New research from the University of Texas Medical Branch reveals staggering low HPV vaccine uptake rates among females and males across various age groups and socio-economic spectrums. The studies suggest inadequate knowledge, lack of physician recommendation, and negative beliefs about vaccines as major hindrances.
A new study found that one out of four colonoscopies paid for by Medicare is potentially inappropriate, based on current screening guidelines. The researchers suggest that older adults are less likely to benefit from early detection due to the slow progression of colon cancer.
A new study found a link between post-discharge activity levels and the risk of hospital readmission in elderly patients within 30 days. Activity levels were tracked using wearable devices, revealing that those with lower activity were at higher risk of rehospitalization.
A team of researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Houston has found a new way to influence the vital serotonin signaling system. They have linked malfunctions in this system to various health issues, including depression, addictions, epilepsy, obesity, eating disorders, and more.
A recent study by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers found that BPA substitute BPS disrupts cellular responses to estrogen, changing patterns of cell growth and death and hormone release. The study showed that low levels of BPS exposure can have similar effects as BPA, posing a concern for human health.
Researchers discovered that paroxetine protects endothelial cells from damage caused by high sugar levels in diabetes, preventing hyperglycemia-initiated reactive oxygen species damage. The drug also restores blood vessel function in animals with diabetes, suggesting potential as a new therapy for diabetic complications.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received a five-year, $7.6 million grant to explore the role of respiratory viral infections and allergy in asthma development. Researchers will investigate four inter-related projects centering on airway inflammation and lung function.
A new microarray analysis has proven 40% more effective in identifying genetic causes of stillbirth than traditional karyotyping testing. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch, provides strikingly more information for families seeking closure.
A diabetes drug initially used to treat insulin resistance has shown promise in improving cognitive performance in some people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that rosiglitazone enhanced learning and memory while normalizing insulin resistance by reducing the negative influence of Alzheimer's on brain-signaling molecules.
A new UTMB study reveals that high school and college students who play video games regularly outperform medical residents in surgical simulations. The study suggests that these skills may be transferable to real-world robotic surgeries, requiring a reevaluation of surgical training methods.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received a three-year grant to study healthy and unhealthy teen dating relationships. The research aims to improve the quality of teenagers' dating relationships and prevent subsequent domestic violence in adult intimate relationships.
Researchers have discovered a harmless mosquito virus that's closely related to some of the world's most dangerous mosquito-borne pathogens. The Eilat virus could aid in the development of new alphavirus vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic techniques, potentially offering a unique tool for studying other alphaviruses.
A new study found that people with mild asthma who take inhaled steroids only when symptoms occur have similar outcomes as those who use them daily. This could lead to reduced medication costs and more flexible treatment options.
A $1.2 million grant will support a program providing HPV vaccine to hundreds of low-income women at UTMB's healthcare services, addressing barriers such as lack of awareness and limited access. The initiative aims to increase vaccination rates among Hispanic women at high risk for cervical cancer.
A new study provides a quantitative look at the experience of pancreatic cancer patients, giving them concrete data to inform their treatment decisions. The study found that maximizing quality of life is crucial for these patients, who have limited time left due to the disease.
Researchers have successfully tested a vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus in monkeys, achieving a 75% fatality rate in humans. The vaccine, based on a protein from Hendra virus, has shown great efficacy in protecting animals from infection.
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have been awarded a $1.25 million NIH grant to develop lab-grown lung tissue models for biomedical studies. These models could provide significant advantages over animal models, including reduced costs and the ability to study human responses more accurately.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch will study hospital readmissions for high-volume, high-cost patients receiving post-acute inpatient rehabilitation services. The goal is to identify factors associated with readmissions and improve discharge planning.
UTMB professor Volker Neugebauer is conducting a four-year, $1.36 million study on the relationship between pain and brain functions, particularly the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. The investigation aims to understand how abnormal pain input affects the brain's emotional response and decision-making processes.
A recent study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that delivering a high-birth-weight infant more than doubles a woman's breast cancer risk. The researchers suggest that this increased risk is due to an elevated hormonal environment during pregnancy, which creates a pro-carcinogenic effect.
A study found that nearly 30 percent of teens send nude pictures via email or text, and this behavior is indicative of their overall sexual activity. Teen girls who engage in sexting are more likely to participate in risky behaviors, including multiple partners and substance use before sex.
University of Texas Medical Branch researchers developed a more effective Rift Valley fever vaccine by removing the NSs gene and introducing a dominant negative PKR, improving immune response in large animals and health workers. The new vaccine strain offers enhanced differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals.
Researchers at University of Texas Medical Branch discover new connection between DNA-repair process and cellular signaling network linked to chronic conditions. The study found that a byproduct of DNA repair activates Ras pathways, potentially opening up new avenues for treatments.
The method combines three bipartite visual representations of genetic information to explore genetic data and identify novel patterns. The technique is applied to SNPs from individuals with Nigerian and Utah ancestry, revealing associations between SNP frequencies and ancestral origins.
Researchers discovered that metformin blocks uveitis in laboratory rats, reducing inflammation and potential for blindness. The drug's anti-inflammatory properties make it a promising alternative to steroid therapy, which has serious side effects.
