OHSU scientists — Jonathan Pruneda, Ph.D., and Michael Cohen, Ph.D. — in different fields, realized their work complemented each other and revealed a new method to understanding how proteins work. Pruneda says, “This discovery expands our understanding of how complex cellular signals are integrated. Until now, it was thought that a single modification would control protein behavior, but our work reveals that different modifications can interact and affect a protein's function in unique ways.”

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Elinor L. Sullivan, PhD, and Elizabeth K. Wood, PhD, professor and assistant professor, respectively, at Oregon Health & Science University, discussed how infant neurodevelopment is influenced by maternal diet during the third trimester of pregnancy.

In a column for the Portland Tribune, two nurses (not affiliated with OHSU) highlight the damage that pulling back research funding will have on human health. They highlight OHSU’s significance both as a large employer and a leading research institution.

In a Contemporary OB/GYN video interview, Elinor Sullivan, Ph.D., discusses her recent study that maternal diet during the third trimester may be associated with a higher risk for mental health disorders in offspring. She says, “We found this very compelling, because we’ve now targeted a specific part of the diet. We recognize it’s really difficult to change one’s entire diet, but perhaps by targeting a specific area, such as the glycemic index, or carbohydrate source that you're consuming, individuals may be able to make that small dietary change and thus optimize the development of their child.”

Yifan Jian, Ph.D., discusses challenges in retinal imaging and the future of high-speed, high-resolution ophthalmic imaging. He says, “In research, we will continue pushing for higher resolution and better contrast mechanisms, such as oxygen saturation mapping. Thoughtful optical design will be critical to push the limits of what OCT can reveal.”

OPB-Radio cites OHSU research testing how to artificially induce a hibernation state by reducing the amount of oxygen cells need to survive, which may buy valuable time for people having strokes or heart attacks.

Regarding a bill that would ban flavored tobacco products in an effort to curb teen vaping, Astha Mittal, M.D., tells KOIN-TV, “I would see these 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds in the hospital because they’ve injured their lungs smoking one vape. It’s like smoking 100 cigarettes and that can be really injurious, really quickly.”

Eric Herman, M.D., speaks with AAFP News about the fight against long COVID-19. Herman says, “The best way to prevent long COVID is to prevent COVID. Anything you can do to prevent COVID prevents long COVID. We also know that people that get multiple COVID infections are more likely to develop long COVID. Someone who's had one COVID infection is less likely to get long COVID compared to somebody that's had three or four or five or six acute episodes of COVID.”

Family members have stepped up with a second life-saving kidney donation for an Oregon woman who had surgery at OHSU.

OHSU patient Susan Posner is recovering after receiving a life-saving gift from her nephew. She got his kidney decades after her brother donated one of his.