In a University of Illinois lab in the 1980s, Steve Maren heard neurons fire for the first time. His research trajectory snapped into place like an amygdala-shaped arrow. In August 2024, Maren became director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science…
Tag: Trauma
Tattoos to confront the terror of death
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel resulted in widespread trauma, impacting not only the direct victims but also the broader population. Many experienced posttraumatic symptoms. This collective trauma blurred the lines between witnesses and victims, leading to a shared experience of pain and grief across Israeli society.
In the wake of these attacks, a notable phenomenon emerged: memorial tattoos reflecting personal narratives while also representing collective trauma experienced by the entire nation.
A new study by researchers at Bar-Ilan University uses Terror Management Theory (TMT, Solomon et al., 1991) to explore the rise of memorial tattoos in Israel following the attacks, offers insights into how individuals cope with trauma and find meaning through tattoos, using TMT as a theoretical framework, and ultimately contributing to the understanding of psychological resilience in the face of terror.
American College of Surgeons Releases Revised Best Practices Guidelines in Management of Traumatic Brain Injury
The American College of Surgeons has announced the release of its revised Best Practices Guidelines in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury, offering healthcare providers comprehensive strategies to improve the care and outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury.
Black, Asian, Hispanic trauma patients less likely to get lifesaving helicopter transport, finds first-of-its-kind study
Severely injured Black, Asian and Hispanic children and adults are less likely than white patients to receive critical helicopter ambulance services, which can make the difference between life and death, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2024 annual meeting.
Experts to Discuss the Importance of Blood for Trauma Patients Before Arriving at the Hospital
Leading experts in trauma and critical care surgery will convene at a news conference on Monday, October 21, to discuss the lifesaving potential of making prehospital whole blood — blood administered before arriving at a hospital — widely available on ambulances across the United States.
Childhood trauma linked to major biological and health risks
A new study led by UCLA Health found that a person’s sex and their unique experiences of childhood trauma can have specific consequences for their biological health and risk of developing 20 major diseases later in life.
Growth from Adversity: How Older Adults Bounced Back from COVID-19 Pandemic
The study highlights the remarkable resilience of older adults (median age 86) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions to their routines led many to discover new hobbies like gardening and painting and explore virtual activities such as online yoga.
Washington University in St. Louis Experts: Faculty available to comment on 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death
Washington University in St. Louis faculty listed below are available for media interviews on the 10th anniversary of the death of Michael Brown Aug. 9, 2014, and subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo. Topic: Where are we now? While some some progress has been made, in many ways we have regressed as a nation and that regression has no end in sight, said Kimberly Norwood, the Henry H.
New Algorithm Helps ER Doctors and Trauma Surgeons Identify Children With Serious Neck Injuries
Cervical spinal injuries in children and adolescents are fortunately rare, but they can be serious, as they can lead to paralysis. Suspected injuries are diagnosed via X-rays and computed tomography (CT). But indiscriminate CT-related radiation can lead to cancers later in life. Emergency medical services (EMS), emergency department and trauma teams need better tools to determine which children have serious neck trauma needing spinal precautions, and which children have negligible injuries and don’t need the unnecessary radiation exposure.
Overcoming Challenges Encountered by Spanish-Speaking Trauma Patients
Many trauma patients face a myriad of challenges when recovering from a traumatic injury, problems that can be compounded when their English proficiency is limited. An outreach program to Spanish-speaking trauma patients can help improve access to follow-up care and community resources, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS)
LGBTQ+ students in collegiate recovery programs are doing very well but have unique needs
Compared to their cisgender/heterosexual peers, LGBTQ+ college students are at an elevated risk of substance use and mental health challenges. While collegiate recovery programs provide an array of support to students in recovery from substance use disorders, scarce research has examined the unique needs of LGBTQ+ students within this population.
The Medical Minute: Trauma-informed care delves into root causes of health conditions
A person’s experiences with trauma can have serious effects on their health later in life. A Penn State Health expert discusses how health care is paying more attention and how you can help.
Roxane Cohen Silver elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Acclaimed psychologist Roxane Cohen Silver of the University of California, Irvine – whose groundbreaking studies on stress and coping have advanced understanding of how traumatic incidents like terror attacks, infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters affect people – has been elected a member by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Quality of Care for Patients Who Call 911 Varies Greatly Across the United States, Study Finds
Mount Sinai research could lead to more consistency and safety measure.
