Remote Wildfire Smoke Across the U.S. Tied to Rise in Heart and Lung-Related Medical Visits

December 18, 2024

“Baltimore had very dark skies, and we could all smell the smoke in the air,” said Mary Maldarelli, MD, a pulmonary critical care fellow at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), who is the first author on the study. “But most importantly, my patients came in to me saying they were coughing quite a bit more and needed their medications more often, so they felt much sicker than they usually did when these wildfires occurred.”

The toll of gun violence, through the eyes of nurses

December 18, 2024

For some, it’s the sound of wailing parents that are indelible. Hershaw Davis, who has worked as an emergency nurse at Johns Hopkins for years and teaches nurses at the University of Maryland Medical School, said the sounds of grieving parents stay with him.

“When you hear a mother or a father cry over their child's dead body, and I've heard it a lot, you will never forget that cry in your life,” Davis said.

Which states mandate fluoride in drinking water

December 17, 2024

The Trump administration can’t overrule those state laws, said Kathi Hoke, director of the Network for Public Health Law’s eastern region and a professor at the University of Maryland law school. They can’t tell a state “how it can act within its own borders on a public health measure, generally speaking,” she said.

Who wants a pig organ? Patients sick and tired of waiting years for a transplant

December 17, 2024

“We have to have the courage to continue,” said University of Maryland transplant surgeon Dr. Bartley Griffith. Back in 2022, Griffith had a hard time figuring out how to ask a dying patient if he’d consider undergoing the world’s first transplant of a gene-edited pig heart.

Training prepares health care workers across Maryland to provide abortions

December 16, 2024

To find out how that program is going, we turn to Dr. Jessica Lee, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the training program. And we speak with Samantha Marsee, a nurse practitioner who recently completed the training.

As juvenile crime subsides, legislative debate continues over more reforms

December 16, 2024

Michael Pinard, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, runs a legal clinic through which law students represent kids who are facing expulsion, suspension or other discipline at school, with the goal of keeping them out of the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Prurigo Nodularis Linked to Sleep Diorders And Increased CV Risk: Study Finds

December 16, 2024

Against the above background, Shawn G. Kwatra, Maryland Itch Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA, and colleagues aimed to assess the risk of sleep disorders in prurigo nodular patients and explore their connection to system inflammation and negative cardiovascular outcomes.

Exposure to Remote Wildfire Smoke Drifting Across the U.S. Linked to Increased Medical Visits for Heart and Lung Problems

December 16, 2024

Researchers from the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) found that medical visits for heart and lung problems rose by nearly 20 percent during six days in June, 2023, when smoke from Western Canadian wildfires drifted across the country, leading to very poor air quality days in Baltimore and the surrounding region.

Researchers discover new neurons that suppress food intake

December 16, 2024

"BNC2 neurons in the hypothalamus, which are activated by the hunger hormone leptin, provide the potential for a completely new class of obesity drugs," said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean of UMSOM, and Vice President for Medical Affairs at University of Maryland, Baltimore. "These drugs would be distinct from Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists, which stimulate insulin secretion."

Don’t Quit Quitting: What to Know About Smoking Cessation Today

December 16, 2024

If a person has smoked for a decade or more, the addiction might be more challenging to break because of how ingrained that behavior is, according to Dr. Niharika Khanna. Khanna, a professor of family and community medicine at Baltimore’s University of Maryland School of Medicine for more than 30 years, is the director of the Maryland Tobacco Control Resource Center.

University of Maryland Baltimore, the Foundry Church and WJZ team up to host 9th annual Christmas Store

December 14, 2024

It's a Christmas miracle for West Baltimore resident Paulette Carroll.

"My granddaughter, she is three months old. But we need toys to have her looking around and moving her head and stuff. So this is wonderful, and it plays music," said Carroll. 

Today she gets to holiday shop for her grandchildren for a fraction of the price these toys would cost in stores.

Remote exposure to Western wildfire smoke causing heart and lung problems nationwide: Study

December 13, 2024

Wildfire smoke wafting across the country from North America West blazes may be leading to cardiac and respiratory issues thousands of miles away, a new study has found.

Medical visits for heart and lung issues in the Baltimore region surged by 20 percent during six days in June 2023, when smoke from Western Canada blazes drifted across the continent, according to the study, published on Friday in JAMA Network Open.

FDA Advisors Say More Data Needed for RSV Vaccines in Young Kids

December 13, 2024

FDA advisors said that more data are needed to fully understand if there are broader safety concerns related to use of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines in young children after an mRNA vaccine trial was halted earlier this year.

