Researchers at Boston Medical Center and Boston University have developed a scalable method for generating CD4+ helper T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), overcoming a longstanding challenge in the development of stem cell-based immunotherapies. This breakthrough could help advance efforts to create off-the-shelf CAR-T...
A new study at Boston Medical Center found that a trauma-informed clinical guideline can reduce reflexive Child Protective Services reporting by 50% without compromising child safety. The study analyzed birth hospitalizations involving infants exposed prenatally to opioids and compared reporting rates to 17 other hospitals.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that a group mindfulness program can effectively treat chronic low back pain. Participants showed significant improvements to pain and daily functioning after the program, with gains sustained at a 12-month follow-up.
Alyssa Tilhou's innovative approach, Leveraging Informatics for Navigation and Knowledge (LINK), uses EHR data to connect patients to comprehensive addiction and HIV services. The platform aims to shift the burden of engagement from patients to healthcare systems, promoting patient-centered care and improved outcomes.
Researchers found that providing food baskets to households affected by TB can prevent 10,470 years of poor health or early death for every 10,000 patients. The intervention is estimated to be cost-effective, costing $141 per health gain, and could avert approximately 120,000 TB deaths per year nationwide.
A recent study found that lower vaccination coverage among infants born to unscreened mothers is associated with a substantial increase in HBV infections. The researchers used simulation modeling to examine the impact of different levels of newborn vaccination coverage and maternal screening on HBV infection rates.
A nationwide intervention has led to increased kidney transplants among Black patients, with a 5.3 transplant increase per 1,000 listings. The study found that wait time modifications, required by a national policy, resulted in a 1.7-year gain in priority status for Black candidates.
New research suggests that integrating behavioral health services in pediatric primary care can lead to improved mental health outcomes for children and adolescents. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that children who received integrated behavioral health care reported fewer behavioral health symptoms over time.
A new study identifies neighborhood amenities, parental mental health, emotional support networks, regular reading routines, and limited screen time as protective factors for improved school readiness. The research highlights the critical role of family routines and parental supports in shaping early child development.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center have identified six new biomarkers that could detect kidney injury faster and with more sensitivity. These biomarkers can be measured in the urine and may offer a more sensitive approach than existing standards for monitoring kidney health.
Boston Medical Center and Boston University researchers have made a breakthrough in developing cell-based therapy for hypothyroidism. They derived transplantable thyroid follicular epithelial cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be transplanted into thyroid-deficient animal models.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals that Asian and Black individuals are less likely to be tested for hepatitis C, while American Indian/Alaska Native women are more likely to receive treatment. The findings highlight the need to prioritize equity in healthcare approaches to ensure timely diagnosis and effective t...
Researchers discovered a new small molecule, SR-18292, that increases fetal hemoglobin production and reduces sickled red blood cells in mice with sickle cell disease. The study suggests that combining SR-18292 with hydroxyurea could provide a vital new treatment option for patients who don't respond well to traditional treatments.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center found that medications for opioid use disorder were underused in Massachusetts despite improving outcomes. The study highlighted disparities among patients who received treatment, including younger people and Black patients being less likely to receive medication.
New research suggests that neighborhoods with more educational and socioeconomic opportunities can improve infants' brain activity and cognitive development. Infants in such neighborhoods show greater brain function at six months of age and better cognition at 12 months old.
Researchers found that men with a higher proportion of blood cells missing the Y chromosome have a higher risk of dying from heart failure. Elevated Y chromosome loss is associated with decreased treatment response in patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, a progressive disease causing heart failure and death.
Exposure to neighborhood violence among children is associated with unmet physical and mental health care needs, increased acute care utilization, and poor school performance. The study calls for evidence-based interventions to improve access to care in communities impacted by violence.
A new stem cell treatment using mRNA technology from COVID-19 vaccines has shown promise in regenerating liver tissue, potentially reversing chronic and acute liver diseases. The treatment stimulates the natural repair mechanism of the liver by activating specific receptors on stem cells.
A new study found that racial and ethnic disparities persist in access to chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain, with Hispanic adults being less likely to use these services. The study also found that policy changes are needed to address these gaps in access, particularly in underserved communities.
A retrospective study found that research staff of the same race or ethnicity as patients increased consent rates by 65.1% compared to those of a different race or ethnicity. Employing diverse research teams can improve trust and engagement among potential study participants, according to researchers.
Researchers analyze neuroendocrine tumors at single cell resolution, unlocking key insights into tumor biology and potential evolution of tumor characteristics. The study reveals heterogeneity within tumor subtypes and identifies potential targets for immunotherapy treatment.
A recent study by Boston Medical Center and Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine discovered that hemogenic endothelial cells in the fetal lung contribute to blood cell formation. This breakthrough expands our understanding of blood development and its relationship with overall health.
New research from Boston Medical Center's Grayken Center for Addiction found that municipalities offering wide-ranging social services to overdose survivors saw a 21% decrease in fatal overdoses. The study suggests connections to housing, food, employment, and transportation may be key to successful post-overdose outreach programs.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that injectable extended-release buprenorphine is limited by cost and treatment retention, while oral buprenorphine may be a more cost-effective option. The opioid overdose crisis requires a broad range of effective treatments, including injectable formulations.
