In The News

UArizona researchers who study how work and living spaces affect physical and mental health, say the pandemic has forced employers to think about how office spaces can reduce employees' stress and enhance their well-being.

Rght after vaccination, this initial round of antibodies has a few problems. The antibodies are a bit wimpy. They're not that well trained at killing SARS-CoV-2, and they're not very durable, but that is the reason for a second shot- to provide more help to our antibodies.

Dr. Brittany Uhlorn discusses her career journey from scientist to science communicator.

So, how long does immunity last after two doses of the vaccine and how much protection is left over time? A series of new studies suggest that mRNA vaccines like those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna trigger the immune system to establish long-term protection against severe COVID-19 — protection that likely will last several years or even longer.

Recent University of Arizona research suggests there's a link between an enzyme in our bodies similar to rattlesnake venom and deadly cases of COVID-19, and there’s a chance this information may save lives. Stony Brook University, Wake Forest School of Medicine and UA researchers pooled together to analyze blood samples from people who died of the disease.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, aggressive cancer affecting the bile ducts both in and outside of the liver. Experts estimate that 8000 people in the United States are diagnosed with this cancer each year, although the actual number is likely to be higher because it can be hard to diagnose and may be misclassified as other types of cancer.

University of Arizona researchers trying to save COVID-19 patients have made what they believe is a critical discovery: an enzyme that typically defends the body is instead shredding cell membranes in organs of people with severe disease. In some cases, this may cause death or could contribute to 'long-COVID' cases, which refers to those who have health issues that continue long after the infection peaked.

Dr. Laura Meredith, assistant professor for the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, is listening in on what’s driving plant-microbe interactions. Her lab studies how the gaseous subset of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are processed and what they mean for soil microbiome health and composition.

The coronavirus pandemic is intersecting with another respiratory illness endemic to Arizona: Valley Fever. Spread the word to anyone you know who has visited our area and now has coronavirus-like symptoms. It could be another respiratory illness we know all too well in Southern Arizona.

As the pandemic dominated headlines, Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya, professor in the Department of Immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson, discusses what we know so far about COVID-19 vaccines, the interactions between the vaccines and the latest variants, and strategies for staying healthy and safe.

Collaborating scientists have identified what may be the key molecular mechanism responsible for COVID-19 mortality – an enzyme related to neurotoxins found in rattlesnake venom.

A recent UArizona College of Pharmacy study suggests that personal genomic educational testing (PGET), which is thought to have potential as a learning tool in pharmacogenomic education, may offer no significant benefits in terms of improved knowledge or attitudes for PharmD students towards the subject.

Dr. Martha Hunter, entomology professor with the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was recently named a 2021 Entomology Society of America Fellow. Dr. Hunter is internationally known for her work on the ecology and evolution of insects, particularly with respect to insect interactions with bacterial symbionts, and the study of how bacterial symbionts influence herbivores, parasitoids, and the parasitoid-host interaction.

New data from an ongoing University of Arizona Health Sciences research study show that the COVID-19 vaccines remain effective following the predominance of the delta variant, although at a lower rate than prior to its emergence.

An enzyme that can tear cell membranes to shreds may contribute to the organ damage that ultimately kills some people with severe COVID-19. The enzyme, called "secreted phospholipase A2 Group IIA" (sPLA2-IIA), normally protects the body from invaders, such as bacteria, by grabbing hold of specific fats in the microbes' membranes and tearing them apart, said senior author Dr. Floyd Chilton, a biochemist, and director of the Precision Nutrition and Wellness Initiative at the University of Arizona.

There is a cohort of people across the U.S. who do not want to put off a booster shot as the delta variant rages and “normal life” still seems remote. Public health experts including UArizona immunologist Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya, explain that third doses will likely work much better after fully vaccinated people lose some of the antibodies in their systems.

As a basic scientist and clinician, Dr. Juanita Merchant brings unique perspective to the her new role. as interim Associate Director For Basic Sciences at the UAZ Cancer Center, and hopes to cultivate bench-to-bedside translation at UArizona.

Because of the rain, there has been more moisture available for mosquitoes to breed in, and that is why people have been seeing more mosquito activity in Tucson lately. Dr. Michael Riehle, an entomologist at the University of Arizona recommends getting rid of standing water where these pests tend to breed.