Reporter April 17 2015

Best hospital rankings for cancer do not take into account the fact that cancer reflects many different diseases. Read More

New findings suggest that it might be possible to treat diabetes by regenerating insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Read More

Stuffed animals that pediatric patients bring to the operating room are a reservoir of bacteria that can be effectively sterilized in a household washer/dryer the day before surgery. Read More

TGF-beta signaling in the kidney was thought to be a target for reducing renal fibrosis, but Vanderbilt researchers report that fibrosis still occurs in the absence of TGF-beta signaling. Read More

Seth Karp, M.D., professor of Surgery and Ingram Professor of Surgical Sciences, has been named the new chair of Vanderbilt’s Department of Surgery. Read More

A new study led by Vanderbilt University investigators found that patients being treated with statins at the time of surgery for kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, had improved overall survival and disease-specific survival. Read More

A strategy for commercializing a potential new test for colon cancer that can make tumor cells “glow” won top honors at last week’s TechVenture Challenge. Read More

A National Library of Medicine traveling exhibit, “Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons,” is underway at the Annette and Irwin Eskind Biomedical Library at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Read More

The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF) has awarded Justin Cates, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, with one of its five research grants for his work studying growth/recurrence determinants related to genetic factors in desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) patients. Read More

Roel Nusse, Ph.D., an expert in the regulation of tissue growth and development by Wnt signaling pathways, will deliver the next Flexner Discovery Lecture on Thursday, April 23. Read More

Vanderbilt University researchers have found a genetic mutation that causes pulmonary hypertension in cattle grazed at high altitude, and which leads to a life-threatening condition called brisket disease. Read More

Andre Churchwell, M.D., George Hill, Ph.D., Kevin Johnson, M.D., and John Tarpley, M.D., reflect on the life and legacy of Levi Watkins Jr., M.D. Read More

Levi Watkins Jr., M.D., renowned cardiac surgeon, champion of racial equality and diversity, and the first African-American to be admitted to and graduate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM), died Saturday from complications after suffering a stroke. He was 70. Read More

Legally prescribed narcotics taken during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome, especially in combination with tobacco or SSRIs. Read More