Articles tagged with Medical Research Facilities
A clinical trial using a robot to aid in therapy for stroke patients showed significant improvements in short- and long-term recovery of arm movement. The robot provides quantitative data on forces and movements, increasing the productivity of human therapists while maintaining its role as a complementary tool.
Dr. Bruce D. Walker delivers a lecture on immune-mediated control of HIV infection, highlighting the Wistar/Philadelphia FIGHT Collaborative Project. The project combines basic immunotherapy with community-based research involving over 4,000 individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Researchers found that providing more oxygen during and after surgery can cut in half the number of patients experiencing nausea. This simple procedure is effective, risk-free, and inexpensive, offering a promising alternative to expensive anti-nausea medications.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse's Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment outline essential components of effective treatment based on 30 years of research. The guide highlights the importance of individualized approaches and treatment effectiveness.
The BioSimMER VR application simulates a 3D computer-simulated setting where emergency personnel practice responding to biological warfare agent attacks. By engaging rescuers' senses and decision-making abilities, the tool helps them make better decisions in real-life emergencies.
Historically black colleges and universities are partnering with high-tech research-intensive universities for $1 million environmental health grants. The program, called ARCH, aims to strengthen research capabilities at minority-serving institutions, enabling them to conduct competitive research in environmental health sciences.
Researchers at Wistar Institute find parallels between PRD1 and human adenovirus coat protein structures, suggesting an evolutionary relationship. The discovery may lead to new research areas and therapies.
Researchers developed an electronic stock exchange that rapidly detects and shares insider information, imposing electronic penalties on insider traders. This approach can level the playing field and diminish the gains from insider trading.
The Initiative for Design of Bio-Inspired Materials receives a $2-million grant to explore new physical materials based on biological templates. Researchers aim to develop functional materials and control biological processes using advanced techniques.
The University of Southern California has received a historic gift of $110 million from the W.M. Keck Foundation to establish the Keck School of Medicine and enhance its health sciences program. The donation will focus on neurogenetic disorders, with potential breakthroughs in understanding and treatment of debilitating diseases.
National Jewish researchers identified the specific peptide, ND1, on MHC molecules that controls positive selection of T cells. This discovery helps expand understanding of how the immune system develops and may lead to new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
A new study by researchers at UCLA found that pregnant women with positive psychological resources tend to have healthy-weight infants. The study, which analyzed data from 230 pregnant women, suggests that a woman's ability to adapt to the challenges of pregnancy is crucial to the outcome.
Pharming Healthcare Inc. plans to invest $37 million in Virginia to produce Human Factor VIII and Fibrinogen in the milk of transgenic animals, treating patients with hemophilia and controlling bleeding in surgery and trauma. The company's production techniques are partially based on technologies developed at Virginia Tech.
The Wistar Institute has received a five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop new diagnostic tools and treatments for metastatic melanoma. The goal of this project is to improve patient outcomes by understanding the underlying molecular events that contribute to the development and progression of the disease.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii have discovered a unique feature in the nervous system of plankton - myelin - which coats nerve cells and enables faster response times to stimuli. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of evolution, ocean biology, and the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates.
A new method, Epithelial Aggregate Separation and Isolation (EASI), enables rapid and simple isolation of purified epithelial cell populations from tumors. This advance will facilitate molecular studies on tumors and their precursor lesions.
Researchers at Cornell University are working on an artificial gel made of silicon that could lead to faster and cheaper methods for DNA sequencing. The biochip is designed to identify DNA fragments by measuring their movement through uniform-sized passages, allowing for more precise control and comparison with theoretical predictions.
A study by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health found that nearly 29% of correctional health care workers frequently or always recapped used needles, increasing their risk of bloodborne infections. Inadequate hand washing rates were also common, largely due to limited access to sinks and soap.
Researchers John Larese and Laurence Passell won the DOE's 1998 Materials Science Award for their pioneering work on neutron scattering studies of films adsorbed on graphite and magnesium oxide surfaces. They developed a new understanding of the structure and properties of these films, which could lead to breakthroughs in adhesion, cor...
Luis Montaner, a Wistar Institute scientist, has been awarded a $79,000 grant to support his HIV-1 Patient Partnership for Basic Research project. The project aims to find new treatments and develop vaccines for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) through medical research.
Dr. Francesca Marassi, a Wistar professor, has been awarded a $228,000 grant from The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust to study the molecular structure of PLM, a protein that regulates cardiac muscle contractions. This research aims to understand how mutated amino acids affect PLM functions and develop therapeutic treatments.
Researchers have developed a novel method for pinpointing dielectric fluid leaks in underground high-voltage electric cables, reducing environmental impact and excavation costs. The approach uses perflurocarbon tracers and has been successfully tested in New York City's streets, potentially applicable to oil pipelines.
A study at Oregon Health Sciences University found that an unloader brace can relieve pain, improve mobility, and delay or even avoid surgery in patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. The device improved walking times, reduced pain medication use, and increased patient activity levels.
