Health & Science

H&S

Telehealth grows during pandemic, but remains out of reach for underserved communities

By Zoe Ziff | May 29, 2020

Although the post-COVID-19 future is still nebulous, more physicians and patients are becoming comfortable with digital interactions, especially if it saves on travel time and expenses.  

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H&S

Virginia Department of Health warns that the commonwealth’s remdesivir supply is ‘extremely scarce’

By Callie Freeman | May 21, 2020

With the lottery system in place and more shipments from the federal government to come, around 650 Virginians hospitalized with COVID-19 will be able to take remdesivir.

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H&S

President Trump criticizes U.Va.-funded hydroxychloroquine study, describes it as ‘Trump enemy statement’

By Lucie Rutherford | May 20, 2020

The study was conducted among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and found a higher rate of death among patients who took hydroxychloroquine, either alone or in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin. 

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H&S

Graduating STEM students reflect on how U.Va. has shaped them

By Callie Freeman | May 14, 2020

Five students share their unique journeys to the diploma they will eventually receive on the Lawn.

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H&S

Stress, lack of routine play large part in COVID-induced insomnia

By Lucie Rutherford | May 11, 2020

With constant access to news and social media feeds full of coronavirus-related posts, it is almost inevitable for people to encounter fears and stressors when trying to sleep at night, especially as technology use has increased for many.

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H&S

Medical students, administration reflect on challenges and changes in the midst of pandemic

By Zoe Ziff | May 3, 2020

Instead of working in the wards, upperclassmen have been completing specialized seminars on topics such as pandemics throughout history and high-value care, which focuses on maximizing the patient’s time and resources at a hospital. 

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H&S

University Health System accepting PPE donations from locals, student volunteers

By Cecily Wolfe | April 30, 2020

Healthcare workers whose job often puts them in direct contact with coronavirus patients are the ones who require PPE the most.

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H&S

Drug tested at U.Va. linked to accelerated COVID-19 recovery

By Carolyn Lane | April 30, 2020

Preliminary results indicate that patients who took remdesivir recovered 31 percent faster than those who took the placebo, shortening the median recovery time from 15 days to 11 days.

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H&S

Student Council Sustainability Committee develops a new sustainability resource for the University community

By Brightney Varghese | April 24, 2020

The EcoNetwork is a page on the Student Council website that all students can contribute towards, and it includes topics ranging from academics to activism. 

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H&S

University study shows faulty cell cleanup in the brain may lead to long lasting neurological issues

By Somes Huwiler | April 24, 2020

The team found that a lot of people with mutations or those that lack the AIM2 inflammasome have neurodevelopmental disorders amongst other diseases.

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H&S

Epidemiologist, physicist explain important science behind social distancing

By Lucie Rutherford | April 21, 2020

For Costi Sifri, director of hospital epidemiology in the University Health System, and Physics Prof. Lou Bloomfield, the importance of and science behind social distancing go hand in hand. By separating the population, vulnerable populations can be protected, and exponential growth can turn into exponential decay.

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H&S

Staying active and healthy during times of uncertainty is more important than ever

By Somes Huwiler | April 10, 2020

With social distancing now in practice, going to the gym or a workout class may not be the best idea, but there are a wide variety of ways to stay fit while staying at home. 

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H&S

Community Climate Collaborative seeks change

By Haley Stocks and Parker Driscoll | April 8, 2020

Community Climate Collaborative is a nonprofit based in the Charlottesville area dedicated to addressing climate change through advocating for local action. 

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H&S

University researchers discuss correlation between social distancing and positive environmental changes

By Swati Srivastava | April 8, 2020

There have been multiple reports of environmental changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic — mostly a reduction of pollutants and a slight decrease in carbon dioxide emissions — across the world as transportation decreases, businesses close and people stay home. 

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H&S

University medical team to participate in clinical trial of experimental coronavirus treatment

By Cecily Wolfe | April 7, 2020

  The trial began in February at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and now consists of more than 60 institutions and 700 patients internationally.

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H&S

Biocomplexity Institute receives $10 million to model, research pandemics

By Zoe Ziff | April 7, 2020

The grant will allow researchers to use computational and engineering methods to answer fundamental questions about epidemics and pandemics in real time.  

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H&S

U.Va. Health tightens hospital regulations to prevent spread of COVID-19

By Callie Freeman | April 3, 2020

Since March 22, in-patient unit visitors at the hospital are not permitted — with a few key exceptions at the discretion of unit managers — according to a Health System press release.  

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H&S

Nursing school cancels clinicals for the semester, adjusts to online learning

By Lucie Rutherford and Callie Freeman | April 2, 2020

Due to COVID-19 outpatient clinic closures and heightened hospital regulations, Pamela Cipriano, Dean of the University’s nursing school, and other nursing administration have decided to cancel all clinical experiences for their undergraduate students. 

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H&S

U.Va. Health develops its own COVID-19 test, distributes to Virginia hospitals

By Callie Freeman | March 26, 2020

After a University-wide initiative to gather the needed funds, technology and reagents, University Health System researchers have independently developed a COVID-19 test that is now being used throughout the University Health System and at hospitals across the Commonwealth.

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H&S

Bridging the gap — study sequences Asian genomes to diversify genetic databases

By Cecily Wolfe | March 25, 2020

The international effort focuses on the genomes of 100,000 Asian individuals as a means to better understand genetic diseases and human origins, as well as advance customized treatments.