A new study at 21 US children's hospitals found that patients with limited English proficiency are less likely to question their child's hospital care due to language barriers. The researchers called on hospitals to ensure that families who speak languages other than English have an equal opportunity to speak up and potentially interce...
Researchers discovered that leukemia-initiating cells in MLL-rearranged B-ALL can switch between two metabolic states, which makes them difficult to target. Targeting the quiet, stem cell-like state curbs the leukemia by forcing the cells back to an active proliferation state.
Children previously infected with COVID-19 or MIS-C are not protected against the newer Omicron variant. However, vaccination shows protective effects, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a devastating rise in adolescent mental health crises, with 60% of admitted patients exhibiting suicidal ideation or attempting suicide. Mental health admissions increased for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance-related disorders, particularly among girls.
A new study suggests that up to 1 in 4 cases of congenital hydrocephalus may be linked to genetic mutations affecting neural stem cell growth, leading to underdeveloped brains and enlarged ventricles. This paradigm shift could lead to targeted therapies such as gene editing or drugs to optimize neurodevelopment.
The 100-year-old BCG vaccine has been found to protect newborns and young infants against multiple bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19. The study identified changes in metabolite and lipid profiles that correlate with innate immune system responses.
A recent study published in Nature found that people with Alzheimer's have more newly acquired mutations in their neurons, leading to permanent DNA damage. The researchers discovered that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in this process, which can be triggered by inflammation and immune reactions.
A study led by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that COVID-19 causes severe inflammation through infected immune cells. Antibodies developed during infection may sometimes contribute to inflammation.
A national study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that COVID vaccination reduced hospitalizations with Omicron and Delta viruses in children aged 12-18. Vaccination also prevented severe illness in this age group, as well as critical illness in younger children.
A new manifestation of COVID-19 has been identified in young children, characterized by croup, a common respiratory illness marked by a distinctive barking cough. The omicron strain's preference for the upper airway may account for the sudden appearance of croup during the surge.
Researchers developed a technique to track changes in bacterial mutation frequencies, which can inform initial and switched antibiotics. The study found that rare antibiotic-resistant bacteria can rapidly expand within days in response to treatment.
A recent study found that gene therapy delivery vectors were unlikely to cause the blood malignancies reported in trials; however, the exact cause remains a mystery. The study's results suggest that cancer risk in sickle cell disease may be more complex than initially thought, warranting further investigation.
A team of scientists has developed a three-dimensional airway model made from patient-derived stem cells to study COVID-19 infection. The model replicates the initial stages of infection and can be used to test potential antiviral drugs, with results showing that multi-ciliated airway cells are the primary entry point for the virus.
A new study published in Nature Communications identifies a harmful cellular pathway that causes pancreatic beta cell death, leading to type 1 diabetes. Blocking this pathway preserved beta cells, increased insulin production, and prevented or delayed diabetes in mice models.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have found that open-label placebo treatment significantly reduces pain scores in children with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome. The study also showed no side effects, making it a promising non-pharmacologic therapy for these difficult-to-treat conditions.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed an organoid platform that identifies drugs that enhance enteroendocrine cell action, potentially reversing diabetes, obesity and gastrointestinal conditions. The system identified three chemicals that drive the formation of EE cells and hormone production.
A national study by Boston Children's Hospital found that primary care practices caring for children reported significant difficulties in obtaining behavioral health services. The study, published in Annals of Family Medicine, highlights the pressing need for mental health support in children and adolescents.
A DNA sequencing study of 50 patients with cerebral palsy found a genetic cause in 26% of cases. The study identified 13 different genes associated with the condition. Genetic findings led to changes in patient care plans and urged clinicians to consider genetic causes for CP without known risk factors.
Researchers have discovered two proteins, IGF-1 and IGFBP5, in urine samples that are significantly lower after a concussion. These biomarkers could help diagnose concussion and monitor recovery. The study suggests that urine testing could be an early and inexpensive way to detect concussions.
A novel gene delivery technique has successfully restored hearing in mice with a mutated STRC gene, which is the second most common genetic cause of hearing loss. The approach could be used to deliver other large genes and may provide a broad window of opportunity for treatment from babies to adults.
A study by Boston Children's Hospital found that COVID-19 vaccination-related myocarditis is usually mild and has a fast clinical recovery rate in adolescents and young adults. However, long-term monitoring of heart health is recommended due to potential cardiac complications.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital found that inadequate sleep can jeopardize brain organization in early adolescence, leading to deficits in cognitive processes such as attention, reward, and memory. The research identified racial disparities in the impact of sleep on brain networks, with non-white participants experiencing dispr...
The HEALthy Brain and Child Development study will enroll 7,500 pregnant mothers and their infants at 25 US sites. The findings will provide insight into how environmental exposures, such as poverty and maternal stress, affect brain development from birth to age 10.
A new vaccine combines the part of the 'spike' protein with a combination adjuvant, inducing full protection in aged mice and potentially equivalent to current mRNA vaccines. The formulation is relatively easy to manufacture and may not require extreme cold storage, enabling its use in more settings.
A new protein-based vaccine design has been developed that elicits strong immune responses in mice and does not require cold storage. The technology targets antigen-presenting cells directly, potentially filling global vaccination gaps and offering a manufacturing advantage over existing COVID vaccines.
