Study finds women are less likely to get a lung transplant than men, spend six weeks longer on waiting list

Women are less likely to receive a lung transplant and spend an average of six weeks longer on the waiting list, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. However, women who receive a lung transplant are more likely than men to live for five years post-transplant. Based on their findings, the researchers encourage changes in regulation and clinical guidelines to address this inequality.

Mapping cells that tune in to sound: Researchers identify major neurons involved in hearing process

When we hear sounds, specialized cells in the cochlear nucleus are the first to process that information, enabling our brains to understand speech, enjoy music and recognize various noises. For decades, this area has been known to be a vital part of the auditory system; however, specific cell populations responsible for processing different sounds within the cochlear nucleus have not fully been understood or classified.

New tool puts reproductive risk for BRCA carriers into perspective

“I just wish someone had told me this was a possibility.” Kara Maxwell distinctly remembers the moment she heard those words eight years ago from the mother of a child with Fanconi anemia (FA). Maxwell met her at a conference focused on the rare, recessive genetic bone marrow disorder that causes myriad medical challenges, including childhood cancer. While survival is improving, the average lifespan for FA is currently only 20 to 30 years.