News
Black women with breast cancer experience delayed, longer treatment than whites, study finds
One in seven black women with breast cancer had delays in starting treatment, and black women also had extended duration of treatment, according to a study led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers Melissa Troester, PhD, and Marc Emerson, PhD.
Lack of Key Neuropeptide Induces Neuroinflammation to Impair Neural Stem Cells and Limit New Neuron Production
Published in Neuron, research from the UNC School of Medicine lab of Juan Song, PhD, determined the cell-signaling role of a neuropeptide called cholecystokinin, which is important in regulating neural stem cells and creating adult-born neurons within the hippocampus of the brain.
A Scientific First: How Psychedelics Bind to Key Brain Cell Receptor
This work, published in Cell and led by the UNC-Chapel Hill lab of Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD, sets the stage for the discovery of new kinds of antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and treatments for substance use disorders.
Ramsden, Gupta awarded 5-year, $8.8 million grant to study enzyme with important implications for breast and ovarian cancers
The National Cancer Institute has awarded a team led by UNC Lineberger’s Dale Ramsden, PhD, professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, a five-year, $8.8 million program project grant to study an enzyme called DNA polymerase theta.
Researchers Reveal Safeguarding of a Key DNA Sensor in the Innate Immune System
Led by Qi Zhang, PhD, and Robert McGinty, MD, PhD, UNC-Chapel Hill scientists used cryo-electron microscopy technology to produce the first-ever high-resolution structure of the protein cGAS bound to the DNA packaging unit inside human cell nuclei, revealing how cGAS responds to foreign or damaged DNA, but not the body’s healthy DNA.
UNC Medical Center and UNC REX Recognized as LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leaders
Hospitals named to 2020 list for equitable treatment of patients, visitors and employees
Chatham Hospital to Open New Maternity Center, Begin Delivering Babies
Goals are to improve health care and outcomes, enable new mothers to stay closer to home
UNC Researchers Publish Striking Images of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Cells
The UNC School of Medicine lab of Camille Ehre, PhD, generated high-powered microscopic images showing startlingly high SARS-CoV-2 viral loads on human respiratory surfaces, ready to spread infection in infected individuals and transmit infection to others.
UNC Ramps Up Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trial to Fight COVID-19
On the heels of FDA authorization of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19, researchers at UNC are conducting a clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of plasma that includes a higher amount of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
New Emergency Department Transition Unit (EDTU) Opened Sept. 1
The 36-bed EDTU, which was previously used for clinic space, was renovated during the past two years to help handle the increasing volume in the very busy Emergency Department
Scientists Show How Brain Flexibility Emerges in Infants
Cognitive flexibility, which refers to the brain’s ability to switch between mental processes in response to external stimuli and different task demands, seems to begin developing during the first two years of life, which is much earlier than previously thought. UNC BRIC researchers led by Weili Lin, PhD, used magnetic resonance imaging techniques to show the emergence of a functional flexible brain during early infancy.
UNC Researchers Launch Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Treatments
This study includes phase 2 and phase 3 elements to expedite the evaluation of treatments for adults with moderate cases of COVID-19, with the goal of preventing severe disease that can lead to hospitalizations. The principal investigator is David Wohl, MD, professor of infectious diseases at the UNC School of Medicine.
Chatham Hospital Recognized As Honoree In 2020 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care (EOC) Award
Chatham Hospital is one of three hospitals nationwide to recognized by the American Hospital Association as part of the 2020 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care (EOC) Award.
Researchers Argue Health Care Systems Should Use ‘Food as Medicine’ Interventions
Seth A. Berkowitz, MD, MPH, co-authored a British Medical Journal analysis suggesting nutritional interventions delivered through health providers are associated with improved health outcomes.
Family on the Frontline: The Healthcare Workers behind the UNC-Chapel Hill Respiratory Diagnostic Center
When the need arose for a COVID-19 testing site at the Medical Center in Chapel Hill, a team began to assemble – a team that became a family filled with health care workers who stepped up during an unprecedented challenge and fulfilled essential roles they never thought they would experience.
Media Briefing on COVID-19 Clinical Trials
This UNC Health/UNC School of Medicine media briefing featured three UNC infectious diseases experts discussing clinical studies and research related to COVID-19: Cindy Gay, MD, David Wohl, MD, and Susan Pedersen.
New Chatham Food Hub connects communities with access to local food during COVID-19 pandemic
The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and UNC Health worked with Chatham County and N.C. State Extension partners to create a one-stop food hub at Bray Park in Siler City, which includes free meals and non-perishable foods for low-income customers as well as meals for purchase from local restaurants and farmers struggling to remain solvent during the pandemic.
The Days of COVID-19 Inside the Medical Intensive Care Unit
The 30-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at UNC Medical Center currently houses three-quarters of COVID-related patients. As patients are hospitalized across the U.S., nurse manager Loc Culp explains what life is like inside her unit as her staff adapts to this new way of critical care.
UNC Health Hospitals Receive Quality Achievement Awards
Seven UNC Health hospitals have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
UNC Health Alliance reduced the cost of care for 140,000 Blue Cross NC members and earned $17.5 million in quality and shared savings payments
In the first year of the Blue Premier alternative payment program, more than 80 primary care practices achieved top quality performance and significant financial savings for patients.