A study by USF biologists reveals that an abundance of predators can help control parasite transmission in amphibians, potentially reducing disease risk. The researchers identified a key trait of predators that predicts their ability to dilute disease risk.
USF scientists found that statins produce a significant reduction in cholesterol levels but have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes. The researchers argue that advocates for statins have used statistical deception to inflate their effectiveness and downplay adverse effects.
Researchers at USF are developing a new treatment for age-related hearing loss (ARHL), a neurodegenerative condition affecting 10% of the population. The Phase II clinical trial aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of modulating potassium channels in the brain.
Scientists at USF have developed a handheld sensor that can debunk fraudulent seafood species claims, helping ensure consumers get what they pay for. The QuadPyre RT-NASBA technology is accurate enough to detect grouper substitution on cooked fish at the point of restaurant service.
A USF study found that many college students perceive hookah as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, despite the risks associated with it. The research highlights the need for public health campaigns to address misunderstandings about hookah use and its potential hazards.
A University of South Florida-led team has discovered that subtle shifts in the earth's offshore plates can predict the size of future disasters. The researchers used high precision GPS to measure slight shifts on a fault line in Costa Rica, finding that slow slip events can release stress and strain before major earthquakes and tsunamis.
The University of South Florida will partner with three fire departments to test the effectiveness of supervised exercise programs and web-based interventions on reducing low back pain and disability. The study aims to identify safe and effective exercise interventions for firefighters at risk of back injury.
Researchers at USF and CUMC developed a novel microRNA-based strategy to selectively inhibit blood vessel re-narrowing while promoting vessel healing. The therapy achieved 80% endothelial cell coverage in rat models, reducing thrombosis and functional vascular responses.
Researchers at the University of South Florida found that frogs can develop immunity against a deadly chytrid fungus by learning to avoid it after just one exposure. This acquired resistance could aid in conservation efforts and even offer protection for other animals threatened by fungal pathogens.
A comprehensive US study found that pregnant women with sleep apnea are five times more likely to die in the hospital than those without the condition. The researchers also linked sleep apnea to an increased risk of severe medical conditions, including preeclampsia and pulmonary blood clots.
Douglas Kondziolka received the 2014 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for his extensive research and clinical work in stroke-related cell transplantation. He is principal investigator on several neurotransplantation clinical trials, including a trial evaluating bone marrow-derived neuroprogenitor cells for implantation.
Researchers developed novel double-stapled peptides that inhibit RSV in cells and mice, and when delivered with nanoparticles, showed significant inhibition of RSV infection. The therapy has potential to prevent and treat RSV infection in high-risk groups such as infants, young children, and the elderly.
A new study by University of South Florida researchers found that lithium salicylate produced steady blood and brain lithium levels for up to 48 hours after oral dose, reducing the risk of toxicity associated with current lithium therapy. This could lead to a less frequent dosing regimen and fewer side effects.
A new study led by the University of South Florida found that molecular subtyping can better identify women at high risk of recurrence. The method classifies breast cancer tumors into four genetically-distinct categories, providing valuable information for personalized treatment decisions.
A University of South Florida study found that a nutritional supplement containing blueberries and green tea improved cognitive processing speed in older adults without impairing memory. The supplement, NT-020, was tested on 105 healthy adults aged 65 to 85, with modest improvements seen after two months.
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that children with depression are more likely to develop obesity, smoking habits, and lower physical activity levels. These factors can increase the risk of heart disease later in life, even as early as teenage years.
A research team led by USF Health's Michael White and Elena Suvorova aims to identify new factors required for malaria-related parasites' growth. The study may lead to the development of new therapies against malaria, a deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The University of South Florida and FORCE have received a PCORI award to expand a health data network for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer research. The ABOUT Network will collect comprehensive clinical data, engage patients, and advance patient-centered studies.
A new study suggests that accelerated resolution therapy (ART) is a safe and effective treatment for combat-related psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans. The therapy, which combines evidence-based psychotherapies with eye movements, was found to be shorter and more likely to be completed than co...
Researchers found that house sparrows' immune cells become more attuned to finding dangerous parasites at the edge of their range in Kenya. This adaptation may help the birds thrive in new areas with novel pathogens. The study aims to understand what gives invasive species an edge, informing efforts to manage and eradicate them.
Two healthy young siblings experienced acute ischemic strokes soon after smoking synthetic marijuana, highlighting the risks of this illicit drug. The study urges physicians to be aware of the potentially toxic effects of recreational synthetic drugs and to ask about pot and spice use in patients.
New research finds that early-life exposure to atrazine increases frog mortality when challenged with a chytrid fungus, a pathogen implicated in worldwide amphibian declines. This study suggests that reducing early-life exposure to atrazine could reduce the risk of mortality from fungal disease in frogs.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells guide neural stem cells to the injured brain site via a neurovascular matrix, promoting functional recovery. The study presents evidence for a new concept of stem-cell mediated brain repair, offering a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury.
The University of South Florida has created a Veterans' Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Program (V-CARE) to address the nation's nursing workforce shortage. The program builds on veterans' military healthcare training, offering credit for previous service and aiming to enroll 120 veterans over four years.
Researchers find unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification in the Arctic, driven by rapidly melting sea ice. This process threatens the health of the Arctic ecosystem and species that rely on calcium carbonate for survival.
