Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that targeted radiation was successful in treating patients with brain metastases, resulting in a lower neurological death rate and reduced need for subsequent whole brain radiation. This study supports personalized treatment approaches to maintain quality of life while managing brain metastases.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers finds that a transabdominal cerclage (TAC) significantly reduces the risk of preterm birth among patients with cervical insufficiency, with a 70% lower risk compared to transvaginal cerclage (TVC).
Researchers found that individuals following Mediterranean or plant-based diets were less likely to develop chronic constipation. A diet rich in vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats may help prevent the condition.
Researchers have identified WSTF as a protein that could be targeted to block chronic inflammation, allowing the immune system to continue responding appropriately to short-term threats. The study's findings suggest new potential treatments targeting WSTF may combat chronic inflammatory diseases
A new study by Mass General Brigham found that hospitals that implemented improved recovery protocols saw a significant decrease in patients' long-term opioid use. The research suggests that minimizing opioid exposure during and after surgery can help reduce the risk of addiction.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found a novel strategy to help patients control their disease, increasing eligibility for stem cell transplants. The combination of duvelisib and romidepsin was effective, tolerable, and safe for patients with relapsed/refractory peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
Researchers found that hepatitis B virus worsens liver inflammation, making patients more susceptible to early cancer development caused by environmental carcinogens. Limiting carcinogen exposure or reducing inflammation may mitigate this risk.
A new study from Mass General Brigham found that greater access to mental health staff in schools can help lower risk of mental health conditions among students growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Higher school mental health staffing ratios counteracted the effects of neighborhood deprivation on anxiety and depressive symptoms, ...
Research from Mass General Brigham found that individuals with shorter telomeres and less optimal lifestyle choices are at greater risk for stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. However, those with healthier lifestyles showed no increased risk, suggesting a potential mitigation effect.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a virtual reality training tool to teach clinicians core concepts in infection control, including cleaning and disinfecting portable medical equipment. The pilot study found that 88.6% of participants reported an overall positive experience with the VR module.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham found over 7,400 more pediatric firearm deaths in states with permissive gun laws compared to expected rates. Rates remained unchanged or decreased in strict gun law states, highlighting the impact of policy on child safety.
Researchers found that higher McCance Brain Care Score is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and three common cancers worldwide. The score evaluates physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional domains linked to brain health.
A new quality initiative at Mass General Brigham improved radiologists' follow-up imaging recommendations, reducing diagnostic errors and potential harm. The initiative resulted in a 44% reduction in imaging recommendations and increased actionability of recommendations, leading to better patient outcomes.
A recent study found that regional disparities in opioid overdose mortality continue, with the western US experiencing an increase in overdoses despite a national decline. The research highlights the need for region-specific strategies to address differing patterns of substance use and overdose risk.
A new drug combination has shown significant improvements in overall survival for patients with advanced breast cancer who have the PIK3CA gene mutation. The treatment, which includes inavolisib, palbociclib, and fulvestrant, was found to extend median overall survival by 7 months compared to the placebo group.
Researchers developed LUCAS, a rapid and portable diagnostic tool that creates stronger and longer-lasting bioluminescence signals, enabling accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HBV, and HCV in patient samples. The tool achieved an average accuracy of over 94% in detecting viruses within 23 minutes.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham will present breakthroughs in cancer treatment, including an update on the INCIPIENT trial using CAR-T cells for glioblastoma. The team also developed a psychosocial digital application to support caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
A new app, BMT-CARE App, was tested in a randomized clinical trial to help caregivers manage stress and emotions related to bone marrow transplant patients. The app showed significant improvements in quality of life, burden, and mood symptoms compared to standard services.
Researchers found cardiac deaths exceeded expected levels between 2020 and 2023, with a significant increase in 2020 and 2021. The study suggests potential shortcomings in cardiac care during and after the pandemic.
A recent study found that eliminating fluoride from public water systems would substantially increase dental decay and related costs, particularly for publicly insured and uninsured children. The researchers estimated a 7.5 percentage point increase in tooth decay and $9.8 billion in additional dental care costs over five years.
A new study compares traditional diagnostic decision support systems (DDSSs) to generative AI and finds that DDSSs perform somewhat better. The researchers envision pairing these two approaches to improve diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers identified key long COVID symptoms in infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, including trouble sleeping, fussiness, and dry cough. The study found that younger children experienced more severe overall health and quality of life issues compared to older kids and adults.
A new study from Mass General Brigham found that patients with diabetes who started statin therapy immediately reduced the rate of heart attacks and strokes by one-third compared to those who delayed treatment. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 patients and used artificial intelligence to gather information.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism by which glioblastoma cells exploit astrocytes to evade immune responses. The study highlights an astrocyte-driven mechanism used by GBM to escape protective immune responses and could guide novel immunotherapies for the treatment of this aggressive brain cancer.
