A new stigma-coping intervention was found to increase engagement in substance use treatment and improve ART adherence among people with HIV who inject drugs. The intervention reduced avoidance of healthcare settings, leading to higher chances of starting ART and engaging with treatment.
Health disparities in lung nodule follow-up and treatment are a major concern, with Black and Latino patients at higher risk of delayed follow-up. Researchers have identified prioritized research questions to mitigate these disparities, focusing on patient-clinician communication and culturally trained multidisciplinary teams.
A quality improvement initiative increased NICU social risk screening rates and connected 98% of requesting families with resources. Early engagement with services and cross-sector partnerships led to positive referral outcomes, improving caregiver presence in the NICU.
Early CTE disease process is characterized by different molecular pathways and gene expression changes compared to late-stage disease. Researchers analyzed post-mortem brain tissue from athletes with CTE and found distinct differences in neuro-inflammatory processes and genetic markers.
A new study found that long American football careers are linked to reduced white matter in the brain, which can lead to impulsive behavior and cognitive problems. The study also suggests that starting tackle football at a younger age contributes to more white matter loss.
A new study found that most patients are unaware of how race is used in medical decision-making, leading to mistrust in the healthcare system and unequal treatment. Researchers emphasize the need to center marginalized patients' voices in addressing racism in medicine.
Researchers found medical-legal partnerships to be highly valued by immigrant and migrant populations. These partnerships provide critical protections for vulnerable individuals, mitigating the impact of immigration status on healthcare access.
A recent review strengthens the connection between repetitive head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), highlighting a strong dose response relationship. CTE has been diagnosed in over 600 cases, with 97% of confirmed cases showing exposure to RHI, primarily through contact sports.
A new study reveals that medical students learn valuable lessons from Family Medicine clerkships, including the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and clinical skills. The research also identifies a hidden curriculum area for improvement: acknowledging the difficulties of primary care practice. This finding has implications ...
A study found that URiM faculty identified supports such as leadership, professional development, and a collegial environment as key to their work. Challenges to advancement included a lack of transparency and trust, high workloads, and reported experiences of racism.
A new study found that central pain mechanisms and peripheral pain sources contribute to post-knee replacement pain, suggesting a need for targeted pain management strategies. The research suggests that managing other sites of pain may be important in ameliorating persistent knee pain.
A new MRI definition for osteoarthritis (OA) has been developed by BU researchers, which can improve the detection of OA in research studies. This definition uses a combination of cartilage damage and small osteophytes to accurately identify joints with OA.
A new study finds that narrative medicine is an effective tool for caring for older adults, with medical students and faculty reporting improved patient care and reduced burnout. The My Life, My Story project enables clinicians to take a deeper social history of their patients, leading to more holistic care.
Researchers found a significant association between maternal primary language and breastfeeding continuation among very-low-birthweight infants in Massachusetts. Non-English speaking mothers had lower rates of milk provision, while English-speaking Black mothers had higher rates of breastfeeding continuation.
Researchers developed an advanced MRI tool that reveals structural insights into atherothrombosis by detecting regions at risk of rupture or atherothrombosis. The tool provides new information on fatty material formation in arteries, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes for individuals with atherosclerotic disease.
Recent research suggests that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a clinical risk factor for severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including respiratory failure and death. AMD shares common genetic risk factors with COVID-19, and lowering PDGFB gene activity may reduce the severity of COVID-19 in older individuals.
A new study found that only 23% of US neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) screen for social determinants of health, despite AAP recommendations. Clinical leaders believe addressing SDH is feasible and beneficial for infants and families, but lack resources and inadequate referrals are major barriers.
The FDA's proposed breast density notifications may not be clear enough for all women, particularly those with lower literacy levels. Researchers recommend that the agency uses rigorous evaluation methods to test language and reactions, ensuring that warnings are communicated effectively.
Researchers found non-heavy alcohol use associated with liver fibrosis and at-risk nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a large cohort of participants. The study highlights the importance of reducing alcohol intake and adherence to US Dietary Guidelines for liver health.
Atrial fibrillation diagnosis and management are often hindered by social determinants of health, which can lead to adverse outcomes. Researchers hope to address this issue by integrating SDOH into AF research, enabling more equitable access to care and management decisions.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that severe undernutrition before and during TB treatment significantly increases the risk of death, treatment failure, and relapse. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine followed nearly 3,000 persons with TB disease for two years and recorded data on demograph...
Healthcare workers in Massachusetts prefer strategies supporting education, trust in community-based communication, and accessibility of vaccination sites to increase COVID-19 vaccine and booster rates. These approaches were seen as more effective than mandates or incentives in improving vaccination uptake.
Researchers found that controlling the Hippo pathway prevents the development of triple negative breast cancer. In an experimental model, deleting key components of the pathway led to rapid development of basal-like mammary carcinomas resembling human basal-like breast cancers.
Researchers found that specific immune-related proteins, such as CCL21, FLT3L, and IL-13, can differentiate between neurodegenerative diseases like CTE, AD, PSP, CBD, and AGD. The study's results highlight the importance of the immune system in neurodegenerative diseases and provide novel potential biomarkers for diagnosis.
