FACT FINDERS: Vaccine Protection, Eight Months Later Aug. 18, 2021 Many vaccinated people have questions about how much protection they have against the virus. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, an immunobiologist at the College of Medicine – Tucson, discusses the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, the delta variant, and whether people may need a booster shot after eight months. KOLD-TV (Tucson, AZ)
University of Arizona to Launch HealthTech Connect to Advance Health Technology Aug. 18, 2021 University of Arizona Health Sciences has announced it will launch HealthTech Connect, a consortium designed to build opportunities for companies and organizations to pursue cutting-edge innovations in health technology. AZ Tech Beat
Decreased Hospital Capacity from Both COVID and Non-COVID Patients Troubles Hospitals Aug. 18, 2021 In his latest COVID-19 Update and Forecast published on Saturday, Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, associate professor of public health policy and management with the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, predicted that hospitals would experience reductions in services. “Undoubtedly, some medically necessary procedures will likely be postponed and rescheduled over the coming weeks to make room for critically ill COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Gerald. Tucson Weekly
Coronavirus Update: Booster Shots May Be on the Way, New Cases Back to Pre-Vaccination Levels Aug. 18, 2021 Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, an associate professor of public health policy and management at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, says COVID-19 conditions in the state of Arizona are getting worse and could reach a peak by the end of the month. Consumer Affairs
UArizona Develops New Regenerative Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease Aug. 18, 2021 Continuing coverage: University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers have developed a new therapy for Alzheimer’s disease designed to restore cognitive function in early-stage patients. The therapy is now proceeding through a Phase 2b clinical trial. Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, director of the UArizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science, is the lead investigator. BizTUCSON
UArizona Researchers Utilize Nanotechnology in Hopes of Improving Cancer Treatment Aug. 18, 2021 Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences say using nanotechnology to deliver chemotherapy, could be a more effective way to fight aggressive tumors. "We found that our nano platform can not only increase effectiveness of the immunotherapy but also can activate our body's own memory immunity," said Jianqin Lu, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the College of Pharmacy. KVOA-TV (Tucson, AZ)
Health & Wellness: Coccidioidomycosis, a Southwest Illness Aug. 18, 2021 Mia Smitt, a recently retired nurse practitioner, writes about coccidioidomycosis, citing the the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence as a great reference for both health care providers and the public. Tucsonlocalmedia
Local Health Leaders Weigh-In on Biden’s Push for COVID Booster Aug. 18, 2021 The roll-out of a booster vaccine is set to start the week of Sept. 20, aimed at people who had their second dose more than eight months ago. Those most vulnerable, including seniors and health care workers, would be eligible first. Some health leaders disagree with the move saying the primary concern shouldn't be for a booster of the vaccine, but rather getting our country and those in developing countries their first dose. "I personally, at this point, would not place third boosters shots as a priority in our public health response," said Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, an associate professor of public health policy and management at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. "I still think we should be focused on getting people our first and second shots." KVOA-TV (Tucson, AZ)