Research

Stopping the spread of cancer

One of the most devastating pieces of news a cancer patient can receive is that their cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Fortunately, University of Utah biomedical engineering assistant professor Tara Deans has received this year’s National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award and a $1.5 million grant to develop a […]


University of Utah seismic networks can contribute to nuclear security

This release was written by the Seismological Society of America The International Monitoring System is the top global seismic network for monitoring nuclear weapon tests around the world. To expand the system’s detection capabilities, however, international monitors should seek out the data, methods and expertise of smaller regional seismic networks. In a paper published as […]


U-led search team recovers new meteorites originally from the moon

In a year that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and mankind’s first steps on the moon, U.S. explorers have once again brought home pieces of the moon for study- but this time from Antarctica, not Mare Tranquillitatis. Five meteorites, all pieces of a previously unknown lunar breccia (a sedimentary rock made of broken […]


JOHN A. MORAN EYE CENTER RESEARCHER, PATIENTS, PLAY KEY ROLE IN GENETIC DISCOVERY LINKED TO RARE EYE DISEASE

John A. Moran Eye Center physician-researcher Paul S. Bernstein and his patients at the University of Utah played a key role in the recent discovery of the first genetic cause for a rare eye disease. Macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) affects about one in 5,000 people, causing a gradual loss of central vision, typically after […]


First Marker for Mysterious Vaping Illness Identified 

Doctors have identified a previously unrecognized characteristic of the vaping-related respiratory illness that has been emerging in clusters across the U.S. in recent months. Within the lungs of these patients are large immune cells containing numerous oily droplets, called lipid-laden macrophages. The finding may allow doctors to definitively diagnose the nascent syndrome more quickly and provide the right treatment sooner. It could also provide clues into the causes of the new and mysterious condition. Investigators at University […]


LED bulb exchange program brings sustainability to west side communities

For low-income families, paying the energy bill every month can be challenging, as energy bills can account for up to twice the percentage of income as for families with median income. Further, converting to an energy-efficient lifestyle can come with a steep up-front cost, adding another financial barrier to saving energy. But a recent pilot […]


University of Utah launches first-ever Journal of Dark Sky Studies

Despite growing evidence that artificial light at night severely impacts wildlife, human health, wasteful spending and a disconnect to our cultural past, there are no formal academic educational programs strictly for dark sky study and protection. The University of Utah is changing that. This week, the U launched the first issue of The Journal of […]


New rider data shows how public transit reduces greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions

Public transit has long been an answer for people looking to leave their car at home and reduce their air pollution emissions. But now, with better rider tracking tools, the University of Utah and the Utah Transit Authority can better answer the question: How much does public transit reduce pollution emissions? In a paper published […]


What we don’t know about prenatal opioid exposure

Aug. 28, 2019— Pregnancy can be a time of anxious uncertainty, particularly if there are any risks of complications. The question always arises, from parents, grandparents, friends and others: “Will the baby be OK?” In cases where the baby has been exposed to opioids in the womb, the answer is unclear. As part of a […]


Changes Associated with Autism Risk May Be Detected as Early as the Second Trimester

Researchers at University of Utah Health have identified a link between autism and steroid hormone changes detected in the mother’s blood. These changes, which suggest increased estrogen activity, can be seen early in the second trimester. The pilot study, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, opens a new direction in autism research. […]