Self-tests recommended for women ages 30 to 65 to screen for cervical cancer

December 12, 2024

“Women who would be more comfortable collecting their HPV test sample themselves can now do so,” Dr. Esa Davis, a task force member and a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said in a statement. “We hope that this new, effective option helps even more women get screened regularly.”

Luigi Mangione faces tough legal challenges, says Baltimore lawyer with ties to family

December 12, 2024

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law professor Doug Colbert does not think a competency hearing will be needed due to Mangione’s educational background and academic prowess. Colbert said Mangione likely understands the gravity of the case against him.

What a new innovation index tells us about Baltimore

December 11, 2024

In a word: diffusion. Innovation works best in density — where invention and commercialization can walk to get a coffee. Plenty of Baltimore leaders get this: look at University of Maryland Biopark’s chief Jane Shaab, UpSurge executive director and obsessive organizer Kory Bailey and the well-regarded Impact Hub Baltimore, all tireless connectors. 

Yes, it is unconstitutional to deport U.S. citizens

December 11, 2024

Although deporting U.S. citizens is unconstitutional, it has happened illegally in the past, according to Mittelstadt and Maureen Sweeney, the director of the Chacón Center for Immigrant Justice at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

USPSTF endorses HPV self-collection tests for cervical cancer screening

December 11, 2024

“Women who would be more comfortable collecting their HPV test sample themselves can now do so,” said task force member Esa Davis, associate VP for community health at the University of Maryland Baltimore. “We hope that this new, effective option helps even more women get screened regularly.”

Baltimore wants $5 billion to combat the opioid crisis. Here’s what the city would do with it.

December 11, 2024

Jay Unick, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, said harm reduction outreach needs to reach communities that have been disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis in Baltimore, specifically older African American men. Historically, many in the city smoked or snorted opioids, Unick said.

‘This is our community’: Inside the programs helping college workers with home down payments

December 10, 2024

“Our goals were to revitalize the neighborhoods near the university and offer an awesome benefit to our employees,” said Dawn Rhodes, the institution’s chief business and finance officer and senior vice president. “This is our community, and we care enough that we want to invest in it.”

Does a protein hold the key to Alzheimer’s?

December 10, 2024

In a recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Joanna Cooper at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Aurelien Lathuiliere at Massachusetts General Hospital and a team of researchers focused on a receptor called Sortilin-related receptor 1, or SORL1, that is involved in tau accumulation inside the cells.

No, zinc supplements are not proven to prevent or treat colds

December 10, 2024

“The evidence on zinc is far from settled: we need more research before we can be confident in its effects,” Susan Wieland, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who authored a 2024 review of existing studies on zinc supplements and the common cold, said.

HPV testing preferred over Pap for cervical cancer screening starting at age 30, task force’s draft recommendation says

December 10, 2024

“We are highlighting that HPV screening, as the primary screening for women ages 30 to 65, is the best balance between the benefits and the harms in finding cervical cancer, and that should be offered first and when available,” said task force member Dr. Esa Davis, professor and senior associate dean for population health and community medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

How to Reduce the Risk of Falling

December 9, 2024

Lower-body weakness, cognitive impairment, problems with balance, poor hearing or vision, and certain medications all can increase the risk of falling, says Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, an endowed chair in gerontology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Blood pressure medications are particularly worrisome. “When you stand up, your blood pressure automatically goes down, and if it goes too low, you can get dizzy,” says Dr. Resnick.

UMSOM research finds misdiagnosis of behavioral issues due to snoring

December 6, 2024

Frequent snoring is a driver of behavior problems like inattention in the classroom, rule-breaking and aggression, but a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine recently found that overtime snoring does not appear to have a cognitive impact on teen’s academic abilities.

Supreme Court likely to uphold ban on medical treatments for transgender minors

December 5, 2024

Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use.

Act on a mandate to protect research subjects’ privacy

December 5, 2024

In Michigan, a federal judge has held that the state’s newborn screening program violates parents’ constitutional rights by retaining newborn blood spots for research purposes and purportedly turning them over to police for investigative use. Research data related to drug use, chemical exposure, criminal sentencing, and child abuse have been sought for investigation and criminal and civil cases 

Can an ‘ambitious’ plan to fix Chesapeake Bay survive Trump?

December 5, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to ensure clean water while slashing the federal bureaucracy will soon face a major test, with his administration set to influence the future of the nation’s largest estuary.

An Obama-era blueprint for protecting the Chesapeake Bay faces a critical deadline at the end of next year. The states surrounding the sprawling body of water must now determine next steps, working with input from the federal government.

