Research

December 12, 2025

Lucy Spalluto and Jennifer Lewis awarded $1 million lung cancer screening grant

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with incidence higher in veterans compared to the civilian population.

By Derek Scancarelli
(iStock)
December 10, 2025

Study finds that meditation may help stimulate the brain’s waste removal system, providing restorative benefits like sleep

New research is informing how mindfulness meditation contributes to improvements in cognitive health and may have relevance to treating a range of degenerative brain conditions.

By Evan Dorian
December 10, 2025

Sedative choice could improve outcomes for breathing tube patients

It’s the first study to demonstrate cardiovascular risks of high doses of ketamine (low blood pressure, arrhythmia), side effects that have not been well studied in the past.

By Craig Boerner
(iStock image)
December 8, 2025

Interim data reported for multiple myeloma off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy  

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center accrued the most patients nationwide for the clinical trial for P-BCMA-ALLO1 – a chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) derived from healthy donors’ white blood cells.

By Tom Wilemon
December 3, 2025

Large-scale integration of genomics, proteomics and clinical records identifies cancer risk proteins and potential therapeutics

A new study identifies previously unreported protein biomarkers and candidate drug targets across six major cancer types and highlights approved drugs with potential cancer preventive effects.

By Leigh MacMillan
An initiative at VUMC is helping patients recover more quickly from major surgery, leave the hospital earlier and have fewer side effects from their pain management. (photo by Joe Howell)
December 2, 2025

Ketamine fails surgical recovery trial

In a large, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, the pain reliever ketamine posed side effects while failing to aid patient recovery after major surgery.

By Paul Govern
December 2, 2025

Women who receive mammograms also undergo lung scans if notified of eligibility

Study showed that the improvement in lung cancer screenings exceeded the target enrollment set by the researchers.
By Tom Wilemon
December 2, 2025

Study seeks to determine best way to treat myopia in children

Researchers hope to slow the progression of this chronic eye disease that affects approximately 40% of the U.S. population.
By Jessica Pasley
December 1, 2025

Timothy Sterling receives $5.7 million to study tuberculosis transmission

Using molecular and other data from both the bacterial and human sides of the equation, a multi-institutional team will develop prediction models of TB transmission.
By Paul Govern
November 26, 2025

Protein plays dual roles in repairing damaged kidney

These findings were unexpected and demonstrate that the actin cytoskeleton repairs cell organelles like mitochondria in a regulated way.
By Bill Snyder
November 20, 2025

New pediatric acute care ‘atlas’ can supercharge research, policy, strategy

The study draws on more than 28 million acute care encounters to map out pediatric hospital service areas across the U.S.
By Jake Lowary
November 17, 2025

New grant supports epilepsy study in Africa’s Sahel region

In this area, treatment gaps affect up to 96% of patients, leaving millions without care. The project is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH. 
By Kristin Centers
November 13, 2025

VUMC’s Wesley Ely inducted into the American Academy of Sciences and Letters

Established in 2023, the academy honors outstanding scholarly achievements reflecting “independence of mind and intellectual courage” in the arts, sciences and learned professions.
By Bill Snyder