News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A recent study by the University of Minnesota Medical School found that schools' social climates play a stronger role in weapon-carrying behaviors among US high school students than their racial or ethnic backgrounds. The study also discovered that males who experienced violence or felt unsafe at school were more likely to carry weapons.
Researchers discovered a three-step molecular process behind cardiac atrophy, which can lead to fatal heart failure. The study suggests potential new ways to prevent or treat the problem by eliminating or reducing the activity of specific genes.
Researchers discovered that consuming concentrated chocolate in the morning can aid in burning fat and decreasing blood sugar levels. The study also found that eating chocolate at different times of day can influence hunger, appetite, microbiota composition, sleep, and metabolism.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers identified multiple acquired resistance mechanisms for cancers with KRASG12C mutations, leading to the need for new drugs targeting KRAS and combination therapies.
A study published in Nature Metabolism suggests that a Western high-fat diet can increase the risk of painful disorders, such as arthritis and diabetes-related neuropathic pain. By altering diet or developing drugs that block fatty acid release, chronic pain patients may find relief.
A new study reveals that giant plumose anemones off the coast of Washington state consume a surprising variety of prey, including pale-legged field ants and occasional spiders. The research utilized DNA metabarcoding to analyze the gut contents of a dozen anemones, greatly expanding the known list of their diet.
Researchers found a link between abnormal cellular stress and Huntington's disease, identifying stress granules as a pathological feature. The study also uncovered extracellular vesicles that may alter other cells' behavior and impact granule accumulation.
Researchers found that Epstein-Barr virus reactivation may cause long COVID symptoms in approximately 30% of patients after recovery from initial COVID-19 infection. The study analyzed EBV antibody tests on recovered COVID-19 patients, indicating a significant difference between those with and without long COVID symptoms.
A comprehensive study of COVID-19 brains found significant signs of inflammation and impaired brain circuits. The findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body, leading to neuroinflammation in the brain.
International panel discussion explores benefits and limitations of data in informing public health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts share insights from previous international experiences in collecting, comparing, and understanding pandemic data.
Scientists at the University of Cincinnati have developed a blueprint for the protein anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which plays a crucial role in reproductive organ development. Understanding how AMH interacts with its signaling receptor may lead to novel treatments for infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and even feral cat ...
Scientists investigate volcanic deposits and flows in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts to better understand pyroclastic surge movement across complex terrain. The research aims to improve knowledge of volcanic hazards and inform hazard assessments.
A computerized brain implant effectively relieves short-term and chronic pain in rodents, detecting brain activity linked to pain and triggering therapeutic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. The device reduces pain intensity and is less likely to cause addiction, offering a promising new strategy for pain therapy.
Research reveals that lesbian, gay and bisexual people who encounter homophobic attitudes experience significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. The study found that perceived homophobia had a direct impact on physiological stress among sexual minorities, increasing systolic blood pressure during interviews.
A recent study found that a widely used sepsis prediction model performs poorly, correctly identifying patients at risk of sepsis only 63% of the time. The tool was developed based on billing codes, which can be inaccurate, and sent alerts to nearly 1 in 5 patients without actual sepsis.
Researchers created a neighborhood-level COVID-19 inequity index to analyze disparities in New York City neighborhoods. The index showed that areas with higher inequity indices had higher subway ridership, implying lower social distancing capacity.
Dr. Malene Hansen receives the Irving S. Wright Award for her work on cellular recycling and aging, while Dr. Morgan Levine wins the Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award for her biomarkers of aging research. Both awards recognize their contributions to advancing healthy aging through biomedical research.
Researchers have visualized the structure of the MFSD2A transporter protein, which allows omega-3s to enter the brain. The study provides insight into how this protein can be used to design drugs that mimic omega-3s and hijack the system for neurological treatment.
Dr. Anna M. Sawka, a renowned Clinician Scientist and Endocrinologist, has been appointed the next Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid, the Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association. She will lead the journal in advancing scientific publication in the field of Thyroidology.
A new study by Regenstrief Institute researchers found that electronic health records (EHRs) are not designed to meet the specific needs of primary care physicians. The study recommends implementing a human factor approach for EHR user interface design to improve patient care and reduce information overload.
