Research

March 12, 2015

Gene mutations may predict melanoma response to immunotherapies

Melanoma patients whose tumors test positive for mutations in the NRAS gene were more likely to benefit from new immunotherapy drugs, according to a new study led by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) investigators.

By VUMC News and Communications
March 3, 2015

Study shows poor heart function could be major Alzheimer’s disease risk

A healthier heart could prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By VUMC News and Communications
February 26, 2015

Studies show human antibodies can fight lethal Marburg virus

Researchers at Vanderbilt University, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and The Scripps Research Institute for the first time have shown how human antibodies can neutralize the Marburg virus, a close cousin to Ebola.

By Bill Snyder
sick child
February 26, 2015

Respiratory viruses are main childhood pneumonia culprit: Study

Respiratory viruses, not bacterial infections, are the most commonly detected causes of community-acquired pneumonia in children, according to new research released Feb. 26 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

By Christina Echegaray
February 26, 2015

Cancer survival improvements vary by age, race

Improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment have led to longer survival for most cancer patients in the United States. However, the improvement in survival was substantially greater among younger patients and those who are white in most of the cancers studied, according to new research by Vanderbilt University investigators.

By VUMC News and Communications
February 20, 2015

Tiny model of diabetes

Vanderbilt University researchers have created a zebrafish model of skeletal muscle insulin resistance that could help improve diabetes treatment.

By Bill Snyder
February 19, 2015

‘Stretched’ cells promote cancer

Mechanical stress appears to be a critical factor in activating normal tissue-associated fibroblasts to generate cancer-associated fibroblasts.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 19, 2015

Vitamin D found to have no impact on blood pressure

Despite prior epidemiologic and experimental data to the contrary, new research shows that vitamin D supplementation does not reduce blood pressure in individuals with prehypertension or stage I hypertension and vitamin D deficiency.
By Kathy Whitney
February 12, 2015

VU study explores inflammation, hypertension link

The evidence is increasing: the immune system and inflammation are key contributors to high blood pressure.
By Bill Snyder
January 22, 2015

New signaling pathway provides clues to obesity

A Vanderbilt University-led research team has discovered a molecular “rheostat” in the brain’s appetite control center that may provide new insights into obesity, which is at epidemic levels in this country.
By Bill Snyder
January 15, 2015

New drugs approved to fight idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The Vanderbilt Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Center played a key role in testing the first two drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
By Kathy Whitney
December 18, 2014

Atrial disease and hypertension links

New findings suggest that misfolded proteins accumulate in the heart atria, particularly in patients with hypertension, and may contribute to atrial heart disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 16, 2014

Retinal neuron survival in glaucoma

Understanding how the protein TRPV1 helps neurons survive after glaucoma-related stressors could lead to new therapeutic strategies for glaucoma and other neurodegenerative conditions.
By Leigh MacMillan