A new study led by researchers at UChicago Medicine and Indiana University suggests that an existing drug could be repurposed to treat type 1 diabetes, potentially reducing dependence on insulin.
Month: November 2023
Clinical intervention directed at social risks does not increase experiences of discrimination
New study results from UChicago Medicine suggest well-designed interventions that address social risks can be provided to parents of hospitalized children without increasing self-reported experiences of discrimination.
UArizona researchers examine the relationship between loneliness and being alone
In a world filled with endless connections and constant communication, the relationship between loneliness and aloneness is not always clear.
New twist on optical tweezers
Optical tweezers manipulate tiny things like cells and nanoparticles using lasers. While they might sound like tractor beams from science fiction, the fact is their development garnered scientists a Nobel Prize in 2018.
What Happens When We Pass Out? Researchers ID New Brain and Heart Connections
UC San Diego researchers have for the first time identified the genetic pathway between the heart and brain tied to fainting. In a new study published in the journal Nature, they found that vagal sensory neurons trigger fainting, laying a foundation for addressing fainting-related disorders.
UAH researchers win $457K to study astrophysical phenomena that could lead to propulsion breakthroughs
Two researchers in the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have won a grant totaling $457,963 to study 3D magnetic reconnection.
In a surprising finding, light can make water evaporate without heat
Evaporation is happening all around us all the time, from the sweat cooling our bodies to the dew burning off in the morning sun. But science’s understanding of this ubiquitous process may have been missing a piece all this time.
Stigma felt by opioid-dependent moms impacts the health care received by their babies
The rate of opioid use among pregnant women in the United States quadrupled between 1999 and 2014 and continues to rise — an alarming trend that researchers from the University of Missouri and University of Iowa say has exposed the stigma felt by opioid-dependent mothers and how their shame has negatively impacted the health care received by their infants.
Epigenetic signature for obesity found in study of twins
WSU study finds epigenetic signature in cheek cells of obese people, suggesting a biomarker test for obesity could be developed
Unveiling the hidden power for drug-target interaction prediction: a game-changing approach
FragDPI, a novel drug-protein interaction prediction method, outperforms baselines and identifies specific interaction parts, aiding drug discovery
The secret to enhancing consumer valuation and addressing the climate crisis at once: introduce circular take-back programs
Consumers value circular program products more because they evoke psychological ownership. Marketers and policymakers should consider this when implementing circular programs.
Optimizing office environments for work efficiency and health of worker
Researchers examine the economic benefits of enhancing various elements in office spaces in Tokyo for improved work efficiency and health
Contraceptive pill users less likely to report depression – study
New research examined data collected from 6,239 women in the United States
Risk of serious infection even in low-active IBD
IBD patients with low disease activity are still at increased risk of serious infections. Aiming for full intestinal healing may reduce this risk.
Open the floodgates: Internal crowdfunding fosters innovation and engages employees
Siemens employees used internal crowdfunding to fund innovative ideas and boost morale.
Aoun Named to Georgia’s Trend’s 40 Under 40
Georgia Trend magazine recognized Aoun, 27, as a member of the 2023 class of 40 Under 40 and placed his photo on the cover of the magazine as the youngest to receive this year’s recognition.
UWF, Leidos partner to launch cybersecurity infrastructure lab
UWF and Leidos, a Fortune 500® science and technology leader, have launched the Leidos Cybersecurity Infrastructure Lab in UWF Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine Launches $100 Million Philanthropic Campaign for Research
Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, the academic core of Advocate Health, are launching their largest campaign for research. Designed with health equity at the forefront, funds raised in this campaign will transform health care for patients, communities and the next generation of health care leaders by integrating research with clinical care while enhancing the speed with which new ideas move from research labs to patients’ bedsides and beyond.
Dr. Jennifer Lotz Appointed Space Telescope Science Institute Director
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Lotz as the Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Dr. Lotz will begin her five-year appointment as STScI Director starting February 12, 2024.
Scientists reveal structures of neurotransmitter transporter
Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital determined structures of a transporter protein involved in the movement of neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, unearthing multiple mechanisms that can guide drug development.
Dravet syndrome and the influence of the genome: Dr. Sanjay Sisodiya
Dravet syndrome is a rare, severe epilepsy caused by certain changes in the SCN1A gene. But people with Dravet have a wide range of clinical characteristics that cannot be fully explained by these changes. What else is going on?
Kelley Futurecast: US economy will slow slightly in first half of 2024, but end year stronger
Buoyed by an expected steady decline in inflation, an economic forecast from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business is optimistic in projecting that the economy will slow modestly in the first half of 2024 and then reaccelerate in the second half of the year.
PT Professor Offers Top 5 Tips for Preventing Pickleball Injuries
Elizabeth Chaffin PT, DPT, an assistant professor and the Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy at PCOM Georgia, offered her top five tips on preventing pickleball injuries and staying on the court longer.