Research from Boston Medical Center found that providing pragmatic support improved treatment outcomes for people with HIV who inject drugs in St. Petersburg, Russia. The odds of achieving viral load suppression at 12 months were 3 times higher for participants randomized to the intervention group.
Research found integrated behavioral health care improves children's mental health and school performance, supporting the potential benefits of pediatric integrated behavioral health care. The study, which included 51 children served by FQHCs in Massachusetts, showed significant improvements over 12 months.
A new multi-center study found that having a genetic variant in the prealbumin gene alone is not sufficient for diagnosing transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in older Black patients. Researchers suggest that a blood test measuring prealbumin levels may be useful in identifying patients at risk of developing cardiac amyloidosis.
Researchers found a significant correlation between vitreous humor biomarkers and pathologically confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Biomarkers in the vitreous humor may serve as a proxy for neuropathological disease, offering potential early diagnosis and prognostication.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that implementing a streamlined process for urgent cesarean deliveries improved infant Apgar scores, particularly for Black and Hispanic infants. The study reduced decision-to-incision time by 64% among all patients, with the largest improvements seen in Black and Hispanic patients.
Research from Boston Medical Center found that pulmonary tuberculosis enhances HIV antibody responses and increases the prevalence of antibody-resistant strains. This study has significant implications for HIV vaccines and antibody-based therapies, highlighting the need for novel strategies to generate broad and potent antibodies.
A new study found that integrating mental health services into pediatric primary care at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) can improve access to and engagement in mental health care for Medicaid-enrolled children. The TEAM UP model of integrated behavioral health care was shown to increase mental health-related primary care vi...
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that offering medications for opioid addiction in jails leads to a significant decrease in overdose deaths. Treating opioid addiction during incarceration is also cost-effective and saves lives.
Researchers found that alcohol screening rates significantly declined during the initial COVID-19 surge due to competing pandemic priorities and telemedicine shifts. Screening rates later recovered as in-person care resumed and telemedicine workflows improved.
Researchers found that underutilized asset building programs could be a solution to help low income families build wealth. The study showed that incorporating these programs into healthcare may make them more accessible to families in need.
Research found that STI and HIV testing rates dropped significantly in March 2020, while positive test rates rose. The decline was likely driven by public health recommendations limiting in-person visits during the pandemic.
A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with and without substance use disorders during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic found no association between SUD and inpatient COVID-19-related mortality. Patients with and without SUD had similar clinical complications, including mechanical ventilation and ICU admission.
The new test helps detect new HIV infection and follows current guidelines for testing patients on HIV prevention medication. The study identified successful efforts and opportunities for process improvement during the first three months of implementation.
Implementation of post-overdose programs in Massachusetts municipalities associated with a 6% lower annual opioid fatality rate and a 7% lower opioid-related emergency encounter rate compared to non-programmed areas. The study suggests that these programs offer a critical opportunity to address overdose among high-risk individuals.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center discovered that Black and Hispanic patients had significantly worse vision outcomes after surgical treatment for retinal detachment compared to their White counterparts. The study suggests higher rates of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) may contribute to these findings.
Researchers found that more frequent social determinant screenings and patient navigation in pharmacy care did not reduce healthcare utilization. The study calls for further investigation of pharmacy interventions to improve outcomes for specific patients or healthcare settings.
A new study found that the average hours worked per week by physicians decreased 7.6% in the past 20 years, except for physician mothers who increased their weekly work hours by 3%. This decline was driven by reduced work hours among male physicians, full-time physicians, and younger physicians.
Research from Boston Medical Center reveals Black and Hispanic patients are more prone to developing high-impact chronic lower back pain compared to White patients. The study suggests experiences of discrimination and unmet social needs may contribute to these racial disparities.
Researchers discovered that a single copy of the Z mutation can significantly alter AAT protein processing, leading to impaired metabolic and mitochondrial function. This finding has implications for understanding and treating alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency associated liver disease.
Research shows that family involvement in psychosis treatment can lead to improved patient outcomes when caregivers use motivational interviewing-based communication strategies. This study found significant improvements in caregiver wellbeing, self-efficacy, and reduced conflict, but no change in treatment adherence.
The study found that the adapted version of the Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Program, RED for Depression (RED-D), reduced hospital readmissions among patients with depressive symptoms by 48% and 70% at 30- and 90-day marks. The program included post-discharge depression treatment and transition support.
A community-focused approach led by Boston Medical Center significantly improved COVID-19 vaccination uptake in historically disinvested Black and Latino communities. The initiative administered over 100,000 first doses, with a focus on mobile vaccination events and community-based clinics.
A statewide CHAMPS program in Mississippi increased breastfeeding rates among birthing women and reduced racial disparities. The program reached 98% of eligible patients, resulting in a 10-point increase in breastfeeding initiation rates.
Almost a quarter of physicians reported experiencing mistreatment in the last year, with women being twice as likely to report it. The study also found significant disparities in mistreatment by race and gender, highlighting the need for healthcare organizations to address these issues.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in infants, potentially impacting growth and brain development. Researchers emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women to avoid long-term adverse consequences for their infant.
Researchers found a weak correlation between provider and patient satisfaction with anesthesia during ocular surgery, suggesting that providers are poor predictors of patient comfort. The study recommends further research to understand patient satisfaction with anesthesia.