DR. DONALD CLAYTON PATTERSON, MD

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This study looked at how COVID-19 affects blood flow in the brain and how that relates to memory problems. Researchers found that people who were hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms had significantly lower blood flow to certain brain areas compared to those with milder symptoms or no symptoms at all, even 13 months after their infection. Additionally, poorer blood flow was linked to specific memory issues, indicating that these changes could contribute to ongoing cognitive difficulties for some individuals. Who this helps: This information benefits patients recovering from COVID-19, especially those who experienced severe symptoms, as it highlights the importance of monitoring brain health and memory function post-infection.

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This study looked at how having a heavy drinker in their lives affects the mental health of adult women in the U.S. Researchers found that 40% of the 1,503 women surveyed had a heavy drinker in their life, with 6% living with them. Women affected by heavy drinkers rated their mental well-being lower, and 22% experienced negative impacts in the past year, especially if the heavy drinker lived in their home. This matters because it highlights the need for support and interventions to help these women improve their mental health. Who this helps: This helps women dealing with heavy drinkers in their lives.

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This research reviewed how pain management varies for people of different races and ethnicities, finding significant inequalities in care. Out of 118 studies, 75% reported disparities, mainly related to how pain is assessed and treated, including issues with how opioid prescriptions were given. Although these disparities have decreased over the last ten years, they still exist, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of patients' experiences and apply consistent treatment protocols. Who this helps: This helps patients of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who seek effective pain management.

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This study looked at how nurses in a breast cancer clinic can better support patients' spiritual needs. After training, nurses became more comfortable and capable of identifying patients who were experiencing spiritual distress. As a result, referrals to spiritual care increased significantly, with about 19% of patients accepting help from chaplains and 33% seeking support from social workers. This is important because addressing spiritual and emotional concerns can lead to a better overall quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Who this helps: This helps cancer patients by improving their emotional and spiritual support during treatment.

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This study looked at how economic hardships caused by COVID-19 affected symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in people. Researchers found that those facing economic difficulties drank more frequently and heavily, which increased their AUD symptoms: for example, drinking volumes more than doubled from Wave 1 to Wave 2. These findings are important because they highlight the need for public health messages that encourage people to reduce their alcohol consumption during times of economic crisis. Who this helps: This helps patients struggling with alcohol use and healthcare providers aiming to support them.

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This study looked at the challenges faced by people recovering from substance use disorders when applying for college. Researchers interviewed 17 students in recovery and found they encounter obstacles like personal struggles, past criminal records, and stigma around substance use, but they also show determination and resourcefulness. By tapping into support systems and having flexible course options, these students can successfully navigate the admissions process, highlighting the need for colleges to create more inclusive environments. Who this helps: This benefits students in recovery looking to further their education.

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This study looked at how being bullied online as a child affects the risk of sexual assault in college, particularly for different genders. Researchers surveyed 356 college students and found that those who experienced online bullying were more likely to be sexually assaulted in college, with this risk being higher for females when parental monitoring and relationships with troubled peers were considered. This matters because understanding these factors can help improve support and prevention strategies for young adults who have faced bullying. Who this helps: This helps students who have been bullied, their families, and support organizations.

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This study looked at how forests and savannas can coexist in tropical regions and how fire affects this balance, especially in light of climate change. The researchers used a detailed model that focuses on how fire spreads and how plants grow back after fires. They found that regular fires help keep forest areas smaller, while denser forests can stop fire from spreading, maintaining higher tree populations. Understanding these interactions is crucial for managing ecosystems and ensuring they remain resilient to changing conditions. Who this helps: This research benefits ecologists and land managers working to preserve tropical ecosystems.

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This study looked at the challenges Latina patients face when seeking treatment for urinary incontinence compared to Black and White patients. Researchers found that Latina patients scored higher on barriers to care, with an average score of 11.2, while White and Black patients scored 8.2 and 4.9, respectively. This research matters because recognizing and addressing these barriers can help more Latina patients access the care they need, promoting better health outcomes and fairness in treatment. Who this helps: This helps Latina patients seeking urinary incontinence care.

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This study looked at the experiences of women with cystic fibrosis (CF) who also deal with urinary incontinence (UI). It found that while many women reported feeling little annoyance from their symptoms—likely because modern treatments have improved their condition—most had not sought help due to feelings of embarrassment and a lack of understanding about the issue. The study highlights the need for better education and healthcare support for these women, including regular screening for UI as part of their CF care. Who this helps: This helps women with cystic fibrosis experiencing urinary incontinence.

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This study looked at whether certain foods and drinks that are thought to irritate the bladder, like caffeinated beverages and high-acid foods, are more commonly consumed by women suffering from urgency urinary incontinence. The researchers found that 53.8% of women with this condition drank caffeinated, carbonated, or citrus beverages compared to 47.1% of women without the condition, and a similar pattern was observed with high-acid foods. These findings are important because they suggest that reducing intake of these irritants may help manage urgency urinary incontinence symptoms. Who this helps: This helps women with urgency urinary incontinence.

