Researchers estimate that maximizing observation unit potential can result in significant cost savings, with an average annual saving of $4.6 million per hospital and up to $3.1 billion nationwide. This could be achieved by avoiding 2.4 million unnecessary inpatient admissions.
A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital distinguishes multiple sclerosis patients into two meaningful subsets, MSa and MSb, based on distinct RNA molecules. This categorization may lead to more personalized treatments for individual patients.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that pharmaceutical industry sponsorship can downgrade physicians' perceptions of trial rigor and results. The study suggests that funding source should not be a determinant of a trial's impact, but rather its methodological rigor.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new biomarker for melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. The findings reveal that certain biochemical elements in DNA are absent in melanoma cells, serving as a key indicator for malignant melanoma.
A recent study found that frequent use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is associated with an increased risk of hearing loss in women. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that these pain-relieving medicines may reduce blood flow to the cochlea or deplete factors that protect it from damage.
Researchers discovered that severely obese women have a higher incidence of eggs with multiple spindles and disorganized chromosomes, reducing fertilization chances. The study highlights an underlying egg problem in women with high body mass index, affecting IVF success rates.
A provocative essay in NEJM calls for redoubling efforts to combat TB, highlighting global health inequity and inadequate treatment. The authors advocate for adopting a zero-TB death goal, rapid diagnosis, and infection control measures to stem the pandemic.
Researchers found that adding vorapaxar to standard antiplatelet therapy significantly reduces the long-term risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with a prior heart attack. The study, published in the Lancet, showed a 20% reduction in cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke.
Researchers are testing whether lowering inflammation with methotrexate can reduce rates of recurrent heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in high-risk patients. The 7,000-patient trial will follow participants for 3-5 years to determine the treatment's effectiveness.
The COPD Foundation and Brigham and Women's Hospital have launched the second phase of the COPDGene project, a comprehensive study analyzing the human genome to identify genetic predispositions to developing COPD. The study aims to develop specific treatments that could prevent disease progression and improve quality of life for indivi...
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a blood biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for the debilitating neurological disease, which affects approximately 30,000 Americans.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers found that the cell surface molecule OX40 induces the production of IL-9, leading to airway inflammation. This discovery may impact the treatment of chronic inflammation, such as allergic reactions and organ transplant rejection.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that longer wakefulness rates hinder task performance in visual search tasks. Participants performed slower during nighttime and after prolonged wakefulness.
Two men with longstanding HIV infections have no detectable traces of HIV after bone marrow transplants, suggesting protection under anti-retroviral therapy. Researchers plan to study additional HIV-positive patients and explore tracing HIV in tissues.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are conducting a new study, REVEAL, which will provide genetic testing and Alzheimer's risk estimates for individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The goal is to evaluate how well participants understand the risk information and adjust their behavior in response.
A study led by the Brigham and Woman's Hospital found an association between phthalate exposure and an increased risk of diabetes in American women. High levels of phthalates were linked to a higher likelihood of developing diabetes, with possible explanations including medical devices and medication used to treat diabetes.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that analyzing HDL particle count provides stronger cardio-protection than traditional HDL cholesterol measurement. The study suggests that raising HDL levels through other means may be more effective in preventing coronary heart disease.
A study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that phobic anxiety is associated with shortened telomeres, a marker of biological aging. This association suggests that phobic anxiety may be a risk factor for accelerated aging, linked to increased risks of cancers, heart disease, dementia, and mortality.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new approach to cancer treatment using supramolecular nanochemistry. The innovative nanoparticles significantly enhanced antitumor activity while reducing toxicity in breast and ovarian cancer models.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a cell-signaling molecule, interleukin-9, that inhibits melanoma growth in immune cells. High expression of this molecule in TH17 cells provides significant resistance to melanoma tumor growth.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new vaccine candidate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that causes severe lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. The vaccine is based on a new mechanism of immunity mediated by T helper 17 (Th17) cells and has been shown to protect mice from lethal pneumonia.
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery task force recommends expanded lung cancer screening guidelines using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk individuals. The new guidelines increase the recommended age range to 79 and expand eligibility to smokers and former smokers with specific risk factors.
A new study at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that living alone may be a risk factor for death, especially due to cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. Participants with atherosclerosis who lived alone had a higher rate of death over four years compared to those who did not live alone.
Researchers found that rhSOD reduces ROP incidence and severity in newborns born earlier than 26 weeks, with a 22% reduction for those born earlier than 25 weeks. The study suggests that rhSOD could provide a preventive approach to ROP prevention, but further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that a nevirapine-based treatment regimen was as effective as lopinavir/ritonavir in suppressing the HIV virus, but had a higher stop-treatment rate due to adverse health effects. The researchers emphasize the need for better-tolerated regimes and improved access to effective treatments.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that common hospital noises can disrupt patient sleep, leading to temporary elevations in heart rate. The researchers also found that electronic sounds were the most arousing, even at low volumes, and that sleep stage affected how sound impacted arousal.
