A daily multivitamin may be beneficial for reducing the risk of hypertension in people with poorer nutritional intake. Multivitamins lowered risk of hypertension in participants with comparatively lower diet quality, as measured by Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) scores.
After cannabis sales became legal, rates of cannabis use and cannabis-related disorders increased significantly among adolescents aged 12 to 17 presenting for psychiatric emergencies. The study found a fourfold increase in cannabis use and a similar rise in cannabis-related disorders among this age group.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute present promising new treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia, autoimmune bleeding disorders, and multiple myeloma. The studies show improved event-free survival, higher overall response rates, and better quality of life for patients treated with novel therapies.
A new study suggests that long-acting injectable treatment can prevent up to 160 infant infections per year in Zimbabwe. The treatment, LA cabotegravir with rilpivirine, could be cost-effective if priced at $156/year or lower for women whose HIV has not been fully suppressed at delivery.
A randomized controlled trial found that home hospital care reduced healthcare costs by 27% and increased physical activity among patients with acute conditions. Patients also reported higher satisfaction rates when receiving care at home compared to traditional brick-and-mortar hospitals.
A new study found that engasertib reduced nosebleed frequency and duration in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare inherited bleeding disorder. The trial also showed improved symptoms and safety profile for the drug, paving the way for its potential use as a treatment option.
A study found that 43% of public speakers at FDA advisory committee meetings report a conflict of interest, leading to biased opinions on drug approval. Patients and family members with personal experience using the drug supported approval in most cases, while public health advocates were more likely to oppose it.
A study found that pregnant women who discontinued GLP-1 medications before or early in their pregnancy experienced higher risks of weight gain, diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and preterm delivery. Those who stopped taking the medications gained an average of 7.2 pounds more weight during pregnancy.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that combining generative AI with ambient documentation technologies significantly reduced after-hours work and note delays. The hybrid program, which included a virtual scribe, showed a 41% decrease in after-hours work and a 66% decline in documentation delays.
A recent study found that TDP-43 protein levels in blood may indicate presence of LATE dementia, a cause often linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope this discovery could lead to development of simple blood test to diagnose LATE during life.
A federally funded study by Mass General Brigham investigators found that self-reported vision problems and traumatic stress are experienced years after strangulation in women who have experienced intimate partner violence. The study identified three major subgroups: strangulation alone, altered consciousness, and full loss of consciou...
Adolescents and young adults who stayed on medication for at least a year had lower risks of opioid overdose and hospitalization compared to those who discontinued early or took it inconsistently. Consistent, year-long use likely provides the greatest protection against overdose and other serious outcomes.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that over 69,000 US deaths were caused by extreme temperature exposure between 1999 and 2024. The majority of these deaths were heat-related, but cold-related deaths are also expected to rise as climate change intensifies.
A clinical trial found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation improved fatigue, sleep, and depressive symptoms in some people with long COVID. However, the overall results did not show significant differences between groups, suggesting that individual responses may vary.
A study of nearly 30,000 female nurses found that consuming more ultra-processed foods was associated with a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas, precursors to early-onset colorectal cancer. The study's findings support the importance of reducing ultra-processed food intake as a strategy to mitigate the rising burden of early-onset ...
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers identified distinct T-cell infiltration patterns in colorectal cancer precursor lesions and cancer tissues. The findings suggest that understanding these patterns could help detect CRC earlier by predicting risk and develop therapeutic approaches.
A new study finds that GLP-1 drugs tirzepatide and semaglutide reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from any cause in patients with type 2 diabetes. Both medications provide strong cardioprotective effects and may be integrated into clinical cardiovascular practice.
Child abuse and neglect rates in the US have declined overall over the last decade, but disparities persist, particularly among Black children and female children. Poverty is identified as a critical target for intervention, and strengthening government financial assistance programs can help reduce disparities.
In a clinical trial of 12,257 patients at high risk, investigators found that adding the drug evolocumab to a patient’s treatment reduced the risk of a first heart attack, first stroke, or coronary heart disease death by 25%. The study also showed a 36% reduction in heart attacks and a nominally lower rate of death in the evolocumab arm.
Researchers found olezarsen significantly reduced acute pancreatitis incidence by 85% in patients with severely elevated triglyceride levels. The drug also lowered triglyceride levels below 500mg/dL in over 85% of participants.
Researchers used high-resolution imaging to map brain regions involved in regulating body's energy needs and sensing internal conditions. The study replicated previous findings and expanded upon them, confirming connections between brain areas that help manage the body's needs and sense what's happening inside.
A new study found that heavy alcohol use is associated with more severe brain bleeds and long-term brain vessel damage at a younger age. Patients who drank three or more drinks a day had larger, deeper bleeds and were twice as likely to have damage in the tiny blood vessels in the brain.
A new study by Mass General Brigham reveals that patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of developing chronic health problems, including hypertension, stroke, depression, and diabetes. The study highlights the need for proactive and multidisciplinary long-term care strategies to address these issues.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a strategy to promote antitumor immunity by inducing cancer cells to produce an immune-activating molecule. This approach was shown to reduce tumor growth and improve survival in mouse models of aggressive melanoma, with potential applications beyond cancer therapies.