The HPV vaccine completion rate among girls has dropped significantly since 2006, with only 38.2% completing the series within 365 days. Girls who receive the first dose from a gynecologist or obstetrician are more likely to complete the series.
The March of Dimes Foundation has awarded UTMB assistant professor Muge Kuyumcu-Martinez a two-year $150,000 grant to support her research on congenital heart defects. The award will enable her to study the protein kinase C pathway and its interactions with genes using cell-culture and transgenic mouse experiments.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch identified sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with hospital readmission in post-acute stroke patients. Patients with better motor and cognitive abilities were less likely to be rehospitalized, while those reporting depressive symptoms and lower social support were most...
A study published in PLOS One found that delivering a small full-term infant increases the mother's risk of ischemic heart disease by almost two-fold. The researchers suggest that this may be due to long-term cardiovascular changes triggered during pregnancy, which can lead to increased maternal risk for heart disease.
Researchers discovered that IL-8 monomers and dimers interact differently with cell-surface molecules in different body tissues, influencing neutrophil recruitment. This fundamental mechanism regulates neutrophil function and could help control runaway inflammation and related tissue damage in diseases such as sepsis.
Researchers developed a predictive model that differentiates between dengue fever and its deadly form, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), using protein biomarkers. The model is based on IL-10 and seven distinct proteins, accurately predicting DHF in 100% of cases.
New research reveals that tau oligomers, smaller structures formed before neurofibrillary tangles, are the most toxic entities in Alzheimer's. High levels of tau oligomers have been found in some Alzheimer's brains, and their presence has been linked to various biochemical behaviors and structures.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston identified key molecular mechanisms by which implanted human neural stem cells aid recovery from traumatic axonal injury. The study found that stem cell transplantation prevents further axonal injury and promotes axonal regrowth through the secretion of glial derived ne...
A study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that young women are more likely to recognize weight gain if they are black or using DMPA. The researchers surveyed 466 women with an average age of 25, finding nearly one-third and one-quarter did not recognize gains of 4.5 and 8.8 pounds during a six-month interval.
Previous research on stillbirth has identified strong associations between reproductive factors, health conditions, and socio-demographic characteristics. The study found that these factors significantly increase the risk of stillbirth, highlighting the importance of early prenatal care and monitoring for women with known risk factors.
A new study reveals four distinct configurations of the SBP8a bacteriophage, showing its ability to penetrate anthrax cells and control DNA flow. The discovery provides an initial blueprint for modifying the phage into a detection tool for anthrax and other bioterror agents.
A new study from University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that elderly patients who suffered in-hospital falls actually moved around no more than those who did not fall. The researchers analyzed the mobility patterns of patients fitted with electronic devices and found no statistical difference in walking between the groups.
Natural killer cells, part of the immune system, can detect and kill anthrax bacteria both inside and outside human cells. The cells' rapid response may provide a crucial boost to treatment, potentially improving antibiotic effects.
A recent study has identified a potential link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that cancer-causing strains of HPV were strongly associated with CVD, even after adjusting for other risk factors.
A new treatment for the deadly Hendra virus has proven successful in primate tests, with all 12 treated animals surviving after infection. The antibody m102.4 has shown strong activity against both Hendra and Nipah viruses.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers has identified fortilin as a key protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting p53, a tumor suppressor. This finding may lead to new treatments for cancers and atherosclerosis.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers found that protein UNC-45A is linked to increased cell proliferation in breast cancer specimens and cell lines. High levels of UNC-45A also drive enhanced myosin and actin activity, leading to increased rates of cell proliferation and migration.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's brains consistently show lower levels of ubiquilin-1, a chaperone protein that helps regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP). Lower ubiquilin-1 levels disrupt APP folding and lead to the formation of toxic aggregates.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism used by intestinal cells to defend against Clostridium difficile infections. A previously unknown protective response, known as nitrosylation, can be exploited to prevent toxin-induced cell damage.
Researchers have created a new candidate vaccine to protect against chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that causes intense pain and chronic arthritis. The experimental vaccine, a recombinant live-attenuated vaccine, has shown promising results in lab mice, offering a potential solution to this debilitating infection.
A new study reveals that hydrogen sulfide helps protect blood vessels from the complications of diabetes by controlling an early checkpoint in related processes. The researchers found that diabetic rats have lower levels of 'swamp gas' and improved blood vessel function after treatment.
A national study found that hospitalists' patients have higher Medicare costs in the 30 days after discharge due to increased post-discharge medical utilization and cost shifting. Hospitalist care was initially thought to reduce overall costs, but the findings suggest otherwise.
Researchers will examine the safety of Gulf seafood and the long-term health effects on those who consume it, working closely with community groups. The study aims to measure petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish and seafood.
A mosquito-borne virus that infected monkeys may cause human outbreaks if it adapts to urban mosquitoes, warns a new study. The 'fever from the forest' dengue virus has spread globally, causing 100 million cases annually and 50,000 deaths.
A new universal influenza vaccine candidate, VAX102, has safely produced an immune response in humans and could eliminate the need for annual flu vaccine updates. The vaccine targets a protein called M2e, found on the surface of the influenza A virus, which remains relatively unchanged over time.