Researchers at Boston University and VA have discovered a new disease, CTEM, that mimics ALS in athletes with repeated head trauma. The disease is characterized by abnormal tau protein deposits and TDP-43 pathology, which are also found in sporadic ALS cases.
A new study found that more than one in four pregnant and postpartum women in India experienced physical or non-physical abuse by in-laws. This form of abuse was significantly linked to intimate partner violence, with critical implications for prevention efforts.
Researchers from Boston University's Center for Space Physics observed recent auroral displays in high latitudes accompanied by fainter glows in lower latitudes. The team detected signs of a new cycle of solar-terrestrial activity, including Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arcs in the southern hemisphere.
Researchers found that African American women who use oral contraceptives are more likely to develop estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. The study, based on data from the Black Women's Health Study, also revealed a significant increase in risk for women who have used oral contraceptives for 10 or more years.
A BU team led by Prof. Adrian Whitty aims to create 'drug-like' small molecule inhibitors targeting challenging protein-protein interactions with a $1.6M NIH grant. The goal is to develop new approaches for discovering inhibitors against intracellular proteins critical to human inflammatory diseases and cancers.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a link between polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found increased odds of ADHD in children with higher serum PFC levels.
Researchers from Boston University identified 19 genetic clusters, or 'signatures,' associated with exceptional longevity in centenarians. These signatures correlated with differences in disease prevalence and age-of-onset, potentially helping identify subgroups of healthy aging.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered a new anti-inflammatory adipokine, Sfrp5, that modulates metabolic dysfunction in obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study found that Sfrp5 administration improved metabolic function and reduced inflammation in obese and diabetic mice.
Researchers used MRI to identify high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in an animal model, which could lead to non-invasive diagnosis and treatment of patients. The study found that MRI can accurately detect stable and unstable plaques, including those with enhanced gadolinium uptake associated with inflammation.
The university aims to bring students into labs earlier, with a focus on real research problems and hands-on experiences, to enhance their career paths. The new program will culminate in a senior thesis for publication, aiming to increase the percentage of students completing original research.
A team of researchers has discovered that amyloid-β protein accumulates in the eyes of people with Down syndrome, leading to distinctive cataracts. The findings may lead to an innovative eye test for early detection of Alzheimer's pathology in both disorders.
A gene network controlling lung development has been identified as responsible for the failure of lungs to form due to vitamin A/retinoic acid deficiency. This network, which balances two opposing pathways, can be corrected, potentially preventing lung defects in animals.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine identified factors associated with prescription drug use disorder (PDUD) in primary care patients with chronic pain. Key findings include a history of jail time, disabling pain, cigarette smoking, and family history of substance abuse as predictors of PDUD.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that music enhances recognition memory for Alzheimer's patients, but not healthy older adults. The study suggests that understanding musical processing and memory may lead to effective therapies for this prevalent disease.
A team of researchers has identified two new genes that may play a role in the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, used genome-wide association analysis to identify the genes on chromosomes 2 and 19, which were found to be associated with AD.
Richard Goldstein, a professor at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded an Individual Biomedical Research Award for his project on developing a vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The proposed vaccine targets highly conserved surface proteins across all pneumococcal strains.
The NFL is supporting the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy's (CSTE) research on long-term effects of head trauma in athletes. The $1 million gift will fund clinical research to develop early detection methods and prevent treatment for CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with dementia.
A leading medical authority criticizes the use of anti-aging hormones, citing little to no benefit and high risks. Dr. Thomas T. Perls advocates for caution and proper guidance for patients seeking healthy aging solutions.
Research finds that crowded and unstable housing, food insecurity, and energy insecurity negatively impact the growth, health, and development of infants and toddlers from low-income families. The study, published in Pediatrics, highlights remediable conditions influencing young children's well-being.
A recent study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. The study, which analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study, suggests that higher latitudes may lead to lower levels of vitamin D due to reduced sunligh...
Researchers have discovered a novel gene-expression-based approach to define oncogenic pathway signatures in the airway epithelium of smokers with lung cancer. This approach identifies specific genes belonging to the PI3K pathway, which are activated in high-risk smokers and may be reversed with a chemopreventive agent, myo-inositol.
Researchers found successful advocates collaborate with local and national organizations, lobbyists, and sponsoring legislators to aid in tanning bed bill passage. Strong lobbying efforts by the tanning industry hindered passage, while knowledgeable healthcare providers and public health advocates were key resources.
In a controlled experiment, researchers found that binge drinking did not impact academic test scores, but slowed attention and reaction times. Binge drinking may still affect other types of academic performance, such as essay-writing and problem-solving.
The study proposes a national model for addressing unhealthy substance use in internal medicine residents, integrating curricula into existing teaching venues. Researchers believe this approach mirrors effective clinical management and improves residency training.