A new study published in Nature Medicine found that increasing daily steps by even a little can help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive decline was delayed by three years for people who walked 3,000-5,000 steps per day, and by seven years for those who walked 5,000-7,500 steps per day.
A study found a single mutation in the CD36 gene increases risk of dilated cardiomyopathy by 33% in individuals of African descent. This variant is more common in Black individuals and may account for 20% of excess DCM risk.
A study published in Science reveals that the enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a key role in maintaining gut balance and protecting against harm. Researchers mapped ENS responses to different conditions, including allergies and parasitic infections, using mouse models with fluorescent tagging systems.
Children born to mothers infected with COVID-19 while pregnant are at a higher risk of developing developmental delays, including speech difficulties and autism. The study found that males were more susceptible to adverse outcomes compared to females.
A new study led by Mass General Brigham researchers found that a home exercise program combined with standard or sham physical therapy improved knee pain for participants with osteoarthritis and meniscal tears. The addition of regular visits with a physical therapist resulted in slightly greater pain relief, suggesting the importance o...
A recent presidential proclamation increased H1-B visa fees, affecting international doctors sponsored by the program. Rural and high-poverty counties will likely face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services due to a shortage of foreign healthcare workers.
Researchers developed a biodegradable implant that slowly releases drugs to myeloid cells, waking up the immune system to fight cancer. The approach prevented tumor recurrence in over half of mice and showed promising results in human samples.
Researchers developed an ingestible capsule inspired by firefly bioluminescence to diagnose acute mesenteric ischemia, a potentially deadly but often underdiagnosed condition. The capsule generates light after activation by the small intestine's pH, which is transmitted wirelessly to diagnose the condition with 90% accuracy.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that daily step counts of 4,000 or more are associated with a 26% lower mortality risk and 27% lower cardiovascular disease risk in older women. The study suggests that even sporadic high-intensity exercise can have significant health benefits.
Stroke survivors' lived experiences reveal key factors that shape their physical and emotional wellbeing during recovery. The study highlights the importance of integrating lived experiences in stroke research to improve care models.
Researchers discovered a gain-of-function mutation in the TREM2 gene that impairs microglial function and increases risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study found that female mice with the T96K mutation had reduced microglial activity, leading to increased amyloid beta accumulation.
Researchers used five advanced LLMs to assess their logical reasoning capabilities and found that they consistently complied with requests for false medical information. Targeted training and fine-tuning improved LLMs' abilities to respond to illogical prompts accurately, but challenges remain in aligning models to every type of user.
A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that the new definition of obesity, which includes measures of body fat distribution, increases the prevalence to 70% among US adults. Those with 'anthropometric-only obesity' have a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers developed a new model to predict risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with ASCVD, outperforming current guidelines. The novel scoring tools use readily available clinical factors and blood assays, enabling easier, faster clinical translation.
A multi-institutional study found that serially testing tumor samples can detect immune system activation in recurrent glioblastoma even when traditional imaging measures cannot. The researchers used multi-omic analysis and integrated data from various sources to show positive changes in the tumor microenvironment over time.
A new study led by Mass General Brigham found that a glutamate-modulating drug called memantine may improve social functioning in youth with ASD who do not have intellectual disabilities. The treatment was associated with higher rates of improvement in social behaviors and was well-tolerated.
The BEACONS initiative will pilot whole genome sequencing in existing state newborn screening systems, recruiting up to 30,000 newborns across 10 states. The study aims to provide national evidence on the feasibility and sustainability of genomic newborn screening.
Researchers found that continuous glucose monitoring metrics correlated with hemoglobin A1c in patients with diabetes, but weakened or disappeared in those with prediabetes and normal glycemic control. CGMs are useful as behavioral tools for people without diabetes, but do not directly reflect longer-term blood sugar control.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers shows that a non-drug wearable device can help people with substance use disorders manage stress, reduce cravings, and lower their risk of relapse in real time. The device uses heart rate variability biofeedback to prompt users to practice breathing exercises and regulate their mood.
A new study found that AI tool accurately captures details in just three minutes from a body scan, highlighting the potential of using AI to repurpose data from routine scans. Visceral adipose tissue volume and fat deposits in muscle are strongly associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk.
A new study led by Mass General Brigham investigators compared the effects of repeated intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression, revealing both treatments reduced symptoms but IV ketamine showed greater improvements.
Researchers identified genetic modifications that can improve the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell treatment for multiple myeloma and other cancers. The study used CRISPR screening to pinpoint genes that influenced T cell function and survival in culture and in a preclinical model of multiple myeloma.
A new study found that cocoa extract supplements rich in flavanols decreased hsCRP levels, an inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular disease. The results suggest cocoa extract's anti-inflammatory potential may help explain its heart-protective effects.
Mass General Brigham has identified key areas of innovation in medicine, including gene editing, immune system modulation, AI-powered care, and organ transplantation. The 'Big Ideas in Medicine' aim to transform diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease with next-generation technologies.
A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that tirzepatide offers greater value than semaglutide for most patients with knee osteoarthritis and obesity. Bariatric surgery provides the best option from a clinical and economic perspective for eligible and willing patients.
Researchers identified a long non-coding RNA called CARMN as a surprising new treatment target for chronic limb-threatening ischemia. The study found that blocking the protein HHIP, controlled by CARMN, improves blood flow and tissue healing in patients with CLTI.