News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School have identified a target for an antibody-based HIV-1 vaccine by revealing the structure of a key surface protein. The discovery may help overcome challenges in developing a vaccine due to the virus's envelope protein variations and sugar molecules.
A study has identified a chromosomal abnormality on chromosome 16 that appears to increase the risk of autism by 100-fold. The deletion or duplication of this segment was found in 5% of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, but not in unaffected parents.
Researchers developed a novel anticancer strategy targeting PI-3 kinases, which are crucial for cancer cell growth and survival. The compound, SF1126, showed efficacy in seven types of tumors in mice and is being tested in human clinical trials.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that the immune system plays a role in sculpting away unwanted synapses in the developing brain. The finding could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
A Mayo Clinic study found that Ossur's Miami J and Philadelphia collars are the most restrictive, reducing pressure ulcers while maintaining effective spinal immobilization. The study suggests Ossur's products may reduce the risk of pressure ulcers without compromising care for trauma patients.
The foundation has committed over $200 million to support cancer researchers since its inception. Seventeen new Damon Runyon Fellows were named for their innovative projects in basic and translational cancer research.
Matt Stremlau's research identified the factor responsible for blocking HIV-1 infection in Old World monkey cells, providing insights into innate immunity to viruses. The protein TRIM5alpha causes the rapid disassembly of the viral capsid core, rendering the virus ineffective.
Two studies show that increasing Quitline services and offering free nicotine patches significantly increase quit rates, with over 21% of smokers quitting after intensive counseling. The added cost is offset by increased effectiveness, making these services a cost-effective way to reduce smoking rates.
A meta-analysis of 46 studies on telecommuting involving 12,833 employees found that flexible work arrangements result in higher morale, lower employee stress, and improved performance ratings. The study also showed that women may derive greater benefits from telecommuting, with improved career prospects and better work-life balance.
A National Academy report attributes gender inequality in academia to unconscious biases and archaic university structures. The editorial advocates for educating the academic community about unconscious bias and reforming the tenure system to promote women's career growth.
The Gerontological Society of America has chosen Qitao Ran to receive the award for his contributions to new knowledge about aging through basic biological research. The award is traditionally presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting the following year, where Ran will give a lecture on his work.
Children entering kindergarten with strong elementary math and reading skills are more likely to succeed in school, according to a recent study. Early attention-related skills also played a significant role in predicting later achievement.
Chronic kidney disease is more common than previously thought, affecting over 13% of the US population, primarily those with diabetes and hypertension. The study highlights the importance of blood pressure control, blood sugar management, and avoiding toxic medications to slow disease progression.
Researchers at UMass Medical School will study the role of heat shock proteins in type 1 diabetes using dual grants from JDRF and the Iacocca Foundation. The $300,000 funding supports innovative studies across various departments and disciplines to understand Hsp abnormalities that may lead to type 1 diabetes.
The UMass Chan Medical School Heat Shock Protein Consortium will investigate the causes of type 1 diabetes with dual grants from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and The Iacocca Foundation. The research aims to understand the role of cellular stress in autoimmune diabetes, with specific focus on endoplasmic reticulum st...
A team of Stanford University researchers has identified a gene responsible for giving dogs their black fur, revealing its potential connection to human stress adaptation and weight regulation. The discovery was made by analyzing DNA samples from hundreds of dog breeds, including boxers and Large Munsterlanders.
Researchers at UMass Medical School are developing new strategies to combat HIV/AIDS, including designing inhibitors that can evade drug resistance. The $8.5M grant will support studies on the structure and function of HIV protease, aiming to create more effective treatments for patients.
Dr. Gregory J. Hannon is a recipient of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's 2007 Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research. His work on RNA interference has led to significant contributions in understanding and treating cancer.
A novel gene called HMMR has been identified as a potential breast cancer susceptibility gene, according to researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The gene's connections to BRCA1 and its role in centrosome formation have led scientists to believe it may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a compound, C2-8, that may delay the loss of motor control and reduce neurological damage in a mouse model of Huntington's Disease. The study found that C2-8 slows the progress of HD and shows promise as a potential treatment.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine will use advanced technologies to search the entire X chromosome for genetic abnormalities in 330 patients with autism. The goal is to identify X-linked variation for autism susceptibility, a crucial step towards developing diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches.
