Seasonal birth control
Medical Discovery News, July 19, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, was about birth control pills that reduce a woman’s periods from 13 to four a year. While the pills have advantages such as reduced cramping and have lower doses of estrogen and progestin, the professors also noted that, like other hormone-based birth control, these pills also increase the risk of stroke and blood clots and that scientists and doctors do not yet know the long-term ramifications of this birth control method. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program also airs on numerous radio stations across the country and in Mexico.

Return to Zambia features ASM Past-President Cliff Houston in Africa visiting sites of the Laboratory Capacity Building Program ASM oversees in partnership with CDC.

Victims of West Nile virus face long-term health problems
Nature Medicine, July 2008
This article in the current issue of Nature Medicine quotes UTMB’s Peter Mason, professor of pathology. There are currently no vaccines approved by the FDA against West Nile, but researchers recognize the threat of the virus. “Protecting the elderly is one important goal of vaccine development," said Mason. The article also mentions Mason’s rodent study published in the May issue of Vaccine hinting that a DNA vaccine might help protect against the West Nile virus. The DNA vaccine developed by Mason uses a genetically modified virus that can only survive long enough to infect a single cell, and thus cannot cause disease.

Bisphenol-A or BPA
Medical Discovery News, July 12, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on a chemical called Bisphenol-A or BPA. Studies show BPA can "leach" from plastics especially "hard plastics" like polycarbonate. You find it in everything from baby and bike water bottles. While high doses of BPA given to animals may have no lasting effects, human exposure to low doses may. So what can you do to avoid BPA? First, limit exposure to BPA containing plastics if you’re pregnant or have young children. Also avoid canned goods with plastic liners. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program also airs on numerous radio stations across the country and in Mexico.

West Nile may be here to stay
Brownsville Herald, July 9, 2008
In this article about the West Nile virus, UTMB’s Stephen Higgs, a faculty member at the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, is quoted about the difficulty in preventing the transmission of the disease.

Salmonella
Medical Discovery News, July 5, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on the recent outbreak of Salmonella and the detective work by the Centers for Disease Control to determine the source of the outbreak. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 78 radio stations.

Medical Discovery News
Lyme disease, June 28, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on Lyme disease, explaining how ticks spread the disease. They also provide tips on how to avoid contracting the disease, including removing woodpiles and leaf debris around the house, clearing thick brush and trees that attract deer and rodents, wearing long sleeves and pants, and using insect repellants. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program also airs on numerous radio stations across the country and in Mexico.

Personalized medicine
Medical Discovery News, June 21, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on personalized medicine. They explained how it's a treatment tailored to your exact illness and even your genetic makeup. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is broadcast by 47 stations in the United States and one in Mexico.

New West Nile and Japanese encephalitis vaccines produced
Medical Journal Houston, June 2008
UTMB researchers have developed new vaccines to protect against West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses. The scientists showed that the vaccines protected laboratory mice and hamsters against the viruses, which can cause fatal brain inflammation in humans. Pathology professor Peter Mason is quoted.
(Link unavailable.)

Shingles vaccine
Medical Discovery News, June 14, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on people over 60 who had chicken pox years earlier. They note that the virus that caused the disease remains hidden in certain nerve cells. As people age their immune systems weaken, opening the door for the virus that caused chicken pox to cause shingles, a painful condition that can last for months. They recommend getting a dose of the shingles vaccine to prevent the condition. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Glioblastoma gene therapy
Medical Discovery News, June 7, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on glioblastoma, an incurable brain tumor. “Today there’s new research that’s giving patients hope. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA has developed a gene therapy that’s cured rats with glioblastomas,” they said. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Safety in the sun
Galveston County Daily News, June 9, 2008
UTMB Drs. Richard Wagner, Erica Kelly and Brian Zachariah know the value of sunscreen and offer advice on why it’s important to use it routinely and offer strategies on how to get family members to use it as well. In a sidebar, Dr. Bernard Godley emphasizes the importance of wearing sunglasses outdoors.

