Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that thyroid hormone changes brain wiring to drive exploratory behavior, which is essential for survival during seasonal changes. The study found a link between thyroid hormone levels and metabolic rates, shedding light on the hormone's role in modulating behavior.
The new AI tool PINNACLE overcomes limitations of current models by analyzing protein behavior in context. It can predict narrowly tailored drug targets for malfunctioning proteins, enabling better understanding of vital cellular processes and disease mechanisms.
Researchers found that close household contacts of people diagnosed with geographically restricted TB strains had a lower rate of infection and active TB disease compared to those exposed to widespread lineages. This suggests a shared evolution between humans and microbes, amplifying the risk for infection.
The new risk calculator estimates nearly 16 million people will be newly ineligible for cholesterol and blood pressure therapy, resulting in 107,000 additional heart attacks and strokes over 10 years. The change would disproportionately affect men between 50 and 69 years old.
The study found that subtle shifts in the shape of viral spike proteins changed targetable host receptors, leading to the virus's decline as a human pathogen. Researchers also discovered that some strains could stick their spike proteins to multiple receptors, challenging previous assumptions about viral behavior.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School analyzed 370,000 participants to find that removing race from lung function tests would shift disease severity categorization across patient populations. This could lead to more white and Hispanic people being reclassified as having less advanced illness.
A new survey reveals that three-quarters of US adults support using polygenic embryo screening to assess disease risk, while fewer approve its use for predicting traits. The results highlight the need for public education and conversation about the technology's limitations.
A study published in JAMA found that newly trained internal medicine physicians with top scores on the board certification exam had lower risk of dying within seven days or being readmitted to hospital. The analysis used nearly 7,000 patients and showed a significant link between exam scores and patient outcomes.
A new study finds that individual clinician differences play a significant role in how human radiologists perform with AI assistance. The research suggests that AI can boost performance for some doctors but harm others, highlighting the need for personalized assistive AI systems.
A new reflex of the vagus nerve helps counteract restricted breathing, while a rare cell type detects airway closure and relays the signal. The discovery provides valuable insight into how the brain and body are connected to monitor and modulate respiration.
Researchers have developed a new CRISPR-based approach to study the function of immune genes, bypassing challenges of modifying immune cells. By targeting stem cells that produce immune cells, scientists can knock out specific genes in different cell types at various times, providing greater insight into gene interactions and their rol...
A large-scale study published in the BMJ found that children born in October are most likely to be vaccinated and least likely to be diagnosed with influenza, confirming public health guidance of getting flu vaccinations in October. The study analyzed over 800,000 children's health records from 2011-2018.
A new mouse study has uncovered the neural connections that help shape decisions, finding sequential groups of neurons activated and suppressed to reinforce a choice. The research combines structural, functional, and behavioral analyses to explore how neuron-to-neuron connections support decision-making in the brain.
A recent study published in Nature sheds light on how the brain's internal compass guides behavior, using fruit flies as a model organism. Three distinct groups of neurons enable communication between the compass and steering regions, translating signals into behavior to keep the fly moving in the right direction.
A study published in iScience found that DEET can affect meiosis, leading to abnormal chromosome structure and reduced egg cell quality. This raises concerns about the potential reproductive effects of DEET-containing products in humans. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and inform recommendations for balancing disea...
A recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that hospitals acquired by private equity firms experience a decline in clinical quality of care. Patient falls and new infections were among the measures of safety that worsened after buyouts. The findings suggest that financial pressures from private equity may overshadow pat...
Researchers have discovered key mechanisms by which the host immune system blocks viral infection in the cell's nucleus, including the role of signaling proteins called interferons and host protein IFI16. These findings could lead to new treatments for herpesviruses and other nuclear DNA viruses.
A study in mice suggests that daydreams can shape the brain's future response to what it sees. Researchers found that patterns of activity during a mouse's first few daydreams predicted how the brain would respond to an image later, indicating a potential causal relationship between daydreaming and brain plasticity.
A new study from Harvard Medical School researchers found that prior authorizations for oral cancer drugs can lead to significant delays in patients' obtaining the medication, increasing the likelihood of discontinuation. The analysis of Medicare Part D claims data revealed an average delay of 10 days in refilling prescriptions after a...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a novel mechanism behind itch, revealing that Staphylococcus aureus single-handedly causes itch by instigating a molecular chain reaction. The study found that the bacterium's enzyme protease V8 activates protein PAR1 on skin neurons, leading to the sensation of itch.
Researchers using cancer as a model system are uncovering basic principles of immune cell communication and spatial dynamics. Understanding these principles can lead to new treatments for various diseases, including viral infections and cancer.
A new study reveals that gunshot injuries among youth lead to significant increases in psychiatric disorders and healthcare spending. Family members of survivors experience long-lasting trauma effects, including a sharp increase in fathers' mental health visits after the loss of a child.
A new Harvard Medical School study reveals that exercise benefits come from the immune system, specifically through T cell activation. Regular exercise enhances muscle metabolism, reduces inflammation, and improves overall endurance by activating T cells, which counteract inflammation and boost energy production.
A new AI tool named EVEscape can predict future viral variants of concern, potentially helping scientists develop more effective vaccines and therapies. The tool uses evolutionary and biological information to forecast which mutations will occur in viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Heart cells in developing zebrafish transition from silence to beating in a simultaneous, coordinated manner. Each cell can beat independently, and the heartbeat starts from different locations in different zebrafish.
