Research Archives

Promising treatment for disease that destroys eye tissueBy Jan Jarvis Ocular inflammation uveitis is a serious disease that can destroy eye tissue and cause irreversible blindness. Fortunately, blindness and eye damage can be prevented by suppressing the immune system and treating the disease with corticosteroids, said Sai Chavala, MD, Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Director of Translational Research at the Read More »

Oct 9, 2018

First semester of college represents ‘red zone’ for student drinkingBy Sally Crocker What happens in the first semester of college can profoundly impact students’ alcohol use and future drinking behaviors, especially during the first six weeks, says UNTHSC Associate Professor Dana M. Litt, PhD. Dr. Litt is leading a new study on ways to reach freshmen when they are most impressionable. The three-year project Read More »

Oct 9, 2018

Recent rains increase threat of West Nile virusBy Alex Branch The first West Nile virus death of 2018 in Tarrant County was reported Sept. 21, and a UNT Health Science Center epidemiologist warns that recent rain has caused a sudden increase in mosquito activity. An older adult with underlying health conditions was the first person to die locally from the mosquito-borne Read More »

Oct 2, 2018

Study: For vets, ‘mild’ TBI increases risk of early brain diseaseBy Jan Jarvis Army veteran R. J. Hillman was riding back to base from a 17-hour mission in Afghanistan when the blast from an IED sent shock waves radiating through his truck. Despite feeling dizzy, he immediately launched into his role as a medic. Later that night, his head ached. For the next 48 hours, Read More »

Oct 1, 2018

The latest research on longevityBy Jan Jarvis By Jan Jarvis Every day, Kunlin Jin, MD, PhD, drinks five cups of green tea, three in the morning and two in the afternoon. Brewed from the unfermented plant, the tea has been touted for its anti-aging and longevity benefits. “It should be very good for your health,” said Dr. Jin, Read More »

Sep 24, 2018

PT on leading edge of Parkinson’s careBy Alex Branch A UNT Health Science Center professor is preparing physical students to provide innovative care that can improve the quality of life for the nearly 1 million Americans expected to have Parkinson’s disease by 2020. Howe Liu, PT, PhD, Professor of Physical Therapy, participated in the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program. It Read More »

Sep 17, 2018

A prestigious glaucoma prize, again, for UNTHSC eye researchersBy Jan Jarvis In 1998, a team of researchers that included Abe Clark, PhD, won worldwide recognition for its discovery of the first gene that causes glaucoma. Two decades later, the same team has found a possible treatment for this blinding eye disease. “We’ve gone from discovering the first glaucoma gene to finding a Read More »

Sep 13, 2018

Understanding why and when young people drink alcoholBy Sally Crocker Two UNT Health Science Center researchers plan to get inside the minds of teens and young adults to learn what influences them to drink and when they are most apt to use alcohol. Melissa A. Lewis, PhD, Professor, Health Behavior and Health Systems, is leading the study, along with Dana M. Litt, PhD, Read More »

Sep 10, 2018

The doctors and the dancersBy Jan Jarvis During a break from rehearsals for “Cinderella,” Celeste Gaiera stood still as 37 reflective markers were taped to her torso, legs and head. Then, looking more like a sci-fi character than a ballet dancer, she practiced plies – a familiar ballet step – as six motion capture cameras recorded her every move. Read More »

Aug 29, 2018

Study: Private hospital rooms lower risk of infectionsBy Sally Crocker Private hospital rooms may save lives by reducing the risk of a dangerous type of hospital-acquired infection, according to UNT Health Science Center researchers in a new study published in PLOS ONE. Liam O’Neill, PhD, Associate Professor of Health Behavior and Health Systems at the UNTHSC School of Public Health, led the Read More »

Aug 14, 2018