Number of at-risk youth with intellectual disability and autism in the U.S. foster care system is growing
Youth with foster care involvement have an increased risk for mental health diagnoses, trauma and worse outcomes in adulthood than their peers
$6.5 Million Legacy Gift Enhances Emergency Medicine across University Hospitals
A significant estate gift of $6.5 million from the late Arthur D. and Kazuko Maine will support emergency medical care across the University Hospitals health system, expanding the now named Arthur D. and Kazuko Maine Trauma Unit at UH Ahuja Medical Center, establishing the first two endowed positions within emergency medicine at UH and supporting an endowed chair for orthopedic trauma.
Study Finds There Are Easy Things We Can Do to Cope With Traumatic Loss
A new study finds there are simple activities that help people improve their mood and emotional well-being on a day-to-day basis after the traumatic loss of a loved one.
World’s largest childhood trauma study uncovers brain rewiring
The world’s largest brain study of childhood trauma has revealed how it affects development and rewires vital pathways.
Study links childhood trauma to COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations
People who endured childhood adversity, like abuse or neglect, were 12-25% more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 in adulthood, a new University of Pittsburgh study found.
Last Chance: Register in Advance for Media Credentials to Cover American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2023
Members of the media can still apply to cover the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2023.
San Antonio Surgeon Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, Will Receive Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, a trauma surgeon from San Antonio, Texas, will receive this year’s Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
Understanding How to Treat and Possibly Prevent PTSD
There is a common misconception that only people who have served in the military develop post traumatic stress disorder. While PTSD is a prevalent issue for military veterans, anyone who endures trauma can experience PTSD.
Dr. Federico Vaca to lead Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine
Irvine, Calif., Sept. 25, 2023 —University of California, Irvine emergency medicine physician Federico Vaca, one of the nation’s leading researchers on motor vehicle crash injuries and prevention, has been named president of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine.
Georgia Hospital Improves Organ Donation Process
An initiative at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s hospital campus in Gainesville created a hospital culture that values organ donation as a standard of care for patients and families, leading to a sustained increase in referrals, donors and transplanted organs.
$1.5 Million Donation Supports Research on Effects of Psychedelic DMT on the Brain
A gift of $1.5 million from Eugene Jhong will help launch a new research program within the UC San Diego Psychedelic and Health Research Initiative to learn more about the biological and psychological effects of DMT in humans.
Military, Civilian Trauma Convene for Advanced Combat Surgical Readiness Training
Military and civilian trauma experts from around the country convened for a three-day training event to reinforce vascular, plastic and orthopedic surgical skills for advanced combat surgical readiness. The program provided an opportunity to share trauma rehabilitation best practices, both within the military and civilian sectors.
Experts available: UChicago Medicine’s Trauma Center Marks Five Years
Five years ago this month, University of Chicago Medicine opened a Level 1 adult trauma center — filling a decades-long void on the city’s South Side. Since then, the center has treated more than 18,000 people, saved countless lives and…
Clinicians must look beyond physical symptoms to care for people with deep-seated trauma
Child protection experts are imploring clinicians to broaden their duty of care to ensure that patients’ hidden trauma is not overlooked by more obvious physical symptoms and illnesses.
Despite lasting peace, legacy of trauma in Northern Ireland remains
President Joe Biden has departed on a four-day trip to Ireland. The timing of the trip coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland. The British intelligence service recently raised…
People Exposed to Alcohol Prenatally Experience Significant Challenges, Types of Adversity Differ by Sex
In a recent analysis, researchers found sex differences in the health and neurodevelopmental outcomes of people exposed to alcohol before birth.
Men Over 65 Are at Greater Risk than Women of Skull Fractures from Falls
Because females 65 and older have an increased rate of falls and facial fractures, researchers compared the risk of skull fracture secondary to head trauma in geriatric female and male patients. Results showed that males had a significantly increased incidence of skull fracture secondary to head trauma, due mostly to falls. This outcome was unexpected, as previous research has indicated females are more susceptible to facial fractures. This trend also was seen across race/ethnicity, though results were only statistically significant for whites.
Chicago Cubs Become the First MLB Team to Install American College of Surgeons STOP THE BLEED® Kits
The Chicago Cubs have taken an important step to keep fans, staff, and players safe in case a bleeding emergency occurs by installing trauma kits at Wrigley Field.
Major medical organizations form a coalition to stem the rising tide of firearm violence using a comprehensive public health approach
A new group — the Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention — is being established to advance firearm injury prevention using a public health approach.
Study by FSU researchers finds resilience to natural disasters lags in Black communities
Years after Hurricane Michael devastated Florida’s Gulf Coast, residents of that area are still struggling to overcome the trauma of the Category 5 storm. In a recent study, FSU researchers found that trauma and a host of psychosocial and physical challenges caused by Hurricane Michael are disproportionately affecting the region’s Black communities.
