News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A new study reveals that non-profit and hospital-based dialysis facilities are disproportionately caring for uninsured patients with kidney failure and those who only qualify for Medicaid. These facilities have a higher relative risk of starting dialysis compared to other types of facilities.
Researchers argue that intervening on biological aging mechanisms can slow multiple age-related diseases, extending health span. Geroscience seeks to define the underlying causes of aging, aiming to delay or prevent diseases simultaneously.
Researchers at Santa Clara University identified a specific brain pathway that helps regulate drinking behavior, which may be disrupted in individuals with alcohol use disorder. The study suggests that this pathway's dysfunction could contribute to the development of compulsive drinking habits.
A University of Waterloo study found that positive feelings about work in general and a psychological attachment to the organization are crucial for casual workers to return the following year. Job enrichment was shown to increase work engagement and organizational commitment among seasonal student workers.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study electron behavior in atomic bonds using resonant x-ray reflectivity. This method allows for the measurement of individual elements' contributions to their shared bond, providing insights into the degree of covalent and ionic bonding.
Patient portals provide access to health information and communication with clinicians, but many hospitals fail to offer clear guidance on using them. The study found that over half of secure messaging portals lacked detailed instructions on appropriate message content, leading to confusion among patients.
A study found that individuals with multiple sclerosis who struggle with money management have difficulty with executive functioning and low depressive symptomatology. This can lead to serious financial, legal, and psychological consequences. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial for identifying those at risk and providing ...
A comprehensive meta-analysis of over 160 studies involving 42,000 students from 27 countries reveals that emotionally intelligent students tend to achieve better academic performance. Higher emotional intelligence is linked to improved grades, achievement test scores, and social relationships with teachers, peers, and family.
The University of Iowa will expand its decade-long study on brain development in children at risk for Huntington's Disease (HD) with a new $18 million NIH grant. Researchers found that children as young as 6 years old had abnormalities in the striatum, an area known to deteriorate in HD, suggesting compensatory mechanisms.
Researchers identified novel respiratory cell changes in smokers and pre-cancerous tissue, which may lead to new therapies for lung cancer prevention. The study used single-cell genomics to analyze gene expression in cells from never and current smokers.
Researchers from Drexel University have developed a method to analyze RNA codes that can reveal how groups of microbes operate. The new approach, called 'themetagenomics,' identifies recurring patterns indicating co-occurring groups of microbes, allowing for better understanding of their functions and potential health implications.
The €4 million grant will support an international partnership of leading universities to redesign hospital workplaces, improving the mental health of nurses and physicians and patient safety. The initiative aligns with the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife and aims to enhance health professionals' mental health and wellbeing.
A new study has identified a genetic variation that significantly increases the risk of heart failure in African and Latino Americans. The transthyretin or TTR V122I genetic variant was associated with an increased risk of heart failure, with patients being two-fold more likely to have the condition.
Despite growing older population, studies show that loneliness levels among similar-aged adults have not increased over time, but rather above age 75, loneliness increases. Researchers suggest older adults maintain good health, social relationships to reduce loneliness.
A genetic variant found in 3% of individuals of African ancestry is a significant cause of heart failure, but it's significantly underdiagnosed. The FDA has approved a therapy for this condition, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Mone Zaidi has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for his groundbreaking research on pituitary-metabolic circuits and their impact on body fat, bone mass, and energy metabolism. His work holds strong clinical potential for treating osteoporosis.
Researchers explore the role of adenosine in neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration, with a focus on its potential as a drug target for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Studies review changes in adenosine metabolism and receptor function in ALS patients and experimental models.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a blood test that can reliably predict a person's age with 97% accuracy. By measuring the levels of 373 proteins in the blood, the test can identify three distinct inflection points in the human life cycle where physiological aging accelerates. This breakthrough could...
Human screams share specific acoustic characteristics, including higher pitch and roughness, variability in frequency, and a wider range of sound waves. Listeners can readily distinguish screams from other human calls, highlighting the unique properties of this primal human call.
