UTMB News Articles

UTMB scientists have been awarded up to $6.4 million in funding to support an international research consortium working to determine which immune responses protect people against Lassa fever, the Daily News reports. “Once we can measure protection in a blood test instead of a prolonged clinical efficacy trial, we can deliver vaccines to impacted communities much faster,” said UTMB’s Dr. Courtney B. Woolsey.

Dr. Hasan Yasin writes about the health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms. Turkey tail mushrooms show real promise for immune and gut health, with the strongest evidence for their use as a complementary therapy under medical guidance for certain cancers, Yasin writes.

Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel discuss the differences between human brains and those of our closest primate relatives in their latest Medical Discover News column. In addition to the larger size of the brain and the higher number of neurons, the ability to connect regions of the brain appears to be a defining characteristic that distinguishes the human brain from those of our primate cousins, they write.

A new study from UTMB shows that different strains of Hendra virus can cause markedly different disease outcomes, reports Global Biodefense. The results of the study will inform vaccine and therapeutic development, potentially enabling targeted strategies depending on the genotype detected in an outbreak, the outlet states.

"This research could introduce a new perspective to the discussion of preventing and mitigating the devastating effects of stroke and related brain injuries," says Dr. Matias Costa in this Newsweek story on studies that find that weight loss drugs like Ozempic also protect the brain from stroke damage. This news was also reported in Consumer Affairs and Pharmacy Times.

Becker’s followed up on a CNN story that reports that health care experts are calling for the end of routine use of diphenhydramine citing safety concerns that outweigh benefits. UTMB’s Dr. Manuel Murray said the medication should not be used lightly and “should always be used under the guidance of a medical professional, and it is only indicated to treat allergic reactions and motion sickness.”

Drs. Megan Berman and Ricard Rupp write about a new and improved pneumococcal vaccine for their Vaccine Smarts column. Capvaxive covers up to 85 percent of the strains that cause the most severe forms of pneumococcal disease in adults, they write.

The Daily News reported on Blue Zones Ignites interest in partnering with UTMB to work on increasing lifespans through healthier environments, new policy and strong social connections. UTMB’s Dr. Jochen Reiser joined Blue Zones representatives to discuss the potential partnership at a recent community meeting.

Certain mushrooms with psychoactive compounds as such as psilocybin offer documented benefits in difficult psychiatric conditions, writes Dr. Victor S. Sierpina. Future studies, including those at the VA and Hopkins will hopefully provide better clarity, decriminalization, and protocols for psychedelic assisted therapy, he writes.

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that helps heal damaged tissues and fight infections, write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their latest Medical Discover News column. New results have found that they have another skill: they can form a “Band-Aid” around a wound to protect it from invading microbes and foreign molecules.

“Starting at 45 to 50, you could gain as much as 10 years of healthy life and this study just shows the truth of that at a cellular level,” UTMB’s Dr. Thomas Blackwell tells USA Today in his comments about a Chinese Academy of Sciences study on proteins taken from about 70 people ages 14 to 68.

“It should always be used under the guidance of a Medical Professional, and it is only indicated to treat allergic reactions and motion sickness,” UTMB’s Dr. Manuela Murry tells CNN for a story on dangerous misuse of the allergy medication diphenhydramine.

In low-resource settings, infants born with gastroschisis face life-threatening challenges but researchers and medical experts at UTMB, Rice University and UTHealth Houston have come up with a low-cost solution. “Our goal was to replicate the functionality of commercial silo bags using inexpensive, easy-to-source materials,” said UTMB’s Dr. Bindi Naik-Mathuria.

“Biohacking is essentially DIY biology—making intentional changes to your lifestyle, diet, or environment to optimize health and performance,” Dr. Salim Hayek tells Prevention. Hayek recommends looking for scientifically-proven changes and not just trying whatever crosses your social media feed.

UTMB’s Dr. Brent Masel spoke to ESPN about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that can be diagnosed only after someone has died. Masel told ESPN it can take weeks to do the appropriate testing. “So there will not be an instant answer to that,” he said.

Wouldn’t it be great if, instead of getting a fake tooth implanted, you could grow a new one, ask Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their latest Medical Discover News column. Japanese scientists are working on a drug that could make it a reality.

“We are trying to showcase our technologies better to the world outside,” UTMB’s Dr. Vineet Gupta told HBJ about the first Innovation VentureX summit held in Galveston. Dr. Jochen Reiser told the journal that the event was a success and could lead to more tangible investments in the next year or two, such as a new venture fund or physical expansions on campus.

“The assessment with Blue Zones represents a bold step forward in transforming the health of our community," said Dr. Jochen Reiser, UTMB president and CEO of the UTMB Health System. UTMB is working with Blue Zones to conduct an assessment of the community and then create a policy-focused plan.