effect hypothesis, suggesting biodiversity loss poses a public health threat by causing disease outbreaks. The research found broad evidence that species-rich communities suffer less infectious disease, implying maintaining biodiversity could reduce parasite abundance.
A team of researchers from the University of South Florida doubled survival time in an aggressive metastatic cancer model using a novel combination of ketogenic diet and supplements with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The study shows beneficial effects of ketone supplements in conjunction with non-toxic therapeutic regimens.
Two Yale researchers received the Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair, Dr. John Elsworth for his work on cell-based therapies and Dr. Cesar Borlongan for his groundbreaking stem cell therapy research. Their awards recognize significant contributions to neural therapy and brain repair.
African American mothers who smoke and have a specific genetic profile are more likely to conceive twins. The study found that the presence of a TP53 gene variant is crucial in 'twinning'. Researchers discovered a significant interaction between smoking and this genetic factor, leading to an increased likelihood of having twins.
Researchers from the University of South Florida have discovered how malaria parasites replicate their chromosomes up to thousands of times before spinning off into daughter cells. This understanding could lead to a powerful new treatment for malaria-caused illnesses, which kill over 600,000 people annually.