A study by Boston University School of Medicine found that patients with high activation levels were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Patients with low activation had nearly twice the risk of 30-day post-discharge hospital service utilization, highlighting the need for tailored patient education.
A study by BUSM found that the majority of family medicine residency program directors believe complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is essential for resident training, but few have specific learning goals or adequate evaluation methods in place. The study also highlighted significant differences between strong and weak CAM/IM p...
A new screening tool, HITS, has been developed to detect intimate partner violence (IPV) in women veterans, accurately identifying 78 percent of abused individuals within the past year. The tool assesses psychological IPV and can be used in under four minutes.
A study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was more effective than progressive muscle relaxation therapy (PMR) in reducing heavy drinking among anxious alcoholics. The addition of medication to either CBT or PMR did not decrease alcohol consumption.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital public health program that reduces food insecurity, enhances nutrition, and improves child outcomes. Cuts to SNAP would be a misguided investment in American children's health and future success.
Researchers found no evidence of an increased risk for specific major birth defects in mothers who received the flu shot. However, there was a slight increase in preterm delivery rates among vaccinated women during certain seasons.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine studied 589 adults and found no association between marijuana frequency and health status, healthcare utilization, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or medical diagnoses.
A new study from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center found no evidence to support suggestions of increased risks of certain birth defects associated with antihistamine use in pregnancy. The study considered over 20,000 new mothers and commonly-used antihistamines available OTC or by prescription.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers finds a robust correlation between estimated levels of gun ownership and actual gun homicides at the state level. The study, covering 30 years, found that each 1 percentage point increase in gun ownership is associated with a 0.9% increase in firearm homicide rate.
Researchers found that weight loss significantly improved vascular function in obese individuals, particularly those with high insulin levels. The study suggests that reversing insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction may represent key therapeutic targets for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine advocate for a more individualized approach to diagnosing obesity, considering factors beyond Body Mass Index (BMI). This shift could help identify healthier obese individuals and prevent unnecessary medical interventions.
A study of 36 male athletes with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) found that the disease initially affects behavior or mood and later impacts memory and thinking abilities. The researchers discovered notable differences in symptoms between those experiencing behavior problems and those with memory and thinking issues.
A study by Boston University researchers found that vigorous physical activity was associated with a lower risk of obesity among young African-American women. The study, which followed 20,259 women for 14 years, revealed that increasing levels of vigorous exercise resulted in a 23% lower incidence of obesity.
Research from Boston University found that African-American women who reported frequent experiences of racism were more likely to develop adult-onset asthma. The study, which followed 38,142 women over 14 years, also discovered a significant link between increased racism and asthma incidence.
Patricia Resick, PhD, ABPP, received the American Psychological Association's Division of Trauma Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in trauma psychology. She has made outstanding contributions to science, practice, advocacy, and education, developing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD treatment.
Terence M. Keane, a renowned expert on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has received the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association. His work focuses on developing new therapies and treatments for PTSD, which affects approximately 7.7 million adults in the US.
Researchers will study tuberculosis in India, examining co-morbidities such as smoking and malnutrition that increase risk of developing the disease. The joint program aims to identify new diagnostic biomarkers for early detection and targeted interventions.
A study highlights the importance of physicians recognizing mothers' use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding. Research suggests that there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of herbal supplements during lactation.
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has failed to show significant improvements in short-term morbidity and mortality compared to traditional on-pump CABG surgery, according to a recent study published in Circulation. The technique may be abandoned unless surgeons can demonstrate comparable outcomes.
A new statistical framework called Pathoscope can accurately discriminate between closely related strains of the same species with little coverage of the pathogenic genome. The method also determines the complete composition of known pathogenic and benign organisms in a biological sample.
Researchers at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories have generated a map of the cellular circuitry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, shedding light on its ability to survive inactive in the human body for decades and resist treatment. The study provides new insight into the bacterium's survival mechanisms...
Researcher Thomas Perls warns of Gerovital H3's resurgence in the US due to unregulated internet marketing. Despite FDA ban in 1982, some clinics are now advertising the drug for anti-aging benefits.
A weekly yoga class provided similar lower back pain relief as twice weekly classes in a study of predominantly low-income adults. The results suggest that attending a medically appropriate weekly yoga class could benefit patients interested in trying yoga for lower back pain.
Anurag Singh, PhD, has received a $100,000 ALA Lung Cancer Discovery Grant to study targeted therapies for drug-resistant lung cancers. He aims to develop strategies to block KRAS protein function and improve treatment outcomes.
The First-HD study examines the efficacy and safety of SD-809, a novel drug for treating chorea associated with Huntington Disease. The trial aims to test the tolerability of the drug in patients who have not previously taken tetrabenazine.
Researchers discovered a novel pathway to enhance NMDA receptor function using pregnenolone sulfate, increasing functional receptors on cell surface within minutes. This finding suggests potential treatments not only for schizophrenia but also age-related memory and learning issues.
