For example, in medical imaging, artificial intelligence models can be trained to tell whether a tumor is cancerous or non-cancerous. To create the training dataset, medical experts need to label images one-by-one, which can be time intensive and limited by the number of images available. Liu said, instead, transfer learning uses more numerous, easier-to-label images, […]
For example, in medical imaging, artificial intelligence models can be trained to tell whether a tumor is cancerous or non-cancerous. To create the training dataset, medical experts need to label images one-by-one, which can be time intensive and limited by the number of images available. Liu said, instead, transfer learning uses more numerous, easier-to-label images, such as cats and dogs and creates a much larger dataset. The task can also be outsourced. The model learns to differentiate between the animals, and then, it can be refined to distinguish between malignant and benign tumors.
“When we talk about underrepresented populations, it’s not just about race. It could also be a group of patients that are under-studied in the medical literature because they comprise only a small portion of typical data sets. AI and transfer learning can help us study these populations and help reduce health disparities,” Liu said. “This work reflects the strength of Penn State’s comprehensive research program in autoimmune disease.”
The team used real-world data from the Vanderbilt University biobank to predict the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and then validated the GPS risk scores with data from the All of Us biobank, a health data initiative of the National Institutes of Health. GPS better predicted disease progression than 20 other models that rely on biobank or case-control samples only and those combining biobank and case-control samples via other methods.
To improve prediction accuracy, the research team developed a new method, dubbed Genetic Progression Score or GPS, to foretell the progression from preclinical to disease stages. GPS leverages the idea behind transfer learning – a machine learning technique where a model is trained on one task or dataset and then fine-tuned for a different but related task or dataset, explained Bibo Jiang, assistant professor of public health sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine and lead author of the study. It allows researchers to glean better information from smaller data samples.
“Integrating large case-control studies and biobanks borrowed strengths from the large sample sizes of case-control studies and improved prediction accuracy,” Liu said, explaining that people with high GPS scores have a higher risk of progressing from preclinical to disease stages.
“You don’t need to train the model from scratch,” Liu said. “The way that the model segments elements from an image to determine whether it’s a cat or dog is transferable. With some adaptation, you can refine the model to separate an image of a tumor from an image of normal tissue.”
GPS trains on data from large case-control genome-wide association studies (GWAS), a popular approach in human genetics research to identify genetic differences in people with a specific autoimmune disease from those without and to detect potential risk factors. It also incorporates data from electronic health record-based biobanks, which contain rich information about patients, including genetic variants, lab tests and clinical diagnoses. This data can help identify individuals in preclinical stages and characterize the stages of progression from preclinical to the disease stage. Data from both sources is then integrated to refine the GPS model, incorporating factors that are relevant to the actual development of disease.
Liu and Jiang – along with study co-authors Laura Carrel, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology; Galen Foulke, associate professor of dermatology; Nancy Olsen, H. Thomas and Dorothy Willits Hallowell Chair in Rheumatology – formed the autoimmune working group and have collaborated for nearly a decade. They lead innovative clinical trials, perform research studies to understand the biological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases and develop AI methods to tackle various problems related to autoimmune diseases.
Funding from the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies, supported this research.
Knowing who may progress along the disease pathway is critical for early diagnosis and intervention, improved treatment and better disease management, according to a team led by researchers from the Penn State College of Medicine that has developed a new method to predict the progression of autoimmune disease among those with preclinical symptoms. The team used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data from electronic health records and large genetic studies of people with autoimmune disease to come up with a risk prediction score. When compared to existing models, this methodology was between 25% and 1,000% more accurate in determining whose symptoms would move to advanced disease.
The research team published their findings this week (Jan. 2) in the journal Nature Communications.
Other contributors include Bingshan Li, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, and Xue Zhong, research assistant professor in genetic medicine, from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; and Xiaowei Zhan, associate professor of public health at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Accurate prediction of disease progression using GPS can enable early interventions, targeted monitoring and personalized treatment decisions, leading to improved patient outcomes, Liu said. It could also improve clinical trial design and recruitment by identifying individuals who are most likely to benefit from new therapies. While this study focused on autoimmune conditions, the researchers said that a similar framework could be used to study other disease types.
Approximately 8% of Americans live with autoimmune disease, according to the National Institutes of Health, and the vast majority are women. The earlier you can detect the disease and intervene, the better, Liu said, because once autoimmune diseases progress, the damage can be irreversible. There are often signs of the disease before an individual receives a diagnosis. For example, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, antibodies can be detected in the blood five years before symptoms begin, the researchers explained.
“By targeting a more relevant population – people with family history or who are experiencing early symptoms – we can use machine learning to identify patients with the highest risk for disease and then identify suitable therapeutics that may be able to slow down the progression of the disease. It’s a lot more meaningful and actionable information,” said Dajiang Liu, distinguished professor, vice chair for research and director of artificial intelligence and biomedical informatics at the Penn State College of Medicine and co-lead author of the study.