Researchers from the SWOG Cancer Research Network confirmed two biomarkers - DDIR signature and sTILs - can serve as prognostic markers for patients with triple negative breast cancer. These tests could guide cancer treatment personalized to individual patient biology.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new approach to programming CAR-T cells that can prolong their activity and increase their effectiveness against human cancer cells. The technique uses ATAC-Seq to understand what happens when T cells become exhausted, and modifying CAR-T cells to restore balance in...
A study by University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers found that unemployed men are more likely to transition to female-dominated jobs, resulting in higher wages (4% increase) and increased occupational prestige. This shift may help offset the negative effects of unemployment on job status.
A new study published in JACM found that more than half (53.1%) of US office-based physicians recommended at least one CHA to their patients, with female physicians more likely to do so. Massage therapy was the most commonly recommended CHA, followed by chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation and herbs/nonvitamin supplements.
Researchers can now visualize data from samples containing tens of millions of cells with unprecedented resolution, pinpointing previously undetectable features that distinguish diseased samples from controls. This advancement may lead to discovery of novel cell types to therapeutically target diseases.
A Columbia University study finds that serotonin is the chemical that drives a fly's startle response, causing it to freeze momentarily. The research provides insights into the biology of this ubiquitous phenomenon and offers clues about what may happen in human bodies when we get startled.
Researchers will enroll 129 patients with upper extremity hemiparesis and limited hand movement to test contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES), a new rehabilitation intervention developed by Jayme S. Knutson, PhD. The study aims to determine the optimal method for restoring hand function in stroke survivors.
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that frailty is a significant predictor of poor outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury, particularly in patients younger than 75. The researchers identified frailty as a risk factor for adverse events, acute hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.
A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that fentanyl-involved overdose deaths are concentrated in resource-deprived neighborhoods. The research used census block group-level data to examine the local geographic distribution of drug overdoses, revealing a unique perspective on overdose locations.
The use of peritoneal dialysis increased significantly among US patients with kidney failure following a Medicare payment policy implemented in 2011. More patients initiated dialysis with peritoneal dialysis and switched from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis, indicating a positive impact on an underutilized form of dialysis.
A systematic review found that levels of agreement were low to moderate, highlighting the need for better experimental controls and more thorough reporting of outcomes in TCM research. New statistical approaches may also be suited to analyze Traditional Chinese Medical patterns.
Creating too many Th1 cells at mucosal sites compromises effective vaccine protection against HIV. Researchers have identified a key balance needed to stimulate the immune response without increasing susceptibility to the virus.
Anal cancer diagnoses and deaths related to human papillomavirus (HPV) have increased dramatically over the last 15 years, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The study found that anal cancer rates and mortality rates had more than doubled for people in their 50s and 60s.
The Developing Talkers program has been successful, with over 6,000 Texas teachers using the adapted programs in their classrooms. The new grant aims to develop and test a more advanced version of the program with 200 kindergarten teachers and 800 students.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that people with greater conscientiousness, extroversion, and positive emotions withdraw from their retirement portfolios at a lower rate. However, higher portfolio withdrawal rates may be concerning if it leads to early depletion of savings.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that bedside optic nerve ultrasound is an accurate diagnostic tool for detecting increased intracranial pressure, particularly in children and adults. The test involves a non-invasive ultrasound of the eye to reflect pressure inside the brain.
The Mark Foundation has awarded $2.2 million to fund projects exploring the intersection of AI and cancer research, including detecting pancreatic cancer tumors using 3D renderings and predicting patient responses to immunotherapies. Researchers aim to develop new tools for early cancer detection and improve treatment outcomes.
A new study found that genetic variants influence the benefits of broccoli on kidney health, suggesting tailored dietary interventions. Individuals with a specific gene variant (GSTM1) who consume cruciferous vegetables may experience improved kidney function.
Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy affects approximately 9% of cancer patients, leading to reduced heart function and poor outcomes. Researchers found that pacemakers can significantly improve left ventricular ejection fraction, a measure of blood flow from the heart, in these patients.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 86% of diet trials amended their primary outcomes. This discrepancy raises questions about the rigor of these trials and potential biases. Researchers are calling for more investment in rigorous diet research to pin down the effects of dietary changes.