Discovery of leptin-responsive neurons offers new hope for obesity treatment

December 5, 2024

In a study published in the Dec. 5 issue of Nature, a team of researchers from the Laboratory of Medical Genetics at Rockefeller University in New York, the Institute for Genome Science (IGS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) in Baltimore, as well as New York and Stanford Universities discovered a new population of neurons that is responsive to the hormone leptin.

Microbiome interventions for children raise the ethical stakes

December 5, 2024

Probiotics — live microorganisms, typically bacteria and yeasts, that are intended to improve health — have intrigued scientists for more than a century, but interest has grown dramatically over the past decade. Their potential for treating or preventing a range of diseases, coupled with their apparent safety, has made probiotics an enticing and lucrative industry that is only expected to grow.

New Policy Paper Highlights Urgent Need To Reduce Gun-Related Domestic Violence In Maryland

December 4, 2024

“ROAR’s attorneys have represented many survivors of domestic violence in their protection order hearings in Baltimore City. Many of them tell the judge they are fearful because their partner has a gun, and the judge replies that the order requires the partner to turn over their gun to the state police."

Justice Dept.’s Apolitical Tradition Is Challenged by 2 Presidents

December 3, 2024

The special counsel appointed to investigate President-elect Donald J. Trump is wrapping up his work without the charges he brought in two cases ever going in front of a jury.

The special counsel named to lead the inquiry into Hunter Biden, the president’s son, has just seen the two convictions he secured wiped away by a presidential pardon.

Improving Maternal and Infant Health Through Multisector, Community-Driven Partnerships

December 3, 2024

This report features two studies of multisector, community-driven partnerships committed to advancing maternal and infant health outcomes: B’more for Healthy Babies in Baltimore, Maryland, and Cradle Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. While the impetus for these initiatives was concern over alarming infant mortality rates, these partnerships also strive to center the voices and experiences of expectant mothers.

BDC and Maryland Department of Commerce Announce Board of Estimates Approval of Conditional Loan for 4MLK Flex Lab Space

December 3, 2024

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) and the Maryland Department of Commerce are pleased to announce the Baltimore City Board of Estimates’ approval of a $200,000 conditional loan to support the establishment of 4MLK Connect Labs, a state-of-the-art flex lab space in the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore, Maryland.

I got malaria on purpose and so can you

December 3, 2024

March 26, 2024, was a weird day for me because it was the only one in my life where I was actively trying to get bitten by mosquitos.

I had volunteered to be exposed to malaria as part of a study at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) evaluating MAM-01, an injectable drug meant to prevent infection. And by “exposed to malaria” I mean “bitten by mosquitos infected with malaria.”

Handcuffs and Unexpected Deaths — “I Can’t Breathe” as a Medical Emergency

December 2, 2024

Cases in which someone in apparently good health is physically restrained by police and has a cardiac arrest represent a failure of the medical profession — not just of law enforcement.

Maryland facing daunting shortfall of behavioral health workers

December 2, 2024

Maryland is facing a daunting shortfall of nearly 33,000 behavioral health workers over the next few years to keep the state fully staffed and fight off attrition. The number comes from a report commissioned by the Maryland Health Care Commission and presented to the state’s Medicaid Advisory Board.

This blood type is at the highest risk of brain stroke, says research

December 2, 2024

The study found that compared to those with other blood types, those with blood type A had a 16% increased chance of having an early stroke. While having blood type A does not ensure a stroke, it does suggest that this population may be at greater risk. The most prevalent blood type, O, on the other hand, appears to provide some protection; individuals in this group had a 12% reduced risk of an early stroke than those in other blood types.

Interracial and Intercultural Marriages During the Holidays

December 1, 2024

Now that phase one of the holidays is over, it is time for families to prepare for the longer, and often more nettlesome, Christmas season. A bunch of religious and cultural holidays fall around this time also (e.g., Ashura [the beginning of December], Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Korean and Chinese New Year [the end of January], and others). 

Maryland Government’s Psychedelics Task Force Begins Work On Recommendations Due To Lawmakers Next Year

November 28, 2024

A newly formed psychedelics task force in Maryland held its initial meetings this month, beginning work on what will eventually become a report to lawmakers on how to reform the state’s laws on substances such as psilocybin, DMT and mescaline.

University of Maryland holds annual Thanksgiving drive

November 27, 2024

WJZ partnered with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus for their annual Thanksgiving drive.

Developers of Baltimore flex-lab space hope to create more than 100 jobs

November 27, 2024

Boosters of the project say the building was designed to provide much-needed wet laboratory space for researchers and companies and foster collaboration between the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Maryland trains more health workers to offer abortion care

November 27, 2024

In the two counties around nurse practitioner Samantha Marsee's clinic in rural northeastern Maryland, there's not a single clinic that provides abortions. And until recently, Marsee herself wasn't trained to treat patients who wanted to end a pregnancy.