The challenge with forecasting disease progression is sample size. The population of individuals who have a specific autoimmune disease is relatively small. With less data available, it’s harder to develop an accurate model and algorithm, Liu said.
Chen Wang, who earned a doctorate in bioinformatics and genomics from Penn State, and Havell Markus, joint degree student in the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program, are co-first authors of the study. Other Penn State authors on the paper include: Avantika R. Diwadkar, graduate student; Chachrit Khunsriraksakul, who graduated from the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program during the time of the study; and Xingyan Wang, who was a research assistant at Penn State College of Medicine during the time of the study.
Jonathon Miller was recently inducted into the National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26 in Dayton. Miller is a 1999 graduate of Bellefontaine High School. He was also a backup quarterback at the University of Louisville. Miller has founded Project Purple which helps children of those dealing with mental health and addiction issues. […]
Jonathon Miller was recently inducted into the National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26 in Dayton.
Miller is a 1999 graduate of Bellefontaine High School. He was also a backup quarterback at the University of Louisville. Miller has founded Project Purple which helps children of those dealing with mental health and addiction issues.
In October of 2026, Miller will be inducted into the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame along with his former baseball coach Lou Brunswick.
Getty Images Advil. A name every athlete is familiar with. It’s the first response to a sore muscle and the go-to fix after a tough meet. But its presence also marks the beginning of a deeper issue that lies within competitive sports – the normalization of medicating pain, even when the pain is more than […]
Advil. A name every athlete is familiar with. It’s the first response to a sore muscle and the go-to fix after a tough meet. But its presence also marks the beginning of a deeper issue that lies within competitive sports – the normalization of medicating pain, even when the pain is more than physical.
As a high school track and field athlete, I’ve watched my teammates deal with injuries like shin splints, tendon strains, and hamstring pulls, often continuing to train through them. Behind the scenes, pain management becomes a silent routine: over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, muscle rubs, taped joints. And when that’s not enough, some athletes receive prescriptions for something stronger. Not to escape the pain, but to function and perform.
Opioid misuse among athletes, especially those recovering from injury, has emerged as a national concern. A study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that 26.5% of collegiate athletes had received an opioid prescription following an orthopedic injury or surgery, along with a small subset using opioids for non-pain relieving purposes.
What makes opioids especially dangerous in athletic environments is not just their addictive potential; it’s the culture surrounding them. Athletes are taught to always “push through.” Recovery is treated as a delay to success, not a necessity. And vulnerability, especially among male athletes, is often condemned. Within this culture, asking for help or admitting something’s wrong becomes 10 times more difficult.
While national conversations about addiction often focus on unlawful substances or post-career collapse, the path to opioid dependency in sports begins earlier. For many, it starts with a legal prescription issued after an injury. A JAMA Network Open study from 2020 confirmed that young athletes, particularly those in high-intensity sports, face an elevated risk of extreme opioid use compared to non-athlete peers.
What separates sports-related opioid addiction from other contexts is that athletes often aren’t seeking a frenzy, but instead they’re seeking a return to ordinary. Opioids for athletes serve as a way to meet expectations. When recovery time is seen as lost time, performance becomes the priority over long-term health.
Professional sports provide some of the most visible cautionary tales. In the National Football League, the issue is so widespread that a class-action lawsuit was filed against the league by former players claiming that teams recklessly distributed opioids and other painkillers to keep them playing. In Olympic history, several elite athletes have revealed post-retirement battles with substance dependence all stemming not from recklessness, but from repeated injuries and a system that emphasized resilience over recovery.
In track and field specifically, the pressure to maintain peak performance over narrow competition windows creates a cycle of overtraining, underreporting pain, and constant reliance on medication. As the Olympics approach every four years, the spotlight grows more intense. Even among youth athletes, the drive to qualify for state and national competitions or college recruitment can lead to several shortcuts being taken and, in extreme cases, substance use.
Addiction isn’t a personal failure but, in the bigger picture, it’s a systemic blind spot. It grows from environments that prioritize output over well-being. Until sports organizations, schools, and coaches build stronger frameworks around injury care, mental health, and education, this pattern will only continue.
The stigma surrounding athlete weakness must be broken down. Opioids don’t appear out of nowhere, rather they fill gaps left by pressure and insufficient support.
