Researchers found no excess mortality in Massachusetts from February to June 2022, despite rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This suggests high levels of immunity benefiting those at highest risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM) as a key population of proliferative cells involved in corneal regeneration. BCAM plays a crucial role in mediating corneal differentiation, which could lead to future medical therapies for corneal disease.
Researchers have developed a proof-of-concept model that uses artificial intelligence to combine multiple types of data from different sources to predict patient outcomes. The models demonstrate the ability to make prognostic determinations while uncovering the predictive bases of features used to predict patient risk.
Researchers discovered distinct genetic mutations in heart failure patients, identifying potential targets for personalized treatment and improving patient care. The study's findings hold enormous potential for rethinking how to treat heart failure by understanding its root causes and the mutations that lead to changes in heart function.
Researchers found that only about 40% of vaccinated participants who had a PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection had a positive anti-N Ab subsequently. The study suggests that serological testing may be undercounting prior infections, emphasizing the importance of considering vaccination status in public health studies.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that supplemental vitamin D did not lower the risk of fractures in healthy US adults. The research, which involved over 1,991 incident fractures and 5.3 years of follow-up, also showed no effects on major osteoporotic fractures or wrist/pelvic fractures.
Research teams at Mass General Brigham will conduct large-scale studies to treat acute suicidal depressed state and bipolar depression. The studies aim to compare the effectiveness of various treatments and provide valuable data on treatment outcomes.
A team of researchers developed a clonal barcoding approach to track live cancer cells, enabling the detection and isolation of precise clones responsible for tumor formation and early metastases. This technology has the potential to be applied to other cell-based studies, providing valuable insights into biological processes.
A study of preterm infants found that those who received more maternal milk in early life had better academic achievement, higher IQs, and reduced ADHD symptoms. Higher intake of maternal milk was also associated with improved reading and math scores.
Researchers found that patients with isolated distal DVT had lower co-morbidity burden, lower risk of mortality, and fewer pulmonary embolism cases compared to those with proximal DVT. Despite less severe outcomes, these patients were still at risk for developing post-thrombotic syndrome after treatment.
Researchers found specific T-cell populations expanded after immune therapy treatment, predicting which patients would respond best to the treatment. These biomarkers could help select patients for future trials to improve outcomes.
Researchers found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients treated in the ICU had greater discrepancies between SpO2 levels detected using pulse oximeters versus levels detected in blood samples. These discrepancies led to lower rates of supplemental oxygen being administered to these groups compared to white patients.
Researchers found that activating the STING pathway in glioblastoma tumors attracted immune cells and produced a robust anti-tumor effect, laying the foundation for immunotherapy treatment. Human GBM explants responded to STING agonists by secreting cytokines, demonstrating the pathway's activity in human tumors.
A new study found that men at heightened genetic risk of prostate cancer who adopt healthy lifestyles may see a significant reduction in lethal disease risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical exercise, and not smoking were key factors associated with a reduced risk.
The Brigham and Women's Hospital will implement and evaluate an integrated service delivery model (PEN-Plus) for severe chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatic heart disease, in eight low- and lower-middle-income countries. The initiative aims to enable one million of the world's poorest children and you...
Researchers analyzed data from over 134,000 participants and found a strong association between Western diets and colorectal tumors containing the pks+ E. coli bacteria. The study suggests that specific components of Western-style diets may increase the risk of colorectal cancer by promoting the growth of these pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers have discovered a novel treatment approach for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) by targeting ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death. This strategy may provide an effective treatment option for patients with this rare and currently untreatable disease.
A new study reveals that IL18 signaling is essential for β-cell development and insulin secretion, using specific receptors on acinar and β cells. This finding may provide insights into the role of IL18 in regulating islet β cell proliferation and guide future efforts to expand β cells and increase islet mass in diabetes.
A new study found that Black and Hispanic children are more likely to develop asthma, even in well-resourced neighborhoods. Neighborhood characteristics at birth and race/ethnicity-based inequities may play a role in the development of childhood wheezing and asthma.
A study found that preoperative MRI significantly reduces postoperative complications in prostate cancer patients. However, the use of MRI is limited, with only 28.2% of patients receiving one before surgery.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted patient accruals in oncology clinical trials, with a 46% decline early on. However, the recovery has been progressive, with newly activated clinical trials increasing by 467 from 2019 to June 2021.
Using lesion network mapping, researchers mapped addiction remission to entire brain circuits rather than specific regions, pointing to new targets for treatment. The study found a common brain circuit associated with both nicotine and alcohol addiction, suggesting a potentially therapeutic targetable neural pathway for addiction.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified LIPE, a lipase that degrades triglycerides, as a promising candidate therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease. Inhibiting LIPE reduced alpha-synuclein inclusions and alleviated neurodegeneration in patient-derived neurons and a C. elegans model of toxicity.
A study led by Brigham and Women's Hospital investigators has revealed that alpha-synuclein plays a dual role in Parkinson's disease, interacting with both vesicles and P-body structures. This new understanding may lead to targeted treatments for the disease, with ongoing genetic studies aiming to identify optimal therapeutic targets.
