JOSEPH EUGENE ROSS, MD

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This study focused on chronic pelvic pain, a common and often misdiagnosed condition that affects many patients in family medicine, gynecology, and urology. Researchers reviewed 403 articles to create a detailed treatment plan, recommending early diagnosis and a coordinated care approach similar to treatments used for asthma and diabetes. This matters because it aims to reduce the suffering of patients and alleviate the financial strain on healthcare systems. Who this helps: Patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain and the doctors who treat them.

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The study looked at digital health tools designed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage the emotional challenges, known as diabetes distress, associated with their condition. It found 68 relevant studies on these tools that focus on how well they include underserved groups who often face more barriers and greater distress. The findings are important because they will help improve the design and accessibility of these digital tools, making sure they work better for everyone, especially those from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds. Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly those from underrepresented communities struggling with managing their diabetes.

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This study looked at how well HIV treatment centers around the world provide services for preventing and diagnosing hepatitis B and C, which can severely harm the health of people living with HIV. The findings showed that 67.7% of the centers offered hepatitis B vaccines, while 72.1% provided screening for hepatitis B and 50% for hepatitis C. However, rural centers had fewer testing options, indicating a need to improve access to these critical services in less populated areas to protect patients' health. Who this helps: This benefits patients receiving HIV care, especially those in rural areas.

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This study looked at how physical exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could help people recovering from takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart's function. Researchers followed 76 patients for 12 weeks and found that both exercise and CBT improved heart energy levels and exercise capacity compared to standard care. For example, patients who did physical exercise saw their peak oxygen consumption increase by nearly 5 mL/min per kg. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy by providing effective recovery options beyond standard treatment.

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The study looked at how healthcare professionals help people with multiple long-term health conditions, particularly those living in areas of poverty. Researchers interviewed 18 doctors and nurses and found that effective support is influenced by personal motivation, community connections, and the availability of resources. However, challenges like underfunding make it hard for healthcare providers to offer the best care, highlighting the need for better policies and funding to improve support for these patients. Who this helps: This benefits patients with long-term health conditions living in low-income areas.

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This study looked at how using a ureteral access sheath (UAS) during a specific kidney stone surgery called ureteroscopy affects the chances of patients being hospitalized for infections afterward. Out of over 6,100 patients, only 152 (2.5%) had infections that led to hospitalizations within 30 days, and the use of UAS didn’t make a significant difference—2.6% of patients with UAS had infections compared to 2.3% without it. The research also found that factors like having other health issues, a history of urinary tract infections, or larger stones were linked to higher infection risks. Who this helps: This information primarily benefits doctors in making decisions about kidney stone surgeries and managing patient care.

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This study looked at how well two scores, the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI), can identify fatty liver disease in people with HIV in lower and middle-income countries. Out of nearly 2,200 individuals studied, 624, or 28.4%, had fatty liver disease. The FLI score was found to be more accurate than HSI, with an accuracy rate of 80%, but both scores have limitations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, indicating a need for better tools suited to specific regions. Who this helps: This benefits patients with HIV, doctors, and healthcare providers working in low and middle-income countries.

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This research looked at how to improve healthcare access for ethnic groups in the UK that are often overlooked. Researchers reviewed 35 studies and found that many effective strategies include using community settings like places of worship and training healthcare workers in cultural competence, with 63% of the work focused on primary care. Understanding and addressing these needs is crucial for ensuring everyone has equal access to healthcare, which can lead to better health outcomes for these communities. Who this helps: This helps patients from underrepresented ethnic communities.

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This research discusses the need for more diversity in dementia studies, as most research currently focuses on high-income Western populations. It highlights that without including people from various backgrounds and regions, important knowledge about dementia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is missing. The authors argue that a broader approach could lead to more effective strategies for tackling dementia worldwide, potentially benefiting millions. Who this helps: This helps patients from diverse backgrounds and the doctors treating them.

