A deep-sea fish inspired researchers to develop supramolecular light-driven machinery

Peer-Reviewed Publication

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY

 

VIDEO: 

DISEQUILIBRATION BY SENSITIZATION UNDER CONFINEMENT (DESC). VIDEO BY RAFAL KLAJN, THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE.

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CREDIT: RAFAL KLAJN

The vision system, evolved over millions of years, is highly complex. To make vision sensitive throughout the whole range of visible wavelengths, Nature employs a supramolecular chemistry approach. The visual pigment, cis-retinal, changes its shape upon capturing a photon. This shape transformation is accompanied by changes in the supramolecular organization of the surrounding proteins, subsequently triggering a cascade of chemical signaling events that get amplified and eventually lead to visual perception in the brain.

“Some deep-sea fish have evolved antenna-like molecules capable of absorbing photons in the red wavelength range, whose abundance at great depths is close to zero. After absorbing a photon, this antenna molecule transfers its energy to the nearby retinal molecule, thus inducing its conformational change from the cis to trans-retinal. In synthetic systems, such process would enable using low-energy light for applications in for instance energy storage or controlled drug release”, explains the lead author of the work Prof. Rafal Klajn from the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Inspired by this phenomenon, the researchers developed a superior supramolecular machine capable to efficiently convert widely used synthetic photoswitchable molecules – azobenzenes – from the stable to the metastable conformation with almost any wavelength of visible light. The approach includes a metal–organic cage filled with one azobenzene molecule and one light-absorbing antenna molecule, the sensitizer. In close confinement inside the supramolecular cage, chemical processes that would not take place in normal conditions, become possible.

“A common problem of azobenzenes is that they cannot efficiently undergo photoswitching from the stable trans form to the metastable cis form upon low-energy red and near-infrared light, but the process has to be driven by UV light. This substantially limits their applications in fields such as photocatalysis or photopharmacology. Now, using the supramolecular caging approach we can reach almost quantitative trans-to-cis isomerization with any color of visible range,” says Dr. Nikita Durandin, Academy of Finland Research Fellow in Supramolecular Chemistry of Bio- and Nanomaterials group, who has been working with sensitization approaches in Tampere University for the last 7 years.

“Time-resolved spectroscopic studies done at Tampere University revealed that the photochemical processes triggering the isomerization happen superfast, in the nanosecond range. In other words, almost 1 billion times faster than the blink of your eyes,” continues Dr. Tero-Petri Ruoko, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow in Smart Photonics Materials group, and expert in ultrafast spectroscopy.

“Once you shine light on this supramolecular cage, it quickly converts almost all of the trans isomers into cis isomers. Simple mixing of components and light that matches the absorption profile of the sensitizer is enough to make this machinery work,” he adds.

According to Prof. Arri Priimägi, the leader of Smart Photonics Materials group specializing in light-active materials, the study presents a new approach for activating photoresponsive molecules with low-energy light, pushing them out from their thermodynamic equilibrium utilizing chemistry that only takes place under confinement.

It took millions of years of evolution for the eye of deep-sea fish to emerge. Learning from that, the research led by Rafal Klajn’s group extended these concepts to synthetic materials in less than 5 years.

“We are already working on the next generation of the light-driven supramolecular machines, aiming at applying the developed methodologies in soft robotics and light-activated drug delivery systems,” concludes Priimägi.

The scientific article on the research “Disequilibrating azobenzenes by visible-light sensitization under confinement” has been published in the journal Science.

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JOURNAL

Science

DOI

10.1126/science.adh9059 

ARTICLE TITLE

Disequilibrating azobenzenes by visible-light sensitization under confinement

HKU State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences provides a roadmap for unlocking the brain secrets of social media

Peer-Reviewed Publication

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

 

IMAGE: 

PROFESSOR CHRISTIAN MONTAG, PROFESSOR OF ULM UNIVERSITY IN GERMANY (LEFT) AND PROFESSOR BENJAMIN BECKER, PROFESSOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR OF THE STATE KEY LABORATORY OF BRAIN AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (RIGHT)

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CREDIT: THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

With nearly 5 billion users worldwide spending an average of over two hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, the impact of social media on mental health and well-being has garnered increasing attention. Concerns about excessive and problematic usage, particularly among vulnerable adolescents, have led to discussions around terms such as 'brain hacking,' 'dopamine trigger,' and 'social media addiction.' However, there is limited scientific understanding of the relationship between social media and the brain.

