DR. MARILYN J. BORST, M.D.

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This study looked at different types of parasites found in pets across the USA. Researchers found at least three species of these parasites in animals like dogs and cats, analyzing 302 samples from various animals in 18 states. This matters because understanding the diversity of these parasites can help improve treatment and prevention strategies for pets and their owners. Who this helps: Pet owners and veterinarians.

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This study focused on a technique called color center magnetometry to better understand spin waves in magnetic materials, which are important for future technologies. The researchers developed a method to image these spin waves by using special atomic defects in diamond and boron nitride that can operate under different conditions. They successfully showed how these techniques can lead to better control and understanding of spin waves in magnetic materials, which is crucial for developing advanced information technologies. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and engineers working on next-generation electronics and data storage technologies.

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This study looked at how effective eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is for people with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue. Ten women underwent six sessions of EMDR, and results showed that pain decreased significantly for six of them, while seven experienced a notable reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms. Three participants maintained this pain relief even three months later, highlighting EMDR's potential to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms. Who this helps: This benefits patients with fibromyalgia, especially those dealing with trauma-related symptoms.

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This study looked at how superconductors, which can conduct electricity without loss and repel magnetic fields, can influence the movement of spin waves—tiny magnetic signals in materials. The researchers found that they could change the behavior of these spin waves with a laser, leading to different transport modes that vary with temperature. This is important because it could improve the way we use magnetic signals in advanced technologies like computers and communication systems. Who this helps: This benefits engineers and developers working on next-generation electronic devices.

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Researchers studied a new technique called NV magnetometry to look at spin waves in magnetic materials. They found that by carefully adjusting the position of a single-spin sensor, they could filter and identify specific spin waves, showing a mix of different types and enabling clear observation of a single type of wave at lower power levels. This is important because it could lead to better imaging of complex magnetic behaviors, which may improve our understanding of various materials and their applications. Who this helps: This helps researchers and engineers working with magnetic materials.

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This study looked at how and where pavement designed to let water seep through gets clogged in a parking lot in Edison, NJ. Researchers found that clogging often occurs at certain low spots along the edge of the permeable pavement, particularly when water runs off from nearby areas. Specifically, they identified three critical areas that clogged over time, which helps improve maintenance and upkeep of these surfaces. Who this helps: This benefits city planners and maintenance crews responsible for keeping permeable pavements functional.

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This study looked at how effective deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) is for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in everyday clinical settings. Researchers gathered data from 22 clinics and found that 72.6% of patients saw a significant improvement after treatment, while 52.4% maintained that improvement for at least a month. Patients typically experienced their first signs of improvement after about 18.5 treatment sessions, and ongoing benefits often continued with additional sessions. Who this helps: This benefits OCD patients looking for effective treatment options.

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This study looked at how to accurately identify the different types of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with connective tissue diseases and in elderly patients with multiple health issues. It emphasized the importance of distinguishing between various types of PH, such as those related to heart problems or chronic lung diseases, to ensure patients receive the right treatment. The authors provided criteria to help doctors make these distinctions more easily. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients with connective tissue diseases and elderly patients facing heart and lung problems.

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This study looked at how much trees cool the air in Camden, New Jersey, by measuring temperatures under tree canopies compared to nearby areas without trees. On hot days, temperatures under trees with overlapping canopies were significantly cooler than in control spots, showing they can reduce heat effectively. Specifically, on days exceeding 30°C (86°F), trees provided a noticeable cooling effect, which can help urban areas combat heat. Who this helps: This benefits city planners and residents by promoting the use of trees for better urban living conditions.

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This study looked at how well six tree boxes remove stormwater over two years. Researchers found that the rate at which water drains from these boxes dropped by 27% to 37% in the second year compared to the first year, and the drainage was better during warmer weather. Understanding these factors is important because it helps improve designs for managing stormwater, which can reduce flooding and improve the environment. Who this helps: This helps urban planners and environmental engineers manage stormwater more effectively.

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This research paper reviews updates on how doctors define and diagnose pulmonary hypertension (PH), a condition affecting blood flow in the lungs. The major change suggested is lowering the pressure threshold for diagnosis from 25 mmHg to 20 mmHg, which means more patients may now be identified with this condition. This is important because it can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes for those affected. Who this helps: This helps patients with pulmonary hypertension and their doctors.

