News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Researchers have created a new framework for analyzing key genetic variations that were previously overlooked. The study analyzed the genomes of 185 individuals and identified 22,025 deletions and 6,000 other structural variants.
A four-gene signature has been identified as a reliable predictor of metastatic prostate cancer, outperforming traditional methods in accuracy. The discovery could lead to the development of gene-based tests for determining prostate cancer's potential to spread.
Researchers propose using patterns of mild weight loss as an early-warning signal for underlying public health threats, such as disease epidemics or changes in child feeding practices. The study found that changes in the number of mildly undernourished children were more closely linked to child mortality than extreme cases.
Researchers analyzed 40 years of safety training studies to find that highly interactive training is most effective for improving safe work behavior in hazardous jobs. Less engaging training can also be effective when the risk of death or injury is low, according to the American Psychological Association.
Research suggests that dietary factors such as antioxidant intake, n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, and vitamin D status may contribute to the development of childhood asthma. A Mediterranean diet with high content of vegetables, fruits, and olive oil was found to be less likely to cause asthma symptoms.
A 12-week mindfulness meditation program shows measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, self-awareness, empathy, and stress. Increased grey-matter density was observed in areas important for learning and memory, as well as structures linked to compassion and introspection.
Mutations in INF2 gene are a major cause of autosomal dominant FSGS, leading to kidney failure. Screening for INF2 mutations may be warranted in patients with an autosomal dominant familial history.
Researchers at UNC Health Care discovered the Kaposi sarcoma virus produces a homolog protein that binds to cellular proteins, preventing inflammatory response and allowing the virus to evade immune system detection. The study highlights the virus's ability to lie dormant in the body over a lifetime by avoiding cell death.
A team led by Caroline Genco is studying the cellular mechanisms responsible for immune system activation and its link to chronic inflammation caused by persistent bacteria. The study focuses on two pathogens, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Porphyromanas gingivalis, which can lead to atherosclerosis and other systemic diseases.
Researchers identified a chaperone enzyme, Rad18, that plays a key role in accurate DNA repair, and a signaling protein, Cdc7, that ensures error-free repair. This discovery offers a promising new target for cancer therapies, potentially overcoming resistance to DNA-damaging treatments.
A letter in Intern Emerg Med sparked a debate among scientists about advising the public on safe drinking levels. While some argue that people can't distinguish between low and high consumption, others contend that moderate drinking may reduce stroke risk. Experts emphasize the need for balanced scientific data and personalized advice.
Four Dartmouth professors, including three from Medical School, were elevated to AAAS Fellows for their outstanding work in protein trafficking, cholesterol metabolism, and bacterial secretory protein translocation. This recognition honors the individual and interdisciplinary achievements of these scientists at Dartmouth.
The Healthy People Curriculum Task Force aims to promote integrated, seamless approaches to education for health, with a focus on interprofessional prevention education. The task force outlines key objectives to increase the inclusion of core clinical prevention and population health content in health professions education.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded grants totaling $1.9M to 12 early-career researchers conducting innovative cancer research. The fellowships provide independent funding to support novel projects and enable recipients to pursue careers in cancer research.
Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to reduce neurologic complications and improve outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury. The optimal approach to administering the treatment depends on individual patient clinical conditions.
Researchers have identified the molecular signals that influence circadian rhythms in organisms, including humans, mice, and fruit flies. The study reveals how cryptochrome protein interacts with light to regulate these rhythms.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that many cancer cells carry a protein called calreticulin (CRT), which signals circulating immune cells to engulf and digest them. This 'eat me' signal counteracts a separate 'don't eat me' signal, CD47, previously found in earlier studies.
The American Society of Hematology awards $100,000 to fellows and $150,000 to junior faculty for a two- to three-year research period. The 2011 Scholar Award recipients include Basic Research Fellow Omar I. Abdel-Wahab, MD, and Clinical/Translational Research Fellow Samantha M. Jaglowski, MD.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified over 2,000 genetic regions, called enhancers, that trigger gene expression in human embryonic stem cells. These enhancers play a crucial role in regulating cell-type-specific gene expression during early development.
