Research modeling biology as interacting systems. Covers tumor-response prediction, engineered bacteria, living-matter physics, and behavior in model organisms.
Researchers have successfully cultured Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, using a novel method. The breakthrough, published in mBio, could lead to improved understanding of the disease and the development of new treatments.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC have developed a minimally invasive micropacemaker system that can treat faulty heart rhythms in children and adults. The device, implanted through a single incision, offers a new approach to cardiac pacing without the need for traditional pacemakers.
Researchers found a significant increase in specialist referrals among family physicians switching to blended capitation models, highlighting unintended consequences of policy changes. The study's findings suggest that increased referrals may not be entirely necessary and could result in higher costs for the healthcare system.
Researchers have developed a macroscale fluorescence imaging technique, known as macro-FLIM, that can analyze whole mouse tumors with cellular resolution. The new approach enables observation of biochemical processes taking place within the sample, and could potentially find use in clinical settings to identify tumor edges during surgery.
Researchers have developed a dual-therapy approach that combines brain-computer interface and functional electrical stimulation to boost motor recovery in stroke victims. The study found significant improvements in arm mobility among patients who received the treatment, with some scores exceeding twice those of control group patients.
Researchers at EMBL expand Alan Turing's theory to understand how biological patterns are created, introducing a topological approach that simplifies analysis and predicts properties of Turing systems. This new framework enables the design of networks that can produce desired patterns, with potential applications in tissue engineering.
UMass Lowell researchers aim to develop methods for robots to assess their performance in real-time, enabling better task completion and increased efficiency. The SUCCESS project will utilize humanoid robots like Baxter to evaluate their abilities and limitations, leading to improved human-robot collaboration and trust.
Researchers discovered a higher risk of major congenital malformations in fetuses exposed to lithium during the first trimester. The absolute risk was nearly one and one-half times higher than in unexposed babies.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that IV acetaminophen does not meaningfully decrease opioid use after surgery compared to oral acetaminophen. Researchers suggest that eliminating IV acetaminophen may result in significant cost savings for hospitals.
Diatoms, crucial phytoplankton for marine food webs, may become more resilient in an acidified environment due to energy conservation. This study provides context for understanding climate change impacts.
Researchers identified plasma lipid species as signatures of healthy or unhealthy metabolic states, including fatty liver disease. They also pinpointed genetic regulators of lipid species and their physiological functions using systems genetics approaches.
Researchers mapped the brain of a blind woman who can see moving objects but not stationary ones due to Riddoch syndrome. Her brain takes detours around damaged pathways to bypass the visual system.
A new University of Michigan study reveals that high-risk individuals face multiple barriers to accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a lifesaving HIV drug. The researchers outline 31 potential solutions to overcome these barriers, which affect patient, provider, and health-system levels.
Researchers developed an experimental model of HIV infection in mice that shows HIV causes learning and memory dysfunction, a common problem in half of HIV-infected people. The virus establishes latent and active reservoirs in T cells and macrophages, leading to cognitive impairment.
The study analyzed geographic, organizational, and system levels relating to fluoride varnish administration and risk-based oral evaluations. Key findings include the importance of proper training, access to patient data, and leadership engagement in facilitating interprofessional oral health practices.
Researchers created artificial mechanosensory nerves using flexible organic devices to emulate biological sensory afferent nerves, controlling a disabled insect leg and distinguishing Braille characters. The device combines mechanoreceptors, neurons, and synapses to process pressure information and actuate muscles.
Researchers have developed a new tool that can work in both non-reproductive cells and egg-producing cells using the Gal4/UAS two-component activation system. The UASz vector has been shown to express about 4 times higher than UASp in the egg-producing system, overcoming previous limitations.
Electronic health record systems can be transformed into platforms that allow doctors to access real-time patient information, reducing physician workloads and improving healthcare quality. This approach enables personalized alerts and notifications, similar to social media feeds, to reduce errors and delays.
A new reference manual is in development to provide standards for military-civilian training platforms, ensuring combat readiness and retaining critical skills. The partnership aims to address challenges facing military surgery and civilian trauma care, including standard pre-deployment training and skills retention.
Researchers have found quantum effects in photosynthetic systems at low temperatures, challenging the idea that these effects are unique to non-biological systems. The study also reveals that regular vibrations, not superposition, were responsible for earlier reported observations.