Professor Benjamin Becker, from the Department of Psychology and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, collaborated with Professor Christian Montag from Ulm University in Germany to assemble an international expert team. Together, they called for promoting neuroscientific research to determine social media's effects on the brain, aiming to provide evidence-based information for policy makers, public health initiatives, and users. Their call to action was published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences entitled ‘Unlocking the brain secrets of social media through neuroscience’.

The team noted that despite a growing number of studies on the adverse impacts of social media on mental health and well-being, current understanding remains patchy and critically limited by the reliance on self-reported measures, where past studies have reported that people can exhibit subjective time distortions when estimating their online times.

During the last ten years, only a handful of studies have employed modern brain imaging technologies, i.e., Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), to determine the impact of social media usage on the brain and studies in adolescents are scant. While these studies suggest that neural changes in motivational, affective and cognitive brain systems may mediate the detrimental impact of social media usage, interpretation of the findings remained strongly hampered by methodological shortcomings and the current findings do not allow a clear evaluation of the subject.

The researchers emphasized the need for evidence-based policy making, such as determining an appropriate age for platform access. They outline the following areas that are in urgent need of neuroscientific evidence:
1. Does excessive social media use share brain mechanisms of addiction?
2. Which emotional and motivational brain mechanisms keep users engaged and while they are spending time on social media?
3. How does social media use affect the adolescent brain and are there particular vulnerable time windows in adolescent brain development for the effects?
4. Does social media act as trigger of ‘dopamine’ a neurotransmitter in the brain related to pleasure and addiction?

Professor Becker concluded that “it is essential to support multidisciplinary research projects to determine the impact of social media on brain development and mental health in adolescents with the aim to develop brain-based strategies to strengthen resilience and improve the treatment of addictive behavior, psychosocial stress and depression in adolescents.”

Professor Montag added that “Social media has opened tremendous opportunities for communication, self-expression and social connection but social media should be redesigned to better protect and promote mental health and well-being”. This will ultimately require a better understanding of the brain mechanisms that keep users online and impact their well-being.

Link to the journal article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364661323002528

Media enquiries:
Professor Benjamin Becker, State Key Laboratory of Brain & Cognitive Sciences (Email: bbecker@hku.hk)

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JOURNAL

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

DOI

10.1016/j.tics.2023.09.005 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Unlocking the brain secrets of social media through neuroscience

 

HKU Engineering ‘Super Steel’ team develops new ultra stainless steel for hydrogen production

Peer-Reviewed Publication

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

 

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PROFESSOR MINGXIN HUANG AND DR KAIPING YU 

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CREDIT: THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

A research project led by Professor Mingxin Huang at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has made a brand-new breakthrough over conventional stainless steel and the development of stainless steel for hydrogen (SS-H2).

This marks another major achievement by Professor Huang’s team in its ‘Super Steel’ Project, following the development of the anti-COVID-19 stainless steel in 2021, and ultra-strong and ultra-tough Super Steel in 2017 and 2020 respectively.

The new steel developed by the team exhibits high corrosion resistance, enabling its potential application for green hydrogen production from seawater, where a novel sustainable solution is still in the pipeline.  

The performance of the new steel in salt water electrolyser is comparable to the current industrial practice using Titanium as structural parts to produce hydrogen from desalted seawater or acid, while the cost of the new steel is much cheaper.

The discovery has been published in Materials Today in the paper titled “A sequential dual-passivation strategy for designing stainless steel used above water oxidation.” The research achievements are currently applying for patents in multiple countries, and two of them has already been granted authorisation.

Since its discovery a century ago, stainless steel has always been an important material widely used in corrosive environments. Chromium is an essential element in establishing the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Passive film is generated through the oxidation of chromium (Cr) and protects stainless steel in natural environments. Unfortunately, this conventional single-passivation mechanism based on Cr has halted further advancement of stainless steel. Owing to the further oxidation of stable Cr2O3 into soluble Cr(VI) species, tranpassive corrosion inevitably occurs in conventional stainless steel at ~1000 mV (saturated calomel electrode, SCE), which is below the potential required for water oxidation at ~1600 mV.

254SMO super stainless steel, for instance, is a benchmark among Cr-based anti-corrosion alloys and has superior pitting resistance in seawater; however, transpassive corrosion limits its application at higher potentials.

