Health Sciences In The Media

As people have adjusted their daytime rhythms to the pandemic, experts say they have also experienced changes in their sleep patterns. "People are having to find new rhythms in their life, and sometimes it's throwing their sleep off," said Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson.

While Arizona isn't seeing the surge or "second wave" of COVID-19 cases occurring in other states, public-health officials here are concerned cases could rise again. Epidemiologists say some rural regions of the state haven't fully recovered from the first wave and could be hit much harder a second time around. Dr. Daniel Derksen, director of the Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona, said four rural Arizona counties have had double the per-capita number of coronavirus infections and deaths of the state's urban areas.

Researchers at the University of Arizona have found a promising new biomarker that may help with early detection of stomach cancer. Published in Gut, the journal of the British Society of Gastroenterology, the study was led by Juanita L. Merchant, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

Journalist Ann Fish writes about her experience getting a mammography screening for breast cancer at the University of Arizona Medical Center in the early 1970s. She was part of a national program to screen 270,000 women for the early detection of breast cancer.

Rajesh Khanna and Aubin Moutal, researchers in the University of Arizona's Department of Pharmacology at the College of Medicine - Tucson, write that new research shows that neuropilin-1 is an independent doorway for the COVID-19 virus to infect cells. This discovery provides insights that may reveal ways to block the virus.

October, recognized as Eczema Awareness Month, is dedicated to informing those affected and their families, as well as spreading information regarding the condition to the general public. Dr. Vivian Shi, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, is interviewed about what patients and providers should know about eczema.

Gila Valley residents could soon see expanded cardiology, wound care and inpatient dialysis services if things go as planned for Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. The hospital is taking the final steps necessary to be designated a critical access hospital, which would allow it to be reimbursed differently by Medicare and Medicaid. Jill Bullock from the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health, which is helping the hospital during the process, spoke to people at a public meeting on Thursday night.

Experts say that two or three hours before people go to sleep, they should start thinking about when and how they're going to unwind. Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, said he spends some time catching up on work after dinner, but he always plans ahead for what time he'll need to put his work down.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine first rolled out its mobile health clinic in 1976 as part of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. The mobile clinic’s intent was to meet the needs of traditionally underserved patients, regardless of payer status or ability to pay.

A collaboration between the UA College of Medicine – Tucson and the College of Humanities is focusing on teaching medical students empathy and compassion.