Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identify a genetic abnormality in the SYCP2 gene as a possible cause of male infertility. The study found that variants affecting this gene were associated with low sperm count and loss-of-function variants, making it a potential diagnostic marker.
A new study shows that blocking the neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn) can reduce levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG immune complexes, potentially treating autoimmune diseases. The therapy, SYNT001, was well-tolerated in a Phase 1 clinical study.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital develop a computational approach to study anxiety, uncovering over 209 genes with varying activity across anxiety categories. The study identifies new targets for drug development, including genes related to synaptic plasticity, hormones, and G-protein coupled receptors.
A new study found that unhealthy diets account for almost 20% of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes costs in the US. Suboptimal diets cost approximately $300 per person, or $50 billion nationally, accounting for 18 percent of all heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes costs.
The home hospital model, where patients receive hospital-level care at home, has been shown to lower costs and improve care. The randomized controlled trial found that home hospital patients had 38% lower total direct costs, fewer lab orders, and lower readmission rates.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that sleep fragmentation, not short nightly sleep duration or low sleep quality, was associated with higher odds of having a migraine on the day after. The team observed that participants reported more headaches when they experienced more time spent in bed but not asleep.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have uncovered a novel pathway explaining why skin thickens in psoriasis, suggesting new strategies for developing therapies. The study found a defect in the epigenetic covering that resulted in loss of DNA methylation hydroxymethylation mark, leading to dysregulated stem cell behavior.
A team at Brigham and Women's Hospital has developed a new oral contraceptive that can be taken once a month to prevent pregnancy. The extended-release pill uses a slow-release mechanism to deliver the contraceptive drug levonorgestrel over time, improving adherence and reducing the risk of pregnancy.
A study of newborns in Botswana found that initiating antiretroviral therapy immediately after birth reduces the frequency of reservoir cells and improves immune responses. The Early Infant Treatment Study showed measurable benefits from early treatment, suggesting strategies to test and treat infants at birth may improve outcomes.
A team of investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital has identified a specific microRNA, miR-30d, that increases during peak disease in MS patients. Orally administering a synthetic version of the microRNA prevented disease in a preclinical mouse model.
A recent study found that almost 60% of older men and women experienced sleep apnea during dream sleep, which is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Women were more likely to be undertreated for sleep apnea due to lower sensitivity to changes in ventilation and less airway collapsibility.
A study of over 200 patients with bipolar disorder found that high levels of inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein, were significantly linked to poor cognitive performance. This suggests a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive deficits, and highlights the importance of addressing inflammation in treatment.
Researchers found that women following healthful dietary patterns had lower risk of decline in hearing sensitivity. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that eating a healthy diet may help prevent or delay hearing loss.
Researchers used powerful imaging technology to discover a common indicator of brain inflammation in early-stage MS patients and its link to gray matter damage. The study found LME was present in nearly two-thirds of the patients, with significant correlations to lesions in gray matter regions.
Researchers have developed a new way to measure white blood cell function, providing more accurate prognostic information for patients with sepsis. The technology assesses activation state and function of white blood cells from small blood samples, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists designed a novel approach to create stable and predictable antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) using computational docking molecular simulations. The new therapy, called MAGNET-ADC, can deliver cancer drugs specifically to tumor tissue with reduced toxicity.
A large-scale trial found that vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements had no effect on reducing markers of systemic inflammation in older US adults. However, participants with low initial fish intake saw a decrease in inflammation biomarkers after taking the omega-3 supplement.
A new study reveals that chromosomal abnormalities in couples with recurrent miscarriage can be detected using low-pass genome sequencing, increasing the number of couples identified at risk. This technique may help couples conceive through in vitro fertilization and personalize their treatment.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that irregular fluctuations in daily motor activity can predict increased risk of frailty, disability, and mortality in older adults. The researchers analyzed data from 1,275 participants and found that random activity fluctuations were associated with a 31% increase in frailty risk, 15-25%...
A national survey of physicians found that 99% have experienced care cascades, causing patients psychological harm, physical harm, and financial burden. Physicians report waste of time and effort due to cascades, emphasizing the need for guidelines and patient education.
Patients who self-identified as black, Latinx, female or over the age of 75 were less likely to be admitted to cardiology service despite heart failure diagnosis. The study highlights racial inequities in access to specialized care, which may contribute to disparities in readmissions and outcomes.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed national data on the prevalence of diabetes and the number of internal medicine specialists in each U.S. state. They found that cardiologists were the highest represented specialists, suggesting they are well-positioned to provide optimal care for patients with diabetes.
A study by Haider Warraich and colleagues found that 31% of cardiovascular disease deaths occur at home, exceeding hospital fatalities. The research analyzed over 12 million deaths from 2003 to 2017, revealing disparities in place of death among underserved racial and ethnic groups.
A new study found no overall association between oral contraceptive use and depressive symptom severity in young women, but reported higher symptoms in 16-year-old girls. The researchers suggest that the bidirectional relationship between oral contraceptive use and depressive symptoms may be at play, with both contributing to each other.
