News and Stories

The Boettcher Foundation has selected eight researchers, including three from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, to receive funding through the Boettcher Foundation’s Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program. 

Staff | May 31, 2023

As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple by 2050, the sense of urgency for researchers to find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for the 6 million people whose memories and lives are at stake has intensified.

Guest Contributor | May 31, 2023

A treatment offered by the University of Colorado School of Medicine Community Practice is giving hope to people with depression who haven’t found relief with other treatment options.

Guest Contributor | May 30, 2023

Initial findings from a study of nearly 10,000 Americans, many of whom had COVID-19, have uncovered new details about long COVID, the post-infection set of conditions that can affect nearly every tissue and organ in the body. Clinical symptoms can vary and include fatigue, brain fog and dizziness and can last for months or years after a person has COVID-19.

Guest Contributor | May 26, 2023

Fighting off a nasty headache after your cousin’s wedding? Stomach virus have you feeling fatigued? Gearing up for tomorrow’s half-marathon? Many of us might be tempted to pop into an “IV bar” to seek relief from minor ailments or to prep for an upcoming event.

Guest Contributor | May 25, 2023

A promising new stroke drug that temporarily inhibits a key protein in the brain without causing lasting harm may significantly change the future treatment of cerebral and global ischemia, according to a new study by scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

David Kelly | May 23, 2023

Against a backdrop of pink and purple hues, a masked figure sails on the wind to a new destination and an uncertain future. Monarch butterflies accompany the traveler, undertaking the same arduous journey. 

Matthew Hastings | May 23, 2023

Thirty-one high school seniors graduated from the CU Pre-Health Scholars (CUPS) program on May 6.

Staff | May 19, 2023

Kristyn S. Masters, PhD, has been appointed chair of the University of Colorado Denver Department of Bioengineering and the director of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Center for Bioengineering, following an extensive national search. These coupled roles provide the leadership to the unique cross-campus bioengineering program.  For the past seven years, Masters has served as professor and vice chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Staff | May 18, 2023

On a trip five years ago, as he was about to check off the last of all 50 states he’d visited, Daniel Pastula jumped out of the car for a quick photo at the Maine state line. After memorializing the moment, Pastula glanced down to an unwelcome surprise – his pant legs were crawling in ticks.

Debra Melani | May 18, 2023

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz), in partnership with the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), launched the Hummingbird Initiative today, a program that aims to increase diversity in the state’s behavioral health workforce. 

Julia Milzer | May 17, 2023

Exactly one month before the public release of a documentary on Michael J. Fox and his life with Parkinson’s disease (PD), the actor’s research foundation announced a landmark discovery – a novel test that can biologically diagnose the disease in live patients, even before symptoms emerge.

Debra Melani | May 15, 2023

Charlie Ternan had a job interview and wanted to cool the back pain that had flared on a long drive up the California coast. It was spring 2020, the COVID pandemic had just begun, and graduation was weeks away at Santa Clara University.

Chris Casey | May 15, 2023

It’s no secret that Coloradans are struggling with substance use and mental health issues.

Laura Veith | May 12, 2023

Schools and colleges of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are again ranked among the best in the country on the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report annual ranking of higher education programs.

Staff | May 11, 2023

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a leader in bench-to-bedside research, and the Gates Institute and Gates Biomanufacturing Facility (GBF) are at the forefront of some of the campus’s most cutting-edge innovations in cell and gene therapy.

Chris Casey | May 09, 2023

Beginning at midnight on April 13, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus held its second annual Giving Day. For 24 hours, the CU Anschutz community was encouraged to contribute to funds honoring pioneers of diversity in healthcare and the many schools and colleges across campus. This year’s theme was “Go Further, Together” – a phrase that highlights the ability of CU Anschutz students to face challenges and push through adversity to change lives for the better.

Guest Contributor | May 09, 2023

With each study into world-class cyclists being pushed to the physiological limit, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus researchers get deeper insight into high-performance metabolism. They are also gaining clues about how to head off serious diseases in the general population through early detection and personalized interventions.

Chris Casey | May 08, 2023

One of the initially scheduled speakers at this spring’s “Transforming Healthcare” series on May 2 bowed out for a more spontaneous event: his own wedding. With his high-school diploma newly in hand and his little-known CAR T-cell therapy giving him time, the young man decided to embrace the future – now.

Debra Melani | May 08, 2023

Ever wonder why children who start daycare are always sick? Or why you catch a cold after going on vacation? New environments mean exposure to new pathogens, said immunologist Aimee Pugh Bernard, who recalls getting sick frequently when she started graduate school in a new state. But it’s not all bad: New exposures give your body an opportunity to learn and build immunity, she said.

Kiley Carroll | May 08, 2023

Liver disease, heart disease and high blood pressure are among the conditions commonly associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but one condition that’s rarely discussed, and often overlooked, is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, better known as “wet brain,” and can be the most challenging to identify and treat.

Laura Kelley | May 04, 2023

About 40 people recently gathered at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building to celebrate the newly named Katy O. and Paul M. Rady Esophageal and Gastric Center of Excellence and honor Sachin Wani, MD, as the inaugural center director and recipient of the Katy O. and Paul M. Rady Esophageal and Gastric Center Chair.

Guest Contributor | May 02, 2023

When discussing recent high-profile industrial chemical spills in places such as East Palestine, Ohio, and Philadelphia, the first step in public health response is identifying the harm these chemicals pose, according to Lisa Bero, PhD. 

Matthew Hastings | May 02, 2023

At least one in four women suffer with pelvic floor disorder symptoms that can range from urine leakage to organs falling out of place, sometimes protruding outside the vagina. Many women remain silent, embarrassed to share their issues even with their doctors.

Debra Melani | May 02, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide, with young adults and women hit the hardest, according to a scientific briefing released by the World Health Organization. Yet there’s still much that’s not understood about women’s health research and how it impacts their mental and physical health.

Guest Contributor | May 01, 2023

A University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus research team has discovered that the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the plasma of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are toxic to neurons, a finding the lead investigator said could transform the field of study.

Chris Casey | April 25, 2023

A recent gathering at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building celebrated the generosity of the University of Colorado Department of Anesthesiology and honored Susan Ingram, PhD, as the inaugural recipient of the Richard Traystman, PhD, Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology.

Guest Contributor | April 24, 2023

Looking for events happening on campus? Wondering how to better promote your event? Need a one-stop-shop for all campus events? Look no further than the CU Anschutz Medical Campus Events Calendar. 

