Research conducted at UTMB has uncovered a new mechanism for designing antiviral drugs for dengue virus. Dengue virus is a mosquito-transmitted viral pathogen, causing 390 million human infections each year. “The World Health Organization lists dengue virus as one of the top ten public health threats and as such requires the urgent development of effective vaccine and therapeutics,” said Hongjie Xia, UTMB postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study.

This story from the Texas Medical Center examines the efforts undertaken to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. UTMB’s Alan Barret provides details on the many steps needed before a vaccine is determined effective and safe.

UTMB’s Scott Weaver and Susan McLellan recently participated in a COVID-19 virtual update hosted by The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. The two experts discussed UTMB efforts to create antibody therapies and conduct clinical trials in the effort to develop a vaccine and mitigating the spread of the virus.

UTMB’s Tim Harlin was interviewed by the local newspaper to provide information on patient transfers from other hospitals in the region. Harlin explained that UTMB has signed off on transfers when there is room to handle them as well as Galveston County residents who may require hospitalization.

Houston’s CBS affiliate interviews UTMB’s Scott Weaver for an update on coronavirus research that finds the virus can stay in the air longer than previously thought. MSN, ABC 13 Houston, The Valley Star Harlingen, The McAllen Monitor and KRGV Rio Grande Valley also interviewed Dr. Weaver.

New physicians reporting for their residency training at UTMB are facing challenges previously unknown due to the pandemic. “We were all ready to jump out of that student role and be more autonomous,” said Pyria Chitta, a first-year internal medicine resident. “I think we were somewhat prepared, but this is something we would not have expected.”

UTMB’s Dr. Matt Dacso helps dispel some of the myths about exercising while wearing a mask, explaining you are not inhaling your own carbon dioxide. He also notes the importance of wearing a mask when working out at a gym since there have been community-spreading events linked to gyms.

In this week’s column, doctors Megan Berman and Richard Rupp talk about the important role a person’s liver plays in keeping them healthy. They also discuss the causes of hepatitis, the term for inflammation of the liver, and the vaccines that can prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

A local report on the increasing demand for COVID testing in Galveston County as the number of diagnosed cases continue to rise. UTMB’s Juan David Garcia explains that more people are interested in testing because they are more aware of the coronavirus and its prevalence in the community.

IBM Watson Health recently ranked UTMB Galveston in the Top 15 nationwide among major teaching hospitals. “We are proud to be the only teaching hospital in the region to achieve this recognition,” said UTMB’s Tim Harlin.