KEVIN J. BURTON, MD

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This study looked at odontomas, which are rare but benign tumors found in cats. The researchers analyzed nine tumors from eight cats and found common signs like missing teeth and lumps in the mouth. Diagnostic imaging revealed distinct characteristics of the tumors, and all treated cats showed no recurrence after either surgery to remove the tumors or other procedures. Who this helps: This helps pet owners and veterinarians understand and treat odontomas in cats effectively.

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This study looked at the effects of performing extended surgeries on patients with certain gynecological cancers, comparing those who had standard surgeries to those who had more extensive removals of tissue. Out of 32 surgeries, 21 were standard and 11 were extended, with the extended group having lower rates of successful clean margins (72.7% versus 90.5%), more complications (45.5% compared to 19.9%), and longer hospital stays (38 days versus 18.5 days). Understanding these results is important because they highlight the trade-offs between the extent of surgery and patient recovery outcomes, emphasizing the need for more extensive research in this area. Who this helps: This benefits patients facing surgery for gynecological cancers and their doctors in making informed surgical decisions.

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This research focuses on Gen3, an open-source platform that helps organizations manage, analyze, and share research data in a cloud environment. Gen3 has been adopted to create over 30 data commons worldwide, allowing users to easily find, submit, and access data through generated portals and APIs. This matters because it fosters collaboration in research and improves data sharing among scientists, enhancing the overall quality and speed of research discoveries. Who this helps: Researchers and organizations looking to share and access scientific data more efficiently.

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This study focused on the challenges that rural immigrant farmworkers face in getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Researchers found that factors like fear of deportation, language issues, and lack of access to medical care led to low vaccination rates, with many workers relying on trusted sources such as community leaders for information. Culturally-appropriate programs are necessary to tackle misinformation and improve access to vaccines. Who this helps: This helps immigrant farmworkers by providing them with reliable information and better access to vaccinations.

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The study looked at how authors of research papers feel about their work being cited on Wikipedia. Out of nearly 22,000 surveys sent to authors, 750 completed them, and most rated Wikipedia’s reliability positively—averaging scores above 7 out of 10. The findings show that while authors generally trust Wikipedia, their feelings vary based on the type of work they publish and their field of study, which can help improve how research is shared online. Who this helps: This helps researchers and publishers understand the value of Wikipedia citations.

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This study looked at how having Type 1 diabetes affects people in the workplace and what kind of support they need to manage their condition effectively. Researchers reviewed 28 articles and found that while work can be tough for those with Type 1 diabetes due to stress, stigma, and lack of flexibility in workplace policies, having a job can also be beneficial to their health. Overall, workplaces are not currently providing the necessary support for managing diabetes, which highlights the need for better accommodations. Who this helps: This helps patients with Type 1 diabetes and their employers.

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This study examined carbonates, which are rock types rich in carbon, to understand how carbon moves between the Earth's surface and its deep layers. Researchers found that heavy potassium isotopes in these rocks indicate that most of the carbon comes from the Earth's mantle, not from changes after the rocks formed. They discovered that oceanic crust subduction is a key process in recycling carbon deep into the Earth over billions of years. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists studying climate change and Earth's carbon cycle.

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Researchers studied how people with type 1 diabetes manage their condition while working and found that self-management strategies, known as 'containment,' help them balance their health needs with job responsibilities. However, this approach can lead to stress and health issues if not properly supported. The study highlights the need for workplaces to create supportive environments that help employees with type 1 diabetes effectively manage their health without feeling isolated. Who this helps: This helps employees with type 1 diabetes and their employers.

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This study explored the challenges faced by workers with type 1 diabetes in managing their condition while on the job. Interviews with 21 participants revealed that they encountered various barriers, such as unsupportive workplace environments and personal beliefs that hindered their ability to seek help. It's important for employers to create a supportive culture to help these workers feel comfortable expressing their needs, as nearly all participants reported a lack of confidence in doing so. Who this helps: This research benefits employees with type 1 diabetes and their employers.

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This study looked at how African Americans in rural Eastern North Carolina thought about using COVID-19 self-tests during the pandemic. Researchers found that many participants were open to self-testing, but they were also worried about the accuracy of the tests and how much they might cost. Improving access to these tests, with clear instructions and affordable options, is important for better health responses in the future. Who this helps: This benefits African American communities and public health officials by improving access to testing.

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This study looked at how well radiotherapy works for treating growing vestibular schwannomas (VS), which are tumors that affect hearing and balance. Out of 1,883 patients, the researchers found that after ten years, 76.1% of patients had their tumor growth successfully controlled when measured by a specific increase in size. These findings are important because they provide clear expectations for patients and doctors about the effectiveness of radiotherapy in controlling these tumors. Who this helps: This helps patients with growing vestibular schwannomas and their doctors.

