Reporter Feb 17 2017
A target to heal tiny lungs
Feb. 23, 2017—The protein beta-catenin may be a good target for therapies to treat lung disease that is a common complication of preterm birth.
Risk of death in sickle cell disease
Feb. 22, 2017—Two factors commonly used to evaluate patients with sickle cell disease are associated with each other and can predict increased mortality, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
Laughing gas for labor
Feb. 21, 2017—Although nitrous oxide was less effective than epidural anesthesia for pain management during labor, mothers who used nitrous oxide were equally satisfied with their childbirth experience.
Improving therapies for GI tumors
Feb. 20, 2017—A signaling protein overexpressed in upper gastrointestinal cancers is an attractive therapeutic target.
Geiger’s focus on the small details serves patients well
Feb. 16, 2017—Neat stacks of paper are lined up on the desk of Timothy Geiger, M.D., with each stack representing a challenge. For example, one sheet has a flow chart sketched on it — Geiger’s musing on ways to more efficiently use Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s (VUMC) operating rooms, matching the best locations with case types and surgical teams.
New technique helps ease ear tumor surgery
Feb. 16, 2017—Last fall, the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center became the second facility in the country and third in the world to use a fully endoscopic surgical technique to remove an acoustic neuroma, a rare benign tumor on the balance and hearing nerves.
Protocol standardizes care for pregnant women on opiates
Feb. 16, 2017—Complications related to opioid abuse occur in 54,000 pregnancies annually in the United States, and Tennessee ranks among the top 10 states in the number of opioid-dependent pregnant women.
International patients finding their way to Bill Wilkerson Center
Feb. 16, 2017—Patients are coming to the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center from around the globe, discovering the center’s world-class services through social media. One such person is Sophia Pafitis, who traveled to Vanderbilt last year from the Australian island of Tasmania.
EpicLeap Excellence
Feb. 16, 2017—Recently, two Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) colleagues — Karen Hughart and Jerry Batte — were recognized with the LEAP Award, which honors people making extraordinary contributions to EpicLeap’s success.
Team’s study uncovers cellular responses to bird flu vaccine
Feb. 16, 2017—New research from Vanderbilt University eavesdrops on gene expression in human immune system cells before and after vaccination against bird flu.
Neurologist Dalmau set for next Discovery Lecture
Feb. 16, 2017—Josep Dalmau, M.D., Ph.D., renowned for his studies of immune disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord, will deliver the next Flexner Discovery Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 23.
Seacrest family visit
Feb. 16, 2017—Gary, Connie and Meredith Seacrest recently made their first trip back to Seacrest Studios since opening the multimedia broadcast facility at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt last March.