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This study examined 764 closed medical malpractice claims related to cardiovascular care between 2010 and 2023. Researchers found that nonclinical factors, like communication problems and poor documentation, were involved in more claims (987) than clinical factors, such as technical performance and patient assessment (787 claims). This is important because improving communication and documentation can help reduce the risk of lawsuits and enhance patient care. Who this helps: This benefits healthcare providers and patients by improving care quality and reducing litigation risks.

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This study looked at how twisting layered materials can affect their magnetic properties. Researchers found that by twisting two layers of a material called chromium triiodide, they created magnetic patterns that extended much larger than expected—up to 300 nanometers at specific angles. These findings are important because they reveal new ways to manipulate magnetic states, which could lead to advancements in electronics and data storage. Who this helps: This helps researchers and engineers working on new electronic devices and memory systems.

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The study looked at how health care systems prepare for and respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies. It found that effective preparation involves teamwork among local, state, and federal agencies, specialized training for medical staff, and plans for managing mass casualties. This is important because it helps ensure that communities can quickly and effectively deal with disasters, reducing long-term health impacts. Who this helps: This benefits patients and health care providers during emergencies.

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This study looked at how well community groups and academic institutions worked together on HIV intervention projects funded by the U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic program. Researchers surveyed 82 participants and found that both groups reported fairly high levels of engagement and trust, but academic partners rated their engagement lower than community partners, with scores of 3.6 and 4.1, respectively. This matters because stronger partnerships can lead to better health outcomes in fighting HIV. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers by improving efforts to combat HIV in their communities.

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This study focuses on using a digital twin—a computer model that represents individual patients—to improve the management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Researchers believe that personalizing treatment using data and artificial intelligence can lead to better health outcomes. They expect to find that this digital twin approach will significantly enhance treatment effectiveness compared to standard methods. Who this helps: This helps patients with noncommunicable diseases by providing more tailored and effective treatment options.

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Researchers examined a new tool called MiADE that helps doctors record diagnoses more accurately in patient health records. They found that after using MiADE, doctors recorded 23.7% more structured diagnoses during outpatient visits, although only about half of the doctors found it very useful, and there was no improvement in inpatient settings. This matters because accurate diagnosis recording is vital for patient safety and efficiency in care, but it often takes too much time for doctors to do it correctly. Who this helps: This helps doctors and ultimately benefits patients by improving the quality of care they receive.

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This study looked into how to improve palliative care for patients with heart failure, particularly those who are underserved and often face avoidable hospital visits. The researchers found that integrated palliative care and heart failure services work best when providers are motivated and equipped to make changes, but many existing studies focused mainly on the experiences of healthcare professionals, mostly in the USA. To address these issues in the UK, they planned to gather real-life data from various integrated services, which will help create a guide for better service implementation and support a network for ongoing improvement. Who this helps: This research helps patients with heart failure and their caregivers by aiming to improve the care they receive.

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This study looked at how funding cuts from the US government in early 2025 affected HIV services in 32 countries. Nearly half of the clinics surveyed reported disruptions in services for people living with HIV, with 28% having issues with medication availability and 34% experiencing problems with laboratory services. It's important to track these disruptions to ensure that progress in fighting HIV doesn't reverse. Who this helps: This helps patients living with HIV and the healthcare providers who support them.

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This study looked at how migration between the USA and Mexico affects heart health in Mexicans. Researchers analyzed data from 13,486 adults and found that Mexicans living in the USA have higher chances of being overweight (1.83 times more likely) and having an unhealthy waist-to-hip ratio (2.87 times more likely), but they are less likely to have high blood pressure (0.49 times less likely) and report poor health (0.26 times less likely) compared to those who stay in Mexico. These results show that the experience of living in the USA can lead to mixed health outcomes for Mexicans, indicating that migration can change health risks over time. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers understand the health impacts of migration patterns.

