News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have discovered that BRK kinase binds to and leads to the breakdown of SMAD4, a key tumor suppressor protein. This finding suggests that targeting BRK may help retain SMAD4 function, reducing or stopping tumor growth in breast cancer.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) has announced the 2019 class of NYSCF - Robertson Investigators, including Ya-Chieh Hsu, Evangelos Kiskinis, Florian Merkle, Nicholas Bellono, Lauren O'Connell and six others. The award provides $1.5 million over five years to outstanding young scientists.
The Flinders University team created a highly realistic virtual experience of the wreck, including a digital reconstruction of how it sank. The three-minute dive is available on YouTube and offers insights into Iceland's forgotten history during the 17th century.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that new organophosphate flame retardants have been associated with lower IQ in children and reproductive problems. These chemicals are also being carried by wind and water far from their origin, polluting areas worldwide.
Researchers developed an agent that reduces toxic protein buildup in animal models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, improving cognitive and motor behavior. The new compound CM101 specifically targets DDRs to switch on the garbage disposal in brain cells.
A team of neuroengineers at Columbia University has uncovered the steps that take place in the brain to pick out one voice from among many. The auditory cortex, the brain's listening center, decodes and amplifies one voice over others at lightning-fast speeds, with two areas, Heschl's gyrus (HG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG), playi...
Beverly Davidson, a leading neuroscientist and gene therapy expert, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding neurodegeneration in inherited brain disorders and developing novel molecular medicines.
Dr. Kathleen Neuzil's pivotal research informed global vaccine policy, saving millions worldwide. As a member of the National Academy of Medicine, she will continue to shape public health policy.
Researchers found that transplant centers accepted varying numbers of high-risk kidneys between 2010 and 2016, but differences were not fully explained by waitlist size or organ availability. The study suggests that accepting less-than-ideal organs can lead to shorter average wait times for patients.
Researchers discovered that different mechanisms govern chromosome interaction with the synaptonemal complex, particularly for sex chromosomes like X. The findings highlight the importance of structural features over primary amino acid sequences and suggest a chromosome-specific aspect to human meiotic defects.
Researchers found that epigenetic changes allow cancer-promoting genes to interact, leading to drug resistance. The study identified strategies to overcome this resistance using FGFR inhibitors and targeted therapy.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at KAIST reveals how cells can communicate over long distances to spur collective action, even with short distance signaling. The team identified a cell communication mechanism that quickly forms a network of local interactions to facilitate synchronization.
Research from the EPOSA study found that people with osteoarthritis are at higher risk of social isolation due to joint pain and limited mobility. Regular physical activity and social engagement can help alleviate this risk, suggesting potential benefits for healthcare providers in referring patients to senior centers.
New research from UChicago shows how genetic differences in the immune system shape the collections of bacteria that colonize the digestive system. Genetic variations in innate immunity play a key role in determining microbial composition.
A new study by biologists at the University of Chicago and University of North Carolina reveals how species that form long-term pair-bonds raise their young more efficiently. By investing in love and affection, males stimulate females to work harder, leading to increased reproductive success.
Molly Schumer and Bérénice Benayoun are the 2019 recipients of the Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award. Schumer investigates hybridization in non-mammalian organisms, while Benayoun explores genomic regulation and aging in humans. The award recognizes outstanding genetics research.
A study published in PLOS ONE finds a strong correlation between the decline of the youth population and international homicide trends. As people ages 15-29 make up 21% of the global population, their shrinking numbers correlate with a decrease in homicides worldwide.
Researchers restored normal working memory to a mouse model of schizophrenia, eliminating a core symptom that has proven virtually impossible to treat. The findings, published in Neuron, hold immense promise for treating over 21 million people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
A $2.7 million NCI grant will fund research on warning labels for little cigars and cigarillos, which have higher use rates due to smaller pack sizes and lower taxes compared to cigarettes.
The University of Illinois has been awarded a $3 million NSF NRT grant to establish a PhD level certificate program combining materials and data science. The program aims to train the next generation of graduate students knowledgeable in both areas, with partnerships from various industries and national laboratories.
