Dr. Witte studies a range of conditions and treatments, primarily focusing on how the body uses energy and how certain substances can be leveraged in medical therapies. His research includes the use of carbon monoxide for treating inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, which aims to reduce inflammation and protect cells. He also explores the role of carnitine in fat metabolism, especially in obesity treatments, revealing how specific proteins influence weight loss. Additionally, he investigates viral infections and how existing medications can be repurposed to combat them effectively.
Key findings
Carbon monoxide can be safely delivered to reduce inflammation in lung injuries and cardiovascular diseases, expanding therapeutic benefits.
Mice lacking the protein SLC25A45 showed significantly lower levels of carnitine, making it more difficult for them to lose weight when treated for obesity.
In a study of 1,280 drugs, Nelfinavir mesylate was found to block adenovirus infections, offering a potential therapy for patients with weakened immune systems.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Witte study obesity and weight-loss treatments?
Yes, Dr. Witte's research focuses on understanding how the body metabolizes fat and explores potential treatments for obesity.
What conditions does Dr. Witte's work on carbon monoxide aim to treat?
His work aims to treat inflammatory conditions and cardiovascular diseases by utilizing carbon monoxide safely.
Are there any medications Dr. Witte has discovered for viral infections?
Yes, he has identified existing drugs like Nelfinavir mesylate that can be repurposed to effectively block the spread of adenoviral infections.
How does Dr. Witte's research help patients with cardiovascular diseases?
His research focuses on using carbon monoxide therapeutics to reduce inflammation and protect heart cells, which can improve outcomes for these patients.
What is the significance of the studies on carnitine and energy metabolism?
These studies highlight the crucial role of carnitine in fat burning, indicating that deficiencies can hinder obesity treatments and energy balance.
Publications in plain English
Mitochondrial control of fuel switching via carnitine biosynthesis.
2026
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Auger C, Nishida H, Yuan B, Silva GM, Fujimoto M +12 more
Plain English This study looked at how the body produces carnitine, a substance needed for burning fat for energy, especially when people switch to using carbohydrates instead. Researchers found that mice lacking a specific protein (SLC25A45) had lower levels of carnitine, which led to problems in using fat for energy and made it harder for these mice to lose weight in response to a treatment meant to aid fat loss. This matters because it shows how important mitochondria are in managing energy use in the body, which could affect how effective certain weight-loss medications are.
Who this helps: This research is beneficial for patients looking for effective weight-loss treatments, especially those on plant-based diets.
From canes to pills: the evolution of carbon monoxide therapeutics.
2026
Advanced drug delivery reviews
Halbig F, Reiländer S, Keßler C, Ort D, Schmehl W +7 more
Plain English This research paper looks at how carbon monoxide (CO) can be used safely in medicine to treat various diseases by delivering it directly to specific areas in the body rather than throughout the entire system. The findings indicate that CO has beneficial effects, such as reducing inflammation and protecting cells in conditions like lung injuries and cardiovascular diseases. By focusing on targeted delivery methods for CO, the study aims to expand its therapeutic potential while maintaining safety.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with inflammatory and cardiovascular conditions.
Mitochondrial control of fuel switching via carnitine biosynthesis.
2025
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Auger C, Nishida H, Yuan B, Silva GM, Fujimoto M +12 more
Plain English This study focused on how our cells switch between using different energy sources, like fats and carbohydrates, and the role of a molecule called carnitine in this process. The researchers found that when a specific protein (SLC25A45) that helps make carnitine was lacking, it led to a reduced amount of carnitine and made it harder for cells to use fat for energy. Instead, these cells relied more on carbohydrates, which made the mice less tolerant to cold and resistant to losing fat when treated with a particular medication for obesity.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients struggling with obesity and metabolic disorders, as it offers insights into how their bodies use energy.
Transition-metal-like coordination chemistry of dicoordinate borylenes with organic azides.
2024
Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Witte R, Kar S, Radacki K, Härterich M, Rang M +8 more
Plain English This study looked at a type of chemical compound called borylenes and how they interact with another group of compounds known as organic azides. The researchers found that when they mixed these compounds, they could create new complexes, specifically borylene-organoazide complexes, which then transformed into another type of compound called aminoborane triazene. This discovery matters because it opens up new pathways for creating chemical reactions that could lead to advancements in materials science and pharmaceuticals.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and chemists working on new drug development and materials.
