New research from the University of Oklahoma identifies a protein in liver cells that appears to help drive the development of liver cancer associated with obesity-related fatty liver disease. The finding, published in Hepatology, points to the protein as a potential new therapeutic target for liver cancer.

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine has appointed Salar Faiazi, M.D., as assistant dean for clinical curriculum, effective Aug. 24. Faiazi was selected following a competitive search and will provide leadership for the college’s clinical curriculum during a period of significant transformation and growth in the medical program.

A newly funded study at the University of Oklahoma aims to increase prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening among Black men in Oklahoma, who die from prostate cancer at rates two to four times higher than other racial groups. An interactive app called Connect2Care may hold the key to early detection, which is crucial for improving survival.

Parents are an important line of defense against teen vaping, yet many lack the knowledge and tools needed to recognize vaping products, understand their risks and prevent their children from using them. A new University of Oklahoma study will examine whether targeted social media messages can give parents the information they need to help prevent their children from vaping nicotine and cannabis.

University of Oklahoma researcher Keenan Greyslak, Ph.D., has long been interested in how a mother’s diet during pregnancy and lactation may influence a child’s risk of developing metabolic diseases earlier and more severely as they age. With a new grant from the National Institutes of Health, he is furthering his investigations while taking another step toward a career in academic biomedical research.