A new research project led by Dr. Jiahui Ding aims to understand how maternal viral infections shape fetal immune development, influencing susceptibility to infectious diseases throughout life. Preliminary findings suggest that placental inflammatory pathways operate differently between males and females during fetal development.
Researchers at Wayne State University and Indiana University have developed a new class of drugs that target the Ku70/80 DNA-binding complex, a critical enzyme in DNA damage response. This approach aims to sensitize cancer cells to radiation and improve radiotherapy outcomes for lung cancer patients.
A new five-year project at Wayne State University aims to investigate the effects of e-cigarette use during pregnancy on fetal brain development. The research will utilize a state-of-the-art vaping system to model real-world exposures and examine their effects on neurodevelopment.
Researchers found a genetic mutation, TGFBR1*6A, associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer. Carriers of this mutation have a reduced risk of developing the disease, even in those with familial adenomatous polyposis.
The university's patented technology assists surgeons in detecting and visualizing significant arterial bleeding using augmented reality overlays, enabling precise control and quick action. This innovation aims to improve patient outcomes, save lives, and reduce hospital stays, infection rates, and treatment costs.
Researchers will build connections with Detroit's digital equity ecosystem and promote digital inclusion to link cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers with resources. The Digital Engagement and Cancer Outcomes (DECO) Center aims to advance interventions that improve outcomes at the individual level.
A three-year grant from the Great Lakes Water Authority funds a research team led by Wayne State University to improve phosphorus removal efficiency at the GLWA Water Resource Recovery Facility. The project aims to reduce harmful algal blooms and ensure compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
A study published in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy found that backward walking training improved postural stability and gait speed in most participants with multiple sclerosis. The researchers suggest that this therapy may promote neuroplasticity and be a potential new treatment for improving mobility and decreasing falls.
A new four-year doctoral program will prepare scholars for special education leadership roles through rigorous coursework, interdisciplinary collaboration, and field experiences. The tri-university collaboration aims to cultivate a new generation of special education leaders who can enact meaningful local and systemic change.
Researchers at Wayne State University will develop a sustainable infrastructure for multi-tiered SUD prevention in high schools. The project aims to build upon prior research to establish a blueprint for implementing evidence-based programs in schools, addressing the need for sustained delivery and long-term impact.
Researchers at Wayne State University are investigating how eosinophils influence corneal response to infection, focusing on microbial keratitis and potential therapeutic strategies to preserve vision. The goal is to identify new treatments that fight infection while minimizing tissue damage.
Dr. Yu-Ming Mindy Huang's research aims to overcome limitations in current methods by building a higher-accuracy computer microscope to investigate membrane-bound protein diffusion and interactions. The study has two complementary directions: modeling viral proteins and understanding lipid storage on lipid droplets.
Dr. Ana Daugherty, a cognitive neuroscientist with expertise in aging and Alzheimer's disease, joins Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology as its new director. She will lead interdisciplinary collaboration, training for emerging scholars, and research on risk and resiliency in aging and dementia.
Researchers at Wayne State University are exploring the feasibility and acceptability of virtual reality-based Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as a tool to reduce stress in young adults with type 1 diabetes. The study aims to assess the effects of MBSR-VR on glycemic control, mindfulness, and psychological distress.
A Wayne State University study found that prenatal Zika virus exposure leads to sex-specific changes in a baby's immune system, affecting frontline immune cells. Males are more affected, with slower growth and an exaggerated inflammatory response.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing novel therapies to treat ocular chemical injuries using host-derived metabolites. The project aims to reduce inflammation, promote corneal nerve regeneration, and enhance wound healing, with potential for clinically translatable treatments that can preserve vision.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing an ultra-rapid insulin designed to mimic the human pancreas, aiming to improve glycemic control and reduce disease management burden. The project has the potential to create fully automated systems, enabling patients to manage their condition with fewer interruptions.
Dr. Anna Gottschlich receives a $916,545 NIH award to investigate socio-genomic associations with endometrial cancer survival among women in Metropolitan Detroit.
A new NIH grant will aid researchers at Wayne State University in studying the effects of fentanyl during pregnancy. The two-year study aims to determine the impact of gestational fentanyl exposure on morbidity and mortality, developmental milestones, and brain development in offspring.
A Wayne State University researcher is examining the long-term impact of bullying on adolescents' social and academic progress in college. The study, funded by the Spencer Foundation, aims to understand how peer victimization affects mental health and academic persistence during college.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing a new treatment to prevent diabetic corneal complications, which can lead to vision loss and poor healing. The project combines two naturally occurring peptides to target inflammation, delayed healing, and nerve degeneration.
Lana Ruvolo Grasser, a Wayne State University assistant professor, has been selected as an Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) by the Society for Neuroscience. She will engage in advocacy initiatives and learn effective strategies to advocate for scientific research and its funding.
Wayne State University faculty Mark Baskaran, Stephen Krawetz, and Kezhong Zhang were elected as AAAS Fellows for their significant contributions to environmental science, reproductive biology, and intracellular stress response. Their work has impacted climate change, prenatal health, and energy metabolism.
A Wayne State University researcher is working on an integrated architecture to enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles. The project aims to address complex issues with timing accuracy and schedulability analysis, enabling safe operation of autonomous systems.
Researchers at Wayne State University are investigating the mechanisms behind diabetes onset, with a focus on aberrant nuclear signaling and cellular defects. The study aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and test small molecule inhibitors to prevent the establishment of these defects.
