Researchers have found a brief, simple test to effectively screen for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD dementia. The King-Devick test can accurately distinguish between cognitively healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment over 90% of the time.
Researchers have developed a lung-targeted gene therapy strategy that may improve treatments for inherited diseases like emphysema. The new approach, which delivers a normal copy of the gene to lung cells, shows promise in reducing disease severity and increasing protein production.
Emelia Benjamin, a renowned cardiologist and researcher, has received the American Heart Association's (AHA) highest award for her leadership and contributions to cardiovascular research. She has propelled the AHA's research mission through her work as associate editor of the AHA journal Circulation and chair of multiple committees.
A recent study published in BMJ found that mandatory treatment for substance use disorders is not effective in reducing drug use and may violate human rights. The authors suggest community-based approaches such as methadone and buprenorphine treatment, harm-reduction programs like needle exchanges, and education on overdose medications.
A BU researcher has received a $2.95 million grant to investigate the relationship between immune cells and type 2 diabetes, with the goal of developing new treatments for both conditions.
After health insurance reform, minority-serving hospitals in Massachusetts saw a significant increase in minority discharges, with 62% of 'safety-net hospital users' continuing to receive care at these facilities. The study suggests that interventions like raising Medicaid reimbursement rates could benefit these vital resources.
Women with severe depressive symptoms have a decreased chance of becoming pregnant, while psychotropic medication use does not appear to harm fertility. The study found a 38% decrease in the average probability of conception among women with severe depressive symptoms.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found similarities in genetic and epigenetic alterations between breast and ovarian cancers. The study suggests that better understanding of these changes may lead to more effective chemotherapeutics and strategies to circumvent drug resistance.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that firearm ownership is closely tied to suicide rates, with states having higher gun ownership levels experiencing higher gun-related suicides. The study analyzed 33 years of data and found that firearm ownership explained 71% of the variation in state-level g...
Researchers found that excessive drinkers would pay nearly $3 in $4 of the increased cost of alcohol following state alcohol tax increases. In contrast, non-excessive drinkers would pay less than $10 per year, regardless of hypothetical tax increase amounts.
Parents of children with asthma who experienced a teachable moment and received motivational smoking cessation counseling were more than twice as likely to quit smoking. Long-term in-home and telephone counseling also improved quit rates and reduced hospitalizations and missed school days due to asthma.
A clinical trial found that same-day initiation of antiretroviral therapy improved ART uptake and viral suppression rates. Patients who started treatment quickly had better health outcomes, despite some loss to follow-up.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a reliable marker (PDGFRβ) to detect carcinoma-associated fibroblasts in oral cancer tissues. This finding could lead to the development of more effective cancer therapies by combining anti-PDGFRβ treatment with existing tumor treatments.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that 87% of patients misusing drugs and alcohol suffer from chronic pain. Many use substances to alleviate physical pain, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment strategies.
A newly discovered pathway in Alzheimer's disease may provide new treatment approaches by targeting the formation of tau-stress granules. Reducing key stress granule proteins prevents tau aggregation and nerve cell degeneration.
Katya Ravid, a Boston University professor, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct innovative interdisciplinary research in hematopoiesis and megakaryocte/platelet biomedical research in France. She will serve as an advisor to ongoing institutional programs at the University of Strasbourg and INSERM.
A study found that one in five underage youths consumed jello shots, which were associated with heavier drinking, physical fights, and increased risk of adverse consequences. The study's findings have important public health implications and suggest the need for interventions to address this consumption.
A new study found that dense breast notifications are often poorly readable and understandable, creating uncertainty for women making decisions about supplemental screening. The study suggests that efforts should focus on enhancing the readability of these notifications to inform women accurately about their breast density status.
Researchers found a novel neuron regeneration pathway in C. elegans that could lead to treatments for human spinal cord injury and paralysis. The discovery sheds light on the adult human nervous system's ability to regenerate, which is essential for restoring health to people with permanent neurological damage.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered a new gene, FOXF2, linked to ischemic stroke caused by small vessel disease in the brain. The study suggests that unraveling the mechanisms of small vessel disease could lead to better treatments for this major cause of stroke and dementia.
Kitt Shaffer, MD, PhD, received the 2016 Alliance of Medical Students Educators in Radiology (AMSER) Excellence in Education Award. She has made significant contributions to medical student radiology education through her work on curriculum development and faculty mentorship.
Researchers have identified a link between adult-onset diabetes and certain cancers, highlighting the role of bromodomain (BRD) proteins. The study suggests that targeting BET proteins may be beneficial for both conditions.
Researchers will analyze data from DECAMP consortium to advance targeted therapeutics for COPD and lung cancer using molecular biomarkers. The goal is to screen people at risk, predict disease progression, and intercept disease.
A new study provides insight into the role of RNA editing in cancer, identifying over 2,000 genes with significant changes in RNA editing levels between tumor and normal tissues. Researchers found that these changes may be linked to different clinical outcomes.
A new study found that conflicting expectations between parents and medical providers about scheduling follow-up appointments is the most common reason for patients not completing the HPV vaccine series. Researchers suggest improving education and dialogue between providers and parents to increase vaccination completion rates.