"I didn't really have a lot of knowledge about abortion care," she said.

10 sharing activities for toddlers and preschoolers

November 26, 2024

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Sharing is caring.” Perhaps you’ve even used some version of this expression when talking to the children in your life. It’s true that sharing is a way to show we care for others, but it’s not an automatic skill we hold — it’s a developmental milestone that has to be established and nourished.

BioPark program gets $2.2M in state, city funding

November 25, 2024

The $2.2 million funding package from the state and the city will help fuel the creation of Connect Labs, a combination of pre-built lab space, support services and office space that will be located in the upcoming 4MLK tower on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Here’s What Businesses and Consumers Can Do To Prevent Listeria Outbreaks

November 22, 2024

A rash of high-profile Listeria recalls has many wondering what’s gone wrong in the United States food system. What appears to be a surge could actually be due to more effective contamination testing. Still, with Donald Trump set to return to the Oval Office, the threat of declining food safety is very real.

Religious beliefs, lack of trust could explain Black patients’ hesitancy to join cancer trials

November 22, 2024

Spiritual beliefs and lack of trust in clinical research may influence Black individuals’ decisions about whether to participate in cancer trials, according to findings presented at American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting.

Snoring in adolescents linked with problem behaviors but not cognitive deficits

November 22, 2024

Adolescents who snore frequently were more likely to exhibit behavior problems such as inattention, rule-breaking, and aggression, but they do not have any decline in their cognitive abilities, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM).

U of Md. combats rural health disparities with new med school program

November 21, 2024

Eastern shore residents often lack the access to the healthcare they need. The University of Maryland School of Medicine is tackling that problem with the ‘Rural Health Equity and Access Longitudinal Elective’ (or R-HEALE) program. Students are mentored and trained with a focus on rural health needs. We talk with the director, Dr. Leah Millstein and first year student Sarah MacDonald.

Improving Multiple Sclerosis Care for Black Patients

November 21, 2024

For decades, the common medical shorthand has been that if you have a young-to-middle-age white female patient of northern European ancestry with neurological symptoms, you should immediately suspect multiple sclerosis (MS). That shorthand is not wrong, but it also doesn't capture the true complexity and prevalence of MS.

Report calls for reforms in Maryland’s handling of youth tried and imprisoned as adults

November 20, 2024

Maryland is among the worst states in the nation when it comes to the number of prison inmates who began their time behind bars for crimes they committed as children, according to a report set to be released Wednesday.

Scrap Clozapine's REMS Program, FDA Advisors Say

November 20, 2024

A joint FDA advisory committee on Tuesday overwhelming voted to eliminate the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program designed around the risk for severe neutropenia associated with clozapine, a drug used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

BSO’s top oboist leads the charge in classical music’s #MeToo fight

November 20, 2024

Leigh Goodmark, a professor at The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law who has studied gender-based violence and the law, said recent high-profile court cases are cause for concern. In 2022, Johnny Depp won a defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, who alleged abuse in an op-ed for The Washington Post.

Agritourism Laws Evolve as More Farms Offer Entertainment, Education

November 19, 2024

Ag law experts from Ohio and West Virginia along with a county planner from Maryland gave a rundown on agritourism trends and legal implications at the 10th annual Agriculture and Environmental Law Conference hosted Nov. 12 by the University of Maryland’s Agriculture Law Education Initiative.
While activities such as corn mazes, petting zoos and hay rides on working farms are typical agritourism practices, some other money-making ventures are not as clearly defined.

Trump’s pardon promises add complexity to DOJ’s January 6 prosecutions

November 19, 2024

"The pardon power is unlimited," said Mark Graber, a constitutional law professor at the University of Maryland. "Let’s imagine a different president who decides, ‘I’m going to pardon everyone engaged in insider trading who is over six feet tall.’ Utterly arbitrary. They can do it."

Why UMD offers full med school tuition for a promise to serve the Eastern Shore

November 19, 2024

The Eastern Shore is designed as a medically underserved area, said Dr. Donna Parker, a senior associate dean at the UM School of Medicine. “People there have trouble getting to the doctor, finding doctors that are available with appointments in a timely fashion, having to drive too far to get a doctor,” she said.

Also on WYPR-FM

Cannabis-related emergency department visits up this year as Maryland begins tracking data

November 18, 2024

Maryland has experienced a “significant increase” in cannabis-related emergency department visits, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

The health department launched a data dashboard last week to track public health impacts of cannabis and visualize trends pre- and post-marijuana legalization in the state.

