News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with positive fecal screening tests should undergo colonoscopy within several months to reduce colorectal cancer risk. The study reviewed 70,124 members and found no significant differences in risk for colonoscopy follow-up times of two to nine months.
Four research teams will receive a grant of $250,000 over two years to support new research projects stemming from previous advances in cancer research. The award program aims to accelerate current research and development models to bring therapeutic benefits for cancer patients.
Renowned researchers gathered to discuss stevia's health benefits, safety, and innovations in low/zero calorie sweeteners. Stevia was found to not alter during extraction and purification, providing evidence for its naturality, while research on its impact on blood glucose, diabetes, and overall health showed promising results.
Researchers identified a protein, TIMP2, that had the same effect when injected into older mice. The findings could lead to new treatments for age-associated declines in mental ability.
The American Physiological Society's (APS) Porter Physiology Development Fellowship has supported 140 minority doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in the study of physiological sciences. Since its inception in 1967, the program has increased diversity in physiology and within APS membership.
Case Western Reserve University researcher Martin Basch has been awarded a $300,000 Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award to study cell therapies for treating congenital strial deafness. The goal is to restore hearing in children affected by this condition.
A recent Dartmouth-led study found a strong association between fast-food TV ads and increased consumption among pre-schoolers. The research team recruited 548 parents and tracked their child's exposure to child-targeted ads, revealing that moderate or high exposure increased the likelihood of consuming fast food by about 30%.
Researchers have discovered a frog-derived peptide, urumin, that specifically targets the H1 strain of influenza viruses. Urumin was found to disrupt the integrity of flu viruses without harming mammalian cells, making it a promising lead for antiviral drug discovery.
A recent study by UCSF found that young adults experience greater pleasure from smoking cigarettes while under the influence of alcohol compared to marijuana. The study, which used self-reported data from 500 participants aged 18-25, suggests that co-use of cigarettes and alcohol may be more pleasurable than co-use with marijuana.
Rettsyndrome.org has funded six new research projects worth $775,000 to accelerate treatments and therapies for Rett syndrome. The projects focus on drug development and brain mechanisms underlying the disorder.
A study by NYU Langone Health found that 3.4% of US adults suffer from serious psychological distress, with 9.5% lacking health insurance and 10.5% experiencing delays in getting professional help. The research suggests a worsening mental health crisis despite increased access to care since the ACA.
A high-sensitivity troponin T test can safely rule out myocardial infarction (MI) in patients presenting to emergency departments with possible acute coronary syndrome. The test, combined with a non-ischemic electrocardiogram, indicates low risk for MI and allows for safe discharge of patients.
Researchers observed lower body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure among low-income individuals living in the city's noisiest neighborhoods. The study suggests that neighborhood noise may have an indirect impact on health, potentially due to increased physical activity resulting from walkability.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that there are areas of convergence between parents, children, and restaurant executives regarding healthy meal choices. Common ground includes the importance of taste and familiarity, which can inform efforts to promote healthier options.
Researchers investigate factors driving violent extremism, including community resilience and psychological constructs like humiliation, to better understand why some with radical views become terrorists. They also examine methods for assessing risk and preventing radicalization.
A new study examines how well biobank donor families understand the risk and implications of a potential confidentiality breach. Families who donate tissue are often willing to trade access to research results for absolute confidentiality.
The use of stem cells in predictive toxicology screening holds promise in reducing animal testing. However, standardizing methods, identifying optimal cell types, and defining measures is essential. The journal Applied In Vitro Toxicology explores the benefits and limitations of this approach.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's BSN-PhD program combines rigorous coursework with a clinical nurse fellowship to accelerate education opportunities for the next generation of nurse researchers. This innovative approach prepares PhD students earlier in their careers, enabling them to conduct rigorous, clinically relev...
A new study by NIOO-KNAW ecologist Bart Grutters suggests that exotic water plants can be a valuable asset in aquatic ecosystems, offering similar benefits to indigenous species. The research found that properties such as chemical defences and stem rigidity should be considered when evaluating the impact of exotic species.
A study led by the University of California - San Francisco found that South Asians and Hispanics of normal weight are more likely to have high glucose and hypertension compared to whites. The researchers found that non-whites need lower BMI levels to match the cardio-metabolic risks of whites with a higher BMI.