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This study explored the challenges and supports for people with ongoing pain trying to return to work while receiving benefit payments. Researchers interviewed 29 participants, finding that 12 had managed to partly or fully return to work, while 17 had not. They identified key obstacles, such as difficulties with the welfare system and healthcare, as well as important supports like helpful interactions with welfare staff and personal traits like determination. Improving the welfare system can make it easier for those with persistent pain to navigate their return to work. Who this helps: This research benefits individuals with chronic pain who are trying to re-enter the workforce.

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This study examined whether a telehealth exercise program could improve health for people about to undergo weight loss surgery. Researchers enrolled 48 participants and compared those who received the telehealth exercise intervention with those only getting regular care. They are measuring improvements in fitness and other health markers to see if this approach makes surgery safer and more effective, with results expected by mid-2026. Who this helps: This helps patients preparing for bariatric surgery improve their health and readiness for the procedure.

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This study looked at the risks of hand-arm vibration (HAV) that workers in mechanical trades, like boilermakers and mechanics, face when using powered tools. It found that boilermakers often experienced higher levels of vibration, with daily exposures exceeding the safe limit of 2.5 m/s², particularly when using tools like pneumatic needle scalers and impact wrenches. Managing these risks is important to protect workers' health, as high HAV exposure can lead to serious injuries. Who this helps: This helps workers in mechanical trades and their employers.

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This study looked at new ways to prevent and address eating disorders over the past four years. Researchers reviewed over 140 articles and found promising strategies like mindfulness and addressing weight stigma, as well as focusing on specific groups such as teenagers and athletes. This is important because it highlights effective methods to help more people get the support they need before problems escalate. Who this helps: Patients, especially teenagers and athletes at risk for eating disorders.

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This study looked at how Canadian health organizations use social media to warn people about the dangers of indoor tanning, which can significantly raise the risk of skin cancer. Out of 246 Facebook posts examined, 156 mentioned the risks of indoor tanning, with 132 specifically discussing skin cancer. However, the posts often missed mentioning other harmful effects, and only three posts suggested safer alternatives to indoor tanning, indicating there’s room for improvement in how these organizations communicate. Who this helps: This helps patients and the public understand the risks of indoor tanning better.

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This study focused on creating and validating a tool called the Provider Documentation Summarization Quality Instrument (PDSQI-9) to assess the quality of clinical summaries generated by large language models (LLMs) in electronic health records. Researchers found that the PDSQI-9 had strong reliability and consistency, with high scores in areas like organization and clarity, making it effective at distinguishing between high- and low-quality summaries. This is important because it helps ensure that LLMs produce accurate and useful medical documentation, which can ultimately improve patient care. Who this helps: This helps healthcare providers and patients by ensuring better quality in medical documentation.

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This study explored how COVID-19 affects people’s ability to work. Researchers surveyed 145 workers and found that only about 15% had returned to work, while over half rated their physical and mental workability as moderate or worse. Major challenges included fatigue, job pressures, and a lack of flexible workplace policies, suggesting that improved support and tailored return-to-work plans are needed. Who this helps: This helps workers recovering from COVID-19 and their employers.

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This study looked at the neck, shoulder, and upper back pain experienced by teenagers who were home-schooled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that 38% had neck pain, 28% had shoulder pain, and 35% had upper back pain, with average pain levels around 3.6 to 3.9 out of 10. While both exercise and ergonomics advice helped reduce pain, those who received both types of guidance experienced more improvement than those who only got ergonomics advice. Who this helps: This benefits home-schooled students and educators by identifying effective ways to manage musculoskeletal pain.

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This study looked at how weight-loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, could help patients with end-stage kidney disease (renal failure) get kidney transplants. Among the 31 patients studied, those who had the surgery lost an average of 71% of their excess weight over two years, and 58% either got a transplant or were placed on the waiting list, compared to just 25% of those who didn't have the surgery. The findings show that bariatric surgery can safely increase access to kidney transplants for patients with obesity and renal failure. Who this helps: This helps patients with obesity and end-stage kidney disease who need a kidney transplant.

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This study looked at how women with long COVID manage to stay employed. Researchers interviewed 10 female professionals who had tried to return to work after experiencing long COVID. They found that job flexibility, access to healthcare, supportive colleagues, and appropriate workplace policies are crucial for helping these women sustain their work ability. Who this helps: This supports female workers with long COVID and their employers.

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This study looked at how a complex of proteins, called the Shu complex, helps a key protein involved in DNA repair, RAD51, to function better. The researchers found that the Shu complex keeps RAD51 stable and helps it exchange strands of DNA, which is crucial for repairing DNA correctly, especially during stressful situations for the cell. They discovered that removing the Shu complex makes cells more sensitive to certain cancer treatments, suggesting it might be an important target for new therapies. Who this helps: This research benefits cancer patients by providing insights for improving treatment strategies.

