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Retraining the brain

When a person experiences a stroke, damage happens quickly. In as little as four minutes, brain cells deprived of oxygen can become injured and die. Rehabilitation researcher Lorie Richards, Ph.D., is studying ways to retrain remaining brain cells to take over for lost motor functions in the hands and arms of people with stroke.

Examining the barriers to care

It’s a thorny issue with no easy answer: How do we ensure that all Americans receive health care? Health policy researcher Allyson Hall, Ph.D., and her colleagues are working to understand access issues and find solutions that could help more patients get needed care.

Uncovering the complexities of speech

A person’s voice can communicate much about the speaker’s age, emotions, culture, and even health status. Rahul Shrivastav, Ph.D., studies how people derive such information from speech, which could lead to new treatments for speech and voice disorders, as well as result in some commercial applications.

Helping people with disabilities kick the habit

Quitting smoking is difficult for anyone, but it may be especially challenging for people with disabilities, says Jamie Pomeranz, Ph.D., a disability researcher and an assistant professor in the department of behavioral science and community health.

Putting an end to restless nights

For 60 million Americans, a good night’s sleep is little more than an impossible dream. One of the most frequently prescribed treatments for insomnia is sleep medications, but they don’t work well over the long haul, says sleep researcher Christina McCrae, Ph.D.