Technology Networks covers a new OHSU study that identified a combination of treatments that show promise in slowing cancer progression and reducing tumor growth. Study co-author Sanjay Malhotra, Ph.D., says, "Our approach opens an under-explored area for studying immune therapy with new combinations of drugs. Given adequate resources, these new treatments could be brought forward for evaluation in clinical trials in 18 to 24 months.”

Dan Hoover, Ph.D., discusses new deflection programs in Oregon intended to help people enter recovery and avoid criminal charges and jail. The timing of the programs coincides with the start of a new misdemeanor penalty for low-level drug possession. He says, "We don’t want to take so many people into a deflection program that we can’t offer them something useful when it comes to those services or substance use disorder care."

OHSU distributes free Narcan kits and teaches people how to use the medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Emily Skogrand, Pharm.D., says, "Fentanyl is everywhere. We know that just from the massive amount of overdose that the United States has seen. And you never know who is using drugs - Fentanyl is found in counterfeit pills, where the person doesn't even think that they're using fentanyl."

OHSU distributes free Narcan kits and teaches people how to use the medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Emily Skogrand, Pharm.D., says, "Fentanyl is everywhere. We know that just from the massive amount of overdose that the United States has seen. And you never know who is using drugs - Fentanyl is found in counterfeit pills, where the person doesn't even think that they're using fentanyl."

In a CNN story about the expansion of a national maternal home visit program, Elizabeth Steiner, M.D., says "It’s one thing to have the baby’s doctor say something about it in the confines of a doctor’s office. It’s a totally different thing when the nurses in your home and says, ‘Hey, can I take a look at your sleeping arrangements and help you find something that works well for all of you and keeps your baby safe?’ That’s a very different conversation, so that can help reduce infant mortality.”

Axios-Portland reports Oregon experienced one of the greatest decreases in life expectancy at birth from 2020 to 2021 due to the pandemic and rising drug overdoses, citing a new CDC report. The article also notes a five-fold increase in opioid overdose deaths from 2019 to 2023, according to the latest data from the Oregon Health Authority. Todd Korthuis, M.D., says: "What we're seeing can be attributed to the increase in fentanyl in our drug supply."

An OHSU study reveals negative health consequences for people who are overweight and ignore their body’s signals to sleep at night, with specific differences between men and women; Brook Shafer, Ph.D., says, "This study builds support for the importance of good sleep habits. Sleep practices, like going to bed when you’re tired or setting aside your screen at night, can help to promote good overall health.”

An OHSU study reveals negative health consequences for people who are overweight and ignore their body’s signals to sleep at night, with specific differences between men and women; Brook Shafer, Ph.D., says, "This study builds support for the importance of good sleep habits. Sleep practices, like going to bed when you’re tired or setting aside your screen at night, can help to promote good overall health.”

Central Oregon Daily reports on OHSU research led by Jonah Sacha, Ph.D., that could lead to a universal influenza vaccine; Sacha says: "It occurred to me after my son got infected with influenza that the annual influenza vaccine falls short and we need a ‘one and done’ shot. What we showed is proof of concept that has merit and should be further explored."

A bill being considered in California would ban synthetic food dyes in schools because some studies have raised concerns that they may have an effect on some children’s behavior. Joel Nigg, Ph.D., says no large, representative studies have been done on children in the United States, and researchers aren’t sure how, exactly, the dyes might increase hyperactivity.