A recent study by UArizona Health Sciences researchers found hazardous alcohol use increased monthly for those under stay-at-home orders. Younger people were the most susceptible to increased alcohol use during the pandemic, which could set them on the path toward long-term alcohol dependence.
A University of Arizona Health Sciences study is testing COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness among college students and frontline workers. Researchers will investigate vaccine efficacy in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, occupation, and health status.
A University of Arizona Health Sciences study estimates the total lifetime costs of valley fever for 10,359 patients in 2019 to be $736 million. The disease, caused by Coccidioides fungi, has increased prevalence and currently lacks a preventative vaccine or therapy.
The Arizona Rural EMS Advanced Telemedicine Demonstration Initiative (AzREADI) provides rural EMS responders with real-time consultations with board-certified EMS physicians. This improves the time from symptom onset to treatment, especially for stroke or traumatic brain injury cases.
A three-year study will examine how being a firefighter affects women's stress levels and their risk of cancer and reproductive toxicity. The study aims to identify potential differences between incumbent and new recruits to help make jobs safer.
A novel T cell genetically engineered by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers targets and attacks pathogenic T cells that cause Type 1 diabetes. The 5MCAR T cells, which mimic the evolutionary design of natural killer T cells, were tested in a non-obese diabetic mouse model with promising results.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine is developing a lung ultrasound education program for rural emergency medicine providers to better diagnose COVID-19. Lung ultrasound can be particularly useful in rural EDs due to limited access to COVID-19 testing and the disparate impact of COVID-19 on rural populations.
A clinical trial combining a personalized cancer vaccine with Pembrolizumab has reported a 50% response rate for patients with head and neck cancer, significantly higher than previous trials without the vaccine. The preliminary data, presented by Dr. Julie Bauman, is promising and suggests the treatment is safe and tolerable.
Dr. Donna D. Zhang's research focuses on harnessing nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 to prevent or treat arsenic-induced diseases. She aims to identify new pharmaceuticals to address adverse health effects resulting from arsenic exposure.
Researchers at UArizona Health Sciences have identified a biomarker, MiR130b, that appears in patients before stomach cancer develops. The biomarker can be detected through a simple blood test, potentially saving time and lowering costs compared to current diagnostic procedures.
Researchers studied antibody production in nearly 6,000 people and found high-quality antibodies still being produced five to seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunity is stable for at least five months, and may last much longer.
Researchers led by Dr. Alicia Allen will investigate how hormones influence postpartum opioid relapse and explore their potential use as a preventive measure. The goal is to identify protective hormones and develop a hormonally-based intervention to prevent postpartum opioid relapse.
Researchers found that 91% of patients with limited stage DLBCL who received no radiation were alive five years after treatment. A PET scan after three cycles of R-CHOP can determine if patients need additional chemotherapy or radiation. This approach may improve patient outcomes and reduce toxicity.
Researchers have identified a new target for creating flavivirus vaccines by targeting specific locations on the virus. This approach aims to remove memory B cells from the vaccination equation and avoid antibody-dependent enhancement of infection, which can result in more severe symptoms.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2's spike protein can suppress pain signaling pathways, leading to reduced pain relief in COVID-19 patients. This discovery may help explain why many people with COVID-19 experience few or no symptoms despite being contagious.
Researchers found that green light exposure reduced headache days per month by an average of about 60%, with most participants experiencing a more than 50% reduction. The study also improved patients' quality of life, including sleep and work abilities, with no reported side effects.
Researchers at UArizona aim to reduce devastating effects of acute ischemic stroke by developing therapeutic treatments for acute stroke using statins. The study focuses on delivering statins to the brain, where their neuroprotective properties may save damaged tissue.
Dr. Emmanuel Katsanis is studying a new chemotherapy treatment for patients with blood-related cancers who undergo a specific type of bone marrow transplant procedure. The treatment, known as haploidentical BMT, has shown promising results in improving survival rates and reducing post-transplant complications.
Researchers at UArizona Health Sciences are developing a novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the DYRK1A enzyme. This approach aims to prevent or reverse the progression of the devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Preliminary tests have shown significant reductions in cognitive decline and disease development.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix is leading an effort to develop a portable device that can easily and accurately detect biological threats, including COVID-19. The device, which combines polymerase chain reaction and antibody testing methods, aims to provide rapid diagnostic testing for a broad range of pathogens.
A recent study by the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that Native Americans do not have inherently higher cigarette use rates, contrary to long-held stereotypes. After adjusting for income and education levels, white Americans were more likely to use cigarettes daily and be nicotine dependent.
Researchers at UArizona College of Medicine identified prolactin as a key factor in women's pain sensitivity. The study suggests new therapies targeting the prolactin system could greatly benefit women suffering from functional pain syndromes, such as migraines and fibromyalgia.
Researchers have identified calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as a link between traumatic brain injuries and post-concussion headaches. A preclinical study found that administering an anti-CGRP treatment before or after injury significantly reduced pain responses and prevented reactivated headaches.
The University of Arizona Cancer Center is developing new strategies to prevent squamous cell carcinoma, the second most-common form of non-melanoma skin cancer. The $6.9m grant will assess the importance of a novel immune protein and test topical drugs to inhibit its action.
