A recent study by Boston Children's Hospital found significant racial and ethnic disparities in health indicators among fifth-graders. The study revealed that children of higher-income families with more educated parents tended to perform better on these indicators, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Researchers found measurable changes in children's brains due to institutional care, including decreased gray and white matter. However, positive interventions like foster care can partially reverse these changes, especially for white matter volume.
Researchers have linked specific gene mutations to four subtypes of medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor in children. The discovery could enable personalized treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed tiny gas-filled microparticles that can be injected into the bloodstream to quickly oxygenate blood. The infusion restored blood oxygen saturation to near-normal levels within seconds, even in animals with blocked airways.
A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association suggests that reducing refined carbohydrates may help maintain weight loss better than reducing fat. Diets with low glycemic index or very-low carbohydrate consumption showed similar metabolic benefits to low-fat diets without negative effects on stress and inflammation.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital found distinguishing EEG features in children with autism as early as age 2. Researchers used computer algorithms to analyze EEG data and identified 33 coherence factors that consistently distinguished children with autism from controls.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have identified the genetic basis for CLOVES syndrome, a rare congenital malformation and overgrowth disorder. They found that between six and 60 percent of cells in affected tissues contained mutations in a gene called PIK3CA, which activate cell division and growth pathways.
A community-based asthma care model, Community Asthma Initiative (CAI), demonstrates reduced hospitalization and emergency department visits for asthma, improving patient outcomes. The program yielded significant cost savings of $1.46 per dollar spent through reduced hospital utilization.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have identified a single viral protein called LMP1 that the immune system watches over to keep the Epstein-Barr virus in check. The study suggests two possible options for treating EBV-fueled lymphomas in immunosuppressed patients, including using CD4+ T cells and NKG2D-Fc fusion proteins.
Researchers discover that the genome's three-dimensional organization and proximity of broken chromosome ends affect where they reconnect. The study highlights two guiding principles: cellular spatial heterogeneity and proximity, which govern chromosome rearrangements in cancer and normal cells.
A new surgical procedure called superior rectus transposition with adjustable medial rectus recession has shown promising results in aligning the eyes of patients with complex strabismus. The procedure, adopted at Boston Children's Hospital, allows for precise eye movement fine-tuning in the recovery room or up to a week after surgery,...
A study by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that brain activity on MRI scans can indicate early signs of dyslexia in preschool-age children. This could lead to earlier intervention and improved outcomes for these children.
A study by Boston Children's Hospital reveals that neurologically impaired children account for increasing hospital resources in children's hospitals, with 25% of bed days and 29% of hospital charges attributed to them. This highlights the need for improved care coordination and better patient outcomes.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a new mathematical model to predict drug-ADE relationships, identifying issues up to 5 years before they occur. The approach has shown promising results, correctly predicting 42% of absent drug-ADE relationships and accurately recognizing false pairs.
Researchers found that increasing EET levels promotes tumor growth and metastasis, even in cancers that rarely spread. Blocking EETs, however, could reduce tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting a potential new avenue for cancer treatment.
A study at Boston Children's Hospital found that autism spectrum disorders may involve disordered white matter in the brain, with patients exhibiting higher radial diffusivity values and disorganized axon pathways compared to healthy controls.
Dr. R. Michael Scott has made groundbreaking innovations in pial synangiosis and novel advances in neurosurgery, transforming the field of pediatric neurosurgery. The Children's Department of Neurosurgery under his tenure experienced significant growth, becoming the largest pediatric neurosurgery department worldwide.
Researchers have identified long-sought genes in sensory hair cells of the inner ear that are essential for converting sound waves into electrical signals. By introducing these genes into deaf mice, scientists were able to restore electrical signals and potentially reverse a type of deafness, paving the way for a gene therapy trial.
Researchers developed genetically engineered blood vessels that can secrete erythropoietin, reversing anemia in mice. The system also has an on/off control mechanism, allowing for flexible dosing and minimizing antibiotic exposure.
Researchers discovered that genetic mutations causing hereditary Parkinson's disease cause mitochondria to run amok inside cells. Damaged mitochondria produce toxic compounds and fuse with healthy ones, leading to neuronal death.
Research reviews firearm injuries and prevention, arguing for including firearm safety in physician-patient conversations to prevent injuries and disease. The practice of asking about guns in the home is found to be meaningful to parents, with 90% of surveyed parents reporting they would share information.
A large population-based study found that babies who rise two or more major percentiles in weight-for-length on growth charts before age 2 are more likely to be obese at age 5 and 10. The study suggests assessing weight gains during the first two years, especially in the first 6 months, to identify early risk factors for obesity.
A nationwide investigation found that simultaneous infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increased the risk for flu-related mortality 8-fold among previously healthy children. The study, led by Children's Hospital Boston, tracked 838 children admitted to pediatric ICUs and found that co-infection with MRSA w...
Starting HIV therapy two weeks after TB treatment increases survival by 33 percent, according to a recent study. The study suggests that immunosuppressed patients should be started on ART rapidly at two weeks after beginning TB therapy.
A study by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute finds that deactivating the BCL11A protein can correct sickle cell disease in mice by activating fetal hemoglobin. The findings provide strong evidence that BCL11A could be a powerful treatment target for sickle cell disease and related blood disorders.
