News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
This special issue of Disability and Health Journal explores the complex issues surrounding physician-assisted suicide, featuring articles from disability advocates who oppose legalization. The analysis highlights concerns about discrimination, health disparities, and the potential risks to people with disabilities.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a new compound capable of halting drug-resistant non-small cell lung cancers by targeting a specific protein defect. The pyrimidine WZ4002 has shown promise in restricting cell growth and impeding tumor growth in mice with resistant tumors.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association finds that deficiencies in DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, may contribute to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and ADHD. The research suggests that increasing DHA in the diet may help improve nervous-system function.
Researchers found that students who witness bullying are more likely to experience psychological distress than those who are bullies or victims. The study also suggested that witnessing bullying can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety in bystanders.
A new study reveals that nerve-cell transplants can promote nurturing growth factors, promoting the healing of an injured nervous system. The transplants helped brain-damaged rats fully recover their cognitive function, including learning and memory.
Researchers found that depressed women had no significant difference in weight loss success compared to non-depressed women. The key factor was attendance at a minimum of 12 sessions, regardless of depression status.
Researchers have identified two molecules, K and D, that stabilize brain circuitry development and enhance visual learning in mice. Removing these molecules can improve performance in visual tasks.
Research shows that early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin can cause more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone. Children exposed to high levels of both have a six times higher risk of persistent wheezing.
The Lupus Research Institute has awarded $3.6 million in grants to support innovative research on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The grants will fund studies on novel genes associated with African-American lupus, non-invasive assessment of lupus nephritis, and the role of nervous system networks in inflammation.
The American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) has inducted 11 new Fellows, including Riccardo Bellazzi and Andre Kushniruk, for their significant contributions to medical informatics. The ceremony honored Morris F. Collen, a pioneer in the field.
Patricia Berry, a renowned palliative care expert, has been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing for her significant contributions to nursing. She will work with other leaders to address healthcare issues and promote humane care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
A new weight control method called Health-At-Every-Size (HAES) has been found to be effective in reducing certain eating behaviors. HAES focuses on a healthy lifestyle rather than weight loss, with an emphasis on size acceptance and non-dieting.
Carbon monoxide may have therapeutic benefits in treating cancer, bacterial infections, and organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. Researchers aim to harness CO's powers to create new therapies with low-dose exposure.
Researchers have discovered a diet high in fat can accelerate spinal cord injury recovery, while stem cell implants pre-screened for immature cells show promising results. The findings offer new hope for the over one million people affected by spinal cord injuries in North America.
New research reveals how diet affects brain chemistry, influencing behavior and physiological changes related to obesity. Studies show that high-fat diets can lead to addictive-like behaviors, reduced insulin sensitivity, and impaired brain development in offspring.
Researchers from Yerkes National Primate Research Center are presenting on various topics, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and memory function. The study aims to improve human health by understanding the evolutionary specializations of the human brain and its relationship with neurological disorders.
A national study found that retirees who continue to work in a bridge job experience fewer major diseases and functional limitations than those who fully retire. People whose post-retirement jobs are related to their previous careers report better mental health.
The Gerontological Society of America presents its prestigious awards to recognize leadership in teaching and service, as well as outstanding research. This year's awardees include Barbara Berkman and M. Powell Lawton Award recipient, and the awards will be presented at GSA's 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.
Six outstanding students have been chosen as the newest recipients of the prestigious Hartford Doctoral Fellowship in geriatric social work. The program provides $50,000 dissertation grants and matching support to help fellows overcome obstacles and cultivate the next generation of geriatric social work faculty.
The hospital received a total of 69 grants across multiple departments, focusing on cancer research, cardiovascular diseases, and sleep apnea management. BIDMC scientists will investigate innovative methods to heal broken bones, develop new cancer therapies, and improve sleep health.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a key molecular player in guiding synapse formation in the brain, advancing understanding of brain development and potential approaches to countering brain disorders. The study also pinpoints the biochemical mechanism by which anti-seizure drug gabapentin works.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital are leading teams to develop stem-cell-based models of cardiovascular and blood disorders. The NHLBI grants will support the development of regenerative therapies for heart failure and other disorders.
