David Harris, professor of immunobiology and executive director of the UArizona Biorepository in the College of Medicine –Tucson, said there is some encouraging data to support the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to treat various conditions such as an open wound. Harris also said there's no conclusive scientific proof yet that they work and that studies are still ongoing.

A new Bachelor of Science in Medicine expands opportunities for students to pursue jobs in health care, where demand for trained professionals is rising.

Some doctors and researchers say there's not enough evidence from clinical trials that a new Alzheimer's drug is effective. Roberta Brinton, PhD, Director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science, hopes the benefits outweigh the harm. "There are many roads to Alzheimer's, there are many on-ramps to Alzheimer's but there aren't any off-ramps yet. I think it's a game starter and it's very exciting the FDA was flexible in their approval process," Brinton said.

If someone has already become infected and then recovered from COVID, do they still need to receive a vaccine? “From a population perspective, we can’t reassure individuals what their current antibody status is, even if they had an infection—and because of the variants," said Pima County Health Director Dr. Theresa Cullen, a clinical associate professor in the College of Medicine – Tucson.

A Republic investigation found that stem cells have been marketed as a treatment for conditions that have no good existing treatments, like arthritis, Alzheimer' or even autism. "There is little or sometimes no scientific evidence to support such treatments' effectiveness. I think there is hope. Unfortunately, there's more hype at this point," said Dr. Kent Kwoh, director of the UArizona Arthritis Center and a professor at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

UArizona Health Sciences research may help both premature babies and patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist and adjunct professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, said she wants people to get vaccinated and enjoy more flexibility. But she also doesn’t want Americans to forget — especially as they’re considering traveling outside the country — that they’re in a position that much of the world envies. “Be cognizant that other places are struggling,” Popescu said.

Dr. Murtaza Akhter, a clinical assistant professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, discusses a lag in vaccinations in parts of the country and concerns of a repeat surge in places that saw one last summer.

Edgar Villavicencio, a research specialist at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, was selected as one of 26 aspiring Latino researchers from across the nation to join the 2021 cohort of Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training at UT Health San Antonio.