News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A new study by UNC researchers led by Kathleen Caron, Ph.D., shows that deleting CXCR7 allows adrenomedullin to run rampant, triggering enlarged heart and overgrowth of lymphatic vessels. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of CXCR7 in cardiovascular health.
A new study from the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions found that female college students who experienced severe sexual assault were three times more likely to experience severe sexual assault the following year. The researchers also discovered that women who have been victims may need to be followed for months to ...
Researchers at Harvard University and Cornell University have developed a non-rigid, shape-changing robot that can walk on four legs and operate without constraints. The robot can function in snowstorms, move through puddles of water, and withstand limited exposure to flames, with a payload capacity of up to 8 kg.
The largest land animal for which mass can be accurately calculated, Dreadnoughtus measures 85 feet in length and is estimated to weigh around 65 tons. Its nearly complete skeleton provides unprecedented insights into the anatomy and biomechanics of massive animals that once roamed Earth.
A new study found that most alcohol ads in US magazines from 2008-2010 used 'drink responsibly' messages to promote products, not provide clear warnings about the risks of excessive drinking. The ads failed to convey basic public health information, and instead often contradicted scenes depicted in the ads.
The Pioneer Award recipients have made significant contributions to gene therapy for retinal degeneration. Their research has led to proof-of-concept studies demonstrating the feasibility of using gene therapy to repair photoreceptor defects in the eye.
Dr. Richard Casaburi will receive the Distinguished Scientist Honor Lecturer award from CHEST, recognizing his pioneering work in developing rehabilitative treatments for COPD. He leads LA BioMed's pulmonary rehabilitation research and has received numerous awards for his contributions.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has announced the 2014-2016 Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship recipients, which provide two-year fellowships to support Japanese physicians in early stages of their careers. The fellows focus on functional imaging using modalities such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT to elucidate pathophysiology of...
A new study found that women who are obese can limit their weight gain during pregnancy by using conventional weight loss techniques. The Healthy Moms program, which included weekly group support meetings and personalized nutrition advice, resulted in significantly less weight gain compared to a control group.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have mapped the binding sites and cellular expression patterns of regulatory factors in fruit flies, roundworms, and humans. The study identifies shared and distinct patterns across species, shedding light on how genes are turned on and off.
A study of 634 couples found that frequent marijuana use by both spouses predicted lower levels of intimate partner violence. The relationship between marijuana use and reduced partner violence was most evident among women without prior antisocial behavior.
A new Kessler Foundation study reveals that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can enhance their self-awareness through hands-on task experiences. Researchers found improved metacognitive knowledge and online awareness in participants, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive rehabilitation.
A study published by Kessler Foundation found small but significant differences in self-care and mobility at discharge among patients with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI), with non-Hispanic blacks showing less improvement compared to Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. The study used data from the Spinal Cord Injury Model System...
Researchers found that calcium build-up in coronary artery walls is a more useful indicator of heart disease risk in patients with CKD than traditional measures of atherosclerosis. The study suggests that this finding could help safeguard the heart health of millions of people globally who have chronic kidney disease.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that the Guiding Stars System brands items with zero, one, two or three star rating leads to a decline in sales of less healthy foods. Sales of healthy food purchases rose by 1.39% while 'junk food' sales fell by 8.31%. This trend may be due to consumers making healthier choices.
Stanford researchers found that targeted brain stimulation using optogenetics significantly improved motor ability and weight regain in mice affected by strokes. The study's findings have potential implications for developing new clinical therapies for stroke recovery, including the placement of electrical brain-stimulating devices.
Rettsyndrome.org has awarded $1.5 million to support translational research and launch of the neuro-habilitation therapeutic program, focusing on cognitive therapies, physical therapies, and speech therapies to aid in skill development in Rett syndrome. The grants also fund clinical research to identify effective pharmacologic treatments.
A study published in Cell reveals that the thalamic reticular nucleus acts as a 'switchboard' directing sensory signals during wakefulness and internal information during sleep. This 'switchboard' is crucial in attention and sleep, with faulty cells potentially disrupting filtering of information in psychiatric disorders.
A study examining Medicare hospice discharges found that nearly 1 in 5 patients were discharged alive, sparking concerns about cost-saving measures. The researchers also discovered significant variation in live discharge rates across states and individual hospices.
