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.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston found a significant link between e-cigarette use and earlier age of asthma onset in U.S. adults. Adults who reported e-cigarette use in the past 30 days were 252% more likely to develop asthma earlier than those who did not use e-cigarettes.
A randomized clinical trial has shown that delaying surgical repair of inguinal hernias in preterm infants until after discharge from the NICU reduces serious adverse events. The study found a high likelihood of hernia resolution with late repair, allowing for quicker hospital discharge.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that 56% of patients using GLP-1 RAs had significant gastric contents on ultrasound before elective procedures, despite adequate fasting. The study suggests that conventional fasting times may need to be reexamined for this patient subset.
A life-threatening mold infection known as Fusarium solani meningitis can cause devastating brainstem and blood supply injuries among healthy patients. The fungus was resistant to all antifungal agents except Fosmanogepix, leading to the development of an experimental treatment.
A study published in Nutrients found that eighth- and 11th-grade students in Texas who used Nutrition Facts labels made healthier food choices. The study analyzed data from the 2019-2020 Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey and found a positive association between label use and healthy eating habits.
Rates of re-excision after initial breast-conserving surgery remain high across the US, leading to increased healthcare costs and a higher risk of postoperative complications. The study found that younger age and ductal carcinoma in situ are associated with a higher reoperation rate.
Researchers found that bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion in children within 48 hours of severe traumatic brain injury reduced intensive care needs and preserved white matter. The treatment also enhanced connectivity in the corpus callosum, a midline structure in the brain.
Researchers from UTHealth Houston discovered that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cells are present in high numbers in the cerebrospinal fluid of people with multiple sclerosis at its earliest stages. The study suggests that these cells may be contributing to the disease's pathogenesis.
A study led by Alexander Testa and Jack Tsai found a significant association between loneliness and recent firearm acquisition among low-income US veterans. Loneliness was measured on a scale of zero to six, with 13.7% of those scoring six having purchased a new firearm in the past year.
Researchers found that pancreatic enzymatic replacement improved behavioral function in preschoolers with ASD, including reduced irritability, hyperactivity, and lethargy. The treatment had minimal side effects and demonstrated potential for addressing co-occurring maladaptive behaviors.
The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers a 12-month lifestyle program combining evidence-based nutrition education with culinary learning to support behavior change. Participants will attend in-person and virtual classes, including hands-on cooking lessons, physical activity guidance, and mindfulness education.
A UTHealth Houston researcher is leading a large-scale implementation trial to address disparities in palliative care for Parkinson's disease and related dementia patients. The study aims to reduce low-value and unequal care, improve end-of-life care, and promote health equity.
The UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support research and training in implementation science. Researchers will focus on improving cancer control efforts in Mexico and Latin America.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston are studying the impact of circadian rhythm on heart attacks and cardiac surgery, with a focus on identifying novel therapies to protect the heart. They will investigate the role of key genes and signaling pathways in modulating daytime variations in cardiac injury.
The CATCH My Breath program, developed by UTHealth Houston researchers, is an evidence-based vaping prevention program recognized by SAMHSA as effective. It aims to reduce nicotine vaping initiation among elementary, middle, and high school students in NYC.
A new study from UTHealth Houston has found that the posterior temporal cortex and inferior frontal cortex are crucial for semantic integration during reading. This discovery may help illuminate the inner dynamics of aphasia, a disorder affecting language expression and comprehension.
A recent study by UTHealth Houston found that the offspring of adolescent and young adult women with a history of cancer face a higher risk of birth defects. The study examined 6,882 offspring ages 12 months and younger and found an increased risk of specific types of defects in the offspring of women with a history of cancer.
The study aims to identify genetic and molecular factors associated with susceptibility and progression of liver disease in Hispanics/Latinos. Researchers will collect data from 300 participants, including those with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and healthy controls.
Researchers discovered that a mutation in the gene ACTA2 causes moyamoya disease and strokes in young children. The mutation leads to dysfunctional smooth muscle cells in arteries, resulting in blockages and increased risk of stroke. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for moyamoya disease.
A new UTHealth Houston study reveals that implementing artificial intelligence-powered software can significantly reduce treatment time for stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy, with an average reduction of 11 minutes in time to thrombectomy initiation.
