Upgrading ... the healthy way
(10/22/2008) A recent survey by the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service finds that lack of sleep, excessive computer time, and stress--among other things--can negatively affect a college student's grades.

Body, mind, spirit
(10/8/2008) The School of Nursing's decade-long collaboration with the Center for Spirituality & Healing on the Twin Cities campus is reshaping the way health care professionals are caring for their patients.

Vet school finds gene for exercise-induced collapse
(9/22/2008) U researchers have discovered a gene associated with exercise-induced collapse in Labrador retrievers and have developed a test for susceptibility to the debilitating syndrome.

Former dean honored
(8/27/2008) Neal Gault, dean of the U's Medical School from 1972-1984, was recently honored with the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award.

Exploring a new cancer therapy
(8/12/2008) A two-step experimental procedure on a dog with brain cancer may one day improve treatment for brain tumors in animals and people.

In search of better bifocals
(8/6/2008) The U and a Minnesota-based manufacturer of eyeglass lenses have signed an agreement that is leading to a significant increase in the accuracy and flexibility of progressive lenses--also called no-line bifocal lenses.

Help Yourself to Health
(7/15/2008) The U's Farmers Market is back for a delectable fourth season at its location along Church Street. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays through Oct. 8, more than a dozen vendors with 20 booths will sell locally grown flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The season's theme "What's not to like about green?" emphasizes the benefits of eating local.

The Care that Never Stops: Five Stress Reduction Tips for Caregivers
(7/7/2008) Feeling stressed and overwhelmed because you are caring for someone with dementia? You're not alone.

Medical Reserve Corps aids pets in flood-ravaged Iowa
(7/2/2008) Veterinarians and students of the University of Minnesota's Medical Reserve Corps traveled to Cedar Rapids to help care for abandoned and stranded animals displaced by the recent floods.

New Medical Devices Center opens
(6/25/2008) A new, state-of-the-art laboratory facility at the University of Minnesota opened its doors on June 24, offering the public a glimpse at the future of medical device innovation.

Arming against leg pain
(6/24/2008) What is the best treatment for hurting leg muscles? How about...arm exercises? A School of Nursing professor is studying how upper body exercise can help people with peripheral arterial disease, a condition that impedes blood circulation in the pelvis and legs.

Drug curbs gambling urge
(6/20/2008) A study by University of Minnesota psychiatrist Jon Grant has found that taking a common alcoholism drug, preferably in concert with therapy, can help pathological gamblers get their behavior under control.

Fast Treatment Key to Recovering from Stroke
(6/5/2008) Across Minnesota, 10,000 people are admitted to the hospital for stroke care each year; of these patients, 2,300 die. These statistics clearly illustrate the devastating impact stroke has on many families across the state.

Novel stem cell therapy gives hope to boy with rare disease
(6/3/2008) A stem cell transplant at the University offers hope to toddler Nate Liao, born with a fatal disease that makes skin slough off at the slightest touch. After eight months, Jake is showing improvement and can now do things most kids take for granted, such as eating a snack.

The unhealthy state of medical journalism
(5/28/2008) In stories about new medical treatments, what the U.S. media leave out is often at least as important as what they leave in, says journalism faculty member Gary Schwitzer. Stories too often neglect to discuss factors like the cost of treatments, the quality of scientific evidence, and potential conflicts of interest by sources.

Researchers pinpoint first step in sun-induced skin cancer
(5/20/2008) A "morning after pill" for sun exposure? Maybe someday. University of Minnesota researchers have found what could be the first event in the development of skin cancer.

Going to the vet?
(5/14/2008) If your dog or cat freaks out whenever you take it to the veterinarian, there are several ways that you can help it calm down. U professor Jane Armstrong suggests offering "positive rewards" and "rescue remedy," or even trying acupuncture.

Fish Virus Threatens Minnesota's Lakes
(5/13/2008) The Ebola virus for fish. Perhaps that's the best way to describe VHS, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia. The lethal fish virus causes severe hemorrhaging and is capable of producing massive fish kills in some of Minnesota anglers' favorite game and eating fish including: Muskie, walleye, perch, sunfish, crappie, and small and largemouth bass.

A threat to Minnesota fish
(5/8/2008) The University is lending a hand to help stop a lethal fish virus that is capable of producing massive fish kills in some of Minnesota anglers' favorite game and eating fish including walleye, muskie, perch, sunfish, crappie, and smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Getting to the Bottom of Eating Disorders
(5/7/2008) Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the two most common eating disorders. People with anorexia nervosa are usually underweight, anxious, maintain rigid rules, exercise excessively, and constantly see themselves as grossly overweight. People with bulimia nervosa, however, have varied weights that often fall within the normal range. Their eating habits usually consist of eating binges followed by an action to counteract the binge, such as self-induced vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics, exercising excessively, or starving themselves.

U student wins medal for bravery
(5/2/2008) A rare display of courage, heroism, and selfless action earned Nate Lund the Soldier's Medal, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Army. The award was presented Thursday during a special ceremony at the University of Minnesota.

On public opinion and health care
(4/30/2008) According to new University of Minnesota research, presidential candidates must understand public opinion on health care if they expect to woo voters. Americans ranked health care among the most important problems facing the country.

Begin Alcohol Education Early
(4/30/2008) Alcohol prevention programs instituted by schools and supported by parents are vital to discouraging youth from using alcohol, but we may not be starting these programs soon enough.

