Research

July 1, 2019

Benzodiazepine use with opioids intensifies neonatal abstinence syndrome

Babies born after being exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines before birth are more likely to have severe drug withdrawal, requiring medications like morphine for treatment, compared to infants exposed to opioids alone.

By Holly Fletcher
June 26, 2019

Biomarkers of DNA methylation can be a predictor of breast cancer risk

Biomarkers of DNA methylation, which regulate gene expression, can be a predictor of breast cancer risk.

By Tom Wilemon
David Morrison, MD, and colleagues are studying whether to implant an artificial intraocular lens or fit a contact lens over a baby’s cornea after cataract surgery.
June 26, 2019

Study explores treatment options for babies with cataracts

Cataracts are uncommon in babies but when they occur the cloudy lenses must be removed without delay or blindness may result.

By Bill Snyder
June 26, 2019

Researchers explore perceptions of touch in people with autism

Is the sense of touch perceived differently in people without autism?

By Kelsey Herbers
June 24, 2019

Early detection of schizophrenia

Inhibited temperament — a tendency to respond to novelty with wariness, fear or caution — may be a risk factor for schizophrenia that could be targeted for preventative interventions.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 24, 2019

Fish oil and cancer prevention

Fish oil supplementation provides a modest but beneficial effect on reducing molecules associated with colorectal cancer development.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 20, 2019

Awards honor profound impact of research staff

Laboratory and administrative personnel at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were honored last week for research excellence during the 15th annual Research Staff Awards luncheon at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville.
By Bill Snyder
June 20, 2019

ABIM Foundation honors VUMC-authored paper

The ABIM Foundation has awarded the 2019 John A. Benson Jr., MD Professionalism Article Prize to five scholarly articles — one commentary and four research pieces — that explore physician burnout, unprofessional behavior and integrity in research.
By Kathy Whitney
June 20, 2019

Microbiome links diet to health

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that the gut microbiome composition modulates how dietary nutrients are metabolized, with potential downstream consequences on metabolic health.
By Niyati Vachharajani
June 20, 2019

Potential probe for early ovarian cancer

Larry Marnett and colleagues have developed what may become the first agent for targeted PET imaging of cancer tissues, such as ovarian cancer, that express high levels of the COX-1 enzyme.
By Anivarya Kumar
June 18, 2019

Study identifies critical regulator of tumor-specific T cell differentiation

A study published June 17 in Nature offers clues as to why blocking inhibitory receptors on tumor-infiltrating T cells may not always work
By Tom Wilemon
June 14, 2019

New method tested to block chikungunya infection

Scientists are testing a new way to fight chikungunya virus that involves injecting genetic material into the bodies of infected and at-risk individuals to trigger rapid production of potent, virus-neutralizing antibodies.
By Bill Snyder
June 13, 2019

Cardiac toxicity risk factors identified with relapsed multiple myeloma therapy

More than half of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with carfilzomib experienced cardiac issues during treatment, according to a multi-institutional study published June 12 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
By Tom Wilemon