UTMB Newsroom

Medical Discovery News, June 27, 2009

This week’s radio broadcast focused on genome testing. A number of commercial companies can test your DNA to determine whether you carry any of the million genetic variations in the DNA sequence called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. Certain SNPs are associated with particular traits, syndromes or diseases. Medical Discovery News, hosted by UTMB’s Norbert Herzog and David Niesel, is broadcast by nearly 100 stations in the U.S. and Mexico. Locally, you can hear the program at 10 a.m. on Saturdays on KUHT, 88.7 FM and KTSU, 90.9 FM.

Galveston County Daily News, June 30, 2009

Dr. Michael Warren, in his weekly column, writes about the health benefits of getting poked with a needle. “Doctors do not enjoy giving shots to patients, but the information and results that can be gained through their use are invaluable. For example, needles inserted into the veins can remove blood to be tested for hundreds of conditions, from AIDS to zinc levels. And, just as things can be taken out of the body, others can be injected, such as antibiotics, lifesaving plasma, medications and water.”

Galveston County Daily News, June 30, 2009

NASA has selected nine new astronauts to start training in August at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Two of the nine new astronauts are UTMB physicians, Drs. Kjell N. Lindgren and Serena M. Aunon.

The Daily Texan, June 30, 2009

UTMB’s Marsha Canright is quoted in this article about the rebuilding and repairs scheduled to begin soon. From the article: UTMB spokeswoman Marsha Canright said funding came from the Texas Legislature, the UT System Board of Regents, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Sealy & Smith Foundation of Galveston. Each group invested between $200 million and $450 million toward the medical branch, she said. “The large outpouring of support after Ike has been tremendous,” Canright said.

Fosters Daily Democrat (New Hampshire), June 29, 2009

MEXICO CITY - UTMB’s Alfredo Torres and Tom Ksiazek are quoted in this Associated Press article about how scientists are still trying to determine the genesis of the swine flu outbreak. From the article: Finding answers won’t be easy: Time has passed and if people or pigs have been infected by similar flu strains in the past, their antibodies could lead to false positives, said Alfredo Torres, an assistant professor at UTMB. “There may not be any footprints to look at,” said Ksiazek, director of the university’s National Biodefense Training Center, who with Torres is serving as a consultant to the Veracruz state government. Ksiazek, who has investigated outbreaks of Ebola virus and SARS, suspects villagers were getting infected from each other, not pigs.

Galveston County Daily News, June 28, 2009

This article is about a new bus service beginning July 6 between Galveston Island and Texas City that will include service to UTMB.

Medical Journal Houston, June 2009

UTMB Drs. Victor Sierpina and Eric Nolen write in a guest column about the various challenges a physician faces in helping an overweight patient. “The disease burden on the individual patient spans all organ systems. Overweight/obesity leads to endocrinopathies and development of hormone dependent tumors, type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The associated mechanical stress contributes to low back pain, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.” (No link available.)