Research

When an Aztec child was born, soothsayers would consult the birth almanacs contained in codices to determine the most auspicious date to initiate the child into the Aztec community. Read More

Variation in the gene for the beta-1 adrenergic receptor increases the risk that a patient will have an abnormal heart rhythm after cardiac surgery. Read More

Targeting the production of molecules that promote tumor blood vessel development offers a new path for treating lung cancer. Read More

Ron Vale, Ph.D., co-discoverer of the molecular “motor” kinesin, spent the first 10 minutes of his Flexner Discovery Lecture last week talking not about science, but about science communication. Read More

Rob Naftel, M.D., traveled more than 8,000 miles to learn a new surgical technique to treat hydrocephalus, the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Read More

The antioxidant vitamin E prevented the buildup of toxic products in a model of a rare genetic disorder, suggesting new strategies for therapeutic development. Read More

Vanderbilt University scientists have contributed to a major finding, reported this week in the journal Nature, which could lead to the first effective vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a significant cause of infant mortality. Read More

Patrick Grohar, M.D., Ph.D. (Photo by Daniel Dubois/Vanderbilt) Patrick Grohar, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Pediatric Hematology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been awarded a $250,000 Reach Award from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support Ewing sarcoma research. In addition… Read More

Vanderbilt biologists have discovered that mosquito sperm have a “sense of smell” and that some of same chemicals that the mosquito can smell cause the sperm to swim harder. Read More

A study has found that the time it takes neural networks in the brain to make decisions is remarkably stable regardless of size: a finding that could make it easier to achieve the goal of the President's BRAIN Initiative established last spring. Read More

Research conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center shows that routine administration of the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) by nurses provides a valid measure for large-scale studies of the influence of health literacy on clinical outcomes. Read More

A Vanderbilt study is investigating whether therapy dogs can have a positive effect on children undergoing chemotherapy. Read More

With concerns mounting as children train harder, compete more frequently and specialize in a single sport earlier, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine has released a position statement that provides guidance to health providers who care for young athletes. Read More

It might be possible to generate a “metabolically healthy” state of obesity by targeting signaling pathways that improve insulin sensitivity. Read More

It may take repeated and varied exposure to anti-spear phishing messages before employees get the message, according to research. Read More

A new computational model of the interactions between vocal folds and the air around them could aid in designing new treatments for voice disorders. Read More

Understanding the relationship between the thinning and rupture of fetal membranes and the presence of bacteria could lead to treatment and prevention strategies for premature birth. Read More

A Vanderbilt economist turned his expertise back onto his own discipline and has published a 15-year analysis of graduate economics education in the United States. Read More

Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., research associate professor of Pharmacology, has received a three-year, $450,000 grant from the autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks to support studies investigating a possible new treatment for Rett syndrome. Read More

According to annual figures available through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) is now ranked ninth in the nation among U.S. medical schools in total grant support provided through the nation’s medical research agency. Read More