DR. ALAN M. REZNIK, M.D.

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This study looked at a new way to take images of specific organs using a type of PET scanner that uses flat detectors. Researchers found that by capturing images from multiple angles, they significantly improved image quality, showing a drop in image uniformity from nearly 11% to just about 3% and reducing smearing, which allows for clearer images of the targeted organs. These improvements can lead to more accurate diagnoses and better patient care during PET scans because they minimize unnecessary radiation exposure. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing PET scans, especially those with specific organ concerns.

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This study focused on the Jordan Valley, a key area where water, energy, food, and ecosystems interact in ways that impact sustainable development and climate change responses. Researchers created a new planning framework that includes input from local communities to help address these complex issues, revealing that different areas of the Valley face varying challenges and opportunities. The findings highlight significant differences in community needs and strengths, which is crucial for developing effective and tailored solutions to improve resilience against climate-related issues. Who this helps: This benefits local communities in the Jordan Valley and policymakers looking for effective strategies for sustainable development.

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This study looked at a new way to create images using a type of PET scanner that focuses on specific organs, such as the breast. By using advanced computer technology called GPU, researchers were able to make images ten times faster and improve the speed of processing by one hundred times while keeping the image quality high. This is important because it means quicker and more comfortable exams for patients, allowing doctors to see more patients in a shorter time. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing PET scans, particularly those needing breast imaging.

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This study looked at how different age groups of medical cannabis patients in Israel use cannabis and where they get their information about it. The researchers found that younger patients mostly smoke cannabis, while older patients prefer other methods like edibles—40% of those aged 18-33 smoked compared to only 10% of those 65 and older. Additionally, older patients were more likely to have a higher understanding of CBD levels in their cannabis, suggesting they may be more informed about their options. Who this helps: This information benefits patients and their doctors by improving understanding of cannabis use across different age groups.

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This study investigated how information about touch travels through nerve cells in the brain, specifically looking at how well the details of a stimulus (like where it is located) are communicated. The researchers found that touch information is effectively represented even when it travels through multiple connections in the brain, but some details may be lost during the nerve signal generation. However, these details can quickly be restored using nearby cells, leading to accurate representations of touch in the brain. Who this helps: This benefits patients with sensory processing disorders and doctors working in neurology and rehabilitation.

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This study looked at how war affects the mental health of women in Ukraine and Israel. Researchers surveyed 1,071 women and found that Israeli women experienced higher levels of fear and depression, while Ukrainian women reported feeling lonelier and using more substances. Overall, both groups experienced negative mental health impacts due to war, but the differences may be linked to their cultural contexts and the length of their experiences with conflict. Who this helps: This helps women affected by war, mental health professionals, and policymakers.

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This research looked at how mechanical stress affects thick layers of amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO), which are used in X-ray detectors for medical imaging. The study found that thicker layers can develop defects like cracks and crystalline inclusions due to stress, which can increase dark current—a problem for detector performance. By adjusting how these layers are deposited and managing temperature, the researchers believe it’s possible to reduce or prevent these issues, making the detectors work better. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by improving the performance of medical imaging devices.

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This study looked at clinical trials aimed at treating or preventing oral mucositis, a painful side effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. The researchers found that trials that were stopped before completion often had fewer participants and were more likely to be sponsored by academic institutions. About 38% of the trials failed mainly due to difficulties in enrolling participants, highlighting the need for better planning and funding for these studies. Who this helps: This benefits patients with cancer who suffer from oral mucositis, as better trials could lead to effective treatments.

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This study looked at how adding zinc (Zn) to yttrium iron garnet (YIG) affects its ability to conduct electricity and its magnetic properties. Researchers found that increasing the zinc concentration boosted the material's conductivity by up to 1,000 times compared to regular YIG and also improved its magnetic performance. This matters because it could lead to the development of better, energy-efficient microwave devices that work with electric currents. Who this helps: This helps engineers and scientists working on advanced electronic devices.

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This study looked at Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among university students and young adults in Japan and Israel, focusing on how culture, gender, loneliness, and burnout are connected to gaming behavior. Researchers surveyed 1,318 participants and found that Japanese gamers had less IGD compared to their Israeli counterparts, and men reported higher levels of IGD than women in both countries. High levels of loneliness and burnout were strongly linked to IGD, particularly among men, highlighting the need for targeted support and intervention, especially for this at-risk group. Who this helps: This helps patients, mental health professionals, and educators who work with young adults experiencing gaming issues.

