Research

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

Fifty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, black individuals earn 20 percent less than their white counterparts for doing the same job and are twice as likely to live in poverty conditions, a Vanderbilt researcher says. 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

A majority of Tennessee teachers believe that the implementation of the Common Core State Standards has begun positively but feel more training is in order, according to a broad-based independent survey. Read More

Marc Panu is looking forward to a final round in March that will determine a first-place award for undergraduate research at the 40th annual convention of the National Society of Black Engineers in Nashville. 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

The Vanderbilt Diabetes Center, the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) and the Vanderbilt Center for Diabetes Translation Research (CDTR) announce the availability of pilot and feasibility grants in the following areas: Translational or behavioral science research (Type II translational research) related to… 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