News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A recent study of science PhDs found that nearly two-thirds chose employment outside academic science, with reasons including autonomy, leadership roles, and high salaries. The researchers suggest that formal support networks could have provided an opportunity for URM PhDs to stay in faculty career paths
Researchers found that a resort vacation immediately impacts molecular networks associated with stress and immune pathways. Meditation retreats were associated with antiviral activity, while long-term meditators had distinct molecular signatures.
Research shows that adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are twice as likely to die from an unintentional injury. Changes in cognition and balance increase the risk of subsequent injuries. A patient-centered assessment tool can help identify risks and prevent further injuries.
Researchers found sacubitril-valsartan to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations. The therapy offers incremental benefits at a lower cost than previously thought.
Scientists at UMass Chan Medical School discovered how CRISPR-Cas9 targets DNA in live cells, finding that guide RNA stability affects cleavage. The study's findings help predict off-target cuts and may improve gene editing tools.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University aim to understand the role of intestinal innate immunity in Crohn's disease. They will investigate how mice develop experimental Crohn's disease and replicate these findings in humans, with the goal of developing new medications and treatments to cure the devastating ailment.
Researchers have identified a crucial protein complex in hematopoiesis, the process of creating healthy blood cells. MED12 mutations are linked to several cancers, including leukemia and prostate cancer. Deleting this protein complex disrupts blood cell growth and leads to cancer.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine have mapped a serotonin-driven anxiety circuit that worsens fear and anxiety in SSRI patients. A new compound blocks this pathway, potentially eliminating the side effect.
A study found that young and middle-aged adults in the US prefer to live longer than average life expectancy if they have positive expectations for old age, but those with negative expectations prefer shorter lives. The study used a telephone survey of over 1600 adults aged 18-64 years and found no relationship between age, gender, or ...
Six individuals, including Becca Levy and Luigi Ferrucci, have been recognized by the Gerontological Society of America for their groundbreaking research on aging and Alzheimer's disease. Their study found that negative age stereotypes can predict Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, highlighting the importance of cultural factors in aging.
A University at Buffalo study finds that fussy infants who find food more rewarding are at a higher risk of obesity. The research assessed infant temperament through a questionnaire, measuring cuddliness and food reinforcement.
Researchers from Mount Sinai and international partners have identified specific genes that contribute to cardiometabolic diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. The study analyzed gene-expression data from patients with coronary artery disease and found genes that regulate blood lipid levels in abdominal fat.
Researchers created stem cell heart muscle cells that mirror the expression patterns of native heart tissue, enabling prediction of drug-related heart damage and development of personalized therapies. The study validates the use of these cells to test cardiotoxicity and devise new treatments for conditions like cardiomyopathy.
The University of Cincinnati has received a five-year, $4.3 million NIH grant to continue work at its Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center in Reading, Ohio. The center provides experimental testing services for scientists studying diabetes and metabolic diseases in mice.
Researchers developed a novel opioid drug candidate by starting from scratch using computational techniques to explore over four trillion chemical interactions. The new compound, PZM21, blocked pain effectively like morphine but did not trigger deadly side effects, including breathing interference and addiction.
Researchers found that angiogenin promotes hematopoietic regeneration by dichotomously regulating quiescence of stem and progenitor cells. ANG simultaneously reduces proliferation of stem cells and promotes proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells, which give rise to mature myeloid cells.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati found that 66.9% of college-aged women engaged in unprotected sex during their last encounter involving alcohol. The study suggests that stronger beliefs about alcohol promoting sexual risk-taking and motivation for sex to satisfy personal needs contribute to decreased condom use.
A novel PET radiotracer called Martinostat has been developed to image epigenetic activity in the human brain. The tracer reveals patterns of uptake consistent with histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression levels, providing insights into gene regulation and potential therapies for brain disorders.
Researchers found that pulsed electric field treatment reduced scar size by 58% and improved skin properties after burn injuries in rats. The technology works on a cellular level, targeting specific cells to promote tissue growth and repair.
Researchers found that inactivating mutations in STAG2 or STAG3 can reactivate the MAPK cell-growth pathway, leading to treatment resistance. Knockdown of these proteins reduced sensitivity to BRAF inhibition, while increasing their expression increased treatment effectiveness.