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This study focused on understanding how a harmful chemical called GenX interacts with human proteins. Researchers used a method called phage display to identify short protein pieces, or peptides, that specifically stick to GenX. They found two peptides that bind tightly to a particular human protein, which could help in designing devices to detect or neutralize GenX in the future. Who this helps: This research benefits environmental scientists and engineers working on cleaning up toxic chemicals like GenX.

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Researchers studied a method called extracorporeal irradiation (EITC) used during surgery to treat meningioma, a type of brain tumor that invades the skull bone. They tracked 18 patients and found that 28% had a tumor return after treatment, but none of these cases were linked to the treated bone flap. Additionally, there were fewer infections and complications compared to other surgical methods, making EITC a promising option for improving patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing surgery for meningioma as well as their doctors.

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This study looked at how adding online exercises to ergonomic advice could improve poor upper body posture in teenage boys who were mostly learning online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that those who did both the exercises and received ergonomic advice saw their neck and shoulder posture improve more significantly, reducing their forward head posture by about 9 degrees compared to just 4 degrees in those who only received ergonomic advice. This matters because better posture can lead to fewer discomfort and long-term health issues, especially as more students engage in online learning. Who this helps: This benefits students who are learning online, helping them improve their posture and reduce discomfort.

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This study looked at how mobility aids, like canes or guide dogs, impact the daily activities and participation of people with sight loss. Researchers reviewed 116 articles but found only three studies that met their criteria, involving 124 participants. Results showed that while using mobility aids may help people move around, there is not enough clear evidence to understand how these aids affect physical functioning and participation in various activities, signaling a gap that needs addressing to improve support for those with sight loss. Who this helps: This research benefits people with sight loss and the professionals working to support them.

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This study explored how often people of color use doula support during childbirth and found that despite doulas potentially offering valuable help, they are used less frequently by this group. Only low levels of knowledge about doulas' roles were reported, and existing research shows mixed results on how effective doulas are in improving birthing outcomes. This is important because birthing people of color face higher risks of complications, and increasing doula support could potentially lead to better health outcomes. Who this helps: This helps birthing people of color and healthcare providers looking to improve maternal and infant health.

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This study looked at how to help unemployed people with long-term pain return to work in Norway by using a program that includes job support and placement. Out of 168 interested individuals, 94 signed up, and 55 were eligible; however, only 19 were offered the job support program, and only 8 decided to participate in it. The study found that while the recruitment methods and remote support worked well, finding suitable job placements took more time and effort than expected, highlighting that improvements are needed for future larger trials to be successful. Who this helps: This benefits unemployed individuals with chronic pain who want to return to work.

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This study looked at how rural older adults in Australia adopt technology and how that can help them feel more socially connected. Researchers interviewed 33 older adults, revealing that factors like knowledge, perceived usefulness, self-confidence, and social support significantly affect their ability to use technology. The study found that, despite many challenges such as geographic isolation and limited public transport, technology can play a crucial role in helping these individuals stay connected with others. Who this helps: This information is useful for older adults in rural areas, their families, and organizations working to support their social well-being.

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This study looked at how to safely perform liver transplants using living donors in patients with a condition called portopulmonary hypertension, which can increase the risk of complications after surgery. The researchers found that with a well-coordinated team and careful evaluation, patients can have successful outcomes, as demonstrated by a case where a patient had a great recovery following the transplant. This is important because it opens up the option of living donor liver transplants for patients who previously faced high risks. Who this helps: This helps patients with liver disease and portopulmonary hypertension.

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This study focused on translating and adapting three health leaflets from English to Norwegian to make them useful for people in Norway dealing with workplace health issues. The researchers found that 45 Norwegians who reviewed the adapted leaflets found them clear and valuable, indicating that the adaptations were effective and meaningful. This matters because many common health problems in Norway lead to lost work days, and having accurate health information can help those recovering from illness return to work more effectively. Who this helps: This benefits patients, doctors, and anyone involved in managing workplace health issues.

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This study looked at whether certain medications cause a serious condition called drug-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (DI-TTP). After reviewing 5,098 records, the researchers found just 57 reports involving 90 patients, and notably, there was no strong evidence linking any of the drugs to DI-TTP. This matters because patients with TTP are often told to avoid many medications due to the assumed risk, which may not be warranted given the lack of solid evidence. Who this helps: This helps patients with TTP and their doctors by clarifying medication safety.

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This study examined the treatment and survival rates of women with advanced ovarian cancer in the UK. It found that about 25% of these women do not receive any cancer treatment, and only 51% receive the recommended combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Survival rates varied significantly, with only 28.6% to 49.6% of women surviving for five years depending on their region, highlighting the need for better treatment consistency across the country. Who this helps: This benefits patients with ovarian cancer and healthcare providers by improving treatment standards and outcomes.

