VUMC News and Communications

A cap designed to cool the brains of babies born with oxygen deprivation during birth may prevent brain damage. Vanderbilt Children's Hospital researchers participated in the study of the device, "CoolCap," to cool the brains of full-term babies who were oxygen-deprived and had signs of brain damage within hours of birth.

For children and adults with disabilities and their families, finding information and health, developmental, education and other support services can be difficult and time-consuming. The new Vanderbilt Kennedy Family Outreach Center, which celebrates its opening April 21, helps families navigate the maze of services to find the best treatment, support and research available.

May 18 has been designated HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, a day to educate Americans about the need for a vaccine to prevent HIV.

A common ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants -- pseudoephedrine -- may increase blood pressure and the risk of life-threatening or disabling strokes in susceptible patients, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have reported.

Doctors at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital have found a whole new use for the popular erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. Sildenafil, as it is called by its more anonymous chemical name, may have the power to save babies.

By all accounts, Don Matl was not expected to survive his second bout with melanoma in 1998. He was given less than a 5 percent chance. But he lived.Another recurrence in 2001 yielded a similar inference ó but again he persevered. Now Matl knows why he beat the odds.