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This study looked at women with overactive bladder syndrome and how often they switched between different advanced treatments: sacral neuromodulation, intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA, and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. Out of 7,231 women, only 4.3% switched treatments, with the highest rate (8.0%) after percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, compared to 4.2% after sacral neuromodulation and 2.6% after OnabotulinumtoxinA. It also found that medication use after these treatments was higher in women who received percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (29.2%) than in those who had the other two treatments. Who this helps: This information helps patients and doctors understand treatment options for overactive bladder syndrome.

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This study investigated how a specific brain circuit involving the ventral hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens affects decision-making when facing situations that involve choosing between approach and avoidance. The researchers found that when they inhibited this brain circuit in rats, the animals took longer to make decisions and tended to avoid making choices when faced with conflicting rewards and punishments, showing that this circuit plays a crucial role in navigating such conflicts. Understanding this mechanism is important because problems in this brain circuit might contribute to issues like addiction or excessive avoidance in people. Who this helps: This research helps patients with neuropsychiatric disorders and psychologists seeking to understand decision-making behaviors.

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This study looked at blood tests that can find genetic changes in tumors in over 16,000 cancer patients. Researchers found that 42.3% of these patients had genetic changes not caused by the tumor but by age-related blood changes. This is important because it shows that many genetic results might lead to wrong treatment choices, especially for drugs targeting specific mutations in cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer. Who this helps: This helps patients receiving cancer treatment.

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This study looked at how virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can improve training for health care professionals who deal with mental health, particularly focusing on consultations with new parents facing mental health issues. Researchers trained 123 participants, including nursing and medical students, using a VR tool to interact with a virtual patient named "Stacey." They found that participants showed a significant increase in understanding, motivation, and confidence about handling mental health consultations, with improvements measured at a statistically significant level (P<.001). Who this helps: This benefits mental health trainees, practice doctors, and students preparing for careers in psychology and medicine.

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This research looked at the number of women in orthopedic surgery residency programs across the United States. They found that women make up 23.7% of all orthopedic residents, with the highest percentage at 27% in the West. Only 12.6% of these programs highlighted women on their websites, showing that there's still a long way to go in promoting gender equity in this field. Who this helps: This helps aspiring female surgeons by highlighting areas for improvement and encouraging support for women in orthopedic surgery.

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This study looked at Medicaid patients aged 18-64 who were using opioids for a long time and also taking other medications that can affect breathing, like benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants. Researchers found that patients with low starting doses of opioids who were also taking these medications were less likely to have their opioid prescriptions reduced—only 22% had their opioids deprescribed compared to 33% who did not take additional respiratory depressants. This is important because it shows that simultaneous use of opioids and other respiratory depressants can hinder efforts to safely reduce opioid use, highlighting the need for better support and interventions for patients in this situation. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk of opioid misuse and healthcare providers managing their prescriptions.

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This study focused on analyzing a single type of molecule, specifically the cyclopropenyl cation, using a new and advanced method called inelastic recoil spectroscopy. Researchers achieved a much clearer view of the molecule's movements by enhancing their technique's precision by about 10,000 times, allowing them to observe its detailed rotational and vibrational changes. This breakthrough is important because it can be used to explore chemical processes in space, detect specific molecular shapes, and conduct experiments in basic physics. Who this helps: This helps researchers in astrochemistry, physics, and those studying molecular structures.

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This study looked at how malaria spreads throughout the year and how effective vaccination can be when timed with seasonal changes. The researchers found that targeting vaccination campaigns to coincide with the highest mosquito activity can prevent significantly more malaria cases—up to three times more cases prevented per vaccination in seasonal settings compared to year-round programs. This matters because it can lead to better strategies for controlling malaria, especially in areas where the disease peaks during certain times of the year. Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly young children who are most vulnerable to malaria.

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This study looked at how effective and safe two types of surgical methods for joining bones in the lower back are for patients suffering from sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which causes significant pain. The research found that patients who had the posterior approach reported pain improvements of 35% to 75%, while those who had the posterolateral oblique approach experienced improvements between 28% and 89%. These findings are important because they show that these newer surgical methods can help patients alleviate pain with fewer complications compared to older techniques. Who this helps: This benefits patients dealing with lower back and leg pain due to sacroiliac joint issues.

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This study looked at a procedure called lateral transiliac sacroiliac joint fusion, which helps relieve pain in the lower back caused by issues in the sacroiliac joint. Researchers followed 110 patients for six months and found that their pain decreased by an average of 4 points on a pain scale, and their function improved significantly by 18 points. The study showed that the procedure is safe, with very few complications reported. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from sacroiliac joint pain.

