Latest News Releases 8 April

Recent data from Pew Research Center suggest that Americans are rethinking whether they want to become parents. This could be part of a long-term trend, as a research team from Michigan State University found that the percentage of nonparents in the United States who never want children has doubled over the past 20 years.

ITHACA, N.Y. – Wild fig tree rings offer a cheap method for tracking toxic atmospheric mercury, a byproduct of gold mining in the Global South, according to a new Cornell University study.

ITHACA, N.Y. – A Cornell University-led collaboration has hit the trifecta of sustainability technology: The group has developed a low-cost method to produce carbon-free “green” hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis of seawater. A happy byproduct of the process? Potable water.

A McGill University-led study found that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) had elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis.

“This could help explain why cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions, key symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders,” said first author Jessica Ahrens, a PhD student in McGill’s Integrated Program in Neuroscience.

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new type of smart clothing that can track a person’s posture and exercise routine but looks, wears – and washes – just like a regular shirt.

Generations are already seen as unique in terms of values and beliefs. These differences may stretch into the realm of finance, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, a distinctive subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1), exemplifies primary extranodal lymphomas originating in the lung (2). Renowned for its indolent nature and infrequent occurrence, the clinical presentation of pulmonary MALT lymphoma is subtle (3), and its radiological manifestations are diverse, posing considerable diagnostic challenges (4). In contrast to more aggressive lymphomas, MALT lymphoma often lacks the hallmark symptoms of high-grade malignancies (5), making early detection elusive and potentially causing delays in therapeutic intervention.

Clinical manifestations of MALT lymphoma may vary but often include non-specific symptoms such as cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath (6,7). Systemic symptoms, such as fever and weight loss, are less common but can occur (8). The overall incidence of pulmonary MALT lymphoma is relatively low compared to other lymphomas (9,10). Risk factors for developing pulmonary MALT lymphoma may include a history of autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, or exposure to environmental factors that trigger chronic inflammation (11).

The treatment landscape for pulmonary MALT lymphoma primarily revolves around surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, with surgery being the preferred modality for localized disease (12,13). The indolent course of MALT lymphoma, coupled with its relative insensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate selection of treatment modality (14,15). Moreover, the prognosis of MALT lymphoma is generally favorable, with surgical interventions yielding better outcomes compared to cases where complete resection is not feasible (16).

The clinical significance of pulmonary MALT lymphoma transcends its rarity, delving into the domain of differential diagnosis (17). This is particularly critical when distinguishing it from prevalent pulmonary pathologies like adenocarcinomas, focal invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung, focal organizing pneumonia or infectious granulomas (18,19). The management and prognosis of these conditions vary significantly, underscoring the importance of accurate differentiation. The complexity of pulmonary MALT lymphoma is further complicated by its etiology, commonly associated with chronic inflammatory stimuli (20). This association is notable, especially in patients with autoimmune diseases or a history of chronic infections, adding layers of intricacy to the understanding of the disease (21,22).

Radiologically, pulmonary MALT lymphoma displays a spectrum of patterns on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), ranging from solitary or multiple nodules, areas of consolidation, to ground-glass opacities (23,24). These imaging features, although valuable, overlap significantly with those of other pulmonary conditions, thereby necessitating a more nuanced approach to interpretation (25,26). The role of imaging in MALT lymphoma extends to not only diagnosis but also to treatment planning and monitoring response to therapy. Pathologically, MALT lymphoma is characterized by the proliferation of marginal zone B-cells, which may manifest in a variety of cytological appearances (27). Immunohistochemistry plays a pivotal role in diagnosis, with markers such as CD20 and CD79a often showing positivity (28,29). The Ki67 proliferation index is another valuable tool, providing insights into the tumor’s growth dynamics (30). Ki67 indicates the level of cellular proliferation activity, representing the proliferation rate of MALT tumor cells. It reflects the degree of malignancy of the cells and is related to the prognosis of the patients. However, the lack of a histological grading system in MALT lymphoma contrasts with other lymphomas, where such grading significantly influences treatment decisions (31).

This study aimed to elucidate the imaging and pathological characteristics of pulmonary MALT lymphoma based on a comprehensive analysis of 20 cases from a thoracic specialty hospital. Our focus is to assist radiologists in understanding the disease’s unique imaging features from a pathological perspective, thereby improving differential diagnosis during initial chest imaging assessments. This understanding is critical in guiding further biopsy for definitive diagnosis and timely surgical intervention when feasible, or alternatively, opting for radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

In reviewing app user feedback, new research from Texas McCombs offers insight into whom and what to listen to. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze user reviews and their influence on app updates. The results suggest when developers should rely on users for adding new features and when it’s better to follow their own ideas.

Thoracic autonomic nervous system surgery is based on interrupting the adrenergic action of the central nervous system. The first surgery on the thoracic sympathetic chain was performed by Alexander in 1889 (1) and was initially proposed to improve circulation in the extremities (2), while Kotzareff is credited with performing the first cervical sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis in 1920 (3). The first physiological perspective of sympathectomy in cardiovascular disease was published by Goetz in 1948 (4). With the advent of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), the thoracoscopic approach became the gold standard. Similarly, sympathetic chain resection or the clipping technique became the most popular strategies (5). Over time, the indications have evolved: Jonnesco extended its use to exophthalmic goiter (6); Franck to glaucoma, idiotism and hyperthyroidism (7). However, many of these indications have become obsolete and palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) is now the most common (8). Several papers have been published to finally define the correct indications and techniques, but evidence is still scarce due to the lack of high-quality data. In conclusion, there are no guidelines, and the debate is still open. To assess the current clinical practice among thoracic surgeons, the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) decided to survey its members to obtain a state-of-the-art overview of thoracic autonomic nerve surgery.

Authors describe how they leveraged long-read genomic sequencing (LRS) to make a genetic diagnosis in a17-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and acute behavioral decompensation that would not have been possible by standard methods.