Researchers will collect blood and rectal swab samples to study gut microbiota and tau species. The study aims to predict and prevent postoperative neurocognitive disorders in older adults.
A new study by UTHealth Houston found measurable biological changes in firefighters' blood and urine 24 hours after fighting a fire, which may help identify early cancer risk. The study identified 75 significantly altered proteins in urine and 10 in blood serum, with several linked to cancer-related pathways.
A UTHealth Houston-led team has created the most complete genetic profile of the brown rat, revealing a more complex DNA than previously understood. The assembly provides a complete genetic fingerprint and uncovers over 60 new genes, including those involved in immunity and biological processes.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston found that teenagers spending six or more hours a day on social media were twice as likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and three times as likely to report suicidal ideation. The study, published in Pediatrics Open Science, suggests that excessive social media use can contribute to poor mental health.
A new UTHealth Houston study found that women experiencing pregnancy complications are at a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease later in life. The study analyzed data from over 2 million women in Sweden and showed that preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and other adverse outcomes can lead to increased cardiovascular risks.
Dr. Renato M. Silva has been selected as the new dean of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, succeeding John A. Valenza. He brings a rare combination of scientific distinction, clinical expertise, and leadership experience to the role.
Researchers found that guided home-based exercise programs can be safely integrated into long-term recovery for aortic dissection survivors. The study showed no deaths, recurrent dissections, or aortic operations in either group, and improved some aspects of cardiovascular health.
A new international certification program aims to improve rehabilitation care among stroke survivors globally. The World Stroke Organization's Rehabilitation Certification Program evaluates healthcare entities across 55 criteria, focusing on multidisciplinary teams and patient-level indicators.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston identified hidden systemic inflammation in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia using a simple oral swab. This approach enables easier monitoring and could lead to more personalized treatment of other chronic lung conditions.
A new study published in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that Mycoplasma genitalium, a common sexually transmitted infection, is not linked to an increased risk of recurrent preterm birth. Researchers tested nearly 500 pregnant individuals with a history of preterm birth or related complications and found no ass...
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have been awarded a five-year, $3.3 million grant to extend the Dating it Safe study from 15 to 20 years. The study aims to determine how adolescent behaviors impact adult mental health and relationships.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have discovered a new target for metastatic breast cancer treatments using experimental peptide therapy. The study found that the peptide BLMP6 targets fibulin-4, a protein expressed in high levels in metastatic breast cancers.
A team of researchers has developed a 'tumor-on-a-chip' system designed to recreate the complex environment surrounding pancreatic tumors. The system, which combines patient-derived organoids with microfluidic technology, closely mimics the behavior of human pancreatic tumors and demonstrates potential for studying immune responses.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have been awarded a three-year, $7.8 million grant to better understand how Parkinson’s disease occurs in the brain. The project aims to identify proteins and cellular pathways involved in brain damage, with the goal of developing novel strategies for intervention.
The UTHealth Houston-developed dual-payload antibody-drug conjugate technology has been acquired by Eli Lilly, marking a major step towards clinical translation. This technology delivers chemotherapy directly to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, offering a promising approach to cancer treatment.
A new study published in Neurology found that high-dose influenza vaccination is associated with a nearly 55% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in people 65 years and older compared to the standard dose. This increased protection is stronger among women, highlighting the importance of flu vaccination for this vulnerable po...
The study found that concrete words activated regions of the brain responsible for sensory experiences and language, while abstract words relied more heavily on language-related areas. The team also discovered that multiple brain regions communicated with each other to process both concrete and abstract words.
A new study found that consuming more than nine servings of ultraprocessed foods daily increases the risk of major cardiac events by 67%. The study also found that sugary foods carry a higher risk and that Black Americans have nearly double the increased risk compared to other groups.
Despite significant policy progress, 1 in 3 adults worldwide fail to meet the World Health Organization's physical activity guidelines, UTHealth Houston researchers discovered. The study proposes solutions for translating physical activity guidelines into action, emphasizing the need for stronger leadership and partnership networks.
Researchers found that targeting lipid metabolism in tumors can lead to ferroptosis, a type of cell death dependent on fat molecules. This could pave the way for new cancer treatments that target specific mechanisms responsible for lipid processing by tumors.
Researchers used single-cell technology to analyze three brain regions of patients with sporadic early onset Alzheimer's disease. They found genes within the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus have severe disruptions consistent with symptomatic involvement in the disease.
UTHealth Houston, in collaboration with UTMB Health, will lead a $50 million two-year ibogaine clinical trial to evaluate its effect on patients suffering from addiction, traumatic brain injury, and behavioral health conditions. The trial aims to advance ibogaine research for improving behavioral health outcomes across Texas.
A new AI-driven app, AortaGPT, aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of heritable thoracic aortic diseases by translating complex genetics concepts into actionable care recommendations. The app can also detect subtle facial features associated with genetic conditions affecting the aorta.
A new oral GLP-1 medication has been found to help adults with obesity and Type 2 diabetes lose more weight and improve their blood sugar levels. The study showed that the pill reduced body weight by 5.5% to 10.5% compared to a placebo, with significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston will lead a national initiative to unlock discoveries about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias using real-world data. The project, ReCARDO, aims to develop advanced AI tools and common data elements to make sharing and comparing data easier.
