News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has selected 15 researchers to participate in its Public Engagement Fellowship program, which aims to promote meaningful dialogue between science and society. The fellows will receive training and support to develop public engagement activities and increase capacity for leadership.
A new oncolytic virus has been shown to kill cancer cells by alerting the immune system, triggering a widespread immune response that kills cancer cells beyond the infected region. Researchers have found that the virus's mechanism of action involves exposing tumor proteins, which are then detected by the immune system, leading to a pow...
Researchers have detected a significant acceleration in sea level rise since 1993, with ocean waters moving up the shore by almost 1 millimeter per decade. This acceleration means that the next generation will experience a far different landscape due to rising sea levels, posing significant concerns for vulnerable areas like Tampa Bay.
Researchers found a significant association between opioid use and the risk of laboratory-confirmed invasive pneumococcal diseases. High-dose opioids, especially those classified as high potency and long-acting formulations, were most strongly associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases in humans.
A new study examines the connection between shift work and type 2 diabetes, finding that more frequent night shifts increase the likelihood of the disease. The research also identified a genetic risk score for type 2 diabetes, which showed no interaction with shift work in its effects.
A large study found that family history of breast cancer significantly increases the risk of developing invasive breast tumors in women aged 65 and older. The researchers suggest that women with a first-degree family history should consider continuing mammography screening even beyond age-based recommendations.
The Veterans Health Administration has outlined recommendations to combat the 'crisis' of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in healthcare settings. The recommendations focus on four key areas: transmission dynamics, antimicrobial stewardship, microbiome research, and special populations.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered that levels of a key protein called LTBP3 fuel the chain reaction leading to cancer spread. Lower LTBP3 levels are associated with better prognosis in patients with certain types of cancer, suggesting it as a potential 'upstream' drug target.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that only one-third of patients diagnosed with depression start treatment, with racial and ethnic minorities and the elderly facing significant disparities. The study's findings highlight the need for improved detection and treatment strategies to address these disparities.
CU researchers found that givinostat improved the heart's ability to relax, holding promise for treating patients with diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Fibrosis is not the sole cause of diastolic dysfunction; a defect in muscle cell relaxation contributes.
Biomedical engineers developed a miniaturized system mimicking blood vessel injury, allowing for the study of bleeding and clotting. The device replicates all aspects of blood vessel injury, including clot formation and repair, and responds to drugs and other alterations.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that approximately one to five percent of first-grade children in the US have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, rates comparable to those of autism spectrum disorders. Researchers evaluated over 6,000 children across four regions and estimated prevalence ...
Research suggests that irregular schedules can lead to inflammation, exacerbating metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. Disrupted biological clocks may contribute to these effects by altering inflammatory responses.
A new study found that an intensive 6-day Ayurveda-based mind-body program increased self-awareness and related health benefits. The program was compared to a control group, showing significant increases in neti values at both immediate completion and the 1-month follow-up.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that consuming hot tea at high temperatures is associated with a significant increase in the risk of esophageal cancer. The research, which followed over 450,000 participants for nine years, suggests that abstaining from hot tea may be beneficial for individuals who drink al...
The foundation grants nearly $4.1M to support innovative early career researchers and breakthrough scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research. The recipients receive funding to pursue novel projects, with the goal of making paradigm-shifting breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found a strong correlation between belief in conspiracy theories and vaccine skepticism worldwide. The research suggests that conspiracy beliefs can override scientific evidence and lead to negative attitudes towards vaccinations.
Seven multi-disciplinary teams will investigate immune system response to cancers, exploring factors such as DNA mismatch repair, tumor-specific proteins, and cytokine function. The teams will use machine learning expertise and access to terabytes of data to develop new treatments with less damage.
A $6.5M NIH grant will support a Center of Research Translation in Psoriasis (CORT) at Case Western Reserve University. The CORT aims to advance translational discovery and application in psoriasis by integrating cutting-edge technology and bioinformatics with basic and clinical science.
Scientists have isolated a new botulinum neurotoxin, BoNT/En, from a strain of Enterococcus, sparking concern over the potential for multi-drug resistance. The toxin, found in cow feces, was unexpectedly discovered to resemble the toxin that causes botulism, with experts warning of its potentially deadly consequences.