The Reaxys PhD Prize has shortlisted 10 candidates from 45 nominations, who will present their research in London and compete for the top three prizes. The jury's review criteria include originality, innovation, applicability, importance, and rigor of the reported research.
Researchers found that bats recognize locations by remembering unique echo signatures, allowing them to form cognitive maps of their environment. The study suggests that prominent landmarks play a key role in template-based place recognition.
Research by marketing experts found that excessive positive online customer reviews can lead to higher return rates and increased costs for retailers. This is particularly true for products with low prices or from new customers, as it raises expectations and may result in disappointment upon delivery.
A new peer mentoring program, developed by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, aims to enhance early career gerontological nursing faculty. The program has shown promising results, with 64.7% of mentors and 72.7% of mentees finding value in it.
A new MIT system can identify how much power is being used by each device in a household, providing users with detailed information to make informed energy investments. The system, which samples data quickly and uses self-calibrating sensors, can detect specific appliances and their usage patterns.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded fellowships to 17 early career researchers conducting basic and translational cancer research. The four-year awards total nearly $3.95 million, providing independent funding to support novel ideas in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
A new light-based communication tool can carry data in a swift, circular motion, potentially solving an approaching data bottleneck. The optics advancement could become a central component of next generation computers designed to handle society's growing demand for information sharing.
A new study found that lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking are associated with a worse quality of life rating for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) patients. The study suggests that incorporating smoking cessation education into the critical care setting may be beneficial in improving patient outcomes.
A study published in Menopause found that women who began menopause before age 46 or after 55 were at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study also revealed that the length of a woman's lifetime reproductive cycle was associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
Researchers analyzed 750 food paintings from the past 500 years and found that 86% depicted bread and 61% showed meat, while only 22% featured vegetables. The study suggests that people have always been drawn to visually appealing and indulgent foods.
A new study identifies a genetic cause of ALS in 3% of cases, with the NEK1 gene playing a crucial role in neuronal function. The discovery highlights the importance of big data in ALS research and offers new targets for therapy development.
Researchers found that metformin reversed early cellular aging, causing increased sestrin 2 levels and AMPK activity, which led to full-term births in mice. The study provides new clues into the molecular pathway of preterm birth and suggests a potential safer alternative to rapamycin for preventing premature birth.
A large-scale study finds Behavioral Activation (BA) to be as effective as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating depression, with a significant cost savings. BA encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities driven by personal values, reducing depressive symptoms and improving outcomes.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that systematic thinking is more effective than intuition in accurately inferring another's feelings. The research involved over 900 participants and three out of four studies relied on professionals and managers, highlighting the importance of empathic accuracy in workp...
Researchers developed a detailed model system to study the Barr body's highly organized structure, revealing two distinct lobes with smaller active DNA domains. Topologically associating domains play a significant role in gene expression within the otherwise inactive lobes.
Researchers identify CD47 protein in atherosclerotic plaques, which enables immune system to evade clearing dead cells, leading to plaque buildup and cardiovascular disease. Anti-CD47 antibodies show promise in preventing plaque formation and regression in mouse models.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 22 out of 25 physicians reported having favorite patients, often due to long-standing relationships and personal connections. Despite concerns about playing favorites, physicians strive to provide the best care for all their patients.
A team of researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley identified duramycin as an effective blocker of Zika virus infection in human cells. The study reveals two potential routes for the virus to reach the fetus and shows that duramycin can prevent birth defects associated with microcephaly.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded over $4 million to 10 top clinical investigators to support patient-oriented cancer research. The award aims to address the shortage of physicians capable of translating scientific discovery into new breakthroughs for cancer patients.
A modeling study suggests that e-cigarettes are likely to provide public health benefits for adults, particularly adolescents and young adults, who use them instead of smoking. The study found a 21% reduction in smoking-attributable deaths and 20% decrease in life years lost due to e-cigarette use.
A novel compound has been identified as a potential treatment for Huntington's disease, exhibiting two separate neuroprotective activities by inhibiting SIRT2 and activating the NRF2 transcription factor. The study demonstrates promising results in cellular and animal models of HD.
