A recent study reveals that many people experience mental health disorders after disasters, with nearly 1 in 3 showing signs of PTSD. The study emphasizes the need for a consistent and integrated system for identifying, triaging, and treating these individuals.
A noninvasive colorectal screening approach like fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) may be more effective than colonoscopy in prompting participation among underserved populations. Organized mailing campaigns offering two colorectal cancer tests increased screening rates as much as threefold among uninsured patients.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a novel mechanism by which Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria cause illness. The study reveals how the bacteria's effector protein, VopQ, disrupts autophagy by forming gated ion channels.
A study published in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine found that tumors with low oxygen levels are more responsive to radiation therapy when exposed to oxygen. This approach may lead to personalized therapies and fewer radiation treatments for patients with hypoxic tumors.
Researchers analyzed decade of West Nile infections, weather, and housing data to identify optimal time for intervention. The study found that using a mosquito vector index can nip outbreaks in the bud, but late intervention may still be necessary if data are unavailable.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified neutrophils, white blood cells, as a major source of interferon-gamma, a protein that stimulates the immune system to fight viruses and other pathogens. The discovery challenges long-held beliefs about the role of neutrophils in immunity.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used MRI to measure aortic atherosclerosis and found that thicker walls were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks. A smaller plaque buildup was linked to increased risk of peripheral vascular occlusion, stroke, and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Researchers found that two proteins affect responses to wakefulness and sleep deprivation. The study suggests that assessing quality of wakefulness before bedtime could lead to new ways of treating sleep disorders.
Researchers developed a novel class of peptidomimetic drugs that interrupt androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer cells, preventing growth. The agents show promise as a potential therapeutic approach for men with advanced disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a marker panel can predict which patients are more likely to experience cancer recurrence after bladder removal. The study identifies patients who could benefit from follow-up chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that alternative splicing may be a new approach for inhibiting telomerase, an enzyme driving uncontrolled division of cancer cells. By shifting the splicing, they demonstrated a potential method for turning off telomerase activity, which could lead to new cancer therapies.
A specific gene called Meis1 regulates the heart's ability to regenerate after injuries. The study found that deleting this gene extended the proliferation period in newborn mice and re-activated regeneration in adult mouse hearts without harming cardiac functions.
A scissor-like enzyme discovered by UT Southwestern researchers can cut off fatty acids from proteins, disabling the immune system's communication infrastructure and allowing bacteria to grow and survive. This discovery provides insight into severe bacterial infectious diseases and cancer, and may lead to the development of new treatme...
A team of researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified a specific genetic weakness in lung-cancer cells that can be targeted with new therapies. The discovery, published in Cancer Discovery, highlights the potential of blocking the protein RHOA and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to stop tumor growth.
Researchers found that a restrictive diet following bariatric surgery leads to rapid improvements in blood glucose levels. The study's findings suggest that controlling food intake is key to successful diabetes remission.
Dr. Alfred Gilman, Nobel laureate and Regental Professor Emeritus at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been elected an inaugural Fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). His work on G proteins has propelled significant innovation in cancer research.
Dr. Eric Olson, a UTSW molecular biologist, has won the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology for his research on heart development and regeneration. His work has led to new insights into congenital heart disease and muscle dysfunction, with several drugs under study.
Researchers developed a genetic mouse model of an incurable human cancer and demonstrated that blocking the CXCR4 receptor molecule can inhibit tumor development. The study revealed a potential target for therapy of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, which are rare but highly aggressive and resistant to treatment.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered an osteoblastic niche in the bone marrow that nurtures early lymphoid progenitors, specialized blood-forming cells responsible for producing T cells and B cells. This finding may lead to improved safety and effectiveness of bone-marrow transplants and treatments for illnesse...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a new enzyme, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), that acts as an innate immunity sensor. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism underlying immune responses to foreign DNA and may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Researchers synthesized a peptide called Tat-beclin 1, which induces autophagy, a recycling process crucial for cell health. Mice treated with the peptide were resistant to several infectious diseases, including West Nile virus and HIV infection.
Researchers analyzed over 400 patient records to find that the proportion of early-stage lung cancer cases identified by CT scans increased by almost 50% during a recent 10-year period. However, only half of these cases would meet criteria for lung cancer screening under existing guidelines.
UT Southwestern researchers identified microRNA miR-15 as a regulator of the heart's ability to regenerate, with potential therapeutic applications. By understanding this molecular mechanism, scientists may be able to control the heart's regenerative process and develop new treatments for cardiovascular disease.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine identified a key protein called mitoNEET that plays a crucial role in fat cell metabolism. Elevated levels of this protein were found to expand fat tissue without leading to obesity-related health issues, such as type 2 diabetes.
Two UT Southwestern researchers, Dr. Lora Hooper and Dr. Youxing Jiang, are recognized for their innovative work on immune mechanisms and ion channels. Their discoveries have significant implications for understanding and treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disorders and channelopathies.
UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of only two academic medical centers in the US to receive a Patient Voice Award and a Summit Award for outstanding patient satisfaction scores. The hospital achieved high levels of excellence in patient care, with recognition for its communication, responsiveness, and pain management.