By using a “sequential dual-passivation” strategy, Professor Huang’s research team developed the novel SS-H2 with superior corrosion resistance. In addition to the single Cr2O3-based passive layer, a secondary Mn-based layer forms on the preceding Cr-based layer at ~720 mV. The sequential dual-passivation mechanism prevents the SS-H2 from corrosion in chloride media to an ultra-high potential of 1700 mV. The SS-H2 demonstrates a fundamental breakthrough over conventional stainless steel.

“Initially, we did not believe it because the prevailing view is that Mn impairs the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Mn-based passivation is a counter-intuitive discovery, which cannot be explained by current knowledge in corrosion science.  However, when numerous atomic-level results were presented, we were convinced. Beyond being surprised, we cannot wait to exploit the mechanism,” said Dr Kaiping Yu, the first author of the article, whose PhD is supervised by Professor Huang.

From the initial discovery of the innovative stainless steel to achieving a breakthrough in scientific understanding, and ultimately preparing for the official publication and hopefully its industrial application, the team devoted nearly six years to the work.

“Different from the current corrosion community, which mainly focuses on the resistance at natural potentials, we specialises in developing high-potential-resistant alloys. Our strategy overcame the fundamental limitation of conventional stainless steel and established a paradigm for alloy development applicable at high potentials. This breakthrough is exciting and brings new applications.” Professor Huang said.

At present, for water electrolyser in desalted seawater or acid solutions, expensive Au- or Pt-coated Ti are required for structural components. For instance, the total cost of a 10-megawatt PEM electrolysis tank system in its current stage is approximately HK$17.8 million, with the structural components contributing up to 53% of the overall expense. The breakthrough made by Professor Huang’s team makes it possible to replace these expensive structural components with more economically steel. As estimated, the employment of SS-H2 is expected to cut the cost of structural material by about 40 times, demonstrating a great foreground of industrial applications.

“From experimental materials to real products, such as meshes and foams, for water electrolysers, there are still challenging tasks at hand. Currently, we have made a big step toward industrialisation. Tons of SS-H2-based wire has been produced in collaboration with a factory from the Mainland. We are moving forward in applying the more economical SS-H2 in hydrogen production from renewable sources,” added Professor Huang.

Link to the paper:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369702123002390

Please click here for a short video showing how the new stainless steel produces hydrogen in salt water.

Ultra stainless steel 

 

The novel stainless steel for hydrogen developed by the team

CREDIT

The University of Hong Kong

JOURNAL

Materials Today

DOI

10.1016/j.mattod.2023.07.022 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

A sequential dual-passivation strategy for designing stainless steel used above water oxidation

 

New cooling mechanism set to revolutionize conventional environmentally harmful refrigeration technologies

LIST researchers publish promising results in prestigious Science magazine

Peer-Reviewed Publication

LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Approximately one-fifth of the world's electric energy is dedicated to refrigeration, and the International Energy Agency anticipates a twofold increase in the number of air conditioning units by 2040. Despite a century of advancements, existing refrigeration systems, relying on vapour compression, have hit their thermodynamic threshold. These systems not only emit greenhouse gases, contributing to environmental issues, but also produce significant noise. Prioritizing the development of energy-efficient and eco-friendly systems is thus paramount to address global warming and encourage the responsible utilization of natural resources.

Now, a team of researchers from the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) have developed a technology with the potential to transform future refrigeration systems. Their latest research milestone, published in Science this week, details the mechanism, which focuses on using the electrocaloric effect – a phenomenon wherein a material undergoes a reversible temperature alteration when subjected to an electric field – to achieve the desired result.

In this particular case, the electrocaloric effect involves applying an electric field to ceramic capacitors, inducing temperature changes, and creating a cooling effect. “Our proposed solution involves an assembly of multilayer capacitors stacked within an electrically connected fluid-filled pipe,” explains Dr Emmanuel Defay, who leads the Nanotechnology unit within the Materials Research and Technology (MRT) department at LIST. Defay and his team have been working on electrocaloric materials for several years. “The fluid flows back and forth between the capacitors, creating a temperature gradient,” he adds.

This assembly, called a regenerator, could eventually replace the conventional compressor and the environmentally harmful fluids in current refrigerators, providing a more energy-efficient and sustainable cooling solution. Indeed, energy efficiency is another key advantage of this technology.

The potential applications of this technology extend beyond refrigeration, including air conditioning “Our research was previously detailed in an article in Science three years ago. We have achieved significant milestones since then, with our latest paper showcasing promising developments, notably regarding energy efficiency and scale-up solutions.”

