Health and Human Services News

Turning resources into research

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Misinformation in the health care community can be deadly, especially amidst a global health crisis.

One recent case of misinformation linked wearing disposable masks to harmful levels of carbon dioxide (C02) in pediatric participants.

The article, published in the Journal of American Medical Association: Pediatrics edition, was retracted a week after its publication due to inaccurate research. This left a need for accurate insight into the subject.

Dr. Patrick Brooks, assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University, and Dr. Jill Layman, assistant professor in MSU’s School of Anesthesia, are working to provide real data.

MSU researchers step in

While the original study focused on C02 levels behind the mask of an individual, Brooks and Layman’s study will measure the concentration of C02 in subjects’ exhaled air. The exhaled level of C02 correlates with the level of CO2 in the body.

This exhaled air will be collected by a nasal cannula, the small plastic tube commonly worn to deliver oxygen to pediatric and adult patients.

“We are very fortunate at Missouri State to have advanced technology, including an anesthesia machine with all of the monitoring capabilities, that will allow us to conduct research here on campus,” Layman said.

The study’s protocol recently received Institutional Review Board approval, meaning the researchers will move forward with their work soon.

Participate in the study

Brooks and Layman hope to recruit 80 adult and 80 child subjects for the research effort.

“The study is set up in a way that will allow parents and children to participate,” Brooks said. “It’s important to note that the monitoring devices involved are harmless, which we hope to make clear by walking parents and children through the use of them together.”

Consent will be obtained from all adults who wish to participate, and parents will need to provide consent for their children.

In addition, researchers will obtain “assent” from the children, meaning they will explain the study to the children and obtain their permission.

The research study is expected to begin within the next two weeks after recruiting test subjects.

Participate in the study

A new place to play

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Have you noticed a new workout area behind McDonald Arena?

The workout station, called THRIVE, was commissioned by the kinesiology department at Missouri State University, in collaboration with GameTime. It will be used for research with GameTime and for Missouri State students. 

MSU is one of three universities across the country using this kind of equipment for research in partnership with GameTime.  

THRIVE is also open for public use.  

The station includes a QR code to scan for free workouts. 

Explore training with THRIVE

Partnerships built to improve quality of life

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MSU Care is a free and charitable clinic that serves an underserved, unisured population within the community.

Jaime Gnau, clinical dietician at MSU Care and also clinical instructor of MSU’s dietetics program, talks about her role at the clinic.

“A lot of my work focuses around diabetes, weight management and developing a healthy relationship with food,” Gnau said.

The clinic is a partnership with Mercy, with employees from both institutions working side by side.

Gnau shares about the challenges patients are facing and how she helps them.

See if you qualify

“Our patients have a lot of barriers. So as you can imagine, they’re fighting fires every day. They deal with challenges of just meeting their basic needs,” Gnau said.

Improving health care access

“As a dietician, it’s really about helping them set achievable goals,” she said. “When you’re not able to pay your electric bill, or you’re not even able to have a house to access, a stove to cook on, to be able to store refrigerated foods – we really are focusing in on what is within your control. Let’s see how we can develop some some small achievable goals that you feel confident you can reach.”

Changing services during COVID

Gnau served on a task force to strategize about the necessary adaptations for services during COVID. Instead of feeling defeated, she is excited to share about some of the new partnerships – primarily one for food boxes.

“If you don’t have a consistent food source while you’re on insulin, it can be very dangerous,” she said.

When she reached out to Ozarks Food Harvest and explained the needs and types of food that would be best, she was in awe.

“They just absolutely came through. We’ve served 30,427 pounds of food since the program began,” she said, and the partnership continues.

For more information, visit msucare.missouristate.edu.

Read transcript

Turning heartache into a thriller

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In 2017, Dallas Massey lost his brother to pneumonia. With an interest in writing, he used that tragedy as an inspiration to write a book.

Growing up, Massey, who’s a per course faculty  in the department of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University, had a childhood full of obstacles. But even after being diagnosed with a genetic disease, he and his late brother, Dillon, still found a way to enjoy life through their love for science, and letting their imaginations run wild.

Using science knowledge to tell stories

Massey’s writing resulted in his science fiction series, “Fall Prey.”  It combines his passion for science and his love for vampire stories.

“When I was younger, the ‘Twilight’ books never appealed to me, and I always wanted to write an even better vampire series,” said Massey, a Seymour, Missouri, native. “I took about six weeks to grieve the loss of my brother, then I began writing.”

The three-part trilogy includes: “Fall Prey: The Hunt,” “Fall Prey: The Attack” and “Fall Prey: The Kill.”

Find Fall Prey: The Hunt on Amazon

A personal connection to the characters

The series follows Asher Blackthorn, a young, weary police officer whose brother recently died from complications  of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy.

Blackthorn’s world turns to chaos after encountering a vampire.

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles. Massey and Dillon were both diagnosed with the disease at an early age.

“Growing up, my brother and I were like normal brothers in that we fought a lot,” said Massey.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in cell and molecular biology  from MSU.

“But as our disease progressed, we became best friends.”

Continuing the “Fall Prey” series

Book two of the series is expected to be released in March 2022, with the third  to follow in August 2022.

Read more about the “Fall Prey” series.