I’ll always love the thrill of track from the adrenaline to the discipline and competition. But no race is worth losing oneself. In a network built on pushing limits, real change begins by recognizing where we’ve pushed too far.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
Spencer Stastney, a defenseman for the Nashville Predators, contemplated retirement before the 2024-25 season due to significant mental health struggles. His challenges peaked after the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, compelling him to consider leaving the sport at just 24. Despite a promising start to his career with notable performances in both the AHL and NHL, […]
Spencer Stastney, a defenseman for the Nashville Predators, contemplated retirement before the 2024-25 season due to significant mental health struggles. His challenges peaked after the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, compelling him to consider leaving the sport at just 24. Despite a promising start to his career with notable performances in both the AHL and NHL, feelings of anxiety led Stastney to seek help through the NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program. After a hiatus from training camp, he returned to the ice in December, performing well enough to earn an NHL call-up. Stastney aims to continue his career with the Predators as he navigates his relationship with the sport.
By the Numbers
State of Play
What’s Next
Stastney will focus on re-establishing his career with the Predators, aiming for a full-time NHL position as he continues to tackle mental health issues. His performance will be closely monitored as he aims to solidify his role within the organization.
Bottom Line
Stastney’s journey highlights the importance of mental health awareness in sports. His openness to discuss and seek help showcases resilience and may foster a culture of support among athletes facing similar challenges.
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix will not compete at this month’s World Aquatics Championships due to “mental blocks”. The 20-year-old diver claimed Olympic bronze with Lois Toulson in the women’s synchronised 10m platform at Paris 2024 and opened up about her mental health struggles after competing in the individual event. On Wednesday Spendolini-Sirieix revealed she would not be […]
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix will not compete at this month’s World Aquatics Championships due to “mental blocks”.
The 20-year-old diver claimed Olympic bronze with Lois Toulson in the women’s synchronised 10m platform at Paris 2024 and opened up about her mental health struggles after competing in the individual event.
On Wednesday Spendolini-Sirieix revealed she would not be taking part in the World Championships, saying she feels “it would be best” to take a break from the sport.
She said in a post on Instagram: “Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the World Championships this year in Singapore. I’ve had a tough battle with mental blocks in diving this season, and I’ve tried to fight through them, but I’ve decided it would be best for me to take a break from the pool.
“I am getting all the help I need from my family, my coach and my support team at Aquatics GB and I am so thankful for their love and support.
“As an athlete, the words ‘rest’ and ‘break’ are foreign, but I know that this period will greatly help me in the long run.
“I am sad to not be joining my team and international friends out in Singapore, but I know they will do amazingly and I can’t wait to see them shine.”
PA
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AFC players are making headlines with their evolving situations. Charvarius Ward of the Colts reflects on his mental health journey following personal loss, sharing renewed optimism after leaving the 49ers. Meanwhile, Texans tight end Brevin Jordan is ready to bounce back from a torn ACL, while Titans rookie QB Cam Ward acknowledges the team’s need […]
AFC players are making headlines with their evolving situations. Charvarius Ward of the Colts reflects on his mental health journey following personal loss, sharing renewed optimism after leaving the 49ers. Meanwhile, Texans tight end Brevin Jordan is ready to bounce back from a torn ACL, while Titans rookie QB Cam Ward acknowledges the team’s need for improvement and accountability. Collectively, these narratives illustrate resilience and the ongoing adjustments as teams prepare for the season ahead.
By the Numbers
State of Play
What’s Next
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how these players integrate into their teams. Ward’s positive changes in mental health could set the tone for a successful Colts season, while Jordan’s return may bolster the Texans’ offense. Titans’ rookie Ward’s commitment to improvement suggests he will work to elevate the team’s performance.
Bottom Line
The resilience shown by these AFC players amidst personal and team challenges underscores the importance of mental health and adaptation in professional sports. As they move forward, their experiences highlight how personal growth can impact team dynamics and performance.
Kyrie Irving, standout guard for the Dallas Mavericks, has opened up about experiencing bullying in his childhood, which became a driving force behind his basketball journey. During a livestream with Kai Cenat, Irving candidly shared that being perceived as smart and sensitive made him a target, but he channeled that adversity into motivation for his […]
Kyrie Irving, standout guard for the Dallas Mavericks, has opened up about experiencing bullying in his childhood, which became a driving force behind his basketball journey. During a livestream with Kai Cenat, Irving candidly shared that being perceived as smart and sensitive made him a target, but he channeled that adversity into motivation for his NBA career. Despite this challenging background, he has risen to elite status in the league, demonstrating remarkable skills and leadership. Recently, Irving has also been active in online discussions, reflecting on his journey and future ventures, including a possible coaching role.
By the Numbers
Yes, But
While Irving’s bullying experience contributed to his resilience, it also highlights ongoing issues of childhood bullying and mental health in sports, stirring debate about the pressure athletes face both on and off the court.
State of Play
What’s Next
As Irving navigates his recovery from injury, he may also explore a coaching future, which could reshape his career beyond playing. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how he impacts both the Mavericks and any potential new ventures.
Bottom Line
Irving’s journey underscores the idea that personal hardships can motivate success, but they also raise important conversations about youth bullying and the mental health challenges athletes face. His future, both on and off the court, is poised for scrutiny and potential innovation.
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