Health Lab Articles

Close up of ecoli bacteria
Health Lab

Bad Bacteria Make Their Own Food to Colonize the Gut

How E coli. and other illness-causing bugs get past the microbiome’s defenses.
cases of COVID-19. blue graph of curve fattening
Health Lab

The Curve is Fattening, Not Flattening. What Can We Do?

Flattening the curve was the key goal last spring. But a third wave of COVID-19 cases has begun as the coronavirus containment effort lapses, and the holidays are coming.
Health Lab

COVID-19 Through the Lens of Basic Science

Watch four Michigan Medicine experts discuss the role of fundamental science in ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
drawing of a brain in blue ink on lined paper with "lab note" branding on bottom right
Health Lab

Early Treatment with New ALS Drug Combination Improved Survival

An open label extension shows additional benefit from a drug currently being tested for patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Women on couch with wrist hurting
Health Lab

Keeping a Life-Limiting Side Effect from Threatening a Life-Saving Breast Cancer Treatment

For patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor treatment for breast cancer, muscle and joint pain can be a significant side effect. These tips may help manage AI treatment-related pain.
pregnant woman holding stomach on couch in pain
Health Lab

Tied to Undiagnosed Aortic Disease, Aortic Dissection in Pregnancy Proves Difficult to Predict

The 100th report out of the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection details the experiences of 29 women who faced this rare life-threatening complication while pregnant.
drawing on lined paper of heart in blue ink
Health Lab

Weakened Hearts Linked to a Build-Up of Phosphate

A computer simulation reveals the metabolic dysfunction behind heart failure.
Halloween trick or treat COVID
Health Lab

5 Ways to Have a Safe Halloween During COVID-19

Halloween 2020 isn’t cancelled, but it is going to look a little different this year due to coronavirus. Follow these five tips for a safer Halloween during COVID-19.
nursing home close to hospital
Health Lab

Proactivity and Partnership Pay Off for Nursing Homes in a Pandemic

The coronavirus has raced through nursing homes, causing many COVID-19 deaths, but proactive testing and prevention can keep infections low.
black background baby in red placenta with red spot at top signaling something is wrong
Health Lab

5 Placenta Issues Every Woman Should Know

Problems with her placenta inspired physician Courtney Townsel to specialize in helping others understand the high risk pregnancy conditions that impact this vital organ.
teenage girls studying in pod in family room
Health Lab

How to Keep COVID-19 From Invading Your “Pod” – and How to Stay Safe if It Does

Pods. Bubbles. Quaran-teams. Many Americans have joined small groups to support online learning, childcare or socialize in the time of COVID-19. But how can pods protect against coronavirus?
Peds kidney hospitalizations
Health Lab

Children with Chronic Kidney Disease Have Outsized Health Burden

Pediatric hospitalizations for chronically ill children with kidney disease were associated with longer hospital stays, higher costs and a higher risk of mortality compared to other chronic illnesses
Photo: Leisa Thompson
Health Lab

Women with Inflammatory Breast Cancer Are Living Longer, But the Gap Between White and Black Patients Persists

A U-M Rogel Cancer study provides an updated, more comprehensive look at trends for this rare, aggressive form of breast cancer over the last four decades.
lights of different colors in a circular pattern
Health Lab

Distorted Reality: What to Do About Early Signs of Psychosis

Seeing, hearing or perceiving things that aren’t really there may seem like something to hide, but seeking help early can make a big difference.
International study students Ghana USA
Health Lab

The Benefits of International Medical Student Electives

A team led by a global health fellow explores the Ghana-Michigan medical school collaborative, a 30-year partnership.