News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered a method to repurpose immunosuppressive regulatory T cells into inflammatory cells that intensify an antitumor immune response. This approach primes tumors for immune checkpoint blockade, increasing the effectiveness of cancer therapies.
A recent study by Penn Medicine researchers found that Philadelphia's beverage tax led to a 38% drop in sales of sugary drinks, with nearly 1 billion fewer ounces consumed. The tax also generated revenue for education programs, supporting universal pre-K and community schools.
A recent study found that over 25 parrot species are breeding in 23 US states, with many being escaped pets or released by owners. Monk parakeets, Red-crowned Amazons, and Nanday Parakeets are among the most common species.
The NIH is funding a new study that aims to discover the link between early life blood sugar levels and middle-aged brain health. The Bogalusa Heart Study will use advanced imaging techniques to assess brain health in participants, and the results could lead to new guidelines for managing childhood blood sugar levels.
A new study finds that a third of people taking statin medications in Indiana do not reach a safe level of LDL-C, putting them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease events. Reducing their bad cholesterol levels could save $1,455 per person and avoid 1,173 cardiovascular disease events.
A new study by American Psychological Association found that anger is more harmful to older adults' health than sadness. Anger was associated with higher levels of inflammation and chronic illness, particularly in those over 80 years old. In contrast, sadness did not contribute to inflammation or chronic illness.
A study directly compares chondrogenic induction by hydrogels containing MSCs as either single cell suspensions or 100-500-cell micropellets. The results show that micropellet-encapsulated MSCs outperform single cells in cartilage regeneration, providing guidance for future cartilage engineering efforts.
A Stanford-led study tracked over 100 people for years, collecting genetic and molecular data to identify clinically actionable health discoveries. The research uncovered 67 health issues, including high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and early stage cancer detection.
A new study from Drexel University shows that a computer game can be used to train individuals to eat less sugar, leading to weight loss and improved health. The 'Diet DASH' game targets the part of the brain that inhibits impulses with the goal of reducing sweet food consumption.
The AGA Research Foundation Awards Program has selected 52 promising researchers to receive funding, including 88% who are early-career investigators. The awardees will support clinical research and studies in gastroenterology and hepatology, with a focus on improving patient care and outcomes.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a 3D mini-gut model that reflects the autoimmune response to gluten in celiac patients. The study identified novel genes associated with epithelial functions related to celiac disease, including gut barrier maintenance and stem cell regeneration.
Researchers have developed CIBERSORTx, a technique that can analyze RNA from individual cells in whole-tissue samples, enabling insights into cell behavior and state. The tool has been shown to identify differences between cancer and normal cells, as well as changes in immune cells infiltrating tumors.
Regenstrief researchers present research on patient engagement and advocacy to advance health equity, including a workshop on doctors' use of electronic communication with patients. The institute's latest research aims to improve patient-physician communications and create models of care that inform practice.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a potential treatment target for malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT), a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Blocking the MYC protein could be effectively treated in cancers driven by SNF5 loss, offering new hope for children with this lethal disease.
Dr. Lane's research team is working to enhance spontaneous neuroplasticity and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Recently published studies have shown promising results in transplanting laboratory-grown neural cells to improve respiratory function in rodents with spinal cord injuries.
A new study found that consuming a nutrient-rich plant-based diet may help protect against chronic kidney disease (CKD) development. Participants with the highest adherence to a healthy plant-based diet had a lower risk of developing CKD compared to those with low adherence.
A new zebrafish model has been developed to visualize drug responses at single-cell resolution in live animals, identifying a promising treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma. The model allows for the assessment of combination therapies and direct visualization of drug responses, reducing costs and time required for clinical trials.
Researchers identified a specific network of cellular communication in the emotion-processing region of the brain driving mice to overeat tasty food despite full energy needs. This 'hedonic' feeding circuit may help explain why humans often overeat in modern environments with abundant and delicious fare.
The International Cytokine & Interferon Society awards two scientists, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki and Dr. Hao Wu, for their outstanding contributions to cytokine and interferon research. Their work has led to paradigm shifts in understanding immune responses and vaccine design.
A new study by University of South Florida researchers found that losing just 16 minutes of sleep can impair job performance, causing workers to experience cognitive issues and struggle with work-life balance. The study suggests workplaces should prioritize promoting employees' sleep to improve focus and reduce errors.
