News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Researchers found that gestational brain changes cause behavioral problems later in life, similar to the human disease. The UB study proposes a genomic explanation for schizophrenia, identifying the Integrative Nuclear FGFR 1 Signaling pathway as a central intersection point.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that gene therapy improves vision in patients with Leber congenital amaurosis, but also advances retinal cell degeneration. The research provides a more nuanced understanding of the disease and its treatment.
Researchers found individuals with schizophrenia have shorter life expectancy due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Women with schizophrenia were particularly vulnerable, facing a threefold higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 1.7 times greater chance of cancer-related death.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that patients receiving Guided Care rated their care quality higher than those in regular primary care, with 66% more likely to access telephone advice as excellent or very good.
A study published in Medical Care suggests that attempting to correct false beliefs about health care reform can backfire among individuals with positive views of Sarah Palin and high levels of political knowledge. The researchers found that more aggressive fact-checking increased misperceptions and opposition to the Affordable Care Ac...
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital finds reduced local and long-range brain activity coordination in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Local connectivity was previously thought to be higher in autistic brains, but the current research reveals a more complex connection between brain regions.
Researchers developed an imaging system enclosed in a capsule about the size of a multivitamin pill that creates detailed, microscopic images of the esophageal wall. The system has several advantages over traditional endoscopy and reveals subsurface structures not easily seen with endoscopy.
A special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Zebrafish highlights the development and implementation of student-led, inquiry-based active learning opportunities. The research articles focus on new curricula that emphasize process-oriented learning and scientific literacy.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University discovered that male wasp females are marked by pheromone transfers from the tip of their antennae when approaching potential mates. This marking system allows males to quickly identify high-quality females and establishes a mating advantage, while deterring rival males from approaching.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 80% of teachers reported being victimized at school at least once in the past year, with 44% experiencing physical attacks. The authors recommend a national registry to track incidents and standardized licensure requirements for educators.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects heart muscle thickness and can lead to arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Stanford researchers used stem cells to study the molecular basis of the condition, finding that calcium processing is a key factor in its development.
A study of an isolated Bolivian society found that five widely accepted personality traits may not be universal, instead revealing a unique 'Big Two' structure including prosociality and industriousness. Researchers suggest expanding beyond Western populations to better understand personality development.
A study published in Cerebral Cortex found that brain changes associated with common gene variants linked to disorders like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia can be seen in newborns. These findings suggest that prenatal brain development may play a significant role in shaping psychiatric risk later in life.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has awarded two research grants to Group Health, a learning health system in Washington state, totaling $40.7 million. The projects focus on developing tools to improve care for back pain and connecting patients with community resources.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a non-invasive MRI-based algorithm to screen patients for Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The method, published in Neurology, accurately differentiated cases 75 percent of the time and showed comparable accuracy to lumbar puncture tests.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes mapped CMV's molecular mechanism to understand its successful infection. The 'accelerator circuit' helps maintain optimal levels of toxic IE2 protein.
A new study found that six months of steroid treatment didn't reduce relapse rates or side effects in children with nephrotic syndrome, challenging previous assumptions about optimal treatment strategies. The research highlights the need for new treatment strategies to prevent frequent relapses in this disease.
Scientists studying a rare meteorite from the outer asteroid belt discovered it has a unique, diverse composition, shedding light on the asteroid's surface processes. The Sutter's Mill meteorite is an ideal sample for preparing cosmochemists for upcoming space missions.
Retaining certain compounds normally excreted by the kidneys can cause insulin resistance in kidney disease patients. Treating mice with a prebiotic reduces these compound levels, preventing insulin resistance and related lipid abnormalities.
A defective protein called gigaxonin has been discovered as the cause of a rare and lethal childhood disease, giant axonal neuropathy (GAN). The protein plays a critical role in degrading intermediate filaments in nerve cells, leading to massive aggregations that disrupt normal functioning.
Bioengineers at UC Berkeley developed CellScope, a mobile phone-microscope that can be used in developing countries and classrooms. The device is being tested for educational outreach, allowing students to take macroscopic and microscopic pictures of objects in their homes and environments.
