Health And Medicine
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Team’s potential lung cancer therapy lands award from SBIR
A potential cancer drug aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of ionizing radiation in lung cancer patients is a step closer to development with funding support from the Small Business Innovation Research program. Read MoreSep 27, 2018
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Cancer Moonshot award to help map tumor progression
A trans-institutional team of researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University has received an $11 million Cancer Moonshot grant to build a single-cell resolution atlas to map out the routes that benign colonic polyps take to progress to colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer among both men and women in the United States. Read MoreSep 27, 2018
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Diabetes drug may prevent liver cancer
A new study by Harvey Murff finds that diabetics who take metformin have lower rates of liver cancer than those who take other diabetes drugs. Read MoreSep 21, 2018
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New histoplasmosis risk map
Stephen Deppen and colleagues have developed an updated map showing new areas of increased risk for a common lung infection. Read MoreSep 21, 2018
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How microvilli form
Research led by Matthew Tyska gives new insight into the formation of the lining of the gut that helps us absorb nutrients and guard against illness. Read MoreSep 21, 2018
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Study tracks incidence, timing of immunotherapy-related deaths
Researchers led by melanoma researcher Douglas Johnson have answered questions about the incidence and timing of rare but sometimes fatal reactions to the most widely prescribed class of immunotherapies. Read MoreSep 13, 2018
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Research reveals link between immunity, diabetes
An immune cell called CD8+ is supposed to attack disease, but it can also contribute to inflammation, which can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Read MoreSep 13, 2018
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Unleashing TIGER on small RNAs
Kasey Vickers has developed a new analytical method for to study small RNAs, a poorly understood component of the genome. Read MoreSep 6, 2018
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Team’s findings could spur new treatments for type 2 diabetes
New research by an international team that includes Vanderbilt researchers shows how a common diabetes drug blocks glucose production by the liver, suggesting new avenues for treatment. Read MoreSep 6, 2018
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Nicotine patch shows promise in treating late-life depression
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center pilot study of treating late-life depression in nonsmokers with transdermal nicotine (nicotine patch) has yielded some promising results, but the study’s author cautions that more study is needed. Read MoreSep 6, 2018
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Immune system emerges as partner in opioid cravings fight
There’s promise in specific immune system peptides—amino acid compounds that signal cells how to function. In this case, they may be affecting brain activity and, by extension, drug cravings. Read MoreSep 5, 2018
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Team isolates antibodies that neutralize GI bug norovirus
The discovery of these antibodies could significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of the leading cause of stomach illness in the world. Read MoreAug 30, 2018
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Investigators find that bile acids reduce cocaine reward
The discovery that high levels of bile acids appear to blunt cravings for cocaine could lead to new treatments for addiction. Read MoreAug 30, 2018
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Study links aortic stiffness with lower cerebral blood flow
A symptom related to hypertension may play a role in cognitive decline, according to new research by Angela Jefferson. Read MoreAug 30, 2018
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Using light to fight GVHD
Vanderbilt researchers have discovered new insights into the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host-disease, a complication of bone marrow and stem cell transplants. Read MoreAug 30, 2018
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Energetic gene switch
James Galligan and Lawrence Marnett have discovered a new histone modification that can affect gene expression. Read MoreAug 30, 2018
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A brain-builder called “Shh”
A newly discovered role for the "Sonic the Hedgehog" protein in the proper development of the cerebellum. Read MoreAug 30, 2018
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New faculty chair in Vanderbilt’s Basic Sciences created in memory of biochemist Richard Armstrong
A $1 million gift has established a new faculty chair within the School of Medicine’s Basic Sciences that is named in honor of the late biochemist Richard Armstrong. Read MoreAug 29, 2018
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Clue to treating obesity found in body’s ‘rheostat’
New research by Masoud Ghamari-Langroudi and colleagues has revealed that a certain brain protein called MC3R plays a role in causing the body to reset its "ideal" weight. Read MoreAug 23, 2018
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Vanderbilt study explores how dual-eligible beneficiaries spend
People who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare tend to have very serious, complex health problems, but new research by Laura Keohane shows that their rate of healthcare spending is not rising any faster than that of people eligible for just Medicare. Read MoreAug 17, 2018