UTMB News

The Daily News reported on a UTMB study that found that people who have substance abuse disorders might be at higher risk for dangerous effects of covid-19.

“I don’t think it is avoidable. But it is preventable,” UTMB’s Nikos Vasilakis told Buzzfeed of future pandemics. Experts foresee an accelerating rate of pandemics in the years ahead driven largely by deforestation, urban crowding, and wet markets for wild game, Buzzfeed reports.

A new study by researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston suggests that people with substance use disorders may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse respiratory effects of COVID-19, especially those using drugs that impair the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The findings are currently available in Psychiatric Services.

With more than more than 100 COVID-19 vaccines, therapies, and drugs in development, there is a national shortage of monkey’s typically used for biomedical research. But UTMB’s Vineet Menachery tells The Atlantic that hamsters may actually be a better test subject. This news also reported in DNYUZ and MSN.com

“People just aren’t aware that when someone has congestive heart failure and they have high blood pressure, the effects of depression on these illnesses itself can be devastating,” UTMB’s Tammie Michael told The Daily News. Michael spoke the local newspaper about the toll social isolation can have on seniors.

UTMB’s Megan Berman and Richard Rupp explain the clinical trials process in the quest to find a COVID-19 vaccine. They note that without volunteers willing to participate we would never have a licensed vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

In his weekly column, Victor Sierpina explores the connection between a person’s religion and health. Sierpina writes that in his practice he has learned that a patient’s personal spiritual beliefs are a major part of how they face life and death.

UTMB’s Dr. Shawn Nishi is one of the local physicians interviewed by the local newspaper to find out what physicians have learned about treating COVID-19 patients, and how things have changed since the beginning of the pandemic.

A compound made from the flowering oleander plant has been in the news as a possible treatment for coronavirus. UTMB’s Scott Weaver has tested the product and says while it may inactivate coronavirus cells grown in lab dishes, much more research is needed to determine if it could help humans dealing with the illness. Yahoo! also covered the possible use of the compound.

National Public Radio’s interview Vineet Menachery to get his take on what the future may hold moving forward with COVID -19 continues to be broadcast on stations across the nation.

UTMB’s Dr. Lillian Lockhart was honored by friends and colleagues with a parade at her home to celebrate her retirement. Lockhart, 89, was one of the first women to teach genetics in a university. “I loved teaching,” she said. “I never had a bad student. I really enjoyed that part the most, other than seeing my patients.

The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council recently conducted a hurricane simulation to examine what would happen if the Tampa Bay area experienced a direct hit by a Category 5 storm. They determined it would be a devastating blow to the area, but residents would rebuild as they have done in the past. UTMB’s Jeff Temple explains that risk exists everywhere. “If it’s flooding, mudslides, or earthquakes, or fires, or hurricane, or tornadoes, it’s really inescapable,” said Temple.

This week, Victor Sierpina writes about the power of love and the need for more of it today. He encourages readers to reach out to each other with greater consciousness, love and healing.

National Public Radio interviews Vineet Menachery to get his take on what the future may hold moving forward with COVID -19. Public radio stations nationally broadcast the interview.

Houston coverage of vaccine clinical trials, which have kicked off in the metro area. The story notes that UTMB is a site for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine candidates. The trials are part of an accelerated effort that usually takes two years.

UTMB’s Jeff Temple was named a 2020 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation, one of ten statewide. The Texas Medical Center published the news on their website with other good news from member institutions.