Aliquots - Research Briefs

March 5, 2025

Team finds a better way to identify newborns at risk for opioid withdrawal

By 2017, on the back of the opioid crisis, the rate of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in the U.S. was estimated to have reached 7.3 per 1000 deliveries. Meanwhile, many newborns exposed to opioids in utero never develop the syndrome and must undergo needless monitoring in the hospital after birth.

By Paul Govern
March 4, 2025

Skin tone may affect accuracy of blood oxygen measurement in children: study

One of two commonly used oximetry devices failed to detect low oxygen levels in 7% of patients with the darkest skin tone.

By Bill Snyder
February 17, 2025

Weight-loss surgery associated with reduced dementia

An observational study found that bariatric surgery was associated with 63% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

By Paul Govern
December 16, 2024

There goes the sun

Too much screen time might leave little darling deficient in vitamin D.

By Paul Govern
November 27, 2024

New research points way to more reliable brain studies

A new study in Nature identifies research strategies for tying brain function and structure to behavior and health.

By Paul Govern
November 26, 2024

What’s all the tuft about?

Vanderbilt researchers used advanced imaging techniques to detail the microscopic structure of intestinal tuft cells, highlighting their unique organization of the structural protein actin.

By Amanda Ruelas
November 15, 2024

New radiation therapy approach for treating lung cancers

VUMC researchers tested a treatment combining immunotherapy and online adaptive radiotherapy, which is tailored to real-time tumor changes during the treatment plan.
By Mahima Sharma
November 8, 2024

In-clinic reconstruction of skin cancer defects costs less than OR procedures

Researchers analyzed 1,206 patient cases and found that OR reconstruction cases had a higher median baseline cost of $2,308 compared to $987 for clinic procedures.
By Kanchana Devanathan
July 18, 2024

AI could help patients ask better questions of their care teams 

AI has proven better than doctors at drafting responses to written questions from patients. A new study suggests even greater advantages in using AI to help patients write more effective messages to their care teams.
By Paul Govern
June 24, 2024

Automated algorithm predicts risk of blood clots in hospitalized patients

This new entry to the field works in the background to provide real-time risk assessments, with no manual inputs from health care providers required.
By Paul Govern
June 18, 2024

Study tallies reports of unprofessional behavior among physicians

Reports from 193 hospitals were analyzed. It turns out that surgeons draw the most complaints.
By Paul Govern
June 12, 2024

Scientists find antibodies that block parainfluenza virus infection

The antibodies may have clinical benefit as antiviral drugs to treat potentially life-threatening infections in elderly and immunosuppressed patients.
By Bill Snyder
June 5, 2024

A novel astrocyte cell in the retina: study

A full understanding of retinal cell types and their functions could point to novel therapeutic targets for diseases that affect the visual system, such as glaucoma — a leading cause of blindness for people over age 60.
By Leigh MacMillan