Scientists at Boston Children's Hospital discover that motor nerve fibers can regrow but not communicate with muscle fibers in time. A limited time window exists for nerve regeneration and functional reactivation, highlighting the need for prompt treatment.
Engineered patches with gold nanowires improve electrical conductivity and cell contraction in heart tissue, outperforming existing patches in clinical trials. The technology could be applied to other electrically excitable tissues, including the brain and spinal cord.
A recent study found that vaccinating preschoolers against the flu led to a 34% decline in influenza cases among two- to four-year-olds. The study used real-time hospital data to evaluate the relationship between national flu vaccination policies and rates of flu-like illness.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston developed liposomes that can prevent HIV infection, providing a potential solution for women in resource-poor settings. The innovative technology shows great promise as a safe and effective form of prevention.
Using local biosurveillance data can improve diagnostic decisions and treatment for patients with communicable diseases. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that incorporating real-time population-level data can help avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment and correctly diagnose missed cases.
Researchers found that two proteins activated by inflammation are crucial for maintaining good blood sugar levels and boosting their activity can normalize blood sugar. The study suggests a new paradigm for understanding type 2 diabetes, where obesity interferes with cells' response to inflammatory signals.
Researchers have discovered an antibody that can neutralize a broad range of flu strains, potentially reducing the need for annual vaccinations. The antibody, called CH65, mimics key aspects of the influenza virus's entry point and could guide the development of vaccines targeting multiple strains.
A new school-based obesity prevention curriculum has been shown to significantly reduce medical costs associated with obesity and eating disorders. The program, Planet Health, was found to prevent 1 case of bulimia nervosa among girls aged 13-17 in each participating school, resulting in an estimated $34,000 in savings per girl.
A study by Boston Children's Hospital found that 1 in 4 lesbian or gay teens and 15 percent of bisexual teens are homeless. Among homeless teens, those who were gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) were consistently more likely to be unaccompanied than heterosexuals.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that implementing five guidelines for ventilator use in premature infants can improve their breathing, reduce the need for ventilation, and lower costs of care. The guidelines include exclusive use of a 'bubble' continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) system and strict intubation criteria.
A study published in Cancer Research found a link between the ABCB5 marker and treatment resistance in colorectal cancers. The researchers discovered that eliminating cells expressing ABCB5 is crucial for successful treatment, supporting the cancer stem cell hypothesis. This finding has significant translational and therapeutic relevance.
Researchers have discovered a new protein, neuritin, that helps nerve fibers navigate towards muscles in zebrafish models of SMA. Artificially stimulating neuritin production improves axon branching and connection formation, leading to potential drug therapy options.
A study shows that web search queries can be used to detect and monitor outbreaks of dengue, a mosquito-borne virus, in near real-time. The research team developed an online tool that tracks epidemics using Google search results, which was found to be a viable source of information for early detection and monitoring.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital discovered a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks. Activation of natural helper cells presents a new set of drug targets for asthma.
Researchers identified the Lrp5 gene's crucial role in bone growth and density, providing a new strategy for treating diseases like osteoporosis. The study also found that targeting mature bone cells might increase bone mass and treat conditions like osteogenesis imperfecta.
A study in institutionalized Romanian children found that social deprivation and neglect correlates with lower IQ and behavioral problems. Prematurely shortened telomeres, a measure of cell aging, were also observed in these children.
Researchers have developed a novel, topically-applied molecular microbicide that uses RNA interference (RNAi) to prevent HIV transmission. The microbicide was tested in mice and found to provide long-lasting protection against HIV infection, opening the door to developing an intravaginal microbicide for women's protection.
A large study found that allowing a period of observation for children with minor blunt head trauma reduces the use of head CT scans by half without compromising care. The study analyzed over 40,000 children and found that clinically important traumatic brain injury was equally uncommon in observed and non-observed groups.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital used Facebook-like tools and personally controlled health records to engage online diabetes social network members in public health surveillance. The study showed that health-focused social networks can be viable resources for chronic disease surveillance.
A two-pronged molecular therapy combining inosine and NEP1-40 restores skilled motor function in a rat model of stroke. The study demonstrates significant nerve growth and functional improvements after treating strokes with this combination therapy.
A new vaccine approach using an adjuvant to stimulate the immune system shows promise in a study of Gambian infants, highlighting potential for single-shot protection at birth and reducing immunizations needed. The study's findings could have major wins for global health.
A new study suggests that Mecp2 is essential for refining synaptic circuits based on sensory experience, leading to the formation of abnormal connections in autism spectrum disorders. This model of Rett syndrome may have implications for other autism-related disorders.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital found that high-impact activities, particularly running, basketball, and gymnastics, increase fracture risk in preadolescent and adolescent girls. Early recognition and activity restriction are key to treating stress fractures.
Researchers found that signals from cerebrospinal fluid help drive neural development, while elevated CSF protein levels are associated with glioblastoma. The study identifies a potential link between CSF signaling and brain tumor growth, offering new insights into treating this malignant brain tumor.
The SMArt platform and interface aim to promote innovation in health information technology by facilitating the development of medical applications that are scalable and substitutable. The $5,000 competition will drive competition, innovation, and increased efficiency in healthcare technology.