The UTHealth Houston Novel Treatments for Acute Brain Injury Institute focuses on improving care for patients with acute brain injuries through research, clinical expertise, education, and community outreach. The institute aims to advance pharmaceutical and device therapies and train the next generation of neurocritical care experts.
Researchers will investigate fire smoke carcinogens and cancer biomarkers in active, retired, and cadet firefighters to understand the impacts of firefighting on their lifelong health. The study aims to identify groups most at risk for cancer and recommend policies and programs to protect firefighter health.
A study by UTHealth Houston found that some public transit shelter designs can trap heat and increase temperatures, posing a significant risk to bus riders' health. Providing shade through trees or strategic shelter design can mitigate this issue.
UTHealth Houston researchers discovered an interaction between two proteins, BMAL1 and HIF2A, regulating the heart's response to injury after a heart attack. This study provides new avenues for treating heart attacks by considering the timing of drug administration.
Researchers found that changes in gut bacteria after a stroke lead to an increase in harmful substances and a decrease in beneficial ones, potentially causing inflammation. Restoring these beneficial substances from gut bacteria could help reduce inflammation after a stroke.
A new stem cell therapy trial at UTHealth Houston aims to reduce neuroinflammation in patients with presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The study, which is sponsored by Weston Brain Institute, will enroll 12 patients and use PET imaging to determine whether stem cells reduce brain inflammation before symptoms develop.
Researchers are conducting a first-in-human clinical trial to test a modified herpes virus that targets spinal cord nerve cells to treat neurogenic bladder. The therapy, EG110A, aims to block sensory nerve signals causing involuntary bladder contractions and incontinence.
A new telerehabilitation care service for stroke patients is being offered in Cameron County, Texas, as part of a randomized clinical trial. The program uses software delivered through a website to provide personalized rehabilitation regimens and community health worker home visits.
A new study aims to characterize the human virome, exploring its role in health and disease. The project will investigate nonpathogenic viruses and their potential impact on human phenotypes over time. Researchers hope to discover novel biomarkers for health and disease, as well as new therapeutic approaches.
According to UTHealth Houston research, adolescent and young adult men with cancer have a slightly elevated risk of having preterm birth and children with low birth weight. However, the likelihood of live birth was highest for fathers who had thyroid cancer and lowest for those with gastrointestinal cancer.
Diane Santa Maria, dean of Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, has received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Her innovative research program focuses on HIV prevention among youth experiencing homelessness.
A study by UTHealth Houston researchers has identified a link between large and rare duplications and deletions in chromosome region 22q11.2 and nonsyndromic bicuspid aortic valve disease, involving genes that regulate cardiac development.
The project aims to improve the design of clinical trials for neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Community partners will facilitate academic and community partnerships for clinical trial development.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have discovered two novel genes, DYRK1A and EGFR, linked to genetic mutations causing epileptic brain lesions. This breakthrough offers a new framework for understanding epilepsy and developing targeted therapies.
Researchers developing standardized approach for ACJ reconstruction, evaluating three surgical techniques to restore stability and minimize complications. The study aims to identify most effective technique for long-term shoulder health in young athletes.
Experts from UTHealth Houston and Baylor College of Medicine developed a pragmatic approach to monitor and manage AI systems in healthcare organizations. The guidance emphasizes the need for robust governance systems, testing processes, and transparency with patients to ensure safe AI adoption.
Researchers found that alcohol use was a consistent factor in those who had never vaped cannabis to begin or experiment. Depression also predicted cannabis vaping initiation among certain demographics. The study suggests that targeting both alcohol and mental health prevention can help delay substance initiation in youth.
Adequate sleep significantly reduces the risk of hypertension in adolescents, according to a new study. Adolescents who meet the recommended guidelines of nine to 11 hours of sleep per day have a 37% lower risk of developing incidents of high blood pressure.
Research by UTHealth Houston found that ownership changes in home health agencies can result in increased Medicare spending and reduced staffing levels. The study also found that quarterly star ratings increased, but this may be due to upcoding of quality measures.
A new study found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and effective treatment for depression when administered at home. Researchers reported significant improvements in depression severity and remission rates compared to a placebo control group.
UTHealth Houston researchers are exploring new pathways to treat Alzheimer's disease through multiple projects funded by the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium. Studies aim to investigate ACSL4 gene, delirium's impact on disease progression, biological aging, and noninvasive diagnosis methods.
The study found H5N1 virus detected in 10 out of 10 cities and 22 out of 23 sites, but no correlation with hospitalizations. The team used viral probe capture to detect viruses in wastewater samples, revealing animal origins of the virus load
Researchers identified rare genetic variants associated with early onset bicuspid aortic valve disease, which can lead to life-threatening complications. The study aims to enable earlier, more aggressive treatment for affected individuals.
Parents who recently experienced intimate partner violence reported higher parenting stress and were less likely to use positive parenting strategies. The study emphasizes the need for expanded resources, positive parenting strategies, and tools to help individuals become better parents and break the intergenerational cycle of violence.
The study aims to understand the activation of the internal clock that regulates body processes in cluster headache patients. Researchers found a new circadian pattern of pain in a laboratory headache mouse model, which disappeared when clock genes were genetically altered.