Adolescent athletes who sustained concussions while playing a sport recovered more quickly when they underwent a supervised, aerobic exercise regimen, a study published Feb. 4 in JAMA Pediatrics has found. An editorial in the journal called it “a landmark study.” The study, by University at Buffalo researchers and colleagues, is the first randomized clinical trial of a treatment in the acute phase after a sport-related concussion. Take a closer look.

In a study published online in the journal Science, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, part of Montefiore, prove for the first time that the brain’s cerebellum-long thought to be mainly involved in coordinating movement-helps control the brain’s reward circuitry. The surprising finding indicates that the cerebellum plays a major role in reward processing and social behaviors and could potentially lead to new strategies for treating addiction. Take a closer look.

Fascinated by the pervasive nature of cancer which affects the lives of so many, regardless of age, sex, or socioeconomic background, and equally interested in how environmental factors lead to carcinogenesis, Dazhong Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology at New York Medical College, says lung cancer research- which combines both his research interests- became the perfect arena in which he could make a difference. Take a closer look.

Many newly diagnosed cancer patients also are infected with hepatitis B or C virus-and are unaware of their viral status-a new study published in JAMA Oncology has found. Dawn L. Hershman, MD, MS, was a senior leader of the study, which was run by SWOG Cancer Research Network. Take a closer look.

Aerobic exercise training improves cognition, even for young and middle-aged adults, according to a new study led by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. The study of 132 adults between the ages of 20 and 67 found that aerobic exercise training increases executive function-cognitive processes important for reasoning, planning, and problem-solving-in adults as young as 20, although the effect was stronger with increasing age. Take a closer look.

Research published on January 22 in the journal Brain reveals a new approach to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that may eventually make it possible to reverse memory loss, a hallmark of the disease in its late stages. The team, led by University at Buffalo scientists, found that by focusing on gene changes caused by influences other than DNA sequences – called epigenetics – it was possible to reverse memory decline in an animal model of AD. Take a closer look.

In the largest genetic analysis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) performed to date, an international consortium, including researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, conducted a whole genome association study to identify common genetic architecture for different diagnostic criteria used to define the syndrome. The results are available online in the December 19 issue of the journal PLOS Genetics. Take a closer look.

Many individuals cite prescription opioids as their gateway to illicit opioid use. Although prescription opioids are involved in more than one-third of all opioid overdose deaths in the United States, examining any correlation between prescription opioid overdose deaths and pharmaceutical industry marketing has been limited-until now. New research from NYU School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center published online on January 18 in JAMA Network Open shows that increased marketing of opioid products to physicians-from consulting fees to free meals-is associated with higher opioid prescribing rates and elevated overdose deaths in the United States. Take a closer look.

As many as 646,000 people succumb to the flu every year worldwide-yet that number would be much greater if not for Doris J. Bucher, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology at New York Medical College (NYMC).  In her laboratory in Valhalla, N.Y., Dr. Bucher and her associates are responsible for developing flu seed stock for the production of the world’s annual supply of influenza vaccine. Take a closer look.

A new class of engineered proteins may counter infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus-a bacterial species considered one of the largest global health threats, a new study suggests. Published online January 16 in Science Translational Medicine, the study is the result of a five-year research partnership between scientists at NYU School of Medicine and Janssen Research and Development, LLC (Janssen).  Take a closer look.

The current ebolavirus outbreak in central Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ranks as the second largest and second deadliest in history: more than 600 cases and more than 370 deaths as of January 6, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Adding to the tragedy: children-who are much more likely to die from Ebola infection than adults-now account for more than one third of all cases. Take a closer look.

IThe National Institutes of Health has awarded a R01 grant to a multi-institutional team to develop and evaluate a pregnancy-specific Artificial Pancreas in a sequence of in-clinic and transitional environment clinical trials. The researchers hope that the first-in-the-nation studies will lead to a safe and effective at-home clinical trial with an extension phase to the end of pregnancy. Take a closer look.

ESports is redefining what it means to be a college athlete. While the NCAA explores whether to sanction eSports as an official “sport,” many institutions are already recognizing its legitimacy, with more than 80 U.S. colleges and universities already offering varsity eSport teams. Now the NYIT Center for eSports Medicine has published its first study, proving that eSports athletes face the risk of injuries just like any other athlete. Take a closer look.

Gregory P. Conners, MD, MPH, MBA, associate chair of pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinic, University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine, has been named chair of the Department of the Pediatrics at Upstate Medical University and executive director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. The appointment, effective March 4, was announced by Julio Licinio, MD, PhD, senior vice president for Academic Health Affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. Take a closer look.