Health And Medicine

  • COVID ICU

    Influenza network sizes up COVID

    Hospital data from a CDC network that monitors influenza revealed that adults hospitalized for COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic were 20x more likely to die compared to hospitalized influenza patients. Read More

    Jul 22, 2021

  • microscope

    Establishing HIV care in Tennessee

    Vanderbilt researchers find that heterosexually active Black males are the least likely to establish HIV care within one month of diagnosis and suggest that targeted interventions focus on this population. Read More

    Jul 13, 2021

  • Genomic analysis visualization. Dna genomes sequencing, deoxyribonucleic acid genetic map and genome sequence analyse. Bioinformatics forensics data or dna radiographic testing vector concept (Genomic analysis visualization

    Probing statin-associated diseases with genetics

    Vanderbilt researchers used genetics tools and biobanks with linked electronic health records to explore the associations between statins and noncardiovascular diseases. Read More

    Jul 12, 2021

  • Digital illustration of heart in an x-ray of a human chest

    Nature’s “recycler” could reduce heart disease risk: study

    Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified potential new targets for the prevention of atherosclerosis through the enhancement of autophagy, a natural process for recycling damaged cellular material. Read More

    Jul 8, 2021

  • coronavirus

    Study finds genetic risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness

    A massive worldwide collaboration including researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has identified several genetic factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 illness. Read More

    Jul 8, 2021

  • COVID ICU

    Delirium and mortality reexamined

    A multicenter study of ICU patients found that in the hospital, delirium was associated with a nearly three-fold increase in risk of death the following day, but after discharge there was no association between delirium and mortality. Read More

    Jul 8, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Genetics of hydrocephalus

    Fluid build-up in the brain — hydrocephalus — increases pressure and risk for brain damage; Vanderbilt researchers have now identified genes and signaling pathways associated with the condition. Read More

    Jul 8, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Nobel laureate Doudna set for next Discovery Lecture

    Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, winner of the 2020 Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science, will deliver the next web-based Discovery Lecture on Thursday, July 22. Doudna is recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the co-development of the revolutionary genome editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9. Read More

    Jul 7, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Gene variant linked to unnecessary bone marrow biopsies in African Americans

    A gene variant that lowers white blood cell levels and is common in individuals with African ancestry contributes to unnecessary bone marrow biopsies, according to a study published June 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.  The findings, led by investigators at VUMC, are an example of how using genetic data could reduce a health disparity.  Read More

    Jun 28, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Treating metastatic prostate cancer

    An indirect comparative effectiveness study using published data suggests that the targeted therapy olaparib should be re-evaluated for treating metastatic prostate cancer. Read More

    Jun 22, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Dexmedetomidine and delirium

    The sedative dexmedetomidine, when administered during or after heart surgery, is associated with postoperative delirium and adverse outcomes. Read More

    Jun 21, 2021

  • coronavirus

    COVID-19 complication underdiagnosed

    A mysterious inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID-19 infection and first identified in children also occurs in adults, Vanderbilt researchers report. Read More

    Jun 17, 2021

  • Digital illustration of heart in an x-ray of a human chest

    Heat for hypertension in autonomic failure

    Heat therapy could offer a novel nonpharmacologic approach for treating the overnight hypertension that affects patients with autonomic failure. Read More

    May 25, 2021

  • Hantavirus

    Therapeutic antibodies for hantavirus

    Vanderbilt Vaccine Center researchers have isolated monoclonal antibodies against hantaviruses, an emerging source of human disease with pandemic potential. Read More

    May 24, 2021

  • x-ray of chest with lungs highlighted in red

    New clue to lung scarring

    Vanderbilt neonatology team pinpoints signaling pathways involved in the progressive lung fibrosis that occurs in rare genetic diseases. Read More

    May 20, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Beta cell regeneration

    Vanderbilt researchers dissected the complex microenvironment of the pancreatic islet to discover the signals that drive beta cell regeneration — as a possible treatment for diabetes. Read More

    May 20, 2021

  • Four slender young white women jogging in the park

    People at high genetic risk for colorectal cancer benefit more from lifestyle changes

    People with a high polygenic risk score for colorectal cancer could benefit more at preventing the disease by leading healthy lifestyles than those at lower genetic risk, according to a study by Vanderbilt researchers published in the April issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Read More

    May 13, 2021

  • coronavirus

    VUMC to lead national study to treat severe COVID complications

    The Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR) has been awarded a major federal grant to lead a national trial of treatments targeting the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Read More

    May 6, 2021

  • conceptual illustration of brain with tangled scribbles running through it

    New strategy to treat brain bleeding

    Vasorelaxing peptides could offer a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing the neurological deficits caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced cerebral blood vessel constriction. Read More

    May 4, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    Strength in numbers

    Voluntary data sharing across a region’s health systems and ambulatory care practices is important for measuring and improving health care quality and safety, Vanderbilt researchers report. Read More

    May 3, 2021