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.

Three recent University of Oklahoma master’s degree graduates have been awarded OU Health Administrative Fellowships. This newly created program serves as a bridge from academic life to professional health care administration.

Newly published research in The Lancet Oncology lays the foundation for many patients with head and neck cancers to be treated with tailored therapies that are less invasive and to avoid major, potentially debilitating surgeries.

The TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences has announced the awardees of the FY25 seed grant program. Each grantee will receive up to $100,000 to conduct an innovative research project over 2 years. FY25 seed grants will focus on 1) understanding and addressing factors related to obesity in Oklahomans; 2) promoting active living in cancer patients; and 3) simultaneously addressing tobacco cessation and physical activity.