It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Sunday, June 02, 2024
Study finds potentially treatable factors to improve symptoms in men stopping illicit steroids
THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY
BOSTON—Men who illicitly used steroids to boost muscle size and physical performance and have stopped in the past year have impaired sexual function compared with men currently using steroids, according to a study being presented Sunday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Boston, Mass.
Having a psychiatric diagnosis and stopping steroids was associated with greater impairment in sexual function, the researchers found.
“It is important to recognize the symptoms that men experience within the first year of stopping steroids,” said lead researcher Bonnie Grant, M.B.B.S., of Imperial College London in London, U.K. “We observed that some factors such as psychiatric diagnosis and lower testosterone levels may contribute to worse symptoms of depression and sexual dysfunction.”
Millions of men worldwide illicitly use anabolic-androgenic steroids. These substances act like the male hormone testosterone to increase muscle growth, enhance body physique, and improve athletic performance. Using steroids is dangerous as they can lead to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, mental health problems and even death, Grant said.
Steroids stop the body from producing natural testosterone in men. When steroids are stopped, there is often a delay in the body making natural testosterone. During this time, men report feeling a low sex drive, low mood, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, with an overall decline in wellbeing. “There are currently no treatments which doctors can give these men to reduce these symptoms, and often men restart using steroids,” said Channa Jayasena M.D., Ph.D., the senior study author. He noted that no previous studies have focused on measuring symptoms within the first year of stopping steroids or investigated independently associated factors for these symptoms.
Grant and colleagues collected data from 165 men across England. Of these, 43 men had never used steroids, 76 were currently using steroids and 46 had stopped using steroids within the last 12 months. The men were asked about symptoms of sexual function, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. They also had a blood test done for testosterone and other reproductive hormone levels.
The study found that men stopping steroids less than one year ago had a 12% lower sexual function score compared with men currently using steroids. Erectile function, sexual desire and overall satisfaction scores were lower in men stopping steroids compared to men currently using steroids. Having a psychiatric diagnosis and stopping steroids was associated with greater impairment in sexual function.
Depression scores were 75% higher in men who stopped using steroids within the last year compared with men who had never used steroids. Having a psychiatric diagnosis and lower testosterone levels was associated with higher depression scores. Men who had stopped using steroids also were less energetic and more fatigued compared with men who had never used steroids.
“These data reveal potentially treatable factors to improve symptoms men experience when they stop using steroids,” Grant said.
Grant is scheduled to speak at the Society's reproductive health news conference at 11 a.m. Eastern June 2. Register to view the livestream at endomediastream.com.
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Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions.
The Society has more than 18,000 members, including scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in 122 countries. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TheEndoSociety and @EndoMedia.
Testosterone therapy: A safe and effective gender-affirming hormone therapy for trans men
Researchers discover significant body composition changes and minimal long-term side effects in transgender men undergoing testosterone therapy
THE RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED THAT THOSE IN THE HIGH-DOSE GROUP SHOWED GREATER LEAN BODY MASS GAINS IN THE FIRST YEAR COMPARED TO THE LOW-DOSE GROUP. IN ADDITION, HIGH DOSES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASE IN LEAN BODY MASS AT 3 AND 6 MONTHS.
CREDIT: DR. YUSUKE TOMINAGA FROM OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY, JAPAN
Transgender individuals often face unique challenges in aligning their physical bodies with their true gender identity. Among the various methods employed, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) stands as a vital means for transgender men to achieve physical changes in consonance with their gender identity. Navigating the complexities that come with gender transition, transgender individuals seek medical interventions to alleviate gender dysphoria and align their bodies with their gender identity.
For transgender men, testosterone therapy holds promise in inducing masculinizing effects such as increased muscle mass, cessation of menstruation, and deepening of the voice. However, the lack of comprehensive research on the long-term effects and safety of testosterone therapy poses significant challenges in clinical decision-making and underscores the persistent taboo surrounding transgender healthcare. To address this pressing need, a study led by Assistant Professor Yusuke Tominaga along with Dr. Tomoko Kobayashi and Dr. Motoo Araki from the Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan dives into understanding the long-term physical effects and safety profile of testosterone therapy for transgender men, shedding light on crucial aspects of hormone administration and its impact on body composition. Their research findings were published in Andrology on 2 April 2024.
