Research

Nov. 18, 2020

MU research project to study COVID-19 immunity

Scientists conducting an interdisciplinary research project at the University of Missouri are taking blood draws of MU students, faculty and staff who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 to examine their antibody levels over a period of time. The project is designed to better understand how the human body’s immune system responds to COVID-19 post-infection. “We have learned a lot about this disease over the past several months, but there is more that needs to be understood – for instance, how do different members of the population – particularly the younger, college-age demographic who are relatively highly socially active, develop immunity to…

Nov. 11, 2020

Detecting Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms arise

MU researcher develops procedures to help identify early signs of cognitive decline Both of Andrew Kiselica’s grandfathers developed dementia when he was in graduate school. As Kiselica was going through neuropsychology training in graduate school, he saw his mother’s father become unable to walk or speak due to severe dementia. The University of Missouri researcher said that personal experience has motivated his work to identify and prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.   Now an assistant professor of health psychology, Kiselica recently finished a study that has resulted in procedures for defining the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Since there are…

Oct. 30, 2020

When The 1918 Flu Pandemic Canceled Halloween, Missouri Got Creative (St. Louis Public Radio)

The coronavirus pandemic has affected numerous holidays in the United States already this year, and next on the chopping block is Halloween. It’s a familiar tale: In 1918, Halloween was officially canceled due to the flu pandemic. The Oct. 31, 1918, edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat declared: “Even the spirits must respect the influenza ban.” That fall marked the second and worst wave of the 1918 flu pandemic. The mortality rate was higher than that of the ongoing coronavirus spread and significantly higher than a normal flu’s. The Missouri State Board of Health warned against…

Oct. 27, 2020

Mizzou Physical Therapy Highlighted at the Educational Leadership Conference

Kirsten Mack, DPT Congratulations to the physical therapy faculty and students who recently presented research on the scholarship of teaching and learning at the virtual Educational Leadership Conference through the American Physical Therapy Association in October. Mizzou was well represented at this national event, with five presentations exploring ways to enhance outcomes on teaching and learning in physical therapy education. Please see below for a list of presentations by physical therapy faculty and students: TitleAuthors Differences in Self-Reported Health Literacy Practices Amongst First, Second, and Third-Year Physical Therapy Students Briedwell T,…

Oct. 14, 2020

Improving health care autonomy for young adults with autism

Independence has always been a driving force in Nancy Cheak-Zamora’s life. Now an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Health Professions, she grew up undiagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disorder that can lead to difficulty reading. “Although I wasn’t receiving all the assistance or services I probably needed because I was undiagnosed, I always had supportive people in my life who encouraged me and gave me opportunities to be successful,” Cheak-Zamora said. “That encouragement fundamentally allowed me to take on more independence and work through challenges in a way that has helped me succeed in both academia…

Oct. 7, 2020

DMU Students and Faculty Recognized at SDMS Conference

Oct. 7, 2020 Several DMU students and faculty were recognized for their work at this year’s Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Conference. The conference featured an awards presentation, a keynote speech from the SDMS founder and presentations regarding advancements and best practices in sonography. Annie Hurst and Annie Lewis were awarded in the Original Research category of the W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Award. This award is given to students demonstrating outstanding achievement in diagnostic medical sonography writing. Hurst was the first-place winner in the category for her paper, “The Impact of Sex and Height on Femoral Intercondylar Width as…

Sep. 29, 2020

A retrospective view of COVID-19

A multidisciplinary research project at the University of Missouri is collecting survey data and voluntary blood samples from a randomized sample population of MU students, faculty and staff to examine the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in the MU community. The goal is to better understand how well the MU community is responding to risk mitigation strategies already in place, as well as provide researchers with valuable information regarding individuals’ immune system responses to the coronavirus after exposure. “The risk survey asks individuals about behaviors and activities they have engaged in during the past few months, as well as their perceptions about COVID-19…

Aug. 18, 2020

PT students present at National Strength and Conditioning Association Conference

The Department of Physical Therapy wants to highlight the work of multiple physical therapy students who recently presented their research at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) national conference. Although the 2020 NSCA pivoted to a virtual format this year, the Department of Physical Therapy was well represented with presentations by Abbie Moore (Class of 2021), Enoch Yee (Class of 2022), and Cal Lawanson (Class of 2021). Cal Lawanson’s project titled, “Differences in Lateral Step-down Test Sagittal Plane Kinematics in Clients with a History of Lateral Ankle Sprain: Utilizing a Portable Motion Sensor,” focuses on using portable motion…

July 30, 2020

Physical Therapy faculty secure funding for interdisciplinary projects

July 30, 2020 The Department of Physical Therapy is proud to announce faculty members, Drs. Trent Guess and Becky Bliss as grant recipients of the 2020 Coulter Biomedical Accelerator Program. Since 2012, the Coulter Biomedical Accelerator Program has awarded grants to help promising medical discoveries transition from laboratory research to commercial investment and direct patient care. Specifically, Drs. Guess and Bliss will act as co-primary investigators on the development of the Mizzou Point-of-Care Assessment System (Mizzou-PASS). Aiming to address deficits in medical providers’ ability to complete multi-dimensional point-of-care concussion assessments, the Mizzou-PASS will measure postural control, motion analysis, and reaction…

July 21, 2020

Weightlifting with lighter weights at faster speeds can improve mobility and cardiovascular health for older adults, MU researcher finds

Stephen Sayers has been exploring the effectiveness of low weight, high-speed weightlifting on muscle performance and function in older adults.