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This study focused on the impact of asparagine, a type of amino acid, on immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Researchers found that lowering asparagine reduced the harmful activity of specific immune cells called CD4T cells, which are often overactive in autoimmunity, leading to less severe symptoms in models of the disease. Specifically, the depletion of asparagine made pathogenic T helper 17 cells weaker, which led to a significant reduction in disease severity. Who this helps: This benefits patients with autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.

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This paper looks at how taking care of the planet is important for our health and well-being. It emphasizes that when we protect the environment, we also improve public health for everyone. The authors provide guidance on how educators, researchers, and policy makers can work together to promote this connection for the benefit of society. Who this helps: This helps patients, public health professionals, and policymakers.

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This study looked at how pharmacy technicians are involved in giving vaccinations and what training they receive around the world. It found that pharmacy technicians significantly help with vaccine administration and patient education, particularly in community pharmacies, which became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are challenges, such as differing training standards and regulatory barriers that need to be addressed to fully integrate pharmacy technicians into immunization programs. Who this helps: This benefits patients seeking easier access to vaccinations and healthcare providers looking for support.

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This research developed a new, efficient method for identifying and separating deep grey nuclei in the brain using MRI scans. The technique achieved high accuracy with a score of 0.7 or higher on a standard measure, making it reliable for use at different MRI machine strengths. This advancement allows researchers to better study important brain structures using publicly available MRI data, which was previously difficult due to inadequate tools. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and doctors studying brain conditions.

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This study looked at different methods for accurately mapping parts of the thalamus, a critical brain region, using brain imaging from 67 healthy adults. The researchers found that traditional methods based on brain connectivity were less precise than newer techniques, with connectivity methods failing to define thalamic boundaries accurately, while other methods achieved better results, especially in certain thalamic areas. This matters because more accurate mapping can lead to improved treatments in neuroscience, particularly for brain interventions like deep brain stimulation. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing brain treatments and the doctors managing their care.

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The study examined how well three different measurements—right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and fractional area change (FAC)—can predict outcomes for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Researchers looked at 315 patients and found that RVGLS was the best predictor of both 5-year survival and hospitalizations, unlike TAPSE, which did not show a significant connection to mortality. This matters because using RVGLS could help identify patients at higher risk and improve their care. Who this helps: This benefits patients with pulmonary hypertension and their doctors.

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This study looked at the impact on families when someone they care about misuses alcohol or drugs. Researchers surveyed over 8,300 adults and found that many experienced significant stress due to these issues, with 39% feeling emotionally drained and 38% facing arguments in the family. These findings highlight the need for better support systems and policies to help families dealing with these burdens. Who this helps: Families and loved ones affected by someone else's substance use.

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The study looked at how effective EVOKE therapy is for treating chronic pain in patients in everyday settings, rather than just in controlled clinical trials. Researchers found that patients experienced significant improvements in pain relief, with more than half showing meaningful changes in their conditions after using the therapy. Specifically, improvements were maintained from the end of the study to follow-up visits, indicating that this therapy can provide lasting relief for patients. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from chronic pain and the healthcare providers treating them.

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This study looked at how new methods for assessing the risk of chemicals used in farming affect the safety of soil organisms. The researchers found that estimates of chemical exposure in soil have risen significantly: the failure rates for regulatory assessments increased to 67% for the first tier, 58% for the second tier, and 36% for the third tier, compared to previous models. This matters because it shows that the new exposure assessment methods may not align well with actual soil conditions, making it harder to ensure soil safety for plants and animals. Who this helps: This helps farmers, environmental regulators, and policymakers focused on soil health.

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This study explored the types of freshwater fish living in Letchworth State Park and nearby areas of the Genesee River between 2017 and 2019. Researchers found a total of 25 fish species, with 22 of those being new discoveries in the park. This is important because it helps us understand the fish diversity in this area, which can impact the overall health of local ecosystems. Who this helps: This benefits conservationists and environmental planners who are working to protect freshwater habitats.

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This study looked at how other people's drinking and drug use can negatively affect everyone around them. It found that about 34% of respondents experienced problems related to someone else's alcohol use, while around 14% dealt with issues from other drugs. These harms included relationship troubles, accidents, and financial issues, showing that many people are impacted by substances, with nearly 30% experiencing both alcohol and drug-related harms. Who this helps: This helps patients, families, and communities affected by substance use issues.

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This study looked at how well a specific type of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) called BurstDR works for patients with severe lower back pain who aren't candidates for surgery. The results showed that 85.3% of patients receiving SCS had significant pain relief, compared to just 6.2% for those on conventional treatment. This is important because it shows that BurstDR SCS can effectively help patients who have run out of other options for managing their pain. Who this helps: This benefits patients suffering from chronic low back pain who cannot have surgery.