A team of scientists at UMass Medical School identified a long non-coding RNA called lincRNA-EPS, which regulates innate immunity and prevents inflammation. In mice lacking this RNA, inflammatory responses were increased, leading to toxic shock.
SNMMI recognized Peter Herscovitch and Satoshi Minoshima for their contributions to the field of nuclear medicine through various awards. Dominique Delbeke received the Presidential Distinguished Educator Award for her work as editor of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
The Moffitt Imaging Biomarker Validation Center will discover, develop and validate biomarkers for risk assessment, detection and molecular diagnosis of early cancer. The center is part of the National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Research Network.
Regine von Klitzing was awarded the 2016 EPJ E Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Lecture Prize for her significant work on polyelectrolyte assemblies and functionalized microgels. She is a full professor at Technische Universität Berlin, where she directs the Physicochemistry Laboratory.
Jonathan Karn, PhD, an HIV/AIDS expert, has received two Innovation research grants to better understand and ultimately curtail HIV's ability to remain in the body as a persistent viral reservoir. The goal is to shrink the size of, and eventually eliminate the reservoir using hormone therapies.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that using colorful banners and nutrition education videos can increase the number of children taking vegetables in school cafeterias. Researchers observed a 239% increase in vegetable selection when both banners and videos were used, compared to a 90% increase when only banners were used.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) has recognized outstanding research initiatives and projects through its annual awards. This year's award recipients include researchers who have made significant contributions to the field of orthopaedic sports medicine, such as Alan Zhang for his research on quantitative ma...
Having a first-degree relative hospitalized with confirmed staph infection significantly increases the risk for microbiologically confirmed Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. The risk is higher if the infected patient is a sibling than a parent, according to researchers who analyzed data from Denmark.
A study found that regions in China with high levels of fine particulate air pollution have elevated rates of membranous nephropathy, an immune disorder of the kidneys. The likelihood of developing membranous nephropathy increased by 13% annually over 11 years.
Stanley M. Gartler, PhD, receives the 2016 Victor A. McKusick Leadership Award for his extensive research in X chromosome inactivation, somatic cells, and tumor biology. He has made significant discoveries and connections across multiple fields.
Researchers found that veils and headscarves can actually improve observers' ability to detect truthfulness in witnesses, contrary to common court assumptions. The study's results suggest that the presence of a veil may compel observers to pay attention to more 'diagnostic' cues, leading to higher accuracy rates in lie detection.
Scientists have found that antibodies developed in response to dengue virus can cross-react with and neutralize Zika virus, but also enhance its infection in laboratory experiments. These findings suggest a complex relationship between the two viruses and offer potential insights for vaccine design and treatment.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found a distinct gut microbiome in multiple sclerosis patients compared to healthy individuals. The research suggests that patients with MS have reduced levels of beneficial bacteria, which are associated with overall health benefits.
The Coordinating Center for Genetics and Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease will aggregate and analyze large data sets to identify genetic risk factors and potential therapeutic targets. This effort aims to accelerate progress in solving the devastating disease.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School used CRISPR/Cas9 screening to identify human proteins that Zika virus needs for replication, revealing potential therapeutic targets. The study highlights the importance of understanding viral dependencies on human proteins to develop effective treatments.
HIV can enter the nucleus of immune system cells without dividing, a process previously unknown to scientists. By hijacking a motor protein called KIF5B, HIV manipulates the nuclear envelope to create a pathway for entry.
A new study by the Dartmouth Institute found that Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are making modest gains in reducing high-cost care settings. For patients with multiple conditions, ACOs saved an estimated $136 per patient annually, while clinically vulnerable patients saw savings of $456 per year.
Researchers found that cerebral microbleeds are associated with increased physical and cognitive disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study suggests that monitoring MS patients with cerebral microbleeds could be crucial in preventing further decline.
Research at University of Plymouth investigates potential therapy for dementia with Lewy bodies, a condition caused by alpha-synuclein protein deposits in nerve cells. The project aims to understand mitochondrial damage and its impact on DLB, potentially leading to new treatments.