A new study found that restrictive drug policies in Maine's Medicaid program led to a 29% increase in medication discontinuation among patients with schizophrenia. The policy, which required prior authorization for new medications, disrupted essential treatment and resulted in minimal cost savings.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified proteins that promote tumor growth in certain types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer. Targeting these proteins with small molecules may lead to new therapeutic options for patients.
Research from Harvard Medical School reveals that life expectancy rises significantly for individuals with more than 12 years of education, while those with less education experience little to no improvement. The study attributes the mortality gap between educated and less-educated individuals to smoking-related illnesses.
A new chemical toolkit analyzes mitochondrial function and identifies key aspects affected by individual drugs. The study found that certain cholesterol-lowering statins interfere with mitochondria energy levels, while disrupting the cell's cytoskeleton boosts gene expression and reduces toxic byproducts.
Researchers found that topical application of alpha-linolenic acid significantly decreased clinical signs of dry eye syndrome in animal models. The study suggests a potential new treatment approach for this common condition, which affects millions of people worldwide.
A new study has found that a gene called STAT3 can behave differently depending on genetic nuances between individuals, playing a tumor suppressor role in some glioblastoma cases. The discovery has laid the foundation for personalized medicine approaches to treat this devastating brain cancer.
Researchers analyzed data from over 45,000 Medicare beneficiaries treated for AAA and found that EVAR has a lower mortality rate than open repair, with a significant benefit for elderly patients. While EVAR may require more reinterventions, the risks are balanced by late complications of open repair.
Researchers identified 273 human proteins required for HIV propagation using RNA interference, a technique that was previously untested on this scale. The study provides new insights into the HIV life cycle and offers potential new therapeutics.
A new study finds that patients in high-spending areas do not necessarily have better health outcomes than those in low-spending areas. However, the authors also reveal that increased spending can be beneficial in certain cases, such as when chemotherapy is provided to patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Researchers found that oral osteoporosis medications appear to reduce the risk of jaw degradation in patients. The study analyzed medical claims data from over 714,000 individuals and showed a protective association between oral bisphosphonates and adverse bone outcomes.
A new study found that expanding health coverage to people without it leads to demonstrable improvements in health, particularly for those with heart disease or diabetes. Uninsured adults who gained Medicare coverage had 10 fewer major cardiac complications by age 72 compared to expected.
Researchers discovered a genetic switch that regulates critical properties of cancer stem cells using microRNAs. Activating this switch, let-7, can push cancer stem cells to differentiate and lose their tumorigenic abilities, offering a novel approach to targeting these cells with therapeutic RNAs.
Research suggests that neurons in the frontal lobe encode economic value in a 'menu invariant' way, enabling transitive preferences. This finding provides a key insight into the neural circuits underlying decision-making and may shed light on choice deficits associated with frontal lobe damage.
Researchers discovered that blood stem cells can travel to visceral organs to perform reconnaissance missions and produce new immune cells. These cells can synthesize defense mechanisms to counter invading pathogens, indicating a more dynamic role for hematopoietic stem cells.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a new type of programmed cell death called entosis, where cells bore into their neighbors and died. This process, known as entosis, was found to be more common in cancerous cells than previously thought, and its role in tumor progression is still unclear.
A comprehensive survey of Hurricane Katrina survivors found a significant increase in mental disorders, including depression and anxiety-mood disorders. The prevalence of PTSD also doubled in some areas, with no change in others.
Scientists have successfully selectively blocked pain-sensing neurons in rats without interfering with other types of neurons, offering a new targeted approach to pain management. The method uses QX-314 and capsaicin to target only pain-sensing neurons, preventing them from sending signals to the brain.
A recent study by Harvard Medical School reveals that over half of US adults experience a mental or physical condition affecting their role functioning, resulting in 1.3 billion lost days annually. Major depression is associated with the largest number of lost days, followed closely by chronic back-neck pain.
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have identified two genes, SIRT3 and SIRT4, that play a vital role in maintaining cellular health and longevity. These genes help protect cells from diseases of aging when caloric restriction or exercise is applied.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a DNA-based memory loop in yeast cells, demonstrating the ability to create a mathematical model that predicts how such a device might work. The memory loop continued throughout many cell divisions, showcasing the potential for biological black boxes with specific functions.
Uninsured community health center patients often have difficulty accessing specialty services even after a doctor determines they need them. In contrast, those with private insurance or Medicaid face fewer barriers to accessing these services.
A new study found that underinsured children are at risk of not getting needed vaccines due to lack of funding and restrictive policies. The authors suggest strategies to enhance immunization benefits for this vulnerable group of children.
A comprehensive study has identified new genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis, suggesting a link to autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. The study analyzed genomic data from over 12,000 people and confirmed the involvement of immune system genes in MS.
Researchers found that when an individual gains weight, their friends and siblings have a significantly increased risk of becoming obese. The closer two people are in a social network, the stronger the effect. Geographical distance appears to have no effect, suggesting that environmental factors play a smaller role.
Research at Harvard Medical School found that uninsured adults before age 65 require more intensive and costlier care than those with private insurance. This can lead to costly complications and reduced health needs after age 65.
