School of Medicine

Listed below are this month’s featured news stories. • Low-calorie diet may slow aging (week of June 7) • One hump or two? (week of June 14) • Second chance transplants (week of June 21) • Erotic images get brain’s attention (week of June 28)

The newest concept for treating coronary artery disease is to induce hearts to grow their own new blood vessels to bypass damaged tissue or clogged arteries. Unfortunately, clinical trials of two important blood-vessel growth factors have not produced stellar results. Now researchers at the School of Medicine have investigated a third signaling molecule that could overcome problems associated with the previous two.

The answer to a 50-year-old question has been found by scientists at the School of Medicine. The question: Is it possible to accurately measure the intrinsic filling function of the heart?

Researchers have found that two common organisms collude and collaborate to increase the amount of calories harvested from a class of carbohydrates found in food sweeteners. In the study, conducted in previously germ-free mice, colonization with two prominent human gut microbes led to fatter mice. Scientists at the School of Medicine called the results an illustration of how understanding the menagerie of microorganisms that live in our guts can provide new insights into health.

School of Medicine researchers are developing a quick test for caffeine, a dipstick, that can be used to check for caffeine in a variety of drinks. More medical news

School of Medicine researchers will study the effects of an antibiotic on asthma symptoms in those whose symptoms are not completely controlled by their medication.

School of Medicine researchers are taking a hard scientific look at how well the results delivered by artificial bone compare to fusions using bone from deceased donors.

Third-year medical student James Hudspeth will spend a year in South Africa researching HIV/AIDS and shadowing physicians caring for patients.

Several studies under way by the School of Medicine will look at various ways to treat high cholesterol in adults and children and high triglycerides.

Photo by Joe AngelesNobel Prize-winner Barry Marshall speaks at the “21st Century Science” symposium.