“The research team was inspired to investigate this area as we noticed the lack of a standardized regimen for testosterone dosage and administration. Our aim was to understand how hormone dosages are adjusted to align more closely with typical male testosterone levels in the bloodstream," explains Dr. Tominaga.
Analyzing data from transgender men who commenced GAHT between May 2000 and December 2021, the researchers meticulously recorded physical findings, blood test results, and menstrual cessation rates. They then compared the effects of testosterone on body composition changes and laboratory parameters, stratifying participants into low-dose and high-dose groups based on their testosterone dosage.
The findings of the study revealed that both low-dose and high-dose testosterone regimens demonstrated favorable outcomes, with no significant differences observed in menstrual cessation rates up to 12 months. Over time, participants exhibited a decrease in body fat percentage and an increase in lean body mass, indicative of the desired masculinizing effects of testosterone therapy.
Notably, the high-dose group exhibited greater gains in lean body mass during the initial year of therapy, suggesting a potential strategy for individuals seeking more rapid changes in body composition. Importantly, the study found no evidence of long-term, dose-dependent side effects such as polycythemia or dyslipidemia, reassuring both clinicians and transgender individuals regarding the safety profile of testosterone therapy.
Reflecting on the significance of their findings, Dr. Tominaga explains, “Our study contributes valuable evidence on the long-term effects of testosterone therapy, providing crucial insights for clinicians managing transgender healthcare. By elucidating the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy, we hope to alleviate uncertainties surrounding transgender healthcare and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their treatment.”
This study opens the door to more inclusive and evidence-based care by illuminating the long-term effects and safety of testosterone therapy for transgender men.
About Okayama University, Japan
As one of the leading universities in Japan, Okayama University aims to create and establish a new paradigm for the sustainable development of the world. Okayama University offers a wide range of academic fields, which become the basis of the integrated graduate schools. This not only allows us to conduct the most advanced and up-to-date research, but also provides an enriching educational experience.
About Assistant Professor Yusuke Tominaga from Okayama University, Japan
Dr. Yusuke Tominaga is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Tominaga has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and case reports, particularly on testosterone therapy for gender identity disorders, bladder tuberculosis, and prostate cancer. His notable achievements include exploring the long-term outcomes of hormone therapies and the impacts of various treatments on genitourinary cancers.
Trans men can achieve adequate muscular development through low-dose testosterone therapy: A long-term study on body composition changes
Persons of nonbinary gender may desire lower-dose testosterone treatment than guidelines recommend
THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY
BOSTON—Among transgender and gender-diverse adults whose gender identity is nonbinary—not exclusively male or female—and who choose low-dose hormone treatment, most prefer to continue testosterone therapy at lower-than-recommended doses after at least six months of treatment, a new study finds. The study will be presented Sunday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Boston, Mass.
“Current guidelines for initiation of testosterone for gender affirmation assume that transgender and gender-diverse, or trans, individuals desire both rapid and complete masculinization,” said lead researcher Brendan Nolan, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., of the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. “However, we have noted that an increasing number of trans individuals, particularly those with a nonbinary gender identity, desire lower testosterone doses than recommended in existing guidelines.”
Research evaluating low-dose hormone therapy for trans people is limited, Nolan said. He and his colleagues therefore studied the duration of low-dose testosterone treatment among 46 young adults assigned female at birth and who identified as nonbinary. The patients applied 1% testosterone gel to their skin beginning with a median (midpoint) dose of 25 milligrams per day (mg/day). By their last follow-up visit, the patients were treated with median dose of 37.5 mg/day, with a range from 25 to 50 mg/day, less than the recommended full dose of 50 mg/day.