Researchers demonstrate novel technique to observe molten salt intrusion in nuclear-grade graphite
In response to a renewed international interest in molten salt reactors, researchers from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel technique to visualize molten salt intrusion in graphite.
Cathy Sue Cutler Named Chair of Isotope Research and Production Department
Cathy Sue Cutler, who has served as director of the Medical Isotope Research and Production (MIRP) program at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory since 2015, has been tapped to lead a newly created Isotope Research and Production (IP) Department at the Laboratory.
As People Live Longer, Family Caregivers Face Financial Challenges
Many people overlook the short- and long-term costs of financial caregiving, a growing problem that financial advisors and employers can help address, according to a new report by the TIAA Institute and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing).
Women With Atrial Fibrillation Significantly Benefit From Pulsed Field Ablation Procedures
Mount Sinai-led study is the first to show there are no sex disparities in patient outcomes with this new technology
Five unsafe skin care trends to avoid
Social media platforms are rife with skin care advice from a variety of sources, which can make it difficult to know how to approach the recommendations you find online. In recognition of National Healthy Skin Month this November, board-certified dermatologists are spotlighting unsafe skin care trends that they see on social media and elsewhere to help you keep your skin looking its best.
Dr. Jennifer Lotz Appointed Space Telescope Science Institute Director
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Lotz as the Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Dr. Lotz will begin her five-year appointment as STScI Director starting February 12, 2024.
Markey Cancer Center study provides valuable insights into drivers of cancer risk
As people age, the DNA in their cells begins to accumulate genetic mutations. Mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs), a category of mutations acquired in blood cells, are linked with a 10-fold increased risk of developing blood cancer. mCAs hold promise as a tool to identify people at high risk of developing certain cancers and diseases, but they have not yet been studied among a large, diverse cohort of people – a critical step required before such testing can be developed. University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researcher Yasminka A. Jakubek, Ph.D., has led the first large-scale effort to understand the co-occurrence of mCAs among individuals of diverse ancestries. The study was published in Nature Genetics Oct. 30.
Holiday shopping season is in full swing already
HARRISONBURG, Va. — Gone are the days of the holiday shopping season starting on November 1. Shoppers these days begin weeks earlier so that they can spread out the budget, avoid last-minute buying and prevent added stressors, said Tony Kim,…
Nerve block can reduce need for postsurgical opioids
A preoperative nerve block used in combination with other medications can reduce the need for opioids to manage pain following spinal surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found. The findings, published in European Spine Journal, suggest a way to lessen the reliance on opioids to reduce postoperative pain and help patients become ambulatory sooner.
UAlbany Expert Available to Discuss President Biden’s Executive Order on AI
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 1, 2023) — On Monday, President Biden issued a new executive order on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence,” aimed at ensuring the United States leads the way in leveraging the promise of the technology, while also…
American Cancer Society Updates Lung Cancer Screening Guideline: Nearly Five Million U.S. Adults who Smoke and Formerly Smoked Now Recommended for Testing
The American Cancer Society releasesan update of its lung cancer screening guideline to help reduce the number of people dying from the disease due to smoking history.
GW Experts Available: Britain Hosts World’s First Global AI Safety Summit
Britain is hosting the world’s first global artificial intelligence (AI) safety summit to examine the risks of AI and start an international dialogue on regulating the fast-moving technology, according to Reuters. World leaders, tech executives, academics and non-profits are meeting for…
Women face greater risk of obesity in low- and middle-income countries
Women in low- and middle-income countries, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, may be 10 times more likely to have obesity or heart health issues than their male counterparts, according to a large meta-analysis published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Craig D. Blinderman Named Chief of Supportive Care Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Craig D. Blinderman, MD, has been appointed Chief of the Supportive Care Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
Anxiety Sensitivity ‘What If’ Fears Impact Care for ICU Patients, During and After Hospitalization
Clinicians need to have a better understanding of the potential impact of patients’ anxiety sensitivity, or “fear of fear,” falsely believing that symptoms are the early signs of something bad, such as a heart attack, cognitive decline or social isolation.
Stress in America 2023: A nation grappling with psychological impacts of collective trauma
U.S. society appears to be experiencing the psychological impacts of a collective trauma in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a new survey by the American Psychological Association. Psychologists warn that a superficial characterization of life being “back to normal” is obscuring the post-traumatic effects on mental and physical health.
November 2023 Issue of Neurosurgical Focus: “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Goal of Reducing Healthcare Disparities in Neurosurgery”
Announcement of contents of the November 2023 issue of Neurosurgical Focus
Cancer drug shows promise targeting genetic weakness in some tumors, comments Virginia Tech expert
In an invited commentary, Kathleen Mulvaney, assistant professor with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, talks about the potential of a new drug that has shown early promise in clinical trials for solid tumors by killing cancer cells that lack specific tumor suppressor genes.
Imaging Shows How Inorganic-Microbe Hybrids Use Light to Turn Carbon Dioxide into Bioplastic
Scientists develop a multimodal imaging approach to study microbe–semiconductor biohybrids at the single-cell to single-molecule level.