Kiley Carroll | April 20, 2023

When Joel Friedlander, DO, MA, bioethics, travels to Vienna this month, he will check another box on a journey that’s been a series of peaks, and a few valleys, on the way to a breakthrough medical device that hit the healthcare trifecta: it opens access, improves care and lowers costs.

Chris Casey | April 19, 2023

The story of the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history didn’t end with the receding of hurricane-strength winds and the extinguishing of the blaze’s last embers. Over a year later, while some questions the Marshall Fire left in its wake have been answered, many others remain, including where future public policy should go.

Matthew Hastings | April 19, 2023

Not long after recovering from a frightening episode that culminated in their daughter’s type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis at age 7, Doug and Laura Aeling turned their attention to their son.

Debra Melani | April 17, 2023

In a three-year span, canned oxygen has become almost as available as the real thing. Buoyed by COVID-19, a “Shark Tank” deal, and a scene on “The Simpsons,” increased demand has resulted in a burst of the small aluminum cans on store shelves, from pharmacies to gas stations.

Debra Melani | April 17, 2023

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have partnered with UCHealth to pilot a streamlined way to conduct clinical trials that could cut down on costs, time and extra lab work, while enabling patients to more easily enroll in research studies.  

Kelsea Pieters and Megan Lane | April 12, 2023

On Monday, the Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research welcomed NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, MD, to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where he presented at a distinguished leader seminar on “The Challenges of Medical Care in Space: A Perspective From Low Earth Orbit and the Future of Human Spaceflight."

Colleen Miracle | April 12, 2023

Taking what’s learned in the lab and creating a viable commercial product to improve patient health is a journey many academics aspire to take yet few accomplish. At “Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Stories of Women-Led Innovation” on April 10, women scientists shared how focus, intention and a great team can assist in finding success.

Guest Contributor | April 12, 2023

After working for years out of a “temporary” army barrack built in 1938, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Police Department will soon move into a 26,000-square-foot building on the northeast corner of campus. The new, solar-powered Campus Safety & Security Building is slated to become the first Net Zero Energy building at any of the four CU campuses.

Guest Contributor | April 10, 2023

Sometimes serendipity has a wagging tail. 

When Lexi Dunnells looked to build a project for the School of Dental Medicine’s Research Day, she knew she wanted to study how to reduce barriers to care in the dental clinic. 

Matthew Hastings | April 10, 2023

Involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness will likely lead to a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality over a 10-year period.

Kelsea Pieters | April 10, 2023

The Treasury Investment Process Review Committee has provided its report to the Board of Regents and CU President Todd Saliman on findings and recommendations regarding a gap in funding for planned acceleration of elements of the system strategic plan.

Staff | April 06, 2023

A new study from researchers in the Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity (LEAD) Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus shows that 90% of pregnant women do not receive adequate nutrients during pregnancy from food alone and must look to supplements to fill that deficit. However, they also discovered that 99% of the affordable dietary supplements on the market do not contain appropriate doses of key micronutrients that are urgently needed to make up for the nutritional imbalance.

Laura Kelley | April 04, 2023

A study published in Frontiers in Surgery finds that people with schizophrenia (SZ) and schizoaffective disorder (SAD) have overall lower surgical risk than people with Parkinson’s disease, which is reassuring when considering potential surgical interventions such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of SZ and SAD.

Kelsea Pieters | April 03, 2023

American diets go through waves of popularity. One year fat is unfathomable and the next year the trend is to “skip the carbs.” Protein intake is currently in vogue, but how much do we really need to eat in a day? 

Kiley Carroll | April 03, 2023

The recent Food and Drug Administration approval of the nasal spray Narcan is good news for music festival attendees hoping to carry the medication in case they witness an opioid overdose.

Laura Kelley | March 30, 2023

Public health experts at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus released a new research letter today in JAMA Pediatrics that examines how quickly Colorado’s children and teenagers can access a loaded gun and called attention to the critical importance of reducing access to guns when an adolescent is in crisis.

Julia Milzer | March 27, 2023

Everybody can help fight the health misinformation epidemic by not falling for – and not sharing – fake news. It’s something experts like Lisa Bero, PhD, hope people will do for the sake of evidence-based science and, ultimately, societal health.

Debra Melani | March 27, 2023

By creating a rapt worldwide audience at a time of worry, COVID-19 brought out the worst in fake health news. Misinformation clogged the airwaves, with claims of microchipped vaccines, dangerous miracle cures and mask-mandate conspiracies plastering TV stations and social media platforms.

Today, pandemic “news” has abated. But misinformation has not.

Debra Melani | March 27, 2023

Many stages occur on the path to getting rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the body, especially the joints. If providers could spot the predictive biomarkers and intervene early enough, there is a strong likelihood they could delay, or even prevent, RA from developing.

Chris Casey | March 22, 2023

In a forthcoming memoir, actor Sam Neill of “Jurassic Park” fame reveals that he’s been battling angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, also known as AITL.

Chris Casey | March 22, 2023

Imagine a jigsaw puzzle with thousands of tiny pieces spread across a table. The puzzle’s completion promises insights into better personalized patient care, but the pieces are from different puzzle-makers – their sides not fully matching up at first glance. 

Matthew Hastings | March 21, 2023

Did you know that people with Down syndrome almost never develop solid tumors or high blood pressure, but their chances of having Alzheimer’s and autoimmune disease are off-the-charts high?

Staff | March 21, 2023

Because early detection offers the best chance of surviving cancer, screening tests that involve one quick blood draw are generating excitement. If approved, rather than scheduling downtime and facing intimidating procedures, patients could undergo screening for multiple cancers at once, just by rolling up their sleeves during routine doctor exams.

Debra Melani | March 20, 2023

After being postponed in 2020 and 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ScienceWriters2023 is on track for Oct. 6–10 at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Guest Contributor | March 15, 2023

A 15-year, multicenter study has changed the course of care for youth with type 2 diabetes, enhancing treatments for this growing population and illustrating the scope of the work conducted on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Called Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents & Youth (TODAY), the massive clinical trial included 699 participants and was led nationally by Phil Zeitler, MD, professor, pediatrics-endocrinology, University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Wendy Meyer | March 14, 2023

Whether it’s accelerating research in the lab or augmenting physician decision-making in the clinic, artificial intelligence (AI) has seemingly limitless potential to transform healthcare.