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This study looked at how to include cognitive care—support for brain health—into regular HIV treatment in Malaysia, especially as older patients are facing increasing cognitive challenges similar to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that while most doctors (71-82%) understood the importance of cognitive health, 88% were not regularly screening older HIV patients for cognitive issues, with only 20.5% doing so routinely. Addressing this gap is crucial because improving cognitive care could lead to better health outcomes for older adults living with HIV. Who this helps: Patients living with HIV, especially those over 40 years old.

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This study focused on a rare type of heart tumors called intimal sarcomas (ISarc) found in the heart's chambers and major blood vessels. Researchers examined 27 cases and discovered that most of these tumors were high-grade, meaning they are aggressive and difficult to treat. They identified specific genetic changes linked to possible targeted therapies, such as mutations in MDM2 and CDK4, which were found in over half of the cases, but found low potential for immunotherapy benefits. Who this helps: Patients with intimal sarcomas and their doctors.

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This study examined changes in land cover (what the land looks like) and land use (how the land is managed) in the United States from 1985 to the present, focusing specifically on forests. The researchers created detailed maps that show how tree cover and land management have changed over time. They found that understanding both land cover and land use is important for tracking forest health and growth, which can have significant implications for environmental management. Who this helps: This benefits environmental scientists, land managers, and policymakers working to protect and manage forests effectively.

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This study looked at how the World Health Organization's “Treat All” guidelines, which allow anyone with HIV to start treatment right away, impact the progression of HIV disease in Central Africa. Researchers found that people who started care after these guidelines were adopted saw slower disease progression; for instance, the chance of moving from mild to moderate disease was reduced by about 36%, and the chance of dying directly from an early stage dropped by about 63%. This matters because it indicates that starting treatment earlier can lead to better health outcomes for people living with HIV. Who this helps: Patients living with HIV.

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This study looked at how often people with HIV in Asia had tests to measure their viral load (VL) and CD4 cell counts from 2003 to 2018. It found that VL testing stayed steady at about one test per person each year, while CD4 testing fell from 2.04 to 1.06 tests per person per year. The research highlights that demographic factors, like age and country income level, play a significant role in testing frequency, which is important for improving care for people living with HIV. Who this helps: This helps patients living with HIV and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how people with fibromyalgia (a chronic pain condition) experience gentle touch compared to those without pain. It found that individuals with fibromyalgia rated gentle stroking and deep pressure touch as significantly less pleasant and more intense. Specifically, chronic pain intensity was a key factor, meaning the more pain they felt, the less enjoyable the touch experience was; however, feelings of depression and anxiety influenced how participants preferred different types of touching. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with fibromyalgia and healthcare providers looking for effective touch-based therapies.

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This study looked at how using self-referential pronouns like "you" helps children aged 9 to 11 solve math word problems. The researchers found that children solved subtraction problems faster when the problems included "you," but this effect did not happen with addition problems. By tracking where children focused their eyes, they discovered that using "you" made them spend less time looking back at those words, which helped them think through the problems more efficiently. Who this helps: This research benefits educators and students by showing how language can improve learning in math.

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This study looked at the role of a protein called MIZ-1 in B cells, which are important for immune system function. The researchers found that mice lacking a specific part of MIZ-1 had fewer B cell receptors and struggled with signaling that helps B cells grow and survive. Specifically, these mice showed less ability to respond properly to signals that usually promote B cell survival, leading to a drop in the survival of a type of B cell called follicular B cells. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with B cell-related diseases, including certain types of lymphoma, by providing insights into how B cell signaling works.

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This study looked at how accessible cancer screening is at HIV treatment sites around the world. In 2023, 61% of the surveyed sites offered cervical cancer screening, while only 23% provided anal cancer screening. However, many other types of cancer screenings were available at fewer than 43% of these sites. Understanding these screening rates is important because they can help improve cancer prevention efforts for people living with HIV. Who this helps: This benefits patients with HIV who are at risk for cancer.

