News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
Researchers have developed a blood test that uses cell-free DNA to predict pregnancy complications such as ischemic placental disease and gestational diabetes. The study found that certain genetic signatures in the mother's blood during the first trimester can indicate these serious complications.
Two studies from UC San Diego found that standing and light physical activity significantly reduce the risk of death, even for just 30 minutes a day. The research team also compared sedentary time in Americans to farmers in Malawi, finding substantially higher levels of activity among the latter group.
Two new studies reveal that the choroid plexus, a miniature organ in the brain, is a hotbed of immune system activity. The choroid plexus regulates brain development by secreting instructive cues into the cerebrospinal fluid and provides a protective barrier. However, when this barrier is challenged, the choroid plexus can act as a con...
Researchers investigate whether changes in metabolic pathways precede neurodegeneration in MS patients, which may lead to irreversible damage to brain and nervous tissue. The study aims to develop diet, lifestyle, and drug interventions to prevent progression and improve outcomes for MS patients.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School will develop next-generation monoclonal antibodies targeting fentanyl-like chemicals to treat acute intoxication and overdose. The grant supports the development of antibody-based medical countermeasures, which would not interfere with life-saving medications like naloxone.
A national study found that COVID-19 symptoms in pregnant women can last two months or longer, impacting health and wellbeing. Researchers analyzed 594 women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy, discovering that half had symptoms after 3 weeks and 25 percent had symptoms persisting beyond 8 weeks.
Children who attend preschool enter kindergarten with greater skills than those who don't, but this advantage is short-lived. While pre-K graduates show initial gains in academic skills, their peers quickly close the gap, suggesting that preschool's long-term benefits may be limited.
The September nTIDE report reveals a decline in employment-to-population ratios and labor force participation rates for Americans with disabilities, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend suggests that people with disabilities are leaving the labor market or no longer actively seeking work.
Researchers have identified a new target for creating flavivirus vaccines by targeting specific locations on the virus. This approach aims to remove memory B cells from the vaccination equation and avoid antibody-dependent enhancement of infection, which can result in more severe symptoms.
A new Expert Panel Discussion examines the status of blood-based biomarker development and point-of-care testing for concussion diagnosis. The discussion highlights the potential benefits of specific biomarkers in detecting brain trauma masked by other injuries or symptoms, adding value over current clinical methods.
A $5 million NIH grant will help identify disease hotspots and testing deserts in vulnerable populations in Texas, aiming to increase COVID-19 testing. Researchers will develop and evaluate intervention strategies to address these disparities, focusing on three racially diverse areas with high infection rates.
A new study published in Current Biology reveals that subanesthetic ketamine is effective in treating adult amblyopia, also known as 'lazy eye', by reactivating brain plasticity. The treatment promotes functional recovery of visual acuity defects resulting from the condition.
A new study finds that Greenland's rate of ice loss in the 21st century could be greater than anything seen in the past 12,000 years due to human activities. The research uses ice sheet modeling and ancient climate reconstructions to understand the past, present, and future of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
A clinical trial found that a daily regimen of hydroxychloroquine did not reduce infection rates among healthcare workers. The study suggests that other prevention measures such as social distancing and vaccination may be more effective in preventing COVID-19.
Researchers discovered a link between gene mutations in SCN2B and SCN4B genes and cardiac arrhythmias. The study sheds light on the role of sodium V channels in maintaining heart function and may lead to new treatments for cardiac syndromes.
The pathoconnectome is a map of how eye disease alters retinal circuitry, offering insights into other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy. The research findings provide fundamental rules on how neural networks are rewired by disease, paving the way for new therapies.
Researchers found that people with a genetic deletion syndrome are more excitable and experience abnormalities in calcium signaling, leading to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The study identified a single gene, DGCR8, as the main player in these cellular defects.
A new study published in Physical Therapy found that high-intensity rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities significantly improved patient function, reducing the need for extended care. Patients who received high-intensity training showed a 0.13m/s increase in walking speed and a 3.5-day reduction in hospital stay.
A recent study found that COVID-19 patients with kidney damage are at a significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The study analyzed data from 1,392 patients and found that kidney damage was associated with a 5-times higher odds of dying while in the hospital.