A 7-year prospective cohort study found that early use of regional anesthesia is associated with sustained pain benefits throughout rehabilitation and recovery. The study suggests that effective, agile pain interventions can play an important role in reducing future pain.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers finds that a trade deal between the US and Central American countries led to an increase in unhealthy food imports, including industrial sweeteners and processed foods. The research highlights the need for policymakers to consider the impact of trade agreements on diet and health.
A survey of over 6,300 PhD students worldwide found that most are satisfied with their decision to pursue a PhD, but struggle with work-life balance, funding and bullying. Many respondents (21%) experienced bullying or harassment in their program, while 36% sought help for anxiety or depression.
A new study found that problematic marijuana use increased by 25% among adolescents aged 12-17, while past-month frequent use rose by 23% among adults aged 26 or older after recreational legalization. The study suggests investing in substance use prevention and treatment to prevent unintended harms.
Job dissatisfaction among general practitioners (GPs) varies greatly across countries, with higher rates found in Germany and lower in Norway. Factors such as workload, administrative burdens, and limitations on appointments contribute to dissatisfaction.
Photodetectors convert light into electric signals, crucial for data centers and IoT technologies. Drexel's MXene materials enhance sensitivity and cut costs by replacing gold, a high-demand product.
Scripps Research scientists have discovered a way to stop a problematic enzyme from wreaking havoc on peripheral nervous system cells in patients with a specific subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. By preventing the enzyme's entry into the nucleus, researchers achieved a complete rescue of symptoms in fruit fly models.
A study found that regular exercise reduces chronic inflammation and its role in artery-clogging blockages. By affecting the bone marrow's activity, exercise dampens inflammation and protects against heart disease.
A new HIV vaccine strategy has been successfully demonstrated in proof-of-principle tests, targeting young immune cells and showing promise against the flu, dengue, malaria, and hepatitis C. The approach stimulates broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of neutralizing multiple strains of the virus.
Research suggests that family emotional climate has a significant effect on overall health, including the development or worsening of chronic conditions. In contrast, intimate partner relationships showed no significant associations with later health outcomes.
For patients with cerebral ataxia, researchers linked specific biochemical changes in the CHIP protein to disease characteristics. Limiting mutant CHIP protein activity may decrease symptom severity.
A new study found that regular physical activity, including lighter intensity activities like walking, reduces the risk of hip and total fracture in postmenopausal women by 18% and 6%, respectively. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 77,000 participants and suggests that even modest activities can sig...
A new study published in Economic Inquiry reveals that prolonging emergency department wait times increases hospital costs, with moderate and severe cases bearing the brunt of the expenses. The study found a 3-6% cost increase for moderately severe cases and 6% for serious cases.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine and Stanford University found that crotonyl marks on histones help cells adapt to low-nutrient conditions by repressing growth genes. This mechanism may be a future target for cancer therapy, as proteins similar to the identified yeast protein are often disrupted in cancers.
A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that media coverage of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain's suicides did not always follow best practices, increasing the risk of contagion among vulnerable individuals. The study highlights the importance of following suicide reporting guidelines to reduce this risk.
A new $1.96 million NIH grant funds a study to curb state of confusion linked to dementia in older adults with mechanical ventilation in ICUs. Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of slow-tempo classical music in reducing delirium, a form of acute brain failure, in mechanically-ventilated ICU patients age 65 and older.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that low levels of physical activity are associated with higher risks of mortality among Brazilian older adults. The research suggests that regular physical activity can help reduce deaths from heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
A study found that youth with psychosis spectrum disorders exhibit surface area reductions in key brain regions, including orbitofrontal, cingulate, precentral, and postcentral areas. These changes are not seen in typically developing youth or those with bipolar spectrum disorders.
Researchers at Drexel University have created a coal ash aggregate that helps concrete cure, reducing the time it takes for concrete to harden and improving its durability. The additive, called SPoRA, promotes a uniform hardening process from the inside out, providing a solution to concrete drying problems.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that a workplace ban on sugared drinks led to a 48.5% reduction in consumption and improvements in insulin resistance and total cholesterol levels among participants.
Rates for all types of kidney replacement therapy were consistently higher in men than women in European countries from 1965 to 2015. The male-to-female ratio increased with age and was particularly high for diabetic patients, suggesting that biological or access-related factors may be at play.