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science has received a $1.6 million grant to apply big data analytics and computational modeling to better understand Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to identify patient-specific therapeutic targets and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drug combinations.
A new study suggests freestanding emergency departments can lead to increased health-care costs and out-of-pocket spending for patients. Researchers analyzed insurance claims data from four states and found that entry of a freestanding emergency department was associated with a 3.6% increase in estimated out-of-pocket payments for emer...
A study led by the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix found that elevated levels of IL-36y are associated with bacterial vaginosis. The researchers also discovered that infection with BV-associated bacteria induces IL-36y in a species-specific manner.
The University of Arizona Cancer Center has been awarded $6.85 million to continue its efforts in cancer research, training, and outreach programs serving Arizona Native American communities. The new funding extends the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) partnership for five years through 2024.
The study aims to understand how infectious, psychological and physical stressors impact the immune system, lifespan and aging process in humans. By using domestic mice co-housed with lab mice, researchers hope to develop new insights into guarding against reactivation of cytomegalovirus late in life.
Researchers discovered that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-36? plays a crucial role in protecting against the spread of herpes virus to the nervous system. This finding could lead to improved therapeutics for genital herpes, affecting millions of women worldwide.
A new blood self-collection device has been developed to quickly estimate a person's exposure to radiation in the event of a nuclear accident or attack. The device, which can process samples in a centralized lab, could help triage emergency medical treatment and alleviate a sample collection bottleneck.
A University of Arizona health sciences researcher is working to identify effective strategies for preventing healthcare-associated infections. The study aims to inform hospital-cleaning protocols and ultimately protect patients and healthcare workers from serious infections.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have shown that Aliskiren, a FDA-approved drug, can delay the progression of congestive heart failure and lengthen survival rates in properly identified patients. The study used non-invasive technology to evaluate changes in muscle mass and fluid retention over time.
A new study has found that initiating antibiotics immediately before obtaining blood cultures significantly affects their sensitivity and ability to diagnose bacterial and fungal infections. This change in guidelines may reduce mortality rates from sepsis, a life-threatening condition with a 20% mortality rate.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Cancer Center successfully repeated findings from a study that challenged current approaches to colon cancer treatment. The team validated therapeutic targeting of LRP6 as a potential strategy for blocking progression of colon cancer, offering new hope for patient care.
Researchers used stem cells to investigate the impact of e-liquids on cardiovascular disease, revealing that cinnamon and menthol flavors are the most toxic. The study found that acute exposure to flavored e-liquids worsens endothelial dysfunction, which often precedes cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a 'metabolic fingerprint' that distinguishes patients with cervical cancer from healthy women. The study identified three compounds that distinguish cervical cancer patients from healthy women, showing promise for future diagnostics, interventions or therapies.
The University of Arizona Health Sciences has received a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a unique training program for a diverse pool of scientists, addressing the nation's Alzheimer's research needs. The AZ-TRADD program aims to cultivate expertise-diverse teams to develop therapeutics and treatments.
A recent grant award of $5.9 million will focus on identifying sex-specific mechanisms driving Alzheimer's disease and developing novel therapeutics for women and men. The study, led by Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton, seeks to define biochemical pathways leading to sex differences in the disease.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified the biological process behind pontocerebellar hypoplasia type Ib, a deadly disease affecting infants. They believe their discovery could lead to the development of a drug to stop the disease progression and improve treatment options.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified multiple subpopulations of cardiomyocytes expressing specific transcription factors, which could lead to better repair of heart muscle injuries. The study uses a systems-based approach encompassing single-cell transcriptomics, single-cell proteomics and CRISPR gene-editing.
A team of University of Arizona researchers discovered a protein called WIF-1 that might increase survival in glioblastoma patients. Long-term survivors rely on genes that suppress the Wnt signaling pathway, which fuels tumor growth. The study aims to create a drug targeting this pathway for more precise treatment.
The University of Arizona is providing training and certification for sexual assault nurse examiners in rural areas to expand services to victims. The three-year grant will cover the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands.
A team of UA researchers discovered a previously unknown genetic effect that can raise or reduce the risk of coronary artery disease or ischemic stroke. People with the beneficial version of the genetic factor have less inflammatory cells lining their blood vessels, making them more resistant to building up plaque.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are working on a groundbreaking study to regenerate long bone segments using 3D printing and adult stem cells. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for military personnel with devastating injuries, where current surgical treatments often fail.
A University of Arizona researcher is working on a potential treatment strategy targeting cardiac fibroblasts responsible for excessive collagen production in the heart. The goal is to prevent progression to heart failure by slowing down the overproduction of scar tissue.
Researchers have identified potential drug targets for rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting mostly children. A new compound, adavosertib, showed promising results when combined with chemotherapy.
UA pharmacologists aim to prevent opioid tolerance by targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate, a lipid that may induce opioid sensitivity. Fingolimod, an existing medication for multiple sclerosis, shows promise as a potential solution.
A study demonstrates that pulse wave velocity shows promise as a measurement to monitor blood pressure levels. Continuous, cuffless and non-invasive monitoring using wearable patches could provide an inexpensive option for patients with high blood pressure.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are testing green light therapy for controlling HIV-related neuropathic pain, showing a 60% reduction in patient pain. The therapy may also have potential benefits for other types of pain and provide a safer alternative to opioids.