Researchers identified midnolin as a protein that degrades short-lived nuclear proteins by directly grabbing them and pulling them into the proteasome. This mechanism is crucial for genes related to brain function, immune system, and development.
Researchers discovered that sensory neurons grow end organs tailored to their specific skin type, rather than predetermined programming. This finding could lead to new therapies for damaged or diseased nerves and better understanding of congenital neuropathies.
AI is changing the way scientists discover and design drugs, predicting molecular interactions and protein folding with unprecedented speed and accuracy. AI also has the potential to safeguard nuclear reactors, synthesize novel materials, and enhance scientific understanding autonomously.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that automated scoring systems for AI-generated radiology reports fail to reliably identify clinical errors. The team designed a new method and composite evaluation tool to better evaluate the performance of AI tools in generating clinically useful and trustworthy reports.
A groundbreaking analysis of historical DNA links tens of thousands of living individuals to enslaved and free African Americans at Catoctin Furnace. The study provides a new way to complement genealogical efforts and restore ancestral histories for African American communities.
Scientists have identified five distinct subtypes of sensory neurons in the colon that carry signals to the brain, with different subtypes responding to gentle and intense forces. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of gastrointestinal conditions and inform the development of more effective therapies.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a specific group of neurons that become active when mice correct mistakes during spatial navigation. The findings bring scientists closer to understanding how navigation works and raise new questions about the role of these cells in other brain regions.
A new study published in Developmental Cell reveals that a signal produced by neurons is essential for the proper formation of the blood-brain barrier during embryonic development and helps maintain its integrity throughout adulthood. The findings could lead to more effective ways of delivering cancer or psychiatric medicines into the ...
A study by Harvard Medical School found a sharp increase in young people visiting hospital emergency departments for mental health crises during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend, driven by a surge in girls' visits, highlights the critical need for policies to increase resources for mental health care.
An AI tool called CHARM rapidly decodes a brain tumor's DNA to determine its molecular identity during surgery. This information enables neurosurgeons to make informed decisions about how much brain tissue to remove and whether to use tumor-killing drugs directly into the brain.
Researchers developed a new tool called Orion that integrates histologic and molecular information to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. The tool uses a digital imaging platform to analyze tumor samples, identifying biomarkers that predict patient outcomes.
Researchers found genetic similarities among strains of Mycobacterium abscessus that cannot be explained by direct person-to-person transmission. Instead, they suggest the pathogen is acquired from environmental exposures, with implications for hospital precautions and public health.
Harvard Medical School researchers have identified a molecular sparkplug that ignites cases of estrogen-driven breast cancer. The study suggests that as many as one-third of breast cancer cases may arise through this newly identified mechanism, which shows estrogen directly altering cell DNA and causing genomic rearrangements.
An AI tool has identified people at highest risk for pancreatic cancer, suggesting population screening could expedite diagnosis and improve outcomes. The model predicted disease occurrence with accuracy comparable to genetic sequencing tests, targeting those at elevated risk without relying on family history or genetic mutations.
Research found that specific gut bacteria enhance response to PD-1 checkpoint blockade by altering immune molecules PD-L2 and RGMb. This leads to improved detection and destruction of cancer cells, offering potential for enhanced immunotherapy treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered a new cellular sensor that allows dormant bacteria to detect nutrients and quickly spring back to life. This breakthrough could inform the design of ways to prevent dangerous bacterial spores from lying dormant for months before waking up again and causing outbreaks.
Researchers chart course for generalist medical AI, capable of performing complex tasks in a wide range of scenarios. The model can integrate multiple data types and apply existing knowledge to new contexts, offering comprehensive solutions to alleviate clinician burnout and reduce clinical errors.
Scientists design a mini gene therapy to replace the mutated gene in Usher 1F, increasing protein production and restoring hearing in mice. The approach may also prevent blindness by targeting a different form of the protein involved in vision loss.
A new AI model, MOMA, accurately predicts colon cancer survival, treatment response and disease recurrence for patients. It can guide clinicians to follow up more closely or consider aggressive treatments for patients with worse predicted prognoses.
A recent study has found that sleep is necessary for survival due to its role in regulating the body's homeostasis and preventing diseases. The research also shows that the brain disconnects from the environment during sleep, and that the gut plays a crucial role in this process.
The study confirms that a significant number of people from Southwest Asia moved to the Swahili coast in medieval and early modern times, having children with local populations. Hallmarks of the Swahili civilization predated these arrivals, contradicting previous scholarly views.
Scientists create modified E. coli bacteria that cannot be infected by viruses while minimizing gene escape into the wild. This breakthrough technology has implications for reducing viral contamination in biotechnology production, such as insulin production and biofuel manufacturing.
A study published in Nature found that a small group of neurons in the airway play a pivotal role in alerting the brain about flu infections. The researchers also identified a second pathway from the lungs to the brain that becomes active later in the infection, which may hold promise for developing new treatments.
New research from Harvard Medical School reveals that female mice display more consistent exploratory behavior despite hormonal fluctuations. This finding highlights the importance of including both sexes in neuroscience experiments to gain a deeper understanding of the brain and its functions.
Researchers found that gut microbes drive the production of regulatory T cells, which act as immune healers that repair muscle injury. These cells were previously thought to be only produced in the gut, but now it's clear they also play a role in healing damaged livers.