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 UTMB News

  • Another possible cause of Alzheimer’s

    A new study poses a theory that accumulation of fat droplets in glial cells causes the plaques and subsequent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their weekly Medical Discovery News column.

  • How to Avoid a Stooped Posture as You Age

    “Computers and texting encourage a forward head position and make it harder to maintain good posture,” UTMB’s Dr. Lynne Hughes tells Consumer Reports. Hughes offered tips on how to maintain good posture.

  • As Bird Flu Spreads, Two New Cases Diagnosed in California

    As more farmworkers are diagnosed with bird flu, one possibility that hasn’t received much attention is that some individuals may carry the pathogen without ever having an immune response or developing symptoms, Dr. Gregory Gray tells the New York Times. “We haven’t really thought about that with respect to influenza,” Gray said.

  • An older man doing push ups on the sidewalk

    New drug may help people stay strong as they age

    Dr. Stanley Watowich discusses new research at the University of Texas Medical Branch holds promise for helping people maintain strength and mobility as they age.

  • Key information about Rwanda’s deadly Marburg outbreak is still missing

    Many crucial questions remain unanswered about the deadly Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, reports the journal Science. Dr. Thomas Geisbert spoke to Science about the outbreak and about the importance of figuring out the genetic sequence of the virus spreading in Rwanda. “They’re obviously all deadly viruses, but the mortality rates are a little different,” Geisbert said.

  • Bilingual skills grow the brain

    Dr. Victor Sierpina shares his recent experience learning Spanish and how we can benefit from building our bilingual skills. Those benefits included improved memory, sharper cognitive skills, adaptability in problem-solving, better self-control, and even forestalling dementia.

  • Shingles vaccine provides protection against dementia

    Drs. Megan Berman and Richard Rupp discuss a recent study that indicates that the shingles vaccine may provide some protection against dementia. “If so, the varicella-zoster virus may play a role in dementia,” they write.

  • How to help teenagers with mental illness

    In this health column for the Galveston County Daily News, Dr. Sally Robinson shares helpful tips on helping teenagers with mental illness. “It is not always easy to tell when the normal ups and downs of adolescence are something to worry about,” she writes.

  • a clipboard with a white piece of paper is in the foreground, blurry. a teen in a black hoody and jeans sits with his head hunched over and hands clasped, resting on his legs. a plant in a white pot is to the right. there's 2 blurry chairs in the BG

    Research programs provide mental health resources for area youth

    The Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Activation programs are free and designed for eligible participants between the ages of eight and 20 who are not currently dealing with a mental health emergency such as psychosis or immediately suicidal thoughts.

  • image of female provider of SE Asian Descent with a female, latina patient. The provider is scanning the patient's knee and a screen featuring the ultrasound image is on the far right side of the photo

    Joint Replacement in a Day program offered to eligible candidates

    This approach, which enhances patient experiences by enabling more comfortable, home-based recoveries, is offered by Dr. Paul Dicpinigaitis and Dr. Bardia Barimani, board-certified orthopedic surgeons who both specialize in joint replacement and reconstruction surgeries.

  • I Ate Chickpeas Every Day for a Week—Here’s What Happened

    “Chickpeas are packed full of nutrients and are an incredibly healthy food source,” says UTMB’s Dr. Samuel Mathis. Experts agree one of the standout benefits of chickpeas is their protein and fiber content. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, while fiber helps keep your digestive system running smoothly and can help in maintaining a healthy weight.

  • UTMB Study Identifies an Anti-Aging Protein as Key to Preventing Vision Loss in Glaucoma

    Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch recently made a breakthrough in understanding how aging contributes to glaucoma, the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Their latest study published in Molecular Therapy highlights the crucial role of the anti-aging protein, Sirt6, for preventing vision loss in millions affected by the disease.

  • Your Coffee Habit May Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes—Here's How Many Cups to See Benefits

    A new study has linked moderate caffeine consumption with a lower risk of developing multiple cardiometabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, or coronary heart disease. Researchers have traditionally linked coffee’s benefits to polyphenols, UTMB’s Dr. Samuel Mathis said, but the “interesting aspect of the study is that they have now linked lower cardiometabolic disease risk to the caffeine found in drinks like coffee or tea.”

  • NIH establishes pandemic preparedness research network

    The NIH has established a pandemic preparedness research network for research on pathogens that are the most likely to threaten human health. UTMB is one of the institutions selected to participate in the initiative and will receive a grant of approximately $46 million. Find out more about UTMB’s role on the UTMB News page.

  • What you should know about iodine

    UTMB’s Dr. Hasan Yasin takes a deep dive into iodine, an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in human health.