News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A new study found that experiencing some lifetime adversity can contribute to the development of resilience, leading to lower global distress, functional impairment, and increased life satisfaction. Researchers analyzed a national sample of 2,398 subjects and discovered a U-shaped relationship between lifetime adversity and outcomes.
Children from lower-income households benefit more when their mothers enter the workforce, according to a comprehensive analysis of 50 years of research. The study found that mothers who returned to work soon after childbirth had little impact on their children's long-term well-being.
Ming T. Tsuang has been awarded the Lieber Prize for his groundbreaking research on schizophrenia, including identifying underlying causes of mental illnesses. His work aims to learn how to stop psychiatric disorders before they start.
Neil Chi, a UCSD cardiologist, has been awarded a $2.3 million NIH New Innovator Award to investigate the remarkable ability of zebrafish to regenerate their hearts. His goal is to develop regenerative therapy for humans using this process.
Researchers studied zebrafish brain activity to understand how the circadian clock and sleep affect synapse numbers, identifying a gene involved in regulating these changes. The study found that synaptic plasticity is recharged at night, benefiting memory and learning.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that sleep loss limits fat loss. When dieters got adequate sleep, they lost more than half of their weight as fat, but when they cut back on sleep, only one-fourth of their weight loss came from fat.
A new study examines the diets of American youth, finding that grain desserts, pizza, and soda are major sources of empty calories. The research highlights the need for a reduction in energy from current consumption levels and emphasizes the importance of changing the food environment to limit calories from these sources.
Recent studies have found that saturated fat has a limited impact on cardiovascular disease risk and that replacing it with other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and whole grains, may be more beneficial for heart health. The 'saturated fat is bad' paradigm is being reexamined by leading scientists.
The International Rett Syndrome Foundation has awarded $1.5 million in research grants to advance understanding of the disorder and develop treatments. These awards will support innovative studies on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying Rett syndrome.
Researchers at WUSTL will explore therapies and diagnostic tools for heart and lung diseases using nanotechnology. The project aims to improve treatment options for cystic fibrosis, acute lung inflammation, and atherosclerosis.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is leading a $16.5 million grant program to develop nanotechnology tools for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease. The center aims to utilize nanotechnology to better prevent and treat atherosclerosis, heart attack, and heart failure.
Studies presented at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO reveal that self-reported patient wait times significantly impact all measured aspects of the ambulatory patient experience. Additionally, incorporating physician extenders in outpatient otolaryngology practices can increase patient education, promote productivity, and im...
A crowdsourcing experiment, called the Challenge, has selected 12 pioneering ideas for attacking Type 1 Diabetes. These ideas were proposed by a diverse group of people, including patients, students, and researchers from various backgrounds.
The hospital is studying embryo, placenta and heart development, susceptibility to infection in newborns, and effects of intrauterine development on later outcomes. Researchers aim to improve care for vulnerable children by optimizing both the intrauterine and postnatal environment.
Researchers have developed an in vitro system to investigate hair-cell regeneration techniques, while studies also examine the presence of biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Disparities in healthcare access and utilization among children with ear infections were also found, highlighting the need for targeted interven...
Researchers presented findings on massive facial trauma from IED blasts, racial differences in head and neck cancer outcomes, patient compliance with voice rest, and advancements in cochlear implant technology. Optical coherence tomography was also used for intraoperative imaging in endocrine surgery.
A team of researchers at UC San Diego will study the impact of low oxygen levels on cells and tissue in the heart, lung, and brain. The study aims to understand molecular mechanisms that contribute to low oxygen tolerance or susceptibility in diseases such as stroke and pulmonary hypertension.
A team of researchers has identified a gene, MTHFD1L, that appears to increase the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study found individuals with the variation may be nearly twice as likely to develop the disease compared to those without the variation.
The UCSF Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology will investigate fundamental design principles of adaptation in cells using forward engineering and comparative genomics. The center's findings may lead to new therapeutic tools and the development of synthetic circuits that can trigger desired cellular responses.
A study by researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough found that using an inner voice helps individuals exercise self-control and resist impulsive decisions. The team conducted tests where participants were unable to verbalize messages to themselves, leading to increased impulsivity.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have found that deleting a certain gene in mice can improve their learning and memory abilities. The RGS14 gene, which is primarily active in one region of the hippocampus, appears to limit some forms of learning and memory when present.
