UTMB News Articles

The Daily News reported on an training session to help people recognize and respond to opioid overdoses put on by UTMB students.

Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel write a new vaccine that could prevent rheumatoid arthritis in their latest Medical Discovery News column.

A new microscopy technique that enables high-resolution imaging could one day help doctors diagnose and treat brain tumors. “We’re starting to see how important the interactions of neurons and synapses with the surrounding brain are to the growth and progression of tumors,” said UTMB’s Dr. Pablo Valdes. “A lot of those things we really couldn’t see with conventional tools, but now we have a tool to look at those tissues at the nanoscale and try to understand these interactions.” This news was also reported in Interesting Engineering and The Mirage.

New research found that nearly 10% of adolescents worldwide have used non-prescribed weight loss products, like laxatives, to lose weight. While it might lead to weight loss in the short term, laxatives should never be used for weight loss Dr. Samuel Mathis tells health. “This loss of nutrients can lead to malnutrition quickly if done with regularity,” he said. “Malnutrition can cause issues with the growth and development of the body and brain. It can lead to weakened bones and muscles, poor mentation, lower school performance, and can even lead to eating disorders in the long term.”

In new research, scientists have learned more about Long COVID, write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their Medical Discovery News column. Those who had COVID had significantly higher rates of diabetes, heart failure and fatigue; some appearing years after infection. There was an elevated risk of heart disease and mental health conditions for a year after infection.

UTMB will soon offer an in-person degree in occupation therapy for students in Laredo. “We are delighted to welcome UTMB’s presence at the UT Center at Laredo which now joins UT San Antonio, UT Health San Antonio, UTHealth Houston and UT Rio Grande Valley in a commitment to help meet critical workforce demands in this important region of Texas,” said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. The news was also reported in the Laredo Morning Times.

Integrative medicine consultations are beneficial for people looking to maximize their health, people with chronic medical conditions and people who deal with long-term pain, Dr. Samuel Mathis writes in his latest column.

Beyond its primary mission of fending off shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia, the vaccine extends its protective arm to the heart and brain Dr. Megan Berman and Dr. Richard Rupp talks about shingles vaccines in this column.

Why is this one-hour change bothersome? Dr. Sally Robinson explains how sudden change of one hour with daylight saving time is disruptive for most humans, and why a lack or an excess of light can have significant effects on health and mood.

A better doctor-patient relationship, early detections and more. Dr. Samuel Mathis talks about the key benefits of having routine visits once a year.

No prospective studies have been conducted in the U.S. to show that two doses of 9vHPV vaccine are non-inferior to three doses among individuals in this age range,” said lead researcher Dr. Abbey Berenson, a UTMB professor within the department of OB/GYN and director of the UTMB Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health. “This study was designed to fill that gap of knowledge.” This news was also shared on Houston’s KPRC.

"The best thing you can do if you’re concerned about getting dementia is twofold. Number one, follow the food rules. Try to cut out high-sugar, highly processed foods [think: pastries, desserts, sweetened drinks] that are known to be inflammatory and can negatively affect the body and the brain”, Dr. Samuel Mathis shares tips to protect your brain health and things people can do to lower risk of dementia if it runs in their family.

While SARS-CoV-2 gets all the headlines, there are other coronaviruses circulating in humans that do not cause great harm and that could be a hopeful glimpse of the future of COVID-19. UTMB’s Dr. Gregory Gray tells Science that humanity is under constant siege from viruses. “I think there are certainly other animal coronaviruses circulating that are challenging human immune systems,” Gray said.

UTMB’s Dr. Joan Richardson was featured in a Becker’s article on workforce trends. Richardson said she was most concerned about the decreasing numbers of pediatric subspecialist. Richardson was also featured in a Becker’s article on payer behavior.

Dr. Elizabeth M. Vaughan helps the Diabetes Discoveries & Practice Blog explains who community health workers are, how they are trained, and how health care professionals can successfully integrate CHWs into diabetes care. “I often call them “the bridge”—the bridge to help people get the health and social services they need,” Vaughan said.

Vaccine Smarts writers Dr. Megan Berman and Dr. Richard Rupp share twelve tips to help children, and their parents, deal with vaccinations. Their tips include explaining the purpose of vaccines in a simple and positive manner, reading children’s books where the characters get their vaccines, and bringing items to distract your child during the vaccination, among others.