A study found that young adults exposed to smoking in movies are more likely to start or continue smoking. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, suggests a dose-dependent relationship between movie smoking and young adult smoking.
A recent study by Harvard Medical School reveals that over half of US adults experience a mental or physical condition affecting their role functioning, resulting in 1.3 billion lost days annually. Major depression is associated with the largest number of lost days, followed closely by chronic back-neck pain.
Researchers identified gambogic amide, a compound in tree bark, that mimics NGF's effect on brain cells by binding to TrkA. This finding suggests potential as a therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and stroke.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School found that an initial experience of relaxation in response to nicotine is the strongest predictor of future addiction among sixth-graders. Other factors that predicted addiction include familiarity with cigarette advertising, novelty-seeking personality and depressed mood.
A regulatory protein called CTLA-4 inhibits the action of HIV-specific CD4 T cells, leading to immune system breakdown in AIDS patients. Elevated CTLA-4 expression correlates with disease progression and reduced CD4 counts, suggesting a potential treatment target.
A new study found a strong link between reduced levels of LR11 in the brain tissue of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that LR11 may be a biomarker for predicting disease progression and a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers studied visual restoration therapy for stroke patients, finding that the training induces specific changes in brain activity. The study demonstrates a potential for visual therapy in partially-blind stroke patients and provides an important starting point for understanding its effectiveness.
Scientists have discovered that glucose-sensing neurons play an important role in regulating blood glucose levels in mice with obesity-induced Type 2 diabetes. The study found that defects in these neurons contribute to the disease's progression and may be targeted by novel therapies.
A national study of newly-licensed RNs (NLRNs) in their first 18 months of employment found that poor management, stressful work conditions, and wanting to gain experience in a different clinical area were common reasons for leaving. The study aimed to understand factors promoting retention and turnover among NLRNs.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Louisville found that facial transplant outcomes differ significantly from previous data on kidney and hand transplants. They suggest a more optimistic view of face transplantation, with lower rates of acute and chronic rejection.
In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged psychologists to study the impact of social injustice and advocate for social change. Today, research supports King's hypothesis, linking racism to negative health outcomes and reduced psychological wellness. Psychologists acknowledge progress in cultural awareness but emphasize the need for fu...
A recent study found that stress management is positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in older white men. Conversely, hostility and social isolation were not associated with HDL levels. The research suggests a potential protective role of coping mechanisms in maintaining healthy lipid profiles.
Research suggests that perpetrators of school shootings often suffer from cynical shyness, a form of extreme shyness characterized by low empathy and anger outbursts. Experts recommend providing social skills training to help isolated students build sense of belonging.
Researchers found that bursts of waves drive immune system 'soldiers' toward invaders, using a signaling protein to direct cell movement. The discovery may lead to strategies to block cancer growth and treat heart disease.
Researchers found that mobility is a key factor impacting quality of life for older adults. Interventions targeting mobility limitations may improve HRQOL and overall well-being among seniors at risk for disability. The study highlighted the need to develop effective interventions to preserve or improve mobility in this population.
Researchers found a new lung tumor-suppressor gene, LKB1, that blocks key steps of lung cancer development in mice. The study suggests LKB1 may be more powerful than other known suppressors and could influence non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered the key site in the brain where a hormone called prostaglandin E2 causes fever responses during infections. This discovery sheds light on the adaptive function of fever in protecting the body from illness, including increased sensitivity to pain and achiness.
A Stanford study using fMRI scans found that music engages brain areas involved with paying attention, making predictions, and updating memory. Peak brain activity occurred during silence between musical movements, a process called event segmentation.
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers discovered that a specific enzyme called cathepsin L causes proteinuria by breaking down dynamin, leading to podocyte damage. Altered forms of dynamin may be able to block this process and restore kidney function.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered the source of cardiac fibrosis, a stiffening of the heart muscle leading to various cardiac diseases. They found that a bone morphogenic molecule, rhBMP7, can reverse the process, offering a new therapeutic target for patients with heart disease.