Researchers have developed a new approach to measuring early brain development of infants, resulting in more accurate whole brain growth charts. The study found that premature babies' brains grow faster, but may be smaller at 90 days post-delivery, highlighting the importance of inducing labor.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that competition can harm the creative output of female-led groups, but not male-led ones. Women contribute less to team creativity when teams are competing against each other, while men become more creative under similar conditions.
Nearly 40% of women engineers quit their jobs, citing poor workplace climates and mistreatment. Despite this, women who persisted showed no difference in confidence or skills. Organizations must recognize the importance of training, advancement, and work-life balance to retain female engineers.
Kessler Foundation researchers confirm that cognitive rehabilitation in MS maintains patterns of increased cerebral activation correlated with learning six months after memory retraining. The study's results support the long-term effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in individuals with cognitive impairment caused by MS.
Distracted teen driving is a significant concern, with parents playing a direct role in the problem. According to a new study, more than half of teens talk on cellphones with their parents while driving, despite warnings about the hazards of distracted driving.
Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD, received the American Psychological Association's Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology for her groundbreaking work on race relations. She has also led Spelman College to become one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges.
Researchers have deciphered how insulin binds to target cells, unlocking a protective hinge that triggers biological signals. This mechanism has attracted international study since the landmark 1969 elucidation of insulin's storage structure, enabling new molecular designs for safer and more effective insulin products.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine is a new open-access journal publishing peer-reviewed articles on cardiovascular disease diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis. The journal provides unrestricted access to current information for clinicians and medical educators worldwide.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified a link between the tumor-suppressive protein p53 and the rare developmental disorder CHARGE syndrome. The study found that p53 plays a crucial role in regulating cellular growth, and mutations in the gene can lead to CHARGE symptoms.
The article discusses the latest advances in assisted reproduction options for LGBT individuals, including gestational surrogacy and in vitro fertilization. It also explores the economic and legal implications of these options, highlighting the need for greater awareness and understanding among clinicians and policymakers.
JNEB has announced the 2014 Best Article and Best Great Educational Material (GEM) awards, recognizing authors who developed a curriculum to promote healthy eating habits and prevent childhood obesity. The winners include Amy Storfer-Isser and Dara Musher-Eizenman for their article on meal planning and preparation.
Children with autism have a relatively inflexible brain at switching from rest to task performance, leading to increased restrictive and repetitive behaviors. The study found that autistic brains showed reduced connectivity in key networks compared to typically developing peers.
Researchers analyzed fails-to-deliver trades and found they were not responsible for falling stock prices. Instead, the study showed that these trades had a net beneficial effect on market liquidity and reduced volatility.
A genetic screening test can predict which children with one of the most common childhood kidney diseases will respond to standard therapies, guiding treatment and improving clinical outcomes. The test was found to be more predictive than a kidney biopsy in identifying non-responders to immunosuppressive treatments.
A study by Columbia University School of Nursing found that NPs in Massachusetts have better relationships with physicians and administrators compared to those in New York State. The researchers recommend improving the practice environment for NPs in NY by promoting their role and providing opportunities for involvement in organization...
A new study by New York University found that a well-designed physical work environment can improve nurses' efficiency, teamwork, and communication, leading to higher job satisfaction. The study also revealed that this indirect impact on job satisfaction is associated with better patient outcomes.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that older Americans with multiple chronic medical conditions have shorter life expectancies. On average, a 75-year-old woman with five chronic conditions will only live to the age of 87.
Researchers at Yale University developed a diagnostic test to detect PD-L1 expression in early-stage breast cancers, with 60% showing high levels of PD-L1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. High levels predicted better survival rates for patients, suggesting an immune system's role in controlling these cancers.
A new study from UC San Francisco found that 60% of unstably housed HIV-infected or at-risk women experienced recent forms of violence. Researchers discovered social isolation may protect these women from danger, while psychiatric diagnoses increase the risk of violence.
Laura Carstensen, a renowned expert on socioemotional selectivity theory and life-span motivation, has been awarded the 2014 Robert W. Kleemeier Award by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Her research focuses on ways in which motivational changes influence cognitive processing.
New findings suggest that a lack of properdin can have major benefits in some situations, while others can be detrimental. The study shows that properdin controls the strength of the immune response by affecting macrophages during infection and inflammation.
