Research

December 17, 2024

Immune-suppressing drug does not improve COVID-19 recovery: study

Previous studies suggested that fostamatinib may suppress inflammatory responses triggered by COVID-19 and mitigate ongoing lung injury, decreasing mortality and oxygen requirements.

By Bill Snyder
December 16, 2024

There goes the sun

Too much screen time might leave little darling deficient in vitamin D.

By Paul Govern
(iStock image)
December 16, 2024

VUMC awarded $26.4 million for patient-centered research

The awards support research efforts to identify optimal approaches to improving health care and health outcomes for patients, families and the community.

By Bill Snyder
December 11, 2024

Study uses AI to cast light on harmful drug-drug interactions

Using AI, a team identified a gap in post-market drug safety: not all published reports of dangerous drug interactions are taken up by recognized purveyors of drug safety information.

By Paul Govern
December 11, 2024

Vanderbilt joins national effort to develop alphavirus vaccines

The project aims to design computational “tool kits” that can speed development of multi-virus vaccines targeting some of the greatest infectious threats to human health.

By Bill Snyder and Herschel Pollard
December 10, 2024

Study identifies that higher West African ancestry may contribute to worse breast cancer outcomes 

The study found that West African genetic ancestry was associated with shorter disease-free survival, particularly for women with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer.

By Tom Wilemon
December 10, 2024

Therapy for genetic epilepsy in children showing promise

Preliminary results of a clinical trial of 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) “show a significant reduction in seizure activity among participants.”
By Bill Snyder
December 5, 2024

VUMC to study effect of breathing tube size on breathing, speaking, swallowing

Approximately 1% of the U.S. population — 2 million to 3 million adults — experience critical illness requiring the placement of a breathing tube each year.
By Nancy Humphrey
November 27, 2024

New research points way to more reliable brain studies

A new study in Nature identifies research strategies for tying brain function and structure to behavior and health.
By Paul Govern
November 27, 2024

Vanderbilt scientists discover shared genetic foundations between musical rhythm and human language

The study revealed overlapping genetic underpinnings between rhythm-related skills and language-related traits, including dyslexia.
By Danny Bonvissuto
November 26, 2024

What’s all the tuft about?

Vanderbilt researchers used advanced imaging techniques to detail the microscopic structure of intestinal tuft cells, highlighting their unique organization of the structural protein actin.
By Amanda Ruelas
November 26, 2024

Novel genetics approach enhances discovery of disease risk genes

VUMC researchers applied the new approach to large GWAS datasets for breast, prostate and lung cancers, and three brain disorders.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 25, 2024

Potential treatment eyed for abnormal blood cell disorder

Research could lead to improved diagnosis and the first effective treatment for the disorder, called “clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential,” or CHIP. 
By Bill Snyder