News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Two pioneering online biology video sites have merged to create a new platform offering world-class biologist videos for free. The new site features an expanded 'iBioEducation' section with microscopy courses, lecture series, and assessments for educators, reaching over 1.4 million views across 180 countries.
A global consensus has been reached on contact lens discomfort (CLD), with the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop report outlining key factors contributing to its generation. The findings suggest that CLD affects up to half of all contact lens wearers and highlight the need for innovative research in this field.
Researchers analyzed over 1.5 million people's personality traits and demographics to identify three distinct geographic areas with unique characteristics, including friendly and conventional regions versus relaxed and creative states.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has awarded $10.5 million to seven researchers to advance their studies in stem cell biology and neuroscience. The new NYSCF – Robertson Investigators will receive funding over five years to expand their laboratories and train other scientists.
Researchers studied over 4,000 Kaiser Permanente patients who underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss to determine the factors leading to remission of metabolic syndrome. Women, non-Hispanic whites were more likely to experience metabolic syndrome subside than Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks.
A study of 1,789 women aged 50+ found that 12.2% are satisfied with their body size, which is associated with better overall functioning and fewer eating disorder symptoms. Despite this, many satisfied women still report dissatisfaction with other aspects of their appearance.
A study found that behavioral therapy provided chair-side to kidney failure patients during dialysis significantly reduces depression scores and improves quality of life. The treatment group experienced greater improvements in fluid intake between sessions, making subsequent treatments more efficient.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered that recombinant human prion protein inhibits the propagation of prions, which cause fatal brain diseases. The study's findings have significant implications for treating prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and mad cow disease.
Dr. Vivian Budnik is studying a novel mechanism of communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm, called nuclear envelope budding, which may lead to new understandings for various tissue dystrophies and aging disorders. Understanding this process could provide insights into diseases such as muscular dystrophies and Herpes virus-type ...
Early research shows that an investigational norovirus vaccine can reduce the main symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, such as vomiting and diarrhea, by 52 percent. The vaccine targets two common genotypes of norovirus and appears to be well-tolerated.
A study led by researchers at Mount Sinai found that individuals with autism were more likely to have gene deletions than those without the disorder, which may contribute to miswiring of brain neurons. The study suggests that these deletions could impact genetic testing and have clinical significance.
Kessler Foundation collaborates with VA New Jersey Health Care System on a $761,222 grant to examine cognitive fatigue in Gulf War veterans using fMRI. The study aims to establish the set of brain regions critical to fatigue and develop treatments. Cognitive fatigue affects 25% of veterans, impacting daily life.
A new study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that employees who had autonomy over their lunch activities were less tired at work. Relaxing activities freely chosen by workers led to reduced fatigue, while socializing with colleagues increased it.
Scott Hansen, a Scripps Research Institute scientist, has won the NIH New Innovator Award to study mechanosensation, particularly touch and hearing. The award provides $2.8 million in research funding over five years to explore the molecular mechanisms behind sensing touch.
A new study found that when ICUs are busy, doctors discharge patients more efficiently without negatively impacting patient outcomes. This suggests that strained resource settings prompt providers to critically re-evaluate patient needs and transfer patients who can be managed outside the ICU.
An observational study found that estradiol was associated with less risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli compared to conjugated equine estrogens. Women prescribed estradiol had fewer adverse vascular events than those prescribed Premarin, a patented drug.
A 12-week yoga class and home practice reduced insomnia in postmenopausal women, while exercise showed similar benefits. However, yoga did not impact hot flashes or night sweats.
Researchers have discovered that mucus in the large intestine has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to prevent bacterial-induced inflammation. The study proposes that mucus could be used to treat various diseases, including IBD and cancer, and may even be manufactured for oral administration.
A recent study examining the health of kidney donors has found that complications and hospital length-of-stay have declined since 1998. The researchers studied over 69,000 living kidney donors between 1998 and 2010, finding that rates of complications and length-of-stay for donors were comparable with other low-risk abdominal surgeries.
TNO researchers Alexander Toet and Maarten Hogervorst win the Rudolf Kingslake Medal for their work on statistical mapping approach for night-vision applications. The paper presents an overview of their progress in achieving color constancy and computational simplicity.
