Researchers sequenced bacterial genomes to understand how a pathogen evolves in response to human defenses and medical treatment. The study found widespread purifying selection, but also identified specific genes that showed strong evidence of positive selection.
Researchers have cloned human airway stem cells, which can form alveoli tissue and rapidly deploy in lung regeneration. The findings suggest new strategies for enhancing lung regeneration following damage from infection or chronic disease.
Researchers have created a detailed map of protein interactions in fruit fly cells, providing insight into how life and disease work. The map reveals the relationships between approximately 5,000 proteins that cooperate to keep life going.
Researchers will combine neuroscience and engineering to repair spinal injuries and hearing loss using gene therapy, flexible electronics, optical imaging, and human-machine interfaces. The partnership aims to bring new treatments to the clinic and alleviate human suffering caused by neurological disabilities.
A recent DNA study suggests that humans settled in Asia in multiple waves of migration, contrary to previous genetic studies. The research found that Denisovans, an archaic human group, contributed DNA to modern populations in Southeast Asia and Oceania, including New Guineans, Australian aborigines, and Philippine populations.
Researchers identify Niemann-Pick C1 as critical protein for Ebola virus entry, paving the way for potential antiviral treatments. The discovery improves chances of developing drugs that directly combat Ebola infections.
Structural elements in cells organize the motion of receptors, enabling them to receive signals from other parts of the organism. This discovery could have profound implications for drug development and treating diseases like cancer.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that complex insurance choices in Medicare Advantage plans can lead to poor decisions among elderly patients with low cognitive ability. These patients often benefit from more generous coverage but struggle to navigate the numerous options.
Researchers discover that alpha-synuclein, key to Parkinson's disease, forms complex folded tetramers in healthy cells rather than a single, randomly-coiled chain. This finding challenges existing disease paradigms and suggests a new therapeutic approach.
Researchers have developed a toolkit to selectively silence serotonin-producing neurons in mice, revealing new insights into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The study found that serotonergic neuron activity affects body temperature regulation and responses to carbon dioxide levels.
The study provides a detailed map of genetic recombination in African Americans, revealing distinct differences from European populations. The researchers identified over two million recombination events, shedding light on the genetic origins of congenital diseases more common in African Americans.
A new study found that a global payment system in Massachusetts lowered medical spending by nearly 2% while improving the quality of patient care compared to traditional fee-for-service systems. The Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) model, which includes more than a third of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' provider network, s...
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that Massachusetts health reform led to a 7.6% increase in health insurance among residents and a 4.8% decrease in those forgoing healthcare due to cost
Researchers developed genome-scale editing tools, replacing instances of a stop codon in E. coli with another, creating novel cell strains with increased functionality and safety. The new method, CAGE, surpasses current methods by two orders of magnitude.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a single compound found in carnivore urine that triggers an instinctual avoidance response in mice and rats, providing crucial tools to study the neural circuitry associated with innate behavior. The discovery reveals a key role for volatile chemicals in predator-rodent interactions.
Researchers discovered that Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer, arises from a small group of leftover embryonic cells present in all adults. This finding opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention to prevent the progression of cancer. The study used mouse models and identified specific cell surface markers to ...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified the linchpin protein MICU1, which drives mitochondria's calcium uptake. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and diabetes.
Researchers have found that ovarian cancer cells use brute force to invade surrounding tissues and organs. The study identified key proteins involved in this process, providing a potential target for future treatments.
A new study by Nancy Keating found that VHA care is at least as good as, and in some cases better than, Medicare-funded private sector care for men 65 years and older. The VHA's coordinated care approach, salaried doctors, and lack of financial incentives for overuse may contribute to its high quality.
Researchers developed a new technique to identify self-proteins targeted in autoimmune diseases. Using phage display technology, they created a proteome library to examine molecular details of immune responses.
A new study found that Southern European groups can attribute up to 3% of their genetic signature to African ancestry, with mixing dating back 1,600 years. Middle Eastern groups have inherited 4-15% African ancestry, and Jewish populations 3-5%.
Researchers found that vaccine candidates were more efficacious against US-strain genital herpes, while African viruses required higher doses for similar protection. The study's findings offer hope for developing a potent vaccine to prevent HIV transmission in Africa.
The Khalaf Al Habtoor Harvard Research Fellowship offers a postdoctoral researcher from the UAE or Middle East region a chance to work at Harvard Medical School for up to three years. The fellowship aims to explore fundamental scientific questions and contribute knowledge to the host laboratory.
A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has developed a technique to unravel the complex neural circuits in the brain. By crawling through individual connections, they created a partial wiring diagram that revealed interesting insights into how the brain functions.
A new study published in BMJ found that Pay-for-Performance does not offer benefits to patients with hypertension, despite significant administrative costs. The research analyzed data from over 500,000 patients and found no impact on stroke, heart attacks, or mortality rates.
A Harvard Medical School study found that indirect media exposure, such as friends' TV viewing habits, is a significant factor in eating disorder symptoms among adolescent girls in Fiji. Social network exposure was linked to a 60% increase in high-level eating disorder symptoms, independent of individual viewing habits.