A new study by Boston University researchers found that three state laws - requiring firearm identification, ammunition background checks, and universal background checks - can substantially reduce gun deaths. Implementing these laws nationwide could project a national mortality rate of 0.16 per 100,000 people.
The Ambulatory Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) Outpatient Clinic at Boston University School of Medicine emphasizes education alongside patient care, offering complex diagnoses and literature review opportunities. This model aims to reduce costs and readmissions by concentrating health care efforts on unstable patients.
A team of researchers discovered that people with Down syndrome have altered white matter insulation in their brains, affecting nerve transmission. This finding may lead to new treatments for DS patients and has implications for other developmental disabilities like autism.
A new study demonstrates that pediatric patients with asthma who received their medications in hospital are more likely to avoid emergency department visits. The 'Meds-in-Hand' program, which provides on-site pharmacy delivery, significantly reduced ED visits and improved patient outcomes for discharged children with asthma.
A particular enzyme called DLST in the TCA cycle supports the growth and survival of T-cell leukemia cells. Inhibiting this enzyme's activity can effectively kill these tumor cells.
The Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights is expanding its services to provide novel programs and support medical, behavioral and social services for torture survivors and their families. The center will gather outcomes data and build critical infrastructure related to new initiatives and programs.
Researchers found computerized cognitive rehabilitation significantly improves attention and executive functioning in TBI and stroke patients, with trends toward significance also observed. The treatment can reduce wait time and cost, improve quality of life and reduce caregiver burden.
A new study based on the Framingham Heart Study data reveals a progressive decline in dementia incidence over nearly 40 years, with a 20% reduction per decade since the 1970s. The decline was more pronounced in persons with high school education and above, suggesting the importance of effective prevention strategies.
A new study reveals that low-income families with children who have special health care needs are at a high risk for food insecurity, even when they receive government assistance. The researchers suggest re-evaluating criteria for nutritional assistance to decrease this risk.
Researchers have developed a new sunscreen called Solar D that maximizes vitamin D production while maintaining its SPF. The study found that Solar D allowed for up to 50% more production of vitamin D in-vitro compared to a popular commercial sunscreen, potentially reducing the risk of vitamin D deficiency and related health problems.
Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease, can cause microcephaly in infants and mild flu-like symptoms in adults and children. The US is at risk of introduction, particularly with the presence of Aedes species mosquitoes in many states.
A study has identified the replication stress response protein SMARCAL1 as a key player in the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway, which is active in approximately 10% of all cancers. This pathway allows cancer cells to maintain telomere length and avoid cell death, making it a potential target for new therapies.
A recent perspective recommends individualized care through careful benefit-risk assessments and education to address the prescription opioid-misuse epidemic. Clinicians face challenges in managing severe chronic pain due to limited tools and reimbursement systems favoring medication-only treatment.
A new report by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher links Gulf War toxins to illness in veterans, citing pesticide and nerve gas exposure as causally associated with Gulf War Illness. The study found structural and electrical abnormalities in the central nervous systems of deployed troops with GWI.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found a substantial association between state-level firearm ownership rates and killings of women by guns. State gun ownership rates explain 40 percent of the variation in women's homicide victimization rates, compared to just 1.5 percent for men.
A study of over 6 million newborns found that pre-pregnancy obesity is strongly associated with increased infant mortality rates, particularly from preterm-related causes and congenital anomalies. The risk of infant death was 32% higher for obese mothers, even after controlling for demographic factors.
Researchers discovered a novel pathway involved in blood vessel occlusion by increasing LOX activity in platelets. This led to reduced clotting time and increased blood clot formation, pointing to the specific receptor responsible for platelet adhesion.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that geographic location significantly affects the quality grades assigned to Medicare Advantage insurance plans. The study suggests that accounting for geographic differences is essential to allow for fairer comparisons among plans.
A team of researchers at Boston University School of Medicine has discovered a previously unknown cellular defect in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest that the cells' dysfunction of calcium homeostasis can determine whether certain neurons live or die.
A study found that exposure to smoky coal causes similar gene expression patterns in buccal epithelial cells as active cigarette smokers. Researchers identified 282 genes associated with smoky coal emissions, which elicited similar physiologic effects as tobacco use.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine identified a metastasis suppressor gene called serum deprivation response (SDPR), which plays a role in breast cancer progression. Over-expression of SDPR reduces the incidence of metastatic disease in models of aggressive, metastatic breast cancer cells.
A new Boston University study found that most obesity research relying on one-time measures of body mass index (BMI) overlooks the health impacts of weight change over time. The researchers argue that using 'weight histories' in studies clarifies the risks of obesity and shows they are much higher than appreciated.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that nearly 3,000 individuals with chronic pain who experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose continued to be prescribed opioids, with 70% receiving prescriptions from the same provider. Patients who took high dosages were twice as likely to have another overdose at two years of follow-up.
A global research team has identified 52 genetic variants associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease affecting 150 million people worldwide. The discovery may lead to personalized medicine approaches and new treatments for this debilitating condition.
A $16 million NIH/NINDS grant will fund a seven-year study to create methods for detecting and diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) during life. Researchers will examine risk factors, develop clinical criteria, and investigate genetic and head impact exposure risks.