A new study demonstrates that gender dysphoria in individuals with coexisting psychotic disorders can be adequately diagnosed and safely treated with gender affirming therapies. The research offers recommendations for overcoming challenges in diagnosis and treatment of this patient population.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel lonely experience worse cold symptoms than those who don't, regardless of their social network size. The researchers studied 159 participants and discovered that feeling lonely had a greater impact on symptoms than actual loneliness.
A new online metabolic calculator developed by a University of Virginia doctor predicts patients' risk of developing heart disease and diabetes with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The tool takes into account multiple factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, and ethnicity, to provide a more comprehensive risk assessment.
UNC School of Medicine scientists pinpoint MRGRPX2, a receptor protein on mast cells, as the key to understanding opioid-induced itching. The researchers created a chemical probe to interact with this receptor, potentially leading to the development of an antagonist to reduce itching side effects.
Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas received the 2017 Richard King Trainee Award for her research on medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in exclusively breastfed neonates. Her study identified the risk of early decompensation, highlighting the importance of close management of feeding difficulties.
A large-scale study found that people who lose a partner to suicide are at increased risk for cancer, depression, and mood disorders. The risk persists for five years after the loss.
FARE has awarded over $1 million to three scientists to study the causes of food allergies and develop new treatments. The recipients will focus on improving oral immunotherapy, IgE glycosylation, and understanding the role of Dock8 in maintaining tolerance to food antigens.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute identified GlycA as a novel marker of inflammation that predicts heart attack risk. High levels of both GlycA and C-reactive protein independently predict future cardiovascular events, with combined levels being the worst scenario.
The Kappa Delta Sorority presented four awards to scientists conducting outstanding musculoskeletal disease research, focusing on ankle osteoarthritis, clubfoot treatment, and wrist kinematics. The winners emphasized the importance of personalized medicine, assessing physical performance beyond patient-reported outcomes to improve reco...
Researchers identified a gene link to impaired sociability in autism and found its neural circuit mechanism. The study suggests a 'toggle switch' that can be turned on or off to regulate sociability, potentially leading to new treatments for patients with autism. Seizures were also found to impair sociability by repressing specific genes.
A study found that people consistently overestimated the size and strength of black men compared to white men, even when shown identical images. This bias may contribute to police shootings of unarmed black men.
A new optical tool uses light scattering spectroscopy to distinguish between pre-cancerous and cancerous pancreatic lesions with high accuracy. The device offers a minimally-invasive means of diagnosis, which could reduce unnecessary surgeries and improve patient outcomes.
The Asthma Mobile Health Study demonstrates a successful, large-scale participant enrollment approach using iPhones and the Apple ResearchKit framework. The study collected rich research data from thousands of individuals, providing a comprehensive view of 'real-world' patterns of disease, wellness, and behavior.
A new study found that 65% of patients visited a doctor who received payments from pharmaceutical or medical device companies within the last year. Only 5% of those surveyed knew about their doctor's payments, highlighting a need for transparency and patient awareness.
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that anakinra did not reduce fatigue severity in women with chronic fatigue syndrome. The study's findings suggest that interleukin-1 inhibition may not play a role in CFS, contradicting previous studies.
A gene variant that produces red hair and fair skin in humans and mice has been found to contribute to the association between melanoma and Parkinson's disease. The study shows that mice carrying this variant have reduced dopamine production and increased sensitivity to toxins, making them more susceptible to neurodegeneration.
A new study reveals that patients with pre-existing donor-specific antibodies experience better kidney survival rates compared to those with de novo antibodies. Understanding the timing of antibody responses can guide matching and prevent rejection.
A study using AI technique TDA identified patients with normal brain scans who may deteriorate months after diagnosis and develop symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder. The research also found molecular biomarkers predictive of poor recovery, paving the way for personalized treatments.
Researchers are studying novice drivers with autism to determine if specialized training can improve their driving skills and reduce collisions. They will use a high-tech driving simulator and on-road driving to compare the performance of drivers with and without autism.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles researcher Ching-Ling Lien will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of coronary vessel development and revascularization using zebrafish as a model system. The goal is to determine how the heart regenerates after injury and potentially design therapeutic approaches for humans.
