OHSU research finds certain nerves that play an integral role in the body’s “fight or flight” stress response can support pancreatic tumor growth. Ariana Sattler, Ph.D., says, “We were interested in gaining new insights into how sympathetic nerves interact with all of the other cells within that pancreatic cancer ecosystem, and how these interactions influence pancreatic cancer.”

OPB "Think Out Loud" broadly covers the issue of substance use disorder during pregnancy, referencing an OHSU study that found the rate of opioid use during pregnancy has more than doubled over the last decade.

An OHSU-led study fins an oral form of semaglutide, a widely used diabetes drug, reduced the risk of serious heart failure events in people with Type 2 diabetes who already had heart failure. Rodica Pop-Busui, M.D., Ph.D., says, “These results give doctors more guidance when choosing treatments. Patients with both diabetes and HFpEF often have worse outcomes because they tend to have more underlying health problems that affect the heart.”

News outlets highlight the upcoming opening of the Vista Pavilion, which will add 128 new patient beds and expand access to high-acuity, specialized care, including cancer and other complex conditions.

An OHSU study finds routine screenings for anxiety and intimate partner violence in women and adolescent girls are rarely implemented in primary care settings, largely due to lack of awareness, workflow challenges and provider discomfort. Amy Cantor, M.D., says, “We found widespread support, but limited uptake. Most clinicians didn’t know these are covered preventive services. Some confused anxiety screening with depression screening, which are two separate recommendations with different tools.”

News outlets highlight the upcoming opening of the Vista Pavilion, which will add 128 new patient beds and expand access to high-acuity, specialized care, including cancer and other complex conditions.

Huff Post discusses what contact lens wearers should avoid for healthy eyes, including sleeping with their contacts in. Amanda Redfern, M.D., says, “The problem with contact lenses is that it will sandwich bacteria between the lens and your cornea, and you can get infected and then have all the complications we talked about. In general, we frown upon anything where your eye is going to expose to something nonsterile.”

The Oregonian highlights a free Alzheimer’s educational conference being held in downtown Portland where Kevin Duff, M.D., will discuss how normal aging differs from dementia and why early detection matters.

The Lincoln Chronicle reports on a proposed change to Oregon’s charity care law, mentioning the growth of OHSU’s charity care from nearly $73 million in 2021 to more than $165 million in 2025.

OHSU scientists create a new tool that enables biomedical researchers from around the world to quickly see the connections between lipids and proteins inside cells. Carsten Schultz, Ph.D., says, “This is a science community-building tool. … It’s a credit to the collaborative scientific rigor of the research conducted at OHSU and with many colleagues around the world to have something like this based here.”