UTSW discovers protective ‘acid wall’ formed by cancer cells

Cancer cells release a significantly more concentrated level of acid than previously known, forming an “acid wall” that could deter immune cells from attacking tumors, UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists show in a new study.

Nanoparticles developed at UTSW effectively fight tumors

A nanoparticle-based therapy developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists stimulated an immune pathway that eradicated tumors in mouse models of various cancer types. Their findings, published in Science Immunology, offer a new way to potentially harness the power of the body’s immune system against cancer.

Cause of ‘brain freeze’ a bit of a mystery, but not to worry

You’re eating or drinking something frozen, like a snow cone, ice cream, or ice pops – probably a bit too eagerly – and you get one of those sudden-onset, painful headaches known as “brain freeze.” Man, does it hurt, but usually not for long, and it’s not harmful, according to an expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Former UTSW Otolaryngology Chair recognized for pioneering cochlear implant contributions

Peter Roland, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been honored by the American Cochlear Implant Alliance with its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in advancing the use and benefits of cochlear implants (CI).

UC San Diego Health Experts Available to Discuss Shingles, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has developed rare complications due to a months-long shingles infection, including encephalitis (brain inflammation) and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome occurs when shingles infects cranial nerves, including the auditory, vestibular and facial nerves, which can…

Hairs that help fish feel–and humans hear

Brian McDermott, a Case Western Reserve scientist, is reporting a discovery about unexpected asymmetry on the hair cells of zebrafish that allow them to detect movement with greater sensitivity from the back than the front. “This shows that fish have hair cells that are actually tuned to sense different water directions,” McDermott said. “In humans, our cochleas have hair cells that are similarly tuned to be able to hear different frequencies.” McDermott said the finding also advances our understanding of “the long-sought mechanotransduction (Mec) channel” in living creatures.

UT Southwestern researchers create model to assess post-tonsillectomy bleed rates

Researchers led by a team at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created a statistical model to identify standards for typical, high, or low rates of bleeding after pediatric tonsillectomies. The findings, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, could help doctors and hospitals improve outcomes for the third-most common pediatric surgery in the U.S.

Henry Ford Health + MSU Health Sciences Funds Five Cancer Research Grants to Advance Cancer Medicine, Combat Health Disparities

Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences today announced its funding of five cancer research grants of up to $100,000 each. These five grants follow an initial wave of funding from the partnership, in which 18 pilot grants of up to $25,000 each were funded in May 2022.

UC San Diego Health Ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report

UC San Diego Health, the region’s only academic health system, is ranked #1 in San Diego and #5 in California, placing it among the nation’s best hospitals, according to the 2021-2022 U.S. News & World Report survey. UC San Diego Health was ranked in the top 50 in 10 specialties.

Iris and Matthew Strauss Give $2 Million to Endow Faculty Chair at UC San Diego

Longtime supporters of cancer research and patient care at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health have given University of California San Diego School of Medicine $2 million to establish the Iris and Matthew Strauss Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Surgery.

Story Tips from Johns Hopkins Experts on COVID-19

NEWS STORIES IN THIS ISSUE:

-Physician and Musician: Johns Hopkins Doctor Brings Passion for Music to Medicine During Pandemic
-Rapid, At-Home Blood Test Could Confirm COVID-19 Vaccination in Minutes
-What to Expect and Prepare for As You Return to Regular Health Care Appointments
-Study Suggests Sudden Hearing Loss Not Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination
-Vaccination May Not Rid COVID-19 Risk for Those with Rheumatic, Musculoskeletal Diseases

University of Miami Hearing Professionals Present Latest Research at American Cochlear Implant Alliance Conference

From the impact of COVID-19 on parents, to speech differences between English- and Spanish-learners, and advanced ear surgery techniques, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine hearing professionals presented their latest studies at CI2021, the annual conference of the American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance, from April 28 to May 1.

Woman Regains Hearing in Left Ear After 50 Years Thanks to Innovative Implant

DETROIT (December 23, 2020) – This holiday season, Angela Holland will enjoy the gift of hearing from her left ear again. After 50 years of single-sided deafness caused by a disease known as cholesteatoma, new hearing technology implanted by Henry Ford Health System surgeon Kristen Angster, M.D. will allow Holland to ring in the season and truly enjoy the sounds of the holidays.

Head and Neck Injuries Make Up Nearly 28% of All Electric Scooter Accident Injuries

 DETROIT (October 12, 2020) – A Henry Ford Health System physician is sounding the alarm on the rising number of injuries caused from riding electric scooters, calling it a growing public health concern.In a study of e-scooter injuries, Kathleen Yaremchuk, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, says a review of emergency visits in the last three years shows e-scooter injuries have increased significantly with many of them related to head and neck injuries.

Dr. Thomas Balkany Receives First Noel L. Cohen Award from the American Neurotology Society

Thomas Balkany, M.D., Hotchkiss professor and chair emeritus of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is the first recipient of the annual Noel L. Cohen Award from the American Neurotology Society (ANS). Dr. Balkany was recognized during ANS’s Annual Meeting on September 11.

Study Adds To Evidence That Odor-Sensing Cells In The Nose Are The Key Entry Point For Sars Cov-2

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine, experimenting with a small number of human cell samples, report that the “hook” of cells used by SARS-CoV-2 to latch onto and infect cells is up to 700 times more prevalent in the olfactory supporting cells lining the inside of the upper part of the nose than in the lining cells of the rest of the nose and windpipe that leads to the lungs. These supporting cells are necessary for the function/development of odor-sensing cells. The findings, from a preliminary study of cells lining both the nose and trachea, could advance the search for the best target for topical or local antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19, and offers further clues into why people with the virus sometimes lose their sense of smell.

Dr. Kathleen Yaremchuk Recognized with Trailblazer Award

DETROIT – Kathleen Yaremchuk, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Health System, was announced as the 2020 Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award recipient by Women In Otolaryngology (WIO).The announcement was published in the August issue of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery magazine.

Story Tips From Johns Hopkins Experts on COVID-19

It seems there will never be enough “thank-yous” for the incredible doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff members who are working around the clock to help patients who have COVID-19, the dangerous coronavirus disease. Their dedication, determination and spirit enable Johns Hopkins to deliver the promise of medicine.

As the mother of a 2-year-old, with responsibilities that sometimes require escorting COVID-19 patients at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Safety and Security Officer, SPO, Lolita Moore says she takes the necessary steps to protect herself and her family against the virus and prays daily. “I like that I can still be out helping people during the pandemic,” she says.

Loss of Smell Associated with Milder Clinical Course in COVID-19

Researchers at UC San Diego Health report in newly published findings that olfactory impairment suggests the resulting COVID-19 disease is more likely to be mild to moderate, a potential early indicator that could help health care providers determine which patients may require hospitalization.

Mount Sinai Ranked Among the Top in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report

The Hospital was ranked No. 14 nationally, up four spots from last year. Eight departments within the Hospital were ranked among the top 20 nationally in their specialties, up from five last year