Duke University School of Medicine

Through a generous estate gift to Duke, Brad and Catherine Branch have created an endowment to benefit both Duke Heart and Duke Cancer Institute (DCI).

“After success in career and life, leaving a legacy of good becomes important,” said Brad. “While simply leaving a portion of my estate on its own to a good cause would help, leaving money to Duke Health amplifies the benefit of any gift. My commitment, combined with that of many others, put to work at an organization with so many smart people making miracles happen every day, has an exponential effect. In mathematical terms, it's a gift raised to the power of Duke.”

By supporting DCI, Cathy honors the legacy of her late father, William W. Shingleton, MD. A pioneer in the field of oncology, Shingleton was influential in the development of the 1971 National Cancer Act, legislation that appropriated federal funds to build comprehensive cancer centers nationwide. He was also the first director of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center (now called the Duke Cancer Institute).

Cathy described her dad as a gentle giant. “He was a wonderful, caring, loving doctor, a very skilled surgeon, an incredible administrator, and a beautiful father,” she said. “He was dedicated to finding the cure for cancer.” Her gift is a way for her to honor her father and help find that cure.

An Enduring Gift: The Branch Endowment for Duke Heart and Duke Cancer Institute | Duke Health An Enduring Gift: The Branch Endowment for Duke Heart and Duke Cancer Institute Breadcrumb Home Why Give Meet Grateful Patients An Enduring Gift: The Branch Endowment for Duke Heart and Duke Cancer Institute It's all about leaving a legacy. That’s what Brad Branch said about establishing the Cath...

Our noses can effortlessly distinguish the aroma of coffee from the tang of gasoline, yet how they do it has long been a mystery.

In a study that appears Oct. 30 in Nature, scientists at Duke University School of Medicine, the University of California, San Francisco, and City of Hope provide a glimpse into the complex mechanics that enable the nose to decode an astonishing range of odors with precision.

“Every time you smell something like coffee or bread, you’re actually picking up hundreds of different odor molecules,” said co-senior author Hiroaki Matsunami, PhD, professor of molecular genetics and microbiology at Duke School of Medicine. “Our brain distinguishes various odors seamlessly, but understanding how that works at a molecular level has been a challenge.”

The Science of Smell:  Scientists Explore the Invisible World of Odors Scientists have decoded the nose’s power to sense an expansive array of odors.

Climate change has the potential to make fungi even more hazardous to our health. Asiya Gusa, PhD, is conducting research focused on how warming temperatures affect disease-causing fungi, particularly Cryptococcus.

Infectious Fungi Are Loving Global Warming | Duke Today Infectious Fungi Are Loving Global Warming Published October 11, 2024 Credits Veronique Koch Office of Communications and Marketing Tags Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Faculty Climate Change Schools School of Medicine Scholars Asiya Gusa Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiolog...

Did you know that blood pressure readings taken at home can better predict heart disease risk than those taken during doctor visits? But rather than crunching numbers to find an average from a long list of readings, a new study shows that a streamlined method called “home BP load” can help busy clinics quickly assess your hypertension risk. Doctors at Duke University School of Medicine and the UNC School of Medicine say focusing on the number of high readings – those above 130 mmHg – can tell them what they need to know about how well your blood pressure is controlled and if treatments are working. “Most of the time, clinicians are tasked with trying to average a list of blood pressure measurements brought in by patients,” said Anthony J. Viera, MD, chair of the Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. “These lists can sometimes be quite lengthy, which makes it time-consuming during a busy and brief office visit. This approach—counting the number of readings above threshold—is much simpler.”

New Home Blood Pressure Method May Simplify Hypertension Treatment (DURHAM, NC) Blood pressure measured at home is a better predictor of heart disease risk than blood pressure (BP) measured during doctor visits, but finding time to review a long list of home blood pressure readings during primary care appointments can be a challenge. A new study from Duke Universit...

There's an alarming rise of chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu) in rural communities, particularly among agricultural workers. Researchers Nishad Jayasundara , PhD, and nephrologist Anna Strasma , MD, are investigating why healthy individuals, especially men working in hot, dry conditions, are developing severe kidney failure without traditional risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.

The research aims to uncover the root causes and find ways to protect vulnerable populations from this debilitating disease.

