News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A large-scale study found that higher body fat is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed data from over 758,000 women under the age of 55 and found that as BMI increased, breast cancer risk decreased, particularly among younger women.
A new study in mice reveals that a 'jumping gene' plays a critical role in the first stages of embryonic development. High levels of LINE1 RNA expression are necessary to regulate gene activity and enable embryos to progress past the two-cell phase.
A pilot program at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester introduced a semester-long course with a study abroad trip to Belize, making it more affordable for students. Financial aid covered full or partial costs for seven students, while all participants reported increased confidence and likelihood of traveling abroad again.
The Ecological Society of America recognizes Michael T. Kohl, Benjamin J. Wilson, and Emily E. Ernst for awards in outstanding student research and exceptional presentations. The recipients were awarded for their contributions to ecology and conservation.
Researchers at UCSF improve mobility in rats with debilitating strokes by using electrical stimulation to restore brain cell activity associated with efficient movement. The study suggests potential for brain implants to treat stroke patients and offers a new alternative to physical therapy.
A group of national leaders in quality and safety have developed a consensus statement to embrace an expanded definition of patient harm that includes non-physical harm. The document provides six high-level recommendations for health care organizations to engage in the practice of respect, aiming to improve the patient-family experience.
Scientists have created a new hydrogel adhesive made from two naturally derived polymers that is 15 times stronger than traditional adhesives used for nerve reconstruction. The material supports cell survival, extension, and proliferation essential for nerve regeneration in vitro and in animal models.
A study has identified genetic variants associated with an increased risk of developing pediatric nephrotic syndrome, a debilitating kidney disease in children. The findings could lead to new diagnostics and treatments.
Researchers used periodontal ligament-derived stem cells to create a cell sheet that promoted the formation of both cementum- and PDL-like tissue in dogs. This innovative work combines traditional dental implants with stem cell sheet technology, offering a promising solution for widespread dental health care issues.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that mindfulness meditation and relaxation response programs have unique effects on the brain. The mindfulness program improved self-compassion and rumination, while the relaxation response program strengthened coupling between neural regions associated with deliberate control.
A new study by UCSF found that people with severe mental illness are more than twice as likely to have Type 2 diabetes. Racial minorities face even higher risks, with Hispanic patients having a 36.9% incidence rate.
Researchers identified Klf9 as a key factor mediating the detrimental effects of chronic stress on neuronal connectivity and fear responses. Silencing Klf9 expression protected mice from stress-induced changes in dendritic spines and behavior.
A study by McGill University Health Centre found that two-thirds of teenagers and young adults with type 1 diabetes experience stigma, which can lead to neglecting treatment and severe hypoglycemia. The study also highlights the need for social support and resiliency programs to help individuals manage their condition.
The New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Injury Research has awarded four grants to Kessler Foundation scientists to study learning deficits, cognitive assessments, neuropathic pain, and brain activity during exoskeleton-assisted walking. These $1.5 million grants aim to improve rehabilitative care for individuals with spinal cord injury.
A study found that persistent illicit drug use was associated with a higher risk of kidney disease progression and early death among chronic kidney disease patients. Tobacco smoking was also linked to an increased risk of early death.
A new study suggests that nighttime light exposure during sleep can disrupt metabolic function, leading to increased insulin resistance. The researchers found that just one night of light exposure acutely impacts measures of insulin resistance, which is a diminished ability of cells to respond to insulin.
A new study found that adolescents who spend more time on screens are more likely to experience insomnia symptoms and shorter sleep duration. Regulating screen time may improve sleep health and reduce depression in young people.
Researchers have conducted the world's first randomized trial showing that hip arthroscopy is a more effective treatment for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, a common cause of groin pain in young adults and athletes. The study found that patients improved significantly with hip arthroscopy compared to physiotherapy-led programmes.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 29.2% in May 2017 to 29.7% in May 2018, up 1.7%. Employment First has been adopted in 49 states and the District of Columbia, with nearly every state acknowledging its goal.
A study found that living kidney donors consider post-donation concerns such as kidney health and surgical impacts more important than hypothetical long-term risks. The research highlights the need to understand donors' priorities for informed decision-making and care.