A special issue of DNA and Cell Biology features undergraduate research projects that demonstrate the valuable contributions of young scientists. The studies showcase innovative approaches to bioluminescence testing, mutant gene mapping, telomerase regulation, and fruit fly metabolism.
The Society for Nutrition Education honored several members for their outstanding work in nutrition education, including Suzanne Pelican for her 'WIN the Rockies' program. Mary Murimi received the SNE Mid-Career Award for her contributions to nutrition education and her leadership roles within the organization.
The premier issue of Childhood Obesity aims to provide physicians, nurses, and policymakers with actionable content on environmental and policy changes, patient education, and clinical advances in the field. The journal features an editorial by US Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin and a series of essays on addressing childhood obesity.
A recent study funded by the Lupus Research Institute has discovered a link between an X-linked TLR7 gene variant and an increased risk of developing lupus in men. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides strong evidence that alterations in the TLR7 gene can promote lupus in humans.
A recent study by Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington found that 86% of patients agreed to share their de-identified genetic information in a federal database. The study suggests that researchers should ask for consent before sharing data, even if participants initially agree to it.
The Global Health Informatics Partnership (GHIP) aims to strengthen health informatics capacity in low-resource settings through collaborative initiatives. GHIP will build grassroots networks of health informatics advocates and professionals, enabling enhanced quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare services.
A team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis has found no evidence of nanodiamonds, a key component of the YD impact hypothesis, in sedimentary deposits dating to the Younger Dryas period. The discovery suggests that the catastrophic event thought to have killed off North American megafauna may not have occurred.
The George Pólya Prize recognizes Emmanuel Candès and Terence Tao's work on compressive sensing and matrix completion. Their algorithms enable efficient reconstruction of sparse, high-dimensional data with few measurements.
Researchers found that naringenin activates nuclear receptors, increasing fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting 'bad cholesterol' production. This compound mimics actions of existing drugs, offering a potential treatment for hyperlipidemia, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
A protein called APC plays a key role in synapse maturation, and dysfunction prevents the synapse function required for typical learning and memory. Mutations in genes related to neuroligin and neurexin are associated with autism, but little was known about their mechanisms at the synapse.
A study by the University of South Florida found that the rheumatoid arthritis signaling protein GM-CSF reduces AD pathology and eliminates memory loss in mice. The researchers suggest that GM-CSF boosts immune cells to remove Alzheimer's plaques, improving memory decline.
The CLASS Act has the potential to transform long-term care financing in the US by introducing a voluntary, federally administered insurance program. This program would provide middle-class Americans with the choice to plan ahead for personal care and supportive service needs.
The NYU Urothelial Biology Team has received a five-year, $8.2 million grant from the NIDDK to investigate bladder biology and diseases such as UTI. The team aims to understand how disease-causing bacteria interact with host urothelial cells, which is crucial for developing novel treatments for recurrent UTI and other urologic diseases.
New research finds that childhood trauma can lead to inflammation and cell aging, shortening lifespan by seven to 15 years. Adults who experienced childhood adversity continue to be at greater risk for health consequences even in later life.
A psychologist emphasizes that women's suicidal behavior patterns are culturally scripted, with women adopting self-destructive behaviors expected within their cultures. The cultural variability in suicidal behavior calls for 'culturally situated suicidality research and prevention,' according to Silvia S. Canetto.
A study by Karen Fingerman found that 68% of parents have at least one grown child with a problem, while only 49% say one is highly successful. Parents who had multiple high-achieving children reported better well-being, but having even one problematic child negatively impacted their mental health.
Researchers have identified a small number of genetic regions responsible for dogs' physical traits, which may hold clues to understanding human biomedical traits. The study found that only six or seven locations in the dog genome determine about 80 percent of differences in height and weight among breeds.
The University of Colorado College of Nursing has received a $753,817 grant to develop an innovative master's program in nursing leadership and healthcare systems. The i-LEAD program aims to prepare advanced practice nurses with expertise in providing high-quality healthcare in rural and medically underserved areas. The program will pr...