Researchers identified nine types of cells and subtypes in the marrow microenvironment, including vascular endothelial cells and stem cells. The study revealed a critical role of subsets of cells involved in cancer chemotherapy and immune cell production.
ECCITE-seq allows researchers to profile different types of biomolecules from thousands of single cells in parallel, offering a breadth of information that can be used as readout in CRISPR-based pooled genetics screens. This technique enables fine dissection of specific cell subtypes and helps reveal a transcriptomic signature of malig...
A team of scientists has identified 104 high-risk genes for schizophrenia, which may lead to the development of targeted treatments. The study's framework could also help track down genetic suspects in other complex diseases.
A study by Kaiser Permanente found that patients with fluctuating opioid doses were 3 times more likely to experience an overdose compared to those with stable doses. Discontinuing long-term opioid therapy for 3 or more months significantly reduced the risk of overdose.
Researchers identified unique genetic signatures in patients with active celiac disease and those in remission, revealing differences in gene expressions. The study uncovered potential targets for therapeutic intervention and shed light on the underlying mechanisms of celiac disease.
Researchers found that when we watch people perform actions, our expectations distort our perception of their behavior. However, this distortion does not occur with inanimate objects. The study suggests that our attributions of intention play a key role in shaping our understanding of others' actions.
Researchers from Drexel University and Trinity College in Ireland have created a conductive MXene ink for 3D printing micro-supercapacitors, which outperforms existing energy storage devices. The ink can be used to print flexible energy storage components of any size or shape.
A new study published in Games for Health Journal found that allowing dark play in a serious video game has no significant effect on its effectiveness. The researchers analyzed the effects of dark play on medical students' ability to advise care, learning motivation, and attitudes towards delirious patients.
A novel approach using pleasant odors could help smokers quit by reducing craving urges. Pleasant aromas significantly decreased urge scores in participants, with those smelling pleasant odors showing a greater reduction than tobacco or blank scents.
A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that pruritus affects 24% of patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease. Patients with pruritus reported poorer mental and physical quality of life, depression, and restless sleep.
Researchers develop QC-01-175, a molecular tool that clears abnormal tau protein from human neurons, providing a new approach for studying disease progression and potential therapeutic benefits. The findings suggest targeted protein degradation technology can be used to transform a protein binder into a functional molecule with pharmac...
A recent study found that two-thirds of adults dying prematurely from natural causes did not seek medical help in the 30 days leading up to their death. The research identified key factors contributing to premature adult deaths, including alcohol, tobacco, and lack of access to healthcare.
Researchers proposed new guidelines to standardize experiments with synthetic nucleic acids, addressing current issues like inadequate controls and misleading data interpretation. The guidelines focus on practical advice for performing experiments, measuring gene expression, and selecting appropriate controls.
The UMD Institute for Genome Sciences has been awarded $17.5 million to continue its genome-based investigation of polymicrobial infectious disease outcomes. The grant will support research into host-pathogen-microbiome interactions, focusing on multiple bacteria, fungal pathogens, and parasitic tropical diseases.
Researchers have created a new gene expression atlas for ALS, providing unparalleled detail on disease progression. The atlas uncovers early changes in the disease and reveals disease-driven changes in signaling pathways across all cell types in the central nervous system.
Cynthia Gubbels received the 2019 Perkin Elmer Travel Award for her platform presentation on rapid turnaround whole exome sequencing for critically ill neonates. This award supports researchers to present their findings and network with colleagues, facilitating career advancement and research advancements.
Researchers found that brain network function and memory ability are key factors in determining PTSD patient response to behavioral therapy. A specific combination of reduced verbal memory and ventral attention network functioning leads to treatment resistance.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that blocking a specific protein's activity improved cognitive behavior in aging mice. The researchers identified a gene called CD22, which is involved in microglial phagocytosis and is upregulated with age.
Researchers found that mucus build-up and inflammation are the initial causes of lung damage in CF patients. Early treatments that thin out mucus may delay the onset of lung disease and improve patient outcomes.
A group of medical students from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus improved Wikipedia articles on skin-related diseases, increasing their visibility by millions of views. They added evidence-based information from Cochrane Reviews to make the articles more complete and accurate.
