The press release
archive.

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Catalyzing clinical change: The importance of representation in health care

DALLAS, November 16, 2023 — Disparities in health care persist, with Hispanic and Black adults reporting less satisfaction with their interactions with physicians, leading to poorer quality of care and health outcomes.[1],[2],[3] While 19% of people in the U.S. identify as Hispanic, fewer than 7% of physicians do.[4] This lack of representation in the delivery of health care has been shown to exacerbate health disparities among underrepresented groups and is a significant barrier to the Hispanic Latino community achieving optimal health.[5] In response to this challenge, the American Heart Association, a global force for ...

Read the release

Energy16 Nov 2023

Lithium-ion batteries are no longer the gold standard in battery tech

The use of lithium metal as the anode for batteries is one of the smarter options with better energy density than other materials. However, the interface between the electrode and electrolyte has quite a few issues that can be addressed for a safer and more functional outcome in the future. The researchers are keen on replacing the graphite anode with lithium metal anode to construct a battery system with higher energy density. However, the Li metal anode is unstable and readily reacting with electrolyte to form a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). Unfortunately, the natural SEI is brittle and fragile, resulting in poor ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Gene splicing reduces effectiveness of CD20-targeting monoclonal antibodies designed to treat variety of blood cancers and disorders

Philadelphia, November 16, 2023 – Immunotherapies that target the CD20 antigen have revolutionized how patients with a variety of blood cancers and hematologic disorders have been treated. However, many patients develop resistance to these treatments due to a loss of the antigen that’s being targeted. Now, a new study from researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has found that gene splicing occurring within these cells can cause significant changes in CD20 protein levels that render the therapies ineffective. The findings, published today by ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

IVI signs MOU with University of Cambridge, University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club to establish the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute

November 16, 2023, Republic of Korea — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), an international organization with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health, signed an MOU yesterday with University of Cambridge (UCAM), University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to promote vaccine research and global health initiatives, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJCGHI). HKJC will support the HKJCGHI through one of their largest donations in history, ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Incidence of recurrence and time to recurrence in Stage I to III colorectal cancer

About The Study: In this study of 34,000 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent surgery from 2004 to 2019, the risk of recurrence decreased over time, and higher disease stage was associated with shorter times from surgery to recurrence. Screening-detected CRC was associated with a lower risk of recurrence. Because the risk of recurrence was so low in selected patient groups, future research is warranted to explore risk-stratified surveillance protocols in patients with CRC. Authors: Claus Lindbjerg Andersen, Ph.D., of Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus, Denmark, ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

New efforts to improve cardiovascular, stroke care in rural areas

DALLAS, November 16, 2023 — Cardiovascular mortality is on the rise in rural areas of the United States, where more than 60 million Americans live, according to an American Heart Association presidential advisory. Understanding and addressing the unique health needs of people in rural America is critical to the Association’s pursuit of a world of longer, healthier lives. Today — on National Rural Health Day — the Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announces two new collaborative efforts to help close the gap between ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Make a list, check it twice with these heart-healthy holiday travel hacks

DALLAS, Nov. 16, 2023 — For people living with a health condition like heart disease or stroke, traveling away from home can pose some special challenges. The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, says with a little pre-travel prep, you can turn travel woes from “oh no” to “let’s go!” “As we look forward to the holidays, many people will be traveling to spend treasured time with family and friends, or maybe just to enjoy some ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Two new clinical trials find first-ever safe and effective treatment to prevent multidrug-resistant TB in both children and adults: Results presented at the Union Conference in Paris

PARIS (16 November, 2023)—Two landmark clinical trials reported today at the Union meeting showed that an oral antibiotic taken for six months once-daily substantially reduced the risk of developing drug-resistant TB. The antibiotic levofloxacin safely reduced the risk of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) disease in children by 56%, researchers from the Desmond Tutu TB Centre at Stellenbosch University announced at the Union Conference in Paris today. The Unitaid-funded trial also showed that levofloxacin given once ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

AI model can help predict survival outcomes for patients with cancer

Investigators from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on epigenetic factors that is able to predict patient outcomes successfully across multiple cancer types. The researchers found that by examining the gene expression patterns of epigenetic factors — factors that influence how genes are turned on or off — in tumors, they could categorize them into distinct groups to predict patient outcomes across various cancer types better than traditional measures like cancer grade and stage. These findings, described in Communications Biology, also lay the groundwork ...

