Latest News from: University of Utah Health

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Released: 26-Oct-2020 5:00 AM EDT
Emerging Treatment Helps Reverse Heart Failure in Some Patients
University of Utah Health

In a new multicenter study, researchers led by University of Utah Health physicians report that an emerging heart failure treatment could potentially reverse structural damage to the heart, allowing it to heal itself over time. Overall, 19 (40%) patients who were treated with a combination of LVAD support with heart failure medications had sufficient improvement that the LVAD could be removed.

Released: 16-Oct-2020 3:30 PM EDT
Huntsman Cancer Institute Leadership Announcement: Cairns Named Chief Academic Officer, Welm Named Senior Director of Basic Science
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

Today, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) announced new leadership appointments for two long-standing cancer center members.

   
4-Oct-2020 8:00 PM EDT
HIV Up Close: Unprecedented View of Virus Reveals Essential Steps for Causing AIDS
University of Utah Health

Accomplishing a feat that had been a pipe dream for decades, scientists at University of Utah Health and University of Virginia have recreated in a test tube the first steps of infection by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Doing so has provided up-close access to the virus—which is otherwise obstructed from view deep within the cell—and enabled identification of essential components that HIV needs to replicate within its human host. The research publishes in the journal, Cell.

   
29-Sep-2020 7:05 PM EDT
Back Pain with Sciatica More Likely to Improve with Immediate Physical Therapy
University of Utah Health

For people who experience back pain with sciatica, meaning their pain radiates into their leg, it may be worthwhile to start physical therapy right away, according to new research reported in Annals of Internal Medicine. That approach is different from the initial advice doctors often give patients with back pain, which is to try to remain active and give their symptoms time to subside before considering treatment like physical therapy.

Released: 29-Sep-2020 4:50 PM EDT
World’s First ‘Pathoconnectome’ Could Point Toward New Treatments for Neurodegenerative Diseases
University of Utah Health

Scientists from the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah have achieved another first in the field of connectomics, which studies the synaptic connections between neurons. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded lab has produced the first pathoconnectome, showing how eye disease alters retinal circuitry.

Released: 29-Sep-2020 10:55 AM EDT
5 For The Fight Announces Inaugural Class of Cancer Research Fellows at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

5 For The Fight, a global movement inviting everyone to give $5 for the fight against cancer, today announced the inaugural recipients of the 5 For The Fight Cancer Research Fellowship in partnership with Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.

Released: 17-Sep-2020 3:55 PM EDT
Tweets Show Vapers Rarely Use E-cigarettes to Quit Smoking or Improve Health
University of Utah Health

The vast majority of Twitter users who vape with JUUL e-cigarettes are not using the devices to stop smoking or to improve their health, according to a research team led by University of Utah Health scientists.

Released: 16-Sep-2020 2:20 PM EDT
To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Disparities among African American Men, More Intervention Research Is Urgently Needed
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

African American men have the lowest five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) out of any other racial group. A major factor is low adherence to recommended early detection screening. Yet published research on effective strategies to increase screening for this group specifically are minimal. These findings were published today in PLOS ONE.

Released: 11-Sep-2020 4:15 PM EDT
Novel Discovery Challenges a Current Kidney Cancer Paradigm
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

Newly published research has reversed our understanding of an aspect of kidney tumor growth. Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah discovered that two key proteins have opposite roles than what was previously believed.

Released: 8-Sep-2020 1:15 PM EDT
COVID-19 Deaths Among Black Essential Workers Linked to Racial Disparities
University of Utah Health

Racial disparities among essential workers could be a key reason that Black Americans are more likely than whites to contract and die of COVID-19, according to researchers at the University of Utah. They found that Blacks disproportionately worked in nine vital occupations that increase their exposure to SARs-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

   
Released: 4-Sep-2020 2:35 PM EDT
Wildfire Smoke May Increase Risk to COVID-19 Infection
University of Utah Health

Wildfires are becoming more common and severe due to climate change and warmer and drier conditions in the West. As wildfire season rages in the United States, people are also at increased risk for COVID-19 infection due to wildfire smoke.

Released: 21-Aug-2020 1:05 PM EDT
Long-acting, Injectable Drug Could Strengthen Efforts to Prevent, Treat HIV
University of Utah Health

Scientists have developed an injectable drug that blocks HIV from entering cells. They say the new drug potentially offers long-lasting protection from the infection with fewer side effects.

Released: 20-Aug-2020 10:05 PM EDT
Self-Collected Saliva and Deep Nasal Swabs Are Equally Effective for the Diagnosis of COVID-19
University of Utah Health

Self-collected saliva and deep nasal swabs collected by healthcare providers are equally effective for detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a new study conducted by ARUP Laboratories and University of Utah (U of U) Health.

Released: 6-Aug-2020 12:50 PM EDT
Tracy Onega Named Senior Director of Population Sciences at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

Tracy Onega, PhD, has been appointed senior director of population sciences at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of population sciences at the University of Utah. Onega began her service at HCI on August 1.

Released: 4-Aug-2020 1:05 PM EDT
Scientists Develop New Models to Accelerate Progress in Preventing Drug Resistance in Lung and Pancreas Cancers
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah report today the development of new models to study molecular characteristics of tumors of the lung and pancreas that are driven by mutations in a gene named NTRK1. The findings were published today in the journal Cell Reports.

Released: 29-Jul-2020 1:10 PM EDT
Researchers Outline Need for Further Evaluation of Gene Expression Profiling in Melanoma Patients
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

A consensus statement published today in JAMA Dermatology by a group of melanoma researchers evaluates the use of prognostic genetic expression profiling within clinical treatment of patients with melanoma. The group cautioned against routine use of currently-available genetic expression profiling tests for patients with cutaneous melanoma.

