Health and Medicine

February 28, 2013

Potent genetic risk factor for breast cancer identified

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have found a powerful new genetic risk factor for breast cancer.

By Bill Snyder
Stomach
February 28, 2013

Study offers insights into gastric cancer prevention

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a particular burden in Latin America and eastern Asia.

By VUMC News and Communications
February 28, 2013

Starting up protein synthesis, in yeast

Researchers have found an unusual interaction between a factor that “turns on” protein synthesis and one that produces fatty acids.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 21, 2013

Structural snapshot hints at new influenza approach

A careful look at how the body’s natural defenses disarm virulent strains of influenza hints at the possibility of a way to fight the flu.

By VUMC News and Communications
February 21, 2013

Series of events explore brain disorders, neuroscience research

“Brain Blast,” a half-day of free, hands-on activities for children and adults will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks.

By Bill Snyder
February 21, 2013

Antibacterial protein’s molecular workings revealed

Vanderbilt investigators report new insights to the workings of calprotectin, an immune system protein that “starves” bacterial pathogens of the metal nutrients they require.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 20, 2013

Factor CITED in pediatric liver cancer

Vanderbilt researchers report that they have found a factor involved in the persistence of embryonic cells implicated in childhood liver cancer.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 18, 2013

Pancreas cells full of potential

Adult cells in the pancreas can return to a less mature state – and then become a different cell type, like the beta cells that secrete insulin.
By Jessica Mazerik
February 15, 2013

Cure in sight for kissing bug’s bite

It’s possible to cure Chagas disease – a deadly tropical infection transmitted by “kissing bugs” – in a mouse model.
By Bill Snyder
February 14, 2013

Cell connections key in valve disease

A protein that connects cells together participates in the calcification that occurs in heart valve disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 6, 2013

Linking oxygen, iron and red blood cells

The HIF oxygen-sensing pathway and its responses to low oxygen may be targeted for treatments of anemia and disorders of iron balance.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 4, 2013

Brain tumor TIP reveals new target

The protein TIP-1 appears to be a novel prognostic marker for glioblastoma and may be a good therapeutic target for disrupting tumor-driven blood vessel development.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 1, 2013

Cell source of heart’s blood vessels

An unexpected group of cells generates the coronary arteries and may be useful for regeneration therapies following injury to the heart.
By Leigh MacMillan