Dynamin independent endocytosis is an alternative cell entry mechanism for multiple animal viruses.
2024
PLoS pathogens
Ojha R, Jiang A, Mäntylä E, Quirin T, Modhira N +17 more
Plain English This study explored how various animal viruses enter cells, specifically looking at a process called endocytosis, with a focus on the role of a protein called dynamin. Researchers found that smaller viruses like parvovirus need dynamin for entry, while larger viruses (like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza) can enter cells even without it, though they require higher amounts of the virus to do so. This discovery is important because it reveals different strategies viruses use to infect cells, which could help inform treatments or vaccines.
Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and scientists working on viral infections and vaccine development.
C-C and C-N Bond Activation, Lewis-Base Coordination and One- and Two-Electron Oxidation at a Linear Aminoborylene.
2023
Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Witte R, Arrowsmith M, Lamprecht A, Schorr F, Krummenacher I +1 more
Plain English This study looked at a special chemical compound that contains boron and how it interacts with other elements and compounds. Researchers found that they could activate certain bonds and create new structures when they exposed this compound to different environments, leading to the formation of new, complex molecules. For example, one reaction resulted in a new kind of molecule that includes a unique carbon-boron structure, revealing a new way to manipulate chemical bonds.
Who this helps: This research benefits chemists and materials scientists working on advanced materials and pharmaceuticals.
Achieving Control over the Reduction/Coupling Dichotomy of Nby Boron Metallomimetics.
2023
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Gärtner A, Karaca US, Rang M, Heinz M, Engel PD +9 more
Plain English This study focused on how to control a chemical process that combines nitrogen gas with low-valent boron compounds to create nitrogen chains. The researchers found that by adjusting the size of the compounds or changing the reaction conditions, they could decide whether to fix the nitrogen or combine it into larger molecules. This ability to control the reaction is important because it can help create specific nitrogen compounds that are useful for fertilizers and other applications.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers in chemistry and agriculture.
A Unique Mechanochemical Redox Reaction Yielding Nanostructured Double Perovskite SrFeMoOWith an Extraordinarily High Degree of Anti-Site Disorder.
2022
Frontiers in chemistry
Tóthová E, Düvel A, Witte R, Brand RA, Sarkar A +13 more
Plain English This study focuses on creating a special material called strontium ferromolybdate (SrFeMoO), which could be useful in advanced technologies like fuel cells and electronic devices. The researchers found a new way to make this material at room temperature without complex steps, using simple ingredients and achieving tiny particle sizes of about 21 nanometers. They also discovered that the material has a unique structure that mixes its components in a random way, which is important for its magnetic properties, showing that it can maintain superparamagnetism at temperatures up to 240 Kelvin.
Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and engineers working on new materials for electronics and energy applications.
High-content, arrayed compound screens with rhinovirus, influenza A virus and herpes simplex virus infections.
2022
Scientific data
Olszewski D, Georgi F, Murer L, Andriasyan V, Kuttler F +8 more
Plain English This study looked at how well 1,280 mostly FDA-approved drugs could fight against three different viruses: rhinovirus, influenza A, and herpes simplex virus. Researchers found that certain drugs, like the RNA mutagen 5-Azacytidine, effectively blocked rhinovirus, while the antiseptic Aminacrine was able to inhibit all three viruses. This is important because it shows that some existing medications can be repurposed to treat viral infections, which could lead to better outcomes for patients.
Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from viral infections.
Reduction and Rearrangement of a Boron(I) Carbonyl Complex.
2021
Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Rang M, Fantuzzi F, Arrowsmith M, Krummenacher I, Beck E +7 more
Plain English The study focused on a specific chemical compound involving boron and carbonyl groups and examined how it changes when it undergoes a reduction process. Researchers found that when this compound was reduced, it formed a new type of radical anion and subsequently a different chemical structure known as a dianionic methanolate. This matters because understanding these transformations can aid in developing new chemical compounds and materials.
Who this helps: This research benefits chemists and materials scientists working on advanced materials.
Microscopy deep learning predicts virus infections and reveals mechanics of lytic-infected cells.