Defay’s team is currently actively engaging with various companies to explore practical applications of the technology, marking an important step towards the implementation of the solution. Indicatively, the regenerator was designed in collaboration with the Japanese manufacturing company Murata.

“While we are already making tangible progress, we are continually working to enhance the maturity and practicality of our technology. The ultimate goal is to offer a viable and sustainable alternative to current refrigeration solutions,” concludes Defay.

Dr Damien Lenoble, director of the MRT department said, “Addressing energy-related challenges has been set among our research priorities over the past five years. It is imperative to showcase the applicability of our cutting-edge materials in technologies that effectively harness energy, produce and store green hydrogen, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce overall energy demand. Turning the top-level research conducted at LIST into practical and disruptive technologies is the cornerstone for a renewed industrial leadership in Europe, all while adhering to the highest environmental standards. This particular technology, developed under the leadership of Dr Emmanuel Defay, represents one of several exceptional contributions from LIST that bolster Luxembourg's reputation as a hub for research-driven innovations with substantial added value for both the country and Europe.”

 

The future of supply chains: 3 essential elements to stay in business

How customer centricity, sustainability & human rights along with advanced digitalization shape the new era.

Book Announcement

WORLD SCIENTIFIC

 

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COVER FOR "SUPPLY CHAIN 5.0: THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUSINESS SUCCESS THROUGH CUSTOMER CENTRICITY, SUSTAINABILITY & HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGITALIZATION"

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CREDIT: WORLD SCIENTIFIC

Why should supply chains matter to you? The products on your store shelves, the packages arriving at your doorstep, and even the food on your table all rely on these intricate networks. Imagine a world where these lifelines are disrupted, where shelves sit empty, and essential goods remain out of reach. In Supply Chain 5.0: The Next Generation of Business Success Through Customer Centricity, Sustainability & Human Rights and Digitalization, we unveil the critical factors shaping the future of supply chains and how they impact your everyday life.

This book holds a crucial revelation about the future of our supply chains. It delves deep into the pivotal dimensions of Supply Chain 5.0: Customer-Centricity, Sustainability & Human Rights, and Advanced Automation.

Supply Chain 5.0 uncovers how these elements are transforming the way goods reach our hands and the challenges they pose to traditional practices. Whether you're a supply chain professional striving to adapt or a curious reader seeking insights into the modern business landscape, this book is your indispensable guide.

In the book's exploration, you will find a roadmap to navigate the evolving world of supply chains. We address the complex interplay between customer satisfaction, ethical practices, sustainability, and technological advancements. The content is meticulously designed to be accessible and engaging for both industry insiders and those just beginning to explore the intricate web of supply chains. With real-world examples and actionable insights, this book offers a holistic perspective on the future of supply chains, from the inside workings to the global impacts.

This book's chapters dive deep into the transformative components of global trends and evolving consumer expectations, demonstrating their potential to reshape end-to-end value delivery processes. Through this exploration, the authors present a comprehensive view of the future of supply chain management, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Supply Chain 5.0: The Next Generation of Business Success Through Customer Centricity, Sustainability & Human Rights and Digitalization retails for US$58 / £55 (hardcover) and is also available in electronic formats. To order or know more about the book, visit http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/13480.

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About the Authors

Prateek Jain is a highly experienced consultant with over 25 years in the business world. He has a strong track record of success at companies such as GSK and Unilever, where he served as a brand builder, supply chain expert, and contract manufacturer. As one of the few Master Trainers for Lean Six Sigma at GSK, Prateek has delivered numerous business improvement projects and coached and certified numerous Master Black Belts and Black Belts in Lean Sigma

In addition to his corporate experience, Prateek has also made significant contributions to the business community through his leadership roles. He served as the Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore for ASEAN in 2019, working to expand trade and commerce between European businesses and governmental organizations in Singapore. Prateek's inspirational speeches at various conferences and events have inspired professionals to adopt modern business practices. Some of these speeches were been given at institutions such as the Singapore Council for Safety and Health, the Singapore Badminton Association, and the National University of Singapore.

Prateek's expertise in brand creation and supply chain management has helped him achieve impressive results in his roles. As Commercial Head, he was responsible for expanding the reach of the Nutrition and H&W Business into 3X footprint in additional countries (12 to 34), launching 10+ consumer-centric innovations, and doubled the P&L in three years. His brand building and expansion strategies also enabled the company to gain market share in major markets for five straight quarters, solidifying the brand's position in the market.