A team of Pitt professors has received a $1 million NSF grant to create an at-home glaucoma monitoring device that uses acoustic waves to measure intraocular pressure. The project aims to enable patients and non-clinicians to reliably assess IOP, allowing doctors to tailor treatments more effectively.
Thirty years after the ADA, employment rates remain low for individuals with spinal cord injury. New models like individual placement and support (IPS) and vocational resource facilitation (VRF) are helping more people achieve competitive employment.
Human intestinal organoids grown from stem cells help identify peptide YY as a possible therapeutic for severe malabsorption. The hormone allows 80% of mice to survive with just one injection per day, showing promise for treating congenital disorder.
The team will investigate the molecular linkages between aging and Parkinson's, exploring whether decreasing senescence can slow or stop the disease. Genetic predisposition and age are critical factors in defining a person's risk for Parkinson's.
Researchers have discovered evidence of the ancient disease yaws in skeletal remains from Vietnam, dating back 4000 years. The study suggests that yaws was introduced to hunter-gatherers by agricultural populations moving south from modern-day China.
Researchers surveyed local families and stakeholders to find effective strategies for addressing disparities in healthy food consumption. Key findings include increasing affordability, nutrition education, and mobile produce markets as preferred approaches.
A recent study found that being physically active can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study, which followed over 15,000 middle-aged adults for 24 years, showed that even moderate physical activity can lower the risk of CKD by up to 11%.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and Stanford solve the high-resolution structure of psychedelic compounds bound to the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, revealing key insights into their therapeutic potential. The discovery sets the stage for the exploration of more precise compounds with strong therapeutic effects.
This study compares native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) patencies across countries, revealing significant variation in rates and predictors of long-term function. New AVFs that fail to mature successfully associate with increased mortality risk, emphasizing the need for individualized access selection and clinical pathways.
A new study found that fruit flies can adapt quickly to changing climates by adjusting their internal seasonal timer. Researchers discovered that polygenic traits, involving many small genes working together, drive the rate of development during dormancy and enable the flies to emerge earlier in the year.
Researchers pinpoint a specific protein and brain region responsible for dissociation, a phenomenon affecting up to 10% of the population. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for conditions like PTSD and borderline personality disorder.
A novel taxonomic approach is introduced to break down and reaggregate study specifics, enabling a determination of effective obesity intervention strategies. The research was supported by the NIH under contract number GS-00F-0007M.
A novel study explores how Black patients with mental health concerns evaluate verbal and non-verbal communication during treatment, revealing significant fear of being negatively judged based on stereotypes. The research provides suggestions for creating environments that foster person-centered care and reducing provider burnout.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine aim to create new breast tumor models that represent women with comorbidities like diabetes, which can lead to improved outcomes in survival. The project's goal is to address the unmet clinical need for better treatment options for these patients.
The GTEx resource provides an important tool to address the relationship between genetic variants and gene regulation, with analysis discovering eQTLs and sQTLs for the vast majority of genes. The study details mechanisms of how genetic effects from coding and non-coding regions affect gene expression and splicing regulation.
A team of UNC-Chapel Hill scientists has determined the high-resolution structure of cGAS bound to the nucleosome, a critical unit of DNA packaging inside cell nuclei. This study reveals how nucleosomes block cGAS from triggering the immune response to own DNA.
A portable, low-field MRI device can be safely used at bedside to evaluate critically-ill patients for suspected stroke or traumatic brain injury. The device produced important neuroimaging findings in 29 of 30 patients and detected abnormal neurologic findings in eight of 20 patients with altered mental status.
Researchers found that green light exposure reduced headache days per month by an average of about 60%, with most participants experiencing a more than 50% reduction. The study also improved patients' quality of life, including sleep and work abilities, with no reported side effects.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery showcased the latest research in otolaryngology at its Virtual Annual Meeting. The event featured 14 'Best of Orals' studies, highlighting outstanding scientific merit and innovation.
Two nurse leaders outline a framework to address racial inequities and injustices in nursing practice, research, scholarship, and teaching. The framework aims to lead organizational change and dismantle structural racism in schools of nursing and health systems.
