Lack of Side Effects Doesn't Mean mRNA Vaccine Not Working; mRNA Shots Limit Breakthrough Infection Severity July 2, 2021 People who contract COVID-19 even after vaccination are likely to have a lower viral load, experience a shorter infection time and have milder symptoms than unvaccinated individuals, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "If you get vaccinated, about 90% of the time you're not going to get COVID-19," said Jeff Burgess, MD, an associate professor at the University of Arizona Health Sciences. "Even if you do get it, there will be less of the virus in you and your illness is likely to be much milder." Reuters
Tech Launch Arizona Funds Five App Projects to Benefit Society July 2, 2021 Tech Launch Arizona has awarded funding to five teams of students, faculty and community members to develop software or mobile apps and bring them to the public as impactful solutions to benefit society. The winners include College of Medicine – Phoenix students Jahnavi Shriram and Benjamin Conner, and faculty member M. Sriram Iyengar, PhD. BizTUCSON
A Simple Blood Test to Speed Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis July 1, 2021 Health Sciences researchers are using artificial intelligence to quickly identify the chemical fingerprints of pulmonary hypertension before it’s too late. Read more Image
UArizona Center for Rural Health Receives $4.4M Federal Grant to Continue Health Services to Rural Arizona July 1, 2021 The support of the Arizona Center for Rural Health assures Arizona’s rural populations will continue to benefit from health programs and services. Read more Image
COVID-19 Vaccines Reduce Viral Load, Severity in Breakthrough Cases, Studies Find July 1, 2021 People who contract COVID-19 even after vaccination are likely to have a lower viral load, experience a shorter infection time and have milder symptoms than unvaccinated individuals, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "If you get vaccinated, about 90% of the time you're not going to get COVID-19," said Jeff Burgess, an associate professor at the University of Arizona Health Sciences. "Even if you do get it, there will be less of the virus in you and your illness is likely to be much milder." Fox News
How Does the Delta Variant Differ from Original Strain? July 1, 2021 The highly transmissible Delta variant rapidly spreading in the U.S. and spurring calls for masks regardless of vaccination status harbors over a dozen mutations, some of which are linked to vaccine escape and heightened spread from person to person. "The mutations allow the Delta variant virus to spread more quickly and make infected people sicker," said Janko Nikolich-Žugich, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Immunobiology at College of Medicine – Tucson. "Importantly, those individuals receiving all the recommended doses of the approved vaccines seem well protected even against Delta.” Fox News
Study Finds Breast Cancer’s Response to Tumour Stiffness May Predict Bone Metastasis July 1, 2021 A new study by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers found that cancer cells become more aggressive when exposed to tissue stiffening and that these changes persist over time. Yahoo India Style
COVID-19 Vaccine Reduces Severity, Length, Viral Load for Those Who Still Get Infected June 30, 2021 Real-world data from the AZ HEROES study show COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections, and when breakthrough infections do occur, the level of infection and impact of the disease are significantly reduced. Read more Image
Study Finds Breast Cancer’s Response to Tumor Stiffness May Predict Bone Metastasis June 30, 2021 A score that quantifies the changes that make breast cancer cells more aggressive could help identify patients at risk for bone metastasis. Read more Image
New Undergraduate Degree Will Focus on Wellness and Health Promotion June 30, 2021 A new Bachelor of Arts in Wellness and Health Promotion Practice prepares students to work in emerging roles such as health educators and wellness coaches. Read more Image