Month: June 2024

Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC) survey finds that FDA’s final laboratory developed tests rule will impede the fight against the U.S.’s drug epidemic

sarah JonasPolicy

Today, the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM, formerly AACC) released the results of a survey that ADLM conducted to determine how the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) final laboratory developed tests rule will impact patient access to essential tests. The survey found that, in spite of certain tests being exempt from the rule, it will still force many laboratories, particularly those in hospitals, to discontinue critical tests, including those needed to identify prescription and illegal drug use.

Not all calcite crystals are as perfect as they appear

sarah JonasFeature

Researchers used complementary imaging techniques to explore the impact of synthesis approaches on the nanoscopic internal structure of apparently perfect calcite particles, which has implications for contaminant sequestration and carbon storage.

Bladder buzz: technologies to improve bladder surgery and monitoring

sarah JonasResearch Results

NIBIB-funded researchers are working to make bladder surgeries better, tackling the issue from two vantage points: improving bladder function using a biodegradable construct that facilitates tissue regeneration, and enhancing patient monitoring by developing an implantable bladder sensor.

Pilot Study Provides ‘Blueprint’ for Evaluating Diet’s Effect on Brain Health

sarah JonasResearch Results

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging say their study of 40 older adults with obesity and insulin resistance who were randomly assigned to either an intermittent fasting diet or a standard healthy diet approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers important clues about the potential benefits of both eating plans on brain health.

Researchers From UNH and Northeastern Dig into History to Uncover a “King”

sarah JonasFeature

Archaeologists at the University of New Hampshire along with a historian at Northeastern University believe they have unearthed the long-lost homestead of King Pompey, an enslaved African who won his freedom and later became one of the first Black property owners in colonial New England.

Researchers report first effective use of immunotherapy for most common subtype of colorectal cancer

sarah JonasResearch Results

These clinical trial results point to the first safe and effective use of immunotherapy for patients with microsatellite stable colorectal cancer, the most common subtype of the disease. The encouraging results of this phase I trial have prompted Dana-Farber investigators to move forward with a phase III trial of this immunotherapy combination.

Detroit study shows Backward walking speed reserve assessment offers improved clinical screening for risks and decline in MS patients

sarah JonasResearch Results

A recently published study on mobility assessments led by Wayne State University show that a methodology called backward walking speed reserve may improve clinical screening for mobility impairments, fall risk and cognitive decline in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Gemini North Captures Starburst Galaxy Blazing Bright With Newly Forming Stars

sarah JonasFeature

A festive array of bright pinks and blues makes for a remarkable sight in this image captured with the Gemini North telescope, one half of the International Gemini Observatory. Resembling a cloud of cosmic confetti, this image is being released in celebration of Gemini North’s 25th anniversary. NGC 4449 is a prime example of starburst activity caused by the interacting and mingling of galaxies as it slowly absorbs its smaller galactic neighbors.

Telescopio de Gemini Norte celebra nuevo aniversario con el confeti cósmico de una devoradora galáctica

sarah JonasFeature

Esta imagen captada por el telescopio de Gemini Norte, una mitad del Observatorio Internacional Gemini, muestra un conjunto de colores rosas y azules brillantes como si fuera una nube de confeti cósmico, haciéndola perfecta para celebrar el aniversario número 25 de Gemini Norte. La galaxia NGC 4449 es un excelente ejemplo de actividad estelar causada por la interacción con otras galaxias vecinas menores a las cuales absorbe lentamente.

Penn Study Finds Better Survival Rates for Recipients of Lungs From Hospital-based Donor Care Units Compared to Independent Donor Care Units

sarah JonasResearch Results

A new study by Penn researchers examined, for the first time, the differences in lung transplant graft outcomes from organs recovered from the two types of deceased organ donor care facilities operating in the United States.

3D-Printed Chip Sensor Detects Foodborne Pathogens for Safer Products

sarah JonasResearch Results

In AIP Advances, researchers have developed a new method for detecting foodborne pathogens that is faster, cheaper, and more effective than existing methods. Their microfluidic chip uses light to detect multiple types of pathogens simultaneously and is created using 3D printing, making it easy to fabricate in large amounts and modify to target specific pathogens.

Battling anthracnose: unearthing the plant’s arsenal against pathogenic fungi

sarah JonasResearch Results

A pivotal study has shed light on the intricate mechanisms of nonhost resistance (NHR) in plants, a critical defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens. By identifying and characterizing four novel core effectors from the pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola, researchers have unveiled key players in the plant Nicotiana benthamiana’s immune response.

Orchid awakening: unveiling the hormonal choreography behind flower development

sarah JonasResearch Results

A cutting-edge study has uncovered the complex hormonal and genetic interactions that dictate the seasonal flowering cycle of Cymbidium sinense, the Chinese orchid. This research sheds light on the enigmatic mechanisms of floral bud dormancy and its subsequent activation, offering new perspectives on the control of flowering times in plants.

People with Severe Alcohol Use Disorder May Form and Recall Social Memories Differently

sarah JonasResearch Results

People with severe alcohol use disorder tended to have greater difficulty forming new social memories. And, while they had better immediate recall of positive than negative social cues, for longer-term memories, they tended to remember more negative experiences than positive ones.

