Scientists have discovered that brain cells contain significant numbers of somatic mutations, which contribute to human development and disease. The study provides a new perspective on the role of these post-conception mutations in shaping brain cell lineages and potentially driving neurodegenerative disorders.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers discovered molecular changes in SMA that explain why motor neurons are affected, diverging from other neurodegenerative diseases. The findings suggest a stress response pathway convergence between SMA and ALS, potentially leading to a single treatment.
A group of scientists from seven international laboratories failed to replicate the STAP study, which claimed to turn ordinary cells into pluripotent stem cells. Computational analysis revealed significant genomic inconsistencies, including different genders and mixtures of embryonic and placental stem cells in some experiments.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that women are nearly 13% less likely to be full professors than their male peers with identical age, experience, and research productivity. Despite efforts to increase equity, the proportion of women at this rank has remained unchanged since 1980.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Medicare's readmission penalties disproportionately affect hospitals serving disadvantaged communities. By adjusting for more comprehensive patient characteristics, the gap in readmission rates between best- and worst-performing hospitals is nearly halved. The researchers propose a...
Harvard researchers have reconstructed an ancient virus effective at delivering gene therapies to liver, muscle, and retina. The discovery may lead to novel vectors for safer and more potent gene therapies.
A recent genetic study has uncovered a previously unknown wave of migration to the Americas, linking Native Americans in the Amazon to indigenous people in Australasia. The research suggests that Population Y, an ancestral group from the ice sheets, contributed to the DNA of today's Amazonians.
Researchers have developed a predictive software that can identify the most effective ways to target genes with CRISPR-Cas9. The software hierarchically ranks guide RNA effectiveness based on experimental data from human genomes, speeding up the gene-editing process and improving accuracy.
A study led by Harvard Medical School geneticists reveals that blind cavefish have mutations in the MC4R gene, which is also mutated in certain obese people. The findings provide insights into how vertebrates evolved different metabolisms and could inform the search for genes influencing human metabolism and obesity.
A Harvard Medical School study found that symptom checkers are roughly equivalent to telephone triage lines and better than general Internet-search self-diagnosis in suggesting whether users should seek medical care. However, the tools often encourage overly cautious advice, which can lead to unnecessary medical visits.
A team from Harvard Medical School has revealed the atomic level structure of VSV polymerase protein L, a key component in RNA virus replication. This finding provides insights into how these viruses copy their genomes inside host cells.
Researcher Richard Born's team at Harvard Medical School has discovered key principles about how the brain makes sense of visual information. They found that individual neurons are tuned to detect specific motions and relative depth, with a direct bottom-up contribution to these signals.
A new rapid diagnostic test has been shown to accurately diagnose Ebola virus disease within minutes, revolutionizing treatment and containment. The test's sensitivity and specificity rates are comparable to laboratory-based methods, offering a promising solution to the challenges of early diagnosis and timely intervention.
A gene previously suspected of influencing human obesity has been cleared of its connection, according to a new study. The researchers developed tools to analyze complex genomic regions, including the AMY1 locus, and found no association with body mass index.
A new vaccine has been developed that generates double protection against chlamydia by teaching the immune system to recognize and remember the bacteria as a threat. The vaccine uses charge-switching synthetic adjuvant nanoparticles to bind to the bacteria, targeting mucosal surfaces and inducing an immune response.
The Harvard Medical School Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Training Program will provide specialized education and training in cancer research and treatment. The one-year, nonclinical blended-learning certificate program is designed to promote a deeper understanding of cancer biology, diagnosis, and personalized treatments.
Ruth S. Nussenzweig, Victor Nussenzweig and Tu Youyou will share the unrestricted award of $500,000 for their groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry and parasitology that have resulted in treatments saving lives globally.
Researchers have developed high-throughput techniques to quickly and easily give every cell in a sample a unique genetic barcode, enabling scientists to analyze complex tissues at the single-cell level. This breakthrough allows for deeper understanding of cell diversity and gene expression.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed an imageable mouse model of brain-metastatic breast cancer and shown the potential of a stem-cell-based therapy to eliminate metastatic cells from the brain and prolong survival. The study also describes a strategy to prevent negative consequences of stem cell therapy.
Scientists have identified two sensory neuron subtypes controlling different respiratory functions in mice, revealing a complex vagus nerve system that may lead to targeted therapies. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying breathing control and has implications for treating various conditions.
The Pioneer Accountable Care Organization program achieved a 1.2% savings in its first year, with overall spending reductions totaling $118 million. Researchers found that higher-spending ACOs were able to achieve greater savings, suggesting a need for benchmarks that encourage participation from these organizations.
Research at Harvard Medical School identifies basal forebrain GABA parvalbumin neurons as crucial for triggering synchronized brain waves associated with conscious thought and perception. These neurons use the neural inhibitor GABA to create a pulsing rhythm, fine-tuning cognition and organization of data from the world around us.
Scientists from Harvard University have developed a system that harnesses solar energy and converts it into a liquid fuel using bacteria. The 'bionic leaf' uses an artificial catalyst to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is then converted by a bacterium into the liquid fuel isopropanol.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that HPV vaccination does not promote risky sexual behaviors among adolescent females. The vaccine has had a low uptake due to concerns about its impact on sex, but the study suggests it is safe and effective.