The researchers found that after the first six months of hormone therapy, 87% of the study patients (40 of 46) continued testosterone doses lower than those recommended in current guidelines. Only six patients chose to change their treatment regimen to full-dose testosterone. When the investigators narrowed their analysis to the 30 patients who received at least one year of testosterone therapy, 87% remained on a low dose at their last follow-up, Nolan reported.
Guidelines from the Endocrine Society for testosterone treatment of trans adults wanting masculinizing characteristics recommend 50 to 100 mg/day of testosterone for a 1.6% gel formulation. No standardized guidelines exist for persons desiring low-dose hormone treatment.
Although the investigators did not study the patients’ physical changes with testosterone therapy, Nolan said, “Theoretically, low doses could lead to slower or a lower degree of physical changes.”
Final blood tests showed that patients had a median total testosterone level within the low-normal range for cisgender men, he noted.
Nolan speculated that their findings suggest current guidelines for hormone treatment of trans adults may not apply to the needs of all nonbinary persons, but he said more research is needed.
“Future research should evaluate the influence of low-dose testosterone on clinical outcomes in trans including nonbinary people,” Nolan said.
Nolan receives funding from a Royal Australasian College of Physicians-Endocrine Society of Australia Research Establishment Fellowship.
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Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions.
The Society has more than 18,000 members, including scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in 122 countries. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TheEndoSociety and @EndoMedia.
WHITE SUPREMACIST MEDICINE
Stress from living in violent neighborhoods tied to aggressive lung cancer in Black men
THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY
BOSTON—Exposure to increased neighborhood violence has the power to change the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) for the stress hormone, cortisol, which may influence the aggressiveness of lung cancer, according to data presented Sunday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Boston, Mass.
“This research uncovers a previously unknown link between exposure to neighborhood violence, GR and lung tumor aggressiveness that can help us understand and fix the lung cancer health disparity seen in Black men” said Hannah Heath, B.S., a graduate research assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, Ill.
For this study conducted in Chicago, Heath and the research team found that Black men were more likely to live in neighborhoods with high levels of violent crime and have greater cortisol levels in their hair. This chronic stress, Heath explained, compelled the researchers to investigate how the GR impacted gene expression that regulates how aggressive a tumor will grow.
They collected lung tumor and healthy lung tissue samples from 15 Black and non-Black patients living in Chicago. Residential zip codes and police record data were used to determine which patients were living in neighborhoods with high, mid and low levels of violent crime.
Among the tests performed, Heath and colleagues performed Cleavage Under Targets & Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN), a new technology that can be used to pinpoint regions of DNA that GR binds to.
“We found that genes correlated with exposure to neighborhood violence were associated with pathways involved in cortisol signaling and increased tumor aggressiveness,” Heath said. “When we looked at the spatial expression of these cortisol-signaling and tumor aggressiveness genes, we found regions within tumor samples from high-violence neighborhoods that had elevated expression of these genes.”
They did not find these regions among patients with tumors who lived in low-violence neighborhoods. Furthermore, exposure to neighborhood violence led to the GR binding in regions of DNA that promotes a more aggressive lung tumor–an area it does not typically bind to.
“We hope this research will lead to larger studies that will ultimately be used to guide the addition of the neighborhood environment as a lung cancer screening eligibility parameter,” Heath said. “Currently, these parameters heavily focus on smoking habits. However, because Black men smoke less, they are often not eligible for screening, resulting in Black men being screened less and diagnosed later than white men.”
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Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions.
The Society has more than 18,000 members, including scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in 122 countries. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TheEndoSociety and @EndoMedia.
Are there racial inequities in naloxone administration during fatal overdoses?
Black people who died from an overdose had 40–50% lower odds of naloxone administration compared with white people who died.
WILEY
Pennsylvania has been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic, having the fourth highest number of overdose deaths in the country in 2020. Also, the rate of overdose deaths among Black persons is significantly higher than that of white persons in the state. A recent analysis published in Addiction reveals that compared with white people in Pennsylvania, Black individuals are less likely to receive naloxone—a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
In the analysis of 2019–2021 data collected from death certificates and the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, investigators found that overdose death rates in Pennsylvania were the highest among Black persons in the study population and increased over time (rates per 10,000 population were 4.3 in 2019, 6.1 in 2020, and 6.5 in 2021); rates were lowest among white persons and stayed constant over time (approximately 2.6 per 10,000 population).