Chris Casey | March 13, 2023

This spring, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus returns to primetime.  

Matthew Hastings | March 13, 2023

Lia Gore, MD, is a pediatric oncologist who specializes in blood cancers. She has led clinical trials on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus resulting in FDA approval of five cancer drugs that have saved and continue to save children’s lives.

Kristen O'Neill | March 11, 2023

Wells Messersmith, MD, specializes in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, or cancers of the gut. As the division head of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Division of Medical Oncology, Messersmith is pushing the frontiers of anticancer treatments from the intersection of precision medicine and immunotherapy.

Kristen O'Neill | March 11, 2023

The University of Colorado Anschutz Police Department this month is pleased to launch a new program that it believes will help deter ongoing motor vehicle theft trends. Police have partnered with Flock Safety to install license plate-reading cameras (LPRs) at all entrances to campus to identify license plates of stolen vehicles and/or those associated with outstanding criminal warrants.

Guest Contributor | March 10, 2023

Nicholas Jacobson, MDes, is a CU Anschutz research faculty member and a translational clinical designer at Inworks, where he collaborates with surgeons and physicians across campus using innovative 3D printing technology to improve patient outcomes.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

The Gates Grubstake Fund invokes the memory of Gold Rush prospectors who received seed money, “grubstakes,” for food and supplies so they could search for treasure. The funding supports the work of modern-day prospectors – translational researchers affiliated with Gates Institute – whose work developing cell- and gene-based therapies could make a difference in human lives. In 2022, four awardees received $350,000 each to support their work.

Toni Lapp | March 10, 2023

Abigail Lara, MD, is a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist with a subspecialty in scarring lung diseases. As an associate professor, physician and administrator on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Lara deftly shifts focus between the “pure adrenaline” of caring for patients in the ICU and the serene tenacity she brings to her leadership roles in the classroom and administration.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

Computational biology. Functional genomics. Biomedical informatics. For some, merely wrapping our minds around these concepts is a challenge. For Casey Greene, PhD, it’s all in a day’s work. 

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

As professor and division chief of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leslie Appiah, MD specializes in preserving fertility in cancer patients. But her fierce focus and commitment don’t end there. She brings expertise and innovation to myriad facets of cancer survivorship, helping to restore function, well-being and quality of life through gynecology and urology care coordination.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

Researcher and scientist Qiong Zhou, MS, finds herself, quite literally, at the center of drug discovery and innovation.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

As professor and founding director of the Center for Drug Discovery (CDD) at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel LaBarbera, PhD, is leading the forefront of drug innovation.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

Optimism. Intelligent risk-taking. Relentless incrementalism. These are but a few hallmarks of the leadership of Vineet Chopra, MMBS, MD, MSc. Chopra’s specialty is hospital medicine, with a research focus on patient safety and preventing hospital-acquired complications. 

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

Julia Promisel Cooper, PhD, is a scientist and researcher focused on the molecular biology of chromosomes. Specifically, she and her team study telomeres, the structures made from DNA sequences and proteins that form and protect the ends of chromosomes. (Think of telomeres like the caps at the ends of a shoelace, which keep the ends from fraying, sticking to other ends or being degraded.)

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

Valeria Canto-Soler, PhD, has an innovative vision for saving and restoring sight in patients with blinding diseases. An associate professor in the CU School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, Canto-Soler is the director of CellSight, an innovative ocular stem cell and regeneration research program.

Kristen O'Neill | March 10, 2023

A seven-story boutique hotel will soon open its doors just north of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, adding a versatile and needed amenity to the growing campus community.

Chris Casey | March 08, 2023

Franchises such as StretchLab and Stretch Zone are popping up across the country, adding another self-care outlet for fitness-focused consumers.

Kiley Carroll | March 06, 2023

Cell and gene therapies (CGTs) are poised to transform the practice of medicine, but further advancement will require close partnerships between academic institutions and biotechnology companies, Terry Fry, MD, executive director of the Gates Institute, told a standing-room-only crowd in the Torreys Peak Auditorium of Bioscience 3 on March 1.

Toni Lapp | March 03, 2023

A multi-institutional research project led by immunology researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus will focus on underlying disease mechanisms of inborn errors of immunity (IEI), which could ultimately help uncover therapies for these high-risk patients.

Guest Contributor | March 02, 2023

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The disease most commonly starts in childhood but can develop in adults as well. As a result of damage to the pancreas, high blood sugars (hyperglycemia) occur and daily insulin treatment is needed.

Guest Contributor | February 27, 2023

It’s a fact. Health disparities exist across all levels of the healthcare system. Kamal Henderson, MD, assistant professor, Division of Cardiology, takes a pragmatic approach to his work in the clinic and his research. He’s guided by a single question:

Guest Contributor | February 27, 2023

Not long after Colorado legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2012, Lori Walker’s daughter came home shaken from a party.

“Mom, what does pot do to the heart?” she asked Walker, PhD, an associate professor of cardiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Debra Melani | February 24, 2023

Many professions, including the mental health field, are greeting new AI technology like ChatGPT with excitement and fear, celebrating the possibilities while predicting the dark sides. For eating disorder experts, where everything from chatbot misdiagnoses to AI-generated body images can have devasting consequences for their patients, the concerns are high.

Laura Kelley | February 24, 2023

Editor’s Note: The joint efforts of the Gates Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine elevate the research, innovation and care for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a collection of difficult-to-treat and debilitating connective tissue disorders. Below, patient Calla Winchell shares how the collaborative effort she found at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus changed her path.

Guest Contributor | February 24, 2023

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus assessed the financial considerations of pursuing PhD training for those with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – and found long-term earnings outweigh early career earning deficits.

Kelsea Pieters | February 22, 2023

All Sophie Rosenberg and her parents should be worrying about is kindergarten and playdates. Instead, hospital visits and leg braces overshadow the 5-year-old’s life, and her parents dedicate their time to the search for a miracle.

Staff | February 21, 2023

Brooke Dorsey Holliman never thought she’d be a statistic for her own research.

Debra Melani | February 21, 2023

On Feb. 10, Emergency Management Division Director Garrey Martinez and the CU Anschutz University Police Department were recognized by the National Weather Service for their efforts in severe weather preparedness for the CU Anschutz Medical Campus community, as a StormReady® Community Agency. 

Staff | February 16, 2023

Ramona Koren remembers “falling apart” when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a decade ago. Her life turned upside down, and she had “no clue” what to do next.