A study by the University of California, San Francisco found that increased BPA exposure in women can lead to a 50% decline in fertilized eggs during IVF treatment. The researchers recommend reducing BPA levels through lifestyle and dietary modifications to minimize reproductive health risks.
Researchers at UCSF have identified that oligodendroglioma brain tumors arise from progenitor cells rather than neural stem cells. This distinction explains why these tumors are more responsive to therapy, unlike other brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme.
Mr Davis McCarthy has won a $150,000 scholarship to undertake a PhD at UC Berkeley, focusing on developing statistical analysis techniques to help biologists understand the mechanisms of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. He aims to make significant scientific contributions internationally.
Researchers found that two behavior change video games effectively lowered children's diet risks by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. However, the games did not significantly impact water intake or physical activity levels.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have adapted gene chip microarray technology to the study of glycans, using an approach called 'shotgun glycomics.' This technique allows for the separation and analysis of thousands of glycans, enabling researchers to test what sticks to them. The method has been used to identify a mo...
A recent study found that nearly half of youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are current smokers, increasing their risk for heart disease. Aggressive smoking prevention and cessation programs are needed to prevent or delay heart disease in this population.
Research suggests that moderate energy drink consumption can enhance behavioral control, but increased caffeine intake leads to decreased mental fatigue and impaired cognitive performance. Additionally, the study found that adolescents who consumed more caffeine had higher diastolic blood pressure and ate more high-sugar snack foods.
Children who grew up on farms with their mothers during pregnancy showed a reduced risk of developing atopic dermatitis in their first two years. The study identified specific genes linked to innate immunity that are associated with lower likelihoods of allergic conditions, providing new insights into the disease.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that perinatal bisphenol-A exposure may decrease fertility and fecundity in female mice. The researchers compared the effects of BPA to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and concluded that they were comparable, with low doses causing reproductive problems only when evaluated over mult...
A new report commissioned by The National Academy on an Aging Society finds that older adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy than those without the disease. The analysis, based on data from the Health and Retirement Study, reveals a significant increase in diabetes prevalence among boomers and seniors.
Research reveals that consuming caffeinated alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of heavy intoxication, intending to drive after drinking, and experiencing or committing sexual assault. The article highlights the need for systematic research into this growing public health problem.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a diet high in protein and low-Glycemic Index (GI) foods can help prevent weight regain. The study, which involved 772 European families, showed that those who followed a high-protein, low-GI diet had less weight regain than those on other diets.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables can help maintain kidney function in patients with reduced kidney function due to high blood pressure. Conversely, melatonin has been shown to improve short-term sleep quality in dialysis patients but does not provide long-term benefits.
A study of over 5,200 adults found that those with mildly decreased sodium levels had a higher rate of fractures, despite no difference in bone mineral density. Screening for low sodium concentration may be an important new strategy to prevent fractures.
Scripps Research scientists devise broad new technique for screening proteins, enabling efficient detection of functional sites. The method may have applications in basic research and drug development, allowing researchers to characterize unknown proteins and identify new functional sites on existing ones.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center presented findings on how a gene regulating dopamine affects communication between brain regions during memory tasks. They also explored the neural processing disrupted in neurological disorders like semantic dementia and stroke, as well as the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
A new study offers valuable insights into the complex brain circuitry involved in communication, shedding light on language difficulties such as stuttering. The research suggests that the brain's processing and production of sounds, as well as its handling of native and foreign accents, are critical factors in communication problems.
Researchers have identified the brain region responsible for the McGurk Effect, an auditory phenomenon where viewing lips moving out of sync with words creates a perception of other words. Synesthetes' brains show distinct structures and processes, indicating that synesthetic experiences are more idiosyncratic than previously thought.
Animal studies suggest that the stress response, immune system, and regulation of nerve cell signals may play important roles in depression. The findings highlight the need for new treatment targets and approaches to help those not responding to existing therapies.
Studies show that mild sensory stimulation can protect against brain damage and restore function after stroke, while aerobic exercise may help treat or prevent drug addiction. Additionally, physical fitness prior to injury can alleviate traumatic brain injury effects in mice.