Maryland is training more health workers to offer abortion care

November 16, 2024

In the two counties around nurse practitioner Samantha Marsee's clinic in rural northeastern Maryland, there's not a single clinic that provides abortions. And until recently, Marsee herself wasn't trained to treat patients who wanted to end a pregnancy.

"I didn't really have a lot of knowledge about abortion care," she said.

Breaking Down RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Doublespeak

November 16, 2024

In order to find any information on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine policy on his Make America Healthy Again website, you must first scroll through sections asking for donations, official MAHA merch, and an ad offering the opportunity to “secure your place” on a tile in a mosaic of Trump and RFK Jr. shaking hands. Only then, after clicking through eight pages of videos, will you find a video titled “My Take on Vaccines.” 

What RFK Jr’s War on Vaccines Could Look Like

November 15, 2024

He is the most influential anti-vaxxer in the world, one of the “Disinformation Dozen.” He is an AIDS denier who has revived old conspiracy theories about HIV. He claims that Covid was “ethnically targeted” to spare certain groups of people and that Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates are part of a “vaccine cartel” that produces fake studies in order to impose global lockdowns and 5G.

Will Trump’s return to White House deal final blow to insurrectionist argument?

November 15, 2024

It isn’t ancient history. Just 1,409 days ago, on Jan. 6, 2021, Donald Trump told supporters gathered in Washington to “fight like hell,” walk down to the U.S. Capitol and give House Republicans “the kind of pride and boldness that they need” to refuse to certify the 2020 election following Joe Biden’s decisive win in the presidential election.

Under 60? Your Blood Type May Impact Stroke Risk

November 14, 2024

A meta-analysis led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has uncovered a surprising link between blood type and the risk of having an early stroke. 

Maryland is training more health workers to offer abortion care

November 14, 2024

Expanding the pool of health care providers with reproductive health care skills outside of the state’s urban centers is vital, said Mary Jo Bondy, associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She helped create the new training program.

Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to increased risk of opioid addiction later in life

November 14, 2024

"Doctors are contending with an explosion of cannabis use, and the THC content has quadrupled from what it was a generation ago. It demonstrates the enduring consequences that prenatal cannabis exposure exerts on the brain's reward system, which ultimately results in a neurobiological vulnerability to opioid drugs," Joseph Cheer, PhD, study corresponding author, Professor of Neurobiology and Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said.

A little girl starved to death in Baltimore. Why did no one help her?

November 13, 2024

For a child suffering from abuse or neglect to become so malnourished she appears gaunt is “exceedingly rare,” said Dr. Howard Dubowitz, a professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Families at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Maryland Is Training More Health Workers To Offer Abortion Care

November 13, 2024

Expanding the pool of health care providers with reproductive health care skills outside of the state’s urban centers is vital, said Mary Jo Bondy, associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland-Baltimore. She helped create the new training program.

Proud Boys organizer from Florida seeking pardon from President-elect Donald Trump, attorney says

November 12, 2024

Proud Boys organizer and Ormond Beach, Florida native Joe Biggs is chipping away at a 17-year-prison sentence for his role on January 6th.

Biggs’ attorney, Norm Pattis, is writing to President-Elect Donald Trump, saying it’s in the public interest to commute Biggs’ sentence.

RFK Jr.’s new bully pulpit sends public health shock waves

November 11, 2024

President-elect Trump’s promise to let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “go wild” on health is demoralizing public health experts, who worry he could meddle with key government agencies, amplify vaccine hesitancy and direct agency funding to favor his preferred views.

Those include removing fluoride from public water, promoting a wide variety of unorthodox and unproven treatments and pushing a deep skepticism of pharmaceutical companies and the agencies overseeing them.

New diabetes practice guideline designed for LTC providers

November 11, 2024

Diabetes is very common in people living in post-acute and long-term environments, affecting 25% to 34% of these individuals. 

Now there’s a wonderful new resource for those caring for them in the revised Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes Management in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Setting, which was recently published by the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association

The Arbitration Illusion

November 11, 2024

To the Editor:

Re “It Shouldn’t Be This Easy to Sign Away Your Right to a Trial,” by Peter Coy (Opinion, nytimes.com, Oct. 28):
Mr. Coy reports the Chamber of Commerce’s claim that arbitration provides larger recoveries than litigation. In fact, arbitration clauses effectively block consumers from asserting claims unless, as multiple studies have shown, consumers have $1,000 or even more at stake.

When is anxiety normal and when is it a disorder? A psychiatrist explains.

November 10, 2024

Is it normal to feel this anxious all the time? How do I know if it’s too much?

