The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) brings you the following compilation of the most recent updates and news on research from the academic medical centers in the state.
Highlights
- Researchers at the Academic Medical Center
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants for Research
- Other Funds for Research in New York State
Cancer
- Tracing Cancer Back to its Origins
- Sticking to Lifestyle Guidelines May Reduce Risk for Certain Cancers and Overall Mortality
- NYU Langone Medical Center Utilizing New Technology to Detect Lingering Cancer Cells During Breast Surgery
Cardiology
- Vitamin A Deficiency May Be Involved in Type 2 Diabetes, Researchers Say
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital Participating in Trial of Device Designed to Prevent Stroke in Heart Valve-Replacement Patients
- A Novel Tool to Study Life-Threatening Arrhythimas: A Genetically Engineered Pig
Genetics
- Bone Stem Cells Shown to Regenerate Bone and Cartilage in Adult Mice
- Mechanical Stress Produces ‘Stem-Like’ Cells Via Nontoxic Method
- Biogen Idec and Columbia University Medical Center to Conduct Collaborative Genetics Research
Neurology
- A Paradox Revealed: Cues Associated with Infant Abuse May Help Reduce Stress in the Adult Brain
- University at Buffalo Paper: Behavioral Symptoms-CTE Link Needs Long-Term Study
Other Studies
- Animal-to-Human Transmission of Ebola Virus Appears Tied to Increasing Human Population Denstiy in Forested Regions, Say SUNY Downstate Researchers
- Mount Sinai Launches Artificial Pancreas Research Study
- University at Buffalo Study Advances Understanding of How Drugs Activate Receptors
- University at Buffalo Study Seeks Novel Pathways for Chemo Sensitivity, Resistance
- PTSD Doubles Diabetes Risk in Women
- Infections Increase Death Risk by 35 Percent for ICU Patients, Study Finds
Researchers at the Academic Medical Centers
Einstein Announced as the New Coordinating Center for National Research Network
January 13, 2015 – The Bravewell Collaborative today announced that Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University will lead the Bravewell Integrative Medicine Research Network (BraveNet), a practice-based consortium of 14 integrative medicine centers in the United States. As the coordinating center for BraveNet, Einstein will manage the network’s Patients Receiving Integrative Medicine Interventions Effectiveness Registry (PRIMIER) the first patient registry for integrative medicine, which combines complementary/alternative and conventional medical practices.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants for Research
Brain Bank Fuels Neuroscience Research
January 15, 2015 – In 10 massive freezers, the New York Brain Bank houses the meticulously catalogued brains of more than 5,000 donors with neurodegenerative diseases. Banking of frozen autopsy brains for research is not new and over the years has improved to allow the preservation of the tissue to be suitable for today’s cellular and genetic analyses. When Jean Paul Vonsattel, MD, became director of the neuropathology core of Columbia’s NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, he introduced a method of preserving the dissected brain tissue in liquid nitrogen vapor following a uniform sampling protocol. The precision with which brains are dissected, studied, and stored has made possible all kinds of research in neurodegenerative disorders and attracted visits from teams of scientists and doctors from around the world.
Other Funds for Research
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development funds molecular study at Upstate Medical University
January 15, 2015 – A molecular study at Upstate Medical University that could have broad implications for stem cell research, developmental biology and the study of January 15, 2015 – A molecular study at Upstate Medical University that could have broad implications for stem cell research, developmental biology and the study of human diseases has received $161,000 in funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Governor Cuomo Announces $36 Million to Accelerate Development of Stem Cell-Based Disease Cures
January 12, 2015 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $36 million has been awarded to three research groups for the development of treatments for some of the most devastating conditions that could be helped with stem cell research. “New York is home to some of the best researchers across the globe, and this funding will help ensure they can do the necessary work to grow our progress in stem cell science,” Governor Cuomo said. “This state is proud to be a leader in the health industry, and with this funding we will continue to develop modern, world-class research programs that work to make people worldwide healthier.”
Tracing Cancer Back to its Origins
Sticking to Lifestyle Guidelines May Reduce Risk for Certain Cancers and Overall Mortality
January 7, 2015 – A study of nearly a half-million Americans has found that following cancer prevention guidelines from the American Cancer Society may modestly reduce your overall risk of developing cancer and have a greater impact on reducing your overall risk of dying. Having a healthy body weight and staying active appeared to have the most positive impact.
