Gert Bachmann

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Some antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drugs, when injected into the spinal canal, cause short-lived neurological symptoms like sedation, muscle weakness, and loss of reflexes in animals. The researchers mapped out exactly when these effects peak (about three hours after injection), how long they last (resolved within 24 hours), and what chemical properties of the ASO molecule drive them — specifically high phosphorothioate and guanine content. This framework gives drug developers a way to predict and reduce these transient side effects without sacrificing therapeutic potency.

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Scientists tested whether reducing a protein called RAD23A could protect mice from TDP-43 disease, a form of neurodegeneration seen in ALS and related conditions. Lowering RAD23A — either by genetic editing or a drug-like molecule — extended the animals' lives, improved their movement, and reduced the toxic protein clumps that characterize the disease. Because TDP-43 pathology occurs in both inherited and sporadic forms of neurodegeneration, RAD23A is a promising new drug target.

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Researchers studied two related bromeliad species that use different modes of a water-saving photosynthesis strategy called CAM — one switches it on only during drought, the other runs it constantly. Both species used the same core biochemical enzymes, but the surrounding genetic machinery controlling stomata, sugar transport, and starch differed dramatically between them. This means plants can arrive at the same water-saving solution through very different genetic routes, which helps explain how this trait has evolved independently so many times across the plant kingdom.

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This article describes the cervical cancer risk facing Afghan women recently evacuated to the United States, a population that largely lacked access to HPV vaccination and screening in Afghanistan. The authors argue that the recent influx of evacuees creates a public health opportunity — and obligation — to provide these preventive services to women who may have undiagnosed or advanced disease. Culturally sensitive outreach and screening programs are needed to address this gap.

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This study tested whether the essential oil from an unspecified plant attracts and affects the reproductive behavior of Mediterranean fruit flies, a major agricultural pest. Both male and female flies were attracted to the oil, but exposure reduced the sexual competitiveness of sterile males used in pest control programs, which is a drawback for the sterile insect technique. The oil was also highly toxic at low doses, suggesting potential as a biopesticide but with tradeoffs that need to be resolved before practical application.

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This qualitative study with 60 racially and ethnically diverse pregnant and postpartum women explored what makes it hard or easy to enroll in long-term birth cohort studies. Key barriers included time demands, fears about harm to children, distrust of research (especially among Black participants), and privacy concerns about data use. Women appreciated remote data collection for its flexibility but stressed that personal contact, transparency, and community engagement are essential for building trust and keeping participants involved.

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Researchers screened 44 wheat varieties from India and Austria for differences in the chemical compounds their roots release into the soil, and tested how those compounds affect soil bacteria that convert fertilizer nitrogen into forms that escape as gas. Using machine learning on metabolic data from over 6,000 chemical features, they identified a combination of 32 metabolites — including specific phenolic acids and flavonoids — linked to strong inhibition of this nitrogen-loss process. The findings open a path to breeding wheat varieties that keep more fertilizer nitrogen in the soil, reducing pollution and improving efficiency.

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This article examines how a January 2025 executive order mandating sex-based language in clinical settings conflicts with professional standards that have increasingly embraced gender-inclusive terminology for pregnant patients. The authors reviewed how language is used across obstetric research and clinical practice and found a split: "pregnant woman" still dominates (60%), but inclusive terms are growing. They propose a middle-ground framework called Balanced Pregnancy Language that uses sex-based terms for regulatory and billing purposes while allowing patient-preferred language in direct clinical interactions.

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A transcription factor called SOX6 acts as a brake on the maturation of oligodendrocytes, the brain cells that produce the myelin sheath insulating nerve fibers. SOX6 spreads across specific gene regions in immature cells and keeps them in an immature state; when it is suppressed, cells rapidly mature into functional myelinating cells. Cells stuck in this immature SOX6-driven state are overrepresented in the brains of multiple sclerosis patients, making SOX6 a potential therapeutic target to drive remyelination.

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Researchers held focus groups with 60 racially and ethnically diverse pregnant and postpartum women to understand what would encourage or discourage them from participating in at-home biospecimen collection for research studies. Women valued convenience and autonomy but worried about the absence of trained staff, invasive procedures, and how their data would be used. Clear instructions, transparency about data use, and options for virtual contact with study staff were identified as the most important factors for improving participation.