Chris Casey | February 15, 2023

Today’s world is riven by Russia’s war in Ukraine, dangers from biological and chemical weapons, increasing rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and growing challenges for first responders and medics dealing with high-stress situations.

Chris Casey | February 14, 2023

It was only his first visit to a hospital’s ALS clinic, but already the Black patient’s amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) had progressed beyond a point for an effective intervention. This memory sticks with Zach Cox, DO, who at the time was a resident at the multidisciplinary ALS clinic in Richmond, Va.

Chris Casey | February 13, 2023

An ancient human foraging instinct, fueled by fructose production in the brain, may hold clues to the development and possible treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

David Kelly | February 13, 2023

Though many Coloradans are proceeding as though the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the virus continues to circulate, evolve and have an impact—especially for older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. Furthermore, because of the evolution of variants, doctors have fewer treatment options.

Wendy Meyer | February 10, 2023

Love is in the air, which must mean it’s Valentine’s Day. People around the world contemplate the grandest gestures of affection possible to show their significant other they care or write off the 14th as just a day invented by Hallmark. Polarizing as it may be, Valentine’s Day is a time to reflect on the root of love itself. What happens to us when we fall in love? What makes a couple successful? How can we ensure our relationships last?

Kelsea Pieters | February 10, 2023

Plant-based meat choices on restaurant menus and grocery store shelves continue to multiply, from Beyond Meat to the Impossible Burger, luring more consumers who are seeking a healthier alternative to the real thing.

Kiley Carroll | February 07, 2023

While many people celebrate love and romance on Valentine’s Day, for some people, it can be a day shadowed by pain and loss. Mental health issues from depression, grief and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can all trigger harmful negative emotions.

Laura Kelley | February 07, 2023

What happens in the mouth doesn’t always stay in the mouth. That’s the mantra for many dental experts today, as research into connections between gum disease and systemic disorders – from strokes and rheumatoid arthritis to diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease – becomes more prominent.

Debra Melani | February 02, 2023

The Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is one of the few facilities in the world equipped for 3D anatomic lectures and allows trainees to practice what they’ve learned in the cadaveric laboratory.

Ryan Wuller and Chris Casey | January 31, 2023

Abrupt closures at public libraries in Boulder, Littleton, Englewood and Arvada due to methamphetamine contamination are a cause for concern, if not alarm.

Matthew Hastings | January 31, 2023

Jennifer Richer, PhD, takes the helm Feb. 1 as the new dean of the Graduate School. A member of the University of Colorado community for nearly 30 years, Richer has been a longtime member of the School of Medicine faculty, a committed researcher and educator, and a passionate mentor to future leaders in research. 

Trisha Kendall | January 30, 2023

Sightings of dead geese in neighborhood ponds are becoming sadly more common today, as the most significant avian flu outbreak in U.S. history continues its march across the country. Nearly 58 million birds have fallen to the wild waterfowl-driven epidemic, with the virus now detected in 47 states.

Debra Melani | January 20, 2023

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered a drug combination that might offer a better prognosis for children diagnosed with MYC amplified Medulloblastoma, an often deadly form of brain cancer. The research was conducted in collaboration with the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) University Hospital Dusseldorf.

Laura Kelley | January 19, 2023

A paper published last month attributing 12.7% of childhood asthma cases to gas stoves generated a lot of heat, especially after U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. said banning these common household stoves was being considered.

Kiley Kudrna and Matthew Hastings | January 18, 2023

Bonnie Dahl knows chance and circumstance played key roles in halting her pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly and insidious forms of the disease.

Debra Melani | January 17, 2023

As the latest, more contagious subvariant of omicron makes its way across the country, Coloradans are left to wonder when XBB.1.5 (better known as kraken) will arrive in Colorado, if getting the newest booster will protect them against it, and what’s on the horizon for additional vaccines.

Laura Kelley | January 17, 2023

The 2023 University of Colorado Social Justice Summit is coming on Jan. 31, and will center on strengthening a diverse democracy and creating a more just and inclusive campus system and world.

Kiley Carroll | January 10, 2023

Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have identified a new feature indicative of the chance of recurrence of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs).

Kelsea Pieters | January 09, 2023

Every year people use Jan. 1 as an opportunity to set goals and start the new year on a healthier note. One of the most common resolutions is to lose weight, and it may be tempting to jump-start that goal with a cleanse or a detox. But before making a drastic change, there are several things to consider.

Kiley Carroll | January 09, 2023

Patients with disabilities often face medical providers who make inaccurate assumptions about their quality of life that can lead to paternalism and substandard care, according to an essay published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). 

David Kelly | January 04, 2023

Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus recently discovered a previously unknown stability in synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) that they predict could hold therapeutic potential for brain disorders.

Guest Contributor | December 20, 2022

Finding and sharing meaningful stories that highlight the work done on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus throughout the year is an easy task. Choosing 10 of those stories that encapsulate the unique attributes of the region’s top academic medical campus is not.

Staff | December 16, 2022

A team of campus and system chief financial officers, representatives of the CU treasury and others is continuing its work to determine the impact of the financial market downturn and disconnects in information provided by the CU treasury on planned accelerations to the systemwide strategic plan, as reported in last week’s CU Connections.

Staff | December 16, 2022

Colorado leads the nation in auto theft, and, unfortunately, Denver and Aurora are two of the prime targets for thieves. On campus thus far in 2022, there have been 106 recorded reports of stolen vehicles and 39 attempted auto thefts, more than double from last year. The rise was especially troubling during November, when criminals stole or attempted to steal 23 vehicles.

Staff | December 14, 2022

Viruses can inflame and disrupt connections between the olfactory system, which governs the sense of smell, and the part of the brain associated with memory and learning, possibly accelerating the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

David Kelly | December 14, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has been named one of the top academic institutions in the world for innovation, according to Nature’s 2022 Innovation Index report. The report ranked CU Anschutz in the top four universities globally for forging the strongest innovations links.

Julia Milzer | December 14, 2022

Vice Chancellor for Research Thomas Flaig, MD, delivered the annual State of Research Address on Dec. 6 to an online audience of more than 500 scientists, students and staff from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

Megan Lane | December 12, 2022

If any of the 86% of Americans lacking a current bivalent booster took a shot on the omicron-targeting vaccine right now, their chances of being sick with COVID-19 on Christmas Day would fall by as much as half.