Read the release

Technology16 Nov 2023

Wearable devices detect circadian disturbances that predict frailty risk in older adults

Brigham researchers found an association between alterations in circadian rest-activity rhythms and risk of frailty incidence in older adults Wearable devices can be used to measure a variety of signs and signals related to our health. A new study by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, suggests that such devices may also be able to help predict older adults at risk of health complications related to frailty. The team found an association between disturbances in daily patterns of rest and activity, or circadian ...

Read the release

Environment16 Nov 2023

Inequality hotspot map shows where women in agriculture are hit the hardest by the climate crisis

Threats posed by the climate crisis disproportionally affect certain communities and social groups that are more exposed. People living in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries are at heightened risk. Within these countries, women typically face higher climate risk than men. To show where women working in agri-food systems – systems that encompass production, but also post-harvest handling and distribution – are most threated by climate change, an international team of researchers has developed a hotspot map that identifies and ranks localities by threat level. “We show that significant ...

Read the release

Environment16 Nov 2023

Reclaiming carbon fibers from discarded composite materials

Minimizing energy consumption is a fundamental element in our journey towards sustainable societies, and advanced materials play a key role in this regard. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) are two prominent examples of composite materials that can significantly improve energy efficiency in various fields of application. These composites are made of carbon fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, such as epoxy resin. Thanks to their low weight and remarkable mechanical strength, CFRPs and CFRTPs can greatly ...

Read the release

Energy16 Nov 2023

Break free from dependence on Japan by developing core electric vehicle components

A research team led by Dr. Jae-woong Ko from the Department of Engineering Ceramics at the Korea Institute of Materials Science(KIMS) has succeeded in localizing silicon nitride bearing ball manufacturing technology for electric vehicle drive modules. KIMS is a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT. This achievement is significant because it overcomes the limitations of foreign dependence and opens up the possibility of domestic supply and demand. Silicon nitride bearing ...

Read the release

Science16 Nov 2023

Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes

Infants prenatally exposed to cannabis are more likely to be born preterm, have a low birth weight, and require neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care than infants without prenatal cannabis exposure, according to a study published today in the scientific journal Addiction. However, cannabis-exposed infants are not at greater risk of birth defects or death within one year, including sudden unexpected infant death. First author Ms. Maryam Sorkhou comments, “The global increase in cannabis use among women of reproductive age also extends to pregnant women. ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Landmark blood test to detect silent, lethal cancer

Research that could lead to the first early detection blood test for pancreatic cancer has received critical funding from PanKind, The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. Pancreatic cancer is one of Australia’s biggest killers, with poor survival rates marred by a lack of distinct symptoms and screening tools needed to detect the disease in its initial stages. It’s hoped the test will, for the first time, accurately identify patients with early stages of pancreatic cancer – a crucial step towards improving survival ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

A better way to study Parkinson’s disease in the lab could lead to earlier diagnosis

A recent study published in Progress in Neurobiology and led by researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson has developed an improved method to study Parkinson’s disease in the lab. Along the way, researchers also uncovered clues that may help scientists figure out how to detect Parkinson’s earlier and point the way toward better treatments. Around a million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that causes difficulty in movement, balance and cognition. Symptoms worsen until tasks like ...

Read the release

Science16 Nov 2023

Night-time radiative warming using the atmosphere

Warming has played a crucial role in various industrial and agricultural processes throughout history. Night-time warming, however, presents a distinct challenge due to the absence of solar radiation. During the night, direct radiative heat loss to outer space through the atmospheric transparent window (8-14 μm) can cause temperature to drop below freezing, posing significant threats to agriculture (crops), transportation (outdoor cables), and more. Traditionally, achieving night-time warming ...

