The University of Oklahoma is developing an AI-driven framework to predict tree failures before extreme weather events. The TREE-CARE project will integrate advanced technologies with local knowledge to develop solutions that directly benefit communities.
American Indian and Alaska Native residents in Oklahoma face significant cancer disparities due to barriers in accessing lifesaving cancer care. A new care coordination and communication program aims to address these challenges by facilitating virtual huddles between healthcare teams.
Alex Arreola, a University of Oklahoma health doctoral student, has received a National Cancer Institute grant to investigate the mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, a severe weight loss syndrome prevalent in pancreatic cancer patients. He aims to understand how tumors promote early-stage weight loss and explore potential treatments.
University of Oklahoma mechanical engineering professor Dong Zhang is leading efforts to advance EV battery technologies, exploring advances in battery mechanisms and chemistries. His NSF-funded work aims to develop physics-based models to predict the performance of battery cells with silicon-graphite composite material.
A University of Oklahoma study found that acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) lowered the likelihood of a transfusion by 27%, reducing blood use and costs. The technique preserved platelet functionality, allowing patients to recover more effectively after surgery.
Bentz will investigate how maternal hormones shape behavior across generations in House sparrows, with implications for understanding animal adaptation. The research aims to identify gene networks that respond to early testosterone exposure and track changes from development through adulthood.
Compound heat and air pollution episodes are becoming more frequent and intense in US cities, posing a significant threat to public health. The study found that urban areas experience more frequent overlaps of extreme heat with harmful air pollutants than surrounding rural areas.
A new $3 million grant will help researchers evaluate the long-term value of integrating natural systems into infrastructure planning. The project aims to advance natural infrastructure applications by developing and monitoring technologies, such as unoccupied aerial systems equipped with advanced sensors to collect environmental data.
A recent study published in Nature Communications provides a comprehensive characterization of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (LCNEC), a rare and aggressive type of lung cancer. The research team analyzed data from 590 patients and found that LCNEC shares features with other types of lung cancer, yet has distinct aspects. They ide...
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the amylin hormone, which controls appetite and blood sugar. Their findings provide new tools for drug development, enabling pharmaceutical companies to target specific receptors with greater precision.
The University of Oklahoma's smoking cessation app Smart-T has shown significant promise in a clinical trial, with users nearly twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those using the QuitGuide app. Participants who used Smart-T also reported higher satisfaction and more frequent use of nicotine therapy.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the effect of cannabis use on facial wound healing in head and neck cancer patients. The study aims to determine whether cannabis smoking negatively affects wound healing, with potential implications for other types of surgery and conditions.
Motolani Adedipe, a University of Oklahoma professor, has been awarded a Fulbright to conduct research on improving quality of life for prostate cancer survivors in South Korea. Her mixed-methods approach focuses on community engagement and will inform digital health innovation.
University of Oklahoma Associate Professor Dustin Condren has been named a 2025-2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar to conduct archival research on Soviet films from the 1920s and 1930s in Germany.
Associate professor Hayley Lanier will conduct evolutionary genomics research in Czech Republic to study how animal populations adapt to climate change and habitat shifts. Her goal is to predict which populations can adapt or are more vulnerable to change to inform conservation efforts.
A University of Oklahoma researcher has made a breakthrough discovery about Friedreich’s ataxia genetic defect, revealing that the sequence isn’t always uniform as previously thought. This finding could lead to changes in diagnosis and treatment, including a milder version of the disease with slower progression.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma investigate the overlap between cognitive decline caused by chemotherapy and aging, discovering decreased blood flow, disrupted blood-brain barriers, and senescent cells. Removing these cells with senolytics can improve cerebral blood flow, cognition, and overall brain health.
A new study found that excessive oleic acid in olive oil drives fat cell growth, increasing the risk of obesity. High levels of oleic acid stimulate the proliferation of precursor cells that form new fat cells, leading to a larger capacity for storing excess nutrients.
Moleculera Biosciences, a precision medicine company, is attracting investors with its technology developed by the University of Oklahoma. The company's diagnostic tests have helped properly diagnose over 16,000 patients and have shown remarkable recoveries in those affected by autoimmune disorders.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma discovered that FGF21 can reverse fatty liver disease in mice by sending signals to both the brain and liver. The study provides valuable insight into the mechanism of action of FGF21, a target for a new class of highly anticipated drugs.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma have made significant breakthroughs in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs), addressing challenges in manufacturing and efficiency. A new approach eliminates cerium-based materials, allowing pure barium zirconate-based electrolytes to remain stable at record-low temperatures.
University of Oklahoma researchers have developed a method to add a single carbon atom to drug molecules, increasing chemical diversity without compromising sensitive structures. This technique, called skeletal editing, has the potential to revolutionize DNA-encoded library technology and reduce healthcare costs.
University of Oklahoma researchers discovered ZIP4 protein drives glioblastoma progression through extracellular vesicles and reprogrammed microglial plasticity. The study identifies ZIP4 and TREM1 as promising therapeutic targets for treating aggressive brain cancer.
The Pediatric Pandemic Network will now have a hub site in all 10 federal regions, with Oklahoma Children's Hospital leading efforts in Region 6. The hospital will enhance pediatric preparedness and readiness in urban and rural areas, focusing on rural and Native populations.
