https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from University of Missouri Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of blood cancer and a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Thanks to new treatment breakthroughs, about 80% of FL patients have a survival rate of more than 10 years. The other 20%, however, experience a quickly recurring or a more aggressive version. Now researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine may have found a way to identify the patients at risk of recurrence, without the need for imaging and surveillance testing. Their paper is published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-genetic-markers-early-follicular-lymphoma.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:40:01 EDT news694186407 Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered certain proteins may be the key to saving plants' lives when multiple stressors hit at the same time. This knowledge may one day lead to crops that are more resistant to harsh conditions brought on by multiple stressors during the same growing seasons. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-survival-simultaneous-stressors-hinge-protein.html Plants & Animals Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:10:01 EDT news693072242 A new University of Missouri study suggests mental health policies can play a significant role in how Americans choose political candidates. Past scholarly research has found that most Americans say they support mental health policies. Jake Haselswerdt, an associate professor of political science in Mizzou's College of Arts and Science, wanted to take the topic a step further by asking whether mental health policies actually matter when people choose to vote for a political candidate. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-mental-health-policy-emerging-key.html Political science Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:06 EDT news693053641 Blood thinners are a common medication for much of the older adult population, prescribed to prevent blood clots that can cause adverse events like heart attack or stroke. They are often stopped prior to most surgeries because of the risk of bleeding. However, according to a new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, holding blood thinners for too long could jeopardize the surgery's success. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-blood-thinners-higher-free-surgery.html Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:30:04 EDT news692363364 Researchers at the University of Missouri may have uncovered a clue explaining why young adults with autism are roughly six times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease later in life. In a recent study, Mizzou researchers found that some young adults with autism show abnormalities in dopamine transporters—tiny molecules in the brain that recycle unused dopamine—on brain scans that are typically used to diagnose older adults with Parkinson's disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-exploring-people-autism-parkinson-disease.html Autism spectrum disorders Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:00:08 EST news691764601 Around the world, scientists are exploring an unexpected solution to the growing data crisis: storing digital information in synthetic DNA. The idea is simple but powerful—DNA is one of the most compact, durable information systems on Earth. But one issue has held the field back. Once data is written into DNA, it can't be changed. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-rewritable-dna-hard-storage-crisis.html Hardware Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:40:01 EST news691685521 A researcher at the University of Missouri has made a promising breakthrough in the quest to help people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the neurodegenerative disorder commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In a recent study, Mizzou's Smita Saxena showed that a natural molecule called GM1 can reach the brain when it's wrapped inside a tiny fat-based bubble. In early laboratory testing, this approach helped improve ALS symptoms. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-delivery-method-bypasses-blood-brain.html Neuroscience Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:20:01 EST news691348081 More stock trading is moving away from traditional public stock exchanges and into places called "dark pools." These are private, electronic markets where investors buy and sell stocks without showing their orders to the public. Even as dark pools have grown increasingly popular, a recent study from the University of Missouri suggests they may make public stock markets less transparent and increase the risk of sudden stock price crashes. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-links-dark-pool-higher-sudden.html Economics & Business Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:20:01 EST news690730105 University of Missouri researchers have released the world's largest collection of protein models with quality assessment—a groundbreaking new resource that could accelerate drug development for diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer. The database, called PSBench, includes 1.4 million annotated protein structure models, all verified by independent experts. It gives scientists the reliable information they need to build more accurate artificial intelligence (AI) systems for assessing the quality of protein structure models, which is critical for developing future medical treatments. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-benchmark-million-protein-sharpen-ai.html Biotechnology Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:10:01 EST news690652320 What's the key to growing resilient crops that can survive tough conditions? Researchers at the University of Missouri are getting to the root of it—literally. Researchers in the Walter Gassmann lab at Mizzou's Bond Life Sciences Center have discovered how a specific protein known as SRFR1 plays a critical role in how deeply plant roots grow underground. Even more promising, they unlocked a way to manipulate this protein to encourage longer root growth, a trait that can potentially help plants better withstand drought. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-longer-roots-drought-protein-reshape.html Biotechnology Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:59:55 EST news690551941 The human body is often described in parts—different limbs, systems, and organs—rather than something fully interconnected and whole. Yet many bodily processes interact in ways we may not always recognize. For example, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine may have found a link between high blood pressure and an overactive nervous system. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-clue-hypertension-blocking-brain-receptor.html Neuroscience Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:20:01 EST news690114249 Freshwater streams, ponds and lakes across the United States are becoming saltier, and new research from the University of Missouri shows the damage may be greater than scientists once thought. Scientists at Mizzou's College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources found that road salt becomes much more deadly to freshwater snails when combined with the fear of natural predators in the water. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-predator-stress-road-salt-deadlier.html Ecology Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:20:01 EST news690126090 University of Missouri researchers are developing new ways to better simulate the complex nature of human brain tissue. For years, scientists have worked to uncover how the brain responds to mechanical forces and electromagnetic waves. Computer models offer useful simulations, but they don't fully capture what goes on inside a living brain. Now, the team from Mizzou's College of Engineering is working to close that gap by developing 3D-printed models of an artificial human brain. