The IBEX spacecraft reveals a 'ribbon' of intense emissions controlled by galaxy's magnetic fields, forcing scientists to reconsider basic assumptions about the heliosphere. This discovery may impact Earth's history and pose hazards to astronauts as galactic radiation levels change.
Patients with very mild Alzheimer's disease can rely on implicit memory processes to support successful recognition of pictures, but struggle with word-based recall. Researchers hope to develop strategies that leverage implicit memory to improve learning and independence in patients with AD.
A study at Boston University School of Medicine found that brief intervention improved outcomes for medical inpatients with non-dependent, unhealthy alcohol use, including reduced drinks per day and better physical health-related quality of life. However, the intervention had little effect on those with dependence, who experienced wors...
A BUSM study found that using photographs of UV exposure motivates preteens to adopt better sun protection habits, resulting in a 36% lower reported sunburn rate compared to a control group. The UV photographs also helped identify high-risk students who benefited from the intervention.
A team of Boston University researchers has developed a new method for engineering genetic circuits using combinatorial libraries and computer modeling. This approach enables the rapid construction of gene networks with predictable behaviors, accelerating synthetic biology research. The technique involves creating libraries of diverse ...
A study of a Big Brothers Big Sisters formal mentoring program found that adolescent girls benefit from relationships with female mentors, gaining emotional support and new skills. The study, led by Renee Spencer at Boston University, involved in-depth interviews of 12 pairs of girls and women mentors.
A study found that more than 75% of fire and ambulance recruits in Massachusetts are either overweight or obese, compromising their ability to perform strenuous duties. The researchers associated excess weight with higher blood pressures, worse metabolic profiles, and lower exercise tolerance.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine identified a gene variant on chromosome 4 associated with an increased risk of COPD. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Framingham Heart Study, found that genetic factors play a role in susceptibility to cigarette smoke and impaired lung function.
A new study by Boston University researchers found that hospital practices significantly influence the success of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers. Among first-time mothers, only 50% achieved their intention to exclusively breastfeed within one week, with supplementation being a major barrier. The study emphasizes the importance o...
Researchers developed a topographical approach to explore DNA's three-dimensional structure to uncover functional non-coding regions in the human genome. The study found that 12% of the human genome is constrained by evolution, correlating with functional non-coding elements better than sequence analysis alone.
A single-screening question from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) accurately identifies unhealthy alcohol use in primary-care patients, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
A new study led by Anita Raj found that nearly half of adult Indian women, aged 20 to 24, were married before the legal age of 18. Child marriage is significantly associated with poor fertility outcomes, including unwanted pregnancies and sterilization rates.
Adolescents who experienced multiple types of child maltreatment, including neglect and physical or sexual abuse, were more likely to report binge drinking. The study found that those with a sexual abuse history had nearly twice the odds of reporting binge drinking compared to those without any maltreatment.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that short elevations in circulating nitrite levels can exert lasting beneficial effects on the heart by modulating its oxidation status and protein machinery. This study provides insight into how nitrite can protect the heart from stress and damage.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found a genetic link between the MANEA gene, cocaine dependence, and cocaine-induced paranoia. The researchers identified six markers in the MANEA gene that are associated with an increased risk of cocaine-induced paranoia.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have developed a prenatal testing method for identifying tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in the womb. The technique, which sequences TSC genes in amniotic fluid cells, has been shown to detect nearly 93% of mutations, offering improved treatment options for affected families.
Boston University School of Medicine has received a grant to develop a framework for medical education in Armenia, making it comparable to US and Western Europe standards. The project will support the development of a dynamic learning environment for Armenian medical students.
Prenatal vitamin manufacturers are encouraged to use only potassium iodide, not kelp, for a consistent daily iodine dose of 150µg. Iodine deficiency affects 2.2 billion persons worldwide and can cause preventable mental retardation.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that people whose parents have Alzheimer's disease or dementia perform worse on formal memory testing. The study also identified a strong genetic link between ApoE ε4 gene and the transmission of Alzheimer's disease risk between generations.
A qualitative study in five US medical schools revealed serious problems with relational culture affecting medical faculty vitality, professionalism, and general productivity linked to retention. The study emphasizes the need for greater support and trust in medical academia.
A new re-engineered hospital discharge program, RED, has been designed to reduce hospital utilization within 30 days of discharge. The study found that the intervention resulted in a 33.9% lower observed cost for patients who received the program compared to those in the usual care group.
Children born preterm are at three times higher risk of screening positive for autism, according to a Boston University study. The modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) is used to assess developmental risks, with over 21% of children in the study screening positive.
A 9-month-old breast-fed infant was diagnosed with rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency after presenting with seizures and a bulging soft spot. The case study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the importance of considering nutritional deficiencies in infants, particularly those who are solely breast-fed.
A recent study by Boston University researchers has identified a class of microRNAs that regulate gene expression changes in airway cells caused by smoking and lung cancer. These findings may lead to a non-invasive biomarker for smoking-related lung diseases, improving early diagnosis and treatment options.
Researchers at Boston University have created a more efficient way to generate induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells using a single lentiviral vector. This breakthrough reduces the risk of genomic integrations and cancer-causing genes, paving the way for human clinical trials.