The University of California, San Francisco will conduct multidisciplinary research to inform the FDA's regulation of tobacco products. The UCSF center will focus on seven areas, including risk perceptions and cardiovascular effects, to develop evidence-based policies to curb the global tobacco epidemic.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reinforces the value of colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer prevention. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 90,000 people and found that colonoscopy lowered cancer-occurrence rates in both the distal and proximal sections of the colorectum.
A study suggests that shark populations are declining due to commercial fishing, leading to a decrease in herbivorous fish that promote reef health. This has fundamental effects on the structure of food chains and ecosystem resilience.
A pilot study shows that comprehensive lifestyle changes can increase telomere length by up to 10%, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The study, conducted over five years, involved 35 men with prostate cancer who followed a plant-based diet and engaged in moderate exercise, stress reduction, and social support.
Stanford researchers have identified a molecular pathway involved in diabetes development and found an approved cancer drug that can regulate it. The drug, aflibercept, works by blocking the growth of blood vessels into tumors and starving them of oxygen, which has beneficial effects on blood glucose levels.
A genetic variant on chromosome 2 is strongly linked with kidney failure in diabetic women, but not in men. Diabetic women with the risk variant had a nearly two-fold increased risk of developing kidney failure compared to those without it.
The Entomological Society of America has named winners of the 2013 student travel grants to attend the Annual Meeting in Austin. The grants, funded by USDA-NIFA, provide financial support for graduate students in entomology.
The Entomological Society of America has awarded Monsanto Research Grants and Student Travel Awards to three students: Chelsea Wright, María Cristina Carrasquilla, and Chandra Moffat. The grants will fund their research projects on vector-borne diseases, entomology ecology, and host-associated differentiation.
The Entomological Society of America recognized Elina Lastro Niño, Kumaran Nagalingam, Lisa Overall, and Paul Michael Bardunias with various awards for their research and contributions to the field of entomology. The winners were announced at the 2013 ESA meeting.
A new gene-expression-based biomarker, the Breast Cancer Index (BCI), accurately identifies patients at continued risk of breast cancer recurrence after five years of treatment. The BCI distinguishes between high and low-risk patients, enabling prolonged treatment for those who remain at risk and avoiding unnecessary side effects.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a new way to manipulate the immune system that may keep it from attacking the body's own molecules in autoimmune diseases. The study discovered a distinctive type of immune cell called eTAC, which puts a damper on immune responses and prevents autoimmune diabetes in mice.
A Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study found that a fish oil compound protected brain cells from inflammation and cell death in rats exposed to high levels of alcohol. This finding could support the use of fish oil as a potential preventive measure for alcohol-related dementia.
Researchers have discovered a process defective in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a leading cause of kidney failure. Induced pluripotent stem cells from patients were reprogrammed to study human kidney disease mechanisms, revealing a potential therapeutic strategy by correcting a protein defect.
A new study by the American Psychological Association finds that people who cheat without causing harm experience an emotional boost, contrary to expectations. The research involved over 1,000 participants and revealed that cheating can lead to feelings of satisfaction, even when the payoff is small.
A matched-peer controlled study found that an outside mentoring support program increased the number of peer-reviewed research publications, federal grants, and professional activities among minority-serving science faculty members. The program showed significant results in advancing academic interests.
Researchers developed a collagen patch that speeds up generation of new cells and blood vessels in damaged heart tissue, reducing tissue damage and improving cardiac function. The patch replaces the epicardium, the outer layer of heart tissue, allowing for growth of new tissue and improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
A blood test developed by MGH researchers can detect levels of mutant huntingtin protein, which causes Huntington's disease. The assay uses HTRF technology and may predict symptom onset or progression.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women with low adiponectin levels prior to pregnancy are nearly seven times more likely to develop gestational diabetes. Low adiponectin levels were also linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF uncovered a molecular process causing neurons to degenerate, a hallmark of conditions like Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The study used human stem cells with genetic mutations, allowing for the comparison of diseased and healthy neurons.
A Cedars-Sinai researcher has been awarded $5.18 million to advance stem cell technologies in segmental bone defects. The team aims to develop a novel approach to treat the condition without grafting bone, using stem cells and ultrasound to deliver a bone-forming gene.