Boston University angers neighbors with Ebola, SARS germ lab
Bloomberg, June 5, 2008
Neighbors of a biosafety lab under construction in Boston vow to oppose opening of the facility in Boston. The article notes that UTMB plans to open its Galveston National Laboratory this year.

UTMB team develops new West Nile vaccine
Galveston County Daily News, June 3, 2008
UTMB researchers have developed new vaccines to protect against West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses. The investigators, led by pathology professor Peter Mason, created the vaccines using an innovative technique that they believe could also enable the development of new vaccines against other diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue fever, which are caused by similar viruses.

Sunscreen rules
Medical Discovery News, May 31, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on sunscreens and their effect on UV-B and UV-A rays. They note that it has taken 20 years, but starting in 2009 manufacturers will start labeling their products based on the efficacy of their products at protecting against harmful exposure to the sun. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

New West Nile and Japanese encephalitis vaccines produced
Medical News Today, June 2, 2008
UTMB researchers have developed new vaccines to protect against West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses. The investigators created the vaccines using an innovative technique that they believe could also enable the development of new vaccines against other diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue fever, which are caused by similar viruses. Peter Mason of the UTMB departments of pathology and microbiology and immunology, and colleagues reported their findings in back-to-back papers published in the current issue of the journal Vaccine.

The French paradox
Medical Discovery News, May 24, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, discuss the French: “They smoke, eat relatively high levels of saturated fat, and yet coronary heart disease is low in France!” Polyphenols, found in red wine, may have something to do with this apparent paradox but the professors continue to recommend a balanced diet and exercise as the best route to a healthy body.

Health officials warn of bacteria in bayou
Galveston County Daily News, May 27, 2008
Alfredo Torres, a microbiology professor at UTMB, is quoted in this article about the presence of elevated concentrations of bacteria in Dickinson Bayou.

The pill camera
Medical Discovery News, May 17, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on a tiny wireless camera designed to help doctors detect esophageal cancer before ominous symptoms develop. They note that this year 16,000 people will be diagnosed in the United States with esophageal cancer and 14,000 will die from it. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Flavivirus DNA vaccine with a kick
Nature Biotechnology, May 2008
Alan D.T. Barrett, director of UTMB’s Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, wrote this commentary on a previously published article appearing in the same journal titled “Single-round infectious particles enhance immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine against West Nile virus,” by David C Chang, of the University of Queensland (Australia).

CDC biolab not ready after 2 1/2 years
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 15, 2008
ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new maximum-security laboratories in Atlanta were supposed to open in the fall of 2005. But the suite of Biosafety Level 4 labs still haven't been certified as ready to operate. Michael Holbrook, director of UTMB’s Robert E. Shope M.D. Laboratory, said that UTMB took less than seven months for its BSL-4 lab in the Shope lab to become operational after construction was finished on the building in late 2003.

Breast cancer and light
Medical Discovery News, May 10, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on breast cancer and light. Noting that breast cancer rates in industrialized countries is six times that of developing countries, researchers have turned their attention to the effect that artificial light has on melatonin levels. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Allergies
Medical Discovery News, May 3, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on allergies. Some 40 million Americans suffer from indoor allergies Asthma, a related illness, is the No. 1 childhood chronic disease, affecting 9 million children in the United States. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Sleep apnea
Medical Discovery News, April 26, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on sleep apnea. Nearly 12 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep apnea, many without realizing it. Undiagnosed, it can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, memory and weight problems, impotency and headaches. The condition Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Chlamydia
Medical Discovery News, April 19, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on chlamydia. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because 75 percent of infected women and half of infected men have no symptoms. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

NK but not CD1-restricted NKT cells facilitate systemic inflammation during polymicrobial intra-abdominal sepsis
The Journal of Immunology, May 1, 2008
The journal features research conducted by UTMB’s Anthony Etogo, Jesus Nunez, Cheng Lin, Tracy Toliver-Kinsky and Edward Sherwood. Evidence suggests that NK and NKT cells contribute to inflammation and mortality during septic shock caused by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). However, the specific contributions of these cell types to the pathogenesis of CLP-induced septic shock have not been fully defined. The goal of the present study was to determine the mechanisms by which NK and NKT cells mediate the host response to CLP. Control, NK cell-deficient, and NKT cell-deficient mice underwent CLP. This study provided new insights into the mechanisms used by NK cells to facilitate acute inflammation during septic shock.

