Cure is a clinically effective treatment for a disease that reduces or eliminates signs and symptoms of the disease. Cure may be achieved through natural or synthetic antibiotics (such as sulphonamides and fluoroquinolones), antivirals (for some viral infections), antibodies, gene therapy, steroid medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and other treatments.

While many cancer patients can be cured with current therapies, a cure has never been achieved for some types of cancer. The recent impressive results of a breast cancer treatment using trastuzumab suggest that some tumors can be cured and that patients in remission may soon have the ability to live their lives without worry of the return of their disease. But the term “cure” is not a straightforward one and it is important for health care providers to understand the nuances of curing a disease.

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are a promising approach for increasing the retention of minority students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). But the mechanisms through which CUREs enhance student integration and persistence are not well understood. This longitudinal study utilizes Tiny Earth—a CURE designed for flexible implementation in a variety of course contexts—to examine how gains in TIMSI factors (scientific self-efficacy, scientific identity, and endorsement of scientific community values) vary as a function of course and student demographic characteristics.

CURES provides secure access to the medical history of controlled substances prescribed or dispensed by licensed health care practitioners and licensed pharmacists. CURES also provides information to regulatory agency officials and law enforcement officials to help control the diversion and abuse of controlled substances. Click here to learn how to register to use CURES.