Researchers found a significant association between coronary artery calcium and changes in the left ventricular mass index and aortic root diameter. This suggests that higher calcium scores may be linked to potential adverse effects on heart function, emphasizing the need for a healthy lifestyle to prevent calcification of arteries.
A new type of specially designed footwear has been shown to significantly reduce the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. The biomechanical footwear was found to be effective in reducing pain scores, and may also have potential benefits for people with hip or back pain.
A new study found that a brief motivational interview with a health professional can reduce drug use among occasional users. Six months after the intervention, participants reported less frequent use of their main drug.
The International Society of Hypertension has released the first global practice guidelines for managing hypertension, developed by a world-wide panel of experts. The guidelines aim to simplify treatment approaches in resource-poor settings, addressing the challenge of accessing cutting-edge medical equipment and technology.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found detectable levels of DDT and other banned organochlorine pesticides in the blood of over 60% of Detroit-area black women. The chemicals were linked to tobacco, alcohol, and water consumption, posing hormonal and metabolic issues.
A new AI algorithm can predict Alzheimer's disease risk with high accuracy using a combination of brain MRI scans, cognitive impairment tests, and demographic data. The algorithm also provides interpretable visualizations of individual disease risk, leading to more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers have identified ROBO2 as a potential therapeutic target for treating kidney diseases, including glomerular diseases and chronic kidney disease. High ROBO2 protein levels are found in injured kidney models and can lead to reduced podocyte adhesion, making it a promising area of investigation.
A new guidance statement has been developed by a team from the Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology (SVIN) to improve ways to treat acute large vessel occlusion strokes during the COVID-19 crisis. The recommendations aim to minimize exposure to healthcare workers while providing optimal care to patients.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that Black, Native American, and lower-income people are more likely to have underlying conditions increasing the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. The researchers analyzed data from over 330,000 people and estimated that 43% of American adults have at least on...
Ann McKee will lead a collaboration to characterize brain donors with and without a history of RHI and/or TBI, determining their neuropathological and clinical phenotypes. The goal is to identify the neuropathological features of TBI-related neurodegeneration and its association with dementia and parkinsonism.
A zero-emissions Boston could avoid nearly 200 deaths each year, with significant reductions in cardiovascular and respiratory illness across the region. The city's climate policies would also save $1.7 billion in Suffolk County and $2.4 billion for the entire 75-square-mile zone.
A study of over 9,500 women veterans found that those with PTSD or moral injury are more likely to experience negative pregnancy outcomes and postpartum depression. The researchers highlight the importance of screening for these conditions in obstetric settings.
Two studies from Boston University School of Public Health found that patients with higher BMIs were up to 158% more likely to use prescription opioids long-term. Osteoarthritis, other joint disorders, and back pain accounted for most opioid prescriptions linked to obesity.
Research highlights increased cardiovascular disease risk among people with HIV worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The study explores how geographic location and income level influence the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors, shedding light on potential differences between lower- and higher-income countries.
A BU MED student, Thomas Cheng, received a $3,000 award and two-year Journal of Vascular Surgery subscription for studying patient presentation and outcomes for dialysis in immigrant and refugee populations. The goal is to identify areas for improvement in this vulnerable population.
A new study found that women are significantly overrepresented as authors and disseminators of physician compensation studies, which are largely unfunded. This may contribute to slow progress in addressing pay disparities.
Dr. Emelia J. Benjamin, a renowned researcher and educator, has been recognized with the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine Diversity Award for her tireless efforts to promote ethnic, racial, and gender diversity within Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that individuals who maintain intermediate to ideal cardiovascular health for longer periods are 33% less likely to develop hypertension and other diseases. This suggests that promoting healthy behaviors throughout life may be beneficial for reducing the risk of chronic diseases and mortality.
A new study by Boston University researchers estimates that nearly 62,530 cancer survivors in the US are transgender, with trans men being twice as likely to receive a cancer diagnosis. Transgender individuals also face higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and depression compared to cisgender counterparts.
Researchers found that liver fibrosis is tied to a specific type of heart failure, known as preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF), which affects people with and without HIV and hepatitis C. The study suggests that preventing liver fibrosis may be crucial in reducing the risk of HFpEF.
Pairing clinician and basic science educators can help improve retention of information in medical school curriculum design. This integration, starting from the initial stages, facilitates the transfer of knowledge to clinical settings. By shadowing clinicians, basic scientists can better understand how to communicate information with ...
BU's PREP program supports recent bachelor's degree recipients from underrepresented groups in biomedical sciences, providing research experience and mentorship to advance their PhD training or career prospects. The five-year grant will foster diverse talent pipeline for STEM education.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that couples conceive quickest in late fall and early winter. Seasonal patterns in conception also varied among Northern states, Scandinavia, and the US, with stronger effects in southern states.
A new BU School of Public Health study scores states on alcohol policy, finding even Utah has room for improvement. The research found that laws to reduce excessive drinking also have an independent effect on reducing impaired driving.
A new commentary highlights how collaborations between schools and health departments can create vulnerabilities for students' private health information. To address these gaps, researchers recommend creating clear privacy protocols and mapping out processes to anticipate potential issues.
