Rhode Island
3 Medical Breakthroughs in Rhode Island – Rhode Island Monthly
Pressure Point
Brown scientists have discovered a key driver of preeclampsia, which causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. By Dana Laverty
Photograph: Getty Images/Petrunjela.
Researchers at Brown University have identified a protein in cerebrospinal fluid that’s a driver in preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy condition that affects between 5 to 8 percent of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal death.
Research led by Surendra Sharma and Sukanta Jash at Brown University and Kun Ping Lu and Xia Zhen Zhou at Western University in Canada found the protein, cis P-tau, in the blood and placentas of people with preeclampsia. They also found that depleting cis P-tau prevented mice from developing the condition.
“Our study identifies cis P-tau as a culprit and biomarker for preeclampsia,” says Sharma, who until recently was a Brown professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and professor of pediatrics. “It can be used for early diagnosis of the complication and is a crucial therapeutic target.” (Sharma is now a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.)
Preeclampsia is a complication that results in high blood pressure during pregnancy. Untreated, it can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby, and often leads to preterm labor and birth.
The protein cis P-tau has mainly been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injuries and stroke. Lu and Zhou discovered the association in 2015.
Screening tests for the cis P-tau biomarker, combined with therapies involving the cis P-tau antibody, could change the outlook for pregnant people with preeclampsia, Jash says. The root cause of preeclampsia has so far remained unknown, Sharma says, and without a known cause there has been no cure.
The team at Brown is currently working on developing a lab test that can detect preeclampsia.
__________
Bridging the Gap
Researchers from Brown University and Lifespan are partnering on a device that could restore function for individuals with a spinal cord injury. By Lauren Clem
A clinician works with a participant in the trial. Photo courtesy of Lifespan
In an unassuming building on Allens Avenue in Providence, research is underway that could change the future of spinal cord injury treatment.
The Intelligent Spine Interface, led by researchers from Brown University and surgeons from Rhode Island Hospital, aims to restore limb motor function, sensation, autonomic function and bladder control for individuals paralyzed following a spinal cord injury. According to principal investigator David Borton, an associate professor of engineering and brain science at Brown University and biomedical engineer with the Department of Veterans Affairs, no technology currently exists to bridge the gap created by such an injury.
“There’s no tool or a magic fix that we have for someone who has a complete spinal cord injury,” he says. “There’s nothing available to help them regain functions that they have lost.”
Working with Dr. Jared Fridley, director of the Spinal Outcomes Laboratory at Lifespan and an associate professor of neurosurgery at Brown, the team is creating a device that would carry signals across the injury site and restore the connection between brain and limbs. The device uses artificial intelligence to interpret signals from the spinal cord and adapt to the needs of the wearer over time.
“These devices enable the person’s spinal cord and nervous system to modulate over time to hopefully recover function,” Fridley says. “For most people, we’re talking about weeks to months of rehabilitation, plus the device, to see if there’s recovery of function.”
David Borton and Dr. Jared Fridley, right, present their research to Yunyan “Jennifer” Wang and Jean-Paul Chretien of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of DARPA.
The study, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Providence VA Medical Center, has the potential to restore movement to those with spinal cord injuries, including veterans paralyzed in combat situations. A clinical trial is underway at Lifespan’s Center for Innovative Neurotechnology for Neural Repair, where the researchers have enlisted two individuals to participate in phase one of the trial.
“This is a first in human clinical study for this type of technology,” Borton says. “No one’s ever done this before.”
__________
Vasectomy Victor
There may be a faster and easier way to perform a vasectomy. By Jamie Coelho
Imagine if men could get a vasectomy in five seconds. There may be a new, minimally invasive way to conduct the procedure in our near future. On the heels of its five-year anniversary, Providence-based Signati Medical earned FDA approval for clinical trials for a study of a minimally invasive surgical device to perform a sealed vasectomy procedure (SVP).
Photo courtesy of Signati Medical.
Signati Medical is a medical device company working to advance men’s health. Signati CEO William Prentice says the study kicked off this April with its first patient at Louisiana State University Medical Center, and they plan to have an additional seven people undergo the procedure by the end of the month. The device obstructs the vas deferens by sending a shock through the skin that seals the tubes, rather than a surgeon cutting and fusing.
Prentice wants to undergo SVP on live TV to gain support, but he must wait until the procedure is fully approved. “I agreed to do it,” he says. “We should be doing this for women. There’s no reason women need to go in for tubal ligations and have major surgery, take birth control pills or get IUDs. Men think because they have a vasectomy, they are not going to get an erection. It really shouldn’t be that way.”
Prentice says this is the first innovation in vasectomy in more than twenty years.
“About twenty years ago, one thing changed and that was that they went from scalpel to no scalpel,” he says. “This procedure takes about five seconds. Bipolar sealing in the body is the best sealing you can get.” signatimed.com
Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.
READ MORE: RHORI Earned Two Critics’ Choice Award Nominations
Still, not everyone may be celebrating this news.
It didn’t take long for viewers to get hooked on the Ocean State edition, especially with the intense drama that unfolded just a few episodes in.
The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season
At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.
The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.
Will Rulla Return for Season 2?
Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?
Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.
READ MORE: Fans React to First Look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island Cast
As of now, Rulla is expected to return alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi.
Bravo via Facebook
When and Where Filming Will Begin
If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.
For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.
So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.
40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale
Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.
Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates
A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home
Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…
Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS
The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale
It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.
Gallery Credit: EeE
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Dallas, TX3 minutes agoRanking Every Cowboys Position Group By Overall Talent and Depth
-
Miami, FL9 minutes agoSevere weather, flash flooding possible in South Florida on Tuesday
-
Boston, MA15 minutes agoCanvas reportedly reaches deal with hackers for stolen data – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO21 minutes agoFormer Denver Bronco Craig Morton, who became the first quarterback to start Super Bowl for 2 franchises, dies at 83
-
Seattle, WA27 minutes agoSeattle weather: 80s on the horizon before a long cooldown
-
San Diego, CA33 minutes agoOpinion: Proposed federal rule would hammer beauty industry
-
Milwaukee, WI39 minutes agoWhat the Bucks can learn from this year’s playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round
-
Atlanta, GA45 minutes agoFrom skid pad to train car: How the public safety training center is used