Whole foods beat single nutrients
(4/18/2008) It's easy to study the effects of single-nutrient dietary supplements because the composition of pills and the like is known exactly. But an epidemiology professor urges that the focus of health and diet research switch to whole foods.

Westward expansion
(4/18/2008) The School of Dentistry's outreach program will stretch to west central Minnesota in response to the challenges rural communities face when recruiting health care professionals. The program hopes to bring long-term dental care to underserved regions.

Giving hope
(4/18/2008) Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the newly opened Hope Lodge is a free living space open to any adult receiving cancer care in the Twin Cities.

From hunch to hope
(4/16/2008) If you're a clinician or biomedical researcher looking for a cure, you could start your search at the University of Minnesota. The fairly new Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development is bringing together sophisticated technology and some of the best and brightest players in drug discovery from academia and industry.

Why Miss Muffett skedaddled
(4/16/2008) A U graduate student has helped uncover evidence that babies can quickly learn to recognize spiders. This may later help them develop a protective fear.

Go, girl!
(4/14/2008) A new study by the Tucker Center shows that girls are participating in sports more and more but engaging in physical activity outside of organized sports less and less.

University receives $65 million for Cancer Center
(4/10/2008) The Masons have just given the University of Minnesota the largest gift in its history to support cancer research, treatment, and education. In recognition, the Cancer Center has been renamed the Masonic Cancer Center.

Filling the need
(4/2/2008) A new dental clinic--a partnership between the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and Rice Memorial Hospital--offers students learning opportunities while bringing needed care to patients in west central Minnesota.

Another weapon to fight ovarian cancer
(4/1/2008) About 2,000 Minnesota women are diagnosed and treated each year for ovarian cancer. For most of these women, the cancer will recur.

Keep Your Skin Safe from Frostbite
(4/1/2008) Mittens, scarves, hats, coats, and boots; all important clothing designed to keep out Minnesota's winter weather. These layers are especially important to prevent frostbite.

Mesothelioma: a rare and deadly cancer
(4/1/2008) Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer typically linked to asbestos exposure. It is relatively rare, with only 2,000 to 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year (compared with over 150,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed each year). Mesothelioma has been in the news locally because of the Minnesota Department of Health's release of historical data identifying 58 cases of mesothelioma in northeastern Minnesota taconite miners, a much higher number than would be expected in that group.

Care for a lifetime
(3/20/2008) A new grant gives the School of Nursing the tools needed to educate a new generation of geriatric nurses--and care for a rapidly aging population.

Secrets of the hive
(3/19/2008) Traditional healers from South America to Eastern Europe and China have valued bee propolis as a remedy for ailments such as skin problems, oral sores, and the common cold. Today, University of Minnesota researchers are looking at it as a possible inexpensive treatment for HIV.

In search of the perfect human
(3/17/2008) Through May 4, the U's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Science Museum of Minnesota are sponsoring an exhibit, "Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race," and a series of public lectures that explore eugenics and the Holocaust.

A feline lifeline?
(3/14/2008) Sure, cats rip furniture to shreds and treat people as inferior beings. But a University study shows they may do our hearts good, in more ways than one.

Well done
(3/11/2008) Long before the hit documentary Super Size Me, the University experimented with the health effects of eating nothing but White Castle hamburgers.

A sickle-cell sleuth
(3/7/2008) He was a political science major--until he discovered medical research. Now, Regents Professor of Medicine Robert Hebbel is a leading authority on sickle-cell and other blood-related diseases.

Calming the storm
(3/5/2008) Three University of Minnesota top talents are launching a new era in epilepsy research and care: Aviva Abosch, Thomas Henry, and Steven Rothman. All are collaborating on translational research that ranges from enhancing the effectiveness of conventional drug therapies to venturing deep within the brain in novel ways.

Biomedical boom?
(3/4/2008) This year the U is again renewing a request for its Minnesota Biomedical Research Program, and more than 100 faculty, staff, students, and other U backers attended a legislative hearing last week to show their support for the plan.

Champions of breakfast
(3/4/2008) Teens who want to lose weight may be tempted to skip breakfast. It's a temptation they may do well to resist, though, says a new study.

Cause for paws
(2/28/2008) U professor Jaime Modiano is evaluating an experimental gene therapy for bone cancer in dogs that not only kills tumor cells, but also activates the immune system to destroy any remnants lurking in the body.

New research takes aim at oral cancer
(2/19/2008) An interdisciplinary research team at the University of Minnesota is working to change oral cancer statistics by studying the proteins found in saliva.

National Pool of Eligible Blood Donors Smaller
(2/15/2008) It was previously estimated that more than 177 million people were eligible to donate blood in the United States. However, last fall at the University of Minnesota my colleague Jeffrey McCullough and I found that only 111 million individuals are actually eligible. The pool of eligible blood donors was overestimated by 59 percent.

Respect for the voice of children
(2/6/2008) "Children know best what comforts them when they're sick," says Linda Lindeke. The University of Minnesota associate professor is capturing the child's voice for quality improvements at hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Biomedical informatics leaders join forces for research, education
(2/5/2008) The first Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology Research Symposium brought together teams from the University of Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic, IBM and the Hormel Institute.

Blood donor pool shrinking
(2/5/2008) Estimates of the number of Americans eligible to donate blood are off by as much as one-third, according to new research from the University of Minnesota.

Take food allergies seriously
(1/23/2008) Eating is an enjoyable experience for most of us, but it can be frightening and even life threatening for people with food allergies. University of Minnesota Extension has some tips on how to avoid a harmful reaction for those with food allergies or food intolerance.