College News

Today, about 25% of drugs approved to treat cancer are derived from nature – from the bark of a tree to marine life to bacteria in the soil. However, great potential remains in the discovery of natural products with properties that can prevent cancer or treat it early before it spreads. A University of Oklahoma researcher recently earned a National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate thousands of natural products with therapeutic potential.

The White Coat Ceremony holds a special place in the hearts of aspiring clinicians. It marks the next phase of their medical education as they begin their first-year orientation. For many, it marks a moment when the dream of becoming a healthcare professional becomes real.

When a person experiences an injury or infection, the body’s immune system responds with inflammation to start the healing process. However, inflammation can occur in much less helpful circumstances – for example, when a person experiences psychological stress or consistently eats a poor diet high in sugars, fats and processed foods. When such inflammation occurs during pregnancy, it increases the risk of problems for the baby, particularly for neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, autism and learning disabilities. A University of Oklahoma researcher has earned a new grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to explore how that risk occurs and whether there is a means of helping the fetus become more resilient to inflammation.

Research increasingly shows the health benefits of breastfeeding, including a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and infections for the baby and a lower chance of hypertension, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer for the mother. However, new mothers often need support to begin breastfeeding in the hospital and to continue after they go home. The University of Oklahoma recently earned a grant to provide that support to rural areas of the state.