The book recounts Ellis's life, including his development of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), which helps individuals create healthy ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Ellis's principles and methods have influenced many fields, including cognitive therapy, coaching, and personal development.
Researchers discovered that patients with high levels of albuminuria have a significantly increased risk of developing acute kidney injury, highlighting the importance of monitoring kidney function. By recognizing these warning signs, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent preventable forms of acute kidney injury.
A Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research study found that participants who logged on to an interactive weight management website consistently maintained the most weight loss. Those who used the site at least once a month for two-and-a-half years kept off an average of nine pounds of their original weight loss.
Researchers developed a biophotonic imaging approach to monitor cellular transformations during apoptosis, providing a dynamic mapping of molecular changes. This allows for precise targeting of chemotherapy and improved understanding of disease progression.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which PPAR-gamma controls whole-body insulin sensitivity, potentially leading to more selective and safer diabetes medications. This finding may motivate pharmaceutical companies to revisit compounds targeting PPAR-gamma.
The new WUIDDRC aims to prevent and treat developmental disabilities in children through clinical and translational research, while also providing resources and services to families and the community. The center will focus on cerebral connectivity, genetics, and environmental influences, and collaborate with other IDDRCs in the Midwest.
A genetic test has been developed to predict which children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) are unlikely to benefit from standard chemotherapy. The test identifies patients whose leukemia cells harbor an intact TCR-gamma gene, who generally have a poor response to induction chemotherapy.
Researchers found that intensive auditory training improved sound perception and processing in aging rats, reversing aspects of normal cognitive decline. The study suggests that specially designed mental exercises may benefit people experiencing age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers at MGH Center for Regenerative Medicine found that reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain some characteristics of their cell of origin, which can both assist and complicate future uses. Cellular memories fade with successive generations.
A survey of over 1,900 physicians found that more than one-third did not agree that reporting incompetent colleagues is always necessary. Many physicians feel unprepared to deal with impaired or incompetent colleagues, citing reasons such as lack of knowledge about reporting obligations and fear of retribution.
Elke Rundensteiner, a WPI computer science professor, has received the HP Labs Innovation Research Award for her work on complex event stream analytics. The award provides funding for her project to develop advanced tools for extracting meaning from vast amounts of streaming data in real-time.
The University of California, San Diego will lead a seven-year, $9.2 million NIH grant-funded effort to study and understand the complete disease cycle of malaria in the Amazon basin. The goal is to comprehensively address the ongoing public health problem of malaria, which affects over 3 billion people worldwide.
The foundation named 18 new Damon Runyon Fellows for their innovative cancer research, including studies on gene regulation, immune response, and tumor development. The recipients will receive $156,000 each to pursue novel ideas.
A study found that genetic ancestry data correlates to physiologic measures, providing new evidence for personalized medicine. The research used genetic tools to estimate individual genetic ancestry and found a significant association between ancestry and lung function.
Scientists have mapped the herpes virus protein complex that allows it to invade cells, revealing a new target for antiviral drugs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapeutics to restrict herpes virus access to mammalian cells.
New research reveals that cellular changes in fat tissue, rather than the immune system, contribute to glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. The study found that a specific gene, protein kinase C-zeta, promotes inflammation in fat cells, leading to insulin resistance.
A new study found that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure and improve the health of blood vessels in patients with heart disease. Flavanols, found in foods like cocoa products, tea, and fruits, have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients.
A study found that depressive symptoms barely increase before diagnosis and remain stable after diagnosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest depression may be a contributing factor to the disease rather than an early sign.
A recent study conducted in the Seattle region found no association between air pollution exposure and increased risk of preeclampsia or preterm delivery. The research used data from 3,675 women enrolled in the Omega Study, which investigates diet and environment effects on health during pregnancy.
Research suggests that an authoritative parenting style is associated with a higher frequency of family meals, leading to better nutrition and eating behavior among adolescents. This style of parenting, characterized by responsiveness and clear boundaries, was found to have a positive influence on teenagers' dietary habits.
The foundation awarded grants to eight young clinical investigators to support their cancer research programs, with a focus on developing new treatments and improving patient quality of life. The awards total $3.1 million and will provide funding for three years, with some recipients also receiving continuation grants.