Category: science

  • ACIP Meeting on Covid-19 Vaccines and Boosters Held on April 20, 2022

    ACIP Meeting on Covid-19 Vaccines and Boosters Held on April 20, 2022

    I got to listen to some of the presentations yesterday during the ACIP meeting on Covid-19 vaccines and boosters. My impression is that there seems to still be some discussion about what the most important goals of the vaccination program. Is it to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death? Or is it to prevent infection…

  • Looking Back on Gunslingers and Chess Masters

    Looking Back on Gunslingers and Chess Masters

    I was looking at an early version of the handbook of consultation-liaison psychiatry that eventually evolved into what was actually published by Cambridge University Press. I wrote virtually all of the early version and it was mainly for trainees rotating through the consult service. The published book had many talented contributors. I and my department…

  • Will A Stone Float On Water?

    Will A Stone Float On Water?

    I told the little story about a postop nurse asking me a CAM-ICU question (Will a stone float on water?) after I got back to the recovery room following my retinal detachment surgery last week. I got that one right by answering “No.” But for a split second—I had to think about it. Sena was…

  • To Boost or Not to Boost?

    To Boost or Not to Boost?

    To boost or not to boost? That is the question. I’m still thinking about whether or not it’s important for me to get the second booster for the COVID vaccine. What might help me decide is a little bit more information from University of Iowa Hospital epidemiologist Dr. Daniel Diekema, MD. The Omicron subvariant, BA.2,…

  • The Path to Asapiprant: Perspiration or Inspiration?

    The Path to Asapiprant: Perspiration or Inspiration?

    I just found a University of Iowa Health Care announcement about a potential novel treatment to protect older patients from the ravages of Covid-19 infection. According to the announcement: “An experimental drug that counters immune aging, effectively prevents death in older mice with severe COVID-19, suggesting it may have potential as a therapy to protect…

  • Third Video in the Uncovering Hawkeye History Series: “Endless Innovation: An R1 Research Institution (1948-1997)”

    Third Video in the Uncovering Hawkeye History Series: “Endless Innovation: An R1 Research Institution (1948-1997)”

    Here’s the video recording of the third session in the Uncovering Hawkey History Series: Endless Innovation: An R1 Research institution (1948-1997).” Enjoy!

  • Video of UI Breaking Barriers: Arts, Athletics, and Medicine (1898-1947)

    Video of UI Breaking Barriers: Arts, Athletics, and Medicine (1898-1947)

    Here is The University of Iowa video of the presentations from the February 8, 2022 Uncovering Hawkeye History series (2nd in the series), celebrating the 175th anniversary of the University of Iowa beginnings in 1847. The audio is fine on this one.

  • Thoughts on Near-Death Experiences

    Thoughts on Near-Death Experiences

    There is a very interesting Medscape article on Near Death Experiences (NDEs), “Young Doctor Explores Near-Death Experiences – Medscape – Jan 13, 2022.” The story was written by Stephanie Lavaud. It was a transcript of an interview with a general practitioner from, Francois Lallier, MD, PhD, from Reims University Hospital in France. He conducted a retrospective study on NDEs for his…

  • Update on “Endless Innovation: An R1 Research Institution (1948-1997)”

    Update on “Endless Innovation: An R1 Research Institution (1948-1997)”

    Last night’s webinar on Uncovering Hawkeye History, “Endless Innovation: An R1 Research Institution (1948-1997) was fascinating for us. Dr. Bruce Gantz kicked off the first presentation about his work in cochlear implant surgery. Business picked up for him as far as these procedures in the last year and a half partly because of the pandemic.…

  • Next Episode of Uncovering Hawkeye History Today

    Next Episode of Uncovering Hawkeye History Today

    Get ready for the next episode of The University of Iowa’s virtual event of Uncovering Hawkeye History this evening from 4:30-6:00 PM. The title for this one is “Endless Innovation: An R1 Research Institution (1948–1997).” According to the official announcement, “This event series is designed to highlight notable elements of UI’s 175-year history and includes…