Prateek has also made significant contributions to supply chain management, co-designing the Core Commercial Cycle which serves as the foundation for management reviews at multiple companies via S&OP, and developing methods such as "Flexible Repeat Schedules" to optimize production operations and reduce costs.

Prateek is experienced in guiding any company looking to improve its operations and reach next stage of growth. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in commercial and supply chain nuances and has a strong background in the pharmaceutical and FMCG industries.

Mabel C Chou is Associate Professor at the Department of Analytics and Operations at National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School and the Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA) at NUS. She received her BSc degree in Mathematics from National Taiwan University, and MSc degree in Mathematics and PhD degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern University, USA. She was awarded Department Outstanding Educator Award (NUS) in 2006, and Faculty Outstanding Educator Award (NUS) in 2012.

Professor Chou's research focuses on production scheduling and supply chain analysis. She has published papers in top journals such as Operations Research, Management Science, Production and Operations Management, Math Programming, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, European Journal of Operational Research, Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, etc. Her current research interest is in the application of optimization tools and business analytics for engineering, service, and supply chain management problems. She was Area Editor for Computers and Operations Research, Associate Editor for Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, and the Committee Chair for the Pritsker Doctoral Dissertation Award of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. She currently serves as Associate Editor for Operations Research, Senior Editor for Production and Operations Management, and Associate Editor for Pacific Journal of Optimization.

Professor Chou has also consulted for companies such as GSK, Caterpillar, P&G, SIA Engineering Company, National University Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Lenovo, Supreme Components International, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Unilever, SATS, etc., and conducted courses for 3M, the Logistics Institute — Asia Pacific, and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology.

About World Scientific Publishing Co.

World Scientific Publishing is a leading international independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research and professional communities. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organisations like the Nobel Foundation and US National Academies Press to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. The company publishes about 600 books and over 170 journals in various fields annually. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit www.worldscientific.com.

For more information, contact WSPC Communications at communications@wspc.com.

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DOI

10.1142/13480 

 

Catalyzing clinical change: The importance of representation in health care

Second Cohort of the American Heart Association National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative Scholars Program Empowered Hispanic Latino Health Care Leaders

Business Announcement

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

DALLAS, November 16, 2023 — Disparities in health care persist, with Hispanic and Black adults reporting less satisfaction with their interactions with physicians, leading to poorer quality of care and health outcomes.[1],[2],[3] While 19% of people in the U.S. identify as Hispanic, fewer than 7% of physicians do.[4] This lack of representation in the delivery of health care has been shown to exacerbate health disparities among underrepresented groups and is a significant barrier to the Hispanic Latino community achieving optimal health.[5]

In response to this challenge, the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, has established the National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative (NHLCC). This initiative specifically unites Hispanic Latino volunteers, professional staff and allied supporters committed to bridging the gap in health care disparities and ensuring that equitable health is a reality for everyone everywhere.

The group launched its second cohort of the National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative Scholars Program during the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions the world’s preeminent scientific meeting focused on cardiovascular disease. This NHLCC mentorship and professional development program aims to leverage the global gathering of scientific thought leadership to cultivate the next generation of Hispanic Latino researchers and health care leaders, in turn actively addressing longstanding systemic inequities in health care.

“The important of representation within health care and research cannot be overstated. As the American Heart Association strives for equity in cardiovascular health outcomes, we are excited to support the National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative to uplift the voices and experiences of the Hispanic Latino community, in an effort to eliminate health disparities and improve health and well-being,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention, and the executive staff sponsor of the National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative.

Scientific Sessions 2023 also featured the inaugural NHLCC Symposium. The symposium, Scientific Sessions’ first ever session dedicated solely to Hispanic Latino health, focused on leading community figures in medicine, clinical research and the social sciences. The session enabled meaningful dialogue about the state of Hispanic Latino health and health care in the United States, while examining emerging trends and identifying strategies for cultivating the next generation of Hispanic Latino health care leaders.

Scientific studies confirm that diversity among nurses, physicians and health care teams enhances overall patient outcomes and dismantles cultural barriers.[6]  Specific research conducted by Penn State University emphasizes the significance of addressing implicit biases within health systems and diversifying the physician workforce to better meet patients' preferences.[7] ,[8]

The National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative also serves as an advisory group to the larger Association, with a specific focus directive to assist  the organization in achieving its 2024 health equity impact goal.

