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.
Since 2000, there has been a dramatic increase in cosmetic and non-cosmetic surgical procedures performed by dermatologic surgeons, with a 120% growth rate between 2001 and 2007. The procedures with the greatest increases were soft tissue augmentation, botulinum toxin injections, and non-ablative skin rejuvenation.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have successfully implemented an interdisciplinary multisite fourth-year geriatrics clerkship, meeting all ambulatory core geriatric competencies. The program exposes medical students to various settings and diagnoses, enabling them to provide appropriate care for older adults.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine developed an integrated treatment program combining cognitive processing therapy for PTSD and cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain management. The pilot study found significant benefits in reducing symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain among veterans.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that training pediatricians and clinical nurses improves communication with parents to reduce children's risk of developing early childhood caries. The intervention resulted in a significant reduction of ECC rates among patients at the trained site.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine recommend that women on hormone therapy continue their treatment before annual mammogram screenings. The increase in breast density due to hormone therapy is unlikely to mask early cancer detection, making it unnecessary to stop treatment prior to screening.
A study by BUSM researchers suggests a connection between low testosterone levels and an increased risk of heart disease. The findings, published in the Journal of Andrology, support the idea that androgen replacement therapy could help reduce cardiovascular risk in hypogonadal men.
Researchers at Boston University have developed new computer tomography contrast agents that selectively bind to glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage, improving visualization and sensitivity for diagnosing osteoarthritis. The study's findings show that these cationic agents are three times more sensitive than current contrast agents.
Researchers found that abstinent long-term alcoholics showed decreased and abnormal brain activity in the amygdala and hippocampus areas when looking at facial expressions. These findings support clinical reports of interpersonal difficulties in this population, suggesting brain abnormalities in emotional perception and memory.
Researchers develop computer model showing how diverse species can arise from arrangement of organisms across an area without physical barriers or natural selection. The study found that genetic distance increases over generations, leading to a rapid increase in species numbers until they reach a steady state.
A randomized trial found that disclosing genetic risk information to adult children of patients with Alzheimer's disease did not result in significant short-term psychological distress. Participants who learned they were APOE ε4 negative experienced considerable relief, while those who learned they were APOE ε4 positive showed no more ...
Young API gays and lesbians face rejection from families and stigmatization by the larger Asian community due to ancestral cultures and Western values. Researchers developed a new model of identity formation that explores ethnic and gender differences in four stages.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered new compounds that can be given orally to prevent radiation-induced injuries, including kidney, lung, skin, and intestinal tract damage. The EUK-400 series, which are synthetic antioxidants, protect tissues against damage caused by free radicals.
Researchers identified gaps in medication and opioid dependence documentation among MMT patients, leading to potential medication interactions and adverse events. Incomplete documentation occurs in up to 30% of cases, highlighting opportunities for improved communication and care coordination to enhance patient safety.
A study published in Public Health Nutrition found that pregnant women who consumed at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day had a moderate reduction in the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection. Higher intake was associated with a stronger risk reduction.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that endoscopic surgery is a valid option for treating esthesioneuroblastoma, with better survival rates than open surgery. The study also showed that endoscopic surgery produced more disease-free outcomes than nonsurgical treatment modalities.