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This study looked at the levels of certain fats, or lipids, in the blood of patients with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and mood disorders like depression. Researchers found 144 lipids that were significantly different between the two groups, with a particular lipid pattern that could distinguish schizophrenia from depression with an accuracy of 83%. This matters because it could lead to better diagnosis and treatment for people with these mental health conditions. Who this helps: Patients with psychotic and affective disorders seeking accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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This study looked at how excessive gaming affects mental health among university students in Georgia, focusing on issues like burnout and life satisfaction. Researchers surveyed 506 students and found that, on average, students played about 8.26 hours of games per week and had an Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) score of 15.04. The results showed that more gaming was linked to worse mental health outcomes, while higher levels of religiosity appeared to offer some protection against these negative effects. Who this helps: This research benefits students, mental health professionals, and families by highlighting the risks of excessive gaming and the importance of balancing gaming with other life activities.

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This study looked at a new type of light guide for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detectors that helps improve how images are created by reducing errors caused by light at the edges of the sensors. Researchers found that using partly segmented light guides allowed them to identify a 24 × 24 array of crystal signatures on images, compared to only 22 × 22 with solid light guides, leading to clearer and more accurate images, especially at the edges. Improving these images matters because it can lead to better diagnoses and treatment planning for patients. Who this helps: Patients undergoing PET scans.

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This study looked at the mental health of Ukrainian female university students over three years of war, surveying 3,467 students at different times. They found that while fear, depression, and burnout decreased from 2022 to 2023, these issues sharply increased again in 2024, indicating ongoing mental health struggles. This is important because it highlights the need for better mental health support and resources for students impacted by war. Who this helps: This helps students, mental health professionals, and university administrators working to support young women in conflict zones.

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This study looked at how certain biological markers in the blood can help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat veterans. Researchers found that a combination of low cortisol levels and high IL-6 levels can accurately identify PTSD, correctly classifying 78% of the participants tested. This matters because it provides a more reliable way to diagnose PTSD, which can lead to better treatment and support for veterans suffering from this condition. Who this helps: Veterans with PTSD and the healthcare providers who treat them.

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This study examined how different types of acute schizophrenia impact the frontal lobes in the brain. Researchers identified three main profiles of patients: one group had high levels of excitement and hostility, another had high levels of depression and anxiety, and the largest group (74%) experienced significant negative symptoms like lack of motivation and disorganization. They found that the group with mostly negative symptoms showed the most severe problems with frontal lobe function, particularly linked to difficulties in thinking abstractly and having conversations. Who this helps: This research helps doctors by providing insights that can guide treatment strategies for patients with different types of schizophrenia.

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This study looked at a new low-dose imaging method called positron emission mammography (PEM) to help detect breast cancer alongside MRI scans. Out of 25 women with breast cancer, PEM successfully identified 24 cancers, which is a 96% accuracy rate, and it detected fewer false positives compared to MRI. This is important because it shows that low-dose PEM could be a valuable tool for diagnosing breast cancer, potentially reducing unnecessary anxiety from false alarms. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

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This study looked at a new type of PET scanner designed to target specific organs and how well it can detect small tumors. Researchers found that this scanner had a spatial resolution of 2.3 mm, meaning it can clearly differentiate between small details, and it performed better at recovering contrast in images compared to similar existing scanners. These findings are important because they suggest that this PET technology can accurately detect tumors as small as 5 mm, which could improve treatment decisions for various cancers. Who this helps: This benefits patients with small tumors and doctors making treatment plans.

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This study looked at how brain responses to sounds might help identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans who have experienced combat. Researchers tested 18 veterans with PTSD and 22 healthy volunteers, finding that veterans had noticeable differences in their brain activity; specifically, they showed longer response times and altered strength in certain brain signals related to sound. This is important because it suggests that these brain responses could be reliable markers for diagnosing PTSD, achieving an accuracy rate of 87%. Who this helps: This helps veterans with PTSD by providing better diagnostic tools for their condition.

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This study looked at a new approach using low-dose breast imaging with a special type of PET scan to reduce unnecessary procedures that come from misleading results from breast MRIs. In a case involving a 33-year-old woman, the PET scan did not show any cancerous activity in the breast after MRI suggested there might be issues, which helped her avoid unnecessary surgeries. This method is important because it can provide clearer results with less radiation, alleviating anxiety and reducing costs related to overdiagnosis. Who this helps: This benefits patients with breast imaging needs, especially those experiencing false-positive results from MRIs.

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This paper discusses a case where low-dose PEM (positron emission mammography) was used to help avoid unnecessary medical procedures for patients who had unclear or misleading breast MRI results. The findings showed that using PEM can clarify these results, potentially saving patients from invasive procedures that aren’t needed. This is important because it can reduce anxiety and the risk of complications from unnecessary operations. Who this helps: Patients with unclear breast MRI readings.

