Research
Researchers find 2.8% of pregnancies were exposed to opioids
New study of opioid use among pregnant people finds that 2.8% of pregnancies were exposed to opioids. Lead researcher Ruby Nguyen says “the findings of this study can be useful in future efforts to reduce opioid use during pregnancy and limit the negative consequences of fetal exposure to opioids.”
Research shows public health agencies are critically understaffed
The researchers provide peer-reviewed evidence that to meet a minimum level of public health needs, local and state health departments across the country need to hire 80% more FTEs over pre-pandemic levels.
By analyzing online digital footprints, researchers seek early indicators of cognitive impairment
Researchers will examine how the linguistic, syntactic, or behavioral markers of digital footprints could provide early evidence of cognitive impairment and dementia.
Researchers to develop a Genomic Data Commons, a central hub for sharing and harmonizing genomic data
The Genomic Data Commons will provide a local genomic data hub and set of analytic tools that will be useful for a variety of researchers throughout the University of Minnesota
Combining data to identify potential causes and treatment targets of disease
Assistant Professor Sandra Safo received a grant from the NIH to develop methods and software for combining data from multiple sources that could identify potential molecular targets — or “biomarkers” — of disease, and identify disease subtypes.
Study finds that growth in hospital-pharmacy contracts to distribute discounted drugs is poorly aligned with community need
Research from Associate Professor Sayeh Nikpay found that hospitals are contracting with pharmacies to offer discounted drugs through a safety-net program in areas where patients who rely on the program are less likely to reside.
Adolescent use of muscle-building supplements linked to later steroid use and other issues
The study co-authored by Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer found that young people who used protein supplements were also two to five times more likely to use steroids.
Medicaid expansion had little effect on preventing the closure of hospital obstetric services
Research from Assistant Professor Caitlin Carroll found that expansion reduced hospital closures, but only among hospitals that did not have obstetric units.
International study shows risk factors in childhood are related to cardiovascular events in adulthood
Professor David Jacobs co-led a study that found children with only mildly elevated body mass index, blood pressure or lipids, and youth who start smoking may be at higher risk for adult cardiovascular disease.
Research explores rural hospital administrators’ beliefs on offering obstetric care
The study led by Professor Katy Backes Kozhimannil found that administrators of U.S. rural hospitals providing obstetric care reported needing at least 200 annual births for safety and financial viability.
U of M researchers find that losartan is not effective in reducing COVID-19 lung injuries
The University research team — which included Division of Biostatistics researchers Joseph Koopmeiners, Thomas Murray, and Helen Voelker — found that the blood pressure medication did not protect the lungs of patients admitted with COVID-19, and had no effect on mortality.