A new brain stimulation technique, dTMS, has shown promising results in reducing food cravings in obese patients. The study found that high-frequency dTMS significantly increased beta-endorphins levels, leading to a decrease in glucose and leptin levels, suggesting a potential safer alternative to treat obesity.
Leaders from Penn's Perelman School of Medicine call for new training approaches for 21st-century doctors, emphasizing business, finance, and leadership development. The authors suggest focusing on talent mining, targeted leadership development, and deliberate onboarding processes to create a new wave of physician leaders.
Physician burnout is caused by both unavoidable occupational suffering and avoidable systems failures. Resilience training helps with the former, while improving systems addresses the latter.
The i3 Asset Accelerator is a new fund that fast-tracks select research discoveries to reach patients sooner. The accelerator has selected its first two projects, focused on cancer treatment and influenza B viral infections, with the goal of advancing commercially relevant solutions globally.
The new Agile Implementation methodology reorders implementation steps to prioritize end-user input and recognizes them as informed customers. The eight-step methodology addresses the need for rapid diffusion of evidence-based innovations in healthcare.
Researchers successfully implemented cognitive remediation throughout New York State's psychiatric hospital system, recognizing and addressing cognitive deficits in serious mental illness. The embedded quality assurance program evaluation tools indicated that cognitive remediation was sustainable and effective.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new analytical system for real-time monitoring of metabolites in the brain, overcoming previous limitations in sensitivity and invasiveness. The system, combining probe electrospray ionization (PESI) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), successfully monitored cerebrum metabolites with ...
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that palliative care is associated with shorter hospital stays and lower costs, particularly for patients with complex conditions. The study showed a cost savings of $4,251 per patient with cancer and $2,105 for those with non-cancer diagnoses.
A new stereovision system guides surgeons during spinal operations, providing accurate renderings of where implants need to go. The system, developed by Dartmouth engineers and physicians, is expected to save up to 30 minutes in surgery time.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered how flavins work with oxygen to activate enzyme cofactors, shedding light on their role in metabolic processes and biotechnological applications.
A new Quick Response (QR) code-based system allows patients with Addison's disease to receive urgent clinical management information, improving emergency care. Healthcare professionals expressed a preference for QR code-linked information, and the system has shown promise in preventing unnecessary deaths linked to adrenal crisis.
A new study found weight-loss surgery reduces average costs to the UK National Health Service by €2742, while gaining 0.8 life-years and 4.0 quality-adjusted life years compared to usual care. The procedure also has potential benefits in reducing obesity-related cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The Mount Sinai team will develop software tools for efficient and interactive analysis of large amounts of single-cell data, accelerating progress toward curing all diseases by the end of the century. The CZI grant aims to provide a platform for scientists to analyze massive data sets interactively and quickly.
The study, funded by the National Eye Institute, tested oral omega-3 supplementation on patients with dry eye disease. Despite finding some improvement in symptoms and signs, researchers concluded that omega-3 supplements did not show a beneficial effect relative to placebo.
The molecular microscope system uses gene chips to read molecules in heart and lung transplant biopsies, providing more precise readings with fewer tissue samples. The system is showing promising results for both heart and lung transplant biopsies, improving patient outcomes and reducing errors.
Scientists at Osaka University developed a new topical gel to treat skin lesions in TSC, a rare inherited disease. The drug's approval marks a world first and offers a painless, safe, and easy-to-use solution for patients suffering from cosmetic issues.
The Pittsburgh Atlas creates hundreds of regional referral regions to coordinate emergency and trauma care in the US, respecting geopolitical borders. The framework allows states and groups of counties to implement quality improvement programs accountable to regional performance measures.
The Collaborative for Healing and Renewal in Medicine has presented a framework for individuals, organizations, and health systems to address physician burnout. The Charter on Physician Well-Being provides guidelines for developing regulations and policies that support physician well-being and maximize meaningful engagement.
Vanderbilt researchers are developing a new surgical planning tool to improve voice outcomes for patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. By analyzing the aerodynamics of cicada wings, they aim to create customized implants that optimize voice production and breathing.
A low-cost, open-source 3D bioprinter has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers, allowing users to print large-scale artificial human tissue with high resolution. The bioprinter, which costs under $500, is a significant cost reduction compared to existing commercial machines.
