Health and Medicine
Rare tumor disguised as benign
Jan. 26, 2021—A rare tumor that causes facial weakness was found masquerading as a more common benign facial tumor.
An interacting factor in leukemia
Jan. 25, 2021—A blood stem cell protein plays a role in the initiation and progression of leukemia, Vanderbilt researchers have found.
Inflammation in genetic epilepsy
Jan. 21, 2021—Brain inflammation links genetic and acquired epilepsy — providing new clues about epilepsy development and pointing to potential treatments.
NIH grant bolsters research on heart disease, cholesterol
Jan. 21, 2021—Thanks to major funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made major inroads in understanding how high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly known as good cholesterol, in some cases may actually contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Study finds genetic clues to pneumonia risk and COVID-19 disparities
Jan. 21, 2021—Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and colleagues have identified genetic factors that increase the risk for developing pneumonia and its severe, life-threatening consequences.
WIN for blocking cancer growth
Jan. 21, 2021—William Tansey and colleagues identified proteins that interact with the cancer drug target WDR5 and are important for cancer cell growth.
Bick selected as first VUMC Discovery Scholar in Health and Medicine
Jan. 14, 2021—Alexander Bick, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Genetic Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been selected as the first VUMC Discovery Scholar in Health and Medicine.
Mitochondrial stress and hypertension
Jan. 12, 2021—Oxidative stress and toxic products called isolevuglandins in mitochondria play a role in endothelial dysfunction and hypertension — and getting rid of them with a special “scavenger” molecule has therapeutic potential.
Microbial RNA and rheumatoid arthritis
Jan. 11, 2021—Small RNAs — short stretches of genetic material — from microbes may be playing a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
Large study finds higher burden of acute brain dysfunction for COVID-19 ICU patients
Jan. 8, 2021—COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care in the early months of the pandemic were subject to a significantly higher burden of delirium and coma than is typically found in patients with acute respiratory failure. Choice of sedative medications and curbs on family visitation played a role in increasing acute brain dysfunction for these patients.
Vitamin D activation and cancer risk
Jan. 7, 2021—Vitamin D protection against colon cancer varies according to parathyroid hormone response, particularly among women.
Building a cohort, the easy way
Jan. 7, 2021—An automated system using keyword searches can help identify candidates for clinical trials on adverse drug reactions.
