News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A new technique has been developed to improve donated liver preservation by super-cooling it to subzero temperatures, allowing for a significant extension of the time it can be stored outside the body. This breakthrough could greatly expand organ availability and reduce discard rates.
A new study suggests that older women with chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, may not derive significant benefits from regular screening mammograms. The research found a nearly 90-fold difference in mortality rates between breast cancer and non-breast cancer causes among women aged 75 and older.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 30.2% to 32%, while that for those without disabilities rose from 73.8% to 74.6%. Project E3: Educate, Empower, Employ provides a comprehensive program serving communities with deep poverty and lowest employment in the US.
A study by the University of Granada recommends spending more time standing to increase energy expenditure and reduce negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Standing burns approximately 45 kilocalories more per six-hour period than sitting or lying down, making it an effective way to combat excess weight and obesity.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to classify kidney biopsy samples, achieving substantial agreement with pathologists' standard classifications. The methods may augment traditional diagnostics of kidney disease by automating and enhancing accuracy, potentially improving organ survival for transplant patients.
Researchers discover that abnormally small epithelial cells can dissociate from each other, leading to geometric effects on tissue packing. The study provides insights into the role of cell size variation in human disease progression, particularly in tumorigenesis.
The 2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards honored three young scientists for their innovative research. Laura Duvall discovered molecules that inhibit mosquito feeding habits, while Carla Nasca identified a protein that perpetuates tumor growth. Additionally, Derya Akkaynak made significant breakthroughs in computer vision and underwater imag...
A sepsis care quality improvement program at Loyola Medicine has been shown to lower in-hospital death rates by 30% and reduce discharge time by 25%. The program also resulted in significant cost savings of $272,645 among patients with suspected infections.
Experts Dr. Richard G. Frank and Len M. Nichols offer a three-step solution to affordable prescription drugs, targeting high-markup drugs and establishing reference prices for negotiations.
A study led by CU School of Medicine researcher Rui Zhao sheds light on the mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing, a complex process that converts precursor mRNA into mature mRNA for protein production. The research proposes a unified model explaining three fundamental phenomena in pre-mRNA splicing without requiring different spliceosomes.
Four researchers from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have been awarded ERC Starting grants to develop collaborative robotics and biotechnologies. Their projects aim to improve human-robot interactions, create new solar energy storage methods, and enhance immunotherapies using genetically modified T cells.
Researchers found a correlation between facial emotion recognition deficits and poor community integration in individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Those with impaired emotional recognition displayed reduced community integration, suggesting a potential barrier to social isolation.
Researchers from Columbia University and the Spanish National Research Council have discovered a method to systematically identify the role of each Hox gene in a developing fruit fly. This breakthrough offers a new path forward for decoding the underlying genetic mechanisms that guide growth and development, aging, and disease.
Researchers found that all three healthy diets emphasized different macronutrients reduced heart cell damage and inflammation. The findings suggest that flexibility in food selection is key to improving cardiovascular health.
A $2 million NSF grant will support the study of nature-based strategies to prevent urban flooding and manage stormwater in cities like Pittsburgh and Chicago. The project aims to develop engineering tools that integrate green infrastructure with existing built systems to improve water quality and ecological health.
Researchers analyzed patient experience surveys from Alberta, Canada, and found areas that are highly rated by patients but also need improvement. Top performing questions included discussing post-discharge needs and receiving written discharge information.
Initial urinary tract infections can cause long-lasting changes to the bladder's immune response, making it more prone to future infections. The study found that targeting TNF-alpha or other inflammatory responses may help prevent or alleviate recurrent UTIs.
Researchers will track three Boston-based cohorts for over half a century and analyze data on socioeconomic, environmental, and psychosocial factors that impact Alzheimer's disease, cardiometabolic disease, and premature death.
Researchers created decision models to predict which patients need more treatment for depression than their primary care provider can offer. The algorithms provide actionable information to clinicians, helping them identify high-risk patients and refer them to mental health specialists.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics found that female rats who binge drink experience more severe liver injury than male rats. The research discovered nearly four times as much fatty build-up in the livers of female rats, triggering additional inflammation and damage.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center discovered a neurocircuit in mice that activates when stressed, increasing anxiety and decreasing appetite. This finding could aid treatments for anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder with high mortality rate.