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This study examined 276 cases of skin tumors known as cutaneous adnexal carcinomas (CACs), which develop from skin structures like hair follicles and sweat glands. The researchers found that sebaceous gland tumors (SEB) had significantly more genetic changes compared to sweat gland tumors (SWT), with 76% of SEB tumors showing alterations in key genes associated with cancer. Understanding these differences is important because it helps identify potential treatments for these tumors, especially as clinical trials for new therapies begin. Who this helps: Patients with cutaneous adnexal carcinomas and their doctors.

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This research studied gene amplifications in cancer across a vast number of patient samples to better understand how these genetic changes can impact treatment outcomes. They found that 38.6% of tissue samples had gene amplifications, with the most common being MYC, ERBB2, and CCNE1, and that a new measurement called AmpRatio could help predict how well patients respond to anti-HER2 therapies, showing a strong agreement with traditional testing methods. This matters because it could lead to more effective and personalized cancer treatments based on a patient's specific genetic profile. Who this helps: Patients with HER2-positive cancers and their doctors.

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This research studied how different grinding tools and techniques affect the damage done to layers beneath the surface of fused silica glass when it is ground. The findings showed that using smaller abrasive particles and certain techniques, like ultrasonics, can significantly reduce this damage. For example, using a specific tool setup led to a very low subsurface damage depth of about 4.6 micrometers, which is much better than using standard methods, and this resulted in faster grinding and less need for polishing. Who this helps: This benefits manufacturers and technicians who work with optical materials.

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This study looked at how remembering words is influenced when they're connected to oneself versus someone else. The researchers found that people had a better memory for words paired with their own name compared to a friend's or a stranger's name, specifically for meaningful words like traits and concrete items, but not for made-up words. This matters because it shows that recalling information tied to personal experiences is stronger when it has meaning, which can help improve memory strategies. Who this helps: This helps patients seeking to improve their memory or cognitive therapy techniques.

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This study looked at how participating in New York's medical cannabis program affected adults with chronic pain and their use of prescription opioids. Out of 204 participants, those who received a 30-day supply of medical cannabis reported using 3.53 fewer morphine milligram equivalents (MME) of opioids per day compared to those who did not receive cannabis. This finding is important because it shows that medical cannabis can help decrease reliance on powerful pain medications, which can be addictive. Who this helps: This benefits patients with chronic pain looking for safer alternatives to opioid medications.

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This study created a tool called the SCI Cost Calculator to help estimate the total costs of living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), including both immediate medical expenses and ongoing lifetime costs. The calculator shows that the lifetime cost for someone younger with a complete SCI can exceed $10 million, while an older person with an incomplete SCI might face around $1.9 million in costs. This research matters because it highlights that existing financial estimates for people with SCI are way too low, helping to improve understanding of the support and resources they truly need. Who this helps: Patients living with spinal cord injuries and their families.

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This study looked at how balanced the legs of entry-level U.S. Marines are during exercises like squats and jumps. Researchers found that healthy Marines typically have a limb symmetry index (LSI) of about 90%, indicating how much strength and performance differ between the dominant and non-dominant legs. They discovered that all Marines tended to put more weight on their dominant leg, regardless of their sex, and that performance in squats was somewhat related to jump performance. Who this helps: This research benefits military trainers and healthcare providers who assess the readiness of Marines for physical activity after injury.

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This paper examines the challenges of randomizing participants in platform trials, which test multiple treatments at the same time. It highlights that these trials often change how participants are assigned to treatments based on ongoing results and that careful design of the randomization process is critical to avoid biases. For instance, maintaining the intended allocation ratio throughout the trial is essential to ensure fairness and reliable results. Who this helps: This benefits researchers designing clinical trials and patients participating in them.

