News from the Baylor Ecosystem
BCM faculty, clinicians, researchers, and staff are advancing medicine and changing the ways we deliver and access care. Here we feature an array of information channels to keep you up to date with the latest advancements from the BCM community, including:
- Momentum, which spans health news, medical education updates, healthcare, community, and events around BCM
- From the Labs, which spotlights new and innovative bench science from BCM researchers.
- The Stitch, which shares the expertise of researchers and clinicians in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery as well as the voices of patients who have undergone surgery and found healing.
- PolicyWise, which explores the full spectrum of health and science policy, from public health to emerging biotechnologies.
- BCM News, which features the headlines-making accomplishments of researchers, faculty, and staff from across BCM.
- Progress Notes, which shares students' stories from the clinics, their thoughts on medicine and healthcare, and stories from the frontlines of research.
- BCM Family, which helps you catch up on news from Baylor College of Medicine posted on the BCM Family newsletter online.
Featured News
Combination Therapy for Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol Lowering in Hypercholesterolemia
New research shows that combining cholesterol-lowering treatments—such as statins with drugs like ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors—can more effectively reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks and other major cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.
Uncovered: 22 genes that could increase risk of health conditions following viral infection
BCM researchers, in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, identified 22 genetic variants that make it harder for some people to control Epstein-Barr virus levels, helping explain why this infection is linked to higher risks of chronic conditions such as lupus, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and certain cancers later in life.
A scarless option for thyroid surgery
BCM surgeons describe a scar-less thyroidectomy approach—using a hidden, minimally invasive technique that avoids a visible neck incision—to improve cosmetic outcomes while maintaining surgical safety and effectiveness.
Addressing the shortage of registered nurses in rural America
Policywise highlights the critical shortage of registered nurses in rural America, exploring factors like workforce burnout, educational barriers, and limited local training opportunities. The article outlines strategies to strengthen rural nursing—such as expanding partnerships, incentives, and support programs to build a more resilient community health workforce.
Fruit fly pigmentation helps researchers discover genes that control brain dopamine and sleep
BCM researchers used changes in fruit fly pigmentation as a visible clue to screen for genes that regulate brain dopamine and sleep, identifying those that influence dopamine levels and sleep behavior—insights that could inform understanding of human neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Cervical cancer screening updates are a major step forward in saving lives
BCM experts explain that new cervical cancer screening updates — including earlier and more personalized screening and improved test technologies — represent a major advance in early detection and are expected to significantly reduce deaths by catching more precancerous changes sooner.