A University of South Florida-led study suggests that the stress-related protein FKBP51 contributes to the acceleration of Alzheimer's disease. The research found that FKBP51 levels increase with age and partner with Hsp90 to make tau more toxic, leading to brain cell death.
Researchers analyzed over 350,000 patients in 860 phase III trials and found that new treatments outperform existing ones around half the time. The study suggests the randomized controlled trial system is working as intended despite needing tweaks for better design and reporting.
The University of South Florida is adapting a proven program to reduce sexual risk behavior among African-American college women. The study aims to test if this tailored approach helps reduce HIV/AIDS risk, which disproportionately affects young black women.
Research suggests that inherited Human Herpesvirus 6 may be a root cause of CFS, causing cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. Antiviral drug therapy improves severe neurological symptoms in affected patients.
A new University of South Florida study explores the relationship between caregiver sleep and heart disease, testing an innovative night monitoring system to improve sleep quality and overall health. The research seeks to determine if better sleep can lower the risk of heart disease in caregivers caring for people with dementia.
A recent study by University of South Florida researchers found that a cardiac hormone signaling receptor plays a key role in the link between inflammation and cancer-causing tumors. By blocking this receptor, scientists hope to develop new treatments that cut off tumor growth by cutting off blood supply. The research aims to create in...
Researchers at University of South Florida found a combination of nontoxic therapies prolonged survival time by 78% in mice with metastatic cancer. The treatment combined ketogenic diet and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, both non-toxic to healthy tissues while damaging cancer cells.
Researchers discovered reactive phosphorus in early Archean limestone, providing evidence that meteorites delivered phosphorus necessary for early life forms. The team found that meteorite phosphorus could generate phosphorus biomolecules identical to those seen in life today.
The USF College of Nursing is conducting a clinical trial to test a brief intervention, COPE, which aims to teach cancer patients management skills for improving symptoms they identify as the highest priority. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of COPE in alleviating moderate to high-intensity cancer symptoms causing distress.
Researchers found significant microvascular injury in the uninjured side of the brain days after a stroke, indicating compromised blood-brain barrier integrity. This damage may lead to serious complications and is closely related to autophagy and neuronal swelling.
A nationwide study will examine the influence of genetic testing on clinical treatment decisions among breast cancer patients and their doctors. The 5-year American BRCA Outcomes Among the Recently Diagnosed (ABOARD) study will follow 5,000 Aetna members and provide critical information to improve personalized health care.
Michel M. Modo and Thomas B. Freeman received the 2013 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for their groundbreaking work in neurorestorative biology, stem cell transplantation, and Parkinson's disease research. The awards recognize their outstanding contributions to advancing neural therapy and brain repair.
Researchers at University of South Florida led by Michael White found that plant proteins, AP2 factors, control the transition from acute to chronic Toxoplasma stage. These factors help the parasite decide when to grow or form tissue cysts that can remain dormant for years.
University of South Florida researchers played a key role in discovering a promising new antimalarial drug called ELQ-300, which has the potential to cure malaria and prevent its transmission. The drug targets the malaria parasite's energy household, selectively hitting only the parasite while sparing human cells.
Researchers have discovered a highly efficient material for capturing CO2, which could make clean-coal technology more efficient and reduce energy costs. The breakthrough material, SIFSIX-1-Cu, is less expensive and reusable than existing materials, with the potential to improve air quality and combat climate change.
A new gene therapy trial aims to promote the regeneration of heart tissue by encouraging the body to deploy more stem cells to the injury site. The therapy, called JVS-100, has shown clinically significant improvements in exercise levels in patients with ischemic heart failure.
A new study suggests that rapid law enforcement notification and detailed public information can improve recovery rates for drivers with dementia. The research team recommends that Silver Alert-type programs prioritize the cognitive status of drivers and provide more detailed information to facilitate rescue efforts.
Researchers have identified a genetic biomarker for presbycusis, a condition that affects hearing and speech processing in older adults. The discovery could aid in prevention measures and offer hope for early intervention.
A new genetic test has been developed to predict which patients with heart failure will respond best to the beta-blocker drug bucindolol. The test, based on two specific genes, analyzes a small blood sample and can identify individuals who are likely to benefit from the treatment.
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescent girls participating in a sexual risk reduction intervention were more likely to practice abstinence and showed substantial decreases in unprotected sex, number of partners, and unintended pregnancies. The intervention used age-appropriate games and interact...
Researchers discover Grp94 protein interferes with clearance of mutated myocilin, a leading cause of hereditary juvenile-onset and adult-onset glaucoma. Inhibiting Grp94 may lead to new treatment options for patients suffering from myocilin glaucoma.
The study found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with higher rates of preeclampsia, cesarean deliveries, and NICU admissions. Women with sleep apnea were more likely to deliver babies with respiratory distress, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment during pregnancy.
A new study has identified a gene that appears to make women happy, but not men. The low-expression form of the MAOA gene is associated with higher self-reported happiness in women.
A study by the University of South Florida College of Nursing found that Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) substantially reduced PTSD symptoms, including depression and anxiety, after just one to four sessions. The therapy uses eye movements to process traumatic memories, resulting in a significant improvement in symptoms.
Researchers found significant improvements in memory and thinking among cancer patients treated with GMCSF plus GCSF compared to those receiving GCSF alone. The study suggests that GMCSF may prevent or reverse cognitive decline in cancer patients, in addition to Alzheimer's patients.