Innovation for the Human Experience
At the University of Denver, our research is centered on people and addressing the most pressing challenges we face in every stage of life. From improving maternal mental health to positively impact newborn health outcomes to identifying molecules that halt the progression of dementia, our work provides the tools, knowledge and technology for people to thrive at all ages. Our innovative research turns discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit our community and the world. Innovation at DU ensures that we live longer, fuller and more vibrant lives.
Middle-Age: How DU Research is Improving Health, Mobility and Relationships
With people worldwide living longer, middle age is a time to thrive. Researchers at the University of Denver are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing this age group, from improving medical outcomes to preserving mobility to strengthening long-term relationships.
Innovating Early Cancer Detection and Treatment
For many, the hallmarks of entering this stage of life are health issues, specifically cancer. More than 2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year, and more than one-third of them are between the ages of 45 and 65. With early detection saving more lives than ever, new, efficient diagnostic tools are crucial.
Associate professor Dali Sun and his team at the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science developed a cutting-edge miniature spectrometer, a device that detects cancer cells by measuring how they absorb polarized light. Unlike traditional spectrometers, which can be as large as a refrigerator and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Sun’s innovation is smaller than a shoebox, portable and 300 times more affordable.
But Sun’s team at the Ritchie School’s BioSun Lab didn’t stop at early detection. They also developed a groundbreaking approach to treating pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease, responsible for nearly 50,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Sun’s team discovered that pancreatic tumor cells expel two types of amino acids typically acquired through diet.
“We found the [pancreatic] tumor cells have several different features that can be detected by engineering methods — and, based on those features, we designed treatment,” Sun says.
Working on the theory that these cancer cells reject the amino acids for a reason, Sun’s team reintroduced them as stressors to the tumor. Their research found that a specific mixture of amino acids could stress the cancer cells to the point of collapse, effectively inhibiting tumor growth. Since amino acids are simple molecules, this treatment could prove far more affordable than traditional chemotherapy, with significantly fewer side effects on patients' quality of life.
Keeping People on the Move
Researchers at DU are also addressing the mobility challenges that come after decades of physical activity. The Center for Orthopaedic Biomechanics is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through research on joint mechanics, human motion, musculoskeletal modeling, computational biomechanics, wearable sensor systems and implant device testing.
“DU’s a unique site because the labs complement each other,” says researcher Corey Myers. “We're able to take a question and come at it from different directions to have a comprehensive solution or description of what we're after.”
One example is Professor Chadd Clary’s contributions to changes in hip replacement surgery. Traditionally, hip replacements require large incisions and extensive muscle separation to access the joint, making for a long and painful recovery. Clary’s team is developing a more direct surgical path that reduces muscle disruption through smaller incisions.
Because this less-invasive approach limits the surgeon’s view, Clary’s team is also pioneering the use of specially designed surgical tables that allow for mid-procedure adjustments to pelvic orientation and real-time X-rays to confirm implant placement. This technique can potentially improve recovery times and long-term outcomes for millions of Americans needing hip replacements.
Strengthening Long-Term Relationships
As people reach midlife, relationships evolve and, sometimes, face challenges. Marriages that have lasted for decades require new tools to keep communication strong and resolve conflicts effectively.
Psychology professor Galena Rhoades recently published the fourth edition of “Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Building a Lasting Love.” Co-written with fellow DU psychology faculty Howard Markman and Scott Stanley, the book is a practical guide for couples at any stage of their relationship. Rhoades describes it as a “how-to” manual for relationships, akin to an employee handbook for a new job or a parenting guide for new parents.
“All of us are couples therapists, and we have seen so many couples who feel like they're at the end, that they don't have any hope left,” Rhoades says. “And these are exactly the kind of skills that can really turn things around for a couple if they are really struggling.”
With over 375,000 copies sold, Fighting for Your Marriage has helped countless couples build stronger relationships through effective communication and conflict resolution techniques. The strategies it presents are particularly valuable for couples navigating the ups and downs of long-term partnerships.
With innovative research that has real-world impact, DU is helping people embrace midlife. The greater their stability and holistic well-being, the more success they’ll have navigating their next chapter: the post-retirement golden years.