The American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) has inducted eight new Fellows, who have made substantial and sustained contributions to the field of medical informatics. The incoming ACMI President, Jim Cimino, welcomed the new Fellows, praising their expertise in clinical practice, medical research, education, and patient care.
New human research suggests oxytocin influences feelings of well-being, sensitivity to advertising, trust, empathy, and reduces anxiety in stressed animals. Oxytocin is linked to happiness, resilient individuals are less likely to be depressed.
Researchers track how brains navigate and remember settings using video game-inspired technologies. Studies show that speed of exploration alters memories, while exercise in virtual environments improves stroke patients' arm function.
Dr. Don Detmer is recognized for his efforts to advance biomedical and health informatics through his work at AMIA. He emphasizes the importance of electronic health records in delivering high-quality care.
Yerkes researchers are presenting various studies on neuroscience topics including social bonding, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases and memory. Researchers like Larry Young, Leonard Howell and Yoland Smith are sharing their findings on oxytocin, stimulant addiction and cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston identified a novel human pain gene, α2δ3, associated with different sensitivity to acute and chronic pain. Minor variations in this gene were found to be linked to reduced pain sensitivity, while certain polymorphisms were also associated with increased risk of chronic pain.
Eight outstanding students have been awarded prestigious Hartford Doctoral Fellowships in geriatric social work to focus on their dissertation research projects. The fellowships provide $50,000 grants and matching support to cultivate the next generation of geriatric social work faculty.
A new consensus on TBI and PTSD establishes common language, measurement, treatment, and potential outcomes, promoting greater consistency and collaboration among researchers. The set of papers provides recommendations for clinical research on TBI and psychological health, aiming to advance the field.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that campus-community interventions were successful in reducing college drinking. The Safer California Universities study showed significant declines in intoxication rates, with students from intervention universities being 6-15% less likely to drink to intoxication...
The study reveals the discovery of superficial interneurons, a type of inhibitory neuron that blocks communication about large stimuli, allowing small prey to be detected. The findings provide insights into the neural basis of tracking prey and offer new perspectives on brain function.
The study found significant benefits of Tai Chi for individuals with arthritis, including improved pain, fatigue, stiffness, and sense of well-being. Participants showed moderate improvements in physical function performance measures, such as timed chair stands and gait speed.
Researchers have discovered two new compounds that target neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype α3β4* to treat both alcohol and nicotine dependence. The compounds significantly decreased alcohol consumption in rodents without affecting their sucrose intake.
A research team led by Elise Stanley found that N-type Ca2+ channels can trigger neurotransmitter release with a single channel. This discovery sheds light on the molecular basis of neural impulse transmission and has implications for normal brain processing and nervous system disorders.
A special issue of Ecopsychology explores how women's interactions with nature affect their sense of self, body image, and environmental drive. Women who spend time in natural settings tend to have better body images and distance themselves from societal beauty standards.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that the Medicare Part D program's payment system creates perverse incentives for insurance companies to raise premiums in the low-income market. This results in millions of patients being reassigned to different drug plans, causing them financial and logistical hardship.
This biography provides fresh insights into Teller's motivations, relationships, and driven personality, drawing from archival material and interviews with prominent figures. It offers a nuanced understanding of the complex scientist behind the 'Father of the H-Bomb' label.
Researchers have elucidated the atomic structure of a major cell signaling pathway, revealing how it converts molecular signals into cellular responses. The study's findings have implications for understanding cancer and developing new treatments.
Dialysis patients with little social support are more likely to ignore doctors' orders, experience a poorer quality of life, and die prematurely. Strong social networks are important for maintaining dialysis patients' health.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that new mothers' brains grew in areas linked to motivation and behavior, particularly in those who showed intense affection for their babies. The researchers suggest that this growth may be due to hormonal changes after birth, which trigger active brain building.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine questions the foundation of placebo-controlled trials, citing a lack of standardization and regulation for placebo ingredients. The researchers found that only 10% of cases disclose the makeup of placebos, leading to potential biases in study results.
New studies by Michigan Medicine's Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit found no increase in the number of nurse practitioners and physician assistants entering pediatric care, despite overall increases. Healthcare systems need to rethink future plans as they transition to caring for an aging population.