News on doctoral training and the researchers it produces. Covers PhD and fellowship programs, physician-scientist training, and major training investments.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine used machine learning to track surges in interest in COVID-19 topics on Reddit. The analysis showed that areas of interest ebbed and flowed, with hand-washing and mask-wearing being discussed before official guidelines were issued.
A research team at the University of California, Irvine has been awarded $3.8 million to investigate epigenomic changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer's disease. The team aims to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for early detection and treatment.
Researchers found that ancestry affects variations in hundreds of genes, but most significant differences are tissue-specific. The study analyzed data from 10,678 patients across 33 cancer types, revealing specific organ and tissue-type associations.
A new type of vaccination has been shown to substantially enhance and sustain protection from HIV in monkeys, with a two-armed approach stimulating both serum and cellular immunity. The findings have broad implications for immunologists pursuing vaccines for other diseases, particularly those caused by coronaviruses.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have identified ST2 as a novel checkpoint molecule that could help T cells become more effective in fighting colorectal cancer. By targeting ST2-expressing macrophages, the researchers were able to slow tumor growth and boost T-cell activity.
A 4-week course of acupuncture significantly increased self-reported relief and improvement of symptoms for patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), a subtype of indigestion. The effects persisted through the 12-week follow-up without symptom relapse or rebound.
Researchers developed a new HIV vaccine that combines neutralizing antibodies with cellular immunity to provide more effective protection. The vaccine showed promising results in preventing infection and lasting for over a year after vaccination.
Scientists at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute mapped the brain's complex calculations to link distinct events separated in time, shedding light on anxiety and trauma-related disorders. The hippocampus uses bursts of activity to form associations, saving energy by encoding information in synapses rather than constant electrical activity.
A research team has identified a powerful self-corrective mechanism within synapses that slows down disease progression in animal models of ALS. This mechanism is activated by neurodegeneration and acts to keep the synapse between nerve and muscle working correctly, even though the disease process has already begun to nibble away at it.
A team of Emory scientists compared the most common inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia with spinocerebellar ataxia type 36. They discovered that protein products can poison cells in one disease but not the other, providing new insights into their pathological mechanisms.
Drexel researchers have discovered a way to chemically manipulate polymer structures to form spherical crystals with controlled symmetry. This technique could improve the mass production of targeted therapies by allowing for precise control over crystal shape and size.
A new study from LSU Health reveals that chronic nicotine inhalation increases blood pressure and leads to pulmonary hypertension, accompanied by changes in lung and heart blood vessels. The researchers also found the adverse effects of inhaled nicotine are largely isolated to the right heart.
Researchers cast doubt on the idea that the Justinianic Plague killed half of the Roman Empire's population. Using new mathematical models, they found it unlikely that any transmission route would have produced the described mortality rate and duration. The study highlights the importance of considering regional ecological and social p...
A study of patients with glomerular disease and their caregivers reveals that they highly value kidney function, mortality, and need for dialysis or transplant. They also stress the importance of addressing factors related to life participation, fatigue, anxiety, and family impact.
Ann McKee will lead a collaboration to characterize brain donors with and without a history of RHI and/or TBI, determining their neuropathological and clinical phenotypes. The goal is to identify the neuropathological features of TBI-related neurodegeneration and its association with dementia and parkinsonism.
A new study reveals significant immune changes occur early in multiple myeloma development, including increased natural killer cells and loss of memory T cells. These findings may lead to personalized treatment strategies based on the immune microenvironment of each patient's disease.
Researchers at Drexel University's C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute are modifying an air sterilization system to combat COVID-19. The technology uses cold plasma to neutralize or remove viral particles from the air, with a successful prototype already proven effective against anthrax spores.
A new database, FiCli, has been created to track the impacts of climate change on freshwater fish. The searchable directory of peer-reviewed journal articles provides information on projected or documented effects of climate change on inland fishes.
The Indiana Network for Population Health enables secure data exchange to track diseases and connect patients with community-based services addressing their social determinants of health. Integrating social determinants into electronic medical records enhances health surveillance, but current systems often lack access to this information.
A team of US researchers, led by Dr. Jie Zhang, collaborated with a scientist quarantined in Wuhan, China to develop a machine learning technique for distinguishing the rare tRCC kidney cancer subtype from other subtypes. The study used a large dataset of 74 tRCC samples and achieved significant results.