Researchers found that people are significantly better than chance at matching names to faces, and this effect may be due to cultural stereotypes associated with names. The study used computer algorithms to also achieve high accuracy in matching names to faces.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects 1 in 3,500 boys, stealing their ability to walk by age 12 and typically killing them by mid-20s. Researchers at UVA will use a multi-scale computer model to understand how muscle damage and inflammation drive the disease.
In a groundbreaking study, UNC School of Medicine scientists have uncovered the brain circuitry behind reward-seeking behavior, revealing two distinct populations of prefrontal neurons that promote or suppress motivation. The research has major implications for understanding addiction, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Most people would rather remain ignorant of upcoming events, even if they could make them happy, due to concerns about regret and suffering. People who decline knowledge of the future are more risk-averse and frequently purchase life insurance, suggesting they anticipate negative outcomes.
Researchers developed an adaptive control approach based on online learning to correct dynamics errors in real-time, improving robustness of motion systems. The DOOMED algorithm updates a correction model until correct acceleration is achieved, minimizing error between desired and actual accelerations.
A study of almost 700 youth handball players found that a sudden increase in training and matches can lead to shoulder injuries. The risk is highest if the player's load is increased by more than 60% compared to the previous week.
A new study found that diversity training programs can have immediate positive effects on participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, but long-term results are often inconsistent. The research suggests that training is most effective when it is mandatory, delivered over time, and combined with other initiatives.
The AAAS Leshner Leadership Institute has selected 15 infectious disease researchers to engage on science and society issues. These fellows will receive public engagement training, networking opportunities, and resources to develop their institutions' capacity for public engagement.
Researchers developed a cardiac safety index to rank commonly used chemotherapy drugs based on their likelihood of causing lasting heart damage in patients. They found that some drugs known to be particularly dangerous had the lowest safety indices, while better-tolerated ones ranked higher.
Researchers found that the SMN protein acts as a 'molecular chaperone,' helping RNA transport into cells and promoting interactions with processing proteins. This discovery sheds light on SMA's causes and could inform optimization of treatments like nusinersen.
Researchers found that telephone-based smoking cessation counseling given shortly after lung cancer screening can help people stop smoking. The study enrolled 92 participants and showed an 8-person increase in verified quitters, with 17% in the counseling group compared to 4% in the control group.
Babies born with extremely low birth weight are at risk for mental health problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. The studies found these risks began in childhood and extended into adulthood, with significantly higher levels of depression and social problems among adults born with extremely low birth weight.
The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) has announced its newest fellows and awardees, recognizing outstanding leadership in gerontology and geriatrics education. The honorees include Pamela P. Brown, Kara B. Dassel, Cynthia R. Hancock, and others.
A new mobile Critical Care Recovery Program aims to bring post-ICU care to patients in their homes, improving brain health and reducing rehospitalization rates. The 12-month program will be followed by a multi-disciplinary team to develop personalized recovery plans.
Researchers discovered dynamic changes in brain networks between high and low consciousness states, with relatively stable patterns recurring across the continuum. Anesthetic dosage was linked to changes in consciousness levels, providing insights into the conscious and unconscious states.
A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Management found that materialistic consumers who believe they can improve their financial status through hard work are more likely to save money and regulate their spending. Conversely, those with pessimistic views on economic mobility are more prone to impulse purchases.
Researchers have cataloged 50 distinct cell types in a major appetite center of the brain, including two newly discovered subtypes that play a role in genetic control of obesity. The study provides a comprehensive parts list for this area of the brain, allowing researchers to identify which cells are responsible for specific functions.
The Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education aims to share best practices and design model curricula for academic and non-academic audiences. The consortium's goal is to create a cadre of highly trained health professionals to address the harmful health effects of climate change.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have isolated a protein called SPLUNC1 that plays a vital role in regulating proper airway function. When missing or depleted, it can cause airway constriction and difficulty breathing in people with asthma.
Researchers will utilize a unique odor signature to create a portable screening device for early-stage ovarian cancer diagnosis. The project aims to improve survival rates by identifying the disease at its initial stages.