Researchers found that PTSD and a variant in the klotho gene interact to cause premature aging in brain tissue, accelerating epigenetic aging. This interaction may lead to increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study found that forensic anthropology is a relatively homogenous discipline, lacking diversity in terms of people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. The field struggles to keep up with issues relevant to society due to its lack of diversity.
A panel of experts recommends imaging for hip and knee steroid injections to mitigate joint collapse and total replacement risks. Current evidence is insufficient to draw a definitive conclusion, highlighting the need for further research.
Cardiovascular healthcare faces a lack of diversity among its professionals, which hampers innovation and excellence. Women and underrepresented groups are disproportionately underrepresented in the field.
Researchers will examine associations between traumatic stress-related accelerated cellular aging and subsequent brain health among veterans. The study aims to contribute to new targeted interventions to slow the pace of cellular aging and improve overall health.
Anand Devaiah, MD, delivers virtual Conley Lecture on Medical Ethics at the AAOHNS Annual Meeting, discussing social determinants of health. He emphasizes the importance of addressing these factors in healthcare to achieve better health equity.
Researchers from Boston VA Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine describe a potential path forward for safely reopening community-based observational studies. They provide guidelines and best practices to mitigate risk to participants and staff while ensuring the continuation of research programs.
Researchers from VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Public Health used machine learning to explore streamlining the diagnostic tool for PTSD. They found that six questions could be cut from the SCID-5 while maintaining accuracy, with different questions being more or less important for male and female veterans.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found that an alpha adrenoceptor blocker may treat salt-sensitive hypertension by reducing a kidney mechanism that reabsorbs salt. This approach shows promise in treating high blood pressure associated with dietary salt intake.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with vitamin D sufficiency had a significant decreased risk for adverse clinical outcomes, including becoming unconscious, hypoxia, and death. Vitamin D also lower blood levels of inflammatory marker C-reactive protein and higher blood levels of lymphocytes.
A team of researchers at Boston University has found that SARS-CoV-2 initially suppresses the lung cells' ability to activate the immune system, triggering a deadly inflammatory pathway. This activation leads to an influx of immune cells and an increase in inflammation in the lungs.
Researchers found a connection between contact sports participation and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) leading to sleep dysfunction. The study revealed that tau pathology in brainstem nuclei is more strongly associated with sleep symptoms than Lewy body pathology, suggesting a new link between CTE and REM sleep behavior disorder.
A new program will continue dementia surveillance and invigorate the brain donation program using FHS participants' cognitive assessments and brain imaging. The program aims to identify genetic and biomarker factors related to Alzheimer's disease and develop strategies to preserve cognition.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine aim to create new breast tumor models that represent women with comorbidities like diabetes, which can lead to improved outcomes in survival. The project's goal is to address the unmet clinical need for better treatment options for these patients.
A new study maps changes in homicide rates across Brazil from 2000 to 2014, showing success in major urban areas but an explosion of homicides in northeastern regions. The research highlights the need for policies addressing spatial spillover and poverty rates as violence appears to move to neighboring areas.
Researchers identified a potential underlying mechanism in the nervous system responsible for varying pain patterns with knee osteoarthritis. People with more pain sensitization were more likely to suffer from constant and unpredictable pain.
A new study from Boston University School of Public Health found that 27.8% of US adults experienced depression symptoms in mid-April, compared to 8.5% before the pandemic. Income and savings were the most significant predictors of depression symptoms during COVID-19.
A Boston University School of Public Health study found that mobile e-shredding trucks expose workers to toxic metals and particles, posing health risks. The study calls for improved safety guidelines to protect vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by the growing industry.
A new study finds that dementia may be the underlying cause of nearly three times more deaths in the US than previously thought. The study estimates that 13.6% of deaths are attributable to dementia, which is 2.7 times more than the 5.0% of death certificates that indicate dementia as an underlying cause of death.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that weight changes between early adulthood and midlife are crucial in determining a person's risk of early death. Participants whose BMI decreased from obese to overweight range had half the risk of dying compared to those who remained obese throughout their lives.
Researchers at Boston University School of Public Health found a decline in atrial fibrillation-related deaths over the last 45 years. Despite this improvement, the condition remains associated with a significant gap in life expectancy compared to individuals without atrial fibrillation.
A new study proves that the McKee CTE staging scheme accurately represents the progression of tau pathology in CTE, correlating with clinical dementia and age at death. Researchers found five brain regions with increasing p-tau pathology that conform to CTE stage, age, and years of football play.
The study found that macrophages play a critical role in muscle inflammation, fibrosis, and regeneration. Researchers believe that therapeutic manipulations of these cells hold promise for promoting muscle injury repair and improving outcomes for individuals with muscular dystrophy.
Researchers found that bisphosphonates can reduce bone marrow lesions in people with knee osteoarthritis, which could lead to improved pain management and halted disease progression.
A recent study by Boston University School of Public Health found that losing weight between young adulthood and midlife can lower the risk of developing arthritis. The researchers estimated that nearly a quarter of arthritis cases in the US are attributable to excess weight, corresponding to approximately 2.7 million people.