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This study looked at two treatments for chronic low back pain: conventional medical management and spinal cord stimulation (SCS). The findings revealed that after 12 months, 71% of patients using SCS experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain, and many reported significant improvements in their quality of life and less reliance on opioids. This is important because SCS not only provides better pain relief but also reduces overall healthcare costs by $1,214 compared to traditional treatments. Who this helps: Patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

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This study looked at how different types of crops affect the wash-off of pesticides after rainfall, which is important for predicting environmental impacts. Researchers tested six crops, including wheat and rice, and found that on average, 66.4% of the pesticide was washed off during a simulated rainfall. This is important because understanding how much pesticide runs off can help improve environmental safety models. Who this helps: This information benefits environmental regulators and farmers by improving pesticide management practices.

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This study looks at a woman in her late 70s who got a liver disease called autoimmune cholangitis a year after completing 35 treatments with the drug pembrolizumab for her lung cancer. The disease was not diagnosed right away, partly because she was afraid to leave her home and the COVID-19 pandemic made it harder to get medical help. Understanding this link is important because it highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of patients who undergo similar treatments, as they might develop delayed health issues. Who this helps: Patients receiving pembrolizumab and their doctors.

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The research studied how drinking habits in the U.S. changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that overall, more people increased their alcohol consumption and experienced more severe alcohol use disorders than those who decreased their drinking. Specifically, people who felt economic pressure during the pandemic were likely to drink more heavily, with significant increases in binge drinking days and severity of alcohol issues noted. Who this helps: This information benefits public health officials and mental health professionals aiming to support individuals facing alcohol-related challenges.

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This study explored how alcohol and drug use negatively affects the families and friends of those who use these substances. By conducting discussion groups in five U.S. cities, researchers found that these harms can lead to long-lasting emotional stress and may be worsened by negative interactions with legal and social services. The insights gained from participants helped refine a national survey to better capture the range of experiences related to these harms. Who this helps: This helps patients, their families, and healthcare providers understand the broader impacts of substance use.

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This study looked at where marijuana dispensaries opened in Washington after it legalized recreational use. Researchers found that these dispensaries were more likely to be located in neighborhoods with higher levels of disadvantage. For instance, they found that dispensaries were concentrated in urban areas that are economically struggling, influenced by local marijuana policies related to the number of licenses available. This matters because it highlights the need for fairer policies to ensure that all communities have equal access to marijuana resources. Who this helps: This helps policymakers and community leaders make more equitable decisions.

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This study looked at how the availability of recovery housing for people recovering from drug and alcohol use relates to community health risks during COVID-19. Researchers found that areas with more recovery housing also had higher COVID vulnerability scores, meaning these places often faced greater health risks. Specifically, communities with recovery homes had better access to COVID testing and vaccinations, showing that recovery housing can play an important role in supporting health during the pandemic. Who this helps: This research benefits individuals in recovery, healthcare providers, and community planners.

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This study looked at how different types of landscapes, specifically savannas and forests, change and develop over time, focusing on factors like competition for resources such as water and nutrients. The researchers found that when these resource limitations are included in the models, various patterns emerge that can lead to multiple stable environments under realistic conditions. This is important because it helps us understand how these ecosystems function and respond to changes, which can inform conservation efforts and land management strategies. Who this helps: This helps ecologists and land managers who work on conserving and managing savanna and forest ecosystems.

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This study explored different ways to collect information about alcohol use using three methods: traditional phone surveys, web surveys sent to specific addresses, and web surveys where people opt in. The researchers found that while the phone and address-based web surveys were similar in most responses, the opt-in web panel reported much higher rates of frequent drinking (34%) compared to the other methods (21% for phone and 24% for address-based web). This matters because it helps improve the accuracy of data on alcohol consumption, which can inform public health strategies. Who this helps: This benefits public health officials and researchers studying alcohol use trends.

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This study looked at how wild brown bullhead catfish living in contaminated parts of the Detroit River respond to mixed pollution in their environment. Researchers found that while these fish initially showed high levels of certain proteins that help manage toxins, their responses changed over time, indicating they have adjusted to the pollution in their habitat. Importantly, the study showed that the fish from contaminated areas do not seem to be developing new adaptations to cope with these mixed contaminants. Who this helps: This research benefits environmental scientists and conservationists working to assess and manage pollution effects on wildlife.

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This study looked at how nurse practitioners and physician assistants use a test called the 31-gene expression profile to help manage cutaneous melanoma, a type of skin cancer. The results showed that 90.5% of the practitioners believed that this test improves patient care, with 53% having used it in the past year. The test impacts treatment decisions significantly; for instance, 82% of those who used the test for thin tumors said it would influence their treatment plans. Who this helps: This benefits patients with cutaneous melanoma and their healthcare providers.