A new geological study provides evidence supporting a coastal theory of early settlement in the Americas. The research suggests that part of a coastal migration route became accessible to humans 17,000 years ago, coinciding with the receding of ancient glaciers.
Researchers manipulate neurons in the amygdala to eliminate natural craving for sweet taste, while still recognizing flavors. The findings suggest a promising area of focus for treating eating disorders by isolating emotional reactions from flavor identification.
A systematic review of 4,600 clinical trials found that nearly any type of exercise can improve cognitive performance, particularly mental processing speed. Consistent exercise over a longer period may be needed for improved cognition in older adults.
New research reveals four essential skills for nurse leaders to facilitate successful cross-sector collaborations promoting community cultures of health. Nurse leaders must possess knowledge, attitudes, and skills as facilitators, partners, and relationship-builders to address social conditions affecting population health.
The 2018 class of AGA Research Foundation awardees will continue to push gastroenterology and hepatology research forward with protected time for fundamental research. The awards program has launched the careers of investigators doing important work that translates to new patient care tools and better outcomes for patients.
Kaiser Permanente researchers developed new models predicting suicide risk by combining electronic health record data with standardized depression questionnaires, identifying high-risk patients more accurately. The approach could inform decisions on follow-up care, referrals, and personal safety plans.
A team of astronauts working together for months in a confined space will be critical to Mars mission success. The psychology of teamwork is crucial, with characteristics such as emotional stability, agreeability, and resilience being key factors.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has invested $200 million in 19 scientists whose work is pushing the boundaries of biomedical research. The selected researchers will receive a seven-year grant, renewable pending scientific review, to conduct innovative projects.
A study by Dr. Dipayan Biswas found that ambient music volume affects consumers' preferences for healthy vs. non-healthy foods. Softer music leads to healthier choices like salads, while louder environments stimulate cravings for unhealthy options like cheeseburgers and fries.
A study from the University of Waterloo found that children can sense an item's ownership without direct interaction, using territory-based inferences. This suggests that children have adult-like intuitions about ownership, which is surprising given their age.
Clinicians in safety-net hospitals feel morally distressed by policies preventing them from performing hemodialysis to undocumented immigrants, except in emergency situations. Emergency-only hemodialysis has a high mortality rate and is associated with burnout among clinicians.
Researchers found that d-limonene, a compound in citrus oils, protected cells producing saliva in mice exposed to radiation therapy. The study shows promising results for alleviating dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients.
Using MR spectroscopy imaging, researchers found that a novel IDH1 inhibitor reduced levels of the oncometabolite 2HG in patients with IDH1-mutated gliomas. The study showed a potential metabolic reprogramming of the tumor in response to treatment.
A recent case report documents how a patient's use of biotin supplements caused clinically misleading test results, prompting multiple consultations and unnecessary testing. The study highlights the need for caution when using biotin supplements, as they can interfere with certain lab tests.
The US mental health system struggles to deliver behavioral healthcare to populations in need due to significant human resource issues. Research reveals substantial shortages of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals, particularly in rural areas.
An international study found that proposed changes to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) could lead to a 57% reduction in moderate PTSD diagnoses. The study examined almost 4,000 individuals from six countries and showed that severe PTSD cases increased by up to 36%, while moderate cases decreased by more than half.
Physician burnout is caused by both unavoidable occupational suffering and avoidable systems failures. Resilience training helps with the former, while improving systems addresses the latter.
A simple visual screening tool can identify older adults at increased risk for dementia after a minor decline on the Mini-Mental-State-Examination. Early career family physicians with a broader scope of practice report lower burnout rates, while resilience training alone may not be enough to address burnout.
A recent study found that 56% of older Medicare beneficiaries are at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea, yet only 8% have been tested for it. Treatment was prescribed for 82% of participants after diagnosis.
Researchers at Allina Health examined pain treatment outcomes of integrative medicine in hospitalized patients and found significant cost savings associated with pain reductions. The study, published in JACM, suggests that integrative interventions can lead to a decrease in hospital costs by up to $1,000 per admission.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found a specific serotonin receptor that enhances memory, with drugs targeting this receptor showing promise for boosting cognitive function. The study used optogenetics to demonstrate the role of serotonin in strengthening neural communication and improving spatial memory.