Deborah Lang's research aims to discover innovative treatments for melanoma by targeting molecular pathways involved in normal cell development. The grant will support her study on the role of YAP and TAZ genes in melanoma progression.
A majority of US gun owners support measures such as universal background checks, permit requirements, and prohibitions for individuals with domestic violence restraining orders. However, most report not vocally supporting these policies due to feelings of disrespect by health advocates.
A new study finds that Medicaid-covered mothers are three times less likely to feel they had a choice about their birth experience, compared to those with private insurance. Women on Medi-Cal were also half as likely to have a choice of prenatal provider or be encouraged to make decisions about labor and birth.
A new Boston University School of Public Health and School of Medicine study finds that genetic risk factors for dementia can be lowered by improving cardiovascular health. Participants with a high genetic risk score were 2.6 times more likely to develop dementia, but those with good cardiovascular health were half as likely.
Experiences of racism among African Americans are associated with lower subjective cognitive function and increased risks of depression, poor sleep, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Research from the Black Women's Health Study found that women reporting higher levels of daily and institutional racism had a greater risk of poor SCF.
Researchers found rural communities experiencing high rates of firearm suicides are often diverse and have collective environmental risk factors. The study's findings support a broader public health approach that targets interventions in high-risk areas to reduce gun suicides and opioid deaths.
BRD4 protein regulates key proteins contributing to prostate cancer progression, suggesting new therapeutic target. Current treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer are limited and focus on suppressing tumor cells' reliance on androgen receptor signaling.
A BU researcher outlines common media failures in reporting coronavirus research, including incomplete and biased information. The author recommends greater caution and detail in science communication to avoid harm and maintain trust.
A new study finds differences in gun culture across the US, with three strands identified: recreational use, self-defense, and Second Amendment advocacy. Gun Culture 3.0 is characterized by fear of government threats and increased in states with stricter gun laws.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study estimates that remdesivir can increase ICU capacity by over 50%, saving up to 6,862 lives per month. The drug's 'double impact' could save as many as 13,647 South Africans by December.
Boston University researchers have developed artificial genes called biosensors that can detect changes in signaling molecules, which are molecular on/off switches inside cells. These biosensors have the potential to improve drug development by allowing researchers to study G-proteins more accurately and easily.
Researchers at Boston University and Boston Medical Center have assembled the largest repository of patient-derived stem cells from AATD patients. The cells can be used to study genetic diseases and potentially find new treatment approaches for AATD.
A Boston University study found that 48% of teens in relationships have been stalked or harassed by a partner, while 42% have done the same to someone else. The research highlights the need to address non-physical dating abuse as a significant public health concern.
A large study analyzing living patients found an association between repeated head impacts and later-life symptoms of depression and cognitive decline. The study revealed that exposure to repetitive head impacts had a stronger effect on depression symptoms than traumatic brain injury alone.
A new study finds that high deductible health plans are widening the racial health gap among black and white cancer survivors. Black cancer survivors on these plans face significant cost-related barriers to care, including skipping medication or delaying refills.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and the University of British Columbia finds that thousands of US deaths may be caused by heat each year. The researchers estimate that moderate heat killed 3,309 people per year in the counties included in the study, while extreme heat killed 2,299 people annually.
Researchers inhibited a specific protein to decrease megakaryocyte numbers in an experimental model, showing promise for treating myeloproliferative neoplasms. The study's findings suggest a potential complementary or alternative therapy for this debilitating disease.
Boston University School of Medicine's Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) has received a $1.9 million grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to provide online groups, peer support, and social connections for female veterans. The program aims to improve mental health, social support, and well-being for women veterans across the US.
A new Boston University study finds that inflation has reduced American alcohol tax rates by 70% since 1933, with the average tax rate now lower than its 1933 value. The study suggests that revamped taxes could provide governments with much-needed revenue without harming industries.
The importance of documenting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in clinical care is crucial for addressing health disparities affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals. SOGI data collection can facilitate more accurate assessments, improve care, and inform research and public health interventions.
The USPSTF recommends screening for unhealthy drug use in all adult patients, despite limited evidence on its effectiveness. While the practice may have some benefits, such as reducing stigma, it also poses risks, including exposure to stigma and poor counseling outcomes. Dr. Richard Saitz argues that alternative strategies should be d...
The study found that LTCFs account for a significant proportion of COVID-19 deaths, with some states reporting over 70% of deaths occurring in these facilities. The authors attribute this to the asymptomatic spread of the virus and inadequate measures to prevent its entry into facilities.
Defective ACLP protein causes cellular stress and induces fibrosis in multiple organs, including lungs, livers, and adipose tissues. The study identifies a novel variant of EDS-causing mutations and reveals the protein's role in maintaining connective tissue integrity.
High blood pressure during and after exercise is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, preclinical cardiovascular disease, and death in middle-aged to older adults. Regular physical activity and monitoring blood pressure numbers can help lower this risk.
Researchers found that African American women have a higher risk of breast cancer due to shared genes with white women, including BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2. Current breast cancer testing panels can be used for African American women, increasing the chances of early detection and prevention.