2021
iScience
Andriasyan V, Yakimovich A, Petkidis A, Georgi F, Witte R +2 more
Plain English This study developed advanced imaging techniques and deep learning methods to identify cells infected by herpesvirus and adenovirus without needing specific staining. The researchers found that they could predict the outcomes of an adenovirus infection—whether it would spread or not—up to 20 hours before the cells burst. The study highlights differences in how lytic (spreading) and non-lytic (non-spreading) infections behave at a cellular level, which could help with early detection and treatment of viral infections.
Who this helps: This benefits doctors and researchers working on viral infections.
4D Reconstruction and Identification of Carotid Artery Stenosis Utilizing a Novel Pulsatile Ultrasound Phantom.
2021
Current protocols
Thurgood H, Witte R, Laksari K
Plain English This study focused on creating a realistic model, called a pulsatile ultrasound phantom, to improve how doctors can assess narrowing in the carotid artery, which is important for diagnosing conditions like stroke. Researchers developed this model using affordable materials and 3D printing, allowing them to produce a detailed, lifelike representation of blood vessels. They then created a computer program that provides a 4D view of the artery, helping doctors see how the vessel moves and measure key features like thickness and elasticity, which are important for diagnosis.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients at risk of vascular diseases.
Configurable Resistive Response in BaTiOFerroelectric Memristors via Electron Beam Radiation.
2020
Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Molinari A, Witte R, Neelisetty KK, Gorji S, Kübel C +7 more
Plain English Researchers studied a type of special electronic device called a memristor, which is important for creating efficient memory systems in computers. They found that by using controlled electron beams, they could change the resistance of a specific material (BaTiO) in this device, allowing it to have multiple levels of resistance that could vary by up to 100 times. This discovery is significant because it offers a new way to effectively create more advanced memory systems that can adapt and learn like the human brain.
Who this helps: This benefits computer engineers and developers working on advanced memory and computing technologies.
The FDA-Approved Drug Nelfinavir Inhibits Lytic Cell-Free but Not Cell-Associated Nonlytic Transmission of Human Adenovirus.
2020
Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Georgi F, Andriasyan V, Witte R, Murer L, Hemmi S +7 more
Plain English This study looked at a drug called nelfinavir, which is already approved for treating HIV, to see if it can help fight against adenoviruses, specifically the types that cause respiratory illnesses in people with weakened immune systems. Researchers found that nelfinavir effectively reduced the spread of the virus from infected cells to nearby healthy cells but did not affect the virus when it's transmitted directly between cells in a different way. This matters because repurposing nelfinavir could offer a new treatment option for patients dealing with adenovirus infections.
Who this helps: This helps patients with weakened immune systems who are at risk for adenovirus infections.
A high-content image-based drug screen of clinical compounds against cell transmission of adenovirus.
2020
Scientific data
Georgi F, Kuttler F, Murer L, Andriasyan V, Witte R +3 more
Plain English This study focused on finding new treatments for human adenoviruses, which can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems and currently have no effective therapy. The researchers tested 1,280 different compounds and discovered that Nelfinavir mesylate, a drug already approved for treating HIV, can block the spread of adenovirus infections in cell cultures. This finding is significant because it opens the door for using existing medications to target dangerous viral infections.
Who this helps: Patients with weakened immune systems who are at risk for severe adenovirus infections.
Giant voltage-induced modification of magnetism in micron-scale ferromagnetic metals by hydrogen charging.
2020
Nature communications
Ye X, Singh HK, Zhang H, Geßwein H, Chellali MR +6 more
Plain English This study explored how the magnetic properties of certain metals can be changed by adding and removing hydrogen atoms using small electric voltages. Researchers found that applying a voltage of about 1 volt could adjust the magnetism of the metal material, SmCo, by approximately 1 Tesla, which is much more significant than what was seen in earlier studies. This discovery is important because it suggests new ways to control magnetic properties in metals, which could lead to advancements in technologies like magnetic storage and electric devices.
Who this helps: This helps engineers and developers working on magnetic technologies and storage solutions.
Nanowire facilitated transfer of sensitive TEM samples in a FIB.
