A new study suggests that COVID-19 patients with obesity have poor outcomes, but this is not due to increased inflammation. Instead, respiratory issues and other factors may play a role. The researchers found that patients with obesity had lower inflammatory markers on hospital days, which could contribute to their poor clinical outcomes.
A new study has found that bullied lesbian, gay, and bisexual students are more likely to carry weapons. The research also reveals that bullying and harassment are strongly associated with weapon carrying among sexual minority youth.
Karol Serafin, a fourth-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2021 STFM Foundation Student Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes her commitment to academic family medicine and potential career in academia.
The study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly causes damage to human lung cells by exploiting core resources and inducing abnormal changes in protein abundance and phosphorylation. The researchers also identified 18 pre-existing clinically approved drugs that can be potentially re-purposed for COVID-19 therapy.
A new study finds that Medicaid expansion increases health insurance coverage, ability to see a physician, and foot examinations among patients with diabetes. However, it does not improve follow-up examinations, care, or treatment for diabetes, highlighting the need for additional structural changes.
David T. Felson, a renowned Boston University rheumatologist, has been honored with the Lee C. Howley Prize from the Arthritis Foundation for his groundbreaking research on osteoarthritis (OA). His work has led to significant advances in understanding OA risk factors, treatments, and outcome measurement.
A peptide called PACAP has been identified as a key player in the regulation of compulsive alcohol drinking. The protein acts on the Brain Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis to exert its effects, which are characterized by anxiety-like behavior and spontaneous compulsive alcohol drinking.
The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust has gifted Boston University School of Medicine a $40,000 grant to support early-stage, future-focused brain science research. The funding will enable young researchers to explore high-impact ideas that could push the future of humanity in a brighter direction.
Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health found that e-cigarette use is associated with a 21% increase in respiratory disease risk and a 43% increase in chronic bronchitis risk. Current e-cigarette users are also at higher risk for emphysema, COPD, and asthma.
A recent study found that racial/ethnic minorities comprise only a small percentage of patients with AL amyloidosis, despite being theoretically at higher risk. Younger age and more severe illness were observed among minority patients, who were also less likely to undergo aggressive treatment with stem cell transplantation.
A study of nearly 3,000 middle-aged Framingham Heart Study participants found that approximately nine percent had clinically significant liver fibrosis. Liver stiffness correlates with the degree of scarring, which is associated with more adverse cardiometabolic risk factors.
A new BU study finds that bisexual youth are twice as likely to start smoking compared to their straight peers. Coming out as lesbian or gay did not increase the risk of smoking. The research highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address the unique challenges faced by bisexual young people.
A Boston University study reveals that physical distancing policies had little effect on lower-income individuals, who were more aware and motivated to protect themselves but lacked the means to stay home. The research used anonymized mobility data from smartphones in over 210,000 neighborhoods across the US.
A Boston University School of Medicine study reveals a widening gap between high deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment and the availability of health savings accounts (HSAs), exacerbating health inequities among Black, Hispanic, and lower-income populations.
Dr. Thea James has been recognized with the inaugural Dr. Thea James Social Emergency Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award, created in her honor. The award recognizes her outstanding contribution to advancing social emergency medicine and improving health equity through her work.
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.