Across all years, Black people who died from an overdose had 40–50% lower odds of naloxone administration compared with white people who died. Hispanic decedents had similar odds of naloxone administration to that of white decedents.
“The disparity in overdose rates and differences in naloxone administration emphasize the urgent and continued need for equitable distribution of naloxone and other harm reduction services throughout Pennsylvania, especially among communities of color who are already disproportionately affected by systemic inequalities,” said corresponding author Erin Takemoto, PhD, MPH, of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Additional Information NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.
About the Journal Addiction publishes peer-reviewed research reports on pharmalogical and behavioural addictions, bringing together research conducted within many different disciplines. The publication is an official journal of the Society for the Study of Addiction, and has been in publication since 1884.
About Wiley Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Inequities in Naloxone Administration Among Fatal Overdose Decedents by Race and Ethnicity in Pennsylvania, 2019-2021
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
29-May-2024
Dana-Farber researchers uncover disparities in lived experiences for patients and physicians
people experience discrimination and bias in different ways and in more realms of cancer care than previously understood.
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
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FOUR TEAMS OF Dana-Farber Cancer Institute INVESTIGATORS HAVE FOUND THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE DISCRIMINATION AND BIAS IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND IN MORE REALMS OF CANCER CARE THAN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSTOOD.
Boston – Four teams of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators have found that people experience discrimination and bias in different ways and in more realms of cancer care than previously understood.
The findings, in different studies, suggest that oncology professionals and the systems they work in have more work to do to adapt to the realities of increasing diversity and inclusion, not only in the patient population but also in the oncology workforce. The research teams will present their findings at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. ASCO is the world’s largest clinical cancer research meeting, attracting more than 30,000 global oncology professionals.
“We need to transform our health systems so that they work for everybody,” says presenter Shail Maingi, MD, a member of Dana-Farber’s Cancer Care Equity Program and a physician at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center at South Shore Health. “These findings bring to light disparities and interpersonal dynamics that are surprising and important for us to pay attention to as we strive to build medical systems that see and take care of everyone.”
LGBTQ+: Patient and physician experiences
Maingi is presenting two abstracts and reporting data from a survey of 817 LGBTQ+ cancer patients and 115 oncology professionals from a wide range of treatment centers in the U.S. The survey revealed that while 84% of physicians reported feeling comfortable treating LGBTQ+ patients, only 24% of patients felt comfortable disclosing their LGBTQ+ status. In addition, a scant 4% of patients felt that their care team treated their partner with respect. At least 30% of physicians reported being unsure how LGBTQ+ status affected treatment considerations or how to discuss LGBTQ+ status with their patients.
Maingi’s team used the survey responses to develop a toolkit to improve LGBTQ+ patient experiences. Her team shared that toolkit with several community sites and discussed initiatives the sites could implement rapidly, within 30 days.
Many of these initiatives are already in place at Dana-Farber. “Dana-Farber is becoming more approachable and diverse, so we are starting to understand the lived experiences of our patients. This knowledge is making the Institute stronger,” says Maingi. “But we don’t have this solved.”
International medical graduates face unconscious bias and limited opportunities
Three other abstracts will be presented during the conference that focus on oncology professionals who are international medical graduates, meaning they attended medical school outside of the U.S. or Canada but completed residency and fellowships and are now practicing in the U.S. Approximately 30% of U.S. oncology professionals are international medical graduates.
International medical graduates, like author Narjust Florez, MD, Associate Director of the Cancer Care Equity Program and a thoracic medical oncologist at Dana-Farber, help diversify the oncology workforce so that it more closely mirrors the populations of patients it serves. Florez, however, will report that being an international medical graduate in the U.S. is difficult.