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This article argues that after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the abortion debate became dominated by two opposing absolutist positions — one that prioritizes fetal rights entirely, one that prioritizes the pregnant person's rights entirely — and that both are inadequate guides for clinical practice. The authors propose a "professional responsibility model" that asks clinicians to weigh obligations to pregnant patients, fetuses, and society without reducing the question to a single rights framework. Historical examples of zealotry are used to argue that principled, respectful dialogue is essential for navigating the current legal landscape.

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This book chapter describes a toolkit for measuring how a single plant interacts with its soil and surrounding air — tracking gas exchange, metabolites, root secretions, and soil chemistry together. The goal is to build quantitative models of the full soil-plant-atmosphere system that can inform understanding of the carbon cycle. The approach uses standardized diagrams to represent inputs, outputs, and key processes in plant microhabitats.

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This paper reports that reducing a protein called RAD23A in a mouse model of TDP-43 neurodegeneration — using either genetic deletion or antisense molecules — extended survival, improved physical function, and cleared abnormal protein aggregates. The benefit appeared to work by improving the cell's protein recycling system (the ubiquitin-proteasome system) and correcting gene expression abnormalities caused by the toxic TDP-43. The findings point to RAD23A as a therapeutic target for ALS and related diseases.

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Scientists grew 36 different chickpea varieties under drought conditions and tracked which metabolic compounds in the leaves were associated with better grain yields. They identified specific sugars and sugar alcohols that accumulate at a critical point in seed development as markers of drought tolerance, and used genetic analysis to pinpoint candidate genes in the relevant pathways. The study provides a roadmap for breeding drought-tolerant chickpea varieties by targeting specific metabolic control points.

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This study examined how well planning teams worked together during the early phase of the New Jersey Kids Study, a large statewide research initiative on child health. Teams with more senior researchers and larger size were more effective, while greater age spread and diversity of institutional affiliations were associated with lower team effectiveness. Leadership quality stood out as a key factor in whether researchers wanted to stay involved with the project.

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Researchers built an interactive, publicly accessible online dashboard that displays maternal mortality data for New Jersey from 2005 to 2017, broken down by year, age, race and ethnicity, and a range of social determinants of health like insurance coverage, poverty rates, and provider availability. The tool is the first state-focused maternal mortality dashboard to integrate social and demographic factors together, allowing researchers and policymakers to spot patterns at both the state and county level. It is designed to help target interventions and allocate resources to reduce New Jersey's above-average maternal mortality rate.

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This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from nine studies comparing pregnancy outcomes between incarcerated and non-incarcerated women in the United States. Incarcerated pregnant individuals were about three times more likely to receive inadequate prenatal care and had 66% higher odds of delivering a low-birthweight baby. Preterm birth and stillbirth rates were similar between groups, but the findings overall highlight a critical need for standardized, federally mandated prenatal care standards inside correctional facilities.

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This study tested whether exposing male fruit flies of a South American species to volatile compounds from several native host fruits — beyond the known stimulant guava — would improve their mating performance. Only guava and one other fruit in the same genus (Psidium) enhanced calling behavior and mating success, while other native hosts had no effect. The results suggest the flies evolved a specific response to Psidium fruit volatiles, with implications for improving the effectiveness of sterile insect release programs by using these natural chemical cues.

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Researchers tested whether synthetic compounds related to the natural sex pheromones of certain fruit fly species could attract the South American fruit fly, a pest with no reliable monitoring tool. A synthetic analog called dimethyl, which is structurally similar to the natural pheromone epianastrephin but simpler to manufacture, attracted both male and female flies in field cage experiments and produced the same electroantennogram responses as the natural compound. This compound is a promising candidate for field-deployable lures to monitor and control this economically damaging pest.

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A 15-month randomized trial tested whether virtual peer group sessions improved health outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse young adults (ages 16-25) with type 1 diabetes. Participants who attended at least one peer group session had an average HbA1c reduction of about 1 percentage point and used continuous glucose monitors 47% more often compared to standard care. The results suggest that peer connection addresses unmet social and emotional needs that contribute to worse diabetes management in underserved young people.

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Researchers compared two closely related marsh orchid species that descended from the same hybridization event but now grow in very different environments — nutrient-poor fens versus richer meadows. Despite their shared origin, the two species have developed distinct differences in leaf chemistry, light processing, and nutrient uptake that match the demands of their respective habitats. The findings show that repeated polyploidization events can rapidly generate ecologically distinct lineages even when gene flow between them continues.