These are questions many of my patients ask. Anxiety affects all of us and can be thought of as tension or worry about a situation or stressor.

Anxiety can be adaptive and is a necessary survival skill, given that our environments can be dangerous and unpredictable.

Maryland is training more health workers to offer abortion care

November 7, 2024

Expanding the pool of health care providers with reproductive health care skills outside of the state’s urban centers is vital, said Mary Jo Bondy, associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland-Baltimore. She helped create the new training program.

What The New Trump Presidency Could Mean For Public Health

November 6, 2024

With Donald Trump having successfully secured the presidency of the United States, significant shifts in American public health policy could be forthcoming.

Professor Omer A. Awan, MD, MPH, is a senior contributor for Forbes.

Trump’s return to White House could mean pardons for Jan. 6 defendants

November 6, 2024

With Trump soon to be in office,  Mark A. Graber, a professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, expects a major shift in how January 6 cases are handled. 

"Trump is the president, and in the United States, the president basically controls prosecutions," Graber said.

Placebos work. Why?

November 6, 2024

Luanna told us about this study that showed if doctors told patients they were turning off pain medication, even when they weren't, that expectation could completely reverse the effects of strong opioids. 

LUANNA: We reverse completely the action of opioids. That is how much words are critical in clinical settings. 

Corpus Christi embraces new mission of campus, marriage ministries

November 6, 2024

"The University of Maryland, Baltimore, is really a series of relatively independent schools,” said Deacon Bauerschmidt. "It’s catering to a graduate school population (in public health, law and human services). So that’s an incredibly important audience to reach to foster discussions on how you practice medicine or law as a Catholic. What are the church’s social teachings and how do they affect how you think about social work?"

AAM 2024 Report Shows Billions in Biosimilar and Generic Savings

November 5, 2024

Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, a professor of practice, sciences and health outcomes research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, in Baltimore, said the results are significant because “the high cost of medications has been a major obstacle for many managing their health conditions.”

Non-Europeans Opt Out Of Genomic Databases, Leading To Lack Of Diversity

November 5, 2024

“Since we define ‘heritage’ as including culture, geography, and genetics, one of the most interesting parts of this research is that we were able to explore the distant genetic relatedness among Latin American countries through population structure and migration patterns,” said Victor Borda, PhD, corresponding author on the paper and Research Associate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “

Elon Musk’s lawyer says $1M giveaway winners not randomly chosen, which could raise legal issues

November 4, 2024

A lawyer for Elon Musk said in a Philadelphia courtroom Monday that the winners of Musk’s $1 million daily prize giveaway in election swing states are not chosen at random, contradicting what Musk said when he announced the contest last month. Legal experts told NBC News that the disclosure could have legal fallout for Musk across multiple jurisdictions under laws designed to protect consumers from deceptive practices. 

Hooked on Rheum with Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS

November 4, 2024

From a young age, I was fascinated by the human body and its complexities. Growing up in a small village in southern Italy, I had an insatiable curiosity about science and how we experience pain, heal and recover. 

Moore administration, others fear drastic impact to MD government under Trump

November 1, 2024

“If there’s unified (Republican) government, we’re going to see lots of legislation, executive orders (and) judicial rulings that the majority of Marylanders are not going to like,” said Mark Graber, a University of Maryland law professor and a leading scholar on constitutional law and politics.

Researchers Work to Expand Genomic Database Diversity with Latin American DNA Data

November 1, 2024

Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a comprehensive genomic database, GLADdb, to improve diversity in genomics research by including extensive Latin American DNA data.

UM School of Pharmacy hosts Pharmapreneurship Summit

November 1, 2024

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy hosted the free Pharmapreneurship Summit Oct. 8, bringing together thought leaders to engage with the university community, to propose bold and innovative ideas to address challenges and opportunities for the pharmacy world and to celebrate its successes.

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of October 2024

October 31, 2024

The University of Maryland, Baltimore broke ground on its $120 million, six-story School of Social Work (UMSSW) building that is slated to be the first net-zero emissions building within the University System of Maryland and downtown Baltimore. The 127,000-square-foot building will consolidate the school’s Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy programs—currently dispersed across three locations—into one modern, flexible space.

The 2024 Power List

October 31, 2024

For nearly three decades, Dr. Bruce E. Jarrell, M.D., FACS, has served the University of Maryland Baltimore.

The kidney and liver transplant surgeon first joined the higher educational institution in 2005 as the vice dean of academic affairs. 

Qualified Immunity as Gun Control

October 30, 2024

Although Bruen invalidates regulations inconsistent with the historical tradition of U.S. firearm regulation, states retain significant power to disarm dangerous individuals, argue Guha Krishnamurthi, professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, and Peter N. Salib, professor at the University of Houston Law Center, in a recent article.