Duke Global Health Institute - DGHI

A Rising Tide of Kidney Disease in Rural Communities A new wave of kidney disease is ravaging rural farming communities across the globe, and climate change may be at its heart.

A drug commonly used to prevent asthma attacks does not speed recovery from symptoms of mild to moderate -19, a national study coordinated by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Duke Clinical Research Institute has found.

Montelukast, which is prescribed to prevent and treat asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, has anti-inflammatory effects and may have direct anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2. A few small clinical studies have suggested that it may reduce symptoms after COVID-19 infection.

The findings underscore the ongoing challenges in identifying effective COVID-19 therapies for those managing the virus at home rather than in the hospital. While several antiviral drugs have emerged for hospitalized patients, treatments for those experiencing milder symptoms remain limited.

Asthma Drug Shows No Benefit for Mild to Moderate COVID-19, Study Finds In large clinical trial led by Duke School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University, Montelukast failed to cut COVID-19 recovery time. As the pandemic shifts there's a need for treatment options for people managing the virus at home instead of the hospital.

Joseph Heitman, MD, PhD, James B. Duke Professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

Heitman Elected to National Academy of Medicine Joseph Heitman, MD, PhD, James B. Duke Professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes in...

After 15 years working as a freelance photographer shooting portraits, events, sports, and food and beverages, Kathleen Warren never imagined herself in a medical field. But in 2013, a friend’s suggestion led her to explore ophthalmic photography. Today, she’s a vital part of the team at Duke Eye Center, using her visual skills to help patients see better.

“If you think about it, our eyes are our camera lenses to the world,” Warren said. “The way that we perceive light, the way that we see things, the signals that we get, our color palettes, all of it, are basically like a camera.”

Through the Lens Duke University Hospital ophthalmic photographer Kathleen Warren, CPT, OCT-C, works at the intersection of medicine and art to understand eye health.

ACL injuries are common yet complex. Lou DeFrate, PhD, and team are using advanced imaging to uncover the mechanics behind these injuries, aiming to improve prevention and recovery.

The Hidden Science of ACL Injuries ACL tears are the most common knee injury, and Duke University School of Medicine orthopedics professor Lou DeFrate, PhD, is uncovering the mechanics behind them. His research could transform how athletes protect their knees and recover from injuries.

Joanne A.P. Wilson, MD, professor emeritus of Medicine, receives the UNC Trailblazer Award for her pioneering contributions to medicine and education.

Wilson Honored with UNC Trailblazer Award The Trailblazer Award recognizes a Black alumnus of the University of North Carolina who paved the way for African Americans during the first 20 years of integration at Carolina.

A groundbreaking moment at Duke! A young father from Graham, NC, becomes the second person in the world to receive a BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart. https://bit.ly/3BwIoqT

Duke Transplant Team Helps Pioneer Total Artificial Heart | Duke Today Image Heart patient Donavan Harbison walks with his wife Lindsey Harbison following the operation. Caption Close Image Heart patient Donavan Harbison walks with his wife Lindsey Harbison following the operation. Duke Transplant Team Helps Pioneer Total Artificial Heart A Graham man became the second...

Congratulations to Derek Southwell, who received a New Innovator award from NIH for a project to study neural circuits in the human brain.

Derek Southwell receives NIH Director’s New Innovator Award to study neural circuits in the human brain Derek Southwell, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Duke Department of Neurosurgery and surgical director of Duke’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, has received the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Richard Brennan's 13-year tenure as chair of the Department of Biochemistry has been marked by exceptional leadership, groundbreaking research, and a deep commitment to mentorship. Under Dr. Brennan’s guidance, the department has attracted top-tier talent and fostered an environment of collaboration and innovation.

An Intentional Mentor: Richard G. Brennan Steps Down After 13 Years as Biochemistry Chair Richard G. Brennan, PhD, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, can count many successes during his 13 years as chair of the Duke Department of Biochemistry, including celebrating two Nobel Laureates from the department, as well as playing a pivotal role in bringing the vital technol...

After a life-changing car accident, Brooke May Taylor’s inspiring recovery journey, supported by Duke Neurology, led her family to make a generous gift for brain injury research.

