News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Experiencing rude behavior at work is linked to insomnia symptoms, but taking mental breaks can improve sleep quality. Employers can encourage programs aimed at reducing workplace incivility.
A randomized trial in Norway found that sigmoidoscopy screening reduced CRC incidence and mortality in men, but had little or no effect in women. Current guidelines recommending flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for women may need to be reconsidered. The effectiveness of screening in reducing colon cancer risk for women remains uncertain.
A novel technique integrates CRISPR technology with big data mining to identify functional roles of lncRNAs in chemotherapy resistance. The approach identified hundreds of new genetic units impacting sensitivity to chemotherapy, providing potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.
A study by Aarhus University finds that medical doctors' substance use disorders are exacerbated by legal and social sanctions, leading to a lack of help-seeking behavior. Doctors often turn to self-treatment or performance-enhancing medicine to cope with work pressure, resulting in worsening substance use disorders.
A new study published in Diabetes Care found that a tailored letter with personalized weight-gain recommendations improved pregnancy weight gain among women with gestational diabetes. The intervention, delivered via electronic health record data, resulted in a higher proportion of women meeting national weight-gain guidelines.
Researchers at University at Buffalo School of Management developed a new algorithm to establish pricing and allocate resources for cloud computing. The study provides practical formulas that companies can use to determine necessary resources and set charges for their customers.
At the American Physiological Society's President's Symposium Series, top researchers discuss the biology and pathophysiology of exosomes, as well as their use in diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Exosome expert Leland Hartwell concludes the series with a Nobel Prize lecture on the importance of lifelong learning.
A large cohort study found that nearly all mental health diagnoses were more common for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth than for cisgender youth, with depression and ADHD prevalence rates 4-7 times higher. The study aimed to raise awareness about the pressure young people may feel due to gender dysphoria and prejudice.
A national survey by Kessler Foundation reveals that 69% of people with disabilities are striving to work, overcoming barriers through job preparation and negotiation. The study also finds that many employees report experiencing and successfully addressing obstacles such as negative attitudes and pay disparity.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have created a web-based tool to integrate control measures for co-endemic diseases like schistosomiasis and malaria. The tool allows users to assess the outcome of combining control measures based on local conditions and political constraints.
Researchers have found a newly identified subset of a known genetic variant associated with an increased risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in individuals of South Asian descent. The study suggests that this genetic variant and its subset may be better markers for carriers of heart dysfunction in this population.
A new bioinformatics tool, CRISPRdisco, has been developed to identify and classify CRISPR-Cas systems in genome assemblies. The software detects CRISPR repeats and accurately assigns class, type, and subtypes, enabling researchers to distinguish between complete and incomplete CRISPR systems.
Donovan Argueta, a UC Riverside graduate student, has won a $25,000 Ford Foundation fellowship to continue his research on the biological mechanisms driving increased eating behaviors in obesity. The one-year fellowship will allow him to complete his doctoral degree and pursue a postdoctoral position.
A US task force identified five global best practices for improving community health, including local anchor institutions, shared goals, and simple protocols. These findings hold great potential to improve the health of struggling communities in America.
A new study by UCSF researchers has identified two previously unrecognized genetic risks associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. The findings suggest that these diseases share genetic similarities, but differ in their impact on brain function.
A recent study found substantial variation in the use of quality improvement strategies among small- to medium-size US primary care practices. These practices may require external support to enhance their ability to implement quality improvements and adapt to new payment and delivery models.
A study published in The Annals of Family Medicine explored the perspectives of practice leaders and facilitators on quality improvement programs. Findings suggest that targeted, practice facilitator-supported efforts can be effective in assisting small practices, rather than large-scale initiatives.
The Childhood Obesity Declines Project (COBD) has successfully implemented community-based strategies to combat childhood obesity, documenting their development and implementation. The project's findings provide valuable insights into effective programs and policies that can help address the rising prevalence of childhood obesity.
Researchers found that major adverse events like divorce or death of a family member can measurably accelerate brain aging in older men. The study used MRI scans to assess brain volume and cortical thickness, predicting brain age difference based on life-changing events.
A new algorithm developed by Columbia University researchers deciphers the genome's most hard-to-translate segments, providing a more complete picture of what DNA encodes. This breakthrough may help find the links between genes and disease, such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and autism.
