A study by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions reveals a previously unrecognized way blood vessels can protect themselves from damage and slow the development of atherosclerosis. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, have implications for both vascular precision medicine and the safety of certain emerging cancer treatments.

A minimally invasive heart procedure may be a better first-line treatment than medication for people living with advanced forms of atrial fibrillation, a major international clinical trial led by UBC researchers says. While recent research has suggested ablation may be a more effective initial treatment for early-stage disease, it has also been unclear whether this is true for patients with more advanced disease, who tend to be older, have more underlying health conditions and face higher risks overall. The new study shows starting with ablation can lead to better outcomes for patients with advanced forms of AFib.

A study by researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute published in JAMA Network Open, found young adults with a new cancer diagnosis who participated in the Bright IDEAS program showed significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms and improvements in their quality of life compared with members of the control group.

Rural youth experience higher rates of firearm exposure, handgun carrying and associated mental health risks, according to Rutgers researchers.

Their study, published in Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, examined recent literature on rural youth firearm exposure and its association with health risk behaviors and outcomes, including violence and suicide.