Research

August 16, 2024

Rare diseases point to connections between metabolism and immunity

Science Immunology study suggests a new class of inborn errors of immunometabolism and could improve care for patients with these complex diseases.

By Leigh MacMillan
(iStock)
August 13, 2024

VUMC, DOD join forces for a hantavirus antibody “sprint”

VUMC’s antibody collaboration with the DOD goes back to 2018, when the medical center signed a five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop protective treatments that can be rushed to health care providers within weeks after a viral outbreak.

By Bill Snyder
August 13, 2024

$3.4 million research grant targets risk of heart attack, stroke

Making innovative use of observational data, researchers hope to gain new understanding of patient risk and identify existing drugs to lower risk.

By Paul Govern
August 7, 2024

Epigenetic change to DNA associated with cancer risk in ‘multiomics’ study

The new study identifies 4,248 CpG sites associated with the risk of seven different types of cancer: breast, colorectal, renal cell, lung, ovarian, prostate and testicular germ cell cancers.

By Leigh MacMillan
(Canva)
August 6, 2024

Guide to a healthier, longer life: Get up and get moving

In a study of predominantly low-income and Black Americans ages 65 and older, the researchers found that those with the longest “sitting time” — more than 10 hours a day — had the highest mortality risk.

By Bill Snyder
Three-dimensional imaging of kidney tubules (yellow and green noodle-like structures) under low potassium conditions, which puts the kidney into a state of metabolic overdrive and causes cardiovascular problems.
August 5, 2024

Low potassium ‘turns on’ kidney proximal tubule: study

A kidney protein that responds to low levels of blood potassium — which can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems — may be a target for new therapeutics.

By Leigh MacMillan
August 2, 2024

White matter may aid recovery from spinal cord injuries: study

The research could lead to treatments that restore nerve activity through the targeted delivery of electromagnetic stimuli or drugs.
By Bill Snyder
July 29, 2024

Study sheds new light on autism, but there’s more work to be done

A target of their investigations is serotonin, a signaling molecule that is well known for its critical roles in regulating mood and which also plays an important role in the development of the brain and nervous system.
By Bill Snyder
July 25, 2024

New study to explore infection response in diabetes

With a $3 million research grant, Henrique Serezani will investigate how altered metabolism in diabetes affects inflammation and sepsis.
By Paul Govern
July 24, 2024

Study links low-quality sleep with chronic disease

The research shows that by getting enough sleep and reducing variability around sleep onset and wake times, patients can reduce the incidence of chronic disease.
By Matt Batcheldor
July 23, 2024

VUMC joins $31 million project to speed new TB therapies

Sweeping data integration and clinical trial simulations are needed to help decide which targets to prioritize in researching new tuberculosis treatment regimens.
By Paul Govern
July 22, 2024

Opioid treatment can avoid foster care placement: study

If women are given medications to treat opioid use disorder during their pregnancy they are significantly more likely to retain custody of their newborns after delivery
By Bill Snyder
July 18, 2024

AI could help patients ask better questions of their care teams 

AI has proven better than doctors at drafting responses to written questions from patients. A new study suggests even greater advantages in using AI to help patients write more effective messages to their care teams.
By Paul Govern