Can AI Plus Electronic Health Records Predict Childhood Obesity Risk?

October 30, 2024

“I think that it’s an interesting way to take information that we already have and synthesize it into a picture we could use like an aid to support the family,” added Mutiat Onigbanjo, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and medical director of the University of Maryland Pediatrics at Midtown in Baltimore.

25 dead in 1 summer: The present and future of deadly heat in Maryland

October 30, 2024

Robyn Gilden, a nurse and environmental expert at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, said additional risk factors for heat-related illness or death include whether a person works outside, whether they’re overweight, heart disease and age.

25 dead in 1 summer: The present and future of deadly heat in Maryland

October 30, 2024

 Robyn Gilden, a nurse and environmental expert at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, said additional risk factors for heat-related illness or death include whether a person works outside, whether they’re overweight and age.

4MLK: Transforming West Baltimore into a Life Sciences Epicenter

October 29, 2024

Set to open in fall 2024, 4MLK is more than just a building—it’s a game-changer for West Baltimore. This 8-story, 250,000-square-foot facility will provide critical lab and office space for scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators working on the cutting edge of technology and medicine. Positioned at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Baltimore St., 4MLK is designed to be a beacon of collaboration.

MD law schools increase bar passage rates for July exam, data shows

October 29, 2024

The increase for the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law comes after last year’s slight dip, and this year marks another steady increase for students at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Sustainable University Building to Serve Student Social Workers

October 29, 2024

Community members and project leaders came together on Oct. 17 to break ground on the new University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) School of Social Work. The 127,000-square-foot building will support programs that address the growing demand for social workers across the country while promoting cross-campus collaboration, environmentalism, and accessibility. 

New Marker for Immunotherapy Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

October 29, 2024

A newly described stage of lymph node–like structures, known as tertiary lymphoid structures, identified in hepatic tumors following presurgical immunotherapy may be vital to successfully treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a recent study published by Shu et al in Nature Immunology.

5 Important Self Care Tips for Clinicians

October 28, 2024

Sara Robinson, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, shares 5 tips for clinicians on self care. While self care is a popular buzzword, it is harder to find tangible elements that you can implement as a clinician. Here's a good place to start.

Unmet Needs and the Importance of Social Support in Schizophrenia

October 27, 2024

Treatment adherence is a big challenge for patients with schizophrenia, as is the appropriate use of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia, said Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, professor and codirector of the Mental Health Program, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. She also noted that telehealth hasn’t been as helpful for treating patients with schizophrenia as it has in other areas of care.

We must prepare for hidden threat of disease from natural disasters | GUEST COMMENTARY

October 27, 2024

As a scientist who has spent my entire professional career developing countermeasures like vaccines against mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, we cannot ignore the danger posed by climate change and its effect on infectious diseases.

Four Women Selected to Lead Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in Higher Education

October 24, 2024

Rhea Roper Nedd has been named assistant vice president of equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She brings over a decade of experience in developing diversity programs to her new role. Most recently, she served as director of the Center for Student Diversity at Towson University in Maryland.

U. of Maryland School of Medicine Program Focuses on Rural Eastern Shore

October 24, 2024

The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has launched the Rural Health Equity and Access Longitudinal Elective (R-HEALE) designed to train and place incoming medical students in Eastern Shore healthcare practices. 

The Nocebo Effect: How We Think Ourselves Sick, According To Psychiatrists

October 24, 2024

We are now beginning to understand some of the mechanisms—psychological and biological—that give rise to nocebo effects. Studies in both laboratory and clinical settings, some of which are described in other chapters, document the important role of information and expectations in generating nocebo effects.

WHY PEOPLE ITCH AND HOW TO STOP IT

October 23, 2024

There’s so much more compassion from doctors and family members,” Shawn Kwatra of the University of Maryland School of Medicine told me. Itch, he added, “is just not respected.” Perhaps doctors do not respect it because, until recently, they did not really understand it.

Supreme Court powerhouse aligns with tribe to stop copper mine

October 23, 2024

The Apache Stronghold has asked the Supreme Court to block Resolution Copper from digging up more than a billion tons of copper. If the mine moves forward, the land could subside, creating a depression more than 1,000 feet deep and almost 2 miles wide. “This is the route environmentalists should be taking in trying to establish these strategic alliances,” said Robert Percival, director of the environmental law program at the University of Maryland.

