Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center developed an online assessment tool to help patients and providers make informed decisions about choosing mental health apps. The tool, currently featuring over 200 apps, allows users to filter by safety, ease of use, and user privacy.
A single-shot COVID-19 vaccine developed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center raised neutralizing antibodies and protected non-human primates against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine uses adenovirus serotype 26 to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, stimulating immune responses.
A recent study found that over 40% of hospitalizations among older adults with dementia were for potentially preventable conditions, such as pneumonia and heart failure. The study's lead author emphasized the importance of addressing sepsis and implementing patient-centered programs to improve outpatient care.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found a significant decline in emergent medical, surgical, and obstetric hospitalizations during the early phase of COVID-19. The study reported a 35% decrease in weekly hospitalizations overall and a 45% decrease in hospitalizations not related to COVID-19.
COVID-19 affects organs throughout the body, causing widespread systemic effects such as heart attacks, kidney failures, and neurological symptoms. The review provides clinical guidance for physicians and proposes mechanisms behind these effects.
Scientists suggest harnessing pro-resolution lipid mediators to control inflammation in severe COVID-19 patients, reducing life-threatening complications. The approach may complement anti-viral therapies and vaccines, improving outcomes for those affected by the pandemic.
A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.
Researchers at BIDMC developed prototype COVID-19 vaccines that induced neutralizing antibody responses and protected against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques. The studies also found that individuals who recovered from COVID-19 developed natural protective immunity against re-infection.
Researchers used the homozygous G608G BAC-transgenic progeria mouse model to study degenerative joint diseases. Treatment combinations with pravastatin and zoledronic acid significantly improved bone mechanical properties and cartilage structural parameters.
Physician-scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center identified two clusters of depressive symptoms responding to distinct neuroanatomical treatment targets in patients undergoing TMS. These findings may facilitate personalized TMS therapy for depression and other psychiatric disorders.
A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology found that patients treated with hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 were at increased risk of electrical changes to the heart and cardiac arrhythmias. The combination of hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin was linked to even greater changes compared to hydroxychloroquine alone.
A new study has identified significant disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates across New York City's five boroughs, with the Bronx experiencing nearly twice as many deaths per 100,000 persons compared to Manhattan. The research highlights the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate these disparities.
A clinical trial is underway to assess the potential treatment of COVID-19-related respiratory failure using the anti-clotting drug tPA. The trial aims to evaluate whether tPA can reduce deaths among patients with severe lung injury, alleviating an expected shortage of ventilators for critically ill patients.
A new study found significantly higher mortality rates, hospitalization rates, and deaths after hospitalization among low-income older adults dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid compared to those solely enrolled in Medicare. The study suggests that health inequities persist despite efforts to improve healthcare access.
A new trial led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that platinum-based therapy was not superior to standard chemotherapy in treating patients with BRCA mutations. The study, known as INFORM, compared the efficacy of cisplatin to a standard treatment regimen in patients with breast cancer.
A new study highlights the potential need to standardize quality measurement for cardiovascular care. Hospitals recognized by the AHA and ACC for high-quality care were more likely to be financially penalized under value-based programs than other hospitals.
A new study found that amlodipine lowered long-term gout risk compared to two other commonly prescribed blood pressure medications. The study, conducted by physician-researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, demonstrated the antihypertensive drug's association with a lower risk of gout.
A new study published in Hypertension found that reducing sodium intake decreases thirst and urine volume, but does not affect metabolic energy needs. This results support the traditional notion that decreasing sodium intake is critical to managing hypertension.
A new study found that critical care outcomes in intensive care units (ICUs) improved steadily at hospitals with few minority patients, but not those with more diverse patient populations. The gap is most apparent for critically ill African-American patients.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that the insular cortex plays a crucial role in assessing and predicting physiological states. The study's findings provide potential new avenues for addressing diseases such as eating disorders, obesity, and drug addiction by targeting the brain's reward system.
Research found that obesity and smoking can lead to slower fracture healing and higher disability in patients with wrist fractures. However, the study also showed that clinical and radiographic outcomes are achievable with surgery for displaced wrist fractures in obese and smoking patients.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center identified a gene variant linked to increased risk of postoperative delirium in older adults. The study suggests that anti-inflammatory treatments may be effective in preventing or mitigating delirium, particularly in patients with the APOE ?4 gene variant.
A study found striking disparities in in-hospital care and mortality between homeless and non-homeless adults hospitalized for urgent cardiovascular conditions. Homeless patients were significantly less likely to receive important diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and generally had higher in-hospital death rates compared to non-home...
A retrospective study suggests that ED physicians are improving both outcomes and efficiency of care, with mortality rates declining by 23% from 2009 to 2016. This improvement occurred despite increasing ED utilization, as fewer patients were admitted to the hospital and more were sent home, leading to nearly 200,000 fewer deaths in 2016.
A study published in Annals of Neurology found that more than two-thirds of autistic brains exhibit perivascular lymphocyte cuffing, a characteristic of chronic inflammation. This could explain the origins of autism and provide new diagnostic and treatment options.
A new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found a strong association between obesity and chronic diarrhea, independent of dietary, lifestyle, or medical factors. Obesity was 60% more likely to cause chronic diarrhea compared to normal weight individuals.