Many NHS trusts in England fail to log, track, or disclose conflicts of interest for their staff, potentially undermining public trust in health professionals. Researchers recommend a statutory body like the US model to ensure strong policies are in place, similar to the Physician Payment Sunshine Act.
Researchers have made strides in medical imaging, computer modeling, and control strategies to optimize Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy in individual patients. The review highlights the interactive nature of factors influencing DBS effects and paves the way for truly patient-specific optimization.
A new study by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital demonstrates that implementing an automated notification system can improve the follow-up of actionable tests pending at discharge. The system significantly improved the time to documented action for these tests, with patients receiving follow-up on their results much faster.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a llama-antibody, or nanobody, that can prevent the cleavage of the C3 protein, which plays a crucial role in the innate immune system. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for kidney diseases and conditions where the immune system is overactive.
The use of artificial intelligence in medicine raises important ethical questions, including bias in algorithms and the potential for data to replace human clinical experience. Researchers call for careful examination of these risks and for physicians to critically assess machine-learning tools and their limitations.
The new peer-reviewed journal Systems Medicine captures leading research in medical systems biology, emphasizing molecular mechanistic biomarkers. This approach aims to drive innovations in new drug discovery and preventive therapies based on healthy aging research.
A new genomic classifier score predicts aggressive prostate cancer, potentially changing treatment guidelines. The model integrates gene expression biomarker risk scores into existing risk groups, increasing accuracy and confidence in treatment recommendations.
Researchers found that multiple small differences, rather than a single factor, explain the large variation in how people respond to drugs. The study used systems biology and metabolomics techniques to analyze protein and metabolite concentrations in cell culture experiments.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University develop a new system to visualize ubiquitin assembly in real time, revealing new insights into the molecular details of autophagy. The technique allows for the study of previously unexplored residues involved in forming ubiquitin chains.
A new staining method allows specialists to investigate three-dimensional tissue samples using the Nano-CT system, delivering resolutions of up to 100 nanometers. The technique is time-efficient and compatible with conventional methods, enabling enhanced insights into tissue distribution and microscopic origins of diseases.
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai and Emulate are pioneering a Patient-on-a-Chip program to predict which disease treatments would be most effective for each patient. They leverage Organs-on-Chips technology to create an environment where cells exhibit unprecedented biological function, enabling personalized testing of drug treatments.
Engineers have created a laser-based wireless charging system that can safely charge smartphones sitting across a room. The system uses power from the laser to charge the smartphone via a thin power cell mounted on the back of the phone, with safety features such as a heatsink and guard beams to prevent overheating and accidental contact.
A new theoretical framework explains pattern formation in non-equilibrium systems, where local chemical equilibria are constantly changing. This leads to the emergence of self-organizing patterns and chemical turbulence.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new test that can detect damage to proteins in blood plasma, which may indicate autism spectrum disorders. The test has shown promise in distinguishing between children with ASD and healthy controls.
A newly identified protein, RGSz1, can be manipulated to make opioid painkillers effective at lower doses while reducing the risk of addiction. This discovery provides novel avenues for pharmacological interventions that can optimize the actions of opioid medications and lead to safer treatments.
A new optical imaging system uses red and near-infrared light to identify breast cancer patients who are likely to respond to chemotherapy. The system analyzes blood flow dynamics in response to a single breath hold and has been shown to correctly identify responders in 92.3% of patients.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new mechanism for controlled, sustained drug delivery using self-assembled nanomaterials. The system can slowly release drug carriers over months, reducing systemic side effects and inflammation.
A new 'smart' glucagon delivery system has been developed to treat post-bariatric hypoglycemia. The system combines a continuous glucose monitor, rapid glucagon delivery, and a mobile platform with a hypoglycemia prediction algorithm, successfully alerting investigators to impending hypoglycemia and reducing episodes.
Grape-derived polyphenols, such as DHCA and Mal-gluc, may attenuate depression by targeting inflammation and synaptic plasticity. The study found that these compounds can promote resilience in mouse models of depression by modulating immune responses and brain function.
Researchers investigated ultraconserved elements and found that deleting individual enhancers does not cause major defects, but some subtle brain abnormalities persist. A second study on limb enhancers showed functional redundancy, highlighting the importance of these regulatory elements.