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This study looked at how adding certain chemicals to monolayer WS (a type of thin semiconductor) affects the conversion of excitons (neutral particles) to trions (charged particles) at room temperature. The researchers found that when they added these chemicals, the light emitted from the material was mainly from trions, leading to a very strong valley polarization, with around 80% of the emitted light categorized as highly polarized. This is important because it helps understand how to control the behavior of these materials for future uses in electronics and photonics. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and engineers working on advanced materials for technology.

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This study looked at bioretention planters, which are used to manage stormwater in small spaces. Researchers found that 38% of the rain events didn't lead to any water flowing out, and the time it took for water to start draining varied widely from about 5 to 1,841 minutes, with an average of 77.5 minutes. Understanding how these planters work helps cities and engineers design better systems for managing stormwater and reducing flooding. Who this helps: Cities and communities dealing with stormwater management.

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This study examined how water drains from a storage system installed under a parking lot in Kansas to manage stormwater. Researchers used special tools called tensiometers to measure soil moisture at different depths, discovering that water tends to flow out more at shallow levels, especially near the sides of the storage system. This information is crucial for designing better stormwater management systems that minimize flooding and improve water quality. Who this helps: This helps urban planners and engineers design more effective green infrastructure for managing stormwater.

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This study examined the long-term effects of three types of permeable pavement—permeable interlocking concrete, porous asphalt, and pervious concrete—on the amount of nutrients that seep through them. Researchers found that over nearly seven years, the nitrogen levels in rainwater and the infiltrate from permeable pavements gradually increased, while the phosphate levels rose slightly in rainwater and porous asphalt. This information is important because it helps communities choose the right type of pavement based on the specific pollutants they want to manage. Who this helps: This benefits city planners and environmental engineers.

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This study looked at how quickly water can filter through soil in six tree boxes in Louisville, Kentucky. Researchers found that the drainage rate is significantly better in deeper soil layers, which was 1.7 times higher than in the top layer. Over two years, the speed of water filtering through the soil dropped by 20% for infiltration and 38% for drainage, and these rates changed with the seasons, being highest in summer and lowest in winter. Who this helps: This information helps city planners and engineers design better urban green spaces.

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This study looked at how permeable pavements, designed to manage stormwater, get clogged over time. Researchers found that as rain falls, for every 6 mm of rain, the pavement clogs by about 1 mm, and this clogging starts at the uphill side of the pavement and moves downhill. Understanding this process helps improve the design and maintenance of these pavements, ensuring they work effectively in preventing flooding and managing water runoff. Who this helps: This helps city planners, engineers, and communities using permeable pavements for stormwater management.

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This study looked at how well three types of permeable pavements used in a parking lot in New Jersey manage metal pollution in water. Over six years, researchers found that most metals, like barium and copper, were within safe levels for groundwater in over 99% of samples from these pavements. However, aluminum and iron exceeded safe levels in about half and 93% of samples from one type of pavement, respectively, which is concerning because they can harm the environment. Who this helps: This research benefits environmental agencies and urban planners focused on sustainable infrastructure.

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This study looked at how different types of permeable pavement affect the levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, found in stormwater runoff. Researchers found that porous asphalt (PA) had higher total nitrogen levels than the other two types of pavement (permeable interlocking concrete pavement and pervious concrete), which means that nitrogen from the PA may be leaching out into the water. In contrast, the PA had lower phosphorus concentrations than rain and runoff, likely due to chemical reactions at its high pH. Who this helps: This information benefits city planners and environmental engineers working on stormwater management solutions.

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Researchers studied a 20-year-old woman with anorexia who developed a condition called spontaneous pneumomediastinum, where air leaks into the space between the lungs. Her body mass index (BMI) was extremely low at 9.9, and she had symptoms like swelling and abnormal air pockets visible on scans. After three weeks of treatment, she fully recovered, highlighting that this severe condition can occur in very underweight individuals, and it’s crucial for doctors to be aware of this risk. Who this helps: This information helps doctors recognize and treat complications in patients with anorexia nervosa.

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This study looked at how chemotherapy affects memory, attention, and reaction time in women with advanced ovarian cancer. It found that 92% of women showed some cognitive decline after three courses of chemotherapy, and 86% continued to show decline after six courses. Understanding these effects is important because they can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and daily activities. Who this helps: This research benefits patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer by highlighting potential cognitive challenges.

