Review shows minimal evidence that dietary supplements lead to weight loss
June 23, 2021 Although Americans spend billions on them, published research shows a lack of strong evidence that dietary supplements and alternative therapies help adults lose weight.
New universal vaccine effectively targets coronaviruses
June 22, 2021 Scientists at the UNC Gillings School have developed a universal vaccine that could protect against COVID-19, its variants — and the next coronavirus pandemic.
Metabolic clues could serve as early predictors of pregnancy complications, inform nutritional intervention
June 18, 2021 A team of Gillings School nutrition researchers recently identified certain changes in a person’s metabolism, that, if found early in a pregnancy, can more accurately predict whether a mother may experience pregnancy-related hypertension or preterm birth than other known risk factors.
Gertner receives AcademyHealth award for research to improve treatment of opioid use disorder
June 8, 2021
Dr. Alex Gertner, an alumnus of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, received an Annual Award from AcademyHealth for research into the use of effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Medicaid beneficiaries. His research provides evidence for increasing access to and improving the quality of treatment of OUD with buprenorphine.
Ancestral diversity affects biomarkers of kidney function, study finds
June 3, 2021 DNA methylation (DNAm) is known to be linked with kidney function, but earlier research had not revealed whether human diversity affects this association. Now, a study has reported several new trans-ethnic and ethnic-specific DNAm associations with kidney function. This is an important finding for public health because it informs future steps to understand and address epigenomic diversity.
COVID-19 simulation shows importance of continued safety efforts during vaccine distribution
June 2, 2021 A team of researchers, led by a Gillings School alumnus, has produced a mathematical simulation that evaluates how many COVID-19 cases could be avoided in North Carolina if more people get vaccinated and follow mask and physical distancing guidelines.
Gillings School students on the front lines of humanitarian health
June 1, 2021 The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health launched the Humanitarian Health Initiative to leverage the School’s global health expertise in support of humanitarian efforts around the world. A new series of internships tapped students to contribute to HHI efforts.
At inaugural symposium, UNC experts seek to improve research on causes of obesity
June 1, 2021 To understand and improve the science used to develop multi-faceted treatment strategies for obesity, experts at UNC convened the first annual Interdisciplinary Nutrition Sciences Symposium in 2019. They have recently published their findings from this conference in Advances in Nutrition.
Hursting named director of UNC Nutrition Research Institute
June 1, 2021 Dr. Stephen Hursting has been named the next director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, N.C.
In South Africa, a tax on unhealthy beverages is changing what people drink
May 27, 2021 A UNC-Chapel Hill study of beverage consumption in a South African township shows that a country-wide tax on sugary beverages has worked to influence more healthy personal choices, with individuals reporting a reduction in the amount of sugar they drink.