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This study looked at how different forms of a medication called paliperidone affect people with schizophrenia over a year. Researchers found that patients using injectable forms, especially the three-month version, were more likely to stick with their treatment and saw greater improvements, with nearly 59% completing the entire program compared to just over 20% for the oral version. This is important because better adherence to treatment can lead to fewer hospital visits and better overall management of schizophrenia symptoms. Who this helps: This helps patients with schizophrenia and their doctors by providing better treatment options.

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This study looked at the levels of certain fats (lipids) in the blood of individuals with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder to see if they could be used to help diagnose these mental health conditions. The researchers found that 77 specific lipids were consistently changed in people with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls, and they could accurately distinguish between the two groups 86-95% of the time. This is important because it shows that these lipid changes could lead to a new test for diagnosing serious mental disorders. Who this helps: This research could benefit patients with mental health disorders by providing a clearer way to diagnose their conditions.

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This study looked at how fear of COVID-19 affected the mental health of female university students in "help" professions, like social work and psychology, in Israel and Malta. The research found that 74.3% of these students felt their emotional well-being got worse during the pandemic, and 77.2% used substances like alcohol or drugs in the last month, regardless of whether they were from Israel or Malta. It matters because these findings highlight the urgent need for support systems at universities to help students manage stress and build resilience during tough times. Who this helps: This helps female university students studying in helping professions.

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This study examined a new type of PET camera, called the Radialis organ-targeted PET Camera, to see how well it performs in detecting small objects, especially in breast cancer imaging. It was found to accurately visualize small lesions with a size as tiny as 1.35 mm and could produce high-quality images even with significantly reduced doses of a tracer, showing a 10-fold dose reduction compared to standard methods. This is important because it means patients could receive effective imaging for cancer while being exposed to much less radiation. Who this helps: Patients undergoing cancer imaging.

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This study looked at a new type of X-ray detector made from a material called amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) and a layer of polyimide (PI) to understand how to reduce an unwanted electrical effect called dark current. Researchers found that by adjusting the electric field used in the detector, they could manage the dark current more effectively; specifically, they measured dark current at different electric fields, ranging from 5 to 20 volts per micrometer. Finding ways to reduce dark current is important because it can improve the quality and clarity of X-ray images, making it easier for doctors to diagnose conditions accurately. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by providing clearer X-ray images for better diagnosis.

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This study looked at two types of lead oxide-based X-ray sensors to see which one works better for medical imaging. The researchers compared a standard version made from amorphous lead oxide alone with a new version that combines amorphous and polycrystalline lead oxide. They found that both prototypes performed well in creating clear images quickly and were sensitive enough for low-dose imaging, which is important for reducing radiation exposure in patients. Who this helps: This research benefits patients by improving the safety and effectiveness of medical X-ray imaging.

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This study looked at alcohol addiction among Russian war veterans who were receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital. It involved 685 patients, including 264 veterans, 296 servicemen, and 125 reserve personnel. The researchers found no difference in alcohol addiction rates between war veterans and those who had never been in combat, but they discovered that alcohol addiction was often underdiagnosed, especially in veterans with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and mental health professionals who work with veterans and may help improve how they diagnose and treat alcohol-related issues.

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This study looked at how well the medication Lurasidone works in treating both schizophrenia and related depression symptoms in Russian patients. It involved 168 adults and found that using Lurasidone, especially at 120 mg, led to significant improvements in symptoms of both schizophrenia and depression, with the best results happening quickly and showing strong benefit. Most side effects were mild, making Lurasidone a safe option for these patients. Who this helps: This helps patients dealing with acute schizophrenia and depression, as well as their doctors in managing treatment.

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This study looked at a new smartphone-based system that allows neurologists to assess stroke severity from a distance using video recordings of patients in the emergency room. They found that the scores given by neurologists using the video system closely matched those given during in-person assessments, with a reliability score of 0.936 overall. This is important because it shows that remote assessments can be just as effective as in-person evaluations, potentially improving care for stroke patients before they reach a neurologist. Who this helps: This benefits stroke patients by providing quicker access to expert evaluations.

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This study looked at the effects of gaming and gaming disorder on the wellbeing of male university students and young adults in Israel. Among 526 surveyed, university students showed higher signs of gaming disorder, more burnout, and lower economic wellbeing compared to other young adults. These findings highlight the need for universities to create support systems for students struggling with gaming addiction, as it impacts their mental health and finances. Who this helps: This helps students and university staff who can implement support programs.

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This study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the way stroke patients were treated in emergency departments from January to April 2020, comparing it to the same months in the previous years. Researchers found that while the total number of stroke patients coming to the emergency room dropped by 41% compared to 2019, those arriving within 6 hours of their symptoms increased from 28-42% in previous years to 68-100% during the pandemic. This is important because it means that even though fewer people were going to the emergency department, those who did were getting faster and more effective treatment. Who this helps: This helps stroke patients and their families by highlighting the importance of seeking timely care.