Researchers from BUSM identified a new syndrome, SHAKE (Supplement-associated Hyperammonemia After C(K)achetic Episode), characterized by altered mental status and difficulty walking. The condition can be prevented by discontinuing high protein dietary supplements in patients with poor eating habits.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found sociodemographic characteristics significantly influence a patient's willingness to participate in cancer screenings. Lower education and income levels are associated with lower rates of cancer screenings, leading to potential disparities in mortality rates.
Researchers found that pre-pregnancy obesity increases risk of medically-indicated preterm birth, while underweight also raises the risk. Optimal pregnancy weight gain within recommended guidelines reduces preterm birth risk in obese women.
African American women living in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The study found a direct link between neighborhood environment and risk for the disease, with even well-educated women affected.
James A. Hamilton, PhD, received the 2010 Avanti Award in Lipids for his work on NMR methods to detect vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and specific components in plaques. The award recognizes his contributions to biomedical engineering and medicine.
The study found that disrupting TGFβ signaling leads to the re-expression of silenced genes, reversing tumorigenic properties and putting brakes on cancer progression. This discovery may pave the way for new therapeutic strategies targeting the Smad signaling pathway.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are associated with a significant decrease in Alzheimer's disease and dementia occurrence. Patients taking ARBs had up to a 50% lower chance of developing dementia compared to those on other medications.
Researchers developed a mathematical methodology to reduce biologic variation in laboratory results, improving the sensitivity of detecting physiologic changes. By using multiple paired sets of patient data, they found a substantial decrease in the difference necessary to achieve a given confidence interval.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a gene therapy that can prevent the progression of emphysema by delivering therapeutic genes to lung tissue. The treatment achieved sustained expression of human alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, improving lung compliance and alveolar size in mice with emphysema.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that higher leptin levels are associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. The study suggests that leptin may have beneficial effects on brain development and function, potentially opening pathways for preventive and therapeutic interventions.
A newly discovered gene called Brd2 has been found to play a crucial role in regulating body energy balance and protecting against Type 2 diabetes. In mice with a reduced expression of the Brd2 gene, obesity did not lead to diabetes, highlighting the importance of inflammation in this process.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that black women with high dairy intake have a reduced incidence of uterine leiomyomata (fibroids). High dairy consumption was inversely associated with fibroid risk, with a 30% reduction seen among women who consumed four or more servings per day.
A new study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that alcohol companies disproportionately advertise to youth through magazines with high youth readership. In magazines with high youth readership, youth alcoholic beverage types were more than four times more likely to be advertised.
Researchers have identified a number of proteins that allow them to distinguish between cancer and normal cells with high accuracy. This discovery may lead to the development of drugs specifically targeting these proteins to inhibit their activation.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered a link between fat accumulation around the heart and aorta, as well as within the liver, and decreased cardiac pumping function. Measuring body mass index (BMI) does not accurately predict the amount of unwanted fat in these areas.
Researchers found that dieters exhibit increased corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) gene expression when abstaining from palatable foods, similar to the brain's response in drug addicts. This stress-related response contributes to relapse eating among dieters.
Researchers found that yoga significantly reduced pain intensity and pain medication use in minority populations with chronic low back pain. The study, which included 12 weeks of hatha yoga classes, showed promising results for this often underrepresented population.
Researchers found widespread poor compliance with regular cleaning of public restrooms on cruise ships may predict subsequent norovirus infection outbreaks. The study evaluated the thoroughness of disinfection cleaning and found that toilet seats were best-cleaned objects while baby changing tables were least cleaned.
A web-based nutrition and exercise program has been shown to reduce healthcare costs for employees with cardiac risk factors. The study found that participants who visited the website at least 9 times per year had lower healthcare costs, with a $55 average decrease in costs.
The BU School of Medicine's CityLab program has received a five-year, $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to enhance its clinical research curriculum with hands-on laboratory experiments and computer-generated simulations.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that weekly and biweekly vitamin D2 doses effectively treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency. The study shows significant increases in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels after treatment, with no reported toxicity risks.
Researchers found no significant difference in visual outcomes between Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab treatments for age-related macular degeneration after 6 months. The study suggests that both drugs are effective, with Bevacizumab being a more affordable option.
Researchers have identified a 'Getting-Out-of-Bed' (GoB) measure to assess motivation and life outlook in older adults. The study found that women with higher GoB scores were more likely to have good health-related quality of life, self-perceived health, and regular exercise at 6 months.
Parkinson's Disease (PD) incidence increases with age, with a wide variation in onset age ranging from 20 to 90 years. Researchers have identified genes influencing PD onset age, which may help identify mechanisms and therapeutic targets for delaying symptoms.
Researchers from BUSM found that the 940nm wavelength laser is more effective in treating facial telangiectasias due to its superior penetration of the dermis and slower heating of vessels. This results in less pain and side effects compared to the 532nm wavelength.
The Framingham Heart Study has received a $1M challenge grant to identify risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation. Researchers will use data from five major cohort studies, including the study's own long-term follow-up of over 10,000 participants.