News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Researchers developed a drug that blocks hyaluronan buildup in pancreatic islets, preventing immune cell infiltration and destruction of insulin-producing cells. The study suggests a potential preventive treatment for type 1 diabetes in humans if initiated before the onset of the disease.
A new study by NYU Langone Health has found that the presence or absence of dueling toxins in Staphylococcus aureus bacteria explains why hospital-acquired MRSA is more deadly than community-acquired forms. The study reveals a key toxin that counteracts another, more deadly toxin, opening up possible new pathways for vaccine development.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded a total of $33,500 to 41 researchers for their outstanding contributions to the field of radiation oncology. The awards recognize top-rated abstracts presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting, with recipients receiving cash honors and complimentary registration.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that smoke-free zones reduce the odds of teens starting to smoke by one-third, while tax hikes lead to a 3% drop in smoking initiation. The researchers also found that current smokers smoked fewer days per month under smoke-free laws.
Researchers at UC San Francisco show that early humans' tool use led to changes in their shoulders, which helped the emergence of human-specific traits like high-speed throwing. The study's findings suggest that the common ancestor of modern humans and African apes looked more like a chimp or gorilla.
The Buck Institute joins forces with Chilean researchers to tackle the growing crisis of an aging population. The Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism will focus on understanding the interface between aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Two Stanford University researchers, Maria Barna and Carolyn McBride, received the award for their pioneering work on ribosome processing and mosquito behavior. The Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding contributions to genetics research in human and non-mammalian systems.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that people who sleep six hours a night or less are four times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who spend more than seven hours in slumber. The study used objective sleep measures and found that short sleep was the most significant factor in predicting illness.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers finds that a 'Healthy Happy Meals' bill could reduce calories, fat, and sodium in fast food meals marketed to children. The proposed legislation requires fast food meals for kids to include a serving of fruit or vegetables and be limited to 500 calories or less.
Four UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers have received the NCI Outstanding Investigator Award for their groundbreaking research in cancer. Kun-Liang Guan, Tannishtha Reya, Jin Zhang, and Michael Karin will receive multi-million-dollar awards to fund new projects tackling cell growth, cancer detection, and treatment.
Researchers at UC San Francisco discovered that the adaptive immune system plays a role in guiding the normal development of mammary glands in mice. The immune system puts brakes on cell growth to fine-tune structure, a process that may also apply to other organs such as the prostate gland and skin.
The Harrington Discovery Institute has selected scholars to collaborate with R&D partners, including University of Oxford, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and Foundation Fighting Blindness. The program aims to bridge the 'Valley of Death' gap in bringing new medications from lab to market.
A new assessment tool, KSPHI, measures physical traits associated with Klinefelter syndrome, linking them to psychosocial function in children. The study found that boys with more physical traits reported worse quality of life, highlighting the need for early intervention and hormonal therapy.
Study finds that certain IgG3 and IgG4 donor-specific HLA antibodies correlate with distinct patterns of antibody-mediated injury to transplanted organs. Patients with mostly IgG3 antibodies have a higher likelihood of organ rejection soon after transplantation, while those with mostly IgG4 antibodies experience delayed rejection.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a new gene variant in the Khoe-San population that reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and leads to larger, healthier babies. The mutation alters the binding of immune cells to placental cells, resulting in better blood supply to the developing embryo.
A pilot study found ramelteon increased total sleep time and improved cognition in individuals with traumatic brain injury. The medication, a melatonin-agonist, was well-tolerated and showed significant improvement in executive functioning and reaction time after three weeks of treatment.
A study led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and MIT reveals a genetic circuit controlling fat storage versus burning. The research identifies two key genes, IRX3 and IRX5, which are under the control of the FTO gene variant associated with obesity. Manipulating this pathway may offer a new treatment approach for obesity.
Researchers updated their breast cancer risk model to include benign biopsy results, revealing a 300% increase in five-year risk for women with proliferative findings. The revised model enables more accurate identification of women at high risk who may benefit from chemoprevention.
Researchers found that women's brains respond more to romantic cues on a full stomach, suggesting eating may prime or sensitize young women to rewards beyond food. The study supports a shared neurocircuitry for food and sex.