Research suggests adolescents possess intellectual skills to make informed decisions about terminating a pregnancy but lack social and emotional maturity to control impulses. This immaturity mitigates their criminal responsibility, according to the study published in American Psychologist.
A recent study found that individuals who experienced violence at an early age are more likely to struggle with healthy romantic relationships and experience marital difficulties. The research highlights the importance of preventing domestic violence from childhood onward.
The Group Health Research Institute will receive more than $15 million in federal stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The institute's success rate for these competitive awards surpassed its typical rate of about 30 percent.
A recent study by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that possessing a gun during an assault increases the risk of being shot, rather than protecting against it. The study estimated that individuals with a gun were 4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault compared to those without a gun.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have successfully developed an artificial pore that can transmit double-stranded DNA through a membrane. The engineered channel was created by inserting the modified core of a nanomotor into a lipid membrane, allowing for the movement of single- and double-stranded DNA.
Researchers at WPI's Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center have received funding from the NIH and NSF to study the bacterium that causes tuberculosis and develop engineered blood vessels. The work aims to create new treatments for infections and heart disease, and could lead to targets for a new class of antibiotics.
A study found that childhood minimal change nephrotic syndrome can lead to lasting health effects, including osteoporosis and hypertension in adults. The condition may also cause reproductive problems, such as low sperm count and defective sperm.
A new mass spectrometry-based tool has been developed by University of Cincinnati experts, providing more precise and cost-effective data collection for drug discovery efforts. The novel application eliminates false-positive results and reduces reagent costs, saving substantial time and money.
A study found that working parents who have better work conditions are more likely to prepare home-cooked meals, eat with their family, and keep healthy food at work. Long hours and irregular schedules can lead to feelings of time scarcity, fatigue, and strain, affecting parents' ability to plan and prepare meals.
A new study found that healthy older brains are similar in size to those of younger individuals, contrary to previous findings. The research tested participants without neurological problems and used MRI scans to measure brain areas. Cognitive decline was measured by drops in performance on certain tests.
Ruggero Gabbrielli's new structure is composed of four different shapes that fit together, closer to natural foam structures than previous solutions. His method uses a partial differential equation and has sparked international interest among mathematicians and physicists.
A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has developed a new way to culture liver cells for drug toxicity screening, using a high-oxygen environment and serum-free medium. This method significantly improves the function of cultured liver cells, enabling them to predict the clearance rates of drugs with high accuracy.
A new study found that losing just one hour of sleep can pose serious consequences for workers in hazardous environments. The research, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, analyzed data from 1983 to 2006 and showed a 68% increase in lost work days after the switch to daylight saving time.
A recent study published in Journal of Management Studies found that employees who experience perceived injustices at work are more likely to suffer from psychological well-being damage and extreme emotional exhaustion. This can lead to decreased job commitment, increased turnover rates, and a general depletion in employee morale.
A study found correlations between video-game playing and health risks in adults, with female players reporting greater depression and male players having higher BMI. The study suggests a need for further research on how to use digital opportunities to promote health and prevent disease.
Researchers identified a mutated gene hDEC2 that allows individuals to thrive on six hours of sleep, and studied its impact on mice and fruit flies. The findings suggest that the gene modulates both sleep quantity and wakefulness-behavioral drive.
Children with lower self-control tend to have higher BMIs and more weight gain, according to a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics. Parents' attempts to restrict their child's food access can actually exacerbate the problem by making forbidden foods more attractive.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that while money may improve life's comfort level, it doesn't necessarily contribute to happiness or life's pleasant moments. A focus on psychological wealth can help people adapt to good and bad events, providing a more sustainable path to happiness.
According to renowned canine researcher Stanley Coren, dogs' mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years. Dogs can learn up to 165 words, including signals, and some breeds excel in specific areas such as working and obedience intelligence.