A study published in Nature found that altering eating habits or disrupting the circadian clock can lead to depletion of healthy fat cells, causing defects in fat storage and excess lipid spilling into organs. This disruption may be difficult to reverse, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has announced 17 new Fellows, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the field. The newly elected Fellows include experts who have demonstrated excellence in scientific discovery, educational efforts, and clinical practice.
Researchers model the impact of implementing blood pressure control programs at barbershops nationwide, finding that such programs could reach one in three Black men with uncontrolled blood pressure. These community-based interventions would avert 8,600 major cardiovascular events annually, including 1,800 heart attacks and 5,500 strokes.
Scientists have identified two brain areas involved in tracking uncertainty about unwelcome events, such as negative news. The anterior cingulate cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex were found to encode information about attitudes toward good and bad possibilities separately.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle delivery system to stimulate blood vessel growth in the newborn lung, improving survival rates from 70% to 35%. The treatment involves delivering an engineered nanoparticle carrying a STAT3 gene vector, which prompts blood vessel growth and improves lung function.
Researchers found that COVID-19 virus can enter and replicate in human kidney cells, but does not typically cause cell death. However, infected cells with pre-existing injury are more susceptible to additional damage.
A recent study found that higher screening uptake may be associated with a higher risk of colon cancer in black people. The study analyzed over 90,000 veterans and discovered that those who received routine screenings had a similar risk of colorectal cancer compared to white patients.
A study published by UTHealth found that as rideshare usage increased, so did a decrease in motor vehicle-related trauma and impaired driving convictions. The age group under 30 showed the most significant reduction in motor vehicle-related traumas.
Research found nearly 20% of patients with unexplained sudden cardiac death carried rare genetic variants that raised their risk. Genetic screening may have prevented deaths if doctors knew about the genetic predisposition to heart disease.
A study found substantial racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 rates among adults with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis in New York City. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19, with neighborhood social vulnerability factors not explaining the disparities.
A new engineered IgM antibody therapy has been found to be significantly more potent than standard IgG antibodies at neutralizing the COVID-19 virus in animal models. The therapy, IGM-6268, demonstrated increased potency against emerging variants of concern and variants of interest.
A new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that patients taking methotrexate for immune system disorders have a weaker antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines. This means they may not be as protected against the virus, but further research is needed to understand the issue.
Leading scholars propose new frameworks for environmental governance, citing structural problems in current laws and international law-making processes. They advocate for a new environmental charter, reviving the United Nations Trusteeship Council, and strengthening the UN Environment Programme to address pressing global challenges.
Researchers at University at Buffalo are working on ways to improve the WIC shopping experience, making it easier for customers to find eligible products and navigate checkout processes. The team has identified several key barriers, including restrictions on foods, identifying product sizes and types, and poor staff training.
A Penn-developed odor test using AI and machine learning distinguishes between cancer cells and benign tumors in blood samples. The tool achieves high accuracy rates for detecting ovarian and pancreatic cancers, showing promise as a non-invasive screening approach.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a gene, OTUD7A, linked to Ewing sarcoma, a bone cancer affecting mainly children. A compound, 7Ai, has shown promise in blocking OTUD7A protein activity and reducing tumor formation in mice.
A study in fruit flies and rat models reveals that traumatic brain injury disrupts nuclear transport machinery, leading to protein build-up and neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers identify a key enzyme and molecule involved in the process, highlighting a potential target for new treatments.
A research team led by Jerica Berge will examine the effectiveness of real-time intervention methods, including ecological momentary intervention and home visiting, to improve family meal quality and reduce childhood obesity disparities. The five-year NIH grant aims to create a new model of treatment for primary care settings.
A new study shows that tai chi mirrors the beneficial effects of conventional exercise by reducing waist circumference in middle-aged and older adults with central obesity. The 12-week intervention found significant reductions in waist circumference, body weight, and improved lipid profiles among those who practiced tai chi.
