OHSU in the news

AIIMS Bhubaneswar investigates neurological risks linked to cycad plant-based foods

Times of India November 04, 2025
The Times of India reports that researchers at AIIMS Bhubaneswar are investigating whether the consumption of foods made from the cycad plant—which contain the suspected neurotoxin BMAA — could be linked to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia in parts of Odisha. Valerie Palmer, instructor emeritus, and Peter Spencer, Ph.D., have assisted researchers, conducting field visits to the region.

‘It’s not for whipped cream’: The culinary product causing paralysis

KPTV November 04, 2025
KPTV-TV reports that recreational use of nitrous oxide — often sold in whipped-cream style canisters — is increasingly linked with severe nerve and spinal damage, including paralysis. Courtney Temple, M.D., says the Oregon Poison Center is seeing more such cases. She says, “Even with the correct treatments, sometimes patients have very, very long recovery processes and they may still be incomplete.”

Early Cancer Detection: New Technologies & Tissue Engineering Advances

Memesita November 04, 2025
OHSU researchers review new technologies, such as organoids and organs-on-chips, that could improve early cancer detection and treatment. The review, led by the lab of Luiz Bertassoni, D.D.S., Ph.D., highlights OHSU’s role in advancing human-relevant cancer-model systems for earlier diagnosis. He says, “These new technologies give us a window into how cancer forms and progresses, which opens the door to understanding early cancer, paving the way for earlier diagnosis and even predict cancer initiation."

OHSU Researchers Find New Tools For Early Cancer Detection, Treatment

KXL Radio November 04, 2025
OHSU researchers review new technologies, such as organoids and organs-on-chips, that could improve early cancer detection and treatment. The review, led by the lab of Luiz Bertassoni, D.D.S., Ph.D., highlights OHSU’s role in advancing human-relevant cancer-model systems for earlier diagnosis. He says, “These new technologies give us a window into how cancer forms and progresses, which opens the door to understanding early cancer, paving the way for earlier diagnosis and even predict cancer initiation.”

OHSU Knight Cancer is using cutting-edge method for early cancer detection

Portland Business Journal November 04, 2025
OHSU researchers review new technologies, such as organoids and organs-on-chips, that could improve early cancer detection and treatment. The review, led by the lab of Luiz Bertassoni, D.D.S., Ph.D., highlights OHSU’s role in advancing human-relevant cancer-model systems for earlier diagnosis. He says, “These new technologies give us a window into how cancer forms and progresses, which opens the door to understanding early cancer, paving the way for earlier diagnosis and even predict cancer initiation."

How to take on Portland's 4T loop

Axios November 03, 2025
Axios Portland writers walk the “4 T” loop — trail, tram, train and trolley — noting the trail goes through OHSU’s campus.

Babies From Skin Cells? Catholics Decry Research Breakthrough Over Human Egg Creation

National Catholic Register October 31, 2025
Coverage of a unique proof of concept to treat infertility by turning skin cells into oocytes capable of producing early human embryos continues. Paula Amato, M.D., says, “We know it works in nature, but we don’t fully understand how chromosomes pair and separate correctly. Now we’re trying to recapitulate that in vitro, and it’s incredibly challenging.”

Study Finds Evidence That Text-Based Therapy Eases Depression

The New York Times October 30, 2025
A recent study finds that text-based therapy may be less effective than many expect, highlighting both its potential and its limitations in mental health care. Jane Zhu, M.D., says that while the results are “encouraging,” the study excluded high-risk patients and insurers should be cautious about broad adoption. She says text therapy “could eventually fit into a stepped-care model,” in which patients begin with low-intensity interventions and then, if needed, progress to treatments like medication or specialist care.

FDA-approved focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor now in use as primary treatment for Parkinson's

Medical Xpress October 29, 2025
OHSU is the first U.S. medical center to use a newly FDA approved incisionless high-frequency focused ultrasound procedure to treat Parkinson’s disease. “This is a huge step forward for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,” says Daniel Cleary, M.D. “ … It’s another option for people, especially for those who would benefit from DBS but aren’t candidates for the surgery.”
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