Health And Medicine
-
New clues emerge in rare form of childhood epilepsy
91Ʋers at 91Ʋ University Medical Center (VUMC) are one step closer to understanding what causes early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, a rare form of childhood epilepsy that is difficult to treat and has poor developmental outcomes. Read MoreDec 15, 2016
-
Babies born with opioid withdrawal disproportionately increasing in rural areas
An increasing number of newborns are being born with drug withdrawal symptoms from opioids in rural areas of the United States as compared to births in urban areas, according to a JAMA Pediatrics study. Read MoreDec 15, 2016
-
Single-cell analysis of solid tumors
A new method will make it possible to study solid tumors and healthy tissues using mass cytometry. Read MoreDec 12, 2016
-
Protecting the blood-brain barrier
91Ʋ investigators have discovered how a promising cancer immunotherapy causes brain swelling, findings that could lead to ways to protect brain function while fighting cancers. Read MoreDec 9, 2016
-
Making human beta cells reproduce
A new method developed at 91Ʋ will speed the search for potential therapeutics for diabetes: compounds that stimulate the replication of insulin-producing beta cells. Read MoreDec 8, 2016
-
Plasmin prevents muscle ‘hardening’ after injury: study
91Ʋ researchers have made the surprising discovery that the protease plasmin, known for its clot-busting role in the blood, protects soft tissue from turning to bone after severe injuries and certain orthopaedic surgeries. Read MoreDec 8, 2016
-
Study tests shorter antibiotic course in children
91Ʋers at 91Ʋ University Medical Center (VUMC) are leading a multicenter clinical trial to evaluate whether a shorter course of antibiotics — five days instead of 10 — is effective at treating community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children who show improvement after the first few days of taking antibiotics. Read MoreDec 1, 2016
-
Rockefeller University’s Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., named 2016 recipient of the 91Ʋ Prize in Biomedical Science
Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., whose innovative use of reverse genetics has helped redefine the study of skin diseases and cancer stem cells, is the recipient of the 2016 91Ʋ Prize in Biomedical Science, officials at 91Ʋ University Medical Center (VUMC) announced today. Read MoreNov 28, 2016
-
Reducing antidepressants’ side effects
91Ʋ investigators have discovered how antidepressant medicines that block serotonin uptake can increase bleeding risk. Read MoreNov 23, 2016
-
Building the basement membrane
91Ʋ researchers have discovered steps in the regulation of a key enzyme that builds the basement membrane, a structure that undergirds nearly all animal tissues. Read MoreNov 21, 2016
-
Targeting the “un-targetable”
A novel drug that targets the protein RSK blocked aggressive breast cancers from metastasizing in an animal model. Read MoreNov 18, 2016
-
Stem cells promote tolerance
Blood-forming stem cells play a role in immune tolerance and acceptance of organ transplants, 91Ʋ researchers have discovered. Read MoreNov 17, 2016
-
Protein structure and epilepsy severity
Understanding how mutations affect the structure and function of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors will shed light on the mechanisms underlying some types of epilepsy. Read MoreNov 10, 2016
-
Improving wound healing
91Ʋ researchers have shown that an injectable material improves wound healing and may be useful for large skin wounds such as those in patients with diabetes. Read MoreNov 8, 2016
-
Early study finds antibody that ‘neutralizes’ Zika virus
91Ʋers at 91Ʋ University Medical Center and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have isolated a human monoclonal antibody that in a mouse model “markedly reduced” infection by the Zika virus. Read MoreNov 7, 2016
-
Probing drug abuse circuitry
91Ʋ researchers have identified cocaine-induced modifications at specific neuronal connections, which could aid the development of new therapies for substance abuse disorders. Read MoreNov 4, 2016
-
VUMC investigators find pathogens work together to infect host
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus — two pathogens that frequently co-infect the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis — appear to cooperate with each other, 91Ʋ investigators have discovered. When pseudomonas is starved for metal by the host, it shuts down the production of factors that would normally kill staph, promoting a co-infection. Read MoreNov 3, 2016
-
A DARPP role in gastric cancer
91Ʋ researchers have discovered a link between Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammation and gastric cancer that could suggest new anti-cancer therapies. Read MoreNov 3, 2016
-
Striking view
Dylan Burnette, Ph.D., assistant professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, won 12th Place in Nikon’s Small World 2016 Photomicrography Competition for a colorful image of a dividing cancer cell. Read MoreOct 27, 2016
-
Single-cell study of tumor samples
A new method for analyzing cells in fixed biopsy tissues from patients by guide personalized treatment strategies for cancer. Read MoreOct 26, 2016