Month: March 2021

Houston Methodist infectious disease pathologists have discovered new COVID-19 cases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 UK B.1.1.7 variant are doubling weekly. By mid-March the number increased sharply to 648 cases from 305 just a week earlier. The findings come from the latest batch of 8,857 virus genomes sequenced from patients with positive COVID-19 tests in the first two months of 2021, representing 94% of Houston Methodist cases.

Study details how Middle East dust intensifies summer monsoons on Indian subcontinent

New research from the University of Kansas published in Earth-Science Reviews offers insight into one of the world’s most powerful monsoon systems: the Indian summer monsoon.

Not Prosecuting Misdemeanors Reduces Likelihood of Re-arrest, New Study Finds

Defendants prosecuted for non-violent misdemeanors such as motor vehicle, drug and disorder/theft charges have substantially higher risks of future arrest and prosecution than those not charged, according to a new Rutgers University-New Brunswick report.

Universal Preschool in the United States by 2040 is Achievable

Universal high-quality preschool is achievable within the next 30 years if the federal government and state and local governments partner to share costs under a two-part plan proposed by the National Institute for Early Education (NIEER) at the Rutgers Graduate School for Education.

The Medical Minute: Proceed with caution even after vaccination

More and more Americans are becoming vaccinated against COVID-19, but headlines warn that the number of cases is rising. What’s up with that?

First X-rays from Uranus discovered

Astronomers have detected X-rays from Uranus for the first time, using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. This result may help scientists learn more about this enigmatic ice giant planet in our solar system.

Removal of AKAP11 Protein by Autophagy as a Key to Fuel Mitochondrial Metabolism and Tumor Cell Growth Through Activating Protein Kinase A (PKA)

March 31, 2021 sarah JonasResearch Alert

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS) Published Online on March 30, 2021 Mount Sinai Researchers Find “Removal of AKAP11 protein by autophagy as a key to fuel mitochondrial metabolism and…

Attention and working memory: Two sides of the same neural coin?

In 1890, psychologist William James described attention as the spotlight we shine not only on the world around us, but also on the contents of our minds.

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Ranks No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for Fourth Consecutive Year

For the fourth consecutive year, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is ranked the No. 1 accredited master’s nursing program in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report 2022 rankings. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program moved up one spot to No. 2.

Can drinking cocoa protect your heart when you’re stressed?

Increased consumption of flavanols – a group of molecules occurring naturally in fruit and vegetables – could protect people from mental stress-induced cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart disease and thrombosis, according to new research.

Scientists at CERN successfully laser-cool antimatter for the first time

Swansea University physicists, as leading members of the ALPHA collaboration at CERN, have demonstrated laser cooling of antihydrogen atoms for the first time.

PhRMA Foundation Announces Winners of Valuing Diversity: Addressing Health Disparities Challenge Award

The PhRMA Foundation has announced the winners of a new Challenge Award aiming to support bold and vital research into how value assessment methods and processes can better consider population diversity and drivers of health disparities.

Chemo for glioblastoma may work better in morning than evening

An aggressive type of brain cancer, glioblastoma has no cure. Patients survive an average of 15 months after diagnosis, with fewer than 10% of patients surviving longer than five years. While researchers are investigating potential new therapies via ongoing clinical trials, a new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that a minor adjustment to the current standard treatment — giving chemotherapy in the morning rather than the evening — could add a few months to patients’ survival.

Exercise May Help Slow Cognitive Decline in Some People with Parkinson’s Disease

For people with Parkinson’s disease, problems with thinking and memory skills are among the most common nonmotor symptoms of the disease. A new study shows that exercise may help slow cognitive decline for some people with the disease. The study is published in the March 31, 2021, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Scientists find genetic link to clogged arteries

High cholesterol is the most commonly understood cause of atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. But now, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a gene that likely plays a causal role in coronary artery disease independent of cholesterol levels. The gene also likely has roles in related cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and diabetes.

CAP Opens PD-L1 Lung Tumor Testing Guideline for Public Comment

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), in collaboration with five other societies, developed a draft evidence-based clinical practice guideline that aims to optimize PD-L1 testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are being considered for immunooncology therapy.

New Los Alamos technology detects thermal neutrons in aircraft

A new technology developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory and Honeywell is providing needed atmospheric environment information to the aerospace industry.

