Texas A&M University Health Science Center

08/19/2026

“Natural” doesn’t always mean low risk.

Some kratom products contain highly concentrated or synthetic 7-OH derivatives that can act powerfully on the brain’s opioid receptors—raising concerns about tolerance, physical dependence and potentially fatal respiratory depression.

So what is 7-OH, how is it different from natural kratom leaf and what are federal regulators doing about it?

Texas A&M Health’s Joy Alonzo, PharmD, breaks down what consumers and communities need to know.

Read the full story:

FacebookTweet In CBD and smoke shops and even some gas stations and corner stores across Texas, high-potency, opioid-like products marketed as kratom are sitting right on the counter and sold legally. The products are often packaged under “all-natural” branding, but beneath the positive packagin...

08/07/2026

Could a natural gut-derived molecule be the key to preventing post-traumatic epilepsy? 🧠

Texas A&M Health scientists are looking into how we can harness sodium butyrate—a molecule already produced naturally by the body—to give medicine an earlier, more effective way to heal traumatic brain injuries.

Our researchers from TAMU Medicine explain:

➡️ The science behind how a gut chemical shuts off inflammatory switches in the brain.
➡️ How early intervention can stop epilepsy before it starts, making seizures rarer and milder.
➡️ How directing the body's own natural power could change the landscape of post-injury care.

Dig into the science:

A natural therapy heals brains after traumatic injury, making seizures both harder to trigger and rarer, while pointing to a future that could cure epilepsy.

07/24/2026

Could thoughtfully designed spaces and nurse-led planning be the key to better ICUs?

International guidelines have lead to evidence-based layout standards, proving that physical space plays a major role in critical care outcomes.

Texas A&M College of Nursing researchers explain:
• The daily impact of natural light on staff alertness and patient healing
• How workflow barriers are eliminated when nurses help design patient rooms
• How lessons from COVID-19 are creating flexible layouts built for future surges

Read the full breakdown:

International guidelines developed with contributions from a Texas A&M University College of Nursing researcher confirm the importance of thoughtful intensive care unit (ICU) design and encourage the involvement of nurses in the process to improve workflow, safety and staff well-being.

07/23/2026

Is the New World screwworm a risk to human health?

Reports of the New World screwworm reemerging in the United States after a 44-year absence have raised questions—not just for livestock and wildlife, but for people, too.

Despite the name, the New World screwworm isn't a worm at all. It's the larval stage of a parasitic blow fly that can lay eggs in open wounds on warm-blooded animals, including humans, causing an infestation known as wound myiasis. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on living tissue.

Texas A&M Health experts answer common questions, including:

🪰 Who is most at risk?
🪰 Can a minor cut attract a fly?
🪰 What are the signs of a screwworm infestation?

Get answers to these questions and more at tx.ag/NWSHumans.

FacebookTweet Reports of the New World screwworm returning to the United States have renewed concerns. Driven northward from Central America and expanding across our southern borders, this parasitic fly has officially reemerged after a 44-year absence, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture...

07/21/2026

Heading to the park or gearing up for sports practice as school returns? ☀️ Don't let the heat catch you off guard.

As temperatures remain high across Texas, it's important to recognize the signs of heat illness, stay hydrated and take steps to exercise safely.

Learn more from a sports medicine physician and head team doctor for Texas A&M student-athletes: 🔗

Learn how to stay safe while exercising in the summer heat with advice from a Texas A&M team physician on hydration, heat illness and timing.

07/14/2026

Do rollers, massages and vibration plates really help your lymphatic system, or is it just a trend?

A lymphatic biology researcher at TAMU Medicine breaks down what works—and what doesn’t: tx.ag/LymphDrainage

07/09/2026

We often hear that alcohol is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. But new research from Texas A&M Health suggests the relationship may be more complex than previously understood.

In an animal study, researchers found that alcohol affected key brain circuits differently depending on the type of Alzheimer's-related brain changes present. The findings add to growing evidence that Alzheimer's disease is not one uniform condition—and that biology, genetics and lifestyle factors may all influence how the brain responds to alcohol.

While more research is needed to understand what this means for people, the study offers new insight into how everyday exposures may interact with brain health over time.

Learn more about this study from TAMU Medicine:

FacebookTweet Alcohol use has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. But new research from the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine at Texas A&M Health suggests the relationship between alcohol and Alzheimer’s disease is more complicated th...

07/04/2026

A historic Fourth of July! 🇺🇸
🎆 250 years of America.
👍 150 years of Texas A&M University.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate these milestones together. Happy Independence Day from our family to yours! How are you celebrating this special occasion? Let us know in the comments!

07/02/2026

Could your favorite summer traditions come with some hidden health quirks?

While we look forward to long pool days this 4th of July weekend, it turns out there is a lot hiding beneath the surface of our usual pool day routine.

Dr. Gabriel Neal from TAMU Medicine and our Family Care clinic separates poolside fiction from medical fact:

💧 Why a quick dip in the pool isn’t a substitute for a real post-swim shower
💧 The real culprits behind common summer skin and pelvic irritations
💧 Why some pool rules are myths and other safety habits are non-negotiable

Dive into it here:

FacebookTweet Summer is in full swing, and for many, this looks like long pool days. But along with the fun comes a wave of seasonal health warnings, internet rumors and old wives’ tales that can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed. To help separate fact from poolside fiction, we sat down with Gabrie...

07/01/2026

Don’t let itchy bug bites spoil your summer fun! 🦟☀️

From mosquito bites to tick troubles, experts from Texas A&M College of Nursing and Texas A&M AgriLife share easy ways to protect yourself and your family all season long. Get tips for choosing the right bug repellent, spotting dangerous bites and caring for mild irritation, so you can enjoy your summer worry-free.

Check out our guide to enjoying your time outdoors all season:

Pros offer their top tips for choosing the right bug spray, timing your outdoor adventure and knowing when to seek medical treatment.