The APA task force identified numerous psychological barriers to climate change action, including lack of urgency and behavioral feedback. To overcome these barriers, the task force recommends using financial incentives, environmental regulations, and energy-efficient technology to spur people into action.
Researchers found that mental health generally improves with age, except for those with dementia-related diseases. Older adults tend to avoid negative situations and have a stronger sense of emotional control. Building strong social relationships is crucial for healthy aging, according to experts.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a common molecular pathway used by breast cancer stem cells and normal breast stem cells when reproducing. Increasing the levels of miR-200c suppresses their ability to divide and reproduce.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered an unexpected reservoir of immune cells called monocytes in the spleen, which are essential for recovery of cardiac tissue after a heart attack. The study found that these monocytes released from the spleen directly travel to the injured heart and participate in wound healing.
Researchers discover how androgen receptor switches to a new set of genes, leading to increased cell division and tumor progression. This finding may lead to the development of gene-targeted therapies to shut down the alternate growth program.
Researchers at PNNL developed acoustic tags to measure salmon survival rates and a hydro model to direct fish away from predators. These technologies aid in improving salmon passage at Columbia Basin's hydroelectric dams.
A new definition of major depressive disorder (MDD) suggests that only mood and cognitive symptoms are included, excluding somatic criteria. This revised definition was found to be highly concordant with the current version in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients, offering benefits such as reduced time needed for assessment and sh...
A $15 million NIH grant will support a five-year research consortium at Massachusetts General Hospital to study how the hepatitis C virus evades the immune system. The project aims to improve understanding of liver cell involvement in HCV infection and develop new treatments for chronic viral infections.
Dr. Huijing Xia, a postdoc at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has been awarded the American Physiological Society's Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiological Genomics for her research on ACE2, an enzyme that regulates blood pressure. The two-year fellowship will cover $37,000/year in stipend and trainee allowance.
Researchers discovered that GBS fools the immune system by reducing production of antibiotic molecules, allowing the bacteria to survive and proliferate. This understanding may lead to new targets for medical therapy to boost the immune system and clear GBS infection in critically ill newborns.
Research team finds that women's immune system activates more strongly in response to HIV-1, leading to higher levels of CD8+ T cell activation and faster disease progression. The study suggests that targeting this pathway may lead to new treatment strategies.
The Alzheimer's Association honored six researchers with lifetime achievement awards for their pioneering work in advancing Alzheimer's research. The awards acknowledged significant advancements in anti-dementia drug therapies and early detection, paving the way for defeating the disease.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have created fluorescent probes that can noninvasively image apoptosis in living tumors, allowing for the gauge of treatment effectiveness. The probes bind exclusively to caspases, enzymes regulating cell death, and respond with light emission, highlighting dying cells.
Researchers discovered that parents who encourage their children to participate in high-intensity team sports have more active kids. However, girls are less likely to engage in these activities and instead spend more time watching TV or engaging in moderate household chores.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a wide range of antibodies in healthy people and Alzheimer's patients that target protein aggregates, including those found in plaques. These findings suggest that these antibodies may play a role in slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A Stanford bioethicist and colleagues argue that the lack of federal regulation in genetic ancestry testing poses significant ethical concerns, including potential misuse and a lack of informed consent. The authors call for stronger oversight and industry standards to protect vulnerable groups.
A new study found that blood stem cell growth factor (GCSF) reversed memory impairment in mice with Alzheimer's disease by reducing beta amyloid deposits and promoting new neuron production. The treatment showed promising results in both bone marrow and brain, offering a potential therapy for the disease.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded $2.7M to seven young clinical investigators, providing three-year funding and Continuation Grants to support their cancer research programs. The recipients include Andrew L. Feldman, William Y. Kim, C. Ryan Miller, Vu H. Nguyen, Renier J. Brentjens, Patrick A. Brown, and others.
A study of biomarkers found that measuring known biomarkers slightly improves the ability to predict future heart attacks or strokes in healthy individuals. However, this improvement is not significant enough to change preventive therapies. The study suggests that new technologies may lead to personalized cardiovascular risk prediction.