Researchers have found a protein in the small intestine that directly facilitates uptake of dietary lipids, making it a promising target for drugs to combat obesity and heart disease. The discovery has the potential to significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and may help treat conditions such as artherosclerosis.
The Wistar Institute has been awarded a $20,000 grant to support continued research on TALL-104 cells, which show promise in treating breast cancer. The grant allows the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation to be involved in supporting clinical trials for new treatments and perhaps a cure.
The Wistar Institute has received a three-year grant to recruit and equip laboratories of new scientific investigators in regeneration, signal transduction, and brain tumor research. The institute is grateful for the support, which will help transform its programs and attract high-quality scientists.
A UK research team has identified vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in human aortic tissue using near-infrared spectroscopy. The technology aims to predict which plaques are harmless and which pose a risk of rupture, enabling targeted treatment to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
A new study led by UCSF researchers found that anonymous HIV testing is associated with earlier diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a longer quality of life. The study showed that participants who underwent anonymous testing were diagnosed with AIDS 1.5 years later than those who tested confidentially.
Research suggests that strong social relationships with family and friends can improve health status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Having a doctor who recognizes and validates the illness, providing hope for the future, is also crucial to improvement. The study found that low levels of depression symptoms and a positive pe...
The Hilary Koprowski Endowed Professorship will provide long-term support for renowned scientists, setting a precedent for additional endowed professorships at The Wistar Institute. Established in honor of Dr. Koprowski's contributions to medical research, the chair aims to advance vaccine development and cancer research.
Research at The Jackson Laboratory reveals the Lunatic fringe gene's essential role in regulating somite formation during embryonic development. Notch signaling pathway disruption leads to segmental body plan implementation challenges in mammals and other organisms.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that biological differences and later diagnosis contribute to the disparity in survival between black and white prostate cancer patients. The study surveyed 231 men from North Carolina and ruled out unequal treatment as the root cause of the higher mortality rate among blacks.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits, eliminating some fat already present. The Wistar Institute, established in 1892, is making history through its development of vaccines and discovery of molecules helping the immune system fight diseases.
The Lupus Foundation of America has awarded a summer internship to Yale student Su-jean Seo, who is conducting research on antigens targeted in autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus at the Wistar Institute. The fellowship will support her work under the supervision of Dr. Jan Erikson.
Andrew Caton, a Wistar Institute scientist, will receive the Lupus Foundation of Philadelphia's prestigious Sheryl N. Hirsch Award for his work on systemic lupus erythematosus. The award recognizes Dr. Caton's efforts to shed light on the role of infections in lupus initiation and exacerbation.
The Wistar Institute's Albert R. Taxin Brain Tumor Research Center has received a $350,000 challenge grant award from The Kresge Foundation to complete funding by January 1, 1999. Over $2.6 million has been raised so far towards the project's overall cost of $3.5 million.
PhD scientist Ellen Heber-Katz presents groundbreaking findings on regenerative biology, using a mouse model to study epimorphic regeneration in humans. Her research may lead to treatments for organ replacement, chronic wounds, and spinal cord injuries.
A study found a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems in premenopausal women, with difficulties in achieving orgasm and inadequate vaginal lubrication being associated with the condition. The researchers hope their findings will encourage physicians to ask about sexuality when treating patients.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that Medicare's reimbursement system encourages millions in increased payments to rehabilitation hospitals. Hospitals with higher patient charges and longer stays received the most incentive payments.
Scientists at Yale University School of Medicine have discovered a link between the drug phencyclidine (PCP) and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. The study found that PCP induces similar cognitive dysfunction as that found in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, but also suggests potential for reversal using clozapine.
A new clinical model has been developed to accurately predict survival among groups of patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The model, based on seven readily obtainable measurements, enables the efficient use of scarce donor hearts and identifies high-risk patients for enrollment in clinical trials.
The study found a significant decline in chronic disability rates for people 65 and older, with the largest rate of decline occurring from 1989 to 1994. The researchers attribute this trend to medical advances and technological improvements.
A massive study found that primary care physicians who communicated effectively with patients during office visits had lower rates of malpractice claims. The researchers discovered specific conversational behaviors, such as facilitation and humor, that were associated with reduced risk of lawsuits.
Scientists at ORNL use an atomic force microscope to image a serpentine strand of DNA, revealing protein bumps that form when proteins attach to specific sites. The technique is being developed as an alternative to conventional DNA mapping methods, promising improved accuracy and speed.
Researchers studied genetic mutations in patients with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, a devastating disorder affecting steroid hormone production. The study revealed that StAR protein plays a central role in steroid hormone synthesis, with mutant proteins blocking cholesterol conversion and causing cellular damage.
Federal contributions to US university R&D facilities decreased from $541 million to $207 million between 1990-91 and 1994-95. The decline led to a shortage of research space, with over half of institutions reporting inadequate amounts in various fields.
Researchers at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory develop a 'roadmap' for applying machine sensor technology to human health. The technology could enable constant surveillance of bone cracks and heart activity, alerting physicians to intervene before it's too late.