A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Management found that investors lose more than 3% of their investment when equity analysts are involved in a firm's initial public offering. The researchers discovered that information from analyst reports is less informative and less accurate, resulting in losses for investors but b...
A new Stanford study identifies a brain pathway linking positive attitudes toward math to better math performance in children. Researchers found that having a strong interest and self-perceived ability in math enhances memory and efficient engagement of the brain's problem-solving capacities.
A clinical trial led by Stanford University researchers found that brain-imaging software identified patients who could benefit from clot-removal procedure up to 10 hours after stroke onset. The study showed improved outcomes for nearly half of patients treated between six and 16 hours after symptoms began.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine and UCSF have solved the first high-resolution crystal structure of the dopamine 2 receptor bound to risperidone, a commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication. This discovery may lead to more selective medications with fewer side effects for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autis...
A researcher is using Twitter to engage African-American young adults in discussions on blunt use and the health hazards associated with it. The goal of the study is to develop an effective digital health intervention to reduce blunt smoking and decrease related morbidity and mortality rates.
Researchers have developed a new, expedited course of treatment for combat-related PTSD that is as effective as traditional eight-week therapy. The study found that prolonged exposure (PE) therapy administered over two weeks resulted in significant symptom reduction and remission rates among active-duty military personnel.
Researchers, led by Dr. Felicia Goodrum, aim to understand the virus-host interaction of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a member of the herpesvirus family. HCMV poses life-threatening risks in individuals with compromised immune systems and is the leading cause of infectious disease-related birth defects.
Researchers found increased risk of congenital malformations with methimazole and propylthiouracil use during the first trimester. This association confirms the importance of minimizing MMI use in pregnancy and suggests reevaluating the current recommendation to switch from MMI to PTU.
The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Medical Innovation has awarded grants to five engineering and medicine groups to develop novel biomedical devices. The projects focus on treating conditions such as peripheral artery disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and improving auditory pathology detection.
A team of researchers at the University of Cincinnati has discovered how myostatin, a signaling protein limiting muscle growth, is activated. This knowledge could lead to new treatments for diseases like muscular dystrophy, ALS, and cancer cachexia.
The American Psychological Association has released new Journal Article Reporting Standards for researchers seeking to publish in scholarly journals. The standards aim to enhance the assessment of methodological integrity and provide guidelines on information needed to ensure comprehensibility and replicability. These updates are expec...
The Harrington Discovery Institute awards support groundbreaking research in cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and addiction. Physician-scientists receive financial backing and critical resources to advance their work from the clinical realm.
A Stanford-led study found that even modest weight gain causes significant changes in the human microbiome, cardiovascular system, immune system, and gene expression. When participants lost the weight, most systems recalibrated back to normal states.
A study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that underrepresented minority (URM) trainees have increased in the biomedical sciences, but URM faculty remain scarce. The researchers identified two key points of loss: undergraduate education and postdoctoral fellowship to tenure-track faculty positions.
Infections with MRSA bacteria appear to permanently compromise the lymphatic system, impairing its ability to pump lymphatic fluid. This impairment may contribute to frequent recurrences of MRSA infection in patients.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that cognitive training improved memory scores by 35-40% in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with benefits lasting six months. The training program, MEMO, also showed promise against dementia and depression.
A new study found that risk of diabetes is double for black patients, with strongest rising risk trends seen among whites. Obesity prevalence was highest among black women, while socioeconomic status and physical activity levels also played a significant role in diabetes development.
A study of 6,489 female participants found that those with higher levels of light-intensity physical activity were less likely to die than those with lower activity levels. The researchers concluded that encouraging older women to increase their daily light-intensity activity could lead to better health outcomes.
Family physicians manage medical requests from family and friends by orienting themselves to the situation and considering relationships and potential consequences. Developing facilitated group discussions can help residents gain confidence in addressing these issues.
Vanderbilt University and Lundbeck are collaborating on a novel approach to treating schizophrenia. The Vanderbilt compounds, developed with support from the National Institute of Mental Health, have shown antipsychotic-like effects and improved cognitive performance in animal models.
A survey of medical students found that those who strongly believed in a sense of calling were more likely to choose primary care-related residencies. This strategy could help address the looming primary care physician shortage.