2020
Ultramicroscopy
Gorji S, Kashiwar A, Mantha LS, Kruk R, Witte R +4 more
Plain English Researchers developed a new method for transferring delicate samples used in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that reduces damage during the process. They used a flexible silver nanowire that helps carry the samples with less stress and bending. This technique cuts down preparation time and minimizes contamination from beams used in the process.
Who this helps: This benefits scientists and researchers working with sensitive materials in microscopy studies.
Modifying the transition temperature, 120 K ≤ T ≤ 1150 K, of amorphous FeCoScwith simultaneous alteration of fluctuation of exchange integral up to zero.
Plain English This study looked at a type of metal alloy called amorphous FeCoSc, finding that it has an impressive Curie temperature of 1150 K, the highest ever recorded for similar materials. The research shows how changes in the alloy's structure affect its magnetic properties, particularly how its magnetization behaves under different conditions. This is important because understanding these materials can lead to better magnetic devices and applications.
Who this helps: Patients needing advanced medical imaging technologies that rely on magnetic materials.
A bacterial secreted translocator hijacks riboregulators to control type III secretion in response to host cell contact.
2019
PLoS pathogens
Kusmierek M, Hoßmann J, Witte R, Opitz W, Vollmer I +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how a bacteria called Yersinia pseudotuberculosis controls the release of harmful proteins that make it more virulent when it encounters host cells. Researchers found that a protein named YopD helps the bacteria manipulate specific RNA regulators, leading to increased production of proteins that promote its virulence. Specifically, the presence of YopD increases a key regulator (CsrA) while decreasing levels of others, resulting in a stronger expression of virulence-associated traits.
Who this helps: This research benefits scientists studying bacterial infections and could aid in developing new treatments.
Advanced automatic detection of fetal body movements from multichannel magnetocardiographic signals.
2019
Physiological measurement
Schmidt A, Witte R, Swiderski L, Zöllkau J, Schneider U +1 more
Plain English This study focused on improving the automatic detection of fetal body movements by analyzing data from a special heart monitor called magnetocardiography (MCG). The researchers found that their new detection method successfully identified fetal movements in 94% of cases, using data from 137 recordings of fetuses between 34 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. This is important because it means doctors can more reliably monitor fetal well-being and activity, which can help identify any potential risks during pregnancy.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and expectant parents by providing better insights into fetal health.
Synthesis and characterisation of fluorinated epitaxial films of BaFeOF: tailoring magnetic anisotropya lowering of tetragonal distortion.
2019
RSC advances
Nair A, Wollstadt S, Witte R, Dasgupta S, Kehne P +3 more
Plain English This research focused on creating a specific type of thin film made from a compound called BaFeOF, which was treated with fluoride. The study found that adding fluoride made the material change shape slightly, leading to a nearly uniform structure and reducing the usual magnetic alignment in the material. This matters because it helps to understand how to manipulate the magnetic properties of materials, which can impact future technologies like data storage or sensors.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and engineers working on advanced materials for electronics.
Rhinovirus 3C protease suppresses apoptosis and triggers caspase-independent cell death.
2018
Cell death & disease
Lötzerich M, Roulin PS, Boucke K, Witte R, Georgiev O +1 more
Plain English This study examined how rhinoviruses, which are responsible for the common cold, affect cell death in infected cells. Researchers found that these viruses prevent normal cell death processes, such as apoptosis and necroptosis, by tampering with specific proteins involved in these pathways. Instead of dying in the usual ways, the infected cells undergo a different type of cell death that allows the virus to continue replicating; the viral protease plays a key role in this by disrupting the proteins that trigger cell death.
Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and scientists studying viral infections and could lead to better treatments for common colds or similar diseases.
Witte R, Andriasyan V, Georgi F, Yakimovich A, Greber UF
Plain English This paper explores how scientists use special light microscopy techniques to study viruses, which pose threats to humans, animals, and plants. The review highlights advanced imaging methods, like fluorescence microscopy, that help visualize viruses and understand their interactions with host cells. These advanced tools and techniques can lead to better treatments for viral diseases and improve our knowledge of how viruses operate.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and healthcare professionals working to develop new antiviral therapies.
Anion Doping of Ferromagnetic Thin Films of LaSrMnOvia Topochemical Fluorination.
