July

UNC study rewrites textbook on key genetic phenomenon

A new UNC study appearing online July 1 in the journal Nature disputes current scientific belief by showing that X-inactivation can occur even in the absence of a gene previously thought to be the trigger of the process.

Study shows that a combination of common genetic variations can lead to schizophrenia

The finding suggests that schizophrenia is much more complex than previously thought and can arise not only from both rare genetic variants but also from a significant number of common ones.

UNC expert: Ovarian cancer screening recommended only for women in high-risk groups

In an article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, UNC's Dr. Daniel Clarke-Pearson reviews the current state of ovarian cancer screening and explains why it should be limited to women with indicators suggesting they are at high risk.

Two UNC scientists named Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation grantees

Of the four new awards made nationally, UNC received two of the grants.

Family House Diaries: Beating cancer recurrence time and again

This is the third in a new series from UNC Health Care that focuses on the stories of UNC Hospitals patients and their families who live in the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals while receiving or awaiting treatment.

Obama nominates UNC alum, Francis S. Collins, to head NIH

On Wednesday, July 8, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., physician and geneticist, and an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, was nominated by President Barack Obama to be director of the National Institutes of Health.

Three UNC Health Care specialties rank among America's Best

This year’s U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” ranking includes three UNC Health Care medical specialties among the best in the country: The specialties, and their rank, are: Cancer, 37; Kidney, 28; Gynecology, 24.

Giving antiretroviral drugs to infants or mothers reduces transmission of HIV through breast milk

Giving daily antiretroviral syrup to breastfeeding infants or treating their HIV-infected mothers with highly active antiretroviral drugs is safe and effective in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission through breast milk, a study led by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill investigators has found.

Common cold virus efficiently delivers corrected gene to cystic fibrosis cells

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine scientists have found what may be the most efficient way to deliver a corrected gene to lung cells collected from cystic fibrosis patients.

Physician trust, early screening reduces disparities for prostate cancer

Men who have a regular, ongoing relationship with a health care provider are more likely to receive prostate cancer screening and less likely to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, regardless of their race, according to a University of North Carolina study published in the current issue of the journal Cancer.