A retrospective study that analyzed patient data from OHSU and other hospitals finds that excimer laser sheaths can safely and successfully be used to retrieve filters from the inferior vena cava when they’re no longer needed to prevent blood clot movement: TCTMD, a publication of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

In an Oregonian story about the state nearly tripling the number of opioid overdose deaths from 2019 to 2021, Todd Korthuis, M.D., M.P.H., says increase in deaths coincides with the surge of illicit fentanyl into the state. He says, “It’s different from the things that have come before, because it’s more potent, it’s more addictive, and it’s cheap and easier to get.”

Dr. Peter Graven, lead forecaster on the pandemic for Oregon Health & Science University, issued his last 2022 forecast on Dec. 16.

Coverage of various Oregon reports related to respiratory illness prevalence notes OHSU’s Dec. 16 forecast predicts COVID-19 hospitalizations will continue to fall and begin to plateau in February or March.

The Hermiston Herald reports that the Stanfield Public Library in Umatilla County will partner with OHSU to promote walking and walkability in rural communities.

The Ophthalmologist publishes an essay by David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., that describes how finding the right research partners has helped him successfully commercialize optical coherence tomography and other eye-imaging technology.

Labroots covers research led by Adrienne Hughes, M.D., finding that cannabis use among adolescents has increased 245% since the year 2000.

A Dec. 16 Oregon Health & Science University forecast predicts COVID-19 hospitalizations will fall before starting to level off in February and March.

OHSU is receiving an $800,000 federal appropriation to better coordinate Oregon’s behavioral health services through the creation of a real-time capacity visibility tool called the Oregon Behavioral Health Coordination Center. Matthias Merkel, M.D., Ph.D., says: “We are working with unprecedented collaboration in order to better connect Oregon’s fragmented and under-resourced behavioral health services, improve access for Oregonians, and support providers at every level of care.”

Cryo-electron microscopy research led by Eric Gouaux, Ph.D., that revealed the molecular machinery by which hearing occurs in the inner ear, is included in OPB’s roundup of top science news for December.