Researchers found a cocktail of pharmaceuticals and chemicals in water samples from urban and rural areas in Bangladesh. The study highlights the potential for antimicrobial resistance to spread through human exposure to these pollutants.
A new strategy to overcome drug resistance in leukemia uses targeted doses of doxorubicin, inhibiting molecular pathways that promote tumor growth and resistance. Low-dose doxorubicin also stimulates the immune system, clearing the way for cancer-targeting immune cells to act.
Researchers have identified extremely rare variants that affect the boundaries of a 3D genome structure called topologically associated domains (TADs) in people with schizophrenia. These variants may contribute to dysregulation of gene expression, leading to the development of the disease.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that adult brain cells revert to an embryonic state after injury, allowing them to regenerate new connections. The study identifies the essential genetic pathway involved in this process, which sustains regeneration by a gene known as Huntingtin.
A new method combines three approaches to capture information about neighboring surfaces within multi-protein complexes. This technique uses affinity tag protein purification, chemical crosslinking with high-resolution mass spectrometry, and computational molecular modeling with protein docking to provide detailed insights into the str...
A Stanford study found that exercise restores youthful properties to muscle stem cells of old mice, improving their repair capabilities. The researchers identified a molecular pathway involved in this process and suggest that drugs targeting this pathway could be an effective substitute for exercise.
Researchers found that a specific gene variant, klotho, can protect against Alzheimer's disease in people with the ApoE4 high-risk gene variant. This finding could help identify individuals at lower risk and inform clinical trial participants and treatments.
Participants in a study perceived pleasant and neutral pictures in a more negative way when their sleep was restricted. Insufficient sleep may impose a negative emotional bias, leading to an increased tendency to evaluate emotional stimuli as negative.
A new form of magnetic brain stimulation, SAINT, rapidly relieved symptoms of severe depression in 90% of participants. The treatment targets the brain's neurocircuitry and has shown promising results in treating people with treatment-resistant depression.
A Stanford study reports a new smart toilet that monitors for signs of disease using motion sensing, video analysis, and molecular testing. The device can detect various biomarkers, including those for colorectal or urologic cancers, and is designed to provide precise, individualized health feedback.
A recent study by Drexel University's Creativity Research Lab found that creativity is primarily driven by the right hemisphere in jazz guitarists during improvisation. Inexperienced musicians rely on their right hemisphere, while highly experienced musicians use their left hemisphere for creative tasks.
A recent study found that older adults exhibit stronger mindful qualities, such as present-moment attention and non-attachment, which are linked to improved wellbeing. Mindfulness techniques can help build wellbeing at any age, including those developed through app-based programs like Calm and Headspace.
Researchers found that African Americans with kidney disease have higher rates of uncontrolled blood pressure when measured at home. Participants with masked hypertension had worse physical functioning than those with controlled hypertension.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully rejuvenated old human cells using stem cell technology, rewinding molecular hallmarks of aging and rendering treated cells nearly indistinguishable from their younger counterparts. The study found that exposure to specific proteins, known as Yamanaka factors, can i...
New research finds that autism prevalence is increasing among poor and minority groups in California, while decreasing in wealthier areas. This trend suggests a growing economic and racial divide in autism risk factors.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified two factors that predict which ovarian cancer patients will not benefit from a combination of immune checkpoint and PARP inhibitors. Patients with specific gene mutations or vigorous immune responses to the cancer are more likely to respond to the therapy.
Ed Catmull and Pat Hanrahan's innovations in 3-D computer graphics revolutionized the film industry, leading to entirely computer-animated feature films. Their work also impacts video gaming, virtual reality, and augmented reality.
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has presented the Takeda/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards to Dr. Aixa M. Gonzalez Garcia and Dr. Chen-Han Wilfred Wu. The awards provide funding for medical biochemical genetics subspecialty fellowship and clinical laboratory biochemical genetics training, respectively.
Researchers have designed a system that uses tapered chains of spherical beads to effectively dampen high-frequency noises above human hearing range. The material's potential applications include use in headphones or other barriers to filter out such sounds, which may alleviate symptoms like nausea and headaches.