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This study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected stroke care around the world during the peak of the outbreak from March to May 2020. It found that hospitalizations for strokes dropped by 19.2%, mechanical thrombectomies by 12.7%, and intracranial hemorrhages by 11.5% compared to the same months in prior years. This decline in care is concerning because it could lead to worse outcomes for stroke patients who were not treated on time. Who this helps: This helps patients who suffer strokes and their families by highlighting the need for prompt medical care during crises.

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The study looked at how nursing students in Israel and the U.S. understand and feel about medical cannabis. Among the 387 students surveyed, 91.2% said they would recommend cannabis to patients if they could, and 93.5% believed it could significantly help with physical health. However, many students felt unprepared to answer questions about cannabis, highlighting a need for better education on the topic. Who this helps: This helps patients who may benefit from medical cannabis, as well as nurses who need proper training to support their care.

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This study looked at how foreign medical students from India and the Middle East feel about using medical cannabis for pain management. Out of 549 students surveyed, those from India and the Middle East generally supported the use of medical cannabis more than their Russian and Belarusian classmates. For example, secular students from Russia and Belarus were more likely to favor changes in cannabis policy than religious students. This is important because understanding these attitudes can help shape medical education and policies regarding pain management in countries where cannabis use is controversial. Who this helps: This benefits medical students and educators by informing curriculum development and promoting awareness around the use of medical cannabis.

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This study looked at how well students in health-related fields in Israel understand medical cannabis, including their attitudes and beliefs about it. Out of 763 students surveyed, while only 1.9% used medical cannabis, 54% used it recreationally, and the majority believed it had health benefits but also worried about its risks. Most of these students felt they were not prepared to answer patients’ questions about medical cannabis and wanted more training, highlighting the need for better education on this topic in health programs. Who this helps: This helps future doctors, nurses, and social workers prepare to support patients seeking information on medical cannabis.

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This study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected stroke care around the world from March to June 2020. It found that during this period, there were 11.5% fewer stroke hospitalizations and 13.2% fewer IV thrombolysis treatments compared to the same months in previous years. Although there was a recovery in stroke admissions during the later months of the pandemic, the overall decline in care is concerning for patient outcomes. Who this helps: This information benefits patients who may need timely stroke treatment and healthcare providers working to improve care during future pandemics.

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This study looked at how social work students in the US and Israel feel about using cannabis for medical reasons. The researchers found that most students hadn’t received any formal education about medical cannabis—84.3% in the US and 96.7% in Israel—but many still believed it could be helpful for their clients' health. Additionally, students who had used cannabis themselves were more likely to think it could be beneficial and less likely to see it as dangerous. Who this helps: This research helps social work students and the clients they support.

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This study looked at how medical students in Israel and Thailand feel about using medical cannabis for managing pain. It found that 55.6% of Israeli students had used cannabis, compared to just 6.9% of Thai students. Israeli students were more likely to recommend it for treatment and support its legalization, though they felt less prepared to discuss it with patients than Thai students. Who this helps: This research benefits medical students and ultimately patients who might use medical cannabis for pain relief.

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This study explored the relationship between certain genetic markers and immune response indicators in people with schizophrenia, focusing on how these factors relate to problems in the frontal lobe. Researchers found that two specific genetic variants (rs6280 and rs7322347) are associated with schizophrenia, and that levels of immune markers like IL-6 and activity of leuckocyte elastase are significantly different in those with the disorder. Understanding these connections helps identify potential biological markers for assessing the severity of frontal lobe dysfunction in schizophrenia, which can improve treatment strategies. Who this helps: This helps patients with schizophrenia and their doctors in understanding and potentially managing their condition better.

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This study looked at a new material called amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) to see if it could be a better choice than the currently used amorphous selenium (a-Se) for X-ray imaging. The researchers found that a-PbO is sensitive to X-rays and that its sensitivity varies based on factors like electric field strength and X-ray energy, measuring between 18-31 electron-volts (eV) for each electron-hole pair created. This research is important because it helps improve X-ray detectors, especially for higher-energy imaging methods, which can lead to better diagnostic capabilities. Who this helps: This benefits patients who require high-energy X-ray imaging for accurate diagnoses.

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This research studied a new type of X-ray detector made from a combination of two forms of lead oxide: a lag-free layer (amorphous lead oxide) and a conventional layer (polycrystalline lead oxide). The new design completely eliminated signal lag, enabling real-time X-ray imaging, which is crucial for timely and accurate medical diagnosis. The researchers found that the combined detector performed similarly to current commercial options, making it a promising alternative for faster imaging without delays. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by improving the speed and effectiveness of X-ray imaging in medical settings.