Declare your independence from skin cancer: perform a skin self-exam this 4th of July

sarah JonasFeature

Brian Ingham was only 32 years old when a board-certified dermatologist discovered melanoma on his back during a routine visit to get a tattoo removed in late 2023. The Washington, D.C.-area military pilot said he knew he was at an increased risk as his mother was recently diagnosed with advanced melanoma that same year.

From the Pakistan-India Border to Our Borderplex: A Doctor’s Journey Dr. Muhammad Moiz Tahir tackles El Paso’s health challenges with community-driven care

sarah JonasExpert Pitch

EL PASO, Texas — Some people claim borders are barriers. Others see them as frontiers worthy of exploration. Muhammad Moiz Tahir, M.D., is one of the newest assistant professors in the Foster School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine. Dr.…

UK study reveals concerning decline in cervical cancer screenings

sarah JonasResearch Alert

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 25, 2024) — New University of Kentucky research published in JAMA Network Open reveals concerning declines in cervical cancer screening rates among women in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rural areas.  The study led by UK Markey Cancer Center researcher Ty Borders, Ph.D., analyzed nationally representative survey data from the National Cancer Institute to examine Pap test screening rates before and during the pandemic.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center Awarded Top Population Health Honor by America’s Essential Hospitals

sarah JonasAnnouncement

MedStar Washington Hospital Center has received national recognition as the 2024 Gage Award Winner for Population Health from America’s Essential Hospitals. It was recognized for its work to address social determinants of health and improve birth equity in Washington, D.C.’s underserved neighborhoods, specifically in Wards 7 and 8.

Study Challenges ED Protocols for Geriatric Head Injuries and Blood Thinners

sarah JonasResearch Results

Out of 3,425 patients enrolled in the study, 0.4% (13 patients) experienced a delayed intracranial hemorrhage, a significantly lower rate than previously reported (7.2%).

Decoding apples: nitrogen’s role in shaping fruit sugar content

sarah JonasResearch Results

Delving into the genetic underpinnings of fruit sweetness, researchers have discovered a novel regulatory mechanism in apples. The study spotlights MdbZIP44, a transcription factor that modulates starch and sugar metabolism in response to nitrogen levels, offering a genetic strategy to enhance fruit quality and potentially revolutionize the horticulture industry.

Multidrug-resistant fungi found in commercial soil, compost, flower bulbs

sarah JonasResearch Results

That pile of soil you bought at the home improvement store may contain more than just dirt, according to new research from the University of Georgia. A new UGA study found high levels of multidrug-resistant fungi in commercially available compost, soil and flower bulbs. Aspergillus fumigatus is a widespread fungus that thrives in soil. But it also poses a serious risk to human health if inhaled. People with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the opportunistic fungus, facing a near 100% fatality rate if infected with a multidrug-resistant strain.

Renowned Physicist Professor Qi-Kun Xue Receives China’s State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award

sarah JonasAnnouncement

Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study (HKIAS) of City University of Hong Kong congratulates Professor Qi-Kun Xue, a distinguished physicist and Senior Fellow at HKIAS, who has been honored with China’s State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award for his outstanding contribution to scientific and technological innovation. The award was presented by President Xi Jinping in Beijing on 24 June 2024.

Drug delivery via textile fibers

sarah JonasResearch Results

Medical products such as ointments or syringes reach their limits when it comes to delivering medication locally – and above all in a controlled manner over a longer period of time. Empa researchers are therefore developing polymer fibers that can deliver active ingredients precisely over the long term. These “liquid core fibers” contain drugs inside and can be processed into medical textiles.

Harvesting microbes for growth: a soybean success story in acidic soils

sarah JonasResearch Results

A cutting-edge study reveals that inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into acidic soils significantly bolsters soybean growth, particularly in plants with enhanced phosphorus efficiency. This eco-friendly method outperforms traditional phosphorus fertilization, offering a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture in nutrient-scarce environments.

Nanowires Create Elite Warriors to Enhance T Cell Therapy

sarah JonasResearch Results

Georgia Tech bioengineer Ankur Singh and his team have developed a method to enhance adoptive T-cell therapy using nanowires to deliver miRNA to T-cells, preserving their naïve state for more effective disease-fighting. This innovative technique allows the T-cells to remain programmable and robust, offering a potential gamechanger for immunotherapies.

Nanotechnology applications in biodiesel processing and production: A comprehensive review

sarah JonasResearch Alert

Abstract The wide application of diesel engines globally and the resulting exhaust emissions have been the driving force behind producing eco-friendly alternatives to fossil diesel. Biodiesel derived from triglycerides is a promising replacement for fossil diesel due to less contribution to greenhouse gases and other harmful…

Charging infrastructure planning for transportation electrification in India: A review

sarah JonasResearch Alert

Abstract Global warming and depletion of fossil fuel are the major drivers that initiated the transition from conventional internal combustion engines to electric transportation. India has already embraced the policies and methodologies needed to decarbonize its transportation sector. In this…