FSU experts available to share research insights for Autism Acceptance Month

March 31, 2021 sarah JonasExpert Pitch

By: Bill Wellock | Published: March 31, 2021 | 1:55 pm | SHARE: The Autism Society of America celebrates April as Autism Acceptance Month as part of the organization’s efforts to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms and realities of autism.Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

#YearofCOVID: Retooling Research to Fight a Pandemic

Susan Cheng, MD, MPH, MMSc, recalls hearing the first reports of a mysterious illness in China early last year and thinking: “This is going to be important.”

CU Cancer Center Researcher Reveals New Effects of Oxygen Deprivation in Cancer Cells

A team of University of Colorado School of Medicine researchers recently published a paper offering new insight into the role that oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, plays in cancer development. CU Cancer Center member Joaquin Espinosa, PhD, is the senior researcher on the paper, which he hopes will help lead to more targeted treatments for cancer.

Making homemade baby food is likely easier and cheaper than you think

A recent report from a House Oversight subcommittee revealed that commercial baby foods are “tainted with significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury,” a finding that sparked concern for parents across the country.

The report noted that toxic heavy metals could impact a baby’s neurological development and long-term brain function, but a registered dietician from UTHealth said the bottom line is that we don’t really know the impact toxic metals can have on child development.

Novel study leverages health app and electronic health records from consented patients to track long-term effects of COVID-19

Researchers are using a novel health platform that links them to shared electronic health records from consented patients to track long-term effects of COVID-19 in a new study by UTHealth.

Scientists Create the Next Generation of Living Robots

Scientists at Tufts University and the University of Vermont team up to create the next version of Xenobots – tiny biological robots that self-assemble, carry out tasks, and can repair themselves. Now they can move faster, and record information.

‘Sweat sticker’ diagnoses cystic fibrosis on the skin in real time

A Northwestern University-led research team has developed a novel skin-mounted sticker that absorbs sweat and then changes color to provide an accurate, easy-to-read diagnosis of cystic fibrosis within minutes.

UNH Research: New Hampshire Coastal Recreationists Support Offshore Wind

As the Biden administration announces a plan to expand the development of offshore wind energy development (OWD) along the East Coast, research from the University of New Hampshire shows significant support from an unlikely group, coastal recreation visitors. From boat enthusiasts to anglers, researchers found surprisingly widespread support with close to 77% of coastal recreation visitors supporting potential OWD along the N.H. Seacoast.

FSMB Launches Task Force on Health Equity and Medical Regulation

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has launched the Task Force on Health Equity and Medical Regulation. The Task Force will evaluate education and training programs to assist state medical and osteopathic boards in identifying opportunities for understanding and addressing systemic racism, implicit bias, and health inequity in medical regulation and patient care.

Study: Race Made No Difference in ICU Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients

In a study that looked at racial differences in outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that patients of color had a lower 28-day mortality than white patients.

Race, however, was not a factor in overall hospital mortality, length of stay in the ICU or in the rate of patients placed on mechanical ventilation, researchers said.

The findings, published in Critical Care Medicine, are believed to be one of the first in the United States to study racial differences and outcomes specific to patients hospitalized in the ICU with COVID-19.

Stem Cell Transplants Prevent Relapses of Most Common Childhood Cancer, Study Reveals

Children and young adults who receive CAR T-cell therapy for the most common childhood cancer – acute lymphoblastic leukemia – suffer remarkably fewer relapses and are far more likely to survive when the treatment is paired with a subsequent stem cell transplant, a new study finds.

Preventive medicine physician shortage continues to fall behind population needs in the US

The United States is facing a persistent and worsening shortage of physicians specializing in preventive medicine, reports a study in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

Study: Female Monkeys Use Males as “Hired Guns” for Defense Against Predators

Researchers with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Congo Program and the Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation found that female putty-nosed monkeys (Cercopithecus nictitans) use males as “hired guns” to defend from predators such as leopards.

Quantum material’s subtle spin behavior proves theoretical predictions

Using complementary computing calculations and neutron scattering techniques, researchers from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories and the University of California, Berkeley, discovered the existence of an elusive type of spin dynamics in a quantum mechanical system.

NEBH orthopedic surgeons perform total hip replacement using innovative augmented reality-guided technology

A team of orthopedic surgeons at New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) performed the first-ever augmented reality (AR)-guided total hip replacement at a hospital.