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This study looked at the effects of combining two heart medications, metoprolol and felodipine, in patients with severe heart failure. Researchers found that patients who took metoprolol with a placebo showed significant improvements in heart function and blood flow after six months, with heart efficiency measurements rising from 29% to 36%. However, patients who took metoprolol alongside felodipine did not see these improvements, indicating that felodipine undermines the benefits of metoprolol in heart failure treatment. Who this helps: This research helps doctors decide which heart medications to prescribe for patients with severe heart failure.

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This study looked at the levels of tiny organisms in stormwater runoff from different types of areas like busy neighborhoods and commercial spaces. It found that areas with many homes had higher levels of these microorganisms, especially in warmer seasons, while winter showed lower levels, except for one specific bacteria. Understanding these levels is important because it affects decisions about water quality and safety, especially for activities like swimming. Who this helps: This benefits environmental scientists and public health officials who monitor water quality.

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The study focused on how to better manage the stress that sediment causes in watersheds, which are areas where water collects and drains into rivers and lakes. Researchers developed a framework that combines best management practices with modeling to guide decisions on managing sediment-related risks. They found that current tools and data need improvement to effectively address these risks and support healthier aquatic ecosystems. Who this helps: This benefits environmental managers and decision-makers working to protect water quality and aquatic life.

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This study looked at how the brain processes complex sounds like speech and music by using a special type of computer program called a spiking neural network. The researchers found that when they tested this program with sounds like spoken vowels, it successfully detected the timing of sound waves across different pitches. This is important because it can help separate sounds from each other or locate the direction of sounds with just one or two microphones. Who this helps: Patients with hearing difficulties and audiologists working on sound technology.

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This study looked at how long water samples can be held before testing for harmful microorganisms, specifically beyond the typical 24 hours up to 9 days. Researchers found that the levels of certain harmful bacteria, like fecal coliform, didn’t change much between samples tested after 7 hours and those tested after 24 hours. This is important because it shows that water testing can be flexible in timing without losing accuracy, which helps in monitoring water quality. Who this helps: This helps environmental scientists and water quality testers.

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This study looked at how mixing stormwater samples and adding chemicals affected the number of germs in water runoff from a summer storm. Researchers found that mixing the samples increased the number of many microorganisms, while adding a specific chemical called Camper's solution reduced their numbers, though not for all types of germs. These results show that how samples are prepared before testing can change what germs look like in stormwater, which is important for understanding and managing water safety. Who this helps: This helps public health officials and environmental scientists working to improve water quality.

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This study looked at the link between folate deficiency and cervical dysplasia, which is an abnormal change in cervical cells, in young women. Out of 726 women screened, 294 had dysplasia, and the results showed that those with low folate levels faced a significantly higher risk of developing dysplasia, especially when also infected with HPV-16; the risk jumped to 5.1 times higher for women with low folate levels compared to those with adequate levels. This matters because it suggests that improving folate levels could help reduce the risk of cervical dysplasia, particularly among women who are also at risk for HPV. Who this helps: This helps young women at risk for cervical dysplasia and healthcare providers focused on women's health.

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This study looked at whether taking folic acid pills could help women with early-stage cervical cell changes called cervical dysplasia. Researchers gave 235 women either 10 mg of folic acid or a dummy pill every day for 6 months. While they found that women with higher folate levels had lower rates of HPV type 16 infection, the folic acid supplements did not change the course of cervical dysplasia or its related health outcomes. Who this helps: This research helps doctors understand the limited role of folic acid in treating cervical dysplasia.

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This study looked at how effective HPV DNA screening and colposcopy (a type of examination) are for managing women with abnormal Pap smears that don't show severe changes. They found that 46% of women with atypical smears had HPV 16, a high-risk type of HPV, and among those who had biopsies, 14% were found to have early signs of cervical cancer (CIN). This is important because it shows that while many women tested positive for HPV, the screening alone does not reliably indicate whether they have serious conditions, so doctors should continue to use biopsies as the main evaluation method. Who this helps: This helps women with abnormal Pap smears and their doctors in determining the best follow-up care.

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This study looked at how the heart's response to certain stimuli affects the levels of a molecule called adenosine in different layers of dog hearts. It found that when the heart was stimulated with medication, adenosine levels increased significantly in the deeper layers of the heart muscle, with increases of 4.4 times in the innermost layer. This matters because it shows that proper blood pressure is crucial for heart function, as lower pressure leads to more adenosine being produced, which helps increase heart oxygen consumption. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors treating heart patients by highlighting the importance of blood pressure in heart function.