A new study from Harvard Medical School identifies p63 as the master regulator of epithelial stem cells, which are essential for tissue regeneration and have implications for cancers such as breast, prostate, and skin. The findings show that p63 imparts 'stemness' to regenerative cells, maintaining a steady pool of these cells.
Researchers have successfully sequenced tiny pieces of collagen protein from a 68 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, closely matching amino acid sequences found in present-day chickens. The findings support the long-debated proposal that birds and dinosaurs are evolutionarily related.
A new study found that pregnant women who gain excessive or adequate weight are four times more likely to have an overweight child. The study suggests reevaluating current pregnancy weight guidelines, as excessive weight gain during pregnancy can influence child health and increase the risk of obesity.
Patients switching to high-deductible health plans experienced a 10% reduction in emergency department visits for less severe conditions. This decrease suggests patients are deferring non-emergency care, but more research is needed to understand long-term consequences.
A national series of interventions aimed at improving chronic disease management quality resulted in enhanced processes of care for diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. However, these efforts did not lead to improvements in intermediate clinical outcomes, such as control of high blood pressure or glycated hemoglobin levels.
A new study from Harvard Medical School found no association between benzodiazepine use and hip fractures among the elderly. The study, which analyzed data from over 90,000 Medicaid recipients, suggests that policies limiting sedative prescriptions may need to be reexamined.
A comprehensive study by Harvard Medical School found that not-for-profit hospitals and those with more registered nurses and advanced technology delivered better patient care. Hospitals with federal or military designation also performed well, while those serving greater proportions of Medicaid patients had low quality of care.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that a gene called 'fruitless' is responsible for sex-specific behaviors in fruit flies, including fighting patterns. The findings provide a new model for understanding the biology of aggression and its neural circuitry.
Researchers used resveratrol to increase the lifespan of obese mice, reversing nearly all changes in gene expression patterns linked to diabetes and heart disease. The study also found improved motor skills and quality of life in mice treated with resveratrol, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for age-related diseases.
A new study from Harvard Medical School and Brown Medical School shows that racial disparities in care cannot be attributed to low-performing health plans. The research found that high-performing plans and low-performing plans have comparable levels of disparities in key health measures.
A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research found that reducing surgical resident work hours did not significantly improve perceived quality of patient care. Residents reported fewer fatigue-related errors but more continuity and communication issues.
A large observational study found that men with local or regional prostate cancer receiving GnRH agonist therapy had a 44% higher risk of developing diabetes and a 16% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. Physicians should consider alternative treatments to mitigate these risks.
Researchers discovered a new variant in the Complement Factor H gene associated with advanced age-related macular degeneration. Combining this variant with others found additive accumulation of risk from three genes: CFH, BF, and C2. The study estimates that genotypes related to five variants explain about half the sibling risk of AMD.
A new survey found that Hurricane Katrina survivors in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi experienced a doubling of serious mental illness compared to an earlier survey. Despite this increase, the rate of suicidal thoughts was surprisingly low, likely due to positive cognitions about future recovery efforts.
A comprehensive survey of Katrina survivors found that most experienced significant financial, income, and housing losses, as well as physical and psychological adversity. However, the vast majority reported developing a deeper sense of meaning or purpose in life after the hurricane.
A new study from Harvard Medical School identifies neurons in the parietal cortex that assist in categorizing visual stimuli, and how brain activity patterns change with learning. The findings suggest categories are encoded by individual neurons and the parietal cortex plays a key role in learning and recognizing visual images.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a DNA segment on chromosome 8 that is a major risk factor for prostate cancer, especially in younger African American men. The study found that this region increases the likelihood of prostate cancer by about doubling it in younger African Americans.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers reveals that the immune system protein paired-immunoglobulin like receptor-B (PirB) inhibits neuronal plasticity in adult mice, while a deficiency in PirB leads to enhanced plasticity throughout life. This discovery has important implications for future studies and repairs of the brain.
A 22-year study by Harvard Medical School found that the prevalence of overweight children increased from 6.3% to 10%, while infants showed a 59% rise in risk and a 74% increase in number of overweight infants. This suggests that efforts to prevent obesity must start early, even before birth.
The study found that YAP amplification transforms mammary epithelial cells, opening a novel cell growth controlling pathway. The research links the YAP gene to breast and other kinds of cancers, highlighting its potential as a cancer-causing gene.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a key protein regulating fat and cholesterol production, which may lead to more comprehensive treatments for metabolic syndrome. The study found that removing this protein's binding partner disrupts SREBP activity, resulting in reduced lipid biosynthesis.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have created a new mouse model that allows scientists to study how the immune system responds to Chlamydia. The breakthrough enables tracking of T cell responses in reproductive tissues, shedding light on potential avenues for developing vaccines against this common STD.
A 20-year study found that type 2 diabetes is associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a leading cause of blindness. Researchers observed over 76,000 women and found a positive association between type 2 diabetes and POAG, regardless of duration.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that smoking increases the risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), while a higher intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk. The research, conducted on 681 male twins, highlights the importance of prevention over limited treatment options for AMD.
A large-scale cross-platform study of research microarrays has uncovered high concordance across platforms, addressing a crucial issue in biomedical research. The study, led by Winston Patrick Kuo, used 10 different microarray platforms and two QRT-PCR approaches to compare gene expression measurements.