JOE M. PACK, DO

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This study looked at superconductivity in a material called twisted bilayer WSe, focusing on two twist angles, 3.65 degrees and 5.0 degrees. Researchers found that the superconducting properties changed smoothly with the twist angle and that both angles exhibited similar underlying behaviors, such as being close to a specific electronic state related to magnetic ordering. These findings are important because they help clarify how superconductivity develops in this type of material and underline the potential of twisted bilayer structures for advancing our understanding of complex electronic phenomena. Who this helps: This helps researchers studying superconductors and materials scientists looking for new ways to create advanced electronic devices.

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Researchers studied a special type of material called twisted bilayer WSe to see if it can become superconductive, meaning it can conduct electricity without any resistance. They found that it can indeed superconduct at a temperature of 426 millikelvins, and this happens in a narrow range of conditions near a metallic state. This discovery is significant because it shows that superconductivity can occur in materials that are not graphene, potentially leading to new advancements in technology. Who this helps: This helps scientists and engineers working on developing new superconducting materials for more efficient electronic devices.

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This study explored a new way to create chemical compounds called imidazoles and pyrazoles using a method that doesn't require solvents and speeds up the process with microwaves. Researchers found that this method produced these compounds quickly and efficiently, achieving similar results to traditional methods but in much less time. This is important because it can streamline the development of new drugs, saving time and resources. Who this helps: This helps researchers and drug developers.

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This study focused on improving the method for transferring high-quality graphene, a material with special properties useful in electronics. The researchers found a way to transfer graphene without damaging it, resulting in very high-quality films that perform as well as the traditional method of using exfoliated graphene. Specifically, they showed that their technique maintains the integrity of the graphene, making it suitable for advanced applications like creating special layered structures called magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and engineers developing advanced electronic devices.

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This study explored a new way to take high-quality images at the nanoscale using a method that combines sparse scanning with advanced processing. The researchers found that this technique can capture important details, like how certain energy states behave in a material made from graphene and ruthenium trichloride, while needing 11 times fewer data points than traditional methods. This means images can be obtained much faster, which is important for advancing research in nanotechnology. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working in materials science and nanotechnology.

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This study explored a new method to create graphene, a valuable material, by using a technique called oxygen-free chemical vapor deposition (OF-CVD). The researchers found that using oxygen-free conditions results in higher quality graphene with no contamination and better electrical properties compared to traditional methods that involve even trace amounts of oxygen. Specifically, graphene made without oxygen showed excellent electrical behavior similar to that of high-quality samples, which is significant for future research and applications in technology. Who this helps: This helps researchers and companies working with graphene in electronics and advanced materials.

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This study focused on creating a new type of electrical contact for two-dimensional semiconductors, specifically high-purity monolayer WSe. Researchers achieved an impressive hole mobility of 80,000 cm²/Vs and tested at carrier densities as low as 1.6 × 10¹⁰ cm⁻², which is ten times better than before. This advancement is important because it allows scientists to better explore and understand unique quantum behaviors in these materials, potentially leading to new technologies. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and developers working on advanced quantum devices.

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This study explored how well a new type of CT scanner, using deep-silicon technology, can identify and characterize cholesterol deposits (atherosclerotic plaques) in coronary arteries. The results showed that this new scanner could detect plaque details with much greater accuracy, reducing errors in measuring damaged areas from over 90% down to around 24%. This improved method matters because it could lead to better diagnosis and treatment options for heart disease. Who this helps: Patients at risk of heart disease and their doctors.

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This study looked at two types of oxygen therapy for patients undergoing a minimally invasive heart valve procedure while they are awake. It involved 72 patients and found that while high-flow nasal oxygen didn't significantly improve overall oxygen levels compared to standard oxygen therapy, it did lower the chances of oxygen drop and patients reported feeling more comfortable with it. This matters because it highlights a treatment option that can enhance patient comfort during surgery without compromising oxygen levels. Who this helps: Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

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This study focused on creating extremely pure crystals of materials called transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which are important for electronics and technology. The researchers developed a two-step growth technique that significantly reduces impurities compared to a simpler, single-step method, achieving defect densities in WSe crystals below 10² cm⁻³. This is important because it means these materials can perform better in electronic devices, as shown by improved electrical performance in tests. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and manufacturers working with advanced electronic materials.

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This study focused on developing a new computer program called InterMatch that helps design better materials by predicting how they will behave when layered together (known as forming a hetero-interface). The program accurately forecasts important properties like charge transfer and strain, allowing researchers to identify promising combinations of materials, such as in doping MoSe, and it effectively matches its predictions with real-life experiments. This is significant because it speeds up the process of designing new materials, which can lead to advancements in technology and industry. Who this helps: This helps researchers and engineers working on materials development.

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This study looked at a special arrangement of particles known as exciton crystals in a particular type of material made from layers of two-dimensional semiconductors. Researchers found that these exciton crystals in a three-layer setup had strong interactions that allowed them to maintain order even at higher densities, specifically up to about 10 excitons per square centimeter, which is ten times more than what was seen in similar two-layer setups. This finding is important because it offers new insights into quantum behaviors that could lead to advancements in electronics and quantum computing. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working on advanced materials and electronics.

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This study looked at how well a medication called pancrelipase helped patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) who had digestive issues. Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 patients and found that after using pancrelipase, many experienced significant relief from symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Patients who took the medication consistently for over 270 days reported even better outcomes compared to those who took it for a shorter time. Who this helps: This benefits patients with chronic pancreatitis and type 2 diabetes dealing with digestive problems.