Sebastian Valanko's PhD thesis investigates dispersal strategies and mechanisms of benthic invertebrates, shedding light on their importance for recovery after disturbance. Understanding dispersal patterns is key to interpreting changes in diversity across different spatial scales, enabling better conservation and management decisions.
Researchers found that patients with a family history of colorectal cancer are more likely to develop tumors with low-level methylation of LINE-1, a molecular sign associated with an aggressive form of the disease. Testing for this sign may help identify patients in need of aggressive treatment and inform familial cancer-risk assessments.
Scientists create medical needles that easily penetrate surfaces and resist buckling, as well as next-generation medical adhesives. The discovery is based on the unique geometry of porcupine quills, which enable them to penetrate tissue with ease while maintaining high adhesion.
Researchers found that older adults who reported better well-being had higher education, cognitive function and lower depression levels. The study suggests an optimistic approach to caring for seniors can help reduce ageism and improve outcomes.
Researchers identify β-hydroxybutyrate as a key compound in protecting cells from oxidative stress, potentially slowing aging and age-related diseases. The discovery reveals a new avenue for treating or preventing conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, autism, and traumatic brain injury.
Researchers found that protected sleep periods increased time slept while on call by 50% and decreased overall time awake, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue. The study provides evidence that young doctors value the importance of sleep and are looking for ways to increase performance to better treat patients.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that increases in personal income are crucial for happiness worldwide. Rising incomes that coincide with higher optimism are key to well-being, and material possessions play a significant role in this relationship.
Kessler Foundation marks 20 years of promoting inclusivity and accessibility through rehabilitation research and training. Researchers collaborate with global partners to develop innovative interventions for people with disabilities, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and brain injury.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a master regulator of epidermal differentiation, a complex process in skin development. The newly discovered molecule, TINCR, plays a unique role in directing precursor cells down specific developmental pathways by binding to and stabilizing messenger RNAs.
Four University of Cincinnati faculty members, including President Santa Ono and professors Bruce Ault, Prabir Bhattacharya, and Alvaro Puga, have been named AAAS Fellows for their contributions to science and research. The university now has 24 faculty members who are AAAS Fellows.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a key underlying process implicated in MS, offering new hope for therapies to treat the disease. The discovery reveals that a protein called fibrinogen sets off an immune response in the brain, leading to nerve cell damage and debilitating symptoms.
Treatment with SIRT2 inhibitor AK-7 reduced neurodegeneration and behavioral symptoms in two animal models of Huntington's disease. The study showed improved motor function, brain structure preservation, and extended survival in treated animals compared to untreated controls.
A multidisciplinary group of scholars at Johns Hopkins University aims to develop guidelines for fair access to good food, addressing disparities in global nutrition. The project seeks moral common ground among experts and stakeholders from various fields.
African Americans experience faster progression of chronic kidney disease in later stages compared to other races. Screening for microalbuminuria is cost-effective for African Americans with diabetes or hypertension, improving care and reducing kidney failure risk.
Loyola University Chicago has received more than $10 million in funding from the American Heart Association for cardiac research. The latest award of $60,666 will support vital research studies to build lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
A University at Buffalo study examines maar craters, finding that their shape and ejecting distance are more accurate measures of an eruption's force. The findings could help scientists estimate the size of future volcano eruptions.
A recent study by IkerRos found that students at co-operative schools display the greatest engagement, while those at public schools show the lowest. The study also reveals differences in engagement based on sex and age, highlighting the importance of organizational development and teacher-student interaction.
Researchers developed reverse dynamization, which accelerates healing of large segmental bone defects by varying stiffness levels. This approach showed promising results in rat models, with improved bone mineral content and mechanical strength compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a substance in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with primary hypersomnia, a disabling and poorly understood sleep disorder. Treatment with flumazenil has restored alertness in some patients, suggesting a potential new approach to therapy.