Read the release

Technology16 Nov 2023

A bi-directional iterative approach to Android automated testing

With the benefits of reducing time-cost and human efforts, automated testing has been widely used for quality assurance of mobile applications (apps). However, in complex interactive activities, manual testing can achieve higher coverage. However, the effectiveness of manual testing is highly dependent on the vital User Operation Process (UOP) of experienced testers. To solve the problems, a research team led by Zhenyu CHEN and Chunrong FANG published their new research on 15 Oct 2023 in Frontiers of Computer Science co-published ...

Read the release

Science16 Nov 2023

Oregon State researchers receive $2M to look for new ways to prevent organic potatoes from spoiling

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University researchers have been awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop improved ways of preventing stored potatoes from sprouting, particularly in the organic sector. This research is pivotal given the rapid rise of the organic market in U.S. agriculture, the scientists note. “The organic potato industry cannot depend on traditional chemical anti-sprouting treatments since synthetic chemicals are banned in certified organic,” said Valtcho Jeliazkov of OSU’s College of Agricultural ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

Why it’s important to improve communication of unanticipated genomic findings to patients with late-stage cancer

New research conducted by City of Hope and supported by the American Cancer Society focuses on developing scalable educational interventions to support informed patient decision making and consent, such as online tools and applications that include visual aids or interactive multimedia. FINDINGS Cancer genomics experts at City of Hope®, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, conducted a qualitative study that underscored the importance of properly preparing patients for unanticipated, inheritable genetic findings prior to receipt of ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

New studies of brain activity explain benefits of electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), formerly known as electroshock therapy, involves inducing a brief seizure in the brain using controlled doses of electricity. While ECT is highly effective for certain mental illnesses, particularly depression, the reasons for its efficacy have long puzzled the fields of psychiatry and neuroscience. Now, researchers from University of California San Diego may have an answer. In two new studies published November 16, 2023 in Translational Psychiatry, they propose a new hypothesis that ECT alleviates depression symptoms by increasing aperiodic activity, a type of electrical activity in the brain that doesn’t follow a consistent pattern ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics researchers awarded $31M in grants for medical artificial intelligence innovation research

McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston reached a funding landmark with 15 faculty members awarded 16 different grants totaling more than $31 million between August and October 2023. Each grant has a focus on medical artificial intelligence (AI) innovations and advancements in research or health care. “This is an incredible achievement for McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics; these grants play a key role in advancing informatics research while also expanding on the important role technology continues to play in medicine,” said Jiajie Zhang, PhD, dean and Glassell Family Foundation Distinguished Chair in ...

Read the release

Medicine16 Nov 2023

The BMJ investigates concerns over informed consent for pregnant women in Pfizer’s RSV vaccine trial

A debate has broken out over whether Pfizer should have told pregnant women taking part in its maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine trial that a trial of a similar GSK vaccine was stopped over a safety signal around preterm birth, an investigation by The BMJ can reveal. Pfizer’s vaccine, called Abrysvo, was recently approved for use in the US and the European Union, but is not yet authorised in the UK. Some experts have criticised Pfizer for not informing participants, while others believe notification would have been premature and caused unnecessary anxiety, reports freelance investigative journalist Hristio ...

Read the release

Energy16 Nov 2023

No one-size-fits-all solution for the net-zero grid, Surrey research demonstrates

As power generation from sources like solar and wind increases, along with the introduction of devices such as heat pumps and batteries, a new optimisation tool created at the University of Surrey will help the UK plan for a greener electricity network. The researchers developed an algorithm to model how these smaller networks distributed electricity – factoring in how local grids could become unbalanced by adding too many heat pumps in a single area or generating more electricity than the grid could accept. The Surrey team found that it was generally more efficient ...

Read the release

Energy16 Nov 2023

Nuclear expansion failure shows simulations require change

The widespread adoption of nuclear power was predicted by computer simulations more than four decades ago but the continued reliance on fossil fuels for energy shows these simulations need improvement, a new study has shown. In order to assess the efficacy of energy policies implemented today, a team of researchers looked back at the influential 1980s model that predicted nuclear power would expand dramatically. Energy policies shapes how we produce and use energy, impacting jobs, costs, climate, and security. These policies are generated using simulations (also ...

Read the release