Her team’s survey of 97 oncologists who are international, or Puerto Rican medical graduates revealed that over half experienced racial or ethnic discrimination during training and independent practice. In addition, women were more likely to face racial or ethnic discrimination during training than men and were more likely to experience gender discrimination during training and clinical practice, demonstrating the power of intersectionality between different types of biases, including gender bias.
“Unconscious bias is an extra thing that international medical graduates need to deal with,” says Florez, who has personal experience with bias. “My race and my accent come through the door before any of my credentials, titles, and publications.”
International medical graduates may also have fewer opportunities to be invited as faculty. Findings by senior author Toni Choueiri, MD, Director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber, will be presented from an analysis of event programs from the two previous ASCO annual meetings. This team found that international medical graduates who are practicing oncologists in the US are less likely to be invited as faculty presenters at ASCO than their American medical graduate counterparts, even when they produce the same amount of original research.
Experiences of discrimination and financial stress, not race, associated with mistrust in health care systems
Social determinants of health (the conditions a person is born, lives, and ages in) and not race were associated with a lack of engagement with and trust of health care systems, according to findings reported by Dana-Farber’s Breast Oncology Program. Rachel Freedman, MD, MPH, a clinician-scientist in Dana-Farber’s Breast Oncology Program is the senior author of the study, which is presented and led by Olga Kantor, MD, MS, of Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.
The team surveyed 297 women (a mix of 60% white, 25% Black, and 15% Hispanic people). Analysis associates experiences of discrimination in daily life and in health care, such as being treated with less courtesy or as if dishonest, with avoiding information about cancer, not initiating recommended treatment for cancer, and mistrust of physicians. Financial strain, such as concerns about medical bills or not having insurance, was also associated with these end results. Race and ethnicity were not associated with any of these outcomes.
For all ASCO-related media inquiries, call, or email Victoria Warren, 617-939-5531, Victoria_Warren@dfci.harvard.edu. Follow the meeting live on X using the hashtag #ASCO24 and follow Dana-Farber News on X at @DanaFarberNews.
About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. We provide the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dana-Farber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 10 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care.
As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world, offering more than 1,100 clinical trials.
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Study assesses cancer-related care at US hospitals predominantly serving minority populations compared with non-minority serving hospitals
Analysis reveals systemic disparities in the delivery of definitive cancer treatment.
WILEY
It’s important to ensure that care provided at US hospitals that predominantly serve Black and Hispanic populations is as high-quality as the care provided at other US hospitals. New research reveals significant disparities in the delivery of cancer-related care at minority serving hospitals (MSHs) compared with non-MSHs, however. The findings are published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
For the study, investigators analyzed information from the National Cancer Database (which accrues approximately 70% of US cancer diagnoses) to identify patients eligible for definitive treatment for breast, prostate, non-small cell lung, and colon cancers between 2010 and 2019. Definitive treatment was defined as surgery for breast and colon cancer; surgery, radiation, or ablation for prostate cancer; and surgery or radiation for non-small cell lung cancer.
Of approximately 2.9 million patients who received care at 1,330 hospitals between 2010 and 2019, 9.3% were treated at MSHs. Among patients with breast cancer, those treated at MSHs were 17% less likely to receive definitive cancer treatment. For prostate, lung, and colon cancer, those treated at MSHs were 31%, 27%, and 19% less likely to receive definitive treatment respectively. These disparities persisted even after accounting for various sociodemographic and clinical factors.
The study’s authors calculated that if efforts successfully improved treatment rates at MSHs to match those at non-MSHs, 5,719 additional patients would receive definitive cancer treatment over 10 years. Providing additional funding and targeted improvements to hospitals without adequate resources may be important steps towards reaching this goal and could help to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes.