To learn more about the Collaborative and how to become a member, visit: professional.heart.org/NHLCC.

Additional Resources

• Multimedia is available in the right column of the release link.
• Spanish news release 
• AHA President’s Advisory: Structural racism causes poor health, premature death from heart disease and stroke
• Status of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Hispanics/Latinos in the United States | Circulation (ahajournals.org)
• AHA 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal
• For Spanish-language news stories, visit: heart.org/Noticias   
• English-language YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X
• Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews  

# # #

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

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[1] KFF/The Undefeated Survey on Race and Health - Main Findings - 9557 | KFF

[2] Black Americans’ views about health disparities, experiences with health care| Pew Research Center

[3] Jetty, A., Jabbarpour, Y., Pollack, J. et al. Patient-Physician Racial Concordance Associated with Improved Healthcare Use and Lower Healthcare Expenditures in Minority Populations. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 9, 68–81 (2022).

[4] Diversity in Healthcare and the Importance of Representation | usa.edu

[5] DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE - 2021 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

[6] Why Cultural Diversity Is Important In Patient Care – excel-medical.com

[7] Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare

[8] Diversity in Healthcare and the Importance of Representation | usa.edu

Hospitals serving large Black, Hispanic populations have fewer resources for cancer care

UCLA study shows these facilities are much less likely than others to offer the full range of core cancer services

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - LOS ANGELES HEALTH SCIENCES

Key takeaways

• UCLA researchers looked at nearly 4,400 hospitals across the U.S., including 864 with high numbers of Black and Hispanic patients.
• Hospitals serving Black, Hispanic and other racial and ethnic minority patients were significantly less likely than other hospitals to have access to core cancer services like PET/CT scanners, robotic surgery and palliative care.
• The researchers say further work is need to understand how geographic, linguistic, cultural, cost and discrimination factors affect these cancer care disparities.  

Among the nation’s hospitals, those that serve high numbers of Black and Hispanic patients are far less likely to have advanced medical equipment and critical services that have been shown to boost the quality and effectiveness of cancer care, according to a study led by investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The findings, published today in JAMA Oncology, highlight the importance of ensuring accessibility across diverse health care facilities to equitable and quality care for all patients diagnosed with cancer.

“When it comes to treating people with cancer, we know adequate resources are essential for quality care,” said Dr. Gracie Himmelstein, a resident physician in the department of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and first author of the study. “And we know what hospital you go to has a big impact on sort of what care you get. A big piece of why that is has to do with the resources that are available at those hospitals.”

The researchers analyzed patient data from hospitals across the U.S. that accept Medicare and Medicaid, and they obtained hospital-reported data from the 2020 American Hospital Association Survey. Their analysis included 4,373 hospitals, 432 of which serve high numbers of Black patients and 432 that serve a large population of Hispanic patients (with 62 of these also serving a high number of Black patients).

The team looked at the availability of 34 cancer-related services at these facilities, including core services like hospice care and pain management, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, robotic surgery, diagnostic radiology, patient support groups, and tobacco-cessation programs.

They found that hospitals serving high numbers of Black, Hispanic, and other racial and ethnic minority patients were significantly less likely to offer all the core services.

Among these core services, 13 significant disparities emerged. These included access to PET/CT scanners, palliative care, esophageal cancer ablation services, several radiotherapy techniques, diagnostic radiology services, treatments like chemotherapy and robotic surgery, tobacco treatment programs, support groups and acute inpatient psychiatric consultations.

“Many of these services are indispensable for offering top-quality cancer treatment,” said senior study author Dr. Patricia Ganz, a professor of medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine and director of the Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research at the Jonsson Cancer Center. “Access to a PET/CT machine, for instance, plays a pivotal role in precise cancer diagnosis and monitoring, while palliative care services are instrumental in improving the overall quality of life for patients. Similarly, the capability to perform ablations for esophageal cancer can significantly impact treatment outcomes and survival rates.”

The lack of tobacco treatment programs available for people of color was also surprising, Himmelstein noted, since racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have tobacco-related cancers.

“The study’s findings shed light on the uneven distribution of crucial resources in different health care settings, which can alter access to timely and appropriate screening, treatment planning, cancer care delivery and outcomes,” Himmelstein said.

The researchers said that further work is needed to understand the interplay between these disparities and the role of geographic, linguistic and cost barriers, as well as cultural beliefs and discrimination.

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JOURNAL

JAMA Oncology

DOI

10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.4952