"For me, this is a lifetime work,” said UTMB’s Dr. Hani Jneid about the establishment of the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute thanks to a $30 million grant from the Sealy & Smith Foundation. This news also reported in Becker’s Hospital Review, the Galveston County Daily News and the Houston Business Journal.
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The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is proud to announce two major advancements in cardiovascular health: the establishment of the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute and the launch of a new Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. Together, these initiatives represent a bold and unified commitment to elevating cardiovascular care, research and education for the region and beyond.
Researchers are exploring a surprising new way to deliver vaccines — coating dental floss with vaccine ingredients, write Drs. Megan Berman and Ricard Rupp for their Vaccine Smarts column.
Dr. Victor S. Sierpina says he use to condescending when someone said walking was their primary exercise. But, Sierpina writes, new research is verifying the many health benefits of walking. “It is a simple, convenient, and affordable way to work on cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, and flexibility in one package,” Sierpina writes.
A fungus named Candida auris is making its way across the U.S., write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their latest Medical Discover News column. C. auris can cause a variety of infections, from relatively mild but itchy skin infections to severe bloodstream infections, they write.
In a guest column for the Daily News, UTMB’s Dr. Jarrel De Mattas argues that Texas should regulate AI bots offering mental health care. “AI can be a tool in this ecosystem, but never a substitute for human connection,” De Mattas writes.
In response to a growing need for skilled pharmacy professionals and a desire to shape the future of the profession, the University of Texas Medical Branch launched a new internship program this past summer to prepare students for careers in pharmacy.
“Ultimately, we aim to equip our pharmacy interns for successful careers in health system pharmacy while inspiring them to pursue advanced training and leadership opportunities,” said UTMB’s Michael Eagon. UTMB started a pharmacy internship program with six interns this year, with the plan to add six new interns each year, said UTMB’s Jared Sheneman.
Dr. Antonio Bianco spoke to Medscape about the complex history of FDA regulation of thyroid medicines. “Because they existed before the FDA, their regulatory pathway is really complicated,” Bianco said.
The Houston Chronicle spoke to Dr. Beth Ulrich for this story on how the demographics of nursing have changed and grown more diverse over time. “A lot of nursing and medicine is collaboration,” Ulrich said. “And the more different views you can put on a team, generally the better the outcomes.”
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.
Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Galveston National Laboratory have been awarded up to $6.4 million in funding to support an international research consortium to crack one of the toughest problems in infectious disease science: determining which immune responses protect people against Lassa fever.
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.
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.
"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.”
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.
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.