“Access to care is a significant factor contributing to racial differences in cancer mortality, alongside biological differences. Therefore, improving services at hospitals that primarily serve minority populations could be a crucial part of a wider effort to achieve healthcare equity,” said lead author Quoc-Dien Trinh, MD, MBA, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Additional information NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. A free abstract of this article will be available via the CANCER Newsroom upon online publication. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com
Full Citation: “Estimating the Impact of Enhanced Care at Minority-Serving Hospitals on Disparities in the Treatment of Breast, Prostate, Lung, and Colon Cancers.” Edoardo Beatrici, Marco Paciotti, David-Dan Nguyen, Dejan K. Filipas, Zhiyu Qian, Giovanni Lughezzani, Danesha Daniels, Stuart R. Lipsitz, Adam S. Kibel, Alexander P. Cole, and Quoc-Dien Trinh. CANCER; Published Online: May 27, 2024 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35328).
Author Contact: Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s External Communications & Media Relations office, at mediarelations@bwh.harvard.edu
About the Journal CANCER is a peer-reviewed publication of the American Cancer Society integrating scientific information from worldwide sources for all oncologic specialties. The objective of CANCER is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information among oncologic disciplines concerned with the etiology, course, and treatment of human cancer. CANCER is published on behalf of the American Cancer Society by Wiley and can be accessed online. Follow CANCER on Twitter @JournalCancer and Instagram @ACSJournalCancer, and stay up to date with the American Cancer Society Journals on LinkedIn.
About Wiley Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Estimating the Impact of Enhanced Care at Minority-Serving Hospitals on Disparities in the Treatment of Breast, Prostate, Lung, and Colon Cancers
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
27-May-2024
New study unveils how water dynamics slows down at low temperatures
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF NATURAL SCIENCES
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JUMP MOTIONS ARE THE ONLY SLOW VARIABLE AT RELATIVELY HIGH TEMPERATURES, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM AMBIENT TO ~250 K. AT LOWER TEMPERATURES, HOWEVER, THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE FOURTH-NEAREST OXYGEN ATOM OF THE JUMPING MOLECULE BECOMES THE SLOW VARIABLE COMPETING WITH THE JUMP MOTION. THE DISPLACEMENT OF THIS MOLECULE OCCURS IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF MOLECULAR FLUCTUATIONS OUTSIDE THE FIRST HYDRATION SHELL AND SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS THE JUMP DYNAMICS.
A scientist at the Institute for Molecular Science has published a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the puzzling phenomenon of dynamic slowdown in supercooled water. The study, "Unraveling the dynamic slowdown in supercooled water: The role of dynamic disorder in jump motions," sheds light on why the motion of water slows dramatically when it is cooled below its freezing point without turning to ice. This fascinating research is an important step toward understanding complex liquid behavior.
A scientist at the Institute for Molecular Science has published a groundbreaking study that provides insight into the puzzling phenomenon of dynamic slowdown in supercooled water, an essential step toward understanding the glass transition in liquids. The study, "Unraveling the dynamic slowdown in supercooled water: The role of dynamic disorder in jump motions," explores the microscopic mechanisms that govern the dynamic behavior of water when it is cooled below its freezing point without forming ice. When water is supercooled, it exhibits a significant dynamic slowdown without any apparent structural changes. In this research, the jump dynamics of water molecules, which are elementary processes for structural changes, are studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that these dynamics deviate from the expected Poisson statistics due to dynamic disorder as the temperature decreases. Dynamic disorder refers to the competition between slow variables and the jump motions of molecules. The researcher identified the displacement of the fourth-nearest oxygen atom of a jumping molecule as the slow variable competing with the jump motion at lower temperatures. This displacement takes place in a fluctuating environment beyond the first hydration shell and profoundly affects the jump dynamics. As the temperature decreases, the dynamics of water molecules become increasingly slow and intermittent, as the molecules are trapped within extended, stable, low-density domains. With further cooling, the interactions between molecules become more cooperative, increasing the complexity and dimensionality of the jump dynamics. This research deepens our understanding of supercooled water and provides a foundation for future studies of the molecular dynamics of liquids approaching glass transitions. Glass transition processes are relevant in a wide range of applications. Therefore, the application of the methods developed in this study will provide insight into how the slow motion of various materials can lead to glass transitions. Furthermore, this study paves the way for future research to elucidate the complex dynamics in other systems, such as proteins.