New studies show that KRAS gene mutations, common in colorectal and other cancers, vary in disease severity depending on the specific mutation and tissue location. The findings suggest that precision medicine approaches must be tailored to individual mutant forms of KRAS.
A new study projects a cost-effective polypill to be the standard of care for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, offering excellent clinical and health economic returns on investment. The polypill is expected to save lives and money by reducing medication burden and increasing patient adherence.
Researchers found that all three healthy diets emphasized different macronutrients reduced heart cell damage and inflammation. The findings suggest that flexibility in food selection is key to improving cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center tested non-invasive electrical stimulation on patients with brain tumors, finding decreased blood flow within tumors while leaving the rest of the brain unchanged. The study suggests that repeated treatments could modify tumor growth and progression.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that one to two servings of caffeinated beverages per day were not associated with an increased risk of headaches for patients with episodic migraine. However, consuming three or more servings may be linked to a higher risk of migraines on the same day or the following day.
According to the OVERCOME study, nearly a quarter of people with frequent headaches use opioids to treat their migraines. Clinical guidelines discourage opioid use for migraine symptoms except in rare cases, highlighting concerns about its potential risks and effectiveness.
A new imaging technique uses magnetic properties of the heart muscle to quantify changes in blood flow, identifying areas impacted by coronary atherosclerosis. This method eliminates the need for contrast agents or pharmacological stress tests, offering a faster and potentially safer diagnostic option for CAD patients.
A quarter of adults aged 40+ take daily aspirin for heart disease prevention without physician's advice. Nearly half of adults 70+ report taking aspirin daily due to potential harm outweighing benefits.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that resveratrol supplementation preserved muscle function and mitigated muscle atrophy under Martian gravity. The study suggests that resveratrol could be a key dietary supplement to maintain musculoskeletal health on long-term Mars missions.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that metabolites associated with energy powerhouse mitochondria changed differently in patients who developed heart dysfunction compared to those who did not. Citric acid and aconitic acid levels differentiated the two groups of patients.
A new mathematical model reveals that breast cancer cells can change shape to facilitate spreading to other parts of the body. The researchers also found that these cells can cross the endothelium barrier with greater ease, which is a critical step in metastasis.
Researchers identified subclinical myocardial damage and cardiac wall strain as strong risk factors for falls in older adults without known cardiovascular disease. These findings suggest optimizing cardiovascular health may prevent falls among seniors.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have identified novel combinations of antifungal and antibacterial drugs that demonstrate activity against multidrug resistant Candida auris. The study used a modified inkjet printer to test multiple combinations, finding three effective treatments in under two hours.
Researchers found that administering anti-inflammatory treatments before surgery can eliminate the spread of cancer cells and promote prolonged survival in animal models. These findings suggest a potential paradigm shift in cancer treatment approaches, particularly for patients undergoing resectable cancers.
Researchers repurpose pregnancy hormone relaxin to alleviate symptoms of arthrofibrosis, a painful and debilitating joint condition, restoring range of motion and improving tissue health in an animal model. The findings suggest that relaxin could offer relief for millions of people affected by the disease.
A study of 20,000 patients found that reading their clinicians' visit notes significantly improves patient-reported behaviors and perceptions concerning benefits versus risks. Patients reported increased understanding of medications and felt more in control of their medications after reading their notes.
Researchers discover a natural compound in broccoli that can reactivate the function of PTEN, a potent tumor suppressor gene frequently mutated or deleted in human cancers. The compound, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), was found to inhibit WWP1, an enzyme that inactivates PTEN's tumor-suppressing activity.
A study found that patients taking newer, targeted biologics for psoriasis have a decreased risk of serious infection compared to older medications. The researchers analyzed large insurance claims databases and found that certain biologics like apremilast, etanercept, and ustekinumab had a lower risk of infection.
A large-scale assessment of over 20,000 patients found that reading office visit notes offers considerable benefits, particularly for those from underserved populations. Patients reported increased control and understanding of their care, as well as improved adherence to treatment plans and medications.
Researchers identified vulnerabilities in AML cells with IDH mutation, allowing for a therapeutic strategy. A combination of drugs already used for another type of leukemia proved effective against this subset of AML in both human and mouse models.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discover relationship between leucine and tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer. A diet high in leucine may fuel the growth of breast cancer cells, while reducing leucine levels could be beneficial for patients with ER+ breast cancer.
A recent study published in Nature Metabolism identified a novel pathway regulating drug tolerance in non-small-cell lung cancers with a specific mutation. MicroRNA miR-147b was found to mediate resistance to EGFR-based treatments, suggesting a potential new approach for treatment of lung cancer.
A new study suggests that minimally invasive transcatheter valve replacement is a safe and effective therapy for healthier patients at low surgical risk. Patients treated with TAVR had lower incidence of disabling stroke, bleeding complications, and atrial fibrillation, but slightly higher moderate aortic regurgitation.
A study published in JAMA found that intravenous acetaminophen reduced postoperative delirium incidence by 70% and ICU length of stay by 25%. Acetaminophen also reduced opioid use, suggesting effective pain control without increasing delirium risk.