Flu shots typically become available in August, but waiting until October to get vaccinated may be best for older adults, according to a research study from the University of Pittsburgh. Over time, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in an individual declines and the risk of contracting the flu rises. Because flu season often increases in October and peaks between December and February, researchers suggest thatgetting vaccinated closer to the start of flu season may provide better protection. ...

Gastric bypass surgery, also called the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, is the most common form of weight loss surgery performed in the United States today and has helped many people lose weight and improve health. However, a new study reports that the death rate from drug- and alcohol-related causes in people who have had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is nearly triple that of the general public, according to recently published research from the University of Pittsburgh.  Researchers...

Going through a breakup, feeling left out, or losing a friend can be difficult, but recent research may provide a clue about why some people bounce back from these types of rejection faster than others. University of Pittsburgh researcher Tristen Inagaki, PhD, and her team recently published new findings in the journal Biological Psychology reporting that people with high blood pressure were less sensitive to social pain—defined as the unpleasant experience felt by actual or perceived damage to...

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States for people aged 15 to 34. Although there are often warning signs that someone is thinking about suicide, it is difficult to predict who will go on to attempt or commit suicide. But a research study published in JAMA Psychiatry and led by Nadine Melhem, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh, shows that focusing on patterns of depressive symptoms may help healthcare providers better assess suicidality in high-risk young people. ...

Many people take aspirin to lessen pain, lower a fever, or prevent a heart attack or stroke, but new research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reports that taking aspirin may also help treat patients with some types of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)—cancers that affect the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, and sinus cavity. Researcher Matthew Hedberg, MD, PhD, and his team at the University of Pittsburgh found that regular use of aspirin improved outcomes for...

We all know that it is important to get a good night’s sleep, and this may be especially important for older women. New research from Jane Cauley, DrPH, of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, found that women who slept poorly, or slept too much or too little, had an increased risk of falling and breaking a bone. Dr. Cauley and her team studied self-reported data from 157,306 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 and...

Could an over-the-counter supplement help people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an umbrella term for conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease that involve immune response and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract? In findings published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh senior author David Binion, MD, and his team reported that low vitamin D levels—a vitamin that is available in foods, as a dietary supplement, and when ultraviolet...

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the University of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce that the Pitt+Me® Registry—currently celebrating its 10 year anniversary!—enrolled its 200,000th participant in March 2019. This large and diverse group of adult and pediatric participants helps Pitt and UPMC researchers make groundbreaking discoveries, gives Western Pennsylvanians access to innovative research studies, and contributes to advancing exceptional medical care across the...

Children who grow up in poverty often have mental health and behavioral issues that extend into their adult lives, but research shows that there are ways to help prevent these negative effects. A study published in the journal Child Development by University of Pittsburgh researcher Jamie Hanson, PhD, and his team found that family-based interventions helped children emotionally combat the negative effects of poverty by strengthening connections between important parts of each child’s brain. ...

Could a person’s heart health provide clues about their dementia risk? Study findings from University of Pittsburgh doctoral student Chendi Cui, PhD, and her team published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found that stiffness in the aorta—the body’s main artery—is associated with an increased risk of dementia. As part of the long-term Cardiovascular Health Study at Pitt, researchers measured aortic stiffness using a non-invasive test called pulse wave velocity (PWV) and assessed brain...

By the age of 60, almost one in three Americans experience fat pad atrophy of the foot—a breakdown of the shock-absorbing pad in the ball of the foot that can lead to foot pain, ulcers, and callus formation. A new study from University of Pittsburgh researcher Jeffrey Gusenoff, MD, shows that fat grafting, a minimally-invasive procedure in which a person’s own fat is removed from one area and injected into another, can provide long-lasting improvements in foot pain and function for patients...

Understanding cold-related injuries is important for parents at this time of year, according to Raymond D. Pitetti, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. There are two broad categories for cold injuries—freezing injuries like frostbite, and nonfreezing injuries like hypothermia. Kids are especially at risk for both types of cold injuries, in part because when they are having fun outside they just don’t know when to quit! Kids are also different...

For people experiencing the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a painful time of year. Festive music, decorations, and holiday parties meant to bring comfort and joy can instead serve as painful reminders of the loss, and many bereaved individuals are faced with making new holiday rituals and traditions. University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry researcher Sarah Stahl, PhD, whose work focuses on improving the mental and physical health of bereaved older adults, shares her tips for...

We hear a lot about the negative impacts of video games, but recent research suggests they may help emergency room physicians improve their skills. Medical errors are common, and the emergency room can be a particularly challenging setting for doctors to make an accurate diagnosis due to limited time and information available. Pitt researcher Deepika Mohan, MD, MPH, and her team set out to develop a video game solution that would help emergency room doctors make better decisions about care...

School suspension rates are high in some Allegheny County school districts, and a new report shows that African American students are suspended at much higher rates than their non-Black classmates, according to a report from University of Pittsburgh researchers James P. Huguley, EdD, and Ming-Te Wang, EdD. High suspension rates were found to be related to poor academic performance, lower graduation rates, and increased contact with justice officials­­—often referred to as the “school-to-prison...