A new two-step approach called Gatekeeper-Reflex model for AD (GRAD) uses blood biomarkers to detect tau in uncertain Alzheimer's diagnosis, improving diagnosis and treatment decisions. GRAD resolves many uncertain results, reducing the need for expensive brain scans and invasive procedures.
Justin Lui, MD, MS, receives the 2026 Network Rising Star Award for his contributions to clinical care, education, research, and scholarly activity in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is a nationally recognized expert in pulmonary hypertension and has a track record of over 45 peer-reviewed journal publications.
Dr. Katz, a renowned expert in traumatic brain injury and neurorehabilitation, has been honored with the Gold Key award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine for his groundbreaking contributions to the field. With over 35 years of experience as a medical director of the Brain Injury Program, he has established himself a...
Researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have developed a camera-based technique called spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to assess skin changes in scleroderma patients. SFDI, which measures how light bounces back from the skin without touching it, found that light readings were different in peopl...
Researchers analyzed health records of 24,643 adult patients across 754 hospitals in the US, comparing phenobarbital to diazepam for alcohol withdrawal treatment. The study found no significant differences in outcomes between the two medications, suggesting similar effectiveness and safety profiles.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine identified RGS4 as a key player in chronic pain conditions. Blocking RGS4 activity returned the nervous system to a calm state in experimental models, suggesting potential for new pain management therapies.
The use of ultrasound-guidance for procedures like lumbar puncture can benefit patients with the most challenging anatomy and urgent need for diagnostic clarity. Researchers believe empowering neurologists and neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures at bedside can lead to improved patient outcomes.
Researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine discovered that language patterns during memory tests can signal current cognitive impairment. These patterns, such as using complex or simple sentences, repetition of story details, or admitting mistakes, can predict future cognitive performance.
A BU-led team has been awarded a $3.4M NIH grant to develop a method for early lung cancer detection. The team will use a multimodal approach combining advanced robotic biopsies, artificial intelligence, and molecular mapping to predict cancer presence and growth. The goal is to improve clinical management of lung ground glass nodules ...
The Tan Family Scholarship Fund at BU Medical School provides $10,000 annual scholarships to six medical students in years two, three, and four. The scholarships are based on financial need and academic standing, and will be renewed for three years.
Nikolaos P. Daskalakis, a BU professor, has been awarded the XXIV 'Vexillum G. Sciacca' International Award for Medical Research for his work on neuropsychiatric disorders. His laboratory focuses on identifying novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets for stress-related mental health conditions.
Matthew G. Nayor, a renowned cardiologist, has been named medical director of the Framingham Heart Study, a world-renowned cardiovascular research project. He will oversee the capture and adjudication of clinical events, leveraging AI to enhance oversight and classification of participant outcomes.
Researchers found that glucose patterns captured by CGM devices among adults without diabetes are related to markers of cardiometabolic risk, including hypertension and cholesterol levels. Higher average glucose and higher glucose variability were associated with increased cardiometabolic risk.
A researcher at Boston University School of Medicine has received a $3.2M NIH grant to develop AI models for kidney disease diagnosis. The project aims to improve diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, which affects 13% of the US population.
Diana Anderson, a neurologist and architect, has received a grant to develop a bioethics-based evaluation tool for long-term care facility design. The goal is to create healthier environments that support dignity, safety, independence, social connection and quality of life for older adults.
Researchers detected significant risk associations for vascular and Alzheimer's dementias among American Indians for limited education, hypertension, social isolation, and depression. These findings suggest a complex and unique pattern of contributing factors that increase risk of dementia among American Indian populations.
A team of researchers found that carceral wastewater and environmental surveillance lacks full human subjects protections and traditional public health guidelines, leading to a fragmented regulatory landscape. The practice has enabled heightened monitoring and punitive restriction without necessary safeguards, posing concerns for incar...
A Boston University study analyzed 33 NFL players with confirmed CTE, revealing cognitive impairments in memory, executive function, language, and attention. The findings provide an important roadmap for recognizing CTE in living patients and highlight limitations of the NFL Concussion Settlement's testing program.
A new study identifies a distinct population of lung vein cells that contribute to scar tissue formation, a process known as fibrosis, in diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. The researchers found that targeting a specific signaling pathway can prevent lung scarring and inflammation.
A new multi-ancestry polygenic risk score (PRS) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) outperforms previous models, especially in genetically diverse groups. The PRS was associated with cognitive decline, memory performance, and brain imaging traits, providing a more accurate prediction of AD risk.
New research analyzes the use of wastewater surveillance in carceral settings, revealing gaps in human subjects protections and accountability to traditional public health guidelines. The study warns that unchecked WES in carcels can lead to misuse or harm to incarcerated individuals and surrounding communities.
Colleen Sloan, PhD, has been recognized for her distinguished contributions to psychological practice in trauma psychology. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience in trauma-focused mental health care and has developed effective interventions.
A new study by Boston University researchers suggests that persistent hidden HIV proviruses contribute to chronic inflammation in people living with or without HIV. The findings highlight the importance of understanding these viruses to inform future treatments and strategies for healthy aging.
Chao Zhang, PhD, receives $2.2M NIH grant to develop novel AI frameworks for investigating temporal changes in host-microbiome interactions. The project aims to characterize dynamic immune cell recruitment and uncover mechanisms underlying drug resistance.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine will use the grant to establish a new experimental model to study prenatal mechanisms of gyrencephalic neocortical development. This study aims to provide insights into how specific neural precursors shape the fetal cortex and has far-reaching implications for understanding neurologic...