A novel approach to create human red blood cells and platelets in vitro has been identified by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine. This finding could potentially reduce the need for blood donations, speed up research on therapies to treat diseases such as sickle cell disease.
A BUSM study found that low-income and minority parents are more receptive to HPV vaccination, while white, middle-class parents defer vaccination. Vaccination can reduce health disparities in cervical cancer rates if girls are vaccinated before sexual experimentation.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that a mind-body class elective increased self-regulation and self-compassion among medical students, while decreasing perceived stress. The course, which combined mindfulness meditation and yoga, helped students better manage stress and feel more empowered to connect with patients.
A virtual patient advocate named Gabby delivers preconception care to African-American women through interactive conversations online. The pilot study found that 83% of identified risks were addressed or resolved by the users, resulting in improved pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that UVA induces progerin protein, accelerating skin aging, linked to genetic and environmental factors. Long-term exposure to UVA rays, particularly from tanning beds, accelerates photoaging by causing alternative splicing of the LaminA gene pre-mRNA.
A Patient Centered Medical Home model is proposed to assess and promote health by incorporating social determinants of health into clinical guidelines. The model aims to reduce socioeconomic disparities in healthcare for all patients.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine discovered that eating mushrooms containing Vitamin D2 can increase and maintain vitamin D levels comparable to taking supplements. The study found that ingesting mushroom powder containing Vitamin D2 was as effective in raising and maintaining healthy adults' vitamin D status.
Researchers from BUSM have developed a genetic signature for COPD from airway cells, providing a new way to study the disease and monitor patient response to treatments. This approach has shown consistent gene-expression changes in both airway and lung tissue cells in individuals with COPD.
Researchers used MRI to measure endothelial sheer stress (ESS) in atherosclerotic plaques, identifying high-risk plaques prone to disruption. The study found that low ESS was associated with unstable plaques, highlighting the importance of hemodynamics in atherosclerosis progression.
Elizabeth Shenk, a BU Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacology Training Program student, received the Research Scholar Award from the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. The $10,000 grant supports her research on determining which melanomas are likely to metastasize using a three-dimensional engineered platform.
A new study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that the chemical TDCPP was present in 99% of dust samples from participants' homes, vehicles and offices. The office environment was the strongest predictor of metabolized TDCPP in urine, with lower concentrations in newer buildings.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a new chemical class of compounds that can block genetically diverse viruses from replicating. These indoline alkaloid-type compounds effectively inhibited a number of viruses, including Ebola, by limiting RNA production in cell culture.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine identified significant problems with laboratory test naming conventions, leading to increased medical costs and delayed diagnosis. Researchers propose using search engine-like technologies to guide clinicians towards the most appropriate tests, improving patient safety and outcomes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that vitamin D supplements improved gene expression related to cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease. The researchers observed significant alterations in the activity of 291 genes, with biologic functions associated with 160 biologic pathways linked to these diseases.
Physician experts suggest adopting a 'user-led' innovation strategy, which prioritizes clinician and patient input, to rapidly address healthcare issues. This approach involves clinicians identifying problems, developing solutions, and testing them on a small scale before scaling up with feedback from patients.
A study conducted at Boston Medical Center found that IVC filters are often left in place indefinitely due to low retrieval rates and inconsistent anticoagulant use. A new multi-disciplinary team approach has been implemented to track and retrieve filters, resulting in successful removals of 10 out of 36 eligible filters.
The article highlights how cultural norms influence parenting behaviors, with Western cultures emphasizing autonomy and many Asian, African, and Latino cultures valuing interdependence. Pediatricians can benefit from understanding these differences to provide culturally sensitive guidance and support.
The Boston University School of Medicine has launched a safe opioid prescribing education program, funded by the first of its kind $1.8 million grant from manufacturers of extended release/long-acting opioid analgesics. The program is designed to train healthcare providers on how to safely manage patients with chronic pain using opioids.
A study from Boston University School of Medicine reveals that B cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting insulin resistance and directly regulating inflammatory T cells. This discovery supports the exploration of FDA-approved B cell depletion drugs as novel agents to prevent obesity-associated inflammation and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem critical for emotional memory processing during REM sleep. The activation of phasic pontine waves is linked to the development of long-term retention of fear extinction memory, making it a potential target for new treatments.
Clinical guidelines suggest monitoring patients closely for harm using urine drug testing, pill counts, and prescription data. Careful management balances pain relief with the risk of addiction and overdose.
Researchers at BUSM found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can relieve pain for people with painful diabetic neuropathies. CBT, a psychological treatment approach, was compared to treatment as usual in a study of veterans with type II diabetes.
The study identified seven new loci near genes that are associated with increased risk of age-related macular degeneration. The analysis included data from over 17,000 people with advanced AMD and 60,000 without, revealing a variety of biological functions implicated in the disease.
A study published in The Journal of Immunology found that inhibiting a group of proteins can decrease inflammatory responses associated with diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and sepsis. This suggests that targeting these proteins could be a potential treatment for various diseases.