Researchers used MRIs to show that babies with fragile X syndrome had less-developed white matter compared to infants without the condition. The study identified 12 fiber tracts with significant differences in development, which could serve as an objective marker for treatment effectiveness.
Researchers found that a specific set of brain cell signals, involving dopamine and estrogen receptor alpha, trigger a mother's instinct to retrieve her offspring. The study's findings may explain human maternal behaviors like breastfeeding and could lead to new ways to support mothers with infant care challenges.
The study will assess well-being across physical health, emotional health, purpose, character strengths, social connectedness, and financial security. The collaboration aims to advance scientific understanding of what it means to be truly healthy and transform the field of well-being research.
Stanford researchers engineered yeast to produce noscapine, a promising cancer drug with less toxicity than current treatments. The breakthrough involves introducing 25 foreign genes into yeast, achieving an 18,000-fold improvement in noscapine output.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Investigation found that adult-onset progressive degenerative diseases have their roots in early developmental defects. Researchers used a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and discovered altered neural circuitry in the cerebellum, which sets the stage for later disease vulnerability.
A team of scientists has established a pig model of Huntington's disease using genetic engineering technology, offering a practical way to test treatments. The pig model closely matches human symptoms and provides advantages over existing mouse models in terms of size and delivery of treatments.
A study found that evaluating and treating depression can improve or maintain cognitive functioning in some older patients with MCI. Approximately one third of participants who had progressed to MCI reverted back to normal cognition, suggesting that successful treatment may potentially reverse cognitive decline.
Researchers developed a new screening technique to evaluate e-liquid toxicity, finding that some ingredients are more toxic than others. The study suggests that even small doses of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can significantly reduce cell growth rates, highlighting the need for further regulation of e-liquid ingredients.
A machine learning model has been developed to predict C. difficile infection risk, analyzing entire electronic health records and accommodating institutional differences. The model can identify patients at greatest risk, allowing for targeted prevention methods and improved patient outcomes.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that knee pain is associated with an increased risk of depression in older adults. The research team developed a new screening tool based on questions about knee pain at night, which may help identify individuals at risk for developing depressive symptoms.
A Stanford-UCSF study has analyzed the mysterious Ata skeleton, a human fetus with severe genetic mutations, revealing multiple genes contributing to bone deformities and dwarfism. The comprehensive genomic analysis adds new mutational variants to the repository of known disease-causing genes.
Scientists have found that high carbon dioxide levels cause squid to bungle attacks on their prey, leading to a 20% decrease in successful attacks. This effect is observed in two cephalopod orders, pygmy squid and bigfin reef squid, which may have significant consequences for marine ecosystems.
A study of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that most Americans have suboptimal cardiovascular health. The study also revealed racial disparities in cardiovascular health, with rates of optimal health remaining below 40% for whites, 25% for Mexican Americans, and 15% for African Americans.
A five-year grant funds a multi-center clinical trial testing the effectiveness of intermittent hypoxia therapy on hand and arm function in individuals with incomplete cervical SCI. The study aims to improve neuroplasticity and increase muscle contractions, leading to better outcomes for rehabilitation.
A study of over 10,000 Australian students found that those who were older for their grade had higher academic self-confidence and were more likely to enroll in college. The study suggests that strict regulations on school starting ages may have unintended consequences for younger students.
Kessler Foundation joins four sites to investigate optimal timing and methods for intensive hand rehabilitation after stroke, utilizing robotics and game-based virtual reality training.
Historian J. Michael Francis discovered a 1601 gunpowder expenditure list from St. Augustine that confirms the city's residents held a St. Patrick's Day procession in honor of San Patricio, the Spanish name for St. Patrick. The records also reveal that St. Patrick was identified as the patron saint of the city's maize fields.
The new peer-reviewed journal Systems Medicine captures leading research in medical systems biology, emphasizing molecular mechanistic biomarkers. This approach aims to drive innovations in new drug discovery and preventive therapies based on healthy aging research.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers identified a neural circuit mechanism involved in preserving memory specificity and a genetic 'switch' that can slow down memory generalization. Targeting levels of abLIM3 protein could improve memory in aging and reduce symptoms of PTSD.
The study found a significant decrease in mortality risk in patients with severe burns, with age, burn size, and inhalation injury being key predictors of mortality. Continuous improvement in care protocols has led to a 2% per year reduction in mortality rates across all age groups.
