“These findings add to increasing evidence that maintaining healthy kidney function throughout one’s life is important for cardiovascular health and healthy life expectancy,” said lead study author Yuni Choi, a postdoctoral researcher at SPH.
Chronic Disease
Parsons earns American Cancer Society researcher award
Associate Professor Helen Parsons has received a 2022 ResearcHERS™ Rising Star Award from the American Cancer Society.
Combining data to identify potential causes and treatment targets of disease
Assistant Professor Sandra Safo received a grant from the NIH to develop methods and software for combining data from multiple sources that could identify potential molecular targets — or “biomarkers” — of disease, and identify disease subtypes.
International study shows risk factors in childhood are related to cardiovascular events in adulthood
Professor David Jacobs co-led a study that found children with only mildly elevated body mass index, blood pressure or lipids, and youth who start smoking may be at higher risk for adult cardiovascular disease.
Midlife body inflammation could lead to abdominal aortic aneurysms
The study by PhD student Romil Parikh suggests researchers identify nontraditional risk factors and treatments to reduce the possibility of developing AAA produced by midlife inflammation.
Switching to plant-centered diet reduces risk of cardiovascular disease for young and middle adults
The study, led by postdoctoral researcher Yuni Choi and Professor David Jacobs, showed that people who most frequently ate nutritionally-rich plant foods, and fewer nutritionally-poor plant foods and unhealthy animal products had a 52% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Breast cancer patients start treatment more often and sooner after intro of generic drugs
A study by recent graduate Xuanzi Qin (PhD ’20) found that women were more likely to begin breast cancer treatment after the introduction of generic aromatase inhibitors.
Obtaining specialist care may be harder for rural and lower-income Alzheimer’s patients
Associate Professor Sayeh Nikpay led the study that found specialized geriatric providers are more likely to see higher socioeconomic status and urban patients.
Faculty authors JAMA Oncology editorial on state healthcare rationing guidelines and cancer treatment
Professor Beth Virnig and Associate Professor Sayeh Nikpay think many state crisis standards of care guidelines were never written with a global pandemic in mind and may mistakenly limit or bar care for cancer patients.
Study to evaluate genetic underpinnings of smoking and nicotine dependence in American Indians and Alaska Natives
Assistant Professor Dana Carroll is studying how quickly American Indians and Alaska Natives metabolize nicotine, how it relates to their genetic makeup, and barriers that exist to using that information to improve health.
Switching to a plant-centered diet linked to reduced diabetes risk for young adults as they age
PhD student Yuni Choi found that study participants with the greatest increase in plant-centered diet quality scores had a 48% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not alter their diet.
Study shows brain scans and spinal fluid tests can help correctly diagnose dementia types in patients
The study from the school’s Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center could help researchers identify the underlying causes of dementia, which could eventually lead to better treatments.