A study suggests that suppressing the protective mechanisms of rogue blood stem cells can help curb clonal hematopoiesis and prevent leukemia. The researchers used zebrafish with colored 'barcodes' to track the dominance of cancerous clones, revealing a connection between anti-inflammatory genes and resistance to inflammation.
A new study by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that tissue-resident memory T cells in joints anchor themselves after a flare and wait for another trigger to react. Deleting these cells prevents arthritis flares from occurring, opening up new therapeutic avenues for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital propose using an existing drug to prevent NET formation, which can lead to severe inflammation in conditions like COVID-19, sepsis, and ARDS. The study shows that ricolinostat inhibits histone deacetylases, reducing NET formation and inflammation.
The Delta variant is the most infectious known to date due to its ability to fuse with cells quickly and efficiently. Researchers found that Delta's spike protein has a unique property that accounts for its transmissibility, making it a favorable target for next-generation vaccines and treatments.
Two studies confirm that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces both COVID-19 hospitalization rates and severe illnesses among adolescents aged 12-18. A CDC-supported study found two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be 93% effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations.
A randomized trial found that a video game with biofeedback can help youth learn to regulate their anger, leading to reduced aggression and oppositional behavior. The game trains kids to stay calm during stressful situations, and its effectiveness was validated in parents' and clinicians' reports.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low-carb diet with high saturated fat levels produced better cardiovascular and metabolic profiles than a low-fat diet. The low-carb diet improved blood lipid profiles, increased adiponectin, and reduced lipoprotein(a), a risk factor for heart disease.
A new biomimetic system mimics the body's own receptors for anesthetics, providing prolonged nerve blockade with minimal toxicity. The system consists of nanostructures that bind to tetrodotoxin and slowly release it, allowing for long-lasting pain relief without systemic toxicity.
A new study by Ivan Zanoni at Boston Children's Hospital reveals a complex picture of interferon production in mild versus severe COVID-19. The researchers found that different types of interferons have opposite roles in the upper and lower respiratory tract, and that specific interferons determine disease severity.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital report positive results with risplidam, a small-molecule drug that treats SMA by correcting the root cause: a mutated gene. Infants receiving risplidam showed improvements in motor function and lived longer than expected.
Researchers found that severe COVID-19 patients have muted interferon responses, leading to a failed early immune response. The study suggests that building on type I interferon may be key to developing treatments for severe COVID-19.
A new clinical trial aims to test a personalized treatment for severe asthma targeting a specific mutation found disproportionately in people of color. The trial, led by Boston Children's Hospital, will test dupilumab, an existing drug that blocks the mutated IL-4 receptor, in patients with and without the mutation.
A new study reveals structural changes in the Alpha and Beta SARS-CoV-2 variants, suggesting reduced effectiveness of current vaccines against the Beta variant. The research found that mutations in the Beta variant change the shape of the spike surface, making it less bind to neutralizing antibodies.
Researchers identified the ATP1A3 gene as critical to many cell biological processes, enabling electrical currents to flow into or out of cells and driving essential brain functions. The study found that this gene plays a key role in early brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and subplate layer.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for ALS using motor neurons created from ALS patients. The high-throughput platform confirmed two known targets and found an existing class of drugs that could reduce hyperexcitability, a key feature of the disease.
A new resource provides a cellular and spatial map of the choroid plexus, revealing its constituent cell types, gene expression profiles, and molecular makeup. The atlas shows differences in tissue architecture, immune activity, and vascular arrangement across different life stages, offering insights into brain development and immunity.
A Boston Children's Hospital study using neuroimaging data from nearly 6,000 early adolescents found that regular physical activity was associated with more efficiently organized, flexible, and robust brain networks. Physical activity also partially offset the effects of unhealthy body mass index (BMI) on brain circuitry.
The Dream Warmer, a low-cost, reusable non-electric infant warmer, reduces neonatal hypothermia rates by 11% and infant death rates by 70% in a new study. The warmer is effective, safe, and easy to use, making it a promising solution for optimizing the health of vulnerable infants in resource-limited settings.
The D614G mutation stabilizes the spike protein, making it more infectious. Redesigned vaccines incorporating this mutant spike protein may elicit protective neutralizing antibodies.
A new study found that the Binax NOW rapid antigen test is comparable to PCR testing in adults with symptoms of seven days or less. However, the test detected lower rates of COVID-19 cases in symptomatic children, highlighting the need for careful interpretation and potential use of PCR confirmatory tests.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital are testing a model of cystic fibrosis airways exposed to SARS-CoV-2 to investigate differences in response. The team has shown that infected cells can be used to assess antiviral drug responses and may guide therapy for CF patients during the pandemic.
Two studies reveal that mosaic mutations during embryonic development contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with most brains harboring 'point' mutations in enhancers. Additionally, large copy number variants (CNVs) were found in people with ASD, often affecting multiple genes and chromosome regions.
The new technique allows researchers to study whole neural circuits in high detail and at scale. They used it to create a comprehensive map of neuronal circuits that control motor function in fruit flies, discovering new sensory neurons.
A new treatment approach and delivery vehicle has been developed to reverse botulism paralysis in mice, showing promise for treating other neurological disorders. The therapy uses a detoxified botulinum toxin as a delivery vehicle for a mini-antibody derived from camels.
Research reveals that tau protein undergoes stepwise chemical modifications over time, correlating with dementia stage in Alzheimer's disease. The discovery suggests that multiple drugs may be necessary to target tau effectively, with early intervention requiring different therapeutics compared to late-stage treatment.