Research from the University of Oklahoma suggests that women with adequate iron levels in their blood perform better on cognitive tasks during menopause. Having enough iron does not necessarily mean accumulating more iron in the brain, which is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
University of Oklahoma researchers create bioactive sugars to develop novel antibiotics against multi-drug-resistant infections in cancer patients. By using abundant, inexpensive, iron or metal-free, non-toxic blue light, the team can more easily and rapidly synthesize these important carbohydrates.
A new study from the University of Oklahoma is targeting cell communication in the hunt for therapies to slow macular degeneration. The research team is studying how cells in the retina communicate and whether the messages they send could be programmed to treat or slow AMD.
The center aims to reduce school absences by understanding the health impacts of environmental exposures on rural and agricultural communities. The team will develop a Children's Health and Social Vulnerability Index to assess health needs and guide comprehensive interventions.
Researchers found that cortisol levels were lower in survivors, while heart rate and blood pressure responses were altered. Interleukin 1B was significantly higher, suggesting potential long-term health problems despite healthy symptoms.
Eight hospitals, including Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, receive funding to refine discharge processes for mothers and babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome. The program aims to provide continuity of care through prenatally-based education and post-discharge support.
A clinical trial has shown that administering clotting factor concentrate (4F-PCC) significantly reduces the risk of severe bleeding after major open-heart surgery. This innovative treatment approach offers a more effective alternative to frozen plasma for managing surgical bleeding.
A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that breast milk from mothers with gestational diabetes has a unique composition that benefits their infant children. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes experience faster linear growth, lower fat percentages, and reduced weight gain.
Brandi Fink's Personal Alcohol Management System (PALMS) uses iPad-based assessments to identify patients with an alcohol use disorder and provide personalized feedback. The system has shown promise in improving patient-provider discussions and reducing drinking levels, with plans for integration into electronic health records.
Patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancers face a higher risk of death from the cancer if they wait more than 42 days after diagnosis to have surgery. Delayed surgery increases the patient's risk exponentially, with risks of death increasing by 21%, 79%, and 183% at 60, 90, and 120 days, respectively.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are using a new $2 million grant to study the mechanisms of polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a family of genetic disorders causing clusters of cysts on the kidney. By identifying genes and proteins responsible for PKD, they aim to develop novel therapies.
A new study published in Liver International found that a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy can lead to liver stress and changes in the fetus's bile acid levels. This may be a key factor in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) later in life.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences has achieved its highest ever ranking in National Institutes of Health funding, improving its ranking to 102 out of 2,838 institutions and receiving $75.2 million in funding. The college's faculty members conduct numerous types of research across various academic departments.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is developing a new coding language and computing infrastructure to tackle the increasing complexity of big data. The goal is to create more efficient algorithms for processing sparse and irregular data, which are challenging to manage using traditional tools.
A new study discovered rare gene variants in Asian Indian people that increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, providing a window into targeted treatment. The findings suggest that these variants can be used to create personalized medications that target specific proteins or pathways.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma have discovered a way to stabilize quantum dots, enabling continuous emission at room temperature. This breakthrough could make quantum computing and communication devices more efficient, cheaper, and appealing.
A recent Lancet article revealed that durvalumab combined with radiation therapy offers no benefits for patients with head and neck cancer who cannot receive cisplatin. However, a new clinical trial is underway to test the use of a heavy metal to enhance radiation therapy, providing potential new options for these patients.
A new study published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment finds that Arctic cyclones may contribute to the underpredicted decline of sea ice extent. The research suggests two theories: turbulent seas breaking up larger ice floes and upwelling increasing temperatures that help melt younger, thinner ice.
A recent study emphasizes the urgent need to address bias in generative AI systems, which can distort outcomes and erode public trust. The research suggests that developing and deploying ethical, explainable AI is crucial to ensure fairness and transparency in critical decision-making areas.
Cardiac arrhythmia disrupts heart rhythm due to malfunctioning electrical impulses. Rui Zhu plans to use deep-learning and computational simulations to model diseased hearts and understand multi-physical factors contributing to arrhythmic conditions.
A new University of Oklahoma study found that diabetes-linked amputations are rising in Oklahoma, with the statewide rate nearly doubling between 2008 and 2019. The study analyzed over 1.3 million anonymized discharge records and found that rates were highest among males, American Indians, and those with poor health insurance coverage.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is exploring alternate strategies for identifying and targeting Alzheimer's and related diseases using a $2.2 million federal grant. The study aims to understand the mechanisms linking aging to cognitive decline, potentially leading to new treatments for dementia.
A new technique using optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe aims to improve kidney biopsy imaging, reducing failed surgeries and improving patient outcomes. The technology could also help identify tumor types and reduce cases of renal hemorrhage.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences is part of a new NIH program integrating clinical research into primary care practices in medically underserved areas. The program aims to increase access to vital health care and speed up the adoption of new evidence-based guidelines.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is monitoring farm ponds across Oklahoma to understand their response to human- and climate-based changes. Daily satellite data will provide near real-time updates on the effects of climate change and human activities on these sensitive water bodies.
A University of Oklahoma research team has developed a breakthrough method of adding a single nitrogen atom to bioactive molecules, transforming them into new pharmacophores. This process, called skeletal editing, could open up uncharted regions of chemical space in drug discovery, making existing drugs cheaper and more accessible.