A study found that most donors and recipients support sharing health information, but not social details. The transplant team should be involved in the discussion, according to both parties.
A new genetic test developed at Stanford University School of Medicine can accurately pinpoint the likely genetic causes of heart conditions in just a couple of days. The test uses a streamlined assay that looks at just 88 genes known to carry mutations that cause heart problems, and costs about $100.
A study by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that former NFL players who started playing tackle football before age 12 had a higher risk of altered brain development compared to those who started later. The study used advanced imaging techniques to examine brain structure in these players.
A clinical scoring system could identify patients at low risk for colon cancer, allowing them to be screened with less invasive methods. The study found that patients classified as low-risk had far fewer advanced adenomas compared to those classified as high-risk.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that a single genetic mutation disables a molecular switch in the UBE3A gene, leading to hyperactivation and abnormal brain development. This finding has implications for diagnosing and treating autism, particularly for individuals with Dup15q syndrome.
BIDMC researchers have discovered a novel vitamin B3 pathway that regulates liver metabolism and improves metabolic health. The study found that nicotinamide N-methyltransfersase (NNMT) plays a key role in this pathway, increasing Sirt1 protein levels and suppressing triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis.
Researchers found that compromises and reasoning are most effective for immediate behavior improvements, while punishments like timeouts can be effective when used consistently. Longer-term effects reveal a different pattern, with compromises being less effective but reasoning more effective over time.
A study found that over 40% of participants increased their supplement use over time and 22% replaced regular meals with supplements. The research also revealed alarming rates of concern and hospitalization due to supplement-related health issues, highlighting the need for psychological assessment and treatment.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute solved the structure of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), important regulators of tumor response to low oxygen. The findings identify potential targets for new cancer drugs, which could inhibit HIF functions and reduce tumor growth.
The study identified four non-modifiable factors - gender, age, race, and ethnicity - that influence the employment gap, with smaller gaps for women, individuals in their 20s and 60s, Asians, and Hispanics. Two modifiable factors, marital status and educational attainment, also contributed to reduced employment gaps.
Researchers used a new technology to study gene activity in living people, finding that women and men use different switches to turn on many immune system genes. The difference in activity might explain the higher incidence of autoimmune diseases in women.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found that Massot's modern neurosurgical techniques played a critical role in Kutuzov's survival and ultimate victory over Napoleon. The brain surgery allowed Kutuzov to make the best decision, avoiding a confrontation with Napoleon's superior forces.
A European clinical trial shows that therapeutic hypothermia can significantly decrease intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. The study found a mean reduction of 4.3 mmHg at the first hour of body cooling, continuing throughout the 6-hour hypothermia therapy.
Researchers have made significant progress in editing human T cells using CRISPR/Cas9, opening doors to potential therapies for autoimmune diseases, AIDS, and cancer. By disabling key proteins such as CXCR4 and PD-1, scientists hope to develop new treatments for various health problems.
Researchers found that SSDI beneficiaries who enrolled in state vocational rehabilitation agency services achieved work milestones at a faster rate than those who did not. The study suggests that provision of these services may be a means of reducing the costs of SSDI and improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
A mathematical simulation model predicts ICU bed occupancy and optimizes resource allocation by considering patient admissions and length of stay data. This approach enables healthcare managers to make informed decisions about bed capacity and resource allocation.
A new online portal provides a robust online interactive database to address the 'antibody crisis' in molecular biology. The Histone Antibody Specificity Database allows scientists to find reliable antibodies for their research with higher confidence, using validated test results.
Researchers found that lack of confidence, physical and mental impairments, and environmental factors hinder people with MS from engaging in meaningful activities. Building confidence is crucial to overcome these barriers and promote healthy behaviors.
A new study at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing found that coping by avoidance when making decisions for relatives in ICU can lead to PTSD. The study surveyed 77 people and found 42% had clinically significant PTSD symptoms, with death of the patient being a strong predictor.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new gene-editing technique involving low-dose irradiation, which is 10 times more effective than existing methods. This breakthrough could enable scientists to model human diseases more accurately and accelerate the discovery process.
Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center presented new findings on Alzheimer's disease treatment at the 2015 Alzheimer's Association Conference. The studies focused on the development of monoclonal antibodies that can recognize oligomeric tau and Aβ, as well as pathological structures in Parkinson's disease human brains. Additionall...