Brian Welle named a Fellow of SIOP for his rigorous research and applications in improving workplace diversity, inclusion, and performance management. He has made significant contributions to the field through academic publications, research reports, and conference presentations.
Dr. In-Sue Oh recognized for his significant research on personality assessment and meta-analysis, with over 7,000 citations and an h-index of 34.
Janine Waclawski has made significant impacts on senior leadership and talent development in organizations. Her data-driven approaches have driven change in large companies such as Shell Oil and NASA.
Dr. John D. Kammeyer-Mueller has made significant contributions to the field of I-O psychology through his research on employee well-being and productivity, publishing in top journals like Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology.
Research by the American Psychological Association finds that middle-aged and older adults who disengage from mentally stimulating activities after retirement may be at increased risk of cognitive decline. Women are more likely to experience this decline than men, according to the study.
Dr. Jeffrey D. Facteau, a renowned industrial-organizational psychologist, has been recognized as an SIOP Fellow for his significant impact on talent selection and assessment projects. He has published research in top-tier journals and made lasting contributions to the field of performance management.
Researchers have discovered a new role for amyloids in memory storage. They found that Orb2 protein self-aggregates form biochemically active aggregates at synapses, promoting synaptic translation and memory persistence. This finding challenges the traditional view of amyloids as neurotoxic structures.
Researchers analyzed lung tissue from a COVID-19 patient to investigate histopathologic changes and SARS-CoV-2 immunostaining. The study found distinct patterns of immune cell activation and inflammation, shedding light on the disease's pathophysiology.
S. Morton McPhail received the award for his sustained, significant service to SIOP, including elected positions and volunteer work on committees. His influential work has had lasting impact on the field of I-O psychology.
Kristin N. Saboe has made significant contributions to the practice of Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychology within ten years of receiving her PhD. Her work focuses on reducing suicides and risk-taking behaviors among soldiers, and increasing preventative approaches through resilience and performance management.
A newly discovered blood marker has been linked to a patient's subsequent risk of kidney transplant failure in a study of 284 kidney transplant recipients. The composition of immune cells called CD8+ memory T cells 1 year after kidney transplantation was found to be a critical factor in predicting organ rejection.
Dr. Juliet R. Aiken has made significant contributions to the practice of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology within ten years of receiving her PhD. She drives diversity and inclusion improvement through community, research, practice, and education.
Ning Li has been recognized with the Distinguished Early Career Contributions-Science Award for his significant contributions to I-O psychology within seven years of receiving his PhD. His work on individual differences and team dynamics has garnered over 2,700 citations and an h-index of 19.
A virtual reality test has shown promise in detecting balance problems in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), which can lead to falls and related injuries. The test uses a VR system to simulate falling while walking, triggering corrective reactions that can be measured as changes in gait and foot placement.
The University of Minnesota Medical School has made a groundbreaking discovery to grow human-derived blood vessels in pigs, which have the potential to be used as a transplant solution for patients who need life-saving transplants.
Critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators who listened to slow-tempo music had decreased need for sedatives, fewer days of delirium, and were more awake. The study suggests that music may be a non-pharmacologic treatment option for delirium.
Researchers discovered rocaglate compounds capable of killing Candida auris, a challenging pathogen with limited treatment options. The compounds inhibit translation initiation in C. auris, leading to cell death, and have potential as a therapeutic strategy for fungal infections.
The nTIDE February 2020 jobs report reveals a significant increase in employment-to-population ratios for both people with and without disabilities, with modest job gains reported for Americans with disabilities. The labor force participation rate for working-age individuals with disabilities also showed a notable increase.
The Journal for Healthcare Quality has published a special issue on quality as a business strategy, featuring six innovative approaches to improving healthcare. These programs include improving clinical documentation, assessing the costs of pressure injuries, and implementing bundled payments for joint replacement.
A recent study by the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that Native Americans do not have inherently higher cigarette use rates, contrary to long-held stereotypes. After adjusting for income and education levels, white Americans were more likely to use cigarettes daily and be nicotine dependent.
Researchers developed a new technique called zombie scanning to study peptide-receptor interactions on the cell surface. This method hijacks cell machinery to simplify the creation of peptides, allowing for rapid studies and lower production costs.