A new study from UTHealth Houston finds that AI-powered algorithm can improve detection rates of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. The study used a machine learning algorithm to analyze CT angiograms and identified 36 true aneurysms, with 24 previously not referred for follow-up.
UTHealth Houston researchers have developed a new mouse model for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that will be presented at the NIH meeting. The research explored how humoral immune mediators interact with cells surrounding the AVM and found insights into finding therapeutic methods.
Researchers found that vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and shingles, as well as pneumococcus, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 25-30% in adults over 65. Vaccination is hypothesized to change how the immune system responds to toxic proteins contributing to Alzheimer’s disease.
A new NIH grant will help researchers better understand brain respiratory control and develop neuromodulation strategies to prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The goal is to identify optimal stimulation paradigms for breathing enhancement during a critical time window after seizures.
Researchers found a clear pattern of suicidality related to the academic calendar, with peaks in April and October, but a decline during COVID-19 school closures. The study suggests interventions during peak months could help protect against seasonal increases in suicidality, especially for adolescent females.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that women with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke are less likely to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers compared to men. Despite having worse stroke symptoms and living within comparable distances, women were approximately 9% less likely to be routed to these centers.
A novel molecular pathway has been identified, explaining how a mutation in the ACTA2 gene can cause individuals in their 30s with normal cholesterol levels to develop coronary artery disease. The mutation leads to stress in smooth muscle cells, triggering the production of excess cholesterol and driving atherosclerotic plaque formation.
A UTHealth Houston study found that regular cannabis users are more likely to experience complications before, during, and after surgery. Patients with a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were approximately 20% more likely to suffer significant postoperative complications than those without CUD.
Research from UTHealth Houston reveals that different brain regions are engaged when processing simple versus complex melodies and sentences. The study used intracranial electrodes to map brain activity during music and language tasks, finding shared temporal lobe activity but distinct sensitivities to melodic and syntactic complexity.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that children and teenagers who volunteer tend to flourish mentally and physically. Volunteers were in better physical health, had a more positive outlook on life, and were less likely to experience anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston are investigating the role of fibrin and fibrinogen in traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock. The four-year grant will fund Phase II of a stem cell clinical trial evaluating whether mesenchymal stem cells reduce chronic neuroinflammatory response to traumatic brain injury.
A recent study published in The Lancet Neurology found that valbenazine significantly reduces chorea symptoms in patients with Huntington’s disease. The Phase III trial showed improvement as early as the second week of treatment, with consistently greater benefits compared to a placebo.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston identified two brain networks involved in reading, working together to integrate word meanings. The study used electroencephalography recordings from patients with epilepsy to measure neural activity while reading complex sentences.
Researchers discovered a misfolded alpha-synuclein protein as a potential biomarker for early detection of Parkinson's disease. The test was accurate in detecting the disease 87% of the time and identifying its absence 96% of the time.
A study published by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found a historic increase in group A strep infections among young children in Houston. The researchers identified three main types of group A strep diseases and found that emm12 strains were disproportionately represented, compared to emm1 strains.
A review from UTHealth Houston identifies key benefits of telehealth in addressing health disparities among stroke survivors. The study suggests that telehealth can expand access to care and treatment while minimizing barriers related to digital literacy, physical limitations, and limited English proficiency.
A study found that prenatal exposure to the anti-nausea drug Bendectin, containing dicyclomine, increased the risk of colorectal cancer in adult offspring. Incidence rates were three times higher among exposed children compared to those not exposed.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston received $15 million in NIH BRAIN grants to study brain processes related to speech, epilepsy, and reading. A new minimally invasive device will be developed to record brain activity during speech, while another project aims to disrupt seizures using neuromodulation.
A study published in NEJM Evidence found that seizures can be predicted at least 35 minutes before onset in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for developing more effective therapies for this common seizure disorder, which affects over 50 million people globally.
A systematic review published in Topics in SCI Rehabilitation suggests that indwelling catheters do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to intermittent catheterization. The review found that only three studies reported significantly higher UTI rates with indwelling catheters, but all three had critical flaws.