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This study looked at a rare type of stroke that affects both sides of the brain but is caused by a problem in just one blood vessel. Researchers reported on a 70-year-old man who had multiple strokes due to narrowing of the left carotid artery caused by a virus, which affected blood flow to both sides of his brain. They found that an unusual blood vessel structure made him more susceptible to these strokes, highlighting how specific anatomical conditions can lead to serious health issues. Who this helps: This information helps doctors understand and manage stroke risks in patients with unusual blood vessel structures.

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This study focused on improving how we measure the size of narrowed areas in coronary arteries using a special scanning method called coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The researchers developed a new technique to more accurately measure these diameters—especially the small ones—by using a calibration device that mimicked human blood vessels. They found that their new method closely matched true vessel sizes, achieving high accuracy for diameters ranging from 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm, with a strong correlation (almost perfect) between measured and actual sizes. Who this helps: This benefits patients with heart conditions by providing more accurate diagnoses of artery blockages.

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This study looked at 260 nursing homes in Georgia to figure out how to combine test results for antibiotic resistance in order to create useful reports that help manage antibiotic use. It found that while nearly half of the homes had enough data for one bacteria, Escherichia coli, only about 10% had enough for other important bacteria, like Klebsiella pneumoniae. This matters because many nursing homes lack the individual data to make informed decisions about antibiotic use, so combining results from multiple homes helps improve overall patient care. Who this helps: Patients in nursing homes and healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how effectively a specific type of MRI can help identify the normal pituitary gland in patients who have large tumors called macroadenomas. Researchers found that the pituitary gland showed clearer signals than the tumor during scanning, allowing it to be located with high accuracy—about 95% of the time when compared to what doctors found during surgery. This is important because it can improve surgical outcomes by helping surgeons avoid damaging the pituitary gland while removing tumors. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing surgery for pituitary macroadenomas and their doctors.

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Researchers looked at how certain plant cells, called pavement cells, change shape as they grow. They created a tool called LobeFinder to help identify and measure the new lobes that form on these cells, making it easier to study their development. The study showed that this new method can accurately track changes in cell shape, which is crucial for understanding how plants expand and grow. Who this helps: This benefits plant biologists and researchers studying plant growth and development.

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This study focused on understanding how certain proteins, known as natriuretic peptides (NPs), and their receptors work in human lens cells, which are important for eye function. Researchers found that these lens cells produce three types of natriuretic peptides — ANP, BNP, and CNP — along with their receptors, and that they can stimulate a response within the cells. Specifically, these peptides seem to help maintain stability and health in lens cells, with CNP being the most effective in triggering a cellular response. Who this helps: This benefits patients with eye conditions, as it provides insight into mechanisms that could be targeted for treatments.

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This study looked at how to improve the use of a common antibiotic called piperacillin-tazobactam across four hospitals. The researchers found that efforts to change the way doctors prescribed this medication were mostly unsuccessful, with only 35% of patients receiving the best initial treatment based on their conditions. The findings show that guidelines need to be tailored to fit the specific attitudes and practices of doctors at each hospital to make a real impact. Who this helps: This benefits patients who need effective antibiotic treatment and the doctors prescribing it.

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This study looked at improving how CT scans are done to get better images of the body without losing quality. Researchers found that using data from different angles and positions in the scan can reduce image distortions called cone-beam artifacts, which are common when scanning larger areas. For example, their new approach can extend the scan coverage while minimizing these artifacts, which is crucial for accurate diagnoses and treatments. Who this helps: Patients needing detailed scans for diagnosis or treatment.

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This study looked at two anabolic steroids, boldenone and stanozolol, given to horses to see how long they stay in the body and how much is present in their blood over time. It found that boldenone stays in the body for about 123 hours after administration, while stanozolol has a half-life of about 82 hours. Notably, 61.7% of the horse blood samples tested from race tracks contained measurable amounts of these steroids, which raises concerns about drug use in horse racing. Who this helps: This benefits veterinarians and regulators in controlling steroid use in horses.

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This study looked at how well doctors at four hospitals affiliated with Emory University understand and use a specific antibiotic called piperacillin-tazobactam. The researchers found that many doctors felt their knowledge about when to use this medication was lacking, and a review of patient records showed that it was often prescribed incorrectly. Improving how this antibiotic is used is important because it can lead to better patient care and reduced antibiotic resistance. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients who rely on effective antibiotic treatments.

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This study looked at a method for creating clear 3D images from helical cone-beam CT scans, which are used in various medical devices. The researchers focused on applying a specific formula to improve image quality for two different types of scanning setups and demonstrated this method using three types of CT scanners with 32, 64, and 128 detector rows. They found that their approach significantly enhanced image resolution and reduced noise, which is crucial for accurate diagnoses. Who this helps: This benefits patients who need precise imaging for medical evaluations and treatments.

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This study looked at how nurses can best care for patients with necrotizing fasciitis, a serious skin infection. It provides a case example that highlights important steps nurses should take to address the various challenges these patients face. Effective nursing care can lead to better outcomes for these patients, making it crucial for their recovery. Who this helps: This helps nurses and healthcare providers caring for patients with necrotizing fasciitis.

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This study focused on how nurses can better care for patients with necrotizing fasciitis, a serious skin infection that can cause tissue death. It provided a detailed care plan to help nurses identify specific problems and take timely action when treating these patients. Effective nursing care is crucial because it can lead to better patient outcomes and potentially save lives. Who this helps: Nurses and healthcare providers caring for patients with necrotizing fasciitis.

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This study looked at the role of a protein called HDM2 in the development of skin cancer, specifically melanoma. Researchers found that over half (56%) of invasive and metastatic melanoma cases had high levels of HDM2 protein, while only 1% showed an increase in the HDM2 gene itself. This finding indicates that high levels of HDM2 might help drive the transformation of normal skin cells into cancerous ones, making it a potential target for future treatments. Who this helps: This helps patients with melanoma by identifying a potential target for therapy.