New Test Can Better Predict Long-Term Death Risk After Heart Valve Procedure
A simple test done during a minimally invasive heart valve replacement can predict a patient’s long-term risk of death, a group led by a University of Florida Health researcher has found. The test involves pressure measurements within the heart following a transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR. The highly specialized procedure involves repairing a failing […]
Children’s Tumor Foundation Hosts National Gala and Presents Award to UF Researcher
The neurofibromatosis (NF) patient community, joined by leading philanthropists, medical professionals, civic leaders, and businesses, will gather for the annual Children’s Tumor Foundation National Gala. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects 1 in 3,000 births of all populations. There is currently no cure. An evening […]
Growers, Researchers Seek Citrus Varieties Resistant to Citrus Greening
UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Services hosted citrus growers, packers, processors, gift-fruit shippers, and others the chance to taste, feel, and smell the latest varieties they’ve bred at their Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. Guests sampled more than 50 varieties of citrus fruits. They then filled out a survey gauging their […]
RTP Gene Tech Firm Lands Deal Worth Up to $90M for 8 Nervous System Therapies
StrideBio, a life science startup focused on gene-editing technology, has a deal in place with a Massachusetts drug firm that could be worth nearly $90M plus royalties in years to come for rights to as many as eight potential gene-based therapies. Any developed drug would focus on the central nervous system and neuromuscular “targets,” StrideBio […]
Lung Cancer Research Foundation Announces 2019 Scientific Research Grant Program Awards
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) announced the awardees of its 2019 Scientific Grant Program. Through this program, LCRF awarded $2.6 million dollars in research grants to 12 investigators whose projects focus on basic, translational, clinical, health services and epidemiological research. In addition to its annual pilot grants, for the first time, LCRF awarded research […]
University of Florida Health Researchers Gain New Insight Into Muscular Dystrophy Gene
University of Florida Health researchers are gaining new insights into cells linked to a genetic mutation that causes a type of muscular dystrophy. Using genome editing, the researchers developed mice that replicate the developmental timing of a dysfunctional gene that causes myotonic dystrophy type 1, or DM1. They then showed that two types of cells […]
University of Florida Scientists Advance Citrus Greening Research Efforts
Citrus greening, a devastating disease, has reduced Florida citrus production by 70 percent, according to most accounts. Efforts to develop disease control methods have been stymied because scientists have been unable to culture and experimentally manipulate the causal bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. To facilitate the scientific community’s ability to use L. crescens in citrus […]
‘Fine Tuning’ Certain Cells May Prevent Gut Inflammation, Researchers Find
Keeping the intestinal tract in balance requires a delicate dialogue between gut microbes and the body. When that gets disrupted, inflammation and intestinal damage can result. New findings by University of Florida Health researchers and their collaborators show how certain cells in the colon can be “fine-tuned” by chemically attaching a sugar molecule to a […]
UF Researchers Earn Grant to Test New Form of DBS to Treat Essential Tremor
University of Florida neuroscientists will test the effectiveness of a new motion-activated type of deep brain stimulation (DBS) aimed at improving treatment for patients with severe essential tremor, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking and usually worsens over time. Current DBS therapies for patients with severe essential tremor are continuous, or always-on, which can […]
UF Study Finds FDA Strategy Cuts Fetal Exposure to Harmful Immunosuppressive Drug, but Risks Remain
University of Florida researchers determined an FDA-approved program deters pregnant women from starting a potentially harmful immunosuppressive drug. But for women taking the drug, the program was not effective at reducing conception. Mycophenolate helps prevent organ rejection after transplantation and is increasingly used for a variety of autoimmune disorders such as lupus or psoriasis. However, […]