The effects of traumatic brain injuries are difficult to predict, especially for children, said Dr. Aaron Mohanty, pediatric neurosurgeon at the University of Texas Medical Branch. In general, babies who suffer such injuries have a better chance of recovery than adults, because they are still in the early developmental stages. But the degree to which they regain their motor skills varies widely. “One thing we are taught as a pediatric neurosurgeon is never give up,” Mohanty said. “Ultimately, it may not work out, but you’ll be surprised most of the time what functions you get back.”

The University of Texas Medical Branch plans to make room for mental-health treatment as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation of John Sealy Hospital. “We want to do the best job we can of addressing serious mental health disorders, but in the least restrictive environment for that patient,” medical branch President Dr. Ben Raimer said. “We want them to learn to deal with the mental health stressors that are facing them in the environments that are contributing to some of those stressors. You can’t learn to swim unless you’re in the water.”

Starting this fall, the next generation of students will take part in the public health workforce and improving the overall health and well-being of residents at the new School of Public and Population Health at UTMB. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the urgent need for more public health professionals trained in epidemiology, disease surveillance, as well as the need for expanded public health resources,” said Dr. Kristen Peek, dean of the new school. “A school dedicated to public and population health will build upon our strength in science and research, healthcare policy and delivery to prepare the next generation of public health leaders.” The Galveston County Daily News also reported this news.

UTMB’s Paula Summerly is featured in the latest episode of the podcast. Summerly, who manages the Old Red Medical Museum, shared stories of the 1920 Bubonic Plague outbreak in Galveston and highlighted some of UTMB’s trailblazing women in the medical field.

Dr. Heidi Luft, a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch, highlighted the importance of teamwork plus the need for training and investment in mental health research during a recent webinar, the Dominican Republic news outlet reported. "Most people need more training to be able to do this teamwork effectively," Luft said.

Recently, two older drugs, gemfibrozil and retinoic acid, have been combined to produce an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Gemfibrozil was used as a cholesterol-lowering drug before statins became the drugs of choice. Retinoic acid is related to vitamin A and has wide use for cancer and skin conditions. Recent studies have shown that combining these two drugs can have profound effects on brain cells called astrocytes, Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel write in their Medical Discovery News column.

Children who grew up in more polluted areas had an increased risk of having reduced lung growth which may never be recovered, writes Dr. Sally Robinson in her column. The average drop in lung function is similar to the impact of growing up in a home with parents who smoke.

A growing body of evidence shows that spending time outdoors can improve overall health and even prolong your life, Dr. Samuel Mathis writes in his column. One study found that spending 20 minutes outside can lower the stress hormone cortisol by 20 percent from baseline. The activity didn’t matter; rather, just the act of being outside improved people’s stress levels.