A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health found that a digital clinical trial using the MyHeart Counts app increased physical activity by 10% in participants. The trial, which enrolled over 1,000 participants and ran for 18 months, showed that even simple prompts from a smartphone app can encourage people to exercise more.
Patients who use online patient portals are 50 percent more likely to get a flu shot and twice as likely to have their blood pressure checked compared to those who do not interact with these portals.
A new CRISPR delivery system developed by Western University researchers enables targeted attacks on specific bacteria, including Staph A and E. coli. This breakthrough has the potential to create personalized antimicrobial agents and revolutionize the treatment of bacterial infections.
A new study found that individuals held in restrictive housing while serving time in prison face a substantial increased risk of death after their release. The study also found racial disparities in mortality and reincarceration outcomes among formerly incarcerated individuals.
Researchers at George Washington University found a connection between specific bacteria in the microbiome and the development of colon cancer. The study suggests that altered microbial profiles may be used to identify risk for colon cancer, particularly in younger patients.
A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 500,000 pregnancies found that children exposed to severe morning sickness during pregnancy were 53% more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The association was stronger among girls and certain ethnic groups.
The grant will facilitate studies involving thousands of scientists and patients across the US and globally, sharing and analyzing large amounts of Big Data on rare diseases. Cincinnati Children's will serve as a centralized data storage and sharing source, learning center, and advocacy hub for the network.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans found that asthma status reversed the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and obesity in African American adolescent females. The study analyzed data from 129 participants and found that those with asthma were less likely to be obese compared to those without asthma.
A new study by University at Buffalo found that sexual minority women are more likely to smoke cigarettes when drinking alcohol compared to heterosexual women. Reciprocal patterns between alcohol and tobacco use were strongest among bisexual women, according to the research.
A special issue of Current Opinions in Psychology maps the state of mindfulness research, exploring its historical foundations, clinical applications, and social implications. The study reveals that mindfulness can be learned and applied uniquely across different contexts, with mobile apps emerging as a promising platform for deliverin...
A new study found that hospitals often administer medications based on practical staff scheduling rather than ideal dosing times. This can lead to undertreatment of pain and other medical conditions. Researchers are working to adjust drug administration protocols to better align with patients' needs.
Researchers discovered a shared molecular mechanism among botanical folk medicines that lower blood pressure by activating the KCNQ5 potassium channel in blood vessels. This finding could lead to targeted therapies for diseases like hypertension and KCNQ5 loss-of-function encephalopathy.
A new program, Me & You: Building Healthy Relationships, was effective in reducing dating violence perpetration and victimization among early middle school ethnic-minority students. The program uses a life skills decision-making model to teach youth better communication and problem-solving skills.
The University of California, Irvine will conduct a major multi-site health study on the relationship between PFAS-contaminated drinking water and health outcomes. The study aims to advance scientific evidence on human health effects of PFAS and provide answers to communities exposed to contaminated water.
Teenage e-cigarette use is heavily influenced by parental and sibling attitudes, with flavors being a major draw for young users. Research also highlights the need for mandatory education on e-cigarette use among teens and increased regulation of flavored products.
Researchers discovered that supernatural beings are attractive due to mind-based abilities, ambiguity, and the potential for eliciting both love and fear. This finding has implications for understanding the psychology of belief and devotion in religious contexts.
A new blood test has been developed to detect multiple types of cancer, including hormone receptor-negative breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, with a high degree of accuracy. The test uses next-generation sequencing technology to probe DNA for methylation patterns associated with cancer.
The new SCAPE 2.0 system allows for faster and more detailed imaging of living tissues, revealing previously unseen details of biological systems. This technology has the potential to impact various fields such as genetics, cardiology, and neuroscience.
A study by UTHealth School of Public Health found that an innovative strategy called Teens Against Tobacco Use is a promising model in tobacco prevention. The program, which partners teachers with youth, led to significant reductions in tobacco susceptibility scores among students who received the presentation.
A team of researchers has developed an implantable, self-powered spinal fusion sensor to monitor the health of the spine after surgery. The sensor will provide continuous and long-term monitoring, eliminating the need for costly imaging appointments and exposing patients to radiation.