Debra Melani | December 12, 2022

What a difference a year makes. Almost exactly one year ago today, CU Connections reported that administration had shared with the Board of Regents a plan to take advantage of strong financial markets that would allow the university to accelerate some facets of its systemwide strategic plan using one-time funds. 

Staff | December 09, 2022

Today, the University of Colorado Cancer Center released new research that showcases chemotherapy treatment before and after surgery for pancreatic cancer as the most effective combination for patients.

Julia Milzer | December 08, 2022

You probably learned about cilia in high school biology class. The tiny hairlike structures line our nasal passages, ears and airways. Children born with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare inherited disease, have problems with the cilia that prevent them from moving mucus and inhaled particles and germs out of their airways, causing mucus to build up, leading to ear, sinus and lung infections.

Wendy Meyer | December 07, 2022

Consumer options for apps or wearable devices to help track personal health goals begin well before they arrive in a digital or physical store. The design and testing phase is where developers make crucial decisions on how well the solution will perform: from following evidence-based academic research, to including perspectives from a wide variety of backgrounds. 

Matthew Hastings | December 06, 2022

Beginning Jan. 25, 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will require researchers nationwide to include a Data Management and Sharing Policy (DMSP) in all research funding applications. The Research Informatics Office (RIO) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is offering resources to support researchers through this transition and ensure compliance with this new NIH policy, including an upcoming virtual Town Hall meeting.

Guest Contributor | December 06, 2022

Paul O’Hara grew up in a large Midwestern family where loyalty and toughness run deep. About nine years ago, Paulie, as he was called by his siblings, leaned into his family’s caring and stout nature when he was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of under 20%.

Chris Casey | December 06, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus today announced the creation of the Katy O. and Paul M. Rady Esophageal and Gastric Center of Excellence, made possible by a $20 million philanthropic investment from Katy O. and Paul M. Rady.

Julia Milzer | December 06, 2022

New research from the University of Colorado (CU) Cancer Center highlights the need for additional data collection for women hoping to have successful pregnancies while undergoing treatment for lung cancer. Specifically, they focus on the diagnosis of advanced oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that disproportionately affects women of reproductive age.

Laura Kelley | December 02, 2022

A new study from researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has identified a less invasive way to treat a subset of head and neck cancers that could potentially change the standard of care for patients.

Kelsea Pieters | November 28, 2022

It started with a love of caring for dogs and other animals.

Mia Smith, DVM, PhD, became interested in her furry patients who would come to the veterinary office sick from autoimmune conditions, disorders that trigger the body’s immune system to attack itself.

Matthew Hastings | November 28, 2022

Superman had kryptonite. Thor has two copies of the gene ApoE4.

One is a fictional material. The other is a real-life genetic characteristic that signals a greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Chris Hemsworth, who plays the Norse warrior armed with a trademark hammer, recently learned he has copies of the gene, one from his mother and one from his father. The genetic rarity – carried by only 2% to 3% of the population – makes Hemsworth eight to 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Staff | November 22, 2022

Voters in November pushed Colorado to the forefront of a psychedelic-assisted therapy movement for mental health, becoming the second state behind Oregon to approve the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms for therapeutic use.

Debra Melani | November 21, 2022

A fine, black powder emergency room physicians sometimes use for treating patients with overdoses, has entered the health and beauty world in the form of shampoos and soaps to deodorants and toothpaste.

Kiley Carroll | November 17, 2022

With the holidays around the corner, you may be wondering when is the best time to schedule your exercise routine during a hectic time of the year. Seth Creasy, PhD, assistant professor of endocrinology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, answers questions about exercise, diet and sleep and talks about a new clinical trial targeting the question: What time of day is best to exercise?

Kiley Carroll | November 17, 2022

Celebrity Selena Gomez cracked open the door on lupus in her recently released documentary on Apple TV+, “My Mind & Me.” Focused largely on her mental health, which includes a bipolar disorder diagnosis, snippets in the film show the actor and superstar singer being checked and treated for lupus, which resulted in the need for a kidney transplant for Gomez in 2017.

Debra Melani | November 16, 2022

New research from the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative examined diverse viewpoints on reducing access to potentially dangerous situations among older adults due to changes in physical or cognitive functioning.

Julia Milzer | November 16, 2022

The “Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show” once again drew a large and star-studded crowd to raise awareness and funds for Down syndrome research.

Staff | November 15, 2022

AB Nexus announced its fifth round of grant awards to researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Boulder. These teams are comprised of experts from a range of disciplines to advance basic science and translational research that improves human health and well-being, from taking on the most complex forms of cancer to exploring unexpected relationships between periodontal disease and stroke.

Staff | November 15, 2022

About 800,000 people worldwide take their lives each year, which is one death every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organization. It’s estimated that for every one person who dies by suicide, there are up to 135 people who are impacted by the death. Survivors of suicide loss often feel stuck in the trenches fighting a battle alone in a war they were thrown into against their will.

Laura Kelley | November 15, 2022

Christopher Schneck, MD, guardedly tuned in to a highly trumpeted documentary on celebrity Selena Gomez on a recent weekend. Unsure if “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me,” a six-year recorded journey of the pop star’s life that debuted Nov. 4 on Apple TV+, might amount to a publicity ploy, the top bipolar expert began watching with a skeptical eye.

Debra Melani | November 11, 2022

The national Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) strives to increase diversity in the scientific workforce. This year, the organization found the highest embodiment of its ideals at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Chris Casey | November 10, 2022

Nine years ago, Miah Yager was an active, life-loving young woman who had made great strides overcoming Down syndrome symptoms when, very suddenly, she crashed. Linda Roan said her daughter changed from her “world-by-the-tail” self to someone completely different. She stopped talking to friends and family, started hallucinating and could no longer sleep, getting maybe an hour each night.

Chris Casey | November 09, 2022

Visitors from a local high school held real human brains, virtually dissected a body donated to science and gazed at a 10-foot rendition of optic neurons during a recent anatomy lesson with an artistic twist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Debra Melani | November 09, 2022

Embracing their own vulnerability and telling personal stories, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus psychiatry faculty shared how they are innovating across disciplines and using digital technologies, novel drugs and deep brain stimulation to transform the mental health treatment landscape.

Guest Contributor | November 07, 2022

As the time changes and the dark days of winter settle in, many people may start feeling the impacts of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Even in Colorado, where we see more sun than most states, SAD is an ongoing problem for many residents and can severely impact their professional and personal relationships if left untreated.

