Innovation & Research

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Student Research Could Make Solar Energy More Efficient
Sooraj Sharma (ENGR ’20) and a team of Pitt students created a type of self-cleaning glass that allows more solar energy to reach the power-generating portion of solar panels.
A woman in glasses with trees in the background
Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Epidemics and Pandemics Can Exacerbate Xenophobia, Bigotry
In a pair of studies, ecologist Jessica Stephenson found that both animals and humans instinctually hunker down in small groups when infection looms—but that impulse can come with a price.
A person in a face mask, white coat and blue gloves holds up a vial
Monday, September 14, 2020

Pitt Scientists Discover Tiny Antibody Component That is Highly Effective in Preventing and Treating SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Animal Models
The discovery in animals is being used to make a drug for potential therapeutic and preventive use against COVID-19 in humans.
A person in a blue face mask and white lab coat holds up a gold object
Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Survey Shows Research-Related Staff and Postdocs Comfortable with Restart Efforts
A recent survey of University research-related staff and postdocs shows that nearly two-thirds of respondents felt that Pitt’s research restart had gone at least as well as or better than they expected.
A depiction of a bloodstream and a virus
Wednesday, September 9, 2020

University of Pittsburgh Selected to Lead NIH Trials in COVID-19 Care
The National Institutes of Health has selected Pitt to lead a trio of Phase 3 clinical trials involving COVID-19 patients that will explore the use of blood thinners in saving lives and improving care.
A person in a green sweater
Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Student Fills Void of Black Hair Care Products for Kids in Foster Care, Peers
Social work graduate student Ashlé Hall (SOC WK ’18) is a busy entrepreneur with a new line of hair care products designed to fill two very important needs.
A depiction of cells in purple and blue
Friday, September 4, 2020

International Group Working on ‘Google Maps for the Body’
The Human BioMolecular Atlas Program is developing an open, global platform to map healthy cells so doctors, scientists and educators can better understand disease and the workings of the human body.
a blue-scrubbed person putting an intubation device into a clear box with a mannequin inside
Thursday, September 3, 2020

Plexiglass Alone Can't Protect Against Aerosolized Virus
Intubating COVID-19 patients can be dangerous for the health care provider. A new biocontainment unit developed by a Pitt-UPMC team trapped more than 99.99% of simulated virus-sized aerosols and prevented them from escaping into the environment
A person in a black top and necklace
Thursday, September 3, 2020

Editing Immune Response Could Make Gene Therapy More Effective

A study led by pathology’s Samira Kiani and published today in Nature Cell Biology showed that a new approach to CRISPR briefly suppressed genes to control the immune response in mice, making gene therapy delivery more effective.
Angus in a blue suit
Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Pitt Study of COVID-19 Patients Leads to WHO Treatment Guidance Changes
Published as part of a four-article package today in JAMA, research led by Pitt’s Derek Angus found that an inexpensive treatment of steroids can substantially improve survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The findings, part of a multi-site global trial, were so stark that the World Health Organization is updating its treatment guidance for the disease.