Researchers at Boston University have developed a novel platform that improves the production of T cells and Natural Killer cells from human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) using Notch stimulation. This breakthrough has potential clinical applications in oncology, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiencies.
Researchers argue that obesity should be recognized as a disease and treated early on to prevent complications. Culinary medicine is proposed as an effective intervention, combining nutrition and cooking skills to promote healthy eating habits.
A literature review of existing research identified key areas for future research on race and racism in emergency medicine. The study's findings inform a research agenda aimed at developing evidence-informed interventions to address racial health inequities, including access, treatment, and provider experience.
A study from Boston University School of Medicine has identified a receptor called CD169 that plays a key role in the hyper-inflammatory response of macrophages upon infection with SARS-CoV-2. This finding may provide an explanation for how the virus promotes inflammatory responses in COVID-19 patients.
Researchers from Boston University have developed novel compounds that can inhibit the replication of multiple poxviruses, including smallpox and monkeypox. These findings hold promise for a new class of antipoxviral agents as broad-spectrum small molecules with significant potential as an antiviral therapy.
A BU professor highlights the importance of accurate reporting of scientific results, urging investigators to avoid hype and spin their findings. Studies show that researchers' language can contribute to misinformation on social media platforms.
A Boston University researcher proposes a new explanation for consciousness, suggesting it evolved as an unconscious memory system. According to the theory, our decisions and actions are made unconsciously, but we perceive them consciously only after a brief delay.
A new study finds that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and externalizing psychiatric disorders, such as substance use disorders, are associated with a higher risk of premature death. The researchers discovered that a cellular marker called GrimAge, measured through DNA methylation patterns, is linked to adverse clinical outcomes ...
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have developed a testable hypothesis to explain the initiation of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. The study suggests that metabolic communication between immune cells and pancreatic beta-cells plays a crucial role in the disease's progression.
The US needs a National Long COVID Compensation Program to ensure equitable care for millions affected. The proposed program would address clinical care and disability compensation, benefiting individuals with Long COVID.
A new study provides a framework for measuring the impact of community engagement programs in advancing translational science. The researchers developed a road map that incorporates evidence-based strategies for implementing effective CE programs.
Using human stem cells, researchers investigated how the Ebola virus infects and damages the liver. The study found that major liver cell functions are compromised by Ebola virus infection and that the virus evades an early antiviral response, allowing it to replicate and cause damage.
A new study found that the newest generation of post-9/11 U.S. veterans report similar or better outcomes than non-veterans in various aspects of their lives, including positive health behaviors and social well-being. However, they also experience poorer health status compared to their peers.
Researchers analyzed over 140,000 class meetings and found no evidence of in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 despite full-occupancy and masking. The study provides solid evidence that BU's disease mitigation events limited transmission in the classroom.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have created functional lung epithelial cells from CF patients' blood cells, enabling the testing of effective treatments and potentially discovering novel therapies.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that the unique shape of the frontal sinuses, used in forensic anthropology to identify human remains, is influenced by both ancestry and sex. The research analyzed over 300 CT images, revealing that when considering both factors together, they significantly affect sinus dimensions
Boston University researchers have discovered a key protein, ERG, connected to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease characterized by progressive lung scarring. The study found that ERG plays a crucial role in the development of IPF, an aging-associated disease that causes respiratory failure and death.
NAFLD affects over 25% of the US population, with 7-20% in lean body build. Researchers compiled clinical practice update to diagnose and manage NAFLD among lean persons, providing guidance for clinicians.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that plus-sized models are increasingly present on social media, with 144 plus-sized models having 51 million followers. The study suggests that this shift may lead to increased demand for procedures such as breast and buttock augmentation among plastic surgeons.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation can produce prolonged survival in patients with AL amyloidosis. The study developed a predictive score to assess event-free survival, which showed improved safety and effectiveness for selected patients.
A study found that female patients are more likely to require re-interventions after surgical treatments for intermittent claudication. Additionally, guideline-directed medical therapy was less frequently used among females compared to males.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine demonstrate activation of the Hippo pathway, which restrains the growth of melanocytes and prevents their transformation into melanoma. The study suggests that targeted reactivation of the Hippo pathway could be an attractive therapeutic possibility for treating melanoma.
Boston University School of Medicine researchers have developed a promising anti-cancer compound, Factor Quinolinone Inhibitors (FQIs), that specifically impede LSF's DNA-binding and transactivation activities. The study shows that FQI treatment can significantly reduce tumor growth in experimental models.
New research finds that acetaminophen is safe for spine-related pain in older adults, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may be more effective. Medications should be coupled with physical therapy, exercise programs, and treatment of underlying degenerative disease processes and medical illnesses.
A study by Boston University researchers found that in the majority of young, healthy and vaccinated adults, the infectious period for SARS-CoV-2 is limited to five days. The findings suggest that rapid antigen testing can provide reassurance on lack of infectiousness, but masking for a full 10 days is still necessary to prevent transm...
A new study reveals that the genetic variant APOE ε4 plays a major role in determining CTE severity, increasing the risk by 2.34 times. Researchers found that APOE ε4 carriers were more likely to develop severe CTE, particularly among older individuals with repetitive head impacts.