2018
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
Anitha Sukkurji P, Molinari A, Reitz C, Witte R, Kübel C +3 more
Plain English This research looked at how adding fluoride ions to certain thin films made of a material called LaSrMnO affects their magnetic properties. The study found that while the physical size of the material didn't change much, the fluoride significantly reduced its magnetic strength, lowering the temperature at which it becomes ferromagnetic, and making it harder to magnetize—there was a noteworthy drop in the Curie temperature from 350°C to 270°C. This is important because it shows a new way to control the magnetic properties of materials used in electronics and other technologies.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and engineers working on new magnetic materials for technology applications.
Facile synthesis of C-FeFnanocomposites from CFx: influence of carbon precursor on reversible lithium storage.
2018
RSC advances
Reddy MA, Breitung B, Kiran Chakravadhanula VS, Helen M, Witte R +4 more
Plain English This study focused on creating and testing new materials called carbon-iron fluoride nanocomposites (C-FeFnanocomposites) for use in lithium batteries. Researchers found that using different carbon sources significantly affected the performance of these materials; for instance, the type of carbon precursor led to notable changes in how well the materials stored and released lithium ions. This is important because better-performing battery materials can lead to safer and more efficient batteries, which are crucial for improving energy storage solutions.
Who this helps: This benefits both battery manufacturers and consumers looking for safer, high-performance batteries.
Label-Free Digital Holo-tomographic Microscopy Reveals Virus-Induced Cytopathic Effects in Live Cells.
2018
mSphere
Yakimovich A, Witte R, Andriasyan V, Georgi F, Greber UF
Plain English This research studied how different viruses impact live cells using a new imaging technique called digital holo-tomographic microscopy (DHTM), which allows scientists to see changes in the cells without using harmful dyes. The researchers found that the vaccinia virus caused cells to change in size, while herpes simplex and rhinovirus infections changed the cell membranes but did not cause those size changes. This approach helps identify specific effects of various viruses on cells, which is important for understanding infections better and could pave the way for improved treatments.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors by providing new insights into viral infections.
Observation of electrochemically active Fe/Fein LiCoFeMnOby in situ Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
2018
Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Dräger C, Sigel F, Witte R, Kruk R, Pfaffmann L +5 more
Plain English This study looked at a material called LiCo0.8Fe0.2MnO4, used in lithium-ion batteries, to see how well it performs in charging and discharging cycles. Researchers found that it can deliver a discharge capacity of 117 mA h g-1, which is over 80% of the maximum possible amount. This is important because it shows that this material can be effective for making better batteries, which may help increase the performance and longevity of electronic devices and electric vehicles.
Who this helps: This helps battery manufacturers and consumers who rely on long-lasting battery technology.
In vivo Electrophysiological Study of Induced Ventricular Tachycardia in Intact Rat Model of Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure.
2017
IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering
Weigand K, Witte R, Moukabary T, Chinyere I, Lancaster J +3 more
Plain English This study examined how heart problems associated with chronic ischemic heart failure (CHF) lead to dangerous heart rhythms called ventricular tachycardia (VT) in rats. The researchers found that 71% of the rats with CHF developed sustained VT when specific electrical tests were applied, while none of the healthy rats did. This research is important because it helps understand heart irregularities in CHF and could be used to evaluate new treatments aimed at preventing these dangerous heart rhythms.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with chronic heart conditions and their doctors.
Hybrid supercapacitors for reversible control of magnetism.
2017
Nature communications
Molinari A, Leufke PM, Reitz C, Dasgupta S, Witte R +2 more
Plain English This study looked at a new type of battery called hybrid supercapacitors and how they could control magnetism in materials. The researchers found that they could change the magnetic properties of a material called LaSrMnO by as much as 33% at temperatures above room temperature just by applying a small voltage of about 2 volts. This is important because it could lead to more efficient electronics that use less power and are easier to operate.
Who this helps: This benefits engineers and companies looking to develop advanced electronic devices.
Proton Conduction in Grain-Boundary-Free Oxygen-Deficient BaFeOThin Films.