Researchers tested the ReWalk ReStore soft robotic exosuit for safety, reliability, and feasibility in post-stroke rehabilitation. The device improved gait patterns and walking speeds, with over a third of participants achieving significant increases in unassisted walking speed.
The SNMMI Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship provides extensive training and experience for Japanese physicians in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. The program has graduated 30 fellows since its inception and supports the worldwide advancement of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
A new study reveals that reducing calorie intake triggers significant health benefits by lowering body temperature. The research, led by Scripps Research Professors Bruno Conti and Gary Siuzdak, provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of temperature in metabolism during calorie restriction.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a method to identify clinical markers that predict patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The approach involves analyzing gene signatures from cancer tumors and correlating them with patient outcomes, revealing distinct patterns between responders and non-responders.
The 2020 Virtual National Health Research Forum featured discussions on vaccine development, with experts discussing the progress made in developing COVID-19 vaccines. The forum also touched on the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in scientific research and its impact on health equity.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that performing acts of kindness and helping others can improve one's mental and physical health. The study, which analyzed 201 independent studies, showed a modest link between prosocial behavior and overall well-being, with younger givers and women reporting stronger relationsh...
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission via fecal aerosols in a Guangzhou high-rise apartment building. They found evidence suggesting that toilet flushing by infected patients may have caused the outbreak. The study's findings emphasize the importance of adequate hygiene and ventilation to pre...
Infants as young as two years old exhibit increased brain flexibility, a key factor in cognitive development, according to UNC-Chapel Hill researchers. This emerging neural ability enables early learning of new motor skills and supports the maturation of higher-level cognitive processes.
A 25-year analysis of PGT for kidney diseases in the Netherlands shows that 65% of couples with at least one successful cycle experienced live births without kidney disease. The study highlights the importance of counseling patients on their reproductive options to make informed choices.
A study found that 89% of college students experienced moderate or severe nomophobia, which is associated with greater daytime sleepiness and poorer sleep quality. Limiting phone use before bedtime may exacerbate bedtime anxiety for individuals with nomophobia, disrupting their sleep.
A majority of patients with medullary thyroid cancer treated with selpercatinib lived for more than a year without disease progression. The drug showed high efficacy and good tolerability, with response rates of up to 79% and manageable side effects.
A new study found that routinely assessing symptoms in patients with kidney failure who are undergoing hemodialysis can improve patient and provider symptom awareness. However, there is a need for better support to help providers manage these symptoms, including training and education.
A new study suggests that a COVID-19 vaccine needs to be at least 80% effective to achieve a complete 'return to normal' and prevent an epidemic. Social vulnerability is also linked to increased COVID-19 infection, with specific factors varying among regions and counties.
A new study by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that police officers are susceptible to adverse events due to multifaceted stressors. The study identified five themes influencing officer perception of call stress levels, including officer characteristics and civilian behavior.
Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a new superlattice material that exhibits high temperature and tunable electrical transport properties. This finding has the potential to improve energy-efficient technologies by conducting dissipationless current without energy loss.
A new study has identified a potential therapeutic target, fibronectin (FN1), to improve endocardial function and regenerate cardiac valves, septum, and coronary vessels in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This discovery offers hope for increasing heart chamber size and reducing the need for multiple surgeries.
A study on parasitic gene elements in yeast found that they can persist in populations despite harming hosts. Meiotic drivers confer disadvantages to their host, but other genes help suppress this effect at a cost to fitness.
A new study reveals that half of those who have opened a health savings account haven't put money into it in the past year. Those with lower levels of education and health insurance literacy are less likely to open or contribute to an HSA.
Researchers found that household contacts had a 1 in 10 chance of infection, while asymptomatic patients were less likely to infect close contacts. Patients with severe disease were more likely to spread COVID-19 to their close contacts.
A team of archaeologists uncovered evidence of the oldest direct cremation in the Middle-East, found in a pyre pit in Beisamoun, Israel, dating back around 9,000 years. The remains indicate a shift away from traditional burial practices towards shorter rituals.
A new study by researchers at Stanford Medicine found that plant-based meat alternatives can improve some cardiovascular risk factors compared to red meat. The study, which used products from Beyond Meat, found lower levels of TMAO in participants who ate plant-based diets.