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This study looks at independent journals in dermatology, which are started by individual doctors or small groups rather than big organizations. It finds that while these journals can help share new research and make information more accessible, there are worries about their credibility and fairness, especially around who funds them and how they review submissions. Clarifying their goals and peer-review processes can help address these concerns, making the research process better for everyone involved. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by promoting more equitable access to dermatological research.

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This research studied how to classify genetic changes that can cause inherited platelet disorders, which often lead to bleeding problems. They developed a new method called CRIMSON HD, which uses a gene-editing technology to test how these changes affect blood cells that produce platelets. The study found that out of the variants tested, specific changes in genes related to platelets could significantly impact their function, such as a variant that almost completely prevented the expression of a crucial platelet protein. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with inherited platelet disorders and their doctors by providing clearer insights into their genetic conditions.

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This study investigated how uranium levels in groundwater vary across a tribal area in South Dakota, analyzing samples from 140 private wells. They found that uranium concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 48.2 micrograms per liter, with 5% of the wells exceeding the safety limit set by the U.S. EPA (30 micrograms per liter). These findings help identify areas with higher contamination risk and highlight the need for ongoing monitoring in regions where uranium levels are high, particularly in the northeast. Who this helps: This benefits Native American communities relying on private wells for drinking water.

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This study looked at kidney problems in adults living with HIV, especially those also infected with hepatitis B (HBV), over a period of 10 years across seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It found that 14.8% of people with both HIV and HBV had kidney dysfunction, compared to 7.6% of those with only HIV. Factors like being over 50 years old, having low platelet counts, and living in higher-income countries increased the risk of kidney issues, highlighting the need for better kidney health monitoring in these patients. Who this helps: This benefits patients living with HIV and HBV, particularly older adults and those with low platelet counts.

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This study looked at two surgical methods for removing colloid cysts from the brain: the interhemispheric transcallosal (ITA) approach and the endoscopic approach (EA). Researchers analyzed MRI results from 23 patients and found that patients who had the ITA method experienced significantly less early brain injury (349 mm vs. 2,952 mm for EA) and did not show signs of persistent brain damage later, while half of the EA patients did. The findings are important because they suggest that ITA is less damaging to the brain and has better long-term outcomes compared to EA. Who this helps: This helps patients with third ventricle colloid cysts by providing better treatment options.

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This study looked at the availability and fees for HIV testing in 238 health sites across 42 countries. It found that while 88% of sites offered basic HIV tests, less than half provided other important tests like viral load and CD4 count. User fees were low, ranging from 6.5% to 10.5%, especially in wealthier countries and those receiving international aid, but significant gaps remain in test availability, which is essential for effective HIV management. Who this helps: This benefits patients with HIV who need regular testing and monitoring.

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Researchers studied a 22-year-old man with a spinal cord injury who developed a serious internal bleeding issue (haemoperitoneum) while receiving treatment for blood clots in his lungs. Although he needed close monitoring and blood transfusions, he did not require surgery. This case is important because it highlights the risks of using certain cough techniques in patients with spinal cord injuries who are on blood-thinning medications, emphasizing the need for careful management by healthcare providers. Who this helps: This helps healthcare providers and therapists working with patients who have spinal cord injuries.

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This study examined a new test, TTMV-HPV DNA, to help identify recurring anal cancer in patients whose exams and imaging results were unclear. Out of 233 patients, 39% had uncertain results, but the TTMV-HPV DNA test accurately clarified the situation in 92% of cases. This improvement can lead to early detection of cancer recurrence, helping to provide timely treatment and reduce patient anxiety. Who this helps: Patients recovering from anal cancer.

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This study looked at a rare case where a 66-year-old man developed skin cancer on his chin due to advanced liver cancer, known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The cancer on his chin was removed through surgery, and afterward, the area was reconstructed. This finding is important because it highlights the possibility of HCC spreading to the skin, which is uncommon, and it discusses how surgery can be an effective treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients with advanced liver cancer and their doctors by providing insight into unexpected cancer spread and treatment options.