Laura Kelley | November 07, 2022

Gifts of significance don’t always have to be large monetary contributions. Sometimes, the most impactful gifts don’t involve money at all.

Kiley Carroll | November 07, 2022

Clinical research is one of the primary reasons the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a nationally renowned healthcare destination. Yet in 2019, only 25% of CU Anschutz adult clinical trials enrolled even one participant over age 50. Study results may not apply to unrepresented populations, so the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires clinical research to include individuals across the life span.

Wendy Meyer | November 02, 2022

Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered a new way the brain processes and communicates information that could lead to improved learning in those suffering neurological disorders or recovering from brain injuries.

Laura Kelley | November 01, 2022

Fentanyl’s growth from its original design as an effective surgical pain management tool to a leading cause of overdose death and concern has happened quickly – with severe consequences. 

Matthew Hastings | November 01, 2022

A common drug that makes patients sleepy and less anxious before surgery is associated with an increased risk of heart damage when operations are performed at night, according to a study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

David Kelly | November 01, 2022

Starting this week, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and CU Denver campus will each have its own Emergency Management divisions. Historically, the CU Denver | Anschutz Police Department has provided emergency management services to both campuses as a dual-campus department. To better meet the needs of each unique campus, emergency management for CU Anschutz will remain with the Police Department, while a new division for these services will begin on the Denver campus.

Guest Contributor | November 01, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus hosted its second annual Research Awards ceremony on Oct. 25. More than 125 people gathered to recognize the contributions of their fellow colleagues with cheers and standing ovations. With eight different award categories and over a dozen individual awardees, the event highlighted the significant depth, strength and teamwork of the CU Anschutz research community.

Megan Lane | October 31, 2022

Driven by ever-powerful social media platforms, health claims and trends are proliferating at lightning speed, inundating information-seekers. In this CU Anschutz newsroom series, medical experts leverage their knowledge to offer advice on the credibility and safety of social-media trends and advertising claims circulating today.

Staff | October 31, 2022

Increasing rates of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heat-induced illness and other maladies are strong indicators of the growing health impacts of climate change, according to experts at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. At an Oct. 26 roundtable discussion with U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, CU Anschutz and CU Boulder faculty and researchers shared perspectives of how the patients and populations they serve and study are uniquely impacted by the climate crisis.

Laura Veith | October 31, 2022

As temperatures drop and occasional wintry blasts loom, we want students, faculty and staff to know expectations for teaching, learning and working if the University of Anschutz Medical Campus is affected by inclement weather.

Kiley Carroll | October 31, 2022

Scientists investigating why people who have had shingles are at a higher risk of stroke now believe the answer lies within lipid vesicles called exosomes that shuttle proteins and genetic information between cells, according to new research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

David Kelly | October 27, 2022

For many scientists, communicating their research involves turning data into stories. However, for Laura Vargas, PhD, MSW, MPA, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, her data already are stories.

Guest Contributor | October 26, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has established itself as a national leader in retail offerings on a life sciences campus with the addition of two new dining options. In partnership with Health Hospitality Partners, a St. Louis-based real estate development and operating company working exclusively in the healthcare sector, CU Anschutz leadership began this endeavor to provide best-in-class hospitality amenities in 2019; with both T-Street Kitchen & Cafe and Choice Market now open and serving guests (in addition to Root & Sprig and Woodgrain Bagels), that journey has reached another major milestone.

Guest Contributor | October 25, 2022

The overexpression of a gene tied to cell division and the structure and function of neurons may prevent and protect against cognitive decline in both mice and humans with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a new study by scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

David Kelly | October 25, 2022

Exposure therapy is a major treatment option used by clinicians to help patients face and get past their distressing and impairing fears. However, the fears can return in as many as 50% of patients. 

Matthew Hastings | October 25, 2022

A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will visit the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus from Nov. 6 to 8 to examine all aspects of the University Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.

Guest Contributor | October 24, 2022

A new paper in Cell Systems explores the importance of using multiple data types in drug discovery. The paper screens over 1,000 drugs tested in six doses and demonstrate that gene expression and cell morphology provide different information for drug prioritization.

Julia Milzer | October 24, 2022

Just as Invisalign® plastic aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, a team at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus hopes its project using 3D printed plastic molds can transform cleft lip and palate care.

Chris Casey | October 21, 2022

A young woman’s TikTok video claiming that icing her chest with a bag of frozen peas conquered her until-then untouchable insomnia must have hit a nerve.

Debra Melani | October 20, 2022

Chancellor Don Elliman delivered his annual State of the Campus Address on Oct. 19 to an in-person audience for the first time since 2019. 

Matthew Hastings | October 20, 2022

When a Twitter follower praised Elon Musk’s new “awesome, fit, ripped and healthy” look, the billionaire entrepreneur replied that his secret was “fasting” and “Wegovy.” Given society’s obsession with celebrities and weight loss and Musk’s massive following on Twitter, a viral tweet was born.

Chris Casey | October 19, 2022

The Kardashians, arguably today’s leading body-image influencers, have shrunk, capturing headlines for their striking weight loss. Pictures highlighting tiny waists, jutting ribs and bone-thin arms have shocked fans and raised eyebrows, particularly among eating disorder experts.

Debra Melani | October 18, 2022

The biggest steps to protect your hearing are actually a series of small steps, according to audiologist Cory Portnuff, AuD, PhD, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Matthew Hastings | October 11, 2022

A free Firearm Injury Toolkit was unveiled this week to help more states find voluntary firearm storage sites while setting up online support maps that can help save lives.

Laura Kelley | October 11, 2022

Growing up in a family of machinists, Carlos Catalano was fascinated by the inner workings of devices. Wrist watches, especially, weren’t safe around the family home in Southern California.

Chris Casey | October 05, 2022

Concussions are a common risk in all sports, but especially with football and most notably in the NFL. Unfortunately, the latest player to sustain a concussion is Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. After a nasty hit that left him stumbling in the third game of the season, Tagovailoa re-entered the game and continued to play. Just five days later, he suffered another head-to-the-ground hit that forced him to leave the field on a stretcher.

Kiley Carroll | October 04, 2022

In the wake of the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Ian as it made landfall across southwest Florida come new health concerns for residents in the impacted areas – ranging from traumatic injuries and waterborne infections to job stressors and mental health impacts.

Matthew Hastings | October 03, 2022

A new study published in today’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) analyzes the benefits and harms of prior authorization (PA) policies for Medicare and the impact these policies have on patients and clinicians. 

