A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that opioid users have a 1.62 times higher risk of invasive pneumococcal diseases, which can cause meningitis and other severe infections. The study suggests that high-dose opioids, particularly those with long-acting properties, carry the greatest infection risk.
A study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that underrepresented minority (URM) trainees have increased in the biomedical sciences, but URM faculty remain scarce. The researchers identified two key points of loss: undergraduate education and postdoctoral fellowship to tenure-track faculty positions.
A new study found that risk of diabetes is double for black patients, with strongest rising risk trends seen among whites. Obesity prevalence was highest among black women, while socioeconomic status and physical activity levels also played a significant role in diabetes development.
Research finds brain lesions associated with increased risk of criminal behavior, specifically impacting the moral decision-making network. The study analyzed MRI and CT scans of individuals with brain lesions, revealing a strong correlation between lesions in the same brain network as those with criminal behavior.
Midlife women are disproportionately affected by asthma due to testosterone's impact on ILC2 proliferation and airway inflammation. The study highlights the importance of sex hormones in treating respiratory diseases.
A new study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center uses a blood test to personalize treatment for smokers. The study found that patients who are 'normal' metabolizers of nicotine respond better to varenicline (Chantix), while those who are 'slow' metabolizers do as well with a nicotine patch.
A study published in Neurology found that older adults with lower cardiac index have reduced blood flow in the temporal lobe regions of the brain, where Alzheimer's pathology begins. This suggests a link between heart health and cognitive impairment, potentially paving the way for new treatments.
A recent Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that combination therapy with azithromycin is unnecessary in most cases of pediatric pneumonia. The study of 1418 children showed no significant differences in outcomes between patients treated with a single antibiotic versus a combination of antibiotics. The researchers argue t...
Researchers are developing a universal influenza vaccine that would protect against all strains of flu globally. Current vaccines have varying effectiveness, with some years seeing only 10% effectiveness.
Researchers found that epigenetic regulation can increase Wnt signaling to promote cell proliferation, leading to resistance to cetuximab. Blocking Wnt signaling may restore responsiveness to the drug in cultured colon cancer cells and mice tumors.
A high-manganese diet makes mice susceptible to staph heart infection, inactivating their innate immune system's reactive oxygen burst. This discovery adds to evidence that diet influences infection risk and suggests people with excess tissue manganese may be at higher risk for staph infection of the heart.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have developed a small molecule compound that works like the dimmer switch in an electrical circuit, relieving symptoms of Rett syndrome in mice. The study provides further evidence that a drug may be possible to treat this rare neurodevelopmental disorder in females.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have developed a new light-based therapy to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. The therapy uses a small molecule to activate an enzyme that produces reactive oxygen species, killing the bacteria when exposed to specific wavelengths of light.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that antibiotics are effective in treating small skin abscesses when combined with drainage. The study showed higher cure rates for adults and children using clindamycin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, compared to drainage alone.
A new antiviral drug candidate, GS-5734, has been shown to inhibit a broad range of coronaviruses, including the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. The compound was effective against human and animal coronaviruses, reducing viral load in lung tissue and improving respiratory functions.
A team of investigators created a device that removes audible alarm sounds while preserving speech, aiming to enhance ICU patient recovery. The device was tested in a simulated environment and showed clinical improvement in alarm filtering.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that most women who undergo a cesarean childbirth are prescribed more opioid pain medications than needed when released from the hospital. Most patients use opioids for an average of eight days after discharge, with many storing unused tablets in unlocked locations.
A 10-year Vanderbilt University Medical Center study disputes the long-held notion that uterine fibroids increase the risk of miscarriage. Contrary to previous research, women with fibroids have an identical risk of miscarriage as those without them when accounting for other pregnancy loss factors.
The study found that hepatitis C infections among pregnant women increased by 89% from 1.8 to 3.4 per 1,000 live births between 2009 and 2014. Rural counties in Tennessee and West Virginia saw the highest rates of infection, with nearly 8% of pregnant women infected in some counties.
A comprehensive catalog of diseases associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene variations has been generated by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The catalog identifies individuals at risk for certain autoimmune diseases and potential new associations with multiple sclerosis and cervical cancer.
Researchers will test drug Selumetinib on patients after endoscopic removal of stage I gastric cancer. The goal is to reverse pre-cancerous metaplasia and prevent cancer recurrence.
Brown recluse spider bites can cause severe illness in children, including blood clotting disorder and hemolysis. Children and African-Americans may be at higher risk for developing systemic loxoscelism, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires hospitalization and supportive treatment.
A new study shows that a high-salt diet can lead to increased hunger and muscle wasting, while also conserving water and producing more urea. This unexpected finding has significant implications for the prevention of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
A randomized clinical trial will compare surgery and non-operative therapy for patients with rotator cuff tears, considering factors such as age and tear size. The study aims to inform patient care and provide evidence-based information for better health decisions.
A Vanderbilt study found that increasing the supply of a natural chemical called 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the brain promotes resilience to acute stress exposure. The study suggests that boosting this signaling system could represent a new treatment approach for mood and anxiety disorders, including PTSD.