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This study looked at how surgery for glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, affects cognitive function in patients by testing their thinking skills before and after the operation. Researchers analyzed the performance of 49 patients and found that before surgery, many faced high risks of cognitive deficits, especially in attention, memory, and perception, with risks significantly increasing immediately after surgery. However, 4-6 weeks later, many patients showed signs of recovery, suggesting a natural healing process during this time. Who this helps: This research benefits glioblastoma patients by highlighting their cognitive risks and potential recovery timelines after surgery.

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This study looked at how to help unemployed people in Norway who have long-lasting pain return to work and improve their quality of life. Researchers are testing a program called ReISE, which provides support from case managers and a focus on healthcare related to work. They will compare the outcomes of 228 participants, with about one-third receiving the ReISE intervention, to see if it leads to a better chance of going back to work and an overall better health experience. Who this helps: This helps unemployed individuals with persistent pain who want to return to work.

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This study looked at how ongoing muscle and joint pain affects employees at Rolls-Royce in the UK. Out of nearly 630 surveyed employees, those with persistent pain experienced significant difficulties at work, including more sickness absences and lower work ability. Notably, over half of the employees with pain hadn’t told their managers about it, partly because 30% felt uncomfortable doing so and 19% felt they didn’t get enough support at work. Who this helps: This research benefits both employees dealing with pain and their employers who can improve workplace support.

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This study looked at how advice on dealing with arm pain affects disability for people in paid work. It found that after 26 weeks, 43% of employees who were encouraged to stay active were free from disability, compared to 37% of those told to rest. Staying active seems to help more people recover from arm pain, especially those who lift heavy things or think their job caused the pain. Who this helps: This helps workers with arm pain and their employers.

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Researchers developed a new cell line from the tissue that surrounds bones, called the periosteum, to study how certain signals affect bone cell behavior. They found that these cells can develop into different types of bone cells and respond positively to mechanical forces and specific signals that help bone growth and healing. This is important because it could lead to better treatments for bone injuries and understanding how bones grow and repair themselves. Who this helps: This benefits patients with bone injuries and doctors treating these conditions.

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This research looked at how young adults with type 1 diabetes manage their condition and what everyday life challenges make this harder. They reviewed 16 studies and found that issues like negative feelings about diabetes, hiding the condition, and mental health problems significantly hinder self-management. This is important because poor self-management can lower quality of life and lead to further complications, particularly for young adults who are also focused on school and work. Who this helps: Patients with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how to set standards for a specific type of cancer treatment called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using special machines called Varian TrueBeam and Edge. Researchers tested a new device designed to mimic human anatomy and collected data from six different hospitals to find out how accurately these machines delivered radiation doses. They discovered that for SRS treatments, the machines should be able to target the treatment area within 1 millimeter, keep the delivery within 5% of the planned dose, and achieve over 90% accuracy in their measurements. Who this helps: This research benefits patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery by ensuring treatments are delivered accurately and effectively.

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This study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected patients with burn injuries seeking care at a burn clinic during the first ten months of the pandemic. Out of 246 patients referred to the clinic, 199 (about 81%) showed up for their appointments, but overall patient visits dropped by 14% compared to 2019, and referrals decreased by 34%. Interestingly, there were very few delays in patients getting to the clinic, suggesting that while fewer people sought help, those who did did not wait too long for treatment. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with burn injuries and healthcare providers by highlighting the impact of the pandemic on care access.

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This study looked at how using a digital dashboard changed the way a speech pathology department tracked and reported its service statistics. After implementing the dashboard, the team found that it made reporting easier and more accurate, allowing for better visibility and quicker access to important information. This matters because it can help improve decision-making for treatment and operational needs in the department. Who this helps: This benefits speech pathologists and the patients they serve by streamlining data management.

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This study looked at why young African American adults are hesitant to use PrEP, a medication that can help prevent HIV. Researchers spoke with 63 individuals and found that multiple types of stigma—related to PrEP itself, HIV, sexual behavior, and certain sexual identities—make it hard for people to consider using PrEP. For example, these stigmas create doubts about their health, discourage conversations about HIV prevention, and make them feel socially rejected, showing a clear need for more awareness and support to make PrEP more acceptable and accessible. Who this helps: This benefits young African American adults at risk for HIV, healthcare providers, and public health advocates.

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This study looked at how well African American young adults in Louisville, Kentucky, understand pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that helps prevent HIV infection. Among 204 participants aged 18 to 29, it was found that younger individuals (18-21 years), heterosexuals, and those with lower education levels or less frequent HIV testing were less aware of PrEP. Improving education about PrEP, especially for these groups, is important for increasing awareness and reducing HIV risk. Who this helps: This helps African American young adults, healthcare providers, and public health organizations.