Research

February 3, 2025

Digital pathology aims to unlock secrets hidden in tissue samples

The pilot project, which is expected to digitize 500,000 slides over three years, aims to open avenues for research, assist with access to whole-slide images for education and clinical meetings (of tumor boards, for example), and facilitate planning for the implementation of digital pathology for diagnostic purposes. 

By Leigh MacMillan (video by Erin O. Smith and Donn Jones)
(iStock)
February 3, 2025

VUMC study takes closer look at how pulmonary fibrosis unfolds

The research could point to future therapeutic strategies that treat PF patients based on their individual stage of cellular and molecular remodeling.

By Nancy Humphrey
(iStock image)
January 28, 2025

Inherited gene elevates prostate cancer risk in affected families

The inherited mutated gene WNT9B, which functions normally in embryonic prostate development, increases risk of adult prostate cancer.

By Craig Boerner
January 27, 2025

Personalized, image-guided approach to programming may improve music perception abilities for patients with cochlear implants

As research in cochlear implant stimulation expands to include music perception, clearing up channel interaction remains the focal point as audiologists aim to customize how electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve to improve patients’ ability to hear music.

By Evan Dorian
(iStock)
January 23, 2025

$20 million grant supports sweeping study of human viruses

Most of the more than 200 species of viruses known to reside in humans remain poorly understood, and new ones are being discovered every few months.

By Paul Govern
January 23, 2025

Eric Skaar wins National Academy of Sciences award

Skaar, who directs the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, is being recognized for “pioneering work at the intersection of nutrition and infectious diseases.”

By Leigh MacMillan
January 22, 2025

Presidential awards recognize early career researchers

The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers in the early stages of their research careers.
By Paul Govern
January 15, 2025

Study in multiancestry populations uncovers new insights into breast cancer genetics 

The study identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not previously reported.
By Tom Wilemon
January 15, 2025

Alzheimer’s study details abnormal gene expression tied to blood vessel growth

The study sets out how gene expression that drives the formation of new blood vessels exhibits different patterns, cell by cell, in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
By Paul Govern
January 8, 2025

Study suggests a new way to treat incurable lung disease

IPF is one of the most common forms of pulmonary fibrosis, an interstitial lung disease characterized by the progressive accumulation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the epithelial lining of the airways.
By Bill Snyder
January 6, 2025

VUMC study shows identifying changes in vision may be sufficient to diagnose mild TBI

In both military and civilian populations, when TBI patients are asked to fill out a symptom inventory, about 80% of them will self-report difficulty reading or other vision problems.
By Nancy Humphrey
January 3, 2025

AI tested for alerting clinicians of suicide risk at three VUMC clinics

At neurology clinics the system was used to flag 8% of arriving patients as having relatively high risk for suicide attempt in the next 30 days.
By Paul Govern
December 19, 2024

Proteomic signature a key to early detection of fatty liver disease: study

Currently, methods to detect early, obesity-related accumulation of fat in the liver other than a liver biopsy — the surgical removal of liver tissue for microscopic examination — are limited. But there is hope.
By Bill Snyder