Researchers discover fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) increases insulin sensitivity and blocks the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway, leading to a 30-40% increase in average life span in mice. FGF21 overproduction also results in lean mice with no ill effects from reduced bone density.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that obese individuals with visceral fat are at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, those with excess abdominal subcutaneous fat were not at greater risk. The study, which sampled over 700 obese adults, used imaging methods to determin...
UT Southwestern has been selected as one of 25 sites for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's (NINDS) NeuroNEXT clinical trials network. The network aims to streamline clinical trials for brain diseases by creating a shared infrastructure and institutional review board.
A multicenter study found that taking aspirin is associated with a lower risk of death from prostate cancer, especially in high-risk disease. The study analyzed data from almost 6,000 men with prostate cancer treated with surgery or radiotherapy, and the results showed a significant reduction in mortality rates and cancer recurrence.
Researchers found that midlife fitness levels can lower the onset of chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's disease, and colon cancer decades later. Fitter individuals aged well with fewer chronic illnesses to impact their quality of life.
UT Southwestern Medical Center has been named the official healthcare team of the Dallas Stars, marking a significant expansion of their longstanding relationship with the club. The team will oversee the health needs of players, including injury evaluation and treatment, and promote healthy messages through initiatives such as "Hockey ...
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded UT Southwestern Medical Center a total of $48.2 million in new grants to support high-impact cancer research and expand access to critical prevention programs across Texas. The awards include funding for seven Multi-Investigator Research Awards and 14 projects to...
A UT Southwestern Medical Center study reveals that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) recurs due to slower-growing 'cancer stem-like' cells. Researchers identified these cells as a potential target for future therapies, offering new hope for treatment.
The new proton therapy center will provide highly individualized treatments for cancer patients in the region, including pediatric and adult tumors. The center will be operated by UT Southwestern physicians and staff, with laboratory space for researchers and at least four treatment vaults.
A UT Southwestern study found that early intensive treatment of type 2 diabetes slows down the progression of the disease by preserving the body's insulin-producing capacity. The intensive treatment regimen was shown to be effective in maintaining steady insulin-producing beta-cell function for three and a half years after diagnosis.
A multicenter study found that midurethral slings significantly reduce the risk of post-surgical urinary incontinence in women without pre-existing symptoms. The study's findings provide valuable data for counseling patients and help physicians make informed decisions about sling use.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have mapped the atomic-level architecture of the CLOCK complex, a key component of the body's circadian rhythm. The study provides insights into how this protein works and may lead to better treatments for insomnia, diabetes, and cancer.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has identified a protein receptor on cancer cells that induces differentiation, helping blood cancer cells grow. The receptor, called LILRB2, maintains stem cell readiness by inhibiting differentiation and preserving self-renewal.
Scientists found that manipulating a genetic pathway in the heart prevents obesity and protects against type 2 diabetes in mice on high-fat diets. The study suggests that MED13, a crucial regulatory molecule, controls whole-body metabolism.
Michael Young, a lung transplant recipient, credits his new lungs for giving him the joy of breathing again. His remarkable survival story highlights UT Southwestern's exceptional Lung Transplant Program, with an 86% one-year and 75% three-year survival rate.
Dr. Eric N. Olson, chairman of molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been awarded the 2012 Steven C. Beering Award for his work on major genetic pathways controlling heart and muscle formation. Several drugs based on his research are currently under study.
Helen Hobbs, UT Southwestern researcher, receives prestigious award for identifying genetic factors that contribute to variations in cholesterol levels. Her work has led to a 28% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels and an 88% reduction in risk of coronary heart disease.
Researchers identified a genetic manipulation that increases brain cell development in mice, leading to improved sensitivity to antidepressant drugs. The study found that deleting the Nf1 gene results in long-lasting improvements in neurogenesis, enhancing anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects.
Dr. Eric Olson has won the 2012 Passano Award for his groundbreaking research on the genetic pathways that control heart development and function. His discoveries have profoundly influenced our understanding of congenital and acquired diseases of the heart, leading to advances in new cardiovascular therapeutics.
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center predicted and confirmed how E. coli bacteria hijack a cell's sense of direction by manipulating actin polymers. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms controlling disease-causing agents and normal mammalian cell behavior.
Researchers discovered that eliminating a specific protein called FoxO1 protects the heart from stress caused by diabetes. This finding could lead to new treatments for patients with diabetes.
Dr. Mangelsdorf has identified several new molecules that activate orphan nuclear receptors, providing a new approach for treating parasitic infections. His work holds important implications for the treatment of several diseases, including those related to cholesterol and lipid metabolism.
Dr. Zhijian Chen has been recognized for his contributions to understanding cancer and immunity through the discovery of a central signaling pathway component and an unprecedented role for mitochondria in fighting viral infections.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) causes significant and rapid bone loss in mice, promoting fat cell growth but inhibiting bone cells. The study suggests a potential tradeoff between the anti-obesity benefits of FGF21 and its risk of osteoporosis.