National Institutes Of Health
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A potential new approach for the treatment of schizophrenia
Researchers discover how a protein may treat schizophrenia, including reversing working memory deficits, a hallmark of schizophrenia for which there is currently no treatment. Read MoreDec 8, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Mosquitoes have a mutual symbiotic relationship with malaria-causing pathogen
By reproducing conditions under which malaria occurs in nature, the Zwiebel Lab finds that the deadly pathogens responsible for human malaria provide a specific adaptive advantage to disease-transmitting mosquitoes, explaining the persistence of this ancient disease. Est. reading time: 2 mins. Read MoreNov 19, 2021
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Professor makes Vanderbilt-discovered cancer targeting molecule freely available to researchers through collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim
Stephen Fesik’s discovery of a cancer-targeting molecule has been made freely accessible through opnMe for global researchers to advance research into cancer therapeutics. Read MoreNov 15, 2021
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Research Snapshot: New target identified for rapid antidepressant drugs
Vanderbilt researchers push research on ketamine’s role as a rapid antidepressant another step forward. This work opens avenues for new therapeutics for half of people for whom today’s antidepressants don’t work. Read MoreNov 10, 2021
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Uncovering how injury to the pancreas impacts cancer formation
Research from scientists at the School of Medicine Basic Sciences and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies shows that cells in the pancreas form new cell types to mitigate injury but are then susceptible to cancerous mutations. Read MoreOct 29, 2021
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Research Snapshot: COVID-19 virus test sensitivity varies with body’s circadian rhythm
Carl Johnson, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Biological Sciences and expert in biological clocks, identifies temporal component to COVID-19 viral shedding. Est. reading time: 2.5 mins. Read MoreOct 26, 2021
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Research Snapshot: New drug targets vascular inflammation, drastically improving the long-term effectiveness of vascular procedures
Therapeutic MK2i-NP blocks both inflammation and an unhealthy conversion of cells in blood vessels after cardiovascular procedures, reducing the need for further interventions—cutting costs and reducing risks. Est. reading time: 2.5 minutes. Read MoreOct 11, 2021
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Startups initiated and grown at Vanderbilt get $4.5M in federal funding, LaunchTN matching grants
Nine startups established at Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization and the Wond’ry have been awarded more than $4.5 million in federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants and matching funds from Launch Tennessee, with the goal of accelerating technology commercialization, innovation and job creation across the state. Read MoreOct 7, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Sugar compounds in breast milk relieve uncomfortable side effects caused by chemotherapy
Steven Townsend, associate professor of chemistry, and Fang Yan, research professor of pediatrics and cell and development biology, have discovered how a sugar in human breast milk mitigates damage to the small intestines caused by chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Read MoreOct 4, 2021
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Research Snapshot: True behavior of the ‘pleasure molecule’ will reshape how we treat psychiatric diseases and addiction
Discovery shows that dopamine is not a reward molecule at all, calling for revision of textbook facts regarding the hormone’s role in the brain. Est. reading time: 3.5 mins. Read MoreSep 15, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Novel finding shows that brain cells conduct antidepressant action even in the absence of activity
Even in the absence of brain activity, nerve cells can turn on gene expression that is important for antidepressant effects. This novel finding from Lisa Monteggia gives researchers a more fundamental understanding of the brain’s mechanistic function for better therapeutics. Est. reading time: 2.5 mins. Read MoreAug 30, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Development of a new framework and tool for multi-drug synergy and combination
MuSyC is a technique to help researchers devise new combinations of drugs. An open-source analysis tool, it holds the promise speed such discoveries around the world. Read MoreAug 24, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Discovery points to ketamine’s long-term antidepressant effects
Lisa Monteggia leads discovery of the gene responsible for ketamine’s long-term effects with implications for antidepressant therapeutics. Est. reading time: 2.5 mins. Read MoreJul 28, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Novel discovery describes how the motor cortex influences stress responses in brain regions involved in drug- and alcohol-seeking behavior
Exercise and movement may be a prescription to mitigate drug and alcohol seeking behavior due to its influence on the brain. Est. reading time: 3 mins. Read MoreJun 24, 2021
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SARS-CoV-2 protein blocks an essential step in host gene expression, new discovery finds
Vanderbilt biochemist Yi Ren is part of a team that has identified a new behavior of a SARS-CoV-2 protein and discovered that interfering with its function can block virus replication in host cells. This opens up the potential for new therapeutic targets for COVID-19. Read MoreFeb 17, 2021
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Surgical robots developed by Vanderbilt researchers could make radical prostatectomy safer and less invasive
Surgery for prostate cancer—the most prevalent cancer in men—soon could no longer require cutting through healthy tissue and nerves. Surgeons instead may work with minuscule robots developed at the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering. Read MoreFeb 10, 2021
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Why does COVID-19 seem to spare children? Vanderbilt University Medical Center study offers an answer
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and their colleagues have determined a key factor as to why COVID-19 appears to infect and sicken adults and older people preferentially while seeming to spare younger children. Read MoreNov 18, 2020
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Perfecting MRI images with deep learning, Vanderbilt researchers change the way we see the brain
Imaging science experts at Vanderbilt develop deep learning tool to remove distortions in MRI images, decreasing patient time in MRI scanner and correcting legacy images used for teaching. Read MoreNov 10, 2020
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Interdisciplinary melanoma research brings understanding of cellular resistance to cancer treatment, opening doors to new cures
Drug-tolerant persister cells–those that survive cancer treatment–found to rely on similar survival mechanisms across cancers, in a groundbreaking study led by Vanderbilt researchers. Read MoreOct 21, 2020
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NIH grant supports Vanderbilt effort to increase diversity in Alzheimer’s research
A new $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health is enabling Vanderbilt University chemist Renã A.S. Robinson to expand her research on racial disparities in Alzheimer’s and other diseases. Read MoreSep 11, 2020