NYU Langone Medical Center Utilizing New Technology to Detect Lingering Cancer Cells During Breast Surgery
January 5, 2015 – Many patients undergoing lumpectomy surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center for the removal of an early detected breast tumor – the surgical option of choice for this diagnosis — are benefitting from new intra-operative technology that detects microscopic amounts of cancer cells on removed tumor tissue not visible during or following surgical intervention.
Vitamin A Deficiency May Be Involved in Type 2 Diabetes, Researchers Say
New York-Presbyterian Hospital Participating in Trial of Device Designed to Prevent Stroke in Heart Valve-Replacement Patients
January 14, 2015 – NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is participating in a national multicenter trial to evaluate the Sentinel Cerebral Protection System (Sentinel), a medical device designed to prevent stroke in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The trial will assess Sentinel’s ability to capture embolic debris — calcified plaque built up in the arteries that can cause brain lesions or stroke — in the bloodstream.
A Novel Tool to Study Life-Threatening Arrhythmias: A Genetically Engineered Pig
Bone Stem Cells Shown to Regenerate Bone and Cartilage in Adult Mice
January 15, 2015 – A stem cell capable of regenerating both bone and cartilage has been identified in bone marrow of mice. The discovery by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) is reported today in the online issue of the journal Cell.
Mechanical Stress Produces ‘Stem-Like’ Cells Via Nontoxic Method
January 9, 2015 – Using mechanical stress, scientists at the University at Buffalo and colleagues have turned normal cells into ‘stem-like’ cells, suggesting a possible safe, new way to produce stem cells.
© 2015 School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. All rights reserved.
Biogen Idec and Columbia University Medical Center to Conduct Collaborative Genetics Research
January 9, 2015 – Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Columbia University Medical Center have formed a $30 million strategic alliance to conduct genetics discovery research on the underlying causes of disease and to identify new treatment approaches. As part of this agreement, a sequencing and analysis facility and shared postdoctoral program will be established at Columbia to support collaborative genetics research. The agreement will integrate genomics research conducted at Columbia with Biogen Idec’s understanding of disease mechanisms and pathways, and expertise in discovering new medicines.
A Paradox Revealed: Cues Associated with Infant Abuse May Help Reduce Stress in the Adult Brain
University at Buffalo Paper: Behavioral Symptoms-CTE Link Needs Long-Term Study
December 31, 2014 – A lack of longitudinal studies on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) hinders scientists’ ability to understand how the neurodegenerative brain disease is linked to behavioral health symptoms, according to an interdisciplinary study by University at Buffalo researchers.
© 2014 School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. All rights reserved.
Animal-to-Human Transmission of Ebola Virus Appears Tied to Increasing Human Population Density in Forested Regions, Say SUNY Downstate Researchers
January 21, 2015 – Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center have found an apparent link between human population density and vegetation cover in Africa and the spread of the Ebola virus from animal hosts to humans. Michael G. Walsh, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the School of Public Health at SUNY Downstate, notes that there is significant interaction between population density and green vegetation cover in the parts of Africa that have seen outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD).
Mount Sinai Launches Artificial Pancreas Research Study
University at Buffalo Study Advances Understanding of How Drugs Activate Receptors
January 9, 2015 – University at Buffalo research on acetylcholine receptors (AChR) will help pharmacologists better understand how drugs work and could help make “receptor engineering” a reality.
© 2015 School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. All rights reserved.
University at Buffalo Study Seeks Novel Pathways for Chemo Sensitivity, Resistance
January 9, 2015 – With the goal of improving chemotherapy, Jennifer A. Surtees, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry, will study what makes cancer cells sensitive or resistant to different DNA-damaging drugs.
© 2015 School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. All rights reserved.
PTSD Doubles Diabetes Risk in Women
January 8, 2015 – Women with post-traumatic stress disorder are nearly twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as women who don’t have PTSD, according to researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University Medical Center and Harvard School of Public Health.
Infections Increase Death Risk by 35 Percent for ICU Patients, Study Finds
January 6, 2015 – Elderly patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are about 35 percent more likely to die within five years of leaving the hospital if they develop an infection during their stay, a new study finds. Preventing two of the most common health care-associated infections—bloodstream infections caused by central lines and pneumonia caused by ventilators—can increase the odds that these patients survive and reduce the cost of their care by more than $150,000, according to a study published in the January 2015 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
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© 2015 Columbia University Medical Center. All rights reserved.