With a number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized with respiratory problems and dying from heart failure, it became obvious early on that SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus behind the pandemic, also can damage the heart. "We don't do MRIs on everyone who has the flu, so we don't know how many have inflammation or what their long-term outcomes are," said Dr. Martha Gulati, the division chief of cardiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Rajesh Khanna, a professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, writes that his research group uncovered a link between a particular cellular protein and pain – an interaction that is disrupted by the coronavirus.

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson will use a $1.4 million federal grant to increase its training capacity, help combat Arizona’s opioid epidemic and increase services to rural and underserved communities across the state.

Health Sciences cancer prevention expert Cynthia Thomson, PhD, shares updated guidance that could save lives, including new advice on food and alcohol.

An article looks into the challenges of widely distributing a COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona. "The FDA has promised that it is not going to approve a vaccine until it has found to be safe," said Dr. Elizabeth Connick, chief of infectious diseases at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

Dr. Meredith Hay won a $5.7 million grant for clinical trials on a novel peptide therapy that, if successful, would be the first drug to treat vascular dementia – the second most common form of dementia.

The convergence of the flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic calls for vigilance with masks, handwashing, social distancing – and a flu shot.

Continuing coverage: Molecular clock analysis showed no widespread community distribution of the highly contagious coronavirus disease in Arizona until mid-February.