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This study followed parents whose newborns were enrolled in a randomized trial of genome sequencing and tracked depression scores at three time points. Parents who already had elevated depression scores at the start tended to improve over the course of the study, while some parents without prior symptoms showed temporary increases after learning their child's results. Most parents attributed any emotional distress to general parenting stress rather than the genomic study itself, suggesting participation in newborn sequencing research does not meaningfully harm parental mental health.

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Researchers tested whether a peer-written and illustrated book about perinatal mood disorders — anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy — could change how women think and feel about these conditions. After 251 women read the book while waiting for obstetric appointments, their knowledge increased and stigma scores dropped significantly. The study suggests that first-person narratives created by women who have experienced these conditions are an effective and accessible educational tool for reducing stigma.

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A European menopause society published a position statement calling for menopause — including perimenopause and postmenopause management — to be included in the training curriculum for all healthcare professionals worldwide, not just gynecologists. The statement is based on literature review and expert consensus and stresses the need for training that covers evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. The aim is to ensure that all clinicians who encounter midlife women have the skills to address menopause-related health needs.

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An expert panel convened to create practical recommendations for managing recurrent vaginal yeast infections (three or more per year) using topical antifungal treatments, since existing guidelines from the CDC only recommend oral fluconazole without specifying topical alternatives. The consensus recommends starting with a full course of treatment followed by topical maintenance one to three times per week, with the specific agent chosen based on the yeast species identified and the patient's prior treatment history. Fluconazole and boric acid should be avoided during pregnancy.

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This study used mass spectrometry and electrochemical assays to examine how catechin, a plant compound found in tea and other foods, binds to iron ions and how that binding affects its antioxidant activity. Catechin preferentially formed complexes with ferric iron at ratios of 1:1 and 2:1, and these complexes altered but did not eliminate its antioxidant properties. The catechin-iron complexes showed no toxicity in a standard bioassay, supporting interest in catechin as a potential agent for conditions involving oxidative stress and iron dysregulation, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

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Scientists sequenced gut bacteria from larvae of a South American fruit fly species collected from guava and peach hosts at two geographic locations in Argentina. Both host plant species and geographic origin shaped the gut bacterial community, while fruit size had no effect. Three bacterial genera — likely permanent residents rather than transient visitors — were found in all samples, making them potential targets for novel biological pest control strategies.

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Researchers compared root secretions from drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive pearl millet varieties to understand how plants modulate soil microbial communities under water stress. Both the plant genotype and drought stress changed the chemical composition of root exudates, and these differences in turn affected how strongly the exudates suppressed nitrification — the bacterial process that wastes soil nitrogen. The results suggest that breeding crops with optimized root chemistry could simultaneously improve drought resilience and nitrogen use efficiency.

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Medical students participated in a two-hour cooperative learning session on transgender healthcare using a modified "jigsaw" format, where students taught each other on different subtopics. Knowledge and confidence increased significantly right after the session, and though both declined at one-year follow-up, scores were still higher than before the training. Students consistently asked for more formal integration of trans health content in the medical curriculum, and the format was rated as effective.

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This narrative review found that spinal pathologies — including degenerative disease, traumatic injuries, and tumors — commonly cause sexual dysfunction in women, including pain, numbness, difficulty with orgasm, and reduced desire, yet these issues are almost never assessed or addressed in neurosurgical practice. While spinal surgery may relieve back pain, it rarely improves other dimensions of sexual function. The authors recommend routine pre- and post-operative sexual health assessment for all women undergoing spinal surgery.

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This article describes TranZap, a community-driven mobile app designed to help transgender individuals find gender-affirming healthcare providers. Existing resources for locating trans-competent care were found to be sparse and limited in scope — mostly covering surgeons and endocrinologists — so the app was developed to include all provider types and incorporate community-sourced reviews. The goal is to reduce the burden on transgender patients of finding providers who will treat them respectfully and competently.

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This scoping review examined published literature on how transgender men seeking gender-affirming surgery are counseled about fertility preservation options. Across 25 studies, consistent gaps were found: counseling rarely covered all relevant topics such as testosterone's effects on fertility, contraception, and the practical barriers to preserving eggs or embryos. The review calls for standardized counseling protocols so transgender men can make fully informed decisions about surgery and future family building.

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This prospective study tracked 184 patients before and after coronary artery bypass surgery and found that 25 of 155 patients who used a heart-lung bypass machine reported brief visual hallucinations afterward, while none of 29 patients who had off-pump surgery did. The hallucinations were transient, resolved without treatment, and were linked to longer bypass machine use and higher nicotine intake. The authors argue clinicians should be aware of this benign phenomenon to avoid unnecessary interventions and reassure patients.