A University at Buffalo-led study found that a vegetable-rich diet can improve fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients by increasing good cholesterol levels. The results suggest that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in fatigue and may provide new treatment options for this debilitating symptom.
A team of researchers and national leaders emphasize the importance of including artificial nutrition preferences on POLST forms. They argue that these orders facilitate discussions about life-sustaining treatments, ensuring patients' wishes are respected at the end of life.
Regenstrief Institute researchers are presenting their work on artificial intelligence, public health informatics, disease surveillance, and electronic care planning for chronic diseases. They will also discuss opportunities for advancing the use of electronic health record data.
Researchers will use human pluripotent stem cells, CRISPR and human organoids to dissect beta cell defects and create a human cell model of type 1 diabetes. The goal is to identify the cellular actions leading to disease onset and potentially rescue surviving beta cells.
Research by American Psychological Association found that a poor fit between reasoning abilities and job demands can lead to premature retirement of valuable employees. Older workers who have matching abilities and demands tend to experience fewer health issues and work longer.
Studies suggest that emphasizing shared scientific beliefs can help skeptics reconsider climate change facts. Additionally, sparking hope through resilience and perseverance can motivate climate action in science educators.
A new retroreflective material can create stable, changing colors when viewed from different angles at night. This technology has the potential to enhance safety by grabbing driver attention during nighttime traffic.
Researchers at Kaiser Permanente discovered that allowing women to eat and move sooner after surgery improves recovery, reduces opioid exposure, and enhances breastfeeding experiences. The study's Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program led to a significant decrease in opioid use without increased pain or hospital stay.
A new Stanford study found that stimulating a protective immune cell class, CD8 T cells, may reduce autoimmune disease severity. In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, injecting mice with peptides recognized by these cells reduced disease severity and killed disease-causing immune cells.
A study found that only 1 in 6 teacher questions were considered challenging, with researchers aiming for a ratio of 2 in 5. Teachers can enhance learning by asking open-ended 'why' and 'how' questions. This encourages children to use longer sentences and more complex language.
Researchers identified a link between the kappa opioid receptor and naltrexone's effectiveness in reducing craving and consumption in heavy drinkers. The study suggests that individuals with more kappa opioid receptors may not respond to naltrexone treatment, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
A study by Roach and Skrentny found that foreign-born STEM PhDs are 56% less likely to accept startup job offers than their US-born counterparts, despite equal likelihood of applying and receiving offers. The researchers suggest that visa reforms could strengthen the startup workforce.
Research reveals that students identifying as black or Latino are more likely to socially distance themselves from peers with a mental illness, indicating persistent mental illness stigma. Targeted anti-stigma interventions may benefit boys of color and Latina girls, who exhibit higher levels of discomfort around mental illness.
A nationwide study found that individuals with opioid use problems require more intensive medical, psychological, and social support services over a longer period. Those who achieved longer-term recovery were more likely to use formal treatment, pharmacotherapy, and recovery support services compared to those with alcohol use disorder.
A study published in Nature Immunology reveals that immune cells' activation state prior to anti-PD-1 therapy is crucial for cancer response. The researchers found a way to overcome resistance by activating T cells through vaccines, suggesting a new approach to enhance PD-1 inhibitors.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 29.3% in July 2018 to 31.2% in July 2019, outpacing that of people without disabilities. Major companies like Sephora are successfully recruiting and hiring individuals with disabilities through targeted initiatives.
A study of over 1.4 million military veterans found that those with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to die by suicide, with a significant increase in firearm use as a means of suicide. The researchers emphasize the importance of screening for lifetime history of TBI to prevent future deaths by suicide.
A team of international researchers has discovered the energy production mechanism of cancerous cells, which drives tumor growth. The study found that cancer cells use Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP) to fuel nucleolus expansion and protein synthesis.
A $21 million national study will test three evidence-based treatments for chronic low back pain in a 20-site trial. The Sequential and Comparative Evaluation of Pain Treatment Effectiveness Response (SCEPTER) trial aims to find the best approach to manage chronic low back pain, with implications for the general population.
