TODD S. HARRIS, MD

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This study examined how well current water quality guidelines protect wildlife from a harmful chemical called PFOS found in freshwater ecosystems. Researchers collected samples over a year from eight sites in southeast Queensland, Australia. They found that while half of the water samples had PFOS levels below recommended guidelines, most animals living in these waters had PFOS levels that were too high, indicating that existing guidelines may not be sufficient to protect wildlife. Who this helps: This helps wildlife, particularly air-breathing animals that rely on aquatic environments.

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This research reviewed multiple studies to assess how common cholesteatoma, a type of ear condition, is around the world. It found that, on average, cholesteatoma affects about 4 out of every 1,000 people globally, but this varies by region; for example, it's most common in the African Region at about 7.32 per 1,000. The study also revealed that nearly 76% of people with cholesteatoma experience hearing loss. This information is important because it helps public health officials understand where to focus efforts for treatment and prevention. Who this helps: Patients with cholesteatoma and healthcare providers treating them.

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The study looked at a program called ENGAGE that helps stroke survivors get more involved in their communities and social activities. Out of 30 participants, 90% completed the program, 85% actively took part, and 87% were very satisfied with their experience. The program showed a moderate increase in their community and social participation levels. Who this helps: This benefits stroke survivors looking to reconnect with their community.

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This research paper looks at how scientists can determine the age of clonal plants, which are plants that can grow new individuals from their existing genetic material. The study found that current methods for estimating age, including measuring growth and using genetic data, have both strengths and weaknesses. By combining these approaches, scientists hope to improve the accuracy of age estimates, which is important for understanding how these plants survive and thrive over time. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and environmentalists studying plant life and ecosystems.

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This study looked at two new sub-types of mpox (clade Ia and clade Ib) and how they spread, using data from 79 research papers that included nearly 60,000 cases. It found that while both sub-clades showed similar symptoms, the death rate was higher for clade Ia at 6%, compared to just 1% for clade Ib. These findings highlight the need for more research to better understand prevention and treatment options to protect those affected by mpox. Who this helps: This helps patients and public health officials working to manage mpox outbreaks.

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This study looked at how an alpine plant, Rumex alpinus, ages, particularly its underground stems called rhizomes. Researchers found that as the rhizomes got older, they changed color, shrank, and suffered internal damage, while their water-conducting ability actually improved. Understanding these aging processes is important because it helps explain how this plant survives and contributes to soil health, especially in changing environments. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and environmental scientists studying plant resilience and soil carbon dynamics.

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This research examined how conflicts of interest might influence the effectiveness of mosquito control studies targeting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread diseases like dengue and Zika. The review found that studies authored by people with conflicts of interest reported a 56.7% reduction in mosquito populations, while those without such conflicts showed only a 34.5% reduction. This matters because understanding these biases can lead to better public health strategies and more effective mosquito control methods. Who this helps: This helps public health officials and researchers trying to combat mosquito-borne diseases.

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This study looked at whether giving a medication called gabapentin to shelter cats before they had surgery would reduce stress and pain during the procedure. Researchers gave 34 female cats either gabapentin or a placebo and measured their stress levels, handling ability, and pain during and after the surgery. The study found no significant benefits from gabapentin, as it didn't lower stress or pain scores compared to placebo; both groups had similar stress and pain levels throughout the recovery process. Who this helps: This research helps veterinarians and animal shelters in making informed decisions about pre-surgery care for cats.

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This study looked at how hospital staff who aren't doctors or nurses perceive racism and its effects on the care provided to Black adults in hospitals. Researchers spoke with 15 hospital staff members from an urban medical center, and they found that 27% identified as Black. The staff reported experiencing workplace racism and believed that stereotypes and inadequate staffing contributed to unfair treatment of Black patients. This research highlights the need for hospitals to better support these staff members and address systemic issues to ensure fair care for all patients. Who this helps: This helps patients, specifically Black adults receiving care in hospitals, as well as the non-clinical staff that support them.

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This study looked at how well two common pain relievers, diclofenac and paracetamol, work together to reduce pain in adult men with sudden limb injuries. They tested three groups: one got diclofenac and oral paracetamol, another got diclofenac and intravenous paracetamol, and the last group received diclofenac with a placebo. All groups achieved similar pain reductions, with the oral group reducing pain by an average of 2.5 points, the IV group by 2.6 points, and the placebo group by 2.2 points, meaning that there was no clear benefit to using paracetamol in addition to diclofenac. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from acute limb injuries by ensuring they receive effective pain management options.

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This study looked at how well safety information about knee surgery trials is reported in public databases compared to scientific journal articles. The researchers found that safety details were often missing or incomplete, with 95% of trials showing mismatches in serious adverse events and 87% not reporting death data in earlier publications, even after new laws were meant to improve transparency. This is important because incomplete reporting can lead to poor surgical decisions and may compromise patient safety. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by ensuring they have accurate safety information for making informed decisions about knee surgery.