Julia Milzer | October 03, 2022

More than three-quarters of students, faculty and staff responding to a campus Police Department survey feel “very safe” or “somewhat safe” on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Guest Contributor | September 30, 2022

Targeting young people with sun-safety education promises the biggest chance of lowering deadly skin cancer rates. The DNA damage that gives rise to the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States accumulates, starting with a child’s first sunburn.

Debra Melani | September 30, 2022

First responders across Colorado and the nation are headed to areas ravaged by Hurricane Ian to assist in recovery efforts. While the acute effects of the tragedy are the prime concern in the short term, experts say psychological effects could persist in the long-term for both survivors and emergency personnel.

Laura Kelley | September 30, 2022

In a bioengineering lab below Children’s Hospital Colorado, sugar water burbles softly as it flows from a beaker into a breadbox-sized unit connected to wires. The setup is small and inauspicious, but the “power harvest” taking place offers huge potential for millions of people living with implanted devices, including pacemakers, neurostimulators and prosthetic devices.

Chris Casey | September 29, 2022

A device known as a bionic pancreas, which uses next-generation technology to automatically deliver insulin, was more effective at maintaining blood glucose (sugar) levels within normal range than standard-of-care management among people with type 1 diabetes, a new multicenter clinical trial has found. The trial, conducted partly at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus was primarily funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Guest Contributor | September 29, 2022

One in six people who suffer from low back pain may find relief with a new, minimally invasive procedure, offered exclusively by Peter Lennarson, MD, at UCHealth Spine Center on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Guest Contributor | September 27, 2022

As the season changes and we inch closer to winter, healthcare professionals are gearing up for this year’s flu season. How do researchers shape annual vaccine design? What kind of flu season are we in for? What happens when we get more than one vaccine at once?

Kelsea Pieters | September 27, 2022

Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment – an early stage of memory or cognitive ability loss – have a particular challenge in their diagnosis and treatment: Only 16% of seniors receive regular cognitive screenings as part of their primary care, and as high as an estimated 95% of elderly patients with memory concerns don’t receive a diagnosis until the disease has significantly progressed. 

Matthew Hastings | September 27, 2022

The University of Colorado (CU) and STAR HARBOR will collaborate on an initiative aimed at meeting space workforce needs while also advancing the emerging field of space medicine, the leaders of both organizations recently announced.

Staff | September 20, 2022

Research in health equity and social determinants seeks to understand disparities and affect real change, yet the national data collection systems investigators rely on for their work are incomplete and hardwired for structural racism, Shale Wong, MD, MSPH, told attendees of the 10th annual Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute academic summit on Sept. 14.

Guest Contributor | September 19, 2022

As the nation reels from a substance abuse crisis that’s shattering lives every day, scientists and clinicians across the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus work diligently in their labs and clinics, hoping to prevent tragedies of addiction.

Debra Melani | September 19, 2022

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that a new imaging information system may ultimately provide a faster, more accurate prognosis for certain cancers.

Laura Kelley | September 19, 2022

Disparities in healthcare and health outcomes are not solely about income. Or education. Or access, according to author Linda Villarosa. They are also about race.

Laura Veith | September 16, 2022

Live music, stilted performers and a line of 15 food trucks transformed the generally quiet Bonfils Circle on campus on Sept. 14, as the 2022 Anschutz Block Party made its return for the first time in three years.

Kiley Carroll | September 16, 2022

The National Institutes of Health will invest $130 million over four years, pending the availability of funds, to accelerate the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the biomedical and behavioral research communities.

Kelsea Pieters | September 13, 2022

Elizabeth Schrock, EdD, MSW, has been named assistant vice chancellor and Title IX coordinator for the Office of Equity at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.

Chris Casey | September 13, 2022

Casey Greene, PhD, chair of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s  Department of Biomedical Informatics, is working toward a future of “serendipity” in healthcare – using artificial intelligence (AI) to help doctors receive the right information at the right time to make the best decision for a patient. 

Matthew Hastings | September 12, 2022

How do you solve a puzzle with hidden pieces? That’s the question researchers focused on pediatric Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face every day, as only 20% to 25% of their young patients under 5 years old present with a diagnosis-confirming genetic factor. Identifying the remaining children with the serious disorder presents a vast challenge.

Matthew Hastings | September 08, 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – an umbrella term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – often involves a difficult journey to diagnosis, particularly for children. Yet detecting IBD early in pediatric patients decreases risk of growth and puberty delay and the need for surgeries.

Matthew Hastings | September 06, 2022

An average of 130 people take their lives each day in the United States, making it the 12th leading cause of death.

Laura Kelley | September 06, 2022

Focused on warding off a cold-weather surge of coronavirus infections and on revamping the COVID-19 vaccine response, health experts approved a new and likely improved version of the vaccine for the first time since the virus emerged.

Debra Melani | September 05, 2022

What would you do in an active harmer situation? Are you signed up for emergency alerts on campus and where you live? Do you carry a safety kit in your car?

Guest Contributor | September 02, 2022

Jeffrey Jacot, PhD, who oversees the Jacot Lab for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, easily gets pumped about his work.

Chris Casey | September 01, 2022

A new study suggests that therapeutic interventions to treat neurodevelopmental disorders may be more effective if done during the early stages of brain development.

Julia Milzer | September 01, 2022

Energy drinks now constitute a multibillion-dollar industry, luring shoppers with their colorful cans and life-changing promises: “Clears brain fog.” “Burns body fat.” “Provides superhuman performance.”

Debra Melani | August 29, 2022

Artemis I sits on the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, waiting to begin her 39-day mission to the moon and back. This critical mission, which was scheduled to launch Aug. 29 but due to engine issues has been postponed until late September, will test boosters and the Orion spacecraft that will eventually carry astronauts through space.

Laura Kelley | August 28, 2022

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered how to extract critical information about breast cancer tumors and disease progression by analyzing blood plasma rather than using more invasive tissue biopsies.

“This is simply a blood draw,” said the study’s senior co-author Peter Kabos, MD, associate professor of medicine in the medical oncology division at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and CU Cancer Center member. “This allows us to look under the surface to see the defining characteristics of the disease. The advantage is that we don’t need to do repeated tissue biopsies.”