New kind of killer virus discovered in Bolivia
New Scientist, April 18, 2008
A team of disease hunters has announced the discovery of a deadly new virus, found in a remote village in South America. Experts say the virus – named Chapare – is probably limited to a small swathe of Bolivia, but urbanization and climate change could expand its range. Professor Charles Fulhorst, of the departments of pathology and microbiology and immunology at UTMB, says Chapare is the tip of the iceberg. Many new species of virus lurk in South America – and perhaps North America. "Just when you think you know what’s out there, another one pops out," he says.

Fluoridation
Medical Discovery News, April 12, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on fluoridation. Despite the success of fluoride at reducing tooth decay, only 60 percent of Americans drink fluoridated water. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Emerging pathogens: Challenges and successes of molecular diagnostics
Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, April 10, 2008
This review presents representative emerging viral respiratory infections, hemorrhagic fevers and hepatitides, as well as bacterial and parasitic zoonotic, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections. Agent characteristics, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnostic methods are tabulated for another 22 emerging viruses and five emerging bacteria. Authors are Jianli Dong, Juan P. Olano, Jere W. McBride and David H. Walker, of the UTMB Departments of Pathology, and Microbiology and Immunology.

Group hopes to raise $10,000 for pediatric AIDS relief program
Daily Texan, April 8, 2008
AUSTIN – Members of pre-medical honor society Alpha Phi Sigma at UT-Austin completed their Global Health Awareness Week rally with a cook-off. Immunology professor Miles W. Cloyd of UTMB will address the problem of infectious disease throughout the world and propose possible solutions tonight at the honor society’s second event of the awareness week.

Second hand smoke
Medical Discovery News, April 5, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on second hand smoke. Among the findings on second hand smoke noted in this segment is “an astounding 50 to 75 percent of children in the United States have detectable levels of nicotine or its breakdown products in their blood.” Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Biolab follies
The Phoenix (Boston), April 2, 2008
BOSTON – The article mentions UTMB but is about the controversy surrounding construction of the biocontainment laboratory by Boston University.

Irritable bowel syndrome
Medical Discovery News, March 29, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on irritable bowel diseases. Scientists do not know the cause of IBD but they believe the immune system is turned on but doesn’t shut off. There’s hope genetic work will lead to effective treatment. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. on KUHF-FM in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Groundbreaking hybrid biology course now in full swing
North Channel Sentinel, March 27, 2008
San Jacinto College is keeping pace with the times by offering two new “hybrid” biology courses, as well as 10 related “virtual” labs. UTMB is among the institutions collaborating with SJC on the project.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy
KUHF-FM, March 22, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. According to this report, a new drug that corrects a genetic defect offers hope to patients. Medical Discovery News airs at 10 a.m. in Houston. The program is aired by 48 radio stations.

Medical Discovery News
KUHF-FM, March 15, 2008
UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel devoted Saturday’s installment to the Black Death and what is known about the pathogen that caused it and how that has changed over time.

Vigilance is key to avoiding recreational water illnesses
Guidry News, March 13, 2008
Recreational water illnesses, such as shigella, salmonella, vibrio, hepatitis A and cryptosporidium, can quickly spoil a vacation. Dr. Janak A. Patel, director of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at UTMB, offers advice on how to avoid a bad day at the beach or water park.

Microscopic ‘astronauts’ to go back in orbit
Science Daily, March 10, 2008
Among the experiments carried by the space shuttle Endeavor when it launched this morning were two by UTMB researchers David Niesel and Michael McGinnis. The experiments are designed to determine the effect of spaceflight on the gene expression and virulence potential of model microorganisms. Neisel’s experiment uses streptococcus pneumoniae and McGinnis’ experiment uses saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Gout
KUHF-FM, March 8, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on gout. “If you’re unfamiliar with gout, that’s because until recently it’s been a disease of the European aristocracy of centuries past. The causes are everything from obesity, longer life span to the widespread use of diuretics and aspirin,” they reported.