Lindsay A. Farrer, PhD, is a leading researcher in Alzheimer's disease and genetics, leveraging large datasets to identify genetic variants and biomarkers. His work aims to develop novel therapeutic targets for personalized medicine.
A new study by Boston University researchers identified critical barriers that influence healthcare professionals' integration of cancer risk evaluation in gender-affirming mastectomy care. Transgender patients lack clear information about their breast cancer risk before and after surgery, leading to delayed diagnoses at more dangerous...
Chandrasekaran, an assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine, has been recognized with a Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award. He will receive $400,000 over five years to support his research on multisensory integration and its applications in understanding brain function.
A study found that college students who spent more time online and experienced online harassment were more likely to report suicidal thoughts. Cisgender men showed the strongest link between time spent online and suicidal thoughts, while online harassment was linked to higher risk across all gender groups.
Boston University's T32 program in lung science receives a 5-year grant to train pre-doctoral PhD students and postdoctoral MD/PhD fellows in advanced areas of lung research. The program focuses on integrating basic and clinical sciences to diagnose and treat lung diseases.
Afzalbek Fayzullaev, a second-year Boston University medical student, has been awarded the ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship Award to conduct an eight-week mentored research project in radiation oncology. He aims to investigate the readability of patient education materials and their impact on treatment adherence.
A new study finds that chronic kidney disease rates in the US have remained consistent over the past decade, despite advancements in kidney-protective therapies. The proportion of Americans with kidney disease driven by diabetes has increased, while kidney disease not linked to diabetes has held steady.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation has granted Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine a one-year grant to expand the Women Veterans Network, providing peer support to women veterans. The funding also supports Strength at Home Couples, a program that enhances intimate relationships and prevents conflict in military couples.
Amy Fitzpatrick, MD, MS, has been recognized for her groundbreaking work in advancing women's health in Massachusetts. Her research and curriculum development have improved diagnosis and treatment of breast conditions, particularly in high-risk populations.
Sushrut Waikar, MD, MPH, is honored by the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) with the Distinguished Mentor Award. He has made significant contributions to nephrology through mentorship and research on kidney disease diagnosis and treatment.
A new review article argues that forensic anthropology has been hindered by outdated and harmful methods that perpetuate a male/female binary. The authors call for sex-expansive practices that reflect human biocultural variation and affirm LGBTQIA+ livelihoods.
Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, a renowned cardiologist and director of the Framingham Heart Study, has been honored with the American Heart Association's Gold Heart Award for his groundbreaking work in promoting cardiovascular health and preventing cardiovascular diseases. His research focuses on the mechanisms and life course of cardiovascul...
Lauren Stern, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, has been recognized for her significant contributions to medical student education. She directs the Integrated Renal Physiology and Pathophysiology curriculum and serves as a field-specific advisor for fourth-year medical students.
Robert P. Marlin, MD, PhD, MPH, has been honored with the 2026 Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for his outstanding initiative and leadership in public health outreach and advocacy. He is a board-certified primary care internist at Boston Medical Center and director of policy for the Immigrant and Refugee Health Center.
A BU researcher has been awarded a grant to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for intimate partner violence in Washington State. The study aims to compare the outcomes of different interventions using data analysis and examine reductions in physical violence arrest recidivism and other related issues.
Benjamin L. Wolozin and his team will examine RNA binding proteins, RNA metabolism, and membraneless organelles in Parkinson's disease pathology and co-pathologies. They will also test a novel compound AQV-3 to break up toxic protein aggregates.
Stephen A. Wilson, MD, MPH, has been elected chair-elect of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Board of Directors for a one-year term. As chair-elect, he will serve on key committees and lead in the Chair's absence.
Researchers discovered that transposable elements are actively expressed in human brains as large RNAs, which can be processed into small RNAs. The study found that Huntington's disease impacts transposon small RNA expression, while Parkinson's exerts a stronger impact on transposon large RNAs.
Kate Flewelling, director of the Alumni Medical Library at Boston University Medical Campus, has been honored with the President's Award from the Medical Library Association. The award recognizes her dedication to improving the lives and careers of health sciences librarians through service and leadership.
Researchers found a combination of measuring shame—self-report, language, and body posture—are necessary to predict stress and avoidance behaviors in healthcare settings. This multi-modal approach provides a way to examine the different ways individuals experience and express shame.
Stefan Isaac will investigate mitochondrial DNA packaging and gene expression using novel sequencing-based assays. He aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms of mitochondrial energy production and how cells regulate this process.
Researchers identify superspreading niches as a critical framework for understanding and addressing TB transmission. Identifying these niche characteristics could enable novel interventions to disrupt transmission early between highly infectious source cases and their susceptible contacts.
A new study found that patients with gallbladder cancer who had certain documented gene changes in their tumor had a higher risk of death. The researchers matched the patients based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, cancer stage, surgery, and chemotherapy to compare survival rates.
Researchers aim to understand how chronic alcohol exposure changes the brain's stress circuitry, with potential breakthroughs in treating AUD. Advanced neuroscience approaches will be used to examine PACAP's role in excessive drinking, anxiety-like behaviors, and pain sensitivity.
Boston University medical students won awards at the Massachusetts Medical Society Research Poster Symposium for their innovative research projects. The top winners presented posters on various topics including AI-driven referrals and cardiovascular research.