David Kelly | August 25, 2022

On Aug. 18, alumni, friends, faculty and staff gathered on campus for the fifth Loyal Benefactor Celebration. This event honors those who make ongoing annual gifts to support the university, those who have included the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in their estate plans, and faculty and staff who give through payroll deduction. After a two-year hiatus, the return of this special event was met with joy by over 140 attendees.

Guest Contributor | August 24, 2022

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is pleased to add the Multidisciplinary Center on Aging at the University of Colorado as a Recognized Health Navigator Training Program. Recognized programs must demonstrate that their training curricula meet the entry-level core competencies for individuals to become credentialed health navigators in Colorado. Building the health navigator workforce is a core component of the state’s strategy to eliminate barriers to accessing health care and promote positive health outcomes for all Coloradans. 

Guest Contributor | August 23, 2022

Meet Krinkle, a professional therapy dog who works at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center. He and his handler, Samantha McBride, PsyD, senior instructor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, were certified as a therapy dog team in 2015 through Freedom Service Dogs (FSD).

Kiley Carroll | August 23, 2022

Joseph Gal, PhD, was trained in chemistry, is fluent in French, and spent most of his career in medical science research. More recently, he focused his activities on the history of science and more specifically on the renowned French scientist Louis Pasteur.

Laura Veith | August 22, 2022

Human anatomy is a universe unto itself – fine-tuned and intricate, and quite delicate. The stakes are very high when a surgeon must navigate, as in the case of a base skull specialist, the labyrinth of miniscule cranial nerves and blood vessels deep within the brain.

Chris Casey | August 22, 2022

Forever chemicals, or phthalates, are ever-present in our lives, from plastic packaging to household products to personal-care commodities. We can’t avoid them entirely, but we can minimize their influence on our health.

Kiley Carroll | August 16, 2022

This episode of CU Anschutz 360 focuses on a promising breakthrough therapy for patients with large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive subtype of the disease. The clinical trial was led by Manali Kamdar, MD, clinical director of the lymphoma program in the Division of Hematology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Chris Casey | August 16, 2022

Over 60 years ago, Bill Wilson, the man behind the largest sobriety program in history, tried LSD and began publicly touting the psychedelic drug as a way toward recovery from alcoholism. Today, a growing number of studies suggest the Alcoholic Anonymous co-founder’s revelation might be right.

Debra Melani | August 15, 2022

Family, friends and positive attitudes helped Katherine Haug through months of failed attempts at ridding her body of cancer. Then a passionate doctor with an experimental treatment gave the wife, mother and grandmother a big reason to smile.

Debra Melani | August 15, 2022

Editor’s note: This is part of our periodic series of articles showcasing the creative talents of our faculty and students on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. If you know of someone who is a “Creator in the Classroom,” please send us a tip here.

Guest Contributor | August 08, 2022

In November 2021, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus was designated a Rare Disease Center of Excellence by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). CU Anschutz experts are highlighted in the latest edition of Denver magazine 5280 for their work in research and treating rare diseases.

Kiley Carroll | August 08, 2022

Over the past 50 years, The Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect has changed the culture of children’s rights worldwide. Established in 1972, The Kempe Center became the first of its kind, providing research, training, education and innovative program development for all forms of child abuse, neglect and trauma.

Guest Contributor | August 04, 2022

All cells in the human body secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny membrane-enclosed sacs that deliver important cargo – including RNA, proteins, lipids and DNA – to other cells. Cancer cells, notorious for rapid growth, are prolific EV creators.

Chris Casey | August 02, 2022

A new study released by the University of Colorado Cancer Center shows that more than 70 percent of breast cancer patients have reported changes that affect their sexual health during and beyond treatment.

Laura Kelley | August 02, 2022

Biotech founders in the making, get ready. A new life-science startup incubator is coming to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Guest Contributor | July 29, 2022

Plagued by severe depression all his adult life, Aaron Serna has lived through years of ups and downs so low nothing could pull him out of the darkness. Job losses, failed relationships, forced hospitalizations and months of isolation and despair mark his 37 years of life, with thoughts of ending it planned out – all the way to the circled day on his calendar.

Debra Melani | July 29, 2022

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have shown a direct link between vagus nerve stimulation and its connection to the learning centers of the brain. The discovery may lead to treatments that will improve cognitive retention in both healthy and injured nervous systems.

Laura Kelley | July 28, 2022

A new study from the University of Colorado Cancer Center explores which lung cancer patients are the best candidates for novel therapies that directly target a gene identified as driving certain cancers.

Julia Milzer | July 27, 2022

Fitzsimons Innovation Community has launched a new interactive website reflecting an environment centered on biotech collaboration and surrounded by amenities that support health innovation. The new website was built with site selectors in mind, to aid new companies in choosing the Aurora-based innovation center for their home.

Staff | July 26, 2022

BA.5, the latest omicron variant, now accounts for nearly every new SARS-CoV-2 infection in the state, and community levels are high across the Denver metro area, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Debra Melani | July 26, 2022

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have investigated how antiviral proteins called interferons interact with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, focuses on how the innate arm of the immune system defends against this coronavirus. The work resulted from a collaborative effort by multiple scientists, including the laboratories of Mario Santiago, PhD, associate professor of medicine, and Eric Poeschla, MD, professor of medicine, both at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Kelsea Pieters | July 25, 2022

Is melatonin safe for children? Can you take it in addition to other medications? Luke E. Orth, PharmD, BCPPS, an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and a clinical pharmacy specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, addresses the factors to consider when taking melatonin to help you fall asleep.

Kiley Carroll | July 25, 2022

What’s it like living when you are dying?

It’s a question palliative care provider and instructor Jonathan Treem, MD, fields so often, he derived an analogy in answer.

It’s like being in a perpetual horror movie, where a killer lurks inside your home, he says. You’re the main character, alone with the murderer, who lies in wait. As you creep from dark room to dark room, searching for a monster sure to overpower you, the dread builds.

Debra Melani | July 22, 2022

Melissa Haendel, PhD, professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and her team of data scientists have been working at a lightning-fast pace for two years, unlocking some of the mysteries of long COVID. Not only have they been instrumental in the development of the largest national, publicly available HIPAA-limited dataset in U.S. history – the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) – but their research using the data is making headlines and getting the attention of the White House.

Wendy Meyer | July 20, 2022

Researchers have discovered that infiltrating gliomas, a common brain and spinal cord tumor, are shaped by their genetic evolution and microenvironment, a finding that could lead to more targeted treatments.

David Kelly | June 09, 2022