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This study looked at how well clinical trials for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (a prostate condition) reported negative side effects. Researchers compared information on side effects from trial registries and the published results of those trials. They found that over 70% of the trials had discrepancies, with registries reporting more side effects than the published articles, signaling a need for better reporting standards to ensure patients and doctors get accurate safety information. Who this helps: Patients and doctors making treatment decisions for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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The study looked at a 27-year-old man who experienced a specific type of heart rhythm problem called fascicular ventricular tachycardia (VT). Researchers found that this type of VT could be mistaken for a different issue due to its unusual electrical signals, and in this case, the patient responded well to the medication verapamil but struggled when doses were missed. This matters because VT can cause serious heart issues, and doctors need to be cautious about its treatment, especially in patients who are obese, as this may affect treatment effectiveness. Who this helps: This helps patients with fascicular ventricular tachycardia and their doctors in managing the condition effectively.

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This study looked at how medical specialists in South Africa feel about the introduction of workplace-based assessments (WBA) during their training. While most trainees support the idea of WBA, they are worried about things like biased evaluations and unequal learning environments, which could impact their grades and training. They highlighted the need for better training for supervisors and clear guidelines to ensure fairness in the assessment process. Who this helps: This research benefits medical trainees who will be assessed during their training.

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The study examined the effects of low-dose radiation therapy on male cats suffering from idiopathic cystitis, a painful bladder condition. Out of 15 cats treated, more than 90% showed improvement in their symptoms after receiving a single dose of radiation, with most experiencing relief that lasted over 8 months. This is significant because it offers a new treatment option for a condition that is often difficult to manage with traditional methods. Who this helps: This helps male cat owners and veterinarians in managing chronic bladder issues.

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This study looked at how well clinical trials for inflammatory sinonasal diseases report side effects by comparing information from a public registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) and published research articles. The researchers found that 94.7% of trials reported serious side effects in the registry, while only 80.7% did so in publications. Despite some improvements in reporting, especially after new regulations were introduced, many published articles still provide incomplete and inconsistent information about side effects. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by ensuring they have better information about the risks of treatments for sinus-related diseases.

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This study looked at how supportive relationships with adults can help teens who have faced tough childhood experiences, like violence or lack of emotional support. Researchers found that teens who felt they had strong support from adults reported fewer emotional problems and less trouble with hyperactivity or adjusting socially. Specifically, those with higher levels of adult support showed lower levels of psychosocial issues, even when they had experienced tough situations. Who this helps: This helps vulnerable adolescents who are at risk for mental health issues.

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This study looked at how laws related to postpartum depression (PPD) in 32 U.S. states affect maternal mortality rates, which is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes. It found that states with better and more PPD legislation, especially those that provided funding, had lower maternal mortality rates. In fact, these laws accounted for 13% of the differences in maternal death rates, while uninsured rates explained 23%. Who this helps: This benefits mothers and healthcare providers by improving access to care for postpartum depression.

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This study looked at how well two scoring systems, BRIXIA and RALE, can predict the need for oxygen support in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia based on their initial chest X-rays (CXR) taken in the emergency department. They found that both scoring systems were fairly good at predicting who would need advanced oxygen, with scores showing a strong ability to discriminate these patients (up to 74% accuracy), but their effectiveness declined during the hospital stay. This is important because it helps doctors quickly assess which patients may require more oxygen, ensuring timely treatment. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers in managing COVID-19 patients.

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Researchers focused on developing new drugs to combat specific mutations in the FGFR2 gene that make certain cancers harder to treat, particularly a type of bile duct cancer. They created a new class of drug that not only targets the regular version of the FGFR2 but also works against mutations that would normally resist treatment. One of their best drug candidates showed strong effects in lab tests and performed similarly to existing treatments. Who this helps: This helps patients with bile duct cancer who have FGFR2 mutations.

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This study looked at how effective contact tracing (CT) is in stopping the spread of infectious diseases during epidemics or pandemics. The review included 86 studies, focusing mainly on tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like HIV. The findings revealed that while CT had some success in reducing TB cases, it often did not show clear benefits compared to other methods for other diseases, and many studies had flaws in how they were designed. Who this helps: This research benefits health officials and policymakers who are crafting strategies for managing infectious disease outbreaks.

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This study looked at a new method to measure a specific type of aging-related cells called senescent cells, which can affect overall health and increase the risk of serious diseases. Researchers developed a score based on proteins related to these cells, finding that a higher score indicated a greater risk of dying or developing conditions like dementia or heart disease. They used data from many people and validated their findings in different groups, showing that this score could change with exercise over time. Who this helps: This benefits patients by providing a tool to monitor health and predict risks associated with aging.