A 40-year epidemiological study found that cancer incidence and mortality rates often move in concert for certain cancers, such as lung cancer, indicating a desirable trend. However, other cancers like thyroid, kidney, and melanoma show rising incidence rates with stagnant mortality rates, suggesting overdiagnosis may be at play
A new study finds that drawing blood cultures after starting antimicrobial treatment can result in a significant loss of available clinical information. The study suggests that drawing blood cultures prior to treatment may be more effective in identifying the bacteria causing the infection and selecting the right antibiotic.
A new study developed a machine-learning derived model that can predict future heart failure among patients with diabetes. The WATCH-DM risk score is based on 10 variables, including weight, age, and diabetes control, and identifies patients at high risk of heart failure.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that emergency clinicians can use the 'surprise' question to identify patients at greatest risk of near-term death, prompting essential end-of-life conversations. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between clinician responses and patient mortality, with those who answered they wou...
Researchers have identified a novel biomarker for dementia, IGFBP-2, which is associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Elevated circulating levels of IGFBP-2 significantly improved dementia risk classification when added to traditional risk factors.
Researchers tested immunotherapy in young and old mice with triple negative breast cancer, finding that age affects the efficacy of ICB therapy. The study found significant reduction in tumor growth and better overall survival rates in young mice compared to aged mice.
The PARAGON-HF trial found that sacubitril-valsartan reduced hospitalizations for heart failure in lower ejection fraction patients, but not overall; women and those with ejection fractions 45-57% showed benefits.
The THEMIS trial found that ticagrelor, when added to aspirin, reduced the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke by 10% in patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes. However, patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy also experienced a greater risk of major bleeding.
A recent study by Brigham researchers found that sociodemographic factors, such as income and race, predict differences in oral cancer screening (OCS) rates. The results show that minority and low-income individuals are less likely to receive recommended OCS exams at dental visits, highlighting disparities in access to quality care.
A clinical trial found that mothers who consumed pomegranate juice daily during pregnancy had infants with better brain development and connectivity. The study provides preliminary evidence for the potential neuroprotective effects of polyphenols in at-risk newborns.
Researchers discovered a three-drug combination that sensitizes cancer cells to treatment, overcoming cross-therapy resistance. The approach involves time-sensitive administration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors alongside other drugs.
A clinical trial found that an oral activator, veledimex, controlled the transcription of human interleukin-12, reducing toxicity while preserving anti-tumor effects. Patients with recurrent glioblastoma had improved overall survival rates, with some experiencing up to 17.8 months of survival.
A study of 8,183 TRICARE patients found no significant differences in quality-of-care metrics between African American and white patients following coronary artery bypass grafting. The results suggest that universal insurance and equal-access healthcare systems may be eradicating racial disparities in care.
Patients who received lifestyle counseling at least once a month had lower rates of cardiovascular events and death compared to those who did not. The study found a significant decrease in blood glucose levels among patients who received frequent counseling.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that pregnancies among women taking isotretinoin continue to occur despite a special restricted distribution program, iPLEDGE. The study reported a range of 218-310 pregnancies per year after 2011, highlighting the need for further regulations to reduce this number.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that prescribed opioids are associated with a nearly threefold increase in overdose rates for individuals without their own prescriptions. Family members on the same health insurance plan have access to these medications, posing a significant risk of accidental exposure or misuse.
A study found that the new guidelines would detect nearly three times as much gestational hypertension, from 4.2% to 25.1%, indicating a potential reduction in associated health risks for mothers and infants. The increased detection rate could lead to improved prenatal care and outcomes.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a combination of high levels of dietary cholesterol with specific saturated fats exacerbates retinal damage in a preclinical model of diabetes. The research used an experimental rat model to examine the effects of different dietary fats on early molecular signs of inflammation and damage.
A novel PET tracer has been used to detect abnormal inflammation in the grey matter of patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, linked to physical disability and brain atrophy. The study provides a new tool for assessing disease progression and predicting treatment effects.
A new study found that low social engagement in elderly men and women is associated with greater cognitive decline over three years, particularly among those with high levels of brain amyloid-β. Researchers say social engagement may be an important marker of resilience or vulnerability in older adults at risk of cognitive impairment.
A recent study by Jae Hee Kang et al., published in JAMA Ophthalmology, initially reported a significant association between long-term statin use and reduced primary open-angle glaucoma risk. However, due to serious coding errors, the findings were later retracted.
Researchers have identified specific bacterial species in the human infant gut that protect against food allergies. Administering these microbes as a therapeutic can prevent food allergies from happening and even reverse existing ones in mice, offering a new approach to treating this common condition.
A new test may improve the accuracy of selecting healthy embryos for IVF by analyzing DNA leaked from human blastocysts. The test, known as niPGT-A, outperformed current PGT-A methods with a lower false positive rate.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a test for early detection of diseases, including different types of cancer, using sensory nanoparticles. The test can identify unique
A retrospective study of 748 NSCLC patients found that the average radiation dose delivered to the heart was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and death. The team's findings highlight the need for more stringent avoidance of high cardiac radiotherapy doses and collaboration with cardiologists to m...
A randomized clinical trial found that patients taking IDegLira achieved and maintained lower blood glucose levels for longer periods compared to those taking insulin only. The study showed improved outcomes without the need for additional therapy, reducing side effects often associated with insulin-only treatment.