A new study finds a significant increase in mortality rates among white Americans living in Republican counties compared to Democratic counties, largely driven by slower mortality improvements. The 'mortality gap' was found to be consistent across various disease areas and expanded during the study period.
A new study found that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) decreased the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes. SGLT-2i showed similar cardiovascular outcomes to metformin but a lower risk of heart failure hospitalization.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT designed an oil-based gel system, oleogel, to deliver medications to children with swallowing difficulties. The system has been shown to be compatible with most drugs and can facilitate drug uptake at levels comparable to solid tablets.
Research found that hypomethylating agents (HMAs) activated the oncofetal protein SALL4 in up to 40% of patients with MDS, resulting in poor patient survival. This activation is linked to demethylation and upregulation of oncogenes, suggesting a need for additional combination therapy.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital studied mRNA vaccine safety in pregnant women, finding no Spike protein expression in placentas. The study provides further evidence of mRNA vaccine safety, supporting expanded vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that individuals living in areas with high social vulnerability experience worse mental and physical health outcomes after a traumatic injury. The CDC's Social Vulnerability Index was used as a tool to inform decision-making about post-injury support services.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that excess deaths were higher during the Omicron variant period (2,294) compared to the Delta variant period (1,975) in Massachusetts. The researchers suggest that highly contagious variants like Omicron can lead to substantial excess mortality even in a highly vaccinated population.
Studies found people infected and vaccinated had similarly robust antibody responses against variants alpha through omicron; Immune memory cells against common cold coronaviruses may be markers of longer immunity. Researchers hope to improve vaccines with these insights.
Researchers have developed a novel therapeutic strategy for treating glioblastoma using allogenic stem cells that can target and kill tumor cells. The therapy demonstrated profound efficacy in preclinical models, with 100% of mice living over 90 days after treatment.
A new study reveals that allergic asthma is a significant risk factor for human cardiovascular diseases, with certain medications affecting heart health. Researchers found that inflammatory cells play a crucial role in both conditions and that targeting them may lead to better treatment options.
A study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a higher dose of melatonin (5mg) increased total sleep time compared to placebo in healthy older adults. The high-dose melatonin group showed significant improvements in both nighttime and daytime sleep episodes.
Researchers identified peaks in assault-related injury visits to emergency departments, with Saturday and Sunday being the most common days of the week. The study found higher rates of injuries during spring and winter months, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies and resource planning.
A new study found that limiting first-year resident-physicians' work hours to no more than 16 consecutive hours significantly improved patient safety outcomes. After implementing the policy, there was a 32% reduction in reports of significant medical errors and a 63% reduction in reported medical errors resulting in patient death.
Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at a 63% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with normal blood pressure. The majority of the increased risk is accounted for by chronic hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes.
The composition of microorganisms living in the gut influences response to conventional cancer treatments and novel immunotherapies. Recent studies suggest that targeting the gut microbiome could diminish side effects of chemotherapy, while diet, probiotics, and antibiotic medications may also impact clinical responses.
A study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that female patients and those from lower-income neighborhoods have higher mortality rates following cardiovascular and thoracic procedures. Patients in these groups also experienced higher comorbidity burdens, urgent admissions, and poorer health outcomes.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that more than half of cancer centers do not publicly disclose payer-specific prices for patients with private health insurance. The study also revealed significant markups in drug prices, ranging from 120% to 630% above the hospital cost.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered two mediators of fibrosis, KLF10 and IL-9, which could be potential therapeutic targets. Injection of mice with IL-9 neutralizing antibodies reversed fibrosis and prevented organ dysfunction.
Researchers found that physicians working in physician-owned practices were significantly more satisfied with their EHRs, citing staff support for documentation and appropriate time spent on documentation. These differences partially explained the disparity in EHR satisfaction between solo and non-solo practices.
A study of US adults found that short sleep duration and inconsistent sleep timing were associated with increased anxiety/depression symptoms and substance use. Participants who slept less than 6 hours a night had higher odds of these symptoms.
Researchers found that somatic mutations accumulated at a faster rate in Alzheimer's disease patients' brain cells, leading to DNA damage and dysfunction. This discovery provides a window into the molecular events of AD pathogenesis, potentially leading to novel treatments targeting these pathways.
Researchers have developed polygenic risk scores for six common diseases, enabling physicians and patients to make informed decisions about screening and prevention. The scores show high-risk individuals may benefit from more frequent screenings or preventive medications.
A new study found that less than half of clinical trials reported race/ethnicity data, with minorities underrepresented despite efforts to increase diversity. Industry-funded studies had the greatest gaps in enrolling minority participants.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found administering medication abortion pills as early as possible is safe and may help determine ectopic pregnancy faster. However, patients may need to re-initiate treatment due to a higher failure rate when treated early.
A study of over 4,800 medical oncology practices found that Black patients had higher rates of chemotherapy-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations compared to white patients. The researchers developed reliable measures to assess these inequities, with potential for identifying high- and low-equity practices.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism for miR-10b activation in high-grade gliomas, implicating topologic reorganization of chromatin and long-non-coding RNAs. This finding suggests new RNA-targeted strategies for glioma therapy and points to the vulnerability of tumor-initiating cells.