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This study looked at 110 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, a condition that causes symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and bloody stools. It found that 65% had abdominal pain, and while most were treated without surgery, some children ended up having unnecessary surgeries, including six who had their appendices removed mistakenly. The findings highlight the importance of accurately diagnosing this condition early to avoid unnecessary operations while still being prepared for serious complications that may require surgery. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers manage children with abdominal pain to ensure they receive the right treatment.

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This study looked at a drug called 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)adenine, or PMEA, to see how well it can fight feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats. Researchers found that PMEA significantly reduced the virus in infected cats, with a notable clinical improvement in cats showing symptoms like gum disease and diarrhea when given a daily dose of 5 mg/kg. This finding is important because it shows a potential treatment for FIV, which is similar to HIV in humans, helping scientists explore options for both diseases. Who this helps: This helps cats with FIV, veterinarians, and researchers working on HIV treatments.

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This study focuses on two techniques, DNA isolation and Southern Blot analysis, which help scientists identify genetic defects that can affect human health. The research shows that Southern blotting can reveal important genetic changes, such as those related to sickle cell disease, cervical cancer, and breast cancer, aiding in both diagnosis and understanding of these conditions. For instance, it was found that the presence of certain oncogenes in breast cancer patients is linked to a poorer prognosis. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by improving disease diagnosis and treatment planning.

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This study looks at how certain genes, called oncogenes, can turn normal cells into cancerous ones when they are mutated or overly active. Researchers have found that these genes and their normal counterparts play crucial roles in controlling cell growth. Understanding these processes is important because it helps pave the way for better and more targeted cancer treatments in the future. Who this helps: This benefits patients with cancer by leading to more effective treatment options.

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This study looked at how glutamate, an amino acid, is broken down in the hearts of dogs during reduced blood flow. Researchers found that when blood flow was cut off for 30 minutes, glutamate levels dropped significantly from 2.3 to 1.2 micromoles per gram, while levels of lactic acid and succinate, which are important for energy production, increased. This breakdown of glutamate was responsible for producing about 20% of the cellular energy during the lack of blood flow, highlighting a crucial survival mechanism for the heart under stress. Who this helps: This benefits heart disease patients and doctors by improving understanding of how the heart adapts to blood flow loss.

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This study looked at the levels of a molecule called adenosine in the heart under low-oxygen (hypoxic) conditions. Researchers found that when the oxygen levels dropped, the amount of adenosine in the heart increased significantly, from 0.08 micromoles in normal oxygen to 2.0 micromoles when oxygen was low. This is important because it shows how the heart can adjust to low oxygen by increasing adenosine levels, which helps to improve blood flow. Who this helps: This helps heart patients who may experience low oxygen levels.

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This study looked at how the heart produces a substance called S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) during instances of reduced blood flow, specifically in dogs undergoing a controlled lag in blood supply to the heart. They found that when blood flow dipped below 60% of normal, the levels of SAH shot up dramatically from just 1.3 to over 100 nanomoles per gram in the affected regions. This information is important because it indicates that measuring SAH can serve as a reliable way to detect areas of the heart that aren't getting enough blood, which is crucial for diagnosing heart conditions. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and medical staff who diagnose and treat heart disease.

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This study looked at the infection rates from surgeries performed by specific surgeons at two community hospitals over a year. It found that the overall infection rates were high, particularly for general and orthopedic surgeons, with one surgeon in each category having unusually high rates. This matters because it highlights the need for surgeons to improve their practices and allows hospitals to evaluate their performance based on infection rates. Who this helps: Patients undergoing surgery.

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This study looked at surgical wound infections following hip and knee replacement surgeries at two hospitals from May 1982. Initially, infection rates were high—9% for hip prosthesis surgeries and 16.7% for total knee and hip replacements. After implementing a monitoring system during surgeries, the rates dropped significantly, with total hip and knee replacement infections falling from 14% to about 3%, which is a big improvement. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing hip and knee surgeries.

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This study looked at the levels of certain salts (electrolytes) inside cells in different models of high blood pressure (hypertension). It found that the amounts of sodium in these cells varied greatly, not only between different organs but also among different cell types within the same organ. This complexity means that we can't create a simple explanation for how hypertension affects cells; instead, we need more detailed research to understand the differences better. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who are studying how high blood pressure affects the body.