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This study looked at the effects of targeting a protein called myostatin to help improve muscle function and reduce complications in people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Researchers found that removing myostatin in mice with T1D led to better control of blood sugar levels and preserved muscle function, showing that this approach could help mitigate some of the negative effects of diabetes. Specifically, they found that myostatin deletion helped keep muscle performance steady and improved blood flow in the veins. Who this helps: This benefits patients with Type 1 Diabetes by potentially improving their muscle health and overall metabolic function.

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Researchers developed a new tool called the Neuropixels 1.0 NHP that can record brain activity from thousands of individual brain cells in nonhuman primates, like macaques. This device can monitor 384 different areas in the brain at once, offering a significant upgrade over previous methods that were more limited. This advancement allows scientists to study brain functions and interactions in much greater detail, paving the way for new types of experiments that can improve our understanding of the brain. Who this helps: This benefits researchers in neuroscience and potentially leads to better treatments for brain-related disorders.

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This study looked at the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and infection risks in over 1 million people, half of whom had type 2 diabetes (T2D). Researchers found that people with T2D were more likely to get infections at all BMI levels, and those with very high BMI (over 48) had a significantly higher risk of being hospitalized for infections—2.35 times more for T2D patients and 2.52 times more for those without diabetes, compared to those with a reference BMI. Understanding these risks is important because it shows how both obesity and being underweight can lead to higher infection rates, helping doctors better manage care for these patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with type 2 diabetes, healthcare providers, and public health officials.

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This study looked at how exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months after giving birth affects women's cholesterol levels and body weight. It found that mothers who exclusively breastfed had lower total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels compared to those who did not exclusively breastfeed. Additionally, these mothers had a lower body mass index (BMI) over time, indicating better overall health after giving birth. Who this helps: This benefits new mothers who are trying to improve their health postpartum.

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This research focused on creating a better way to produce creatine, an important energy molecule for muscles, using E. coli bacteria instead of traditional chemical methods. The scientists developed a new process that improved the bacteria's ability to generate creatine, achieving a 58% increase in production compared to earlier methods. This is significant because it provides a more sustainable and efficient way to make creatine, especially for people who follow plant-based diets. Who this helps: This helps patients and athletes who rely on creatine supplements for muscle health and performance.

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This study looked at how to effectively involve young adolescents, aged 10 to 14, in sexual health research, especially given the increasing number of early sexual experiences and related health issues like pregnancies and STIs. Researchers interviewed 17 community members—like teachers and health providers—who emphasized the importance of building trust and involving parents and schools in the process. They also pointed out the need to start conversations about sexual health early to help prepare young people for participation in such research. Who this helps: This benefits young adolescents and their caregivers by ensuring that sexual health research is relevant and sensitive to their needs.

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This research studied a community-based healthy lifestyle program designed for children and families in Perth, Australia, particularly those affected by childhood obesity. The program aims to be acceptable and feasible by assessing participants' experiences, performing health measurements at the start and after 6 and 12 months, and gathering feedback from about 50 participants and their caregivers. If successful, this program could help create more accessible and effective health initiatives for youth facing obesity challenges. Who this helps: This benefits children and young people with obesity, their families, and the healthcare providers working with them.

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This study focused on a new software toolkit called GECCO that improves the speed and accuracy of cone-beam CT (CBCT) simulations, which are important for medical decisions. The GECCO application can simulate high-quality images quickly, taking only 63 minutes to produce detailed images, while the real-time image simulation (RTIS) application can update images in just 36 milliseconds. These improvements mean better and faster imaging that can help doctors make more informed treatment decisions. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors involved in radiation therapy.

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This study looked at the long-term effects of the Good Behavior Game (GBG), a classroom strategy designed to reduce disruptive behaviors and encourage positive ones among children. The findings showed strong evidence that the GBG significantly lowers the chances of tobacco use in late teens and moderate evidence of preventing aggressive behavior from escalating into more serious issues like criminal behavior. Additionally, when GBG is paired with other educational programs, it can lead to better academic performance and higher college attendance, particularly for girls. Who this helps: This helps students and teachers by creating a more positive school environment and setting students up for future success.

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This study looked at how work stress affects community pharmacists in Florida and how that stress influences the care they provide to patients. Out of 361 pharmacists surveyed, 84.8% worked in chain pharmacies, and the main stressor was staffing problems, reported by 58% of respondents. The findings revealed that 79% faced difficulties providing quality care due to work stress, and higher stress levels were linked to a poorer quality of patient care. Who this helps: This helps community pharmacists and their patients.

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This study focused on understanding why Black stroke survivors with aphasia—language difficulties after a stroke—aren't participating in research about their condition. Researchers reached out to over 100 people in the community and talked to four survivors about the challenges they face, like lack of knowledge, transportation issues, social isolation, and mental health struggles. Although the outreach did not significantly increase research participation, it highlighted these barriers and helped build connections in the community. Who this helps: This research assists Black stroke survivors, researchers, and community health workers.