The discovery of the ancient Siberian human genome reveals a new hominin group, Denisovans, which shared an origin with Neandertals but diverged. The findings also suggest interbreeding between Denisovans and modern human ancestors in Papua New Guinea.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found significant disparities in common measures of hospital-wide mortality rates, highlighting the complexity and variability of diagnoses. The authors propose alternative methods to construct a more limited portfolio of mortality results for individual common conditions.
A new study found that placebos are effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms even when patients are informed they are taking a placebo. The study involved 80 patients who received either a real treatment or a placebo, with nearly twice as many experiencing symptom relief with the placebo.
A new Harvard Medical School study found that physical proximity of researchers strongly correlates with the impact of their work. The closer the first and last author are located, the more impactful a paper is as measured by citations.
A recent study found that the cholera strain in Haiti matches bacterial samples from South Asia, contradicting earlier assumptions of its Latin American origin. The researchers believe the strain was introduced into Haiti through human activity, raising hopes for control measures such as vaccination and rapid screening.
Researchers found that fruit flies will attack females who smell and taste like males, and will court males with female-like patterns of behavior. By manipulating a gene that governs pheromonal profiles and behavioral cues, the study reveals the importance of behavioral feedback in aggression.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found a way to rewind the internal clock of mature cells and drive them back into an adult stem-cell stage by mimicking a rare genetic disorder. This new approach has implications for personalized medicine, particularly in tissue engineering.
A crowdsourcing experiment, called the Challenge, has selected 12 pioneering ideas for attacking Type 1 Diabetes. These ideas were proposed by a diverse group of people, including patients, students, and researchers from various backgrounds.
Researchers have discovered a small molecule, IU1, that helps human cells get rid of misfolded proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative ailments. This potential drug could have applications for other conditions as well.
The international community must prioritize cancer care as a global health issue, with stark disparities between low- and high-income countries. Implementing evidence-based interventions can prevent or ease suffering from many malignancies, reducing the gap in access to care.
A new study reveals that men who experience stiff competition for female attention live shorter lives, with mortality rates increasing by 1.6% among those with higher sex ratios. The researchers suspect that this phenomenon is caused by a combination of social and biological factors, including stress and embodiment of the social world.
The device mimics a human lung, detecting bacteria and activating an immune response. It also shows that mechanical breathing enhances nanoparticle absorption, increasing toxicity.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have created nanodevices made of DNA that can self-assemble and be programmed to move and change shape. These programmable nanodevices are highly suitable for medical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Researchers found that a single species of gut-residing bacteria can trigger a cascade of immune responses leading to the development of arthritis in genetically susceptible individuals. The bacteria cause the production of autoantibodies and T cells, which trigger an autoimmune response and inflammation in the joints.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that Medicare cuts to physician payments for outpatient chemotherapy drugs increased treatment rates among Medicare recipients. The study analyzed data from 222,478 beneficiaries with lung cancer and found a 2.4% increase in chemotherapy treatment within one month of diagnosis.
Scientists found that a vital region of cadherin-23, a protein in the inner ear, is critical to both hearing and inherited deafness. The research revealed that calcium ions play a crucial role in holding the protein together, and mutations that weaken this bond can cause deafness.
Scientists have identified a crucial role for RNA molecules in regulating brain development and experience-driven synaptic connections. These 'enhancer RNAs' intensify genetic activity, enabling new neural links and potentially informing therapies for disorders like autism.
The software uses advanced algorithms to form automatic social networks among researchers based on shared interests and collaborations. Harvard Catalyst will continue to develop the software with support from Recombinant Data Corp., an authorized service provider.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered that the loss of Ube3A enzyme disrupts the brain's ability to fine-tune neuronal connections, leading to developmental deficits in Angelman syndrome. This finding also suggests a connection between Ube3A and autism spectrum disorders, paving the way for new therapeutic targets.
Cyanobacteria build miniature factories inside themselves that turn carbon into fuel, with spatial organization improving efficiency. The discovery may help create designer bacteria for producing carbon-neutral fuels like biodiesel and hydrogen.
A new study suggests that factors contributing to childhood obesity begin at infancy and during pregnancy, with disparities affecting minority children. Researchers found that African-American and Hispanic infants are more likely to be born small, gain excess weight after birth, and have other risk factors.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found a significant decline in US birth weights over the past 15 years, with full-term births averaging 79 grams less than expected. This trend is concerning, as low birth weight has been linked to increased risk of death and chronic diseases in adulthood.
Researchers found a family of naturally occurring antiviral agents in human cells that protected against most virus particles, including influenza A strains and West Nile virus. The proteins, called IFITM, worked by preventing the virus from attaching to cells, offering potential new ways to prevent and treat viral infections.
Researchers found that antibiotic drugs can alter bacterial cell gene expression levels, leading to increased survival. The study suggests that antagonistic drug pairings can slow down the evolution of antibiotic resistance by restoring cellular equilibrium.