A new blood stabilization method developed at Massachusetts General Hospital significantly prolongs the lifespan of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in whole blood samples. This approach allows for the preservation of high-quality RNA suitable for demanding molecular assays, opening up potential for personalized drug testing and expandin...
A report on high-quality carbohydrates and physical performance suggests that balanced diets rich in natural, carbohydrate-rich foods like potatoes may be optimal for improving athletic performance. The report aligns with decades of studies showing the primary importance of carbohydrates in sustaining and improving athletic performance.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that primary cilia on brain cells play a crucial role in signaling appetite control. Mutations in the MC4R gene, found in nearly all cases of severe obesity, are linked to impaired communication between neurons via primary cilia.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 28.7 percent in December 2016 to 30.8 percent in December 2017, reflecting a 21 consecutive month upward trend. People with disabilities are finding competitive jobs through public-private partnerships and initiatives like NYC:ATWORK.
Research found that poor dental health increases the risk of frailty in older men, with complete tooth loss, dry mouth, and other oral health concerns contributing to this association. The study emphasizes the importance of oral health for overall well-being and highlights the need for preventive measures.
A Massachusetts General Hospital team developed a dual-modality approach to reactivate the inactive X chromosome, increasing MECP2 protein expression up to 30,000-fold. The treatment may provide meaningful treatment for patients with Rett syndrome and other X-linked disorders.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that self-oriented perfectionism increased by 10%, socially prescribed perfectionism by 33% and other-oriented perfectionism by 16% between 1989 and 2016. This rise in perfectionism is linked to social media pressures, meritocracy, and unrealistic educational expectations.
Small Ontario municipalities are less prepared to support aging adults due to lack of planning and funding, according to a University of Waterloo report. The report recommends that municipalities adopt age-friendly policies and strategies, as seen in British Columbia, to better support their aging populations.
Researchers developed a technique to pinpoint potential targets for cancer therapies that rely on the immune system. The technique identified two human antigens relevant to immunotherapies and found evidence of shared self-antigens between patients, offering a key to developing effective treatments.
A new IRTG at MLU focuses on how trees interact with each other, exploring their role in ecosystem services. PhD researchers will study tree-to-tree interactions, molecular biology, and statistical methods to define principles and models for these interactions.
A University at Buffalo study found that Somali Bantu refugee women are hesitant to use hormonal birth control due to Western cultural norms. However, they are open to using family planning methods to space births and have children. The research highlights the importance of considering cultural perspective in healthcare.
A new review paper concludes that varied diets and persistence in exposing infants and children to healthy foods, even when they don't like them at first, are key to promoting healthy eating behaviors. Repeated exposure can familiarize the child with specific flavors and set the stage for later acceptance of healthy flavors.
Researchers found that direct electrical stimulation of the human amygdala can enhance next-day recognition of images, with a significant boost in memory performance. The study used low-level current and showed an improvement in memory recall for patients with epilepsy and average memory performance.
A special issue of LGBT Health explores factors affecting the health of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans, revealing disparities in chronic conditions and mental health. The research highlights innovations in healthcare and policy to improve services for LGBT older adults.
A randomized clinical trial of bortezomib in late antibody-mediated kidney transplant rejection found no improvement in transplanted kidney function or prevention of immunologic tissue injury. The treatment was also linked with adverse effects, ruling out its potential as a therapeutic option for this condition.
Researchers studied six healthy young male volunteers to collect physiological information as they went about their daily lives, measuring thousands of physiological indicators. The study found that most sensor readouts showed time-specific variability, including blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.
A Drexel University study found that consumers may prefer food products made from surplus ingredients, which could help alleviate global food insecurity. The researchers examined consumer preferences for value-added surplus products and found that they were perceived as a unique category with benefits to the environment.
Breast cancer survivors who consumed more soy foods and cruciferous vegetables experienced fewer menopausal symptoms and fatigue. Phytochemicals in these foods may modulate inflammation and estrogen levels, potentially reducing treatment-related side effects.
A Northwestern Medicine study reveals autophagy's promoting role in malignant glioblastoma and identifies MST4 and ATG4B as key players. Inhibiting ATG4B with radiotherapy significantly slows tumor growth, increasing overall survival rates.