CU-Boulder alumnus, two payloads heading for space station
University of Colorado News, March 7, 2008
BOULDER, Colo. – NASA's space shuttle Endeavour will be carrying four microgravity experiments, which were designed by researchers at UTMB and at Montana State University and Arizona State University when it blasts off from Cape Kennedy, Fla., on Tuesday, March 11.

Obesity genes
KUHF-FM, March 1, 2008
Saturday’s edition of Medical Discovery News, by UTMB Professors Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, focused on obesity in children. “It’s undeniable the problem is self induced but there’s evidence a percentage of these cases may have a genetic origin. Biomedical scientists have identified hundreds of genes affecting caloric intake, appetite and weight,” they reported.

Research from University of Texas provides new data about HIV/AIDS
Calibre MacroWorld, Feb. 28, 2008
This study, published in AIDS Care, focused on psychiatric disorders and their association with risk behaviors for HIV and hepatitis in prison populations. The authors concluded, “It will be important for future investigations to examine the extent to which psychiatric disorders serve as a barrier to medical care, communication with clinicians and adherence to prescribed medical regimens among both HIV-mono-infected and HIV/hepatitis-co-infected inmates.” Principal author is Jacques Baillargeon of the department of preventive medicine and community health at UTMB.

Bioweapons watchdog group hangs it up
Austin American-Statesman, Feb. 27, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas – The Sunshine Project, a nonprofit group that blew the whistle on safety and security lapses involving research on biological warfare materials at Texas A&M University, is suspending operations indefinitely. UTMB is mentioned as one of the institutions followed by the project.

Biodefense watchdog project folds, leaving a void
Science Magazine, Feb. 15, 2008
An activist who has been both loathed and lauded for his criticism of safety at biodefense labs is closing his doors. Edward Hammond, director of the Austin-based Sunshine Project, earlier this month posted a note on his Web site saying he is suspending operations. The article quotes Dr. C.J. Peters, director of UTMB’s Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Keeping cool in the hot zone
Occupational Health and Safety, February 2008
This article focuses on how health and safety are priorities at UTMB’s Robert E. Shope, M.D., Laboratory. Mike Holbrook, lab director, is quoted. The Shope lab is the only full-sized Biosafety Level-4 lab on a university campus in the United States.

Barrett to oversee vaccine center
Galveston County Daily News, Feb. 1, 2008
Dr. Alan Barrett has been named director of the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development. Barrett, who holds the John S. Dunn Distinguished Chair in Biodefense, will begin serving in the new position immediately.

Door failure forces disease lab shutdown
Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 26, 2008
A laboratory used by researchers to study highly infectious organisms is being shut down at UTMB after an internal door failed twice. No one in the containment areas when the door malfunctioned and there was no threat of pathogens escaping.

Glitch prompts shutdown of biohazard lab at UTMB
Houston Chronicle, Jan. 26, 2008
Officials have temporarily shut down the biological hazard lab at UTMB after the failure of an internal door during experiments with avian flu and hemorrhagic fever, a UTMB spokeswoman said Friday. There was no risk of exposure resulting from the failure Wednesday of the internal door to the room where the experiments were being conducted.

Bioresearch Online’s top 10 of 2007
Bioresearch Online, Jan. 7, 2008
An article titled "Protein Found that Slows Hepatitis C Growth in Liver Cells" appearing in Bioresearch Online last April was among the Web site’s top 10 news stories of 2007. Dr. Stanley M. Lemon, director of the NIH-funded Hepatitis C Research Center at UTMB and of UTMB’s Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, was senior author of the paper published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

West Nile susceptibility
Journal of the American Medical Association, Jan. 2, 2008
Seemingly harmless bites from mosquitoes not infected by the West Nile virus may make the disease worse in people who acquire the virus later from West Nile–infected insects, according to new research conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.