The Road to Recovery | Duke Health The Road to Recovery Breadcrumb Home The Road to Recovery On April 24, 2016, everything changed for the May family.Brooke May Taylor ’98 was driving in downtown Seattle when a city ambulance ran a red light, struck her car, and spun it into a traffic signal box and a tree. Brooke suffered a traum...

This month, the Office of Student Affairs is offering two mock interviews for our MS4s entering residency interview season, and an exploration into unconventional careers in medicine!

The city of Durham, along with many from the Duke Health community, came together to celebrate inclusion, community, family, pride, and advocacy at Pride: Durham, NC 2024. Duke Health was a presenting sponsor of the event, which was held September 28-29.

The festivities held in downtown Durham on Saturday included performances, food trucks, and a pop-up market featuring numerous vendors. A total of 13 units from Duke Health participated in the pop-up market.

Duke Health and Durham Celebrate Pride The city of Durham, along with many from the Duke Health community, came together to celebrate inclusion, community, family, pride, and advocacy at Pride: Durham, NC 2024. Duke Health was a presenting sponsor of the event, which was held September 28-29. The festivities held in downtown Durham on Sa...

Dalia Antunez takes great satisfaction in using her strengths – particularly relationship-building – both in her professional role with the Duke Cancer Institute and as a leader with the employee resource group, ¡DALHE!

Antunez shares her many responsibilities with the DCI Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity, from making sure that cancer patients get the services they need to analyzing data to help DCI better engage with the community. She also describes how ¡DALHE! is helping to build community and expand professional networks for Duke’s Hispanic/Latiné employees and allies. She also gives us a glimpse into her interests outside of Duke, including her love of exercise and visiting local teahouses and coffee shops.

EDI Spotlight: Dalia Antunez, MSW As a leader with the employee resource group, ¡DALHE!, Dalia Antunez is helping to build community and expand professional networks for Duke’s Hispanic/Latiné employees and allies.

A new study led by a Duke graduate student points the way toward strategies for developing more targeted and effective treatments for patients suffering from , which can cause serious, even life-threatening, bleeding.

Evon DeBose-Scarlett, a graduate student in the lab of Doug Marchuk, PhD, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, is the lead author on a study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics that sheds light on the genetic causes behind the vascular malformations that are seen in HHT.

"There's a growing body of evidence suggesting that most vascular malformations have a genetic origin," DeBose-Scarlett said. "This work contributes to a larger understanding of how these malformations develop and reinforces the idea that genetics play a key role in their formation."

Read more about this study.

Closing in on the Causes of a Dangerous Bleeding Disorder A new study led by a Duke graduate student points the way toward strategies for developing more targeted and effective treatments for patients suffering from Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which can cause serious, even life-threatening, bleeding.

Duke researchers are studying the increasing use of and ***co among those seeking pain relief. Using brain scans, they're investigating how these substances affect pain and whether they might contribute to worsening pain symptoms.
Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Pain Paradox: How Substance Use May Worsen Chronic Pain Duke researchers are studying the increasing use of cannabis and to***co among people seeking pain relief. Using brain scans, they're investigating how these substances affect pain and whether they might contribute to worsening pain symptoms.

A study led by the lab of Donald McDonnell, PhD, has answered a puzzle in prostate cancer treatment: why does blocking testosterone production halt tumor growth in early disease, while elevating testosterone can delay disease progression in patients whose disease had advanced? The results will help inform treatment protocols and efforts to develop advanced therapies.

Study Solves Testosterone’s Paradoxical Effects in Prostate Cancer DURHAM, N.C. – A treatment paradox has recently come to light in prostate cancer: Blocking testosterone production halts tumor growth in early disease, while elevating the hormone can delay disease progression in patients whose disease has advanced.The inability to understand how different levels ...

: A critical shortage of vaccines and antivirals is driving an outbreak of in sub-Saharan Africa, a situation the World Health Organization recently called a global health emergency. But social and political instability in the region where the virus is spreading may complicate efforts to control it, says Chris Beyrer, MD, director of the Duke Global Health Institute.

Lack of Vaccines, Social Instability Are Fueling Mpox Crisis in Africa Lack of Vaccines, Social Instability Are Fueling Mpox Crisis in Africa Threat of a pandemic remains low, but international collaboration is needed to contain the virus, DGHI expert says. A vial of vaccine for mpox, the virus previously known as monkeypox. Photo from iStock By Michael Penn Published....