The STARS (Students and Trainees Advocating for Resource Stewardship) program at Boston University School of Medicine aims to help medical students develop skills to identify the appropriate amount of patient care. Through the program, students will review ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely value-based care campaign and use tools like t...
Researchers have developed a novel compound called Corin that specifically targets epigenetic changes in melanoma cells, potentially leading to significant improvements in treatment outcomes. The new compound inhibits the growth of melanoma cells by targeting specific proteins involved in epigenetic modifications.
Researchers have identified several genes responsible for Alzheimer's disease, including those affecting brain structure and function. These findings provide insight into the biological mechanisms leading to AD, particularly in the pre-symptom stages, and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered a possible biomarker for Huntington's disease, which may help evaluate treatment effectiveness and potentially delay disease onset. The study found altered levels of microRNAs in individuals carrying the HD gene mutation twenty years before symptoms appear.
A strong relationship was discovered between self-efficacy and exercise among women veterans with fibromyalgia, revealing positive effects on exercise adoption and maintenance. The study highlights the importance of tailored exercise programs to individual needs, aiming to improve overall quality of life and functioning.
African American women face significant disparities in breast cancer care, including delayed treatment and follow-up. The TRIP project aims to reduce these disparities by integrating three evidence-based strategies into a cohesive package across six hospitals.
Researchers at Boston University are developing a novel approach to deliver anti-retrovirals directly to lymphatic tissues to combat HIV replication. This targeted approach aims to improve drug penetration and eradicate virus reservoirs.
A BU researcher has been awarded a three-year grant to study the effectiveness of SHUTi, an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program, in reducing health disparities among black women with insomnia. The study aims to adapt SHUTi for black women and compare its effectiveness with standard care.
A new therapeutic paradox targets thrombo-vascular complications in kidney disease by boosting a regulatory protein called STUB1, which interacts with tissue factor to trigger clotting. This approach may offer an alternative to standard heparin treatment while maintaining a balance between pro-clotting and anticoagulant factors.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately following an HIV diagnosis dramatically improves retention in clinical HIV care. Patients who were eligible for ART at diagnosis were 25 percentage points more likely to start therapy and 18 percentage points more likely to remain in care at...
Mucosal healing is crucial in treating ulcerative colitis, as it reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. The study by Flores and colleagues reaffirms that ongoing inflammation increases cancer risk and may impact surveillance colonoscopies.
A unique model for Alzheimer's disease has been developed, suggesting a new approach for treating the condition. By reducing stress granule proteins, nerve cell health and memory can be improved.
Researchers found that topical application of Resolvin E1 on gum tissues prevented and treated gum disease, while also reducing the likelihood of advanced arterial plaque rupture. The study suggests effective preventive and therapeutic treatments for heart disease and gum disease without unwanted side effects.
African American women with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer, a more aggressive form of the disease. Chronic inflammation from diabetes may contribute to this increased risk, which could help explain the higher incidence of ER- breast cancer in African American women.
Researchers have created an artificial protein that inhibits G protein activators, leading to the potential blockage of malignant properties in cancer cells and correction of birth defects. The findings may pave the way for identifying new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
A study published in Environmental Research found that while ambient air pollution decreased in Massachusetts between 2003 and 2010, exposure remained higher in predominantly Hispanic and non-Hispanic black communities. The researchers tracked disparities over space and time using data from the 2000 and 2010 Census and the American Com...
A research team led by BU School of Medicine professor Avrum Spira is developing diagnostic tools to intercept lung cancer at its earliest stage using innovative approaches like nasal swabs and blood tests. The goal is to confirm whether lung abnormalities found on chest imaging are benign lung disease or signs of cancer.
Research at Boston University School of Medicine found that frequent marijuana use is associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with HIV who have an alcohol or other drug use disorder. The study suggests that marijuana may have detrimental effects on cognitive function in this population, particularly as they age.
Researchers discovered that mothers with high levels of neutralizing antibodies were more likely to pass on HIV to their infants through breast milk. Infants born to these mothers were also at higher risk of serious illness or death from the virus.
Studies found that female athletes in track and field experienced more bone stress injuries and tendon abnormalities than other Olympic events. Researchers recommend early MRI imaging for early detection of bone stress reactions and pre-competition screening data for chronic lesion detection.
The American Cancer Society has awarded Boston University School of Medicine with a three-year, $270,000 Institutional Research Grants program award to support early-stage cancer research by junior faculty. This funding will provide grants per year and is valued for its opportunity to establish proof-of-concept.
Adam Hsieh, a second-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has received the $10,000 TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship. He aims to pursue a career in medicine to better understand health and disease and extend compassionate care.
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that permissive concealed-carry laws are associated with significantly higher rates of handgun-related homicide. The study suggests that current trends towards more lenient gun laws are inconsistent with promoting public safety.
Lawreen H. Connors is awarded a $411,459 NIH grant to study wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis, a fatal protein deposition disease affecting millions of older Americans. Her research aims to improve recognition, monitoring, and treatment of the condition.