Released: 21-Jul-2020 12:00 PM EDT
Huntsman Cancer Institute Receives Renewal of Prestigious Designation from the National Cancer Institute
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

The National Cancer Institute has renewed the designation of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest federal rank possible for a cancer research organization. This grant awards HCI more than $29 million over seven years, an increase of 84% in annual funding from the previous award cycle.

Released: 15-Jul-2020 6:25 PM EDT
Huntsman Cancer Institute Announces Next Major Expansion
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

A $4.5 million gift from the Huntsman family will fund an expansion of a unique program at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) that brings specialty cancer care directly to patients in their homes. With this major gift, HCI’s Huntsman at HomeTM will expand to rural Utah, including Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties. The goal is to provide cancer care for patients who live far from HCI in Salt Lake City by partnering with patients and their caregivers, communities, and medical teams to deliver many aspects of cancer care in a patient’s own home as an alternative to hospital visits at a medical center or emergency department.

Released: 8-Jul-2020 11:05 PM EDT
New Clues from Fruit Flies about the Critical Role of Sex Hormones in Stem Cell Control
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

In one of the first studies addressing the role of sex hormones’ impact on stem cells in the gut, scientists outline new insights showing how a steroidal sex hormone that is structurally and functionally similar to human steroid hormones drastically alters the way intestinal stem cells behave, ultimately affecting the overarching structure and function of this critical organ. The authors found that ecdysone, a steroid hormone produced by fruit flies, stimulates intestinal stem cell growth and causes the gut of the female fruit fly to grow in size, as well as other critical changes.

Released: 30-Jun-2020 12:40 PM EDT
COVID-19 Causes ‘Hyperactivity’ in Blood-Clotting Cells
University of Utah Health

Changes in blood platelets triggered by COVID-19 could contribute to the onset of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious complications in some patients who have the disease, according to University of Utah Health scientists. The researchers found that inflammatory proteins produced during infection significantly alter the function of platelets, making them “hyperactive” and more prone to form dangerous and potentially deadly blood clots.

Released: 29-Jun-2020 10:35 AM EDT
Clues to COVID-19 Complications Come from NET-like Inflammatory Response
University of Utah Health

An overactive defense response may lead to increased blood clotting, disease severity, and death from COVID-19. A phenomenon called NETosis—in which infection-fighting cells emit a web-like substance to trap invading viruses—is part of an immune response that becomes increasingly hyperactive in people on ventilators and people who die from the disease.

Released: 26-Jun-2020 12:50 PM EDT
A Study of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Young Adult Men Reveals “Hotspots” of Death in the United States
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

A study led by Charles Rogers, PhD, examines a trend of increasing incidence and mortality among young men diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The authors identify "hotspot" areas of the U.S. where colorectal cancer is on the rise. For men with early-onset colorectal cancer, Black men are more likely to die of the disease than other racial groups.

18-Jun-2020 7:35 AM EDT
The Rate We Acquire Genetic Mutations Could Help Predict Lifespan, Fertility
University of Utah Health

Differences in the rate that genetic mutations accumulate in healthy young adults could help predict remaining lifespan in both sexes and the remaining years of fertility in women, according to University of Utah Health scientists. Their study, believed to be the first of its kind, found that young adults who acquired fewer mutations over time lived about five years longer than those who acquired them more rapidly.

Released: 1-Jun-2020 4:05 PM EDT
Researchers Identify a Moving Target in Small Cell Lung Tumors
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

About 15 percent of lung cancers are classified as small cell lung cancer. Recent studies have indicated that four major subtypes of small cell lung cancer exist, yet approaches to tailor treatment of these subtypes have not yet become standard of care. Today in the journal Cancer Cell, scientists outline new findings about the origins of these lung cancer subtypes, paving the way for a new foundation to study this disease.

28-May-2020 9:00 AM EDT
Sea Snail, Human Insulin Hybrid Could Lead to Better Diabetes Treatments
University of Utah Health

Nearly a century after insulin was discovered, an international team of researchers including University of Utah Health scientists report that they have developed the world’s smallest, fully functional version of the hormone, one that combines the potency of human insulin with the fast-acting potential of a venom insulin produced by predatory cone snails. The finding, based on animal studies, could jumpstart the development of insulin treatments capable of improving the lives of those with diabetes.

27-May-2020 1:05 PM EDT
Electronic Health Records Fail to Detect Up to 33% of Medication Errors
University of Utah Health

Despite improvements in their performance over the past decade, electronic health records (EHRs) commonly used in hospitals nationwide fail to detect up to one in three potentially harmful drug interactions and other medication errors, according to scientists at University of Utah Health, Harvard University, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Released: 29-May-2020 8:55 AM EDT
Huntsman Cancer Institute Researchers Demonstrate Better Outcomes, Lower Cost in First-Ever Oncology Hospital-at-Home Evaluation
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) presented the first outcomes evaluation of an adult oncology hospital-at-home program today at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. The study evaluated patients participating in HCI’s Huntsman at Home. The data demonstrate strong evidence for this care model, showing improved patient outcomes, including reduced hospitalizations and decreased visits to the emergency department.

Released: 25-May-2020 8:55 AM EDT
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C): What You Need to Know
University of Utah Health

A panel of University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital experts answered questions about what is known about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) so far.

Released: 19-May-2020 12:35 PM EDT
COVID-19 Antibody Testing Needn’t be Perfect to Guide Public Health and Policy Decisions
University of Utah Health

While it’s too soon to use COVID-19 antibody testing to issue “immunity passports”, antibody tests that are available today are good enough to inform decisions about public health and relaxing social distancing interventions, says an international group of infectious disease and public health experts in Science Immunology today.



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