A new prediction system significantly increased palliative care consultations for seriously ill patients by 74%, according to a University of Pennsylvania study. The Palliative Connect trigger system uses predictive analytics to identify patients in need of palliative care consultation, leading to earlier and more effective interventions.
A new machine-learning tool developed by UTHealth can analyze CT angiogram images to identify blockages in cerebral blood vessels, defining the area of brain that has died. This allows neurologists outside major treatment centers to assess whether a patient would benefit from an endovascular procedure.
A healthy dietary pattern was associated with a 30% lower incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a 23% lower incidence of albuminuria, an early indicator of kidney damage. The findings suggest that maintaining a healthy diet may help prevent kidney disease.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has developed a new method to separate ethylene from ethane gas, which is abundant in natural gas. The technique uses isolated copper atoms that olefins like ethylene can bond to strongly, potentially saving energy and reducing costs.
A new study aims to assess the impact of guided POLST form completion on patient care preferences being respected. Trained nurses will provide advanced care planning assistance to patients enrolled in the randomized controlled trial.
A Dartmouth study reveals that the way human fungal pathogens form colonies can significantly impact their ability to cause disease. The researchers identified a specific mutation that causes key changes in gene function, leading to improved virulence and host damage. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for developing effect...
CPRIT awards UTHealth $11 million to fund innovative cancer-fighting projects, including targeted treatments and cancer prevention programs. The grants support researchers at McGovern Medical School and UTHealth School of Public Health.
Living kidney donation is linked with a higher risk of developing hypertension and kidney failure. Kidney function tends to improve after donation but plateaus if hypertension develops, highlighting the importance of preventing and managing hypertension in living donors.
Researchers have discovered that a low-cost blood pressure drug, propranolol, may improve cognitive and social benefits for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that the drug altered regions of the brain associated with word processing and improved specific task information processing in individuals with autism.
The Zylka Lab has been awarded $6.1 million to develop a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy for Angelman syndrome, with the goal of 'unsilencing' the paternal UBE3A gene in mice and human neurons. This new treatment approach holds promise for advancing a first-of-its-kind treatment for a pediatric-onset autism spectrum disorder.
The study found significant cellular and antibody responses in South African participants, with higher CD4+ T cell response rates and stronger cross-clade antibody responses compared to Thai participants. The results suggest that the RV144/Thai vaccine regimen can induce a broader immune response across different HIV clades.
A recent study published in Stem Cells found that bone marrow cells treated patients showed enhanced recovery compared to those who received conventional treatment. Additionally, serial diffusion tensor imaging revealed the repair of motor nerve tracts in some patients, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for stroke recovery.
A study from Aarhus University reveals that intimate partner homicide accounts for 57% of all female homicides in Denmark. The majority of these victims are women killed by their male partners, often after prior threats and violence.
Researchers found that over half of deer ticks were infected with Lyme disease and other pathogens, while nearly a quarter carried multiple agents. This study highlights the need to consider all tick-borne diseases, not just Lyme, due to polymicrobial infections.
The study found that temporarily disabling SETD3, a crucial protein needed for enteroviral replication, can protect against viral diseases. In mice bioengineered to lack SETD3, the viruses were unable to infect and replicate.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has received three substantial grants from the US Department of Energy, totaling $2.3 million, to advance nuclear energy research and development.
Three innovative minds received the 2019 CNRS innovation medallist award for their groundbreaking work in reducing satellite size and propulsion units. Ane Aanesland and Dmytro Rafalskyi developed new propellant technologies, while Vance Bergeron created electrostimulation solutions to improve paralysis rehabilitation. Livio de Luca pi...
Research highlights existing studies and recommended areas for further investigation into cannabis use among older adults, addressing concerns about public health policy and potential harms. Insights from five articles explore topics such as cannabis use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and related comorbidities.
Researchers at UCalgary and Stanford University have discovered a long-range circuit in the brain that carries pain signals and is altered during chronic pain states. This understanding may lead to new drug therapies and targeted brain stimulation treatments to address chronic nerve pain.
Researchers presented innovative studies on head and neck cancer, cochlear implants, and treatment options for conditions like laryngotracheal stenosis and obstructive sleep apnea. The selected studies highlighted outstanding scientific merit and innovation in the field of otolaryngology.