Researchers found that pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency were more than twice as likely to undergo a caesarean section compared to those without the deficiency. The study highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy.
Researchers found that adjusting warfarin doses only when the international normalized ratio is between 1.7 and 3.3 improves patient outcomes. The study used a model to predict optimal dose changes based on clinic visits and anticoagulation control, revealing that patients deviating from predicted changes had worse control.
Increasing brisk walking and reducing television watching were found to be inversely associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The study's key finding is that vigorous activity is protective against the disease in this high-risk population.
The study aims to develop an understanding of COPD pathogenesis and yield tools for stratifying and treating patients based on molecular processes. The research will help identify the molecular processes that give rise to disease-specific symptoms in individual patients.
A new study by the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) found that 38% of families with children under three were experiencing frequent moves or overcrowded living conditions, leading to increased hunger and poor health. The 'hidden homeless' families are at a higher risk of poor health compared to those in stable ...
A study found that pseudoephedrine use is prevalent among US children, especially those under two years old, with 4.9% of all children taking it weekly and 8.1% of those under two taking it in a given week. The study also identified patterns of use, including taking multiple products at once and using it for long periods.
Researchers reveal a surprising mechanism of action for certain antibiotics, finding that they trigger the production of hydroxyl radicals, contributing to bacterial cell death. The study identifies potential new targets for antibiotic development and could help rejuvenate older antibiotics.
The Boston Medical Center has received a $50,000 grant from The Avon Foundation to support the Child Witness to Violence Project (CWVP), which provides trauma-focused counseling and advocacy to children affected by violence. CWVP will use the grant to train police officers to better recognize and respond to child witnesses of violence.
Researchers at Boston University developed a nanoscale torsion resonator to measure miniscule amounts of twisting or torque in metallic nanowires. The device has applications in spintronics, fundamental physics, chemistry, and biology.
Researchers at Boston University and Harvard University have found that wildflowers in Thoreau's Concord woods are declining due to climate change. The study, which analyzed phylogenetic patterns of species loss, reveals that species with the ability to track short-term temperature changes have faired better under recent warming trends.
Researchers from Boston Medical Center developed a Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) program to educate generalist physician trainees about addiction. The program resulted in improved knowledge, skills, and clinical practices among participants.
Researchers found BDNF-induced activation of JAK/STAT pathway is crucial for temporal lobe epilepsy development in adult rats. This pathway is also implicated in inflammatory diseases.
Boston Medical Center has received a $5.8 million grant to develop drugs targeting muscle proteins for older adults, improving mobility and preventing age-related ailments. The grant will support interdisciplinary research collaborations to address osteoporosis, hip fractures, and type one diabetes.
Researchers aim to create a high-speed wireless network using low-power LEDs, enabling faster data communication and greater security. The Smart Lighting ERC will focus on developing computer networking applications and testing the technology's potential for various industries.
A study found that households experiencing energy insecurity are more likely to face food insecurity, leading to negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and developmental risks in infants and toddlers. Researchers also emphasized the need for healthcare providers to consider household energy security when making treatment decisions.
Boston University's John T. Clarke leads an engineering and astronomy team on NASA's MAVEN mission to study Martian atmosphere changes. The team aims to solve the mystery of Mars' lost atmosphere, exploring possibilities of water's escape or freezing into the planet's crust.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have observed a non-invasive MR imaging healing mechanism for asymptomatic carotid plaque rupture. The study, published in Circulation, shows that not all plaque ruptures are symptomatic and highlights the importance of monitoring vulnerable plaques.
Researchers found that Martian gullies resemble those in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, formed as recently as a few hundred thousand years ago. The study suggests changes in snow accumulation and glaciation are linked to Mars' spin obliquity, indicating dynamic climate change on the planet.
A recent study found that over 10 million Americans use opioids, with 4 million using them regularly, reflecting a need to strike a balance between opioid misuse and chronic pain control. Opioid regular use increased with age, decreased with education level, and was more common in females and non-Hispanic whites.
The study found that recall of spoken digits was best when they came from the same loudspeaker, but degraded when switching attention to a new location. Sustaining attention to one continuous auditory stream led to refinements in selective attention over time.
A research team led by Boston University's David Marchant has discovered exceptionally well-preserved freshwater fossils in Antarctica, which reveal the ecological legacy of a unique global climate transition. The findings indicate that tundra and insects went extinct suddenly around 13.9 million years ago due to dramatic cooling.
Researchers found that at least one cough and cold medication was used by 10.1% of US children in a given week, with exposures to decongestants and antihistamines being the highest. The study also revealed that the use of these medications declined from 12.3% in 1999-2000 to 8.4% in 2005-2006.
Aeroecology is an emerging field exploring how airborne organisms depend on the lower atmosphere closest to the Earth's surface. This research has significant implications for understanding behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary responses of organisms in complex meteorological conditions.
A study by Boston University researchers found a significant association between regular consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and fruit drinks with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes in African-American women. The incidence of type 2 diabetes rose with increasing intake of both types of drinks.
Researchers found that angiotensin receptor blockers significantly decrease the occurrence and progression of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk. Patients taking ARBs also showed a lower chance of developing delirium, nursing home admissions, or death.