Researchers found that premature infants exhibited decreased responses to light touch compared to full-term infants when discharged from the NICU. However, providing more 'supportive touch' experiences, such as skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding, strengthened their brains' response to light touch.
A Vanderbilt University study found that active surveillance is a viable option for low-risk prostate cancer patients, preserving quality of life without significant side effects. The treatment was associated with excellent three-year survival rates and comparable outcomes to traditional treatments.
A multidrug efflux pump in motion: Researchers have mapped the conformational changes that occur in P-glycoprotein, a protein notorious for pumping chemotherapeutic drugs out of cancer cells. This study sheds light on how P-glycoprotein binds and transports molecules, with potential implications for developing new treatments.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that most women who become pregnant either stop or decrease drinking after a positive pregnancy test. The researchers suggest promoting early pregnancy awareness as an alternative to promoting alcohol abstinence among all women of childbearing age.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that patient complaints can identify surgeons with higher rates of surgical site infections and other avoidable adverse outcomes. These physicians not only make patients unhappy but also impact the ability of other team members to do their work, leading to more complications.
A major report found that young adults with even a small amount of calcified coronary plaque are strongly associated with increased risk of developing clinical coronary heart disease over the ensuing decade. Those with the highest scores had a greater than 20 percent chance of dying of a heart event.
A recent study published in New England Journal of Medicine found that smaller and more focused insurers are earning profits in the new healthcare market. The researchers attribute their success to their experience managing Medicaid programs, where they developed products targeting low-income consumers.
A new automated web-based surveillance system has been demonstrated to detect potential safety problems with medical devices like the Mynx, a vascular closure device. The system, called DELTA, performs automated safety analyses and comparative effectiveness studies prospectively, sending alerts to users via email.
Researchers use genetic correlation to link disease risks, including heart health and diabetes, using data from a long-standing cohort and electronic health records. The method provides opportunities to answer epidemiological questions in weeks rather than decades.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the human immune system's response to the bird flu vaccine. They found that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, play a previously unobserved role in vaccine response and may function as antigen-presenting cells.
A Vanderbilt-led study identifies a compound that can reverse the malignant reprogramming of metastatic pancreatic cancer cells. The research found that distant metastases undergo massive epigenetic changes that enable tumor formation, but these changes can be reversed with the inhibition of phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme.
A new study from Vanderbilt University uses game theory to simulate re-identification risks and strikes an optimal balance between data sharing and privacy. The approach compares various data sharing policies in terms of risk and scientific utility, providing a more realistic estimate of the risk.
Researchers found that increasing parental physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior correlates with increased physical activity behaviors in children. The study used movement monitors to objectively measure physical activity and found a significant association between parent and child behavior.
A team of Vanderbilt researchers has cleared a major hurdle in their quest to develop an Alzheimer's treatment, with the FDA approving its first human trial. The investigational drug aims to target major pathologies of the disease and selectively activate a key receptor in the brain.
Researchers have discovered an experimental molecule that inhibits kidney function in mosquitoes, preventing resistance to conventional insecticides. The new compound, VU041, targets blood-feeding female mosquitoes and does not harm honeybees.
A human monoclonal antibody, ZIKV-117, has been isolated that 'neutralizes' the Zika virus in a mouse model and protects against fetal damage. The findings may aid development of an effective anti-Zika vaccine.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine details two cases of acute and unexpected fatal myocarditis that occurred in melanoma patients following treatment with a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab. High-dose corticosteroids were initially administered, but both patients died due to the severe immune reaction.
Researchers aim to understand the genetics and underlying biological mechanisms that lead to IPF. They will analyze genetic information on over 1,200 families to identify new genes causing the disease.
The National Institutes of Health has selected Vanderbilt University Medical Center as the Data and Research Support Center for the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to study genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affecting the health of a million or more people.
The research team will explore the biological and genetic underpinnings of breast cancer in African-American women, with a focus on identifying novel genes and gene pathways. The study aims to improve knowledge of breast cancer biology, particularly for this population.
A large-scale survey found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults report higher rates of severe psychological distress, heavy drinking, and smoking compared to heterosexuals. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals and public health practitioners to address the unique health needs of this vulnerable population.
States with robust prescription drug monitoring programs saw a significant reduction in opioid-related overdose deaths, with an average of 1.55 fewer deaths per 100,000 population compared to states without such programs. Implementing these programs could prevent over 600 additional overdose deaths nationwide.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are recruiting volunteers for a clinical trial aimed at decoding the human immunome. The study, part of the Human Vaccines Project, will generate data on the genetic underpinnings of the immune system to guide next-generation vaccine development.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found long-acting opioids significantly increase the risk of death from unintentional overdose and cardiorespiratory events. Alternative medications, such as anticonvulsants and low doses of cyclic antidepressants, may be safer options for managing moderate-to-severe chronic pain.
Chloride plays a critical role in assembling collagen IV scaffolds, a fundamental step in basement membrane formation. Researchers found that chloride binds to NC1 domains, inducing a conformational change that enables scaffold assembly.