A Drexel study finds that third-hand smoke chemicals can be reemitted inside and attach themselves to aerosol particles, making people likely exposed to more harmful chemicals than thought. The research reveals a new pathway of exposure to third-hand smoke through aerosol particles in indoor environments.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients with chronic sciatica have elevated levels of a neuroinflammation marker in the spinal cord and nerve roots. The study suggests that blocking neuroinflammation may be a viable treatment option for these patients, particularly those who benefit from steroid injections.
A new study found that many Airbnb rentals in the US are missing critical safety features such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The analysis of 120,691 venues across 16 cities showed that only 56% had carbon monoxide detectors and 42% had fire extinguishers.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered a global regulatory element within the Hoxb cluster that controls its expression in blood-forming stem cells. This mechanism helps maintain normal hematopoiesis and prevents acute myeloid leukemia by regulating Hoxb cluster genes in a methylation-dependent manner.
Research from UCSF found that living in better neighborhoods can reduce cortisol levels in low-income children, associated with improved physical and mental health. Access to green spaces, clean air, and quality grocery stores were key factors in this protective effect.
Researchers measured DNA repair in mice treated with cisplatin over a 24-hour period, finding nearly 2,000 genes repaired according to the circadian clock. This study suggests that understanding the interaction between circadian clocks and DNA repair could lead to more effective chemotherapy regimens.
Substantial barriers to access persist in US states with medical aid-in-dying laws despite legalization. Socioeconomic inequalities exacerbate disparities in healthcare, limiting access to lethal medication for terminally ill patients.
Researchers capture images of measles viruses as they emerge from infected cells, gaining insights into the internal organization and potential antiviral strategies. The study reveals a scaffold-like matrix protein acting as a framework for viral assembly.
A new study by Stanford University researcher Annelise Barron has developed a protein mimic that restored breathing capacity to injured rats' lungs, outperforming animal-derived counterparts. The synthetic product could lead to better and cheaper treatments for acute lung injury in humans.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that children living close to major roadways had nearly three times the odds of pediatric asthma compared to those who lived farther away. The researchers also discovered a stronger link between lifetime pollution and asthma among school-age girls.
A Norwegian university research programme has increased the proportion of doctors who pursue a PhD tenfold and those aspiring to an academic career. The programme provides a specialized track for medical students, giving them a head start as active researchers.
Dr. S. Thomas Carmichael, a UCLA neuroscientist, received the 2018 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair from ASNTR for his career-long work in stroke recovery mechanisms. His research has shown that the adult brain can form new connections after stroke and may be critical for plasticity in the recovering brain.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators found that older people's immune cells receive a fuzzier set of instructions, leading to reduced effectiveness. The researchers analyzed hundreds of millions of immune cells using a new method to determine the impact of environmental factors on aging and disease.
Scientists have created a system to control gene expression with high precision using light, enabling potential treatments for cardiovascular disorders and regenerative medicine. The CaRROT system can turn genes on and off in specific locations within the genome, potentially driving stem cell differentiation into desired organs.
A study of Dutch research grants reveals that winning an early-career grant leads to more research funding, awards, and prestigious academic appointments. The 'Matthew effect' erodes quality of scientific research due to projects being funded based on status rather than merit.
A new stereovision system guides surgeons during spinal operations, providing accurate renderings of where implants need to go. The system, developed by Dartmouth engineers and physicians, is expected to save up to 30 minutes in surgery time.
A new study has identified a mismatch between two MRI methods that can signify early stroke status, allowing the use of 'clot busting' drug tPA in patients with unwitnessed strokes. The study found similar outcomes to those previously reported for patients receiving tPA within 4.5 hours of witnessed strokes.
Researchers found that adults on the autism spectrum have increased use of primary care, mental health services, and laboratory services, but lower use of gynecology visits and cervical cancer screening. The study highlights the importance of considering autism throughout the lifespan and emphasizes the need for better access to afford...
A recent study published in the journal Microbiome has found that drinking alcohol can disrupt the balance of oral bacteria, leading to an overabundance of harmful germs. Researchers discovered that moderate drinkers had fewer beneficial bacteria than non-drinkers, while heavy drinkers had more potentially harmful bacteria species.