University of Michigan in the news https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from University of Michigan Building better bone grafts: Nanofibrous scaffolds to activate two main collagen receptors in bone cells Each year, about 2.2 million bone-grafting procedures are performed worldwide, the gold standard of care being autografting, which uses the patient's own bone for tooth implantation and to repair and reconstruct parts of the mouth, face and skull. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-bone-grafts-nanofibrous-scaffolds-main.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:30:03 EDT news646587001 College education and physical activity help predict who will transfer from assisted living to nursing homes About 900,000 people in the United States live in assisted living, and roughly 15% could transfer to nursing homes annually—but little is known about the risk factors associated with having to make that move. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-college-physical-nursing-homes.html Gerontology & Geriatrics Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:39:03 EDT news646583941 Experienced surgeons could reduce the need for pacemakers after heart valve surgery People having surgery to repair tight or leaking heart valves may receive a pacemaker more often than necessary—leading to a greater risk for life-threatening complications, studies show. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-experienced-surgeons-pacemakers-heart-valve.html Cardiology Surgery Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:13:16 EDT news646485193 GLP1RA could drugs lower high iron levels, study finds GLP1RA agonists have been increasing in popularity for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-glp1ra-drugs-high-iron.html Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:38:24 EDT news646414700 COVID-19 hits older adults hardest; which ones want the updated vaccine? The newly updated COVID-19 vaccine just arrived in pharmacies and clinics nationwide, and a new poll suggests nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get it. But some older adults with high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest varies widely by age group, education level, race and ethnicity, and other factors, the poll shows. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-covid-older-adults-hardest-vaccine.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Vaccination Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:35:10 EDT news646295694 Team develops versatile knee exoskeletons for safer lifting A set of knee exoskeletons, built with commercially available knee braces and drone motors at the University of Michigan, has been shown to help counteract fatigue in lifting and carrying tasks. They helped users maintain a better lifting posture even when tired, a key factor in defending against on-the-job injuries, say the researchers of a new paper published in the journal Science Robotics. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-team-versatile-knee-exoskeletons-safer.html Robotics Engineering Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:26:04 EDT news645888362 Racial and gender bias in US crime victim compensation programs highlighted in report Significant racial and gender disparities exist in U.S. crime victim compensation programs, revealing Black and Indigenous people as well as survivors of gender-based violence face unique challenges in obtaining financial support, according to a new report from the University of Michigan. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-racial-gender-bias-crime-victim.html Political science Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:50:01 EDT news645882280 Could your phone detect hepatic encephalopathy by listening to you read? Research from the University of Michigan suggests that one day a phone app could be able to detect the development of hepatic encephalopathy in patients just by listening to them speak. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-hepatic-encephalopathy.html Gastroenterology Health informatics Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:50:01 EDT news645882005 Research shows that auto plants grew their workforces after transitioning to electric vehicle production U.S. auto plants producing battery electric vehicles have required a larger workforce than traditional internal combustion engine plants—a finding that runs counter to early predictions about how EVs would impact the industry. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-auto-grew-workforces-transitioning-electric.html Business Automotive Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:41:04 EDT news645806461 Newly developed OLED could enable compact, lightweight night vision A new type of OLED (organic light emitting diode) could replace bulky night vision goggles with lightweight glasses, making them cheaper and more practical for prolonged use, according to University of Michigan researchers. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-newly-oled-enable-compact-lightweight.html Optics & Photonics Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:35:03 EDT news645806101 In a step toward solar fuels, durable artificial photosynthesis setup chains two carbons together A key step toward reusing CO2 to make sustainable fuels is chaining carbon atoms together, and an artificial photosynthesis system developed at the University of Michigan can bind two of them into hydrocarbons with field-leading performance. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-solar-fuels-durable-artificial-photosynthesis.html Electronics & Semiconductors Energy & Green Tech Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:44:42 EDT news645795879 Q&A: How and why to talk to kids about sexual health in a digital age Elizabeth Kuzma, clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, talks to her young patients regularly about reproductive and sexual health in a digital age. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-qa-kids-sexual-health-digital.html Psychology & Psychiatry Pediatrics Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:30:01 EDT news645794490 Risk of clots, stroke from incorrect blood thinner dosing reduced using online dashboard Doctors and pharmacists treating people with blood thinners can reduce the rate of inappropriate dosing—as well as blood clots and strokes that can result from it—using an electronic patient management system, a study suggests. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-clots-incorrect-blood-thinner-dosing.html Cardiology Health informatics Tue, 17 Sep 2024 09:57:32 EDT news645785843 Inspired by squids and octopi, a new screen stores and displays encrypted images without electronics A flexible screen inspired in part by squid can store and display encrypted images like a computer—using magnetic fields rather than electronics. The research is reported in Advanced Materials by University of Michigan engineers. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-squids-octopi-screen-displays-encrypted.html Hi Tech & Innovation Security Mon, 16 Sep 2024 16:36:52 EDT news645723407 Why do Asian consumers love luxury shopping? The Asia-Pacific region is the largest consumer of personal luxury goods in the world. Asian consumers shop at home and overseas in cities like New York, Milan and Paris, contributing to the luxury industry's remarkable growth. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-asian-consumers-luxury.html Social Sciences Economics & Business Mon, 16 Sep 2024 16:30:53 EDT news645723050 1 in 5 parents worry their elementary and middle school aged kids don't have friends, poll suggests Developing friendships is often seen as a natural part of childhood but it may be easier for some kids than others. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-parents-elementary-middle-school-aged.html Social Sciences Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:10:07 EDT news645438036 Social connections and local identities found to influence how language spreads in different areas Think about the terms you use and why you started using them. Do you describe circular traffic patterns as "roundabouts," "traffic circles" or "rotaries?" Is your beverage preference called "pop," "soda" or "coke?" Do you wear "sneakers," "tennis shoes," or "gym shoes?" https://phys.org/news/2024-09-social-local-identities-language-areas.html Social Sciences Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:14:04 EDT news645448442 Gut reaction: Low levels of manganese can aggravate inflammatory bowel disease Researchers at the University of Michigan have delved deeper into the relationship between manganese deficiency and inflammatory bowel disease and found that low levels of the micronutrient can exacerbate intestinal injury and inflammation. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-gut-reaction-manganese-aggravate-inflammatory.html Inflammatory disorders Gastroenterology Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:10:06 EDT news645379801 College students' mental health improving, more finding support The latest annual Healthy Minds Study, which surveyed 100,000-plus college students from 200 universities across the United States, has good news to report: There are decreases in symptoms of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide, and increases in receiving mental health care and support. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-college-students-mental-health.html Social Sciences Education Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:03:38 EDT news645368612 Cannabis and older adults: Poll shows current use patterns, beliefs and risks Whether they're using it for recreational or medical reasons, a sizable percentage of people in their 50s and older have smoked, eaten, drunk or applied to their skin at least one form of cannabis in the past year, a new poll shows. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-cannabis-older-adults-poll-current.html Addiction Gerontology & Geriatrics Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:05:05 EDT news645365101 Conversations between clinicians and their patients about firearms could save lives Health care providers who counsel their patients about firearm safety and prevention could prevent future injury or death, including suicides, violent injuries and unintentional injuries resulting from firearms, according to a University of Michigan report. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-conversations-clinicians-patients-firearms.html Health Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:51:43 EDT news645360689 Clovis people used Great Lakes camp annually about 13,000 years ago, researchers confirm The earliest humans to settle the Great Lakes region likely returned to a campsite in southwest Michigan for several years in a row, according to a University of Michigan study. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-clovis-people-great-lakes-annually.html Archaeology Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:30:12 EDT news645291002 Solving a memristor mystery to develop efficient, long-lasting memory devices Phase separation, when molecules part like oil and water, works alongside oxygen diffusion to help memristors—electrical components that store information using electrical resistance—retain information even after the power is shut off, according to a University of Michigan led study recently published in Matter. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-memristor-mystery-efficient-memory-devices.html Electronics & Semiconductors Computer Sciences Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:34:04 EDT news645201241 New law regulating out-of-pocket drug spending saves cancer patients more than $7,000 a year, study finds As prescription oral chemotherapies have become a common form of cancer treatment, some patients were paying more than $10,000 a year for medications. A new study finds that efforts to cap prescription drug spending are yielding significant out-of-pocket savings for these patients. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-law-pocket-drug-cancer-patients.html Oncology & Cancer Medical economics Tue, 10 Sep 2024 11:00:01 EDT news645178261 Long-term exercisers have 'healthier' belly fat, study reveals People with obesity who are long-time exercisers have healthier belly fat tissue and can store fat there more effectively than nonexercisers with obesity, according to a new study from a team of researchers at the University of Michigan. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-term-healthier-belly-fat-reveals.html Sports medicine & Kinesiology Endocrinology & Metabolism Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:08:35 EDT news645181713 Black stroke patients arrive later to hospitals, EMS less likely to notify During a stroke, Black Americans arrive later to emergency departments—which are less likely to be notified of a patient's condition ahead of time, a national study shows. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-black-patients-hospitals-ems-notify.html Cardiology Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:43:25 EDT news645180200 Cattle grazing by Maasai not harmful to national park, research argues Bilal Butt knows how it sounds. The associate professor of sustainability and development at the University of Michigan understands that arguing to let cattle graze in a national park offends the sensibilities. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-cattle-grazing-maasai-national.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:01 EDT news645090001 Iron was life's 'primeval' metal, say scientists Every living organism uses tiny quantities of metals to carry out biological functions, including breathing, transcribing DNA, turning food into energy, or any number of essential life processes. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-iron-life-primeval-metal-scientists.html Earth Sciences Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:01 EDT news645092627 How the brain's inner chamber governs our state of consciousness In hospital operating rooms and intensive care units, propofol is a drug of choice, widely used to sedate patients for their comfort or render them fully unconscious for invasive procedures. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-brain-chamber-state-consciousness.html Neuroscience Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:19:04 EDT news645092341 Protein NSD2 found to drive early prostate cancer development Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have uncovered a key reason that a typically normal protein goes awry and fuels cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-protein-nsd2-early-prostate-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Genetics Mon, 09 Sep 2024 05:00:01 EDT news644850301