Anne Arundel County schools warn parents about rise in whooping cough cases

October 23, 2024

Anne Arundel County Public Schools are warning parents about a rise in whooping cough cases. The district has identified three cases since Sept. 10. Dr. Esther Liu, from the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, says whooping cough is preventable with vaccines.

The Latest in New and Emerging Therapies in Schizophrenia: Dr Megan Ehret

October 22, 2024

In September, the FDA approved the first new schizophrenia treatment in decades.1 Cobenfy (xanomeline and trospium chloride) has a new mechanism of action, and there is a lot of potential for this drug in treating patients with schizophrenia, said Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, professor and codirector of the Mental Health Program, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy.

UM School of Nursing kicks off $5M collaborative to expand health equity initiatives in west Baltimore

October 22, 2024

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Tuesday announced it was awarded a five-year, $5 million Health Equities Resource communities (HERC) grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) to support the West Baltimore Reducing Inequities in Cardiovascular and Mental Health Collaborative-Stronger Together (RICH 2.0).

Groundbreaking for University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center

October 22, 2024

Governor Wes Moore joined elected officials and leadership from the University of Maryland Medical System for the groundbreaking of the UM Shore Regional Medical Center. The groundbreaking and major investment reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access and support for Maryland’s rural communities.

New rural health initiative by University of Maryland seeks to fill medical gap on Eastern Shore

October 18, 2024

Rural areas in Maryland have notoriously been medically underserved, according to the federal Health Resource and Services Administration. Students like Riaz are taking initiative to address these disparities and help close the medical disparity through the Rural Health Equity and Access Longitudinal Elective.

UMB breaks ground on $120M Social Work building downtown

October 18, 2024

The University of Maryland, Baltimore broke ground Thursday on a major new School of Social Work building on the westside of downtown.School of Social Work Judy Postmus said in a statement that "it will be a vibrant community hub where students, faculty, and local partners come together." School of Social Work Judy Postmus said in a statement that "it will be a vibrant community hub where students, faculty, and local partners come together."

9 Things You Should Do for Your Brain Health Every Day, According to Neurologists

October 17, 2024

Taking care of your cognitive health ought to be—well, a no-brainer. According to a survey published in March, 87% of Americans are concerned about age-related memory loss and a decline in brain function as they grow older, yet only 32% believe they can take action to help control that trajectory.

Democrats in Congress seek to prevent another Jan. 6 riot, protect Electoral College certification

October 15, 2024

A group of constitutional law experts told CBS News there's no specific prescription for such a political standoff in the Constitution itself.   

"The Constitution assumed a certain level of normality in our politics. But 'normal' may not describe our current politics," said University of Maryland constitutional law professor Mark Graber. 

Why few communities chose Baltimore’s high-risk, high-reward opioid legal strategy

October 8, 2024

Thousands of communities across the United States have sued pharmaceutical companies in the last decade, seeking accountability and money for an opioid crisis that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and forced governments to spend billions of dollars on drug treatment and other remediation efforts.

Solar panel install damages roof, leave thousands in damages

October 8, 2024

According to Jeff Sovern with the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, people usually don't read or understand the consumer contract's they're reading.

"If they don't understand something they should ask the provider and seller what it means and see what they say. Although if it comes to a dispute over what the provider says and what the contract says, the court will usually go with what the contract says," said Sovern. 

‘It’s safe’: VR program being used to help University of Maryland students identify life-threatening situations

October 1, 2024

Inside a computer science office in College Park, a retired firefighter studying to become a physician assistant at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, was with a patient when suddenly someone next to him put that patient in a life-threatening situation.

Kennedy Says Trump Will ‘Make Americans Healthy.’ His Record Suggests Otherwise.

August 27, 2024

When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed Donald J. Trump last week, he recounted speaking with the former president about "the issues that bind us together," including "having safe food and ending the chronic disease epidemic."Mr. Kennedy, a onetime environmental lawyer and longtime vaccine critic, insisted that a second Trump administration would lead to the elimination of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals in America's food and water supply.

Are DEI efforts in academic radiology under threat?

August 27, 2024

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in academic radiology are under threat as anti-DEI legislation continues to be introduced to the U.S. Congress, according to a research letter published August 26 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Marijuana use linked to higher heart attack, stroke risks

August 27, 2024

More older adults in the U.S. are turning to cannabis for stress relief, pain relief and help with other health issues. But new research suggests doing so could come with some heart risks. A large study published Feb. 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found a significant association between smoking, vaping or eating cannabis products and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, even when controlling for other cardiovascular risk factors.

'It's a blessing' How Baltimore's Live Near Your Work incentives keep people in the city

August 22, 2024

Some local universities and larger employers also believe the programs can help revitalize the areas around their campuses and offices.