A discovery by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University involves basic science research that won’t immediately lead to a new pill or treatment but is an example of an American commitment to medical research sustained over decades to advance human health.

Devanand Sarkar and a team of scientists at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center found that TAF2 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma patients compared to individuals with healthy livers. Through preclinical research, they discovered that TAF2 regulates the survival of hepatocytes—the functional cells of the liver—and tumor formation. Their study—recently published in the journal Hepatology—also demonstrates that TAF2 cooperates with the MYC gene, another known major driver of cancer, to accelerate tumor growth.

A new paper shows that exposure to certain metals, detected in urine, is associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF). It is the largest investigation of its kind to date, reinforcing the importance of reducing environmental metal exposure to reduce heart failure risk. While environmental metals are recognized as cardiovascular disease risk factors, until now the role of metal exposure in heart failure risk remained understudied.