The five-year grant will aid researchers in understanding the underlying biology of several diseases by studying mitophagy, a process that degrades damaged mitochondria. By examining how genetic modifications affect mitophagy, researchers may discover new methods to address conditions like Parkinson's disease and diabetes.
The researchers are developing high-performance Monte Carlo software to support computational materials design. The goal is to enable rigorous multi-scale simulations, allowing for the simulation of larger scale and fidelity than possible with current software.
Christopher Kassotis, a Wayne State University assistant professor of pharmacology, has been recognized for his outstanding work on endocrine disruption research. His research focuses on identifying and characterizing environmental chemicals that impact human and animal health.
A recent study by Krishna Rao Maddipati suggests that chronic inflammation has a distinct etiology, differing from acute inflammation. The study proposes increasing anti-inflammatory compounds to treat chronic inflammation, potentially leading to new advancements in cancer therapy.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat in Detroit, requiring immediate attention from the community. Health experts recommend educating oneself about responsible antibiotic use and adopting practices such as hand hygiene and vaccination.
A new program supported by a four-year grant from the USDA will train Michigan youth in 'smart agriculture' using data science. The project aims to equip the workforce with knowledge in both smart farming tools and data science to address global food production challenges.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports correlates higher levels of pollutant particulate matter with increased occurrences of head and neck aerodigestive cancer. The research found a significant association between exposure to PM2.5 and the incidence of head and neck cancer, shedding light on the environmental factor contributi...
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing new AI-powered methods to design and develop new drugs, including carbohydrate-based treatments for cancer. The study aims to improve the accuracy of simulations and machine learning models to predict the behavior of complex biological molecules.
Dr. Joongkyu Park has been awarded two new NIH grants totaling $2.3 million to investigate local protein synthesis in tau pathology neurodegeneration and redirected CaMKII for restoring deficits in Alzheimer's disease models. The research aims to understand how these mechanisms contribute to the pathologic features of Alzheimer's disease.
The Wayne State University College of Education is conducting a three-year project to examine the impact of mixed-income neighborhood initiatives on educational inequality for Black low-income youth. The research team will investigate how HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood improves social cohesion ...
Researchers at Wayne State University are exploring the connections between PFAS exposure, bacterial infections, and preterm birth. The study aims to identify critical pathways responsible for preterm birth and establish a causative link between pollutant exposures and adverse birth outcomes.
The project aims to create a Great Lakes-focused microplastic action network using proven reduction strategies and new tools. It will empower communities to identify local pollution sources and mitigate microplastic pollution at a local level.
A $3.082M NIH grant will fund research at Wayne State University to investigate the impact of environmental factors on male fertility. The study aims to identify novel biomarkers in seminal plasma and their relation to metabolic exposures and reproductive success, with a focus on phthalate exposure.
The four-year grant will investigate how parasitic wasps attack certain insect hosts but not others, with a focus on gall wasps and oak trees. The research aims to understand the co-evolution of species and the processes that create new species.
A four-year grant will help researchers find new clues to the interplay between Down syndrome and myeloid leukemia, focusing on enhancing antileukemic activity of chemotherapy drug cytarabine. The goal is to identify a novel treatment strategy to improve patient outcomes and prevent relapses in ML-DS patients.
A Wayne State University research team led by Taylor Takla is studying the neural, motor, cognitive and psychological factors underlying fear of falling in multiple sclerosis patients. The goal is to break the cycle of falls, reduced physical activity and social isolation, ultimately improving quality of life for MS patients.
Mark Lumley, a distinguished professor at Wayne State University, received the 2024 Nathan W. Perry Jr. Award for Career Service to Health Psychology. He was recognized for his decades-long contributions to the field of health psychology, particularly in chronic pain disorders.
Dr. Wen Li's research aims to discover whether quantum tunneling is instantaneous and develop new detector technologies for fast electron processes. This project has the potential to impact various fields, including medicine, business, and biology.
A Wayne State University professor has been awarded a three-year $554,853 NSF grant to investigate new molecules and chemical reactions for growing metal and metal-silicon thin films. The research aims to develop advanced transistors with lower power consumption and higher performance.
Researchers at Wayne State University aim to develop improved treatments for ovarian cancer by targeting dual-specificity phosphatase 1, a protein involved in drug resistance. The four-year grant will support the study's efforts to improve survival and remission rates.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has awarded a four-year, $5.2 million grant to Wayne State University's Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES). The CURES team will investigate the basis for urban environmental health disparities and the human health impact of environmental exposure...
A new methodology, backward walking speed reserve, measures an individual's capacity to increase their walking speed on demand in the backward direction. This assessment is linked to disease severity, falls risk, and cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis patients.
A new study by Dr. Peter Lichtenberg and his team found that early memory loss is linked to excess spending in older adults. The WALLET Study analyzed bank statements to identify financial behaviors associated with excess spending, providing valuable insights into the intersection of financial risk and cognitive decline.
The project aims to enhance workforce and social services provided by community health workers, launching consultations and screenings, providing education and resources, and offering referrals. The goal is to improve living conditions and prevent chronic diseases in Southeast Michigan, particularly in Detroit.
Dr. Alice Walker will investigate the design of fluorescent protein sensors using computer simulations, which may aid in tracking diseases and monitoring treatment effectiveness in living cells and organisms. The five-year $690,816 grant also supports undergraduate research opportunities for WSU students.