Scientists have created a novel biocontainment method by making genetically modified E. coli dependent on a synthetic amino acid, which can only be obtained from laboratory cultures. This approach aims to prevent the bacteria from surviving in open environments and potentially causing ecological harm or contamination.
Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that high-risk patients admitted to hospitals during cardiology meetings are more likely to survive than on non-meeting days. The study suggests that a less intensive approach for these patients may be beneficial.
Researchers discover penicillin works by setting in motion a toxic malfunctioning of the cell's wall-building machinery, which depletes cells of resources. This finding could lead to new ways to thwart drug resistance.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that advanced life support ambulances, which use sophisticated gear and staffed with highly trained paramedics, do not save lives but rather increase the risk of death compared to basic life support ambulances. BLS patients were nearly 50% more likely to survive than ALS patients at 90 days.
A new study from Harvard Medical School reveals that genetic variants control DNA replication timing, varying among people. This variation affects mutation rates and individual disease risk, including blood cancers.
A new study suggests that big data predictive analytics can identify high-risk US Army soldiers prior to hospital discharge, highlighting a targeted approach for suicide prevention. The analysis of 53,769 soldiers revealed that 5% of hospitalized individuals accounted for 52.9% of post-hospital suicides.
Researchers identified a cellular culprit in metastasis, finding that an overabundance of Frizzled-2 and its activator Wnt5 triggers EMT in cancer cells. This discovery informs the design of new treatments to prevent or delay metastasis.
Researchers found that embryonic cloaca signaling determines genitalia structure, similar to location-based signals in real estate. This finding reveals a deep homology between mammalian and reptilian genitalia despite their non-homologous origins.
Researchers develop mathematical toolkit that analyzes cancer mutation data, revealing common and rare mutations have equal impact on tumor behavior. The study also finds that mutations cause subtle, precise alterations in protein communication pathways, enabling targeted therapies.
The HMS Center for Biomedical Informatics has received two major government grants totaling nearly $28 million. Researchers will create a platform merging electronic health records with genomic data to gain deeper insights into neuropsychiatric illness diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers reconstituted cytokinesis, the final stage of cell division, using a cell-free system. The system mimics how the cleavage furrow is assembled, with signals directing molecular traffic. This breakthrough expands the scope of study and enables spatial manipulation of components.
A global budget program has improved the quality of patient care and lowered costs over four years through a plan that uses alternative payment models. The study found significant reductions in healthcare spending and improvements in measures of quality, including better diabetes management and blood pressure control.
Beneficiaries in ACOs reported improved satisfaction with their care, with significant improvements in timely access to care and perceived coordination of care. However, no significant improvements were found in physician-patient communication skills.
Two studies found that new soldiers are equally likely to have experienced major episodes of mental illness as civilians, but more likely to have a combination of disorders. Rates of pre-enlistment suicide thoughts and plans are similar to matched civilians, but higher rates later in the Army career suggest chronicity of suicidality
The Bertarelli Program has awarded $3.6 million in grants to five research projects focused on diagnosing and treating hearing loss, as well as developing new treatments for blindness. The projects aim to combine technologies and approaches to accelerate the delivery of new treatments to the clinic.
A new study by Harvard Medical School and University of Tübingen reveals that present-day Europeans descend from three ancestral groups: Ancient North Eurasians, Basal Eurasians, and Near Eastern farmers. Genetic analysis found that Northern Europeans have more hunter-gatherer ancestry while Southern Europeans have more farmer ancestry.
Researchers discovered how hummingbirds detected sugar by analyzing their taste receptors, which expanded to respond to carbohydrates. The study revealed that a single mutation drove behavior changes in the birds.
A cross-disciplinary team proposes using gene drives to manage ecosystems, potentially combating malaria and other diseases. Gene drives can spread specified genetic alterations through targeted wild populations over many generations.
A private South African health plan increased patient use of preventive care services like mammograms and influenza vaccines through a novel retail incentive program. The program offered discounts on retail goods and travel for participants who used preventive services, resulting in a 5% increase in uptake.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that antidepressant prescriptions for young people dropped after FDA warnings, leading to a relative increase in suicide attempts. The researchers suggest that better communication between the FDA, media, and physicians is needed to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to study CMV's dynamics in infected cells, identifying ways the virus evades the immune system and targeting cell surface proteins. The discovery offers new therapeutic targets and potential treatments for CMV-related diseases.
A team from Harvard Medical School identified a gene, Mfsd2a, that limits the blood-brain barrier's permeability. Blocking its activity could allow selective drug delivery to treat conditions like brain tumors and infections.
Researchers found that at least one in four Medicare recipients received wasteful services in 2009, resulting in $1.9 billion in unnecessary spending. The study used novel methods to measure low-value care and provides tools for evaluating reform efforts aimed at reducing waste.
A comprehensive review suggests that mammography screening benefits are often exaggerated while harms are understated. The study's findings emphasize the need for individualized approach to breast cancer screening based on clinical factors and personal preferences.
A new study reveals that REST, a gene regulator active during fetal brain development, switches back on later in life to protect aging neurons from various stresses. The researchers also showed that REST is lost in critical brain regions of people with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment.
A major new study found that pre-enlistment mental disorders are a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation among US soldiers. The study, which surveyed over 975,000 Army personnel, reveals that nearly 60% of soldier suicide attempts can be traced to these conditions, with the vast majority developing them before enlistment.