A new study found that adults who engage in moderate physical activity up to two and a half hours a week do not increase their risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. The study also found no association between race, sex, or body weight and the risk of knee osteoarthritis.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) awarded a total of $34,500 to 42 researchers selected for the 2013 Annual Meeting Abstract Awards. The awards recognized outstanding abstracts in seven categories and honored top-rated research in radiation and cancer biology, clinical practice, and radiation physics.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded Rozalyn M. Anderson the 2013 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award for her work on how metabolism contributes to disease vulnerability, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The award is presented at GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded Markus H. Schafer, Kenneth F. Ferraro, and Sarah A. Mustillo for their innovative publication on aging and life course development, which analyzes the mechanisms of cumulative inequality theory and its relevance to audiences beyond gerontological scholars.
A long-term study of 240 grandmothers caring for their grandchildren found that these caregivers experience persistent depressive symptoms and strain on their health. Researchers suggest that grandmothers may benefit from resourcefulness training to reduce depressive symptoms.
Researchers analyzed anatomical connectivity in the brains of subjects with Alzheimer's disease and healthy older individuals, finding widespread network disruptions. The study also identified asymmetry in the proportions of fibers connecting left and right cortical regions, which may worsen as the disease progresses.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes develop method to reprogram human fibroblasts into beating heart cells using a cocktail of five genes. The transformation has the potential to regenerate damaged heart muscle and could revolutionize treatment for heart attacks.
Two studies found that vedolizumab resulted in remission and reduced use of prednisone for patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The medication blocks immune system cells that trigger inflammation, reducing side effects commonly associated with other treatments.
A multicenter prospective clinical study is investigating the effects of chromosomal abnormalities found prenatally through microarray analysis on developmental delays and birth defects. Researchers aim to share genetic variances with parents during pregnancy, providing them with detailed genetic counseling.
Researchers have developed a new method using inertial sensors to accurately measure horse movement and detect lameness and Wobblers disease. This allows for better analysis of movement patterns in horses with lameness and enables veterinarians to monitor diagnostics and rehabilitation outside the gait lab.
A UCSF team discovered that a chemical found in an anti-wrinkle cream can increase mutant PINK1 enzyme activity to near normal levels, reversing cell death caused by Parkinson's-disease mutations. This finding suggests potential for new treatment strategies and raises hope for combatting other diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
A health risk score called the Rothman Index, calculated from routine electronic medical records data, can predict hospital readmission. It may help lower repeat hospitalization risk by identifying patients at high risk and providing a practical tool for clinicians to target hospital programs and supports.
A new study finds that obesity is responsible for 18% of deaths among Black and White Americans aged 40-85, nearly triple previous estimates. The condition's impact on mortality varies by age, birth cohort, sex, and race.
Researchers have found that specific DNA sequences in enhancers affect gene activity, enabling the design of synthetic DNA for gene therapy. This discovery may advance efforts to treat diseases using gene and cell therapies.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests a 'flexible hub' theory of brain function, where the fronto-parietal network coordinates processing among specialized networks for novel cognitive tasks. This allows for rapid learning and adaptation, enabling humans to switch between different skills learned in different contexts.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that macrophage proliferation within plaques drives the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. This challenges the previous assumption that monocytes are solely responsible for plaque development.
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior announces the Best Article Award winners for their research on people's interpretation of healthy eating. A curriculum to prevent childhood obesity was also recognized as a best practice in nutrition education.
Researchers developed a technique called pE-MAP to map thousands of interactions between an enzyme's molecular components, allowing them to predict its behavior. The study reveals patterns that can help understand how mutations in enzymes like RNAPII lead to specific disease states.
A new non-invasive test may be more effective in promoting colorectal cancer screening among uninsured patients than a traditional colonoscopy. The test, fecal immunochemical test (FIT), was shown to triple participation rates compared to usual care strategies.
Research found that multiracial people are more likely to be misidentified as white rather than black and value being accurately identified. Multiracial participants were more interested in meeting partners who had accurately identified them, while single-race people had similar negative reactions to being misidentified.