A study found that Latino seventh graders who experienced an immigration-related arrest of a family member reported more severe levels of depression. The level of depressive symptoms increased further when a student had one or both undocumented parents. Researchers stress the need for school counselors, teachers, and administrators to ...
New studies by CU researchers reveal that both genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the onset of vitiligo. The findings suggest that unidentified factors contribute to the disease's complex etiology, complicating personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have pinpointed the RPS25 gene as a key player in the formation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) protein aggregates. Inhibiting this gene's function reduced toxic protein levels by 50 percent, suggesting a potential target for treating ALS and extending lifespan.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have created a new method for immune therapy that targets two antigens on the surface of brain tumors, eliminating 80% of tumors in models. The technique holds promise for treating other solid tumors and overcomes issues with blood-brain barrier penetration.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded $3.5 million in fellowships to 15 early-career researchers, providing them with independence to pursue high-risk projects. The funding aims to support innovative cancer research and encourage promising young scientists to pursue careers in the field.
A new study found that slower walking speeds are associated with a higher risk of developing mobility disabilities. Researchers measured participants' walking abilities and followed up with them over eight years to track the development of mobility issues. The findings suggest that simple walking speed assessments in healthcare provide...
A new study found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be successful for youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), regardless of whether they have hoarding symptoms. The presence of hoarding symptoms did not negatively impact treatment response to CBT in children and adolescents.
Researchers at Emory University have identified a way to inhibit cancer cell growth by targeting the bottleneck enzyme ribonucleotide reductase. By regulating its active site, scientists hope to develop novel anticancer agents that preferentially target cancer cells.
Nonprescription antibiotic use is a significant public health concern, with varying prevalence rates across different socioeconomic groups. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and its associated adverse events.
Charles Rotimi and Sarah Tishkoff received the 2019 Curt Stern Award for their pioneering work on African genetics, genomics, and global health. Their research has significantly advanced our understanding of metabolic diseases, genetic diversity, and health disparities in African populations.
Researchers at USF have discovered a process that can control glacier calving in Greenland, which is crucial for modeling sea level rise. The team found that a 'mélange' wedge of sea ice and icebergs can 'hold the door' and prevent glaciers from calving.
The number of pregnant women using cannabis daily before and during pregnancy is increasing, according to Kaiser Permanente research. Cannabis use has risen from 6.8% in 2009 to 12.5% in 2017, with daily use increasing most rapidly.
A survey of 93 people with 3q29 deletion syndrome reveals a distinct pattern of social disability and anxiety, even without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. The study indicates a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder at a similar level to schizophrenia, particularly for females.
A Stanford University School of Medicine neuroscientist successfully stimulated nerve cells in mice visual cortex, inducing an illusory image and altering the animals' behavior. This breakthrough holds implications for understanding natural brain processing and psychiatric disorders.
A meta-analysis of public opinion polls from 1946 to 2018 found that women are now perceived as more competent than men, especially in jobs that reward social skills. This shift is attributed to changes in women's labor force participation and education, as well as occupational segregation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified a genetic mutation linked to dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease characterized by an enlarged heart's main pumping chamber. They found that treating patient-derived heart cells with existing drug inhibitors corrected the mutation's effects.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named four outstanding young scientists as recipients of the prestigious Damon Runyon-Sohn Pediatric Cancer Fellowship Award, committing nearly $1 million to address a critical shortage of funding for pediatric cancer research. The award provides four-year funding totaling $231,000 and su...
Boston University School of Medicine researcher Tarik F. Haydar received a $453,750 NIH grant to develop human stem cell-derived cultures for studying white matter abnormality in Down syndrome. He aims to understand how neural stem cells generate the cerebral cortex.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that officers worried about appearing racist report lower confidence and increased support for coercive policing. The research suggests a vicious cycle where officers' concerns about stereotype threats lead to decreased moral authority and more aggressive policing tactics.
A study found that 21% of uninsured patients in Medicaid expansion states continued to lack health insurance post-ACA implementation, primarily due to language and legal barriers. These patients still sought frequent healthcare visits and had underlying health conditions requiring ongoing care.