A paper by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health highlights the need for enhanced global infectious disease surveillance due to resource constraints. The authors recommend increasing resources for compatible reporting systems, providing additional support, and educating policymakers on disease surveillance as a priority.
A new study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that 10% of youth who smoke cigarettes are addicted within two days of first inhaling from a cigarette. Adolescents who smoke even just a few cigarettes per month suffer withdrawal symptoms when deprived of nicotine.
A new study reveals that almost all middle-school youth play violent video games, with two-thirds of boys and one in four girls reporting regular play. Children use gaming to manage feelings like anger and stress, while some also play with strangers online.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that large, seemingly useless pieces of RNA play a crucial role in regulating gene activity across vast portions of the human genome. This finding suggests that ancient RNA molecules can influence cancer development and stem cell maintenance.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 18 new Damon Runyon Fellows, outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting innovative cancer research. The fellows will receive three-year awards of up to $375,000 to pursue their projects, supporting the nation's most promising young investigators in cancer research.
The Penn Udall Center will focus on dementia and Parkinson's disease, with objectives including developing a new rating scale for activities of daily living and studying the neural basis of cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease. The center aims to improve care and treatment for patients and train physicians.
Scientists have discovered a potential new treatment for Parkinson's disease by inhibiting the action of an enzyme called SIRT2. Blocking this pathway is believed to protect neurons damaged in Parkinson's from the toxic effects of alpha-synuclein, a protein that accumulates in the brains of patients.
A novel signaling pathway has been identified as being altered by genetic mutations in Parkinson's disease, affecting cellular function and potentially leading to new therapeutic targets. The research found that mitochondrial protein PINK1 plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress and promoting cell survival.
Researchers at MGH-MIND discovered that an enzyme involved in Alzheimer's disease can alter neural signaling, leading to seizures. Elevated BACE activity may be responsible for seizures observed in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting potential treatments to alleviate their occurrence.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute used a three-part screening process to identify the IKBKE gene, which is made inappropriately in about a third of all breast cancers. The mutation arises during a woman's life and spurs cell growth and proliferation.
Researchers found that combining brain scans with reading skills tests can predict future decoding skill more than four out of five times. This dual diagnostic approach can help identify children at risk for ongoing reading problems as early as possible, allowing for targeted intervention to improve outcomes.
Researchers confirm captive chimpanzees can adopt and pass on complex behaviors, demonstrating a capacity for cultural variation similar to that observed in the wild. This finding supports the idea of common ancestry between humans and chimpanzees, highlighting their shared potential for cultural complexity.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered a cellular chain of events linking stroke and head injury to Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals how brain cell death triggers the production of amyloid-beta protein, a key component of senile plaques.
Research shows that police officers outperform community members and students in shoot/no-shoot simulations, with reduced biases against unarmed Black targets. Training improves sensitivity to weapon presence and speed in decision-making.
Scientists have identified the TRPM8 receptor as responsible for sensing cold, which also mediates pain perception. The study provides a target for treating acute and chronic pain.
Researchers analyzed ED usage using the 'Emergency Department Algorithm' (EDA) tool, finding that only 6.8% of Medicaid dollars were spent on ED-provided care, contrary to estimates. The study suggests that legislative efforts to reduce ED spending for Medicaid patients would have a minimal impact on overall expenditures.
Researchers found that a lifestyle change intervention significantly decreased weight, cholesterol, and LDL-C in women who discontinued hormone replacement therapy. This non-pharmacological approach is safe and effective for reducing CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women.
Researchers found that coordination of prices, clearer codes of conduct, and better understanding of markets can improve quality and competition. National institutes for quality control can also hinder improvement.
A study found that adults who were close to the 9/11 disaster had increased amygdala activity in response to emotional stimuli several years later. The results suggest long-term neurobiological correlates of trauma exposure and potential vulnerability to mental health disorders.