A pilot study found that robotic-exoskeleton assisted exercise rehabilitation improved functional mobility, cognitive processing speed, and brain connectivity in people with significant MS-related disability. Four weeks of REAER was associated with large improvements compared to conventional gait training.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $500k in funding to PNNL researchers Marcel Baer, Nathan Tallent, and Ben Loer. Baer will explore protein structures for new materials, while Tallent aims to accelerate data flow between computers and scientific instruments. Loer will focus on reducing radiation impact on quantum computing.
An online survey capturing COVID-19 symptoms received over 87,000 responses, providing important insight into the spread of disease. The survey revealed patterns of symptoms and correlations with testing rates in U.S. states.
Researchers at Duke University and Stanford University School of Medicine found that long-term wearable device data can quickly indicate illness, dehydration, and abnormalities in a patient's red blood cell count. Machine learning algorithms applied to the data enabled identification of previously unknown relations between smartwatch s...
A new public platform catalogs and curates data on salivary proteins, providing rich evidence for noninvasive diagnostics and precision medicine. The Human Salivary Proteome Wiki aims to harness the full potential of saliva for diagnosis, risk prediction, and therapy.
A retrospective cohort study found that autonomous cortisol secretion is associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of death and cardiovascular disease in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. Researchers recommend treating known cardiovascular risk factors and incorporating findings into treatment decisions, including surgery.
Katie's research focuses on harnessing advances in digital information and data to enhance the identification of bullets and weapons. She aims to move away from subjective visual evidence and instead use quantifiable measurements and techniques.
A new study analyzed over 800 coronavirus genetic samples to trace the path of the virus as it traveled across New York City during its deadly first wave. The research identified Queens and Brooklyn as major hubs of COVID-19 spread, with Queens playing a more significant role in viral transmission.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that insulin is essential for maturing and regenerating olfactory sensory neurons after injury. Insulin promotes regeneration of OSNs, even in nondiabetic mice, indicating a new therapy option for treating smell loss.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that oral tranexamic acid (TXA) is non-inferior to intravenous TXA in preventing blood loss during total knee and hip replacement surgeries. The study suggests that oral administration of TXA may be logistically easier, less costly, and equally effective as IV TXA.
Researchers have created a software that can decode brain signals to translate mental handwriting into text on a computer screen. The technology, called 'mindwriting,' has been tested on a man with full-body paralysis and achieved speeds of over 18 words per minute, rivaling those of able-bodied peers.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered that sevoflurane can cause tau to leave neurons and enter microglia, stimulating inflammation and cognitive impairment. The study suggests that inhibiting tau phosphorylation or extracellular vesicle generation could prevent this tau spreading.
A study of nearly 1,100 pregnant women and 9,800 non-pregnant patients found that pregnant women with severe COVID-19 infections have significantly lower death rates than their non-pregnant counterparts. However, differences in health conditions between the two populations may affect mortality risk.
The fellowship program aims to recruit and train skilled data scientists to advance care through precision medicine. Yale's robust computational resources, biomedical data repositories, and faculty expertise will be available to fellows.
Researchers at UTMB will investigate Ebola infections in human cell culture and nonhuman primates, with the goal of developing new insights into prevention and treatment. The $11.3M grant will also support the development of sophisticated models using 'big data' to predict infection outcomes.
A new UCSF study reports that cancer patients experience a deep sense of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 53% of participants classified as lonely. The study also found higher levels of depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance among lonely patients.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel younger have better cognitive functioning, lower inflammation, and a lower risk of hospitalization compared to those who feel older. The researchers suggest that feeling younger could help buffer middle-aged and older adults against stress's negative effects.
Researchers found that tumors can take up significant amounts of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel and that manipulating signaling pathways involved in nutrient uptake can enhance its consumption, boosting treatment efficacy
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) has inducted 15 individuals into its Class of 2021 Fellows, honoring their significant discoveries and distinguished careers in nutrition. The ASN Class of 2021 Fellows will be recognized during the virtual meeting NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE.
Researchers have identified novel blood markers that can predict when labor is approaching, shedding light on the biological process of labor initiation. The study's findings lay the groundwork for a clinical blood test that could provide more precise estimates of delivery time.
Researchers discovered that the Sir2 protein facilitates Candida albicans' transition from yeast to hypha, which is essential for infection. The protein's removal resulted in fewer true hyphae being formed, and its function may impact the pathogen's virulence.