A BU researcher received a three-year award to investigate factors associated with non-fatal firearm injuries across different regions of the US. The goal is to understand how regional differences impact gun injury risk, ultimately aiming to tailor prevention efforts to specific areas.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine are developing an app to capture health data using mobile devices, with the goal of reducing cardiac risks. The project aims to test various approaches to getting people to use these technologies over long periods of time and compare mobile health data collected in the research center.
A study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that women veterans with mental health conditions like depression are at a higher risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). The research team analyzed data from 157,000 women veterans over 45 and discovered a significant correlation between CAD and multiple mental health diagnoses.
A stepped care approach is more effective in reducing PTSD prevalence than usual care in the aftermath of hurricanes. The study found that stepped care delivered greater reach, treatment effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness than usual care when it came to hurricane-related PTSD.
Hui Feng's research aims to understand why T-ALL is so aggressive and resistant to treatment. The grant will support further studies on the role of a novel protein contributor to leukemia's aggressiveness and its potential targeting through available drugs.
Boston University School of Medicine researcher Hugo J. Aparicio is studying the associations between novel vascular biomarkers and cognitive dysfunction in a community-based study. The goal is to identify potential biomarkers for aging-related dementia, which could lead to earlier detection and treatment.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a significant proportion of South Africans with diabetes do not receive adequate care, with nearly twice the proportion of cases being undiagnosed. The research highlights gaps in screening, diagnosis, treatment, and control of the disease, particularly among adults aged 40-plus.
Scientists have developed a way to generate and correct specific lung cells using pluripotent stem cells, which could lead to new therapies for conditions like neonatal respiratory distress and COPD. The corrected cells were able to produce essential surfactant, previously an elusive milestone.
Julie Palmer, a BU researcher, was awarded for her work on breast cancer disparities. She aims to reduce mortality by identifying factors that influence hormone receptor negative breast cancer.
Researchers have discovered a possible biomarker, CCL11, that may allow CTE to be diagnosed in living individuals. The study found elevated CCL11 levels in the brains of former football players with CTE compared to non-athletes and those with Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to targeted treatments for CTE sufferers.
Researchers argue that acellular vaccines' inability to prevent infections contributes to the disease's resurgence. The study highlights differences in mucosal immunity between whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines, which may have led to the increase in cases.
A new study reveals that the IGPR-1 protein plays a critical role in colon tumor growth and drug resistance, identifying it as a potential target for treatment. Blocking IGPR-1 with an antibody or shRNA inhibits tumor growth, suggesting significant therapeutic potential.
A recent study published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology found that the HPV vaccine is associated with improved fertility in some women, particularly those with a history of sexually transmitted infections. The research, led by Boston University School of Public Health, suggests that vaccinated women with an STI history have s...
A new study found an association between youth tackle football before age 12 and impaired mood and behavior later in life. The study, published in Nature's Translational Psychiatry, showed that participants who started playing at a younger age had twice the risk of behavioral regulation problems and three times the risk of depression.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a new lung cell type implicated in innate immune defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of the leading causes of pneumonia worldwide. The discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for combating this pathogen.
A new study found that states with laws requiring people at high risk of committing intimate partner abuse to relinquish firearms have significantly lower rates of intimate partner homicide and firearm-specific IPH. The study suggests that effective enforcement procedures are key to the law's impact.
Research published in Scientific Reports shows that RayVio's UV LED is more efficient than sunlight at producing vitamin D3 in skin samples. The study found that skin exposed to the LED for just 0.52 minutes produced more than twice as much vitamin D3 as samples exposed to 32.5 minutes of sunlight.
Boston University School of Medicine has received a two-year, $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to engage undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The project, BEST BET, aims to broaden career exploration options beyond traditional tracks.
Researchers have identified a molecule called miR-124 in non-small cell lung cancer cells that plays a regulatory role in programmed cell death. The findings may offer a new target in the fight against non-small cell lung cancer, particularly for mesenchymal-like cells resistant to chemotherapy.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researcher Jacob Bor found that counties with lower life expectancy gains saw a significant increase in Republican votes, while Democrats lost votes in these areas. The findings suggest that voters' health needs may be driving their electoral decisions.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine discovered that enhancing palmitoylation in the variant MC1R protein of redheads can reduce cancer risk for melanoma. This finding offers a potential alternative strategy to prevention by reducing sun exposure, which has been the focus of public health work.
The Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center has received a three-year grant from the NIH to advance research on Alzheimer's disease. The center aims to develop tests for early diagnosis and interventions to prevent or delay the disease.
A new study has found a significant link between malnutrition and tuberculosis (TB) in southern India. The research, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that more than 61% of TB cases in women are attributable to malnutrition, while up to 75% of male TB cases could be eliminated if alcohol use was reduced.
A study published in Neurology found that less REM sleep and longer sleep latency are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Research followed 321 participants over 12 years, revealing a nine percent increase in all-cause dementia risk for each percentage reduction in REM sleep.
Kolachalama's research aims to improve cardiovascular treatments by developing models for smarter artery care and improving drug-coated angioplasty balloons. The $231,000 Scientist Development grant will support his three-year study on the mechanisms of drug-coated balloon therapy.
A new study shows significant improvement in sexual and urinary function as well as quality of life for hypogonadal men undergoing long-term testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone therapy is found to increase bladder emptying, improve erectile/sexual health and overall quality of life.