A Boston University School of Public Health study found that LGBQ teens face high rates of attempted suicide, despite a doubling in identification from 2009 to 2017. The proportion of LGBQ teens attempting suicide remained nearly four times the rate for straight peers.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found a link between yoga and increased Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) levels, which may help alleviate depressive symptoms. Completing one yoga class per week can maintain elevated GABA levels.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that two million more Americans avoided health care because of inability to pay or lack of insurance at the end of 2017 compared to 2016. The reversal was particularly pronounced in non-expansion states, where low-income residents were hardest hit.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified the unique genetic program behind primordial lung progenitors, a rare and transient cell type. This discovery may lead to improved stem cell protocols for treating respiratory diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, and lung interstitial disease.
Using a combination of pluripotent stem cells and machine learning, researchers have improved how they generate lung cells. This technique enables the growth of lung cells in a laboratory for over a year, allowing for better modeling of lung diseases and potential personalized treatments.
A review by Boston University School of Public Health researchers calls for recognition of 'take-home' exposures as a public health hazard. The authors propose a multi-tier intervention approach to prevent chronic, low-level exposures that harm developing children.
After recovering from pneumonia, alveolar macrophages transform and retain a memory of their prior experience, influencing future responses to infections. This finding may lead to improved lung defenses against pneumonia in young adults.
Researchers found daratumumab to be safe and successful in treating patients with relapsed AL amyloidosis, a condition characterized by organ failure. The treatment was well-tolerated and effective when used with appropriate pre- and post-infusion medications.
Primary care physicians should discuss 'virginity' testing as part of comprehensive sexual education, building trust and assessing knowledge, attitudes and practice in at-risk patients.
A new study by researchers from Boston University School of Public Health and Chulalongkorn Universities identified strengths and weaknesses in Thailand's diabetes care. The majority of Thai adults with diabetes were never diagnosed, but most who were diagnosed received treatment and controlled their condition.
A community-delivered curriculum, Parenting Journey, reduced perceived parenting stress and improved outcomes in low-income diverse populations. The program increased resilience, self-care, and social networks among participants.
Scientists identified a new biological pathway (RICTOR/mTORC2) as a potential therapeutic target for colon cancer. Targeting this pathway could enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments. The study also highlights the importance of SMAD4 gene mutations in colon cancer progression.
Researchers developed an interactive health counselor to educate women about breast density, with participants showing increased knowledge and satisfaction. The prototype aims to empower women with accurate information throughout the breast cancer screening process.
Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health argue that calling pornography a public health crisis endangers the health of the public by leading to unwarranted policy shifts. The existing evidence suggests negative health consequences for some individuals, but not substantial harm overall.
A new study analyzing thousands of tweets reveals widespread misunderstanding of miscarriage's physical, emotional, and psychological impacts. Celebrity disclosures also sparked personal sharing of experiences, with grief and annoyance being the most common emotions expressed.
A study found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) decreased coverage disruptions among low-income adults. The researchers estimated that half a million fewer adults experienced churning annually, leading to improved access to care and reduced emergency department visits.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health finds that Medicaid expansion in Colorado improved access to postpartum care, particularly for mothers with pregnancy/childbirth complications. This narrowing of the 'postpartum coverage cliff' has significant implications for reducing maternal mortality.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that Victoria's Secret models have become thinner over the past 20 years, with smaller busts and hips, but their waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) has remained constant. This trend reflects a changing ideal of beauty that is moving away from the characteristics of average American women.
Researchers studied over 9,500 veterans, finding that former enlisted personnel reported poorer outcomes on well-being compared to officers, while deployed veterans experienced poorer health. Many veterans struggled with chronic health conditions, anxiety, and depression, leading to eroding broader well-being over time.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered the protein c-Cbl has the ability to degrade PD-1, a critical immune checkpoint that helps cancer cells evade the immune system. This finding may lead to new therapies targeting c-Cbl to treat certain types of cancer, including melanoma and non-small lung cancer.
A novel parasitic gene in fruit flies is responsible for destroying eggs in ovaries, similar to human genomes filled with mobile parasitic genes called transposons. The discovery may lead to a better understanding of how human genomes are shaped by transposons and the small RNA molecules used to silence them.
A national survey of women found that DBNs are not achieving their desired effects in reducing breast cancer awareness and screening. The study revealed greater anxiety and confusion among black women with higher incomes, while white women with higher incomes had more knowledge about breast density.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine identified a three times higher incidence of VTE among African American patients compared to Caucasian patients. The study also found that African American patients were more likely to develop VTE in certain cancer types such as lung, gastric (stomach) and colorectal.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that the decline in prescriptions of non-opioid analgesics coincided with a marked increase in opioid prescribing. The study suggests that health risks associated with NSAIDs were one factor that led to increased prescribing of opioids.
Researchers identified novel respiratory cell changes in smokers and pre-cancerous tissue, which may lead to new therapies for lung cancer prevention. The study used single-cell genomics to analyze gene expression in cells from never and current smokers.