New research from University of California - San Francisco scientists shows that the human hippocampus no longer produces new neurons after childhood. This finding presents a challenge to previous studies suggesting neurogenesis could help treat brain diseases.
A new technique using mass cytometry predicts relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with 85% accuracy, identifying a subset of malignant cells that predispose to relapse. The method could lead to more precise treatment and targeted therapies for high-risk patients.
Historian Joe Hopkinson has won a prestigious national award for his innovative text and documentary film on the controversial approach to educating immigrants in Huddersfield. His project explores how immigrant children were 'bussed' to schools in the 1960s-70s under a now-discredited policy.
Researchers at TSRI have discovered that individuals with high levels of the enigmatic receptor GPR158 may be more susceptible to depression following chronic stress. This finding provides a potential clue to why some people are more resilient against mental illness, and offers a new target for developing effective treatments.
A new in-depth review from the Journal of Dairy Science examines necessary minerals and their mechanisms for absorption in cows. The review highlights two key methods, paracellular and transcellular absorption, and discusses factors affecting mineral uptake.
The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education has elected new officers, fellow, and awardees. Hallie E. Baker, PhD, and Tina M. Kruger, PhD, were named AGHE fellows, while Marilyn R. Gugliucci, PhD, received the Clark Tibbitts Award for outstanding contributions to gerontology.
The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine has launched a new quarterly column in JACM, discussing strategies to advance health justice through integrative medicine principles. The inaugural column highlights the need to address bias and discrimination in intrapersonal attitudes and behaviors.
A new microfluidic device developed by Massachusetts General Hospital may help monitor a tumor's response to therapy and provide detailed information to guide treatment choice. The device isolated tumor-specific EVs from all 13 patients with glioblastoma multiforme, identifying key genetic and molecular information.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new military vehicle shock absorbing device that may protect troops from traumatic brain injury after a land mine blast. The technology, which reduces blast acceleration by up to 80 percent, has the potential to be adapted for use in vehicle bumpers and other applications.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-led research team has identified a genetic defect in the TAF1 gene as the possible cause of X-linked dystonia parkinsonism, a rare and severe neurodegenerative disease. The study found that aberrant splicing of the TAF1 gene leads to truncated RNA expression, which may be responsible for the disease.
An analysis of published studies found that children with CKD had lower intellectual functioning compared to children in the general population, particularly those on dialysis. Deficits were evident for attention, memory, and executive function domains.
A new Annals of Neurology study investigated the mechanisms and timing of events in the brain and circulation during the dying process. The findings suggest that spreading depolarization marks the loss of stored energy in brain cells, leading to death, but also highlight its reversibility with restored circulation.
Researchers propose roadmap for making humans resistant to radiation and stress damage, with a focus on radioresistance. The strategies aim to maximize productive life years in space, addressing challenges like high-LET radiation.
Two novel ocular hypotensive agents, netarsudil and latanoprostene bunod, have been approved for use in humans, reducing intraocular pressure with lasting results. These breakthrough drugs also show promise for treating dry eye disease and delivering ophthalmic drugs via microneedles.
Researchers at UNC and NC State developed a biodegradable hydrogel scaffold system to release combination chemo-immunotherapeutic drugs, significantly inhibiting cancer recurrence after primary tumor removal. The approach could work in other tissue types and has shown promising results in animal models.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that cutting carbs or fats results in similar weight loss, with no association between individual biological factors and diet success. Participants followed either a low-fat or low-carb diet for one year, showing that the fundamental strategy for losing weight is to eat whole foods.
A Phase 2 clinical trial shows that patients with acute ischemic stroke can safely tolerate high doses of 3K3A-APC, a promising anti-stroke drug. The treatment also substantially reduced cerebral hemorrhage in patients.
Researchers created asset management framework to streamline maintenance and reduce costs by 33% in Kelowna, B.C. Improved coordination between city departments can lead to better budget allocation and enhanced service delivery.
Researchers will collect data from survivors of viral outbreaks to understand how some people fight off the disease. The goal is to inform vaccine design, develop new diagnostics, and prevent future outbreaks.
Recent studies have compared human and mouse kidney development, revealing deep conservation of certain processes but also significant differences in gene expression and cell structures. The findings provide new insights into the processes directing cells to form functional kidney structures and may help guide emerging stem cell techno...