UArizona Health Sciences Researchers Identify Mechanism for Slowing Cancer Growth Sept. 27, 2021 A newly discovered mechanism for controlling blood vessel growth in tumors points to possible strategies for developing new therapeutic interventions to overcome drug resistance. Read more Image
Exercise May Reduce Sleep Apnea and Improve Brain Health Sept. 27, 2021 Exercise training could be a useful supplemental treatment for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, a small study finds. The findings, reported this week at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions virtual conference, are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. The research makes a good case as to why exercise should be added to the treatment strategy for sleep apnea, said Michael Grandner, PhD, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program and associate professor of psychiatry at the College of Medicine – Tucson. Dr. Grandner was not involved in the study. Drugs.com
How to Activate Your Brain’s Incredible Calming Nerve, the Vagus Sept. 27, 2021 Andrew Weil, MD, founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and a member of Prevention's Medical Advisory Board, writes about the vagus nerve, a powerful tool against headaches, depression, and more. Prevention
Do Sleep Supplements Actually Work? What the Experts Really Say Sept. 26, 2021 By the CDC's estimation, more than a third of American adults aren't getting the recommended seven hours of sleep a night. This could be happening for one of two reasons: Either that person has a major sleep disorder that should be attended to by a specialized health care practitioner, or they have bad sleep habits that are keeping the supplements from doing their job. Michael Grandner, PhD, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the College of Medicine – Tucson, says although supplements can be effective, they can't undo poor sleep hygiene. MindBodyGreen
‘It’s Not a Cold’: COVID-19 is Causing Sickness and Mental Health Issues in Arizona Kids Sept. 26, 2021 An article examining the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona cites data from University of Arizona public health researcher Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, associate professor of public health policy at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, who notes that "non-pharmacologic interventions like mask mandates, limited gathering sizes, and targeted business mitigations will help speed resolution and ensure this wave does not reignite." The Arizona Republic
Launching a New End-of-Life Care Training Program at UArizona Health Sciences Sept. 24, 2021 Faculty at UArizona Center on Aging, colleges and centers will use a David and Lura Lovell Foundation grant to enhance end-of-life care education. Read more Image
Women May Be More Willing Than Men to Donate Organs Sept. 24, 2021 Women appear more willing to donate their organs to family members or strangers, according to a study published Friday in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The results suggest improving communication among family members about organ donation wishes could help increase and diversify the pool of organs available for transplantation. "It's important that we start having these hard conversations a little earlier," said Khadijah Breathett, MD, the study's senior author and an assistant professor in the College of Medicine – Tucson. American Heart Association News
Episode 843: How Metal is Science? Sept. 24, 2021 Michael D.L. Johnson, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of immunobiolgy at the College of Medicine – Tucson, talks about his research and how certain metals can be used to kill bacteria. This Week in Science Podcast
Booster Shots Are Coming. Here's How to Figure Out If You Need One Sept. 24, 2021 Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor and immunobiologist at the College of Medicine – Tucson, says a booster shot may offer a little extra protection against getting sick and having to stay to recover, but it's still unknown how long this extra protection will last. "The question sort of becomes, when do we need a booster versus when do we want one. I think that's the distinction we need to have right now," Bhattacharya says. NPR
New CDC Data Shows Schools With No Masking 3.5 Times More Likely to Have COVID Outbreak Sept. 24, 2021 Arizona is one of a handful of Republican-led states that have issued executive orders prohibiting school districts from mandating masks. By the end of August, children accounted for a quarter of the state's coronavirus cases, according to data from the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. In Maricopa County alone, 1 in every 6 infections occurred in children under 12. Newsweek