Over $5M Awarded to Community Violence Reduction Programs at Penn Medicine
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) awarded over $5 million in grants to three community violence prevention and intervention programs across Penn Medicine. The Penn Medicine programs not only aim to reduce and prevent community violence, but also address the lasting impacts of violence on victims, such as treating their mental health, and helping them utilize social service agencies.
Director of UC San Diego Health Regional Burn Center Offers Life-Saving Tips during Burn Awareness Week
Each year, the UC San Diego Health Regional Burn Center admits approximately 400 patients, from infants to adults, and treats hundreds more as outpatients. About one-quarter of those patients are pediatric patients, with most under the age of five. During…
American College of Surgeons launches guidelines to help trauma centers screen patients for mental health disorders and substance misuse
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has released new guidelines this week to assist trauma centers in addressing mental health and substance use issues among patients who have experienced a traumatic injury.
Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program improves efficiency in treating children with traumatic injuries
Participation in the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification (CSV) Quality-Improvement Program led to significant reductions in operating room wait times and improvement in other key metrics for children treated for traumatic femur fractures.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Introduces the Fracture & Trauma Registry Powered by PatientIQ
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today announced the Fracture & Trauma Registry (FTR) will now be powered by PatientIQ. This new partnership will offer healthcare institutions a turnkey solution for FTR participation, thus reducing barriers to tracking evidence-based practices and advancing the delivery of musculoskeletal care.
Firearm injuries in kids leave lasting mental scars, study finds
Children and teens who survive a firearm injury have a high rate of developing new mental health diagnoses in the year afterward, even compared with kids who suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash, a new study shows.
Tulane researchers to help Louisiana schools launch proactive violence prevention programs
Under the project, experts will work to better prepare school crisis intervention teams to prevent violence and promote a positive school atmosphere.
Even without symptoms, trauma patients who test positive for COVID fare worse than comparable patients who do not have the virus
Trauma patients who show no symptoms for COVID, yet test positive for the virus, have significantly higher rates of cardiac events, stay in the hospital longer, and incur higher hospital charges than do similar trauma patients who test negative for COVID.
Pandemic Escalated Teen Cyberbullying – Asian Americans Targeted Most
A study of U.S. middle and high school students shows that about 17 percent were cyberbullied in 2016 and 2019, but that proportion rose to 23 percent in 2021. Notably, 19 percent of Asian American youth said they had been cyberbullied, and about 1 in 4 (23.5 percent) indicated they were victimized online because of their race/color. Asian American youth were the only racial group where the majority (59 percent) reported more cyberbullying since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic. In 2019, Asian American youth were the least likely to have experienced cyberbullying.
What other storms can teach us about looming mental health impacts of Hurricane Ian
As residents of southwest Florida begin the arduous process of rebuilding their lives in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Tulane University experts who have studied long-term impacts of storms in New Orleans have one piece of advice: don’t ignore your…
New Emergency General Surgery Verification Program releases inaugural standards for quality care in emergency general surgery
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) announced the launch of the Emergency General Surgery Verification Program (EGS-VP), a new surgical quality program that will help hospitals establish and maintain the highest standards in emergency general surgery.
Changes in Traumatic Brain Injury Patterns During the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Researchers affiliated with the Council of State Neurological Societies investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) by evaluating data from the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program (MTQIP).
Clinicians who responded to recent mass shootings release recommendations for an effective healthcare response in the future
Recommendations developed during a consensus conference can help healthcare facilities and communities be ready to respond if a mass shooting occurs nearby.
Bike Helmets: Finding the Right Fit For Your Child
Follow these tips to make sure your child’s helmet is safe. A bike helmet can literally be a lifesaver for a child—dramatically reducing the chances of a head or brain injury from a bike, scooter or skateboard accident. But did you know that a helmet has to fit right to do its job? If it’s too small, too loose, or not positioned correctly, it may not protect your child.
Brain Activity May Play Role in Childhood Trauma Victims’ Heart Disease Risk
Rockville, Md. (June 1, 2022)—Research published ahead of print in the journal Function suggests that reduced activity in one area of the brain may play in role in how adults who experienced adverse childhood events (ACEs) have a greater risk…
Tulane trauma experts available to discuss mass school killing in Texas
Tulane University has the following experts available to discuss the trauma surrounding the mass killing of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. For interviews, contact Barri Bronston at [email protected] or Mike Strecker at [email protected]. Charles Figley is the…