Medical Xpress reports on a quick test for tick-borne spotted fever rickettsioses developed by researchers at UTMB and the University of Houston. In their paper, the group describes how an enzyme present in all groups of Rickettsia was used as a marker for a test that can quickly diagnose tick-borne spotted fever rickettsioses.

UTMB researchers identified a potential new treatment for Marburg virus, the Daily News reports. In a study published in Nature Medicine, UTMB’s scientists showed that the oral drug Obeldesivir “was associated with a survival rate of 80 percent” in nonhuman primates. “This is one of those things where you can hopefully really head off or deal with an outbreak, or better control it, if you can give a pill or a tablet that somebody can take,” Dr. Thomas Geisbert tells the Daily News.

“I really want to see Texas lead. I think this is ideal for Texas,” said UTMB’s Dr. Jochen Reiser during comments at The Brain House in Davos. Reiser spoke about the interest by state leaders to fund research on brain health.

UTMB’s Dr. Giulio Taglialatela commented on a study that examined how the time it takes to get to the rapid eye movement stage of sleep is related to Alzheimer’s disease. “While the observation is interesting and deserving further development, the current study is on a limited number of patients, compromising its full statistical power,” Taglialatela told Medical News Today. His comments were also reported in MA Clinique and AOL.

Adding more parks, green space and opportunities to visit nature could provide a number of health benefits, UTMB’s Dr. Kim Gushanas tells Community Impact. “Exposure to sunlight, soil, the colors green and blue ... have been attributed to health outcomes,” she said.

Individuals who take time to regularly play have improved mood, lower stress levels, and improved overall health, writes Dr. Samuel Mathis.

UTMB’s School of Nursing was listed among the top 10 best online nursing degree programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Scientists estimate that close to 50 percent of dementia cases can be delayed or prevented, write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their Medical Discovery News column. A recent study lists risk factors for dementia and their potential to delay or prevent the disease.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and Drs. Megan Berman and Richard Rupp write about how an HPV vaccine can help prevent cancer and save a life.

Dr. Jochen Reiser and Dr. Giulio Taglialatela were in Davos, Switzerland to participate brain health care related events at this year’s World Economic Forum.