Health/Medical

Nov. 10, 2022

Team using fluorescent molecules as biomarkers to study secretion

An interdisciplinary research team received NSF funding to develop a method to follow biological activity using fluorescent molecules

Oct. 19, 2022

Reversing drug resistance in lung cancer

Raghuraman Kannan, right, and a team of researchers at the University of Missouri recently received a $2.35 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to generate preclinical data based on their existing research around lung cancer — the required step before human clinical trials can begin. By Eric Stann | MU News Burea When someone is diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer — one of two main forms of lung cancer — there is a 70-80% chance that after 14 months the cancer will develop a resistance to the drug therapy originally given to fight it. If that happens,…

Oct. 11, 2022

Wan receives $5 million grant to study animal-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Professor Henry Wan has received a $5 million USDA grant to study whether animals might send new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus back to us.

Oct. 4, 2022

Mizzou Engineering team develops tool to assess diabetes risk

Mizzou Engineers are bringing artificial intelligence services to the end user through edge intelligence, developing a smartphone app that lets you determine your risk for diabetes. Unlike other tools available, the system would allow you to enter personal health data securely and ensure it remains private.

Aug. 22, 2022

Interdisciplinary team uses light as an innovative treatment to prevent tongue weakness in ALS

An interdisciplinary research team at Mizzou is investigating a novel treatment to prevent tongue muscle degeneration and preserve swallowing function in patients suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Aug. 9, 2022

Blockchain could be key to connecting patients with clinical trials

Blockchain technology could help connect patients to clinical trials. Before a prescription drug or device can become available to the general public, it has to go through clinical trials to determine its safety and effectiveness. The problem is that most people don’t even know these trials exist, let alone how to participate in them. Chi-Ren Shyu, Shumaker Professor in electrical engineering and computer science, believes blockchain is the key to connecting patients to the companies developing potentially life-saving treatments. Shyu is also director of the MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics. Chi-Ren Shyu Blockchain is a…

June 27, 2022

Personal health trackers may include smart face mask, other wearables

Zheng Yan, an assistant professor of biomedical, biological and chemical engineering recently published two studies demonstrating different ways to improve wearable bioelectronic devices.

June 6, 2022

Researcher continues work to decode genome sequences

In the future, hospitals and clinics may be able to better manage diseases by pinpointing exactly how an individual’s body will respond to treatment. But first, they need a fast, efficient and secure way to analyze DNA, or human genome sequences. Enter Praveen Rao, an associate professor with joint appointments in Health Management & Informatics and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Rao has spent the past two years developing a software system for others to analyze and compare genomes more easily. Now, he has a two-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand upon that…

June 2, 2022

Heart of the matter: Oliver part of team devising new way to detect heart disease

PhD student Maggie Oliver is part of a team working on a novel way to detect heart disease. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., many times claiming its victims without warning. Maggie Oliver, a PhD student in mechanical engineering, hopes to help to change that. She’s working with Noah Manring, Dean of the College of Engineering and Ketcham Professor, and Dr. Senthil Kumar from University of Missouri Hospital on research that would make it easier to uncover signs of cardiovascular problems. For Oliver, the work is personal. “My grandma actually died of a…

May 31, 2022

Mizzou Engineering team devises novel way to non-invasively monitor heart problems

In the future, people with heart problems may be able to monitor their condition from home, ensuring they are taking the appropriate type and amount of medicine. That’s because a Mizzou Engineering research team has devised a way to non-invasively assess whether a person’s heart is in balance with the circulatory system. The work earned PhD student Mohamed Zaid the first-place award in the engineering and technology category at MU’s 38th annual Research and Creative Activities Forum held earlier this month. In addition to a monetary prize, the competition gives graduate students the opportunity to share their work…