A population of cells in the squamo-columnar junction of the cervix have been found to be responsible for most HPV-associated cervical cancers. These cells can become cancerous when infected with HPV, while other cells in the cervix appear to be resistant to infection.
A Brigham and Women's Hospital study finds that US consumers lack access to comprehensive information about the nutritional value, toxicity rates, environmental impact, and economic aspects of various fish species. This limits their ability to make informed decisions.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Therapy Trial radically changed the practice of women's health, showing that younger women have better outcomes on hormone therapy than older women. The study highlights the importance of individualized care for women and underscores the need to understand different types of hormone therapy.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a microRNA called miR-181b that can reduce the inflammatory response responsible for diseases like sepsis. The findings suggest that higher levels of miR-181b may be protective against sepsis and other inflammatory diseases.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that doctors who dictated their patient notes had significantly worse quality of care compared to those who used structured documentation. Doctors who used free-text notes had better quality of care in providing influenza vaccinations.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that consuming high amounts of saturated fat was associated with poorer overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. In contrast, eating more monounsaturated fats, commonly found in olive oil, may help prevent decline in memory and cognitive performance.
Researchers are conducting two clinical trials to test the effectiveness of vitamin D and Imatinib in reducing asthma symptoms. Participants with mild to moderate asthma will receive vitamin D, while those with hard-to-control asthma will receive Imatinib.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a potential new weight loss surgery alternative using capsaicin, which significantly reduced visceral abdominal fat and total body fat in lab tests. The procedure, vagotomy or vagal de-afferentation, may offer fewer side effects than traditional bariatric surgeries.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a new candidate pathway for treating visceral obesity by manipulating vitamin A metabolism. By inhibiting the enzyme Aldh1a1, white fat cells can take on characteristics of brown fat, leading to reduced fat storage and improved metabolic health.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that unnecessary imaging recommendations in PET/CT oncologic reports are common, with 43 out of 84 recommendations being deemed unnecessary. This highlights the need for radiologists to reduce frequency of additional imaging tests without compromising patient outcomes.
Researchers applied financial portfolio theory to NIH funding allocation decisions, suggesting potential efficiency gains and improved public health outcomes. The study found that optimized funding allocations may yield more desirable results, with a 28% to 89% greater decrease in years of life lost.
Traumatic shoulder injuries often contain secondary injuries that can compromise treatment effectiveness. New protocols aim to identify these injuries, leading to improved patient outcomes. The protocols, awarded the 2012 Gold Medal, will be presented at the 2012 ARRS Annual Meeting.
A new study found that increased consumption of blueberries and strawberries is associated with slower rates of memory decline in older women. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, suggests that berries may be a simple dietary modification to reduce memory decline in older adults.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified pathways of naturally occurring molecules in the human body that can boost the effectiveness of antibiotics. The study found that certain molecules called resolvins and protectins were key in resolving infections and reducing tissue damage.
Researchers identified 22 new genes linked to autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, revealing the genetic code can be disrupted at distinct sites without causing significant loss of genetic material.
A new non-surgical test has been developed to diagnose and monitor brain tumors without surgery, providing a significant breakthrough in treatment options for patients. The test uses microRNA profiling of cerebrospinal fluid to determine the presence of glioblastoma, the most common and lethal type of brain tumor.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that prolonged sleep restriction with simultaneous circadian disruption increases the risk of developing diabetes and obesity. This is because disrupted internal clocks can lead to poor insulin secretion and increased glucose concentrations in the blood.
Research finds frequent dental X-rays in childhood and young adulthood may increase risk of developing meningioma. Patients who had yearly or more frequent bitewing exams were 1.4-1.9 times more likely to develop meningioma compared to controls.
Researchers have successfully tested the first targeted cancer drug called BIND-014, demonstrating its ability to target receptors in tumors and achieve high tumor concentrations. The study shows remarkable efficacy, safety, and pharmacological properties compared to traditional chemotherapy.
New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital shows that ticagrelor significantly reduces the time to a second cardiovascular event or death, in addition to reducing total events. The study found that continued use of ticagrelor after a cardiac event is both safe and effective in preventing further cardiac events.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests a strong link between telomere shortening and poor cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that protect chromosomes from deteriorating, and their length is associated with increased risk of heart attack and death.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers has developed a statistical method to estimate the heritable component of four common diseases. The study found that hundreds of loci with common causal variants explain most of the risk for these diseases, not rare mutations.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that men with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin without a history of cardiovascular disease are at higher risk for major cardiovascular events. The study showed an accelerated rate of new cardiovascular events in these patients, with a 16% rate over four years.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that cardiovascular disease and heart attack complications from PCI tend to occur within the first 30 days after treatment. The study analyzed patients who received anti-blood clotting drugs, with prasugrel showing a significant benefit in reducing these complications.