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Ontario, Canada, launched a new RSV vaccination program for older adults during the 2023-2024 respiratory season, making it the only province in Canada to do so. A survey showed that 58.5% of residents in long-term care homes received the vaccine, but health officials found it wasn't prioritized as much as flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The study also identified challenges such as staff and resident hesitancy, complicated consent procedures, and the timing of the program rollout. Who this helps: This benefits older adults in long-term care homes and the healthcare providers working with them.

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This study examined a new imaging system upgrade for radiation therapy that uses a larger detector and faster equipment to better adjust treatment based on daily changes in patients' bodies. Researchers found that their model accurately predicted how well the new system would work, showing very little difference between the actual and simulated results. This is important because it means the upgraded equipment can provide more precise treatment for patients, particularly those with cancers in the chest and abdomen. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing radiation therapy for thoracic and abdominal cancers.

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This study looked at how different groups of people in the U.S. experienced COVID-19 differently based on factors like race, age, and where they live. The researchers found that when considering detailed information about these groups, they could see that some, especially larger households and certain workplaces, faced higher rates of infection. This matters because understanding these differences can help create better strategies to prevent disease spread in future outbreaks. Who this helps: This helps public health officials and policymakers.

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This study examines a special diabetes education program called HEAL-D, designed specifically for Black African and Caribbean adults with type 2 diabetes. It compares the effectiveness of this culturally tailored program against standard diabetes education over a period of 24 months, with key health indicators likely assessed at 12 months. Initial findings suggest that adapting educational support to cultural needs could significantly enhance diabetes management outcomes in these communities, which face higher health disparities. Who this helps: This benefits Black African and Caribbean adults living with type 2 diabetes.

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This study looked at how well clinical trials for regional anesthesia reported negative side effects (or adverse events) compared to data in official registry entries. The researchers found that many trials didn't report these events completely, with significant differences noted between the information in the registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) and what was published, especially in smaller studies. Trials that had to follow FDA rules reported side effects more fully, indicating that regulatory oversight improves transparency. Who this helps: This research benefits patients by ensuring they receive complete information about the risks of anesthesia procedures.

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This study looked at how effective the medication vonoprazan is for reducing nighttime heartburn symptoms in adults with nonerosive reflux disease. Researchers found that, after 4 weeks, nearly 60% of patients taking vonoprazan reported being free from heartburn at night, compared to just 43% of those taking a placebo. This improvement continued for an additional 20 weeks, showing that vonoprazan can significantly help those struggling with nighttime heartburn. Who this helps: This benefits patients suffering from nighttime heartburn.

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This study looked at how well a specialized AI model can automatically pull out data from different types of research studies for public health reviews. The researchers found that the AI was able to provide acceptable data in 68% of cases compared to human reviewers, with some types of data performing even better—like study design and setting, which had over 90% acceptability. This matters because it shows that AI could help streamline the data extraction process in research, making it faster and potentially more efficient. Who this helps: Researchers and public health professionals.

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This study looked at how to enhance health checks for migrants in the UK, as this group often faces unique health challenges and barriers to getting care. Researchers developed a tool called Health Catch-UP!, designed to help healthcare providers screen and vaccinate at-risk migrants more effectively. The goal was to create a comprehensive plan for using this tool in everyday healthcare, involving around 80-100 participants in workshops and discussions to ensure that the final package meets the needs of both migrants and healthcare professionals. Who this helps: This benefits migrants seeking better access to healthcare services.

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This study looked at the often-overlooked tasks that general practice healthcare workers do every day, in addition to seeing patients. It aims to gather detailed information on all their responsibilities, including administrative work, to understand the true workload. The researchers plan to collect data from over 500 clinicians in more than 75 practices to see how workload differs based on their roles and the characteristics of their practices. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare workers by providing insights that can lead to better support and resources in their work environment.

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This research paper studies how to improve genomic data portals, which organize and share genetic data for researchers and AI. The authors found that while these portals are essential for making millions of data files easy to find and use, there’s a lack of clear guidance on how to properly fund and manage them. They offer practical suggestions for building better portals and highlight ongoing challenges, aiming to help those involved in creating and funding these resources. Who this helps: Patients, researchers, and healthcare providers who rely on genomic data for treatment and studies.

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This study looked at how well medical supervisors in South Africa understand and use workplace-based assessments (WBA) to train postgraduate medical students. While 82.5% of supervisors reported that they knew about WBA, there were big differences in how they actually applied it in their teaching. This is important because effective training in real clinical settings is crucial for patient safety and improving healthcare outcomes. Who this helps: This helps medical trainers and ultimately benefits patients by enhancing the quality of medical education.