The foundation has awarded $400,000 grants to researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to identify subsets of AML cells resistant to chemotherapy. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and The University of Chicago will receive $400,000 to study a new type of AML.
Researchers have developed new tiny probes called BRIGHTs that bind to biomarkers of disease and light up to reveal their location when swept by an infrared laser. These probes, made of gold nanoparticles with Raman reporters, create an electromagnetic hotspot that boosts the reporters' emission by a factor of nearly a trillion.
Drs. Christophe Benoist and Diane Mathis were awarded the 2012 Naomi Berrie Award for their contributions to understanding type 1 diabetes. They elucidated key immunological mechanisms, including T-cell priming and central tolerance, which may lead to prevention or reversal of the disease through immunization.
The NIH awards a five-year contract of up to $19.4 million to the Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center (MaHPIC) at Emory University to study malaria parasite interactions with human and animal hosts. The project will integrate data from various research areas, including metabolomics, lipidomics, and mathematical modeling.
Researchers identified a common gene variant that influences the circadian clock, affecting people's sleep-wake patterns and even predicting their mortality time. The variant affects approximately an hour of daily rhythm, with those having the AA or AG genotype dying earlier in the day.
Online role-playing game developers can increase player loyalty by providing gamers with more opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and character ownership. The study found that strategies such as cooperative play and guilds built loyalty and social identity among players.
This study analyzed data from over 1.3 million middle-aged women in the UK, finding that moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of lymphoid malignancies. Smoking, on the other hand, was linked to an increased risk of these cancers.
Research reveals that genes involved in glutamatergic transmission are associated with an increased risk of depression. Drugs targeting the glutamate system may help improve current antidepressant treatment outcomes.
A study found that US women who can produce the compound equol experience larger reductions in menopausal vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, when consuming more soy. Equol has been linked to reduced symptoms in Japanese women and postmenopausal women taking supplements containing it.
Researchers found that L-DOPA can compensate for lost dopamine in motor pathways, improving symptoms. However, it also increased dopamine in reward pathways, which may have unanticipated effects on emotion and attention.
A novel blood test detects and monitors brain cancer biomarkers using nanotechnology and NMR technology, offering a promising diagnostic tool for glioblastoma multiforme patients. The study demonstrates excellent detection accuracy and potential for quick results from small blood samples.
Kessler Foundation stroke expert Dr. A.M. Barrett has received a $145,000 grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey to study hidden disabilities after stroke. The research aims to improve care for stroke survivors and their healthcare providers in Newark, NJ.
Researchers found that adding fruits and vegetables can reduce metabolic acidosis and preserve kidney function in CKD patients. Poor dietary habits and poverty are also linked to an increased risk of kidney disease, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in care.
A study found that women who mastered weight-maintenance skills before embarking on a diet shed the same number of pounds as those who started immediately. These 'maintenance-first' women had regained only 3 pounds on average a year later, compared to the average 7-pound gain for immediate dieters.
Researchers at Gladstone and Stanford Institutes develop new tactic for treating neurodegenerative conditions like ALS by hijacking gene Dbr1 to reduce toxic TDP-43 levels. This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for treating devastating diseases.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have devised an efficient and safer way to make induced pluripotent stem cells by using just proteins that encode genes. The study identifies a critical component in how these cells transform, which could pave the way for their use in humans.
A study found that aspirin use significantly improves survival rates for patients with a specific gene mutation, but has limited impact on those without. The study suggests a new genetic marker to predict therapy effectiveness.
According to new Institute of Medicine guidelines, almost all Americans with healthy kidneys will have sufficient vitamin D levels if their blood levels are above 20 ng/ml. This translates to approximately 78.7 million adults who previously required supplementation no longer needing it.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ustekinumab increased clinical response and remission in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's Disease. The treatment was shown to decrease debilitating symptoms such as diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, and weight loss.
Research highlights sleep's role in shaping memory, learning, and behavior, with implications for dementia, obesity, and mental health. Sleep deprivation poses significant risks to these areas, emphasizing the importance of a good night's rest.