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This commentary examines how structural racism shapes who gets incarcerated in the United States and how it compounds the health disadvantages of incarcerated women, who are disproportionately Black and Latina. Women — the fastest-growing prison population — face unique health needs including those related to menopause and reproductive health, and existing prison policies largely fail to account for gender-specific care. The authors call for reforms that address both the racist underpinnings of mass incarceration and the specific health needs of women who are imprisoned.

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This narrative review synthesized existing research on how spinal conditions and spinal surgeries affect sexual function in women, a topic rarely addressed in neurosurgical care. Spinal pathologies — from degenerative disc disease to tumors — can cause pain during sex, reduced sensation, difficulty with orgasm, and depression, but these issues are almost never part of standard surgical assessment or follow-up. The authors call for routine sexual history-taking before and after spinal surgery, and for more rigorous research on outcomes that matter to female patients.

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This narrative review covers genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a condition affecting up to half of postmenopausal women in which declining estrogen causes vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex, and urinary symptoms. Effective treatments exist — including lubricants, local hormonal therapies, and newer oral medications — but many women go undiagnosed and untreated because providers rarely raise the topic. The review emphasizes that proactive clinical screening and a systematic treatment approach can substantially improve quality of life for affected women.

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This article compares Finland's maternal healthcare system — one of the safest in the world — with the United States system, where maternal mortality has been rising and is the highest among wealthy nations. Finland's model is built around decentralized community clinics that integrate physical and psychosocial care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. The authors propose elements of the Finnish system as a template for U.S. reforms aimed at reducing preventable maternal deaths.

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This review examined prenatal care standards for pregnant incarcerated individuals in the United States using publications from 2000 to 2021. While incarceration sometimes improves access to basic care for women with no prior coverage, the review found widespread inconsistency in quality — including problems with nutrition, mental health access, opioid treatment, and the use of physical restraints during labor. The authors call for federal legislation to create uniform minimum standards of prenatal care in all U.S. correctional facilities.

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This article describes the specific menopause-related health challenges faced by incarcerated women, who are an aging and growing population in prisons worldwide. Symptoms such as hot flashes, bladder problems, and bone loss are common in midlife women but are frequently undertreated or ignored in correctional settings that lack gender-specific care protocols. The authors highlight a New Jersey legislative initiative — the NJ Commission on Women's Reentry — as a model for addressing these needs both during incarceration and after release.

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This article describes how a student-run One Health club — emphasizing the connections between human, animal, and environmental health — was established at Rutgers University, and provides a step-by-step template for other universities to replicate the effort. The main challenge was that most students, including health professional students, had never heard of the One Health concept before joining. The authors argue that early exposure through student organizations can build the cross-disciplinary thinking that public health challenges increasingly require.

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Researchers developed a rat model of Alexander disease — a fatal brain disease caused by mutations in a structural protein called GFAP — that shows the key features of the human condition: protein aggregation, brain white matter damage, and severe motor problems. A single dose of an antisense drug targeting GFAP given to the animals reduced pathological protein buildup and, depending on timing, prevented or reversed the white matter and motor deficits. The model and treatment together provide strong evidence that antisense therapy could be clinically meaningful for this currently untreatable disease.

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A randomized controlled trial tested whether adding a device to filter air bubbles from the heart-lung bypass circuit during pulmonary artery clot-removal surgery could protect brain function. Patients who used the bubble-filtering device performed significantly better on tests of visual memory, verbal memory, and attention three months after surgery compared to those without it. The results support routine use of this device to reduce cognitive side effects of cardiac surgery involving bypass.

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This short article records a national roundtable honoring Dr. Vivian Pinn for her contributions to women's health research and policy, hosted by the Women's Health Institute and the Journal of Women's Midlife Health. The event brought together leaders in the field to acknowledge her legacy. No new research findings are presented.

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This study compared how pearl millet and wheat respond to drought at the protein level, analyzing over 12,000 proteins across leaves, roots, and seeds in drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive varieties of each crop. Pearl millet maintained green, photosynthetically active leaves under drought (a "stay-green" trait) through a distinct protein signature, while wheat varieties showed a spectrum of stress responses tied to their drought tolerance. The protein markers identified can serve as targets for marker-assisted breeding programs aiming to improve drought resilience in both crops.