Category Health & Wellness
Ready, aim, fire! Cancer-targeting mechanism underlies promising UW–Madison spinoff
For all their lethality, cancer cells don't look much different from healthy cells, a simple fact that causes endless pain and suffering. Finding cancer cells that have spread and threaten to grow into metastatic tumors is often a life-and-death matter.
Zoo’s mother-to-be receives prenatal care from UW-affiliated health professionals
While many in Madison were surprised and delighted on Feb. 10 to learn that Henry Vilas Zoo’s Bornean orangutan, Kawan, was expecting the zoo’s first baby primate in 14 years, it was old news to Barb Trampe, chief sonographer at the UW/Meriter Center for Perinatal Care. She had already seen the first baby pictures.
Laying a foundation for treating ALS, spinal cord injury
Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Waisman Center, and his research team have published a unique model for learning more about the role of human astrocytes today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation today. The findings may lay a foundation for the treatment of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and debilitating spinal cord injuries.
Will they be back? Predicting readmissions for elderly patients
Seniors living in the most disadvantaged 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods are much more likely to make repeat trips to the hospital, according to a study by Amy Kind, a University of Wisconsin–Madison assistant professor of medicine.
Study shows possible link between asthma, cardiovascular disease
Asthma that requires daily medication is associated with a significantly higher risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH).
UW-Madison awarded $8.3 million for new urological research center
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has been awarded an $8.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to create a research center focused on urological health. The George O’Brien Center at UW–Madison is a collaboration with the University of Massachusetts-Boston to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of male urinary symptoms associated with hormones, aging, obesity and benign prostate enlargement.
Researchers study role of cultural diversity awareness in biomedical mentoring
The nation needs a more diverse biomedical workforce. To help advance that goal, a team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers will assess whether cultural-diversity training of research mentors makes a positive difference for those they are mentoring in biomedical research.
UW, Madison schools team up to train mindfulness muscles
Mindfulness practice in the classroom may be one way to help students improve their academic performance, nurture their emotional well-being and bolster their behavior.
Symposium links human, animal, environmental health
The Global Health Symposium at the University of Wisconsin–Madison reflects a decade of interdisciplinary global health work on campus, says Dr. Christopher Olsen, this year's keynote speaker.
Study suggests potential association between soy formula and seizures in children with autism
A University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher has detected a higher rate of seizures among children with autism who were fed infant formula containing soy protein rather than milk protein.
Stem cell advance yields mature heart muscle cells
A team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers has induced human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to differentiate toward pure-population, mature heart muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes.
Wisconsin Partnership funds five new studies
Five researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH) have received grants through the Wisconsin Partnership Program’s New Investigator Program.
Students to vote on campus recreational sports improvements
A significant upgrade to the campus’ heavily used recreational sports facilities will be one of the options facing students during the University of Wisconsin–Madison spring student elections, held March 3-5.
UW-Madison scientists to use high-density EEGs to benefit epilepsy patients
University of Wisconsin researchers pioneered the use of high-density electro-encephalograph (HD-EEG) technology to study sleep patterns and the effects of meditation. With support from a local grassroots organization, Lily's Fund for Epilepsy Research, UW–Madison researchers will now evaluate how this advanced technology might benefit people with epilepsy.
Spinoff joins fight against prostate cancer
A spinoff business launched by a University of Wisconsin–Madison cancer researcher is attempting to harness the human immune system to fight prostate cancer.
Article by UW–Madison expert highlights 50th anniversary of surgeon general’s smoking report
An article co-authored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Dr. Michael Fiore marking the 50th anniversary of the first U.S. Surgeon General's report on smoking was published Tuesday by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Documentary connects multiple sclerosis, Vikings and Nordic skiing
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological disease that affects more than 400,000 Americans, attacks the nervous system and causes many symptoms, including difficulty moving. But many who suffer from the disease defy its effects by maintaining an active lifestyle.
Study reveals gene expression changes with meditation
With evidence growing that meditation can have beneficial health effects, scientists have sought to understand how these practices physically affect the body.
Researchers discover early step in blood stem cell development
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) researchers have discovered a very early regulatory event that controls the production of blood stem cells and the adult blood system.