2017
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
Benes A, Molinari A, Witte R, Kruk R, Brötz J +3 more
Plain English This study focused on a special material called BaFeO, which is important for improving the efficiency of fuel cells that operate at lower temperatures (between 350 °C and 600 °C). Researchers discovered that BaFeO can conduct protons well, achieving a conductivity of 3.6 × 10⁻² S/cm at 300 °C, and that its conductivity is affected by the level of moisture in the environment. This finding matters because it could lead to more effective and energy-efficient fuel cells.
Who this helps: This benefits engineers and researchers developing advanced energy technologies.
Mechanical Milling Assisted Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of High Capacity LiFeBO3 for Lithium Batteries.
2016
ACS applied materials & interfaces
Cambaz MA, Anji Reddy M, Vinayan BP, Witte R, Pohl A +4 more
Plain English This study explored a new way to create lithium iron borate (LiFeBO3), a material that can be used in lithium batteries. The researchers developed a method that resulted in a highly pure and effective version of this material, achieving a lithium diffusion rate of 5.56 x 10(-14) cm²/s. This matters because it improves the performance of lithium batteries, making them more efficient and sustainable.
Who this helps: This helps battery manufacturers and ultimately, consumers who rely on efficient batteries for devices and electric vehicles.
Identifying the redox activity of cation-disordered Li-Fe-V-Ti oxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries.
2016
Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Chen R, Witte R, Heinzmann R, Ren S, Mangold S +4 more
Plain English The study focused on a new type of material for lithium-ion batteries, specifically a mixed oxide containing iron, vanadium, and titanium. Researchers found that by replacing some titanium with vanadium, the material could store more lithium ions — around 1 plus the amount of vanadium in the formula of the material, meaning higher battery capacity. This discovery is important because it could lead to better and more efficient batteries, which are crucial for powering electric vehicles and other devices.
Who this helps: This helps battery manufacturers and consumers looking for improved battery performance.
Microwave synthesis of high-quality and uniform 4 nm ZnFeOnanocrystals for application in energy storage and nanomagnetics.
2016
Beilstein journal of nanotechnology
Suchomski C, Breitung B, Witte R, Knapp M, Bauer S +3 more
Plain English This study focused on creating tiny magnetic particles made of zinc and iron, which could be useful for energy storage and electronics. Researchers found that the particles are uniform in size, measuring about 4 nanometers, and they perform well as materials in lithium-ion batteries, showing minimal loss in capacity after many uses. This is important because it means these particles could be a reliable option for improving battery performance and longevity.
Who this helps: This research benefits battery manufacturers and consumers looking for better energy storage solutions.
Nanoscale spinel LiFeTiO4 for intercalation pseudocapacitive Li(+) storage.
2015
Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Chen R, Knapp M, Yavuz M, Ren S, Witte R +4 more
Plain English This study explored a new material called nanoscale spinel LiFeTiO4 to see how well it could store lithium ions for use in batteries. Researchers found that this material can store up to 1.6 lithium ions for each unit of the compound, and it does so quickly and efficiently. This is important because it could improve battery performance, making them more effective for powering devices.
Who this helps: Patients and consumers looking for better battery technology in their electronic devices.
Plain English This research focused on creating and testing a tool called the Healthcare Provider Cultural Competence Instrument (HPCCI) that measures how well health care providers understand and interact with patients from diverse backgrounds. The study found that the HPCCI works well, with the five areas it measures showing strong reliability: awareness, behaviors, patient communication, practice orientation, and self-assessment. This tool is important because it can help health care providers improve their cultural competence, leading to better care for patients of different cultural backgrounds.
Who this helps: This benefits health care providers and their patients, especially those from diverse cultures.
Plaque2.0-A High-Throughput Analysis Framework to Score Virus-Cell Transmission and Clonal Cell Expansion.
2015
PloS one
Yakimovich A, Andriasyan V, Witte R, Wang IH, Prasad V +2 more
Plain English This study introduced a new method called Plaque2.0, which helps researchers more easily analyze how viruses spread and how cancer cells grow. The new system allows for detailed measurements like infection levels and cell shapes, using advanced imaging techniques. By using this method, scientists can better understand both virus behavior and cancer cell movement, which is important for developing new treatments.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers, doctors, and ultimately patients dealing with viral infections and cancer.
