Reporter April 17 2015
Best hospital depends on cancer type
Apr. 22, 2015—Best hospital rankings for cancer do not take into account the fact that cancer reflects many different diseases.
Boosting beta cells in diabetes
Apr. 20, 2015—New findings suggest that it might be possible to treat diabetes by regenerating insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Stuffed animals bring bacteria to OR
Apr. 17, 2015—Stuffed animals that pediatric patients bring to the operating room are a reservoir of bacteria that can be effectively sterilized in a household washer/dryer the day before surgery.
Surprising finding in the kidney
Apr. 16, 2015—TGF-beta signaling in the kidney was thought to be a target for reducing renal fibrosis, but Vanderbilt researchers report that fibrosis still occurs in the absence of TGF-beta signaling.
Karp takes new role as Department of Surgery chair
Apr. 16, 2015—Seth Karp, M.D., professor of Surgery and Ingram Professor of Surgical Sciences, has been named the new chair of Vanderbilt’s Department of Surgery.
Study shows statin use improves renal cell cancer survival
Apr. 16, 2015—A new study led by Vanderbilt University investigators found that patients being treated with statins at the time of surgery for kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, had improved overall survival and disease-specific survival.
‘Challenge’ puts technology transfer ingenuity on display
Apr. 16, 2015—A strategy for commercializing a potential new test for colon cancer that can make tumor cells “glow” won top honors at last week’s TechVenture Challenge.
Exhibit celebrates impact of African-American surgeons
Apr. 16, 2015—A National Library of Medicine traveling exhibit, “Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons,” is underway at the Annette and Irwin Eskind Biomedical Library at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Cates lands grant to study desmoid tumor genetic factors
Apr. 16, 2015—The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF) has awarded Justin Cates, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, with one of its five research grants for his work studying growth/recurrence determinants related to genetic factors in desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) patients.
Tissue regulation expert Nusse set for next Discovery Lecture
Apr. 16, 2015—Roel Nusse, Ph.D., an expert in the regulation of tissue growth and development by Wnt signaling pathways, will deliver the next Flexner Discovery Lecture on Thursday, April 23.
VU team’s cattle research may yield lung disease clues
Apr. 15, 2015—Vanderbilt University researchers have found a genetic mutation that causes pulmonary hypertension in cattle grazed at high altitude, and which leads to a life-threatening condition called brisket disease.
Remembering Levi Watkins Jr.
Apr. 13, 2015—Andre Churchwell, M.D., George Hill, Ph.D., Kevin Johnson, M.D., and John Tarpley, M.D., reflect on the life and legacy of Levi Watkins Jr., M.D.