A recent study found that caregivers of older patients with advanced cancer are a vulnerable group, experiencing poorer physical and mental health. Strategies such as talking to healthcare providers about stress related to caregiving can help improve caregiver well-being.
Researchers have developed a novel brain map that tracks early brain atrophy in people with HIV, revealing a two-stage model of brain damage. The study suggests that the frontal lobe is affected early on, while the caudate/striatum area becomes more damaged as clinical symptoms appear.
The Pancreatic Cancer Collective has awarded two million-dollar grants to AI teams developing tools to identify high-risk individuals with pancreatic cancer. One team will focus on rare gene variants and the other on machine learning analysis of clinical records and images.
A new study reveals that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) increase osteoblast precursor cell proliferation and induce osteogenic gene expression, but do not enhance calcium deposition. Careful selection of PEMF parameters is crucial for inducing a favorable effect.
A new smartphone app called OnTrack can predict when users are likely to lapse in their weight loss plan and send personalized coaching messages to help them stay on track. The study found that participants who used the app reported high levels of satisfaction and experienced a significant reduction in unplanned lapses.
The symposia series will focus on the gut microbiome's impact on health and disease, featuring speakers on topics such as gut-brain axes and antibiotic effects. Research highlights include studies on acetate, bioinformatics, and metabolomics.
Researchers optimized a 20-nucleotide DNA aptamer to improve its binding properties to myelin, a promising lead molecule for multiple sclerosis therapy. The study provides the first evidence of cross-reactivity with human brain cells.
A team from Massachusetts General Hospital has developed a new method to encapsulate human stem-cell-derived beta cells, which restored glucose metabolism in diabetic mice and protected the cells from immune system attack. The use of an immune-repellent protein, CXCL12, significantly prolonged the survival and function of the cells.
Studies from the Epilepsy Connectome Project reveal a difference in memory-related connections between healthy individuals and those with epilepsy. The researchers identified an excitatory connection association with inhibition of formation of the left hippocampal region in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
A new study found that replacing a half hour of sitting time with light physical activity was associated with a nearly 50% reduction in mortality among the least active participants. Replacing sedentary time with moderate-intensity physical activity was also linked to a lower risk of death, although the association was smaller.
After Colorado's marijuana legalization, a three-fold increase was seen in cannabis-related emergency department visits. Edible exposure led to about 33 times more ED visits than expected. Psychiatric ED visits were also more common following edible consumption.
The University of Arizona Health Sciences has received a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a unique training program for a diverse pool of scientists, addressing the nation's Alzheimer's research needs. The AZ-TRADD program aims to cultivate expertise-diverse teams to develop therapeutics and treatments.
Two new studies provide insights on how physicians can effectively evaluate patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic kidney disease. Researchers developed and evaluated improved measures, including a computer-adaptive survey that saves time and is relevant to individual patients.
Researchers found that using a CPAP machine consistently improved cognitive function for people with MCI, while inconsistent use accelerated decline. The study suggests that consistent CPAP adherence may be an effective strategy to slow memory loss in older adults.
This special issue reviews whole systems research methods in healthcare and its patient-centered salutogenic focus. It highlights the convergence of conventional medicine and whole systems research to combat opioid reliance and promote integrative chronic pain models.
Researchers used machine learning techniques on MRI brain scans to predict cognitive development in children aged 2. The study found that white matter connections at birth are highly predictive of future cognitive outcomes.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that the nursing work environment plays a significant role in how nurses evaluate EHR usability and its impact on quality and safety of care. The study, which analyzed data from over 12,000 nurses, showed that hospitals with better work environments had fewer repo...
A non-invasive imaging biomarker called Parametric Response Mapping (PRM) can identify small airway damage in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This technique measures lung density during inhalation and exhalation, helping to predict patients who will lose lung function.
Researchers analyzed 385 patients with transplant glomerulopathy to identify distinct features and outcomes, developing a tool for clinicians to predict health outcomes. The study may help individualize treatments for patients at high risk of transplant failure.
Researchers have pioneered a technique to analyze tiny amounts of newborn blood, providing the most detailed accounting to date. The study establishes a common developmental pathway for the first week of a newborn's life, offering insights into newborn health and the impact of vaccines.