A pilot study of ultrasound-guided electronic brachytherapy for skin cancer.
2015
Journal of contemporary brachytherapy
Goyal U, Kim Y, Tiwari HA, Witte R, Stea B
Plain English This study looked at using ultrasound to help plan a specific type of cancer treatment called electronic brachytherapy for skin cancers that aren't melanoma. The research involved 19 patients, showing that ultrasound can accurately measure how deep and wide these skin cancers are, which helped in delivering precise treatment. Importantly, all patients had complete success with treatment and no significant side effects were reported, indicating that this method could make skin cancer treatments more effective and safe.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with non-melanomatous skin cancer and their doctors by providing better treatment planning.
An electrically coupled tissue-engineered cardiomyocyte scaffold improves cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure.
2014
The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
Lancaster JJ, Juneman E, Arnce SA, Johnson NM, Qin Y +8 more
Plain English This study looked at a new treatment for chronic heart failure by using a special patch made from neonatal heart cells to help improve the heart's function in rats. The researchers found that after three weeks, this patch boosted the heart's ability to pump blood, increasing the ejection fraction (the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart) by 26%, and at 18 weeks, it showed even more improvement, with a 54% increase. This is important because it shows that this tissue-engineered patch can help repair heart function over time, which could lead to better treatments for heart disease in humans.
Who this helps: Patients with chronic heart failure.
Crystallographic and magnetic structure of the perovskite-type compound BaFeO2.5: unrivaled complexity in oxygen vacancy ordering.
2014
Inorganic chemistry
Clemens O, Gröting M, Witte R, Perez-Mato JM, Loho C +6 more
Plain English This study focused on the detailed structure of a compound called BaFeO2.5, which has a unique arrangement of oxygen atoms missing from its structure. Researchers found that this compound has the most complex structure of its kind ever reported, with seven different types of iron atoms and a very large cell size. Understanding this complexity is important as it can influence the compound's magnetic properties and may have applications in materials for electronics and energy storage.
Who this helps: This benefits scientists and researchers working on advanced materials and technologies.
The mechanically induced structural disorder in barium hexaferrite, BaFe12O19, and its impact on magnetism.
2014
Faraday discussions
Sepelák V, Myndyk M, Witte R, Röder J, Menzel D +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how grinding barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) affects its structure and magnetism. When the material was ground, it changed shape at a tiny scale, creating disordered layers that are roughly 2 nanometers thick and caused it to behave more like a superparamagnet at room temperature. Specifically, the magnetization decreased, while the coercivity—resistance to becoming demagnetized—increased.
Who this helps: This benefits engineers and scientists working with magnetic materials for applications like data storage and electronic devices.
A novel Ti-based nanoglass composite with submicron-nanometer-sized hierarchical structures to modulate osteoblast behaviors.
2013
Journal of materials chemistry. B
Chen N, Shi X, Witte R, Nakayama KS, Ohmura K +7 more
Plain English This study looked at a new type of titanium-based nanoglass that has tiny structures designed to improve how bone cells, called osteoblasts, behave. The researchers found that this new material can enhance cell growth by 10 times compared to traditional metal glasses, making it much better for use in medical applications. This is important because it could lead to better materials for bone replacement surgeries.
Who this helps: This helps patients needing bone replacements or implants.
Semantic text mining support for lignocellulose research.
2012
BMC medical informatics and decision making
Meurs MJ, Murphy C, Morgenstern I, Butler G, Powlowski J +2 more
Plain English This research studied how to improve the process of converting plant materials into biofuels by analyzing enzymes from fungi that break down lignocellulose. The researchers developed a system that uses advanced technology to help scientists quickly find and connect relevant information about these enzymes from scientific literature. This is important because finding effective and economical ways to produce biofuels can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working on biofuel production.
Automated extraction and semantic analysis of mutation impacts from the biomedical literature.
2012
BMC genomics
Naderi N, Witte R
Plain English This study focused on creating a computer system that automatically extracts and analyzes information about how mutations in genes affect proteins, especially their stability and function. The researchers developed a tool called Open Mutation Miner (OMM), which achieved a precision rate of about 70% and an accuracy of 77% when identifying and ground impacts of mutations from scientific articles. This is important because it helps researchers quickly and accurately gather essential information for understanding diseases and developing new treatments.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working in genetics and drug development.
Microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging model for potential breast cancer detection.
2012
IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering
Wang X, Bauer DR, Witte R, Xin H
Plain English This study developed a new imaging method using microwaves to detect breast cancer. The researchers found that different types of breast tissue respond differently to microwave energy, with specific measurements showing that they can effectively generate acoustic signals useful for imaging (the signals they measure vary across a range of microwave frequencies from 2.3 to 12 GHz). This new method may lead to better and safer breast cancer detection tools.
Who this helps: Patients at risk for breast cancer.
Measuring the acoustoelectric interaction constant using ultrasound current source density imaging.
2012
Physics in medicine and biology
Li Q, Olafsson R, Ingram P, Wang Z, Witte R
Plain English This study looked at a specific interaction between ultrasound and electricity in the heart, which helps create images of electrical activity. Researchers measured a property called the acoustoelectric interaction constant (K) in cadaver rabbit hearts and found it to be about 0.041%, which is important for improving heart imaging techniques. This knowledge helps improve our understanding of heart function and could aid in diagnosing and treating heart arrhythmias.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with heart conditions and doctors who treat them.
OrganismTagger: detection, normalization and grounding of organism entities in biomedical documents.
2011
Bioinformatics (Oxford, England)
Naderi N, Kappler T, Baker CJ, Witte R
Plain English The study focused on developing a tool called OrganismTagger that identifies and standardizes names of living organisms mentioned in scientific articles. It achieved impressive results, with a 95% precision and 94% recall in accurately tagging these mentions, and 97.5% accuracy in linking them to a taxonomy database. This matters because it helps researchers quickly find and understand relevant biological information, making literature searches more efficient.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists in the biomedical field.
Assessment of NER solutions against the first and second CALBC Silver Standard Corpus.
2011
Journal of biomedical semantics
Rebholz-Schuhmann D, Jimeno Yepes A, Li C, Kafkas S, Lewin I +32 more
Plain English This study focused on improving the way machines automatically analyze and categorize medical text by creating a large annotated database called the Silver Standard Corpus (SSC). Researchers found that the best performing annotation tools achieved an average accuracy measure of 85% when identifying various medical terms, such as diseases and species, but struggled with chemicals and proteins. This matters because it helps refine text mining technology, which can lead to better analysis of medical literature.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers, healthcare professionals, and anyone working with medical data.
Anomalous right coronary artery origin in a high school athlete.
2010
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
Smulevitz B, Cordova FJ, Kim H, Witte R, McPherson DD
Plain English This study looked at a rare heart problem where a coronary artery starts in an unusual spot. It found that such abnormalities can lead to serious issues, including 12% of sudden deaths in athletes. The researchers emphasize that using echocardiography, a type of heart ultrasound, could help detect these dangerous conditions early, potentially saving lives.
Who this helps: Athletes and their doctors.
Algorithms and semantic infrastructure for mutation impact extraction and grounding.
2010
BMC genomics
Laurila JB, Naderi N, Witte R, Riazanov A, Kouznetsov A +1 more
Plain English This research examined how to identify and understand the effects of gene mutations on proteins, which is often buried in scientific texts. The study developed a new method that accurately categorizes these impacts as positive, negative, or neutral and connects them to specific proteins, achieving high levels of accuracy. This work is important because it makes information on protein mutations more accessible, which can improve the predictions of how these mutations affect traits.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and healthcare professionals working on genetic disorders and protein engineering.
Postimplantation pressure testing and characterization of laser bonded glass/polyimide microjoints.
2009
Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials
Mian A, Sultana T, Georgiev D, Witte R, Herfurth H +2 more
Plain English This study examined how strong laser-bonded joints between glass and a type of plastic (polyimide) hold up when implanted on the surface of a rat's brain for 10 days. Researchers found that the strength of these microjoints decreased by about 28% after exposure to the rat brain, similar to what happened with samples soaked in artificial brain fluid. This matters because understanding the durability of these bonds helps in developing better implants for use in medical procedures, ensuring they can safely remain in the body without degrading.
Who this helps: This benefits patients receiving implants, as well as doctors who design and use these devices.