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-3d-brain-medical.html Biomedical technology Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:29:48 EST news689963341 A University of Missouri researcher has unveiled a safer, smarter way to fight drug-resistant infections. Dr. Hongmin Sun, an associate professor in the School of Medicine, has demonstrated that a spray-mist device can deliver last-resort antibiotics directly into infected tissue without the harmful side effects often caused by delivery via the bloodstream. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-spray-infections-device-antibiotics-mist.html Biomedical technology Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:43:43 EST news689442181 For generations, farmers have spent backbreaking hours tearing down and rebuilding fences just to move livestock to fresh grazing fields. Now, thanks to a groundbreaking project at the University of Missouri's Center for Regenerative Agriculture, that chore is becoming a thing of the past. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-gps-collars-virtual-frontier-livestock.html Biotechnology Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:53:39 EST news689345581 A University of Missouri researcher is pioneering an innovative solution to remove tiny bits of plastic pollution from our water. Mizzou's Susie Dai recently applied a revolutionary strain of algae toward capturing and removing harmful microplastics from polluted water. Driven by a mission to improve the world for both wildlife and humans, Dai also aims to repurpose the collected microplastics into safe, bioplastic products such as composite plastic films. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-lab-grown-algae-microplastics.html Biotechnology Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:30:11 EST news689264522 Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. To save lives, constantly improving diagnostic and risk assessments is vital. One researcher from the University of Missouri School of Medicine is exploring ways to do just that by using machine learning, which is a type of artificial intelligence (AI). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-ai-accurately-cardiac-event-pet.html Health informatics Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:00:03 EST news688827047 What if the earliest signs of skin cancer could be identified sooner—before a dermatology appointment? https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-skin-cancer-sooner-ai.html Oncology & Cancer Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:07:24 EST news688223041 To determine who could benefit from targeted cancer treatments, a researcher at the University of Missouri has put tumors under a spotlight. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-cancer-flashlight-physicians-benefit-treatments.html Oncology & Cancer Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:20:04 EST news687024511 Scientists at the University of Missouri have identified a small group of unusual objects in the early universe. Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Haojing Yan and his team at Mizzou's College of Arts and Science spotted these strange objects, which seem like one galactic thing but have the unmistakable fingerprints of something else entirely. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-platypus-early-universe-stars-galaxies.html Astronomy Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:10:01 EST news686927308 A new discovery at the University of Missouri reveals that vitamin C may help protect reproductive health from a harmful environmental chemical. Using a fish model, researchers found that exposure to potassium perchlorate, a chemical commonly used in explosives and fireworks, can harm sperm production, potentially reducing fertility. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-vitamin-fertility-environmental-chemical.html Health Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:00:35 EST news686926801 Access to autism evaluations through specialty health care is notorious for long wait times across the United States. In Missouri, many families wait nearly a year for a diagnostic appointment. AI might be a solution to cutting the wait, according to researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-ai-device-autism-access.html Autism spectrum disorders Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:51:32 EST news685342262 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the rise in the United States, with roughly 36 million adults estimated to have the condition. As more people develop the disease, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and NextGen Precision Health Building are studying possible treatments and have identified several genes that may be potential therapeutic targets. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-therapeutic-kidney-disease.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:14:33 EST news683986441 Bill Janes is on a mission to improve life for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As a licensed occupational therapist and researcher at the University of Missouri, he's seen firsthand how the disease can steal a person's strength, speech and independence. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-home-sensor-technology-smarter-als.html Parkinson's & Movement disorders Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:00:04 EST news683902217 Think that kale salad you're eating is a superfood? Without the right ingredient it might not be living up to its hype. But don't worry. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-simple-kale-healthier-pairing-oil.html Health Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:40:03 EST news682612801 The first ever "humanized" model for aortic valve calcification paves the way for testing potential treatments. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-humanized-heart-valve-stiffness.html Cardiology Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:12:04 EST news682175521 For years, doctors have relied on familiar vital signs—heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels—to monitor someone's health. But researchers at the University of Missouri believe one key metric has been overlooked: blood viscosity, or how thick or sticky blood is as it flows through the body. Now they've developed a breakthrough technology to monitor it non-invasively and in real time. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-ultrasound-technology-invasively-blood-viscosity.html Cardiology Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:27:04 EST news681492421 Emergency departments (EDs) hold a unique position for treating people from rural areas, as many patients from these regions have limited access to primary care services. According to a new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, a pilot program involving ED staff could help fulfill the unmet needs of pediatric patients and their families. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-emergency-department-rural-families.html Health Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:11:03 EDT news680976661 In the quest for more targeted lung cancer treatments, a researcher at the University of Missouri thinks the solution may lie in tiny bubble-shaped packages that cells use to talk to each other. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-extracellular-vesicles-halt-lung-cancer.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:39:04 EDT news680884742 An international research team, led by Shinghua Ding at the University of Missouri, has identified a previously unknown genetic disease that affects movement and muscle control. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-rare-genetic-disease-affecting-motor.html Parkinson's & Movement disorders Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:33:04 EDT news680794381