A new Stanford study found cellular damage detectable in patients after CT scanning, suggesting potential long-term health effects. The research calls for safer imaging practices and increased research into the impact of low-dose radiation on human cells.
Research from University of Toronto psychologists explores how self-other overlap affects relationships, finding those with high overlap protect their partner from comparisons and maintain positive perceptions.
A recent study reveals that ßCTF, a protein precursor to amyloid beta, initiates abnormalities leading to neuron loss in early Alzheimer's pathology. Drugging ßCTF levels may help slow or stop Alzheimer's progression.
A two-year study by UCSF researchers found that smokers who switched to low-nicotine cigarettes were unable to quit smoking in the long term. Despite initial drops in nicotine levels, participants' smoking habits rebounded when they returned to regular cigarettes.
A study of over 6,000 Kaiser Permanente members found that 58% used chiropractic care or acupuncture for chronic pain, yet many didn't discuss it with their primary care providers. The majority of patients would share this information if asked, highlighting the need for better care coordination.
The MCW Medical Scientist Training Program will provide a stipend and full tuition scholarship to students pursuing a dual MD-PhD degree. The grant supports the growth of physician scientists conducting research in basic sciences with academic careers in medicine.
A study of college-aged women found that those with stronger emotional connections to Facebook are less likely to struggle with risky dieting behaviors. However, if they compare their bodies to friends' online pictures, it's the opposite: more concern about body size and shape, and more risk of dieting behaviors.
The foundation awarded four-year fellowships to 16 postdoctoral scientists conducting innovative cancer research, providing them with independent funding to work on novel projects. The recipients aim to understand cell migration, protein crowding, and gene expression in cancer cells.
A follow-up study of IRB members' industry relationships found improvements in disclosure and management, but persistent problems such as voting on protocols with conflicts of interest. The study also showed a decrease in problematic relationships, with increases in disclosed payments for attending meetings and conferences.
Researchers developed a new compound that stops B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by locking a disease-related protein in an inactive state. The compound showed promise in animal studies, with improved survival rates and reduced side effects when combined with steroids.
A new analysis finds that only a fifth of global health aid went toward research on diseases disproportionately affecting the poor and outbreak preparedness. The study recommends increasing funding for these critical global health functions to address growing threats like drug-resistant tuberculosis.
A new study published in Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who underwent cognitive rehabilitation showed significant changes in cerebral activation. The modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT), a 10-session memory retraining protocol, demonstrated consistent results with prior researc...
Researchers found a significant decrease in serious crimes in areas around remediated buildings, including a 39% reduction in gun assaults. The study suggests that making buildings safer can improve health outcomes and reduce crime.
A microfabricated device has been developed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of pro-drugs, enabling the separate culture of primary liver cells and cancer cells. The system simplifies the process by eliminating the need for pumping and tubing connections, providing a novel platform for studying drug metabolism and interactions.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) presents ten research awards and seven grants to recognize outstanding research initiatives. This year's award recipients include Thomas Kremen, Clare L. Ardern, Blaine A. Christiansen, Alexander Scott, and several others for their innovative projects on stem cell use, osteoa...
A nationwide survey of 502 women found that adventurous eaters rated themselves as healthier eaters and were more physically active. They also reported being more likely to have friends over for dinner and were less concerned with the healthfulness of their food.
Leonid Kruglyak, a renowned geneticist, received the 2015 Curt Stern Award for his pioneering work on understanding gene interactions and genome-wide association studies. His laboratory has developed powerful model organisms for studying complex genetic variation.
Low-income and minority populations face increased exposure to traffic-related air pollutants due to proximity to high-traffic roadways. Studies suggest that HEPA filtration, land-use buffers, and better urban design can reduce TRAP exposure.
Regular extracurricular sports activities help kids develop discipline and self-regulation skills, which are linked to better classroom engagement. The study suggests that structured sports programs can be implemented in schools to improve students' behavior and academic performance.
A new report from the American Institute of Physics finds that Ph.D. physicists in non-academic careers are intellectually stimulating, challenging, and rewarding. Many earn salaries higher than their academic counterparts, with 85% working in STEM fields and 71% describing their jobs as intellectually challenging.