A new study published in JAMA found a 24% overall decline in first-time strokes in the US over the last two decades, as well as a 20% drop in deaths after stroke. However, progress was limited among younger people, while older adults saw little change in mortality rates.
A multidisciplinary research team led by David Eckmann has successfully alleviated pulmonary inflammation in mice using targeted drug delivery with nanocarriers. The study, published in PLOS One, shows that steroids can access hard-to-reach lung endothelial cells and prevent inflammation.
The foundation has granted over $3.3 million to support the research of 16 early-career investigators pursuing novel ideas in cancer research. The recipients will focus on developing new treatments and understanding the underlying mechanisms of various types of cancers.
A survey of thousands of adult smokers in four countries found that larger, more graphic warning labels on cigarette packs increase the likelihood of quitting. Smokers who notice the warnings regularly are more likely to attempt to quit, even when trying to avoid seeing them.
A new chemical compound, KIRA6, has shown significant protection against degenerative forms of blindness and diabetes in rats and mice. The research offers a promising drug-development path for the diseases caused by cell loss and provides insights into the unfolded protein response (UPR) network.
Researchers found distinct bacterial communities in healthy and incontinent women, suggesting a potential link between bacteria and female urinary health. The study identified new bacteria not detected by standard culture techniques, which may contribute to the lack of response to conventional treatments for urinary incontinence.
A new Penn Medicine study shows that older adults (55+ years) who donate their kidneys have similar life expectancy and cardiovascular health as healthy, non-donating peers. The research provides reassurance to older individuals considering kidney donation.
Researchers present integrated approach incorporating pest identification, tracking, and management to mitigate contamination in open pond algae systems suitable for producing biofuel. The solution illustrates its use in cultivating a strain of algae with potential for biofuel production.
Researchers will analyze data from 6,000 patients with Alzheimer's and 5,000 elderly individuals without the disease to identify rare genetic variants that may protect or contribute to risk. The project aims to develop novel approaches to delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that underage drinkers between 18 and 20 years old are heavily exposed to magazine advertising for the alcohol brands they consume most frequently. The study suggests a relationship between exposure to alcohol ads and consumption of specific brands, particularly among young females.
Researchers will analyze whole exome and whole genome sequence data from 6,000 volunteers with Alzheimer disease and 5,000 older individuals without the disease to identify rare genetic variants. The goal is to search for therapeutic targets that might reduce the economic and human burden of this devastating disease.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) will present ten research awards and seven grants during its Annual Meeting. The highlights include the Young Investigator Grant to Perry R. Altman, MD, for new treatment options for knee injuries, and the O'Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award to Rick W. Wright MD and colle...
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and four other American universities will analyze genetic data from 6,000 individuals with Alzheimer's disease and 5,000 older individuals without the disease. The goal is to identify rare genetic variants that may protect against or contribute to the disease risk.
The ASN Foundation for Kidney Research has awarded $2.8 million in research grants to advance the understanding and treatment of kidney diseases. The grants support basic, translational, and clinical research to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine will analyze whole exome and genome sequence data from 6,000 volunteers with Alzheimer's disease to identify rare genetic variants. The goal is to find new therapeutic targets that can reduce the economic and human burden caused by this devastating disease.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will analyze genetic data from 11,000 individuals to identify rare variants that may protect or contribute to Alzheimer's risk. The goal is to illuminate the genetic architecture of Alzheimer's and discover therapeutic targets.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine will analyze genomic data from 11,000 individuals to identify rare genetic variants that may protect against or contribute to Alzheimer's disease risk. The study aims to uncover the biological pathways underlying the disease and potentially lead to novel therapeutic targets.
A new study identifies maladaptive coping behaviors as mediating pathways between stress exposure and insomnia development. Cognitive intrusion, self-distraction, behavioral disengagement, and alcohol/drug use were found to significantly contribute to the relationship between stress and insomnia.
Researchers from MGH have uncovered new information about genes that may increase the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. The studies identified a greater role for calcium signaling in regulating cardiac function and pinpointed specific genes involved in the biology of cardiac repolarization.
The review explores how RNA viruses induce Type I and III interferons, which regulate virus replication and host survival. Different types of interferons have distinct antiviral properties, playing a critical role in maintaining an optimum equilibrium between virus replication and host survival.