New research led by Luiz Bertassoni, Ph.D., uncovers how specialized cells surrounding small blood vessels contribute to blood vessel dysfunction in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and fibrosis. He says, “Our findings represent a paradigm shift, showing how perivascular cells, instead, act as important sentinels. They detect changes in tissues and coordinating vascular responses. This opens the door to entirely new treatment strategies.”

New research led by Luiz Bertassoni, Ph.D., uncovers how specialized cells surrounding small blood vessels contribute to blood vessel dysfunction in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and fibrosis. He says, “Our findings represent a paradigm shift, showing how perivascular cells, instead, act as important sentinels. They detect changes in tissues and coordinating vascular responses. This opens the door to entirely new treatment strategies.”

New research reveals the complex orchestration of neurons in the brain that turns raw noise — the compression of airwaves and pressure on the inner ear — into the ability to, for instance, understand speech, enjoy music and discern train whistles from car horns. Laurence Trussell, Ph.D., says, “Our ability to understand the meaning of sounds depends on the ability of the brain to represent whether the sound is high- or low-pitched, loud or soft, near or far. All of that requires very specialized neurocircuitry and highly specialized types of neurons in the brain."

In stories about the severity of this flu season, Dawn Nolt, M.D., notes that there has been a rapid rise in flu cases locally and nationally, and gives advice on how to stay healthy. Among other things, she says, “After you recover from flu, there are a lot of other respiratory germs out there, so really wash your hands meticulously.”

New research reveals the complex orchestration of neurons in the brain that turns raw noise — the compression of airwaves and pressure on the inner ear — into the ability to, for instance, understand speech, enjoy music and discern train whistles from car horns. Laurence Trussell, Ph.D., says, “Our ability to understand the meaning of sounds depends on the ability of the brain to represent whether the sound is high- or low-pitched, loud or soft, near or far. All of that requires very specialized neurocircuitry and highly specialized types of neurons in the brain.”

Treating advanced stages of the disease is expensive and good outcomes are not certain. It’s much cheaper to treat people with a hepatitis C medication even though the drugs are expensive, said Dr. Andrew Seaman, an assistant professor of Oregon Health & Science University. He led a study in rural Oregon that found that using telemedicine and the support of peers who’ve recovered from drug addiction leads to a high cure rate for hepatitis C among drug users who otherwise might not even get tested.

RyboDyn, Inc., announces the discovery of a novel proteome, first made by RyboDyn co-founders Corey Dambacher, Ph.D., and Ashley Woodfin, M.S., while at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. RyboDyn has also licensed the patent rights to three additional OHSU technologies.

Aaron Caughey, M.D., Ph.D., talks to MedPage Today about his study that found hospitals doing fewer operative vaginal deliveries had higher rates of adverse perinatal outcomes for these cases than higher volume centers did. He says, "We know from other literature that higher volumes of procedures are needed to maintain lower complication rates, so we wondered if the same were true for operative vaginal deliveries."

An OHSU study focused on rural residents finds a promising method for eliminating hepatitis C, a common and potentially fatal disease that afflicts many drug users. Andrew Seaman, M.D., says, “We have life-saving medications to treat hepatitis C. This study shows that finding unique ways to improve access to treatment — beyond traditional health care settings — is crucial for supporting people who use drugs.”

An OHSU study focused on rural residents finds a promising method for eliminating hepatitis C, a common and potentially fatal disease that afflicts many drug users. Andrew Seaman, M.D., says, “We have life-saving medications to treat hepatitis C. This study shows that finding unique ways to improve access to treatment — beyond traditional health care settings — is crucial for supporting people who use drugs.”