FACT FINDERS: Taking a Look at COVID Treatment Pills From Pfizer, Merk Dec. 14, 2021 Pfizer and Merk have COVID-19 treatment pills the FDA is considering. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor of immunology with the College of Medicine – Tucson, says it appears Pfizer’s treatment is much more effective. KOLD-TV (Tucson, AZ)
University of Arizona Expanding Nursing Presence in Gilbert Dec. 14, 2021 The University of Arizona College of Nursing will bring a new master’s nursing program next fall to Gilbert’s University Building and rent more space in the building to accommodate it. The Gilbert Town Council unanimously approved a new lease agreement with UA as part of the consent agenda at its meeting Dec. 14 with a five-year term and an option for five more years thereafter. Community Impact Newsletter
Compound Provides Innovative Pain Relief Dec. 14, 2021 Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are closer to developing a safe and effective non-opioid pain reliever after a study showed that a new compound they created reduces the sensation of pain by regulating a biological channel linked to pain. Worldhealth.net
Respiratory Tract Bacterial Extracts Could Prevent COVID-19, Study Finds Dec. 13, 2021 Bacterial lysate OM-85 blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection by decreasing the coronavirus's ability to bind to the lung cell surface receptor ACE2, research found. Read more Image
Improving Health and Wellness Begins with Basic Science Dec. 13, 2021 A key contingent at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, basic scientists are undaunted by setbacks, a critical trait for making discoveries. Read more Image
UArizona Postdoc's 50-Mile Run for Indigenous Scientists Featured in Patagonia Film Dec. 13, 2021 "Run to Be Visible," a documentary released last month by Patagonia, follows Lydia Jennings, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, as she completes a 50-mile run honoring Indigenous scientists of the past, present and future. Native News Online
Pregnant Women Hit Hard by COVID-19 as Doctors Urge Vaccines Dec. 13, 2021 Pregnant women across the U.S. are fighting severe cases of COVID-19, putting both mother and baby at risk. "Pregnant people who have been infected with COVID-19, compared with pregnant people who haven’t, are 18 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU. KGUN-TV (Tucson, AZ)
'Warning Signs' For School Shooters Aren't Very Useful on Their Own Since They Can Apply to 'Millions of People Who Are Never Going to Hurt Anybody,' expert says Dec. 12, 2021 Identifying "warning signs" is often discussed to prevent school shootings, but focusing too much on warning signs may be an imperfect strategy. "When you say 'what's the profile of a school shooter?' you're talking about somebody that feels despondent, is angry, maybe they're depressed. But you've just described half of Americans," said Joel A. Dvoskin, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of psyciatry at the College of Medicine – Tucson. Insider
Arizona Flu Season Begins During COVID-19 Spike Dec. 12, 2021 COVID-19 cases are surging statewide in the midst of flu season, which means Arizonans are at elevated risk to get sick. Shad Marvasti, MD, associate professor of family and community medicine at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, says it’s not likely, but not impossible, to have both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. KJZZ-FM (Phoenix, AZ)
Who is Responsible For Heavy Menstruation? Sleep Length Plays an Important Role Dec. 11, 2021 Kat Kennedy, a PhD student and researcher in the Sleep and Health Research Program at the College of Medicine – Tucson, published research that foundmenstruating women who sleep less than six hours a night were 44% more likely to have an irregular period and 70% more likely to have heavy bleeding during a period than healthy sleepers who got seven to nine hours. Denik.cz (Czech Republic)