RPI Infrastructure Experts Available to Discuss President Biden’s Proposals

March 31, 2021 sarah JonasExpert Pitch

As President Joe Biden lays out his plan for improving the nation’s infrastructure, experts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are available to discuss the ways in which proposed projects could affect shipping and delivery of goods, congestion in cities, and emissions in…

Study Identifies Risk Factors for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Mortality Among U.S. Nursing Home Residents

Risks of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection for long-stay nursing home residents were mainly dependent on factors in their nursing homes and surrounding communities.

Pandemic Dramatically Increases Children’s Mental Health Difficulties

A recent survey by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago shows the toll the pandemic is taking and estimates that 70,000 toddlers and children in the city—at a minimum—are showing symptoms that may be connected to detrimental mental and behavioral health.

Sugar not so nice for your child’s brain development

New research led by a University of Georgia faculty member in collaboration with a University of Southern California research group has shown in a rodent model that daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages during adolescence impairs performance on a learning and memory task during adulthood. The group further showed that changes in the bacteria in the gut may be the key to the sugar-induced memory impairment.

Practice Advisory: Contrast Agent Used in Pain Procedures Linked to Brain Damage and Death

March 31, 2021 sarah JonasPolicy

The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine has joined 10 other pain societies in issuing a practice advisory on the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents. This off-label use is an alternative option for patients with hypersensitivity to the traditional contrast medium.

Pfizer vaccine for kids may play ‘critical role’ in return to normalcy

March 31, 2021 sarah JonasExpert Pitch

Pfizer-BioNTech announced Wednesday its coronavirus vaccine is extremely effective in children ages 12 to15. No infections were found among children who received the vaccine in a recent clinical trial – news which may signal a speedy return to normalcy for…

NYU Langone Seeks to Close the Gap in Colorectal Cancer Disparities with $2.2 Million Cohen Foundation Grant

NYU Langone Health will expand colorectal cancer screenings to address disease disparities in underserved communities with a $2.2 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.

Mount Auburn Hospital opens new Level II nursery to further support newborns with complex clinical needs

A new Level II nursery unit offering around-the-clock acute care for newborns requiring advanced support opened this week at Mount Auburn Hospital.

Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

March 31, 2021 sarah JonasResearch Tip Sheet

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Wednesday.

Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans Severely Underrepresented in Health Workforce, New Study Says

In 2019, Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans were severely underrepresented in the health care workforce, a trend that shows limited signs of improvement, according to a study published today by George Washington University researchers.

Field hospitals: The role of an academic medical center

By April last year, up to 28 free-standing alternate care sites ranging in size from 50 to 3,000 beds were underway or finished in the U.S.––the Michigan Medicine Field Hospital among them.

Mount Sinai Study Reveals Genetic and Cellular Mechanisms of Crohn’s Disease

New study identifies a novel approach for tailored treatment that could be more effective for patients with the chronic disease

Canadian-built laser chills antimatter to near absolute zero for first time

Researchers with the CERN-based ALPHA collaboration have announced the world’s first laser-based manipulation of antimatter, leveraging a made-in-Canada laser system to cool a sample of antimatter down to near absolute zero. The achievement, detailed in an article published today and featured on the cover of the journal Nature, will significantly alter the landscape of antimatter research and advance the next generation of experiments.

Exercise in mid-life won’t improve cognitive function in women

For middle-aged women, exercise has many health benefits, but it may not help maintain cognitive function over the long term, according to a new UCLA Health study.

Thermal Power Nanogenerator Created Without Solid Moving Parts

As environmental and energy crises become more common, a thermal energy harvester capable of converting abundant thermal energy into mechanical energy appears to be a promising mitigation strategy. The majority of thermal power generation technologies involve solid moving parts, which can reduce reliability and lead to frequent maintenance. This inspired researchers in China to develop a thermal power nanogenerator without solid moving parts. In Applied Physics Letters, they propose a thermal power nanogenerator that converts thermal energy into electrical energy.

NASA Awards Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2021

NASA has selected 24 new Fellows for its prestigious NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP). The NHFP is one of the highlights of NASA’s pursuit of excellence in astrophysics. The program enables outstanding postdoctoral scientists to pursue independent research in any area of NASA Astrophysics, using theory, observation, experimentation, or instrument development. Over 400 applicants vied for the fellowships. Each fellowship provides the awardee up to three years of support.

Journal of Lipid Research names new junior associate editors