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NEWS
Longhorned Tick Discovered in Northern Missouri for First Time, MU Researchers Find
Discovery indicates looming problem for cattle health in the Midwest. The Longhorned tick causes the loss of millions of dollars in agricultural revenue to cattle producers worldwide, and it is now in northern Missouri. Originally found in eastern Russia and the Australasian region, this tick was first found in the United States in 2017 in New Jersey. It has since reached the Mid-Atlantic, New England and Midwestern regions of the U.S., and now has been discovered in northern Missouri for the first time by researchers at the University of Missouri. Last year, the Longhorned tick was found in the southern…
Prenatal Opioid Exposure May Trigger Neurological, Behavioral Changes Later in Life
MU study links changes in gut bacteria to prenatal exposure to oxycodone, a commonly abused opioid during pregnancy. While infants exposed to opioids during their mother’s pregnancy have been linked to adverse health outcomes, a new study at the University of Missouri has found prenatal opioid exposure could trigger long-term neurological or behavioral effects later in a child’s life. The key is the opioid’s impact on the developing fetus’ gut microbiome – a collection of bacteria and other microorganisms that naturally live inside the guts of all humans and animals and can serve as a barometer for overall health and…
Clever COVID-19
MU researchers show how the evolving virus evades antibodies from vaccines, previous infections. As new Omicron subvariants of COVID-19 continue to sweep across the United States, researchers at the University of Missouri have identified specific mutations within the virus’ spike protein that help Omicron subvariants evade existing antibodies humans have from either vaccines or previous COVID-19 infections. These mutations help explain why some people are continuing to test positive for the coronavirus, which, like most viruses, continues to evolve. The findings can help developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines consider which parts of the virus to target going forward to…
CVM Faculty Innovations in 2021
MU College of Veterinary Medicine CVM faculty members were able to make discoveries and generate innovations in myriad areas in 2021 thanks in part to their access to a unique combination of resources and disciplines at Missouri’s largest public research university. Researchers who believe they have an innovation with commercial potential report their inventions to the Office of Technology and Advancement, which evaluates each invention for novelty, utility and market potential after discussions with contributors and an analysis of scientific and patent literature, potential competitors and other factors. CVM Innovators with Patents, Commercial Agreements, Startup Companies and First Product Sales…
MU ReCHAI Finds Important Effects of Pet Ownership on Families of Children with Autism
April is Autism Awareness Month, and the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine is conducting studies focused on the disorder. Autism, as defined by Autism Speaks, an advocacy charity dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families, is a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. The spectrum of severity varies greatly among those who are affected. Gretchen Carlisle, PhD, a research scientist at ReCHAI, has been studying children with autism and pets for 10 years,…
Three MU Faculty Named 2021 AAAS Fellows
Three professors at the University of Missouri have been named 2021 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for their distinguished efforts in advancing various fields of science. The recipients are: Lee-Ann H. Allen, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and the George Trimble Endowed Chair for Excellence in Medicine in the MU School of Medicine Susan Renoe, associate vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in the Office of Research and Economic Development, assistant professor of strategic communication in the Missouri School of Journalism, and executive director of the Center for Advancing…
MU Study Identifies Mutations Specific to Omicron Variant
Findings show impact of mutations on pre-existing antibodies among vaccinated individuals, those who previously tested positive. While the Omicron variant continues to infect people around the world, researchers at the University of Missouri have identified the highly prevalent, specific mutations that are causing the Omicron variant’s high rate of infection. The findings help explain how the new variant can escape pre-existing antibodies present in the human body, either from vaccination or naturally from a recent COVID-19 infection. “We know that viruses evolve over time and acquire mutations, so when we first heard of the new Omicron variant, we wanted to…
Study: BPA Exposure of the Placenta Could Affect Fetal Brain Development
University of Missouri scientists examine how the transfer of bisphenol A (BPA) from mother to child could affect fetal brain development. In a new study, scientists at the University of Missouri demonstrate the direct transmission of bisphenol A (BPA) from a mother to her developing child via the placenta could negatively impact fetal brain development. Cheryl Rosenfeld, a professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and colleagues propose more attention should be placed on how this temporary organ affects fetal brain development. “The placenta is only a temporary organ that aids in the exchange of nutrients and…
MU Research Reactor Still Breaking New Ground in Fifth Decade of Operation
Two recent milestones in development of cancer treatments shine a spotlight on the most powerful university research reactor in America. After more than 50 years supporting research and industry as the most powerful university research reactor in the country, the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is still making waves. The reactor, now in its 55th year of operation, was recently a part of two major milestones in the development of cutting-edge cancer therapies. Therasphere, a groundbreaking form of treatment for a certain type of liver cancer that was invented and patented by both MU and Missouri University of Science…
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