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Research Saves Lives.

Every day, Duke's research is changing people’s lives across North Carolina and around the world. Duke researchers are pioneering cancer treatments, revolutionizing pediatric heart procedures, comprehending the aging brain, and more in an effort to save lives and improve the resiliency of patients and their families. Dive into the stories about how Duke research is impacting our communities.

Research Saves Lives

Federally Funded Research at Duke...

Psychological Distress, Cognitive Impairment Highly Prevalent in Veterans with Lung Cancer

Research from Duke Cancer Institute highlights the significant psychological distress experienced by veterans with lung cancer, with 67 percent of participants scoring above the distress threshold. This distress often manifests as sadness, worry, depression, and mental health disorders like anxiety and PTSD. The study also reveals that stigma surrounding lung cancer, especially due to smoking, may prevent patients from seeking care. These findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to better understand and address both the emotional and cognitive challenges faced by veteran lung cancer patients, which could improve engagement with supportive care, communication and ultimately save lives.

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)

Veteran Care

Creating Digital Twins to Save Lives

Amanda Randles, Alfred Winborne and Victoria Stover Mordecai Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, has developed software called HARVEY, which creates digital twins to simulate blood flow and red blood cell movement in the human body. This groundbreaking technology allows for non-invasive monitoring of a patient's blood flow using wearable devices like Fitbit or Apple Watch, potentially revolutionizing healthcare by enabling earlier detection of issues such as blockages in arteries. By reducing the need for invasive procedures, this innovation could lead to more efficient and personalized treatments, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Digital Twins

Caring for the Aging Brain

Duke School of Medicine Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience Dr. Heather Whitson’s research on the aging brain offers hope for improving the quality of life for seniors by not only addressing dementia but also enhancing overall health and resilience. Her work explores the impact of factors like brain trauma, chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases on brain aging, with a focus on early intervention to prevent dementia. Additionally, Whitson is pioneering approaches to improve resilience, helping older adults bounce back from health or life stressors and advocating for a reimagined healthcare system that better supports the needs of aging patients. This research could lead to more effective treatments, earlier diagnoses and a healthcare system better suited to support seniors as they age.

This work is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Brain Care

More from Duke...

Duke Earns Spot on Forbes 2025 List of America’s Best Large Employers

Duke University has been recognized as one of "America's Best Large Employers for 2025" by Forbes, ranking 144th among 701 employers. This marks the eighth time in ten years that Duke has made the list, reflecting its commitment to creating a positive work environment. The rankings are based on surveys of over 217,000 employees, evaluating factors like workplace atmosphere, development opportunities and compensation.

Employer of the Month

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