A survey of over 1,000 US adults examined perceptions of four neurotechnologies: deep brain stimulation, MRI-guided focused ultrasound, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and pills. Pills were rated as the most beneficial, acceptable, and likely to be used, while DBS was seen as the second most beneficial but also the riskiest.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that can target the airway and lungs using a nasal spray, outperforming previous versions in preclinical models. The innovative tool, AAV.CPP.16, showed promise for treating respiratory diseases like pulmonary fibrosis and viral infections.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation helps maintain telomeres, protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten during aging. This suggests a promising role in slowing a pathway for biological aging and preventing age-related diseases.
A new liquid biopsy blood test called HPV-DeepSeek achieved 99% sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing cancer in asymptomatic patients. The test detected fragments of the viral genome and other features in the blood, outperforming current methods in detecting HPV-associated head and neck cancers.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham have identified a key predictor of stroke risk among women: brain health scores. Women with higher McCance Brain Care Scores (BCS) had a reduced risk of experiencing a cerebrovascular event, with those with a five-point higher baseline score being 37% less likely to experience an event.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to evaluate patients' PPD risk using readily accessible clinical and demographic factors. The model showed promise in predicting PPD, with nearly 30% of those predicted to be high-risk developing PPD within six months after delivery.
A study published in JAMA Health Forum found that patients with female primary care physicians had better diabetes control, more eye exams, and fewer emergency department visits. Women PCPs also earned more than their male colleagues through value-based payment, possibly due to their patients having lower healthcare utilization.
A study by Mass General Brigham found that patients with glioblastoma who received gabapentin lived longer than those who didn't. The medication was shown to confer a four-month survival benefit, with patients on gabapentin surviving an average of 16 months compared to 12 months for those without the drug.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have pinpointed a 'sweet spot' for focused ultrasound treatment to provide significant relief from essential tremor. The study identified a specific subregion of the brain's thalamus that can result in optimal and long-lasting tremor improvements while reducing side effects. With this breakthrough, p...
Researchers at Mass General Brigham discovered that patients with persistent mucus plugs in their lungs experience a faster decline in lung function compared to those without the plugs. The study suggests that therapies targeting these plugs may help slow disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that over 2.9 million Medicare beneficiaries lost their Part D insurer between 2024 and 2025, marking a sharp increase compared to the previous six years. The exits may lead to decreased competition, higher out-of-pocket costs, and disruptions in coverage and medication adherence.
Researchers developed a comprehensive cell line atlas to better understand the biology of advanced biliary tract cancer. The atlas identifies new molecular subtypes and therapeutic targets, offering a path toward more tailored treatment strategies.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham introduce a data-driven approach to prioritizing genes for public health consideration in newborn genomic sequencing programs. The model achieves high accuracy in predicting gene selection across programs, providing a ranked list of genes that can adapt to new evidence and regional needs.
A new AI tool, FaceAge, estimates a person's biological age from their facial characteristics, which is associated with cancer survival outcomes. The tool outperforms clinicians in predicting short-term life expectancies for patients receiving palliative radiotherapy.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham presented key findings from multiple innovative studies on gene and cell therapy, focusing on rare diseases, brain cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. The studies explored strategies to improve care delivery and accelerate translation from lab to clinic, with potential breakthroughs in treatin...
Researchers have identified a link between reduced pulse rate complexity and faster cognitive decline in older adults. The study found that people with more complex heartbeats tend to experience slower cognitive decline over time.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers has identified a natural 'brake' within the innate immune system that can prevent organ transplant rejection. The discovery highlights a promising target for new therapies and offers hope for longer-lasting transplant success and reduced need for lifelong immunosuppression.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that patients with relapsed/refractory mature T- and NK-cell lymphomas had improved survival rates when treated with small molecule inhibitors as second-line therapy, followed by epigenetic modifiers as third-line therapy. The study, published in the British Journal of Haematolog, also showed t...
Researchers have discovered a new pathway that may lead to a treatment for high blood pressure and aortic aneurysms. By targeting the protein DUSP-3, the team was able to block the development of aortic aneurysms and reduce hypertension in mice.
Researchers identified CLU protein as a potential strategy to protect against Alzheimer's disease by increasing clusterin protein. Increased CLU protects the brain from amyloid plaques and loss of synapses, while identifying individuals most likely to respond based on their genetics.
A multicenter cohort study found that IV magnesium administration may reduce the incidence of cisplatin-associated kidney damage, with a 20% lower adjusted odds of developing kidney damage compared to those who did not receive IV magnesium.
A new AI tool has been developed to predict the relapse of pediatric brain cancer with high accuracy, using temporal learning algorithms to analyze sequential brain scans. The tool achieved an accuracy of 75-89% in predicting recurrence, outperforming predictions based on single images.
A new study by Mass General Brigham shows that varenicline is three times more effective than behavioral counseling in helping teens and young adults quit vaping. The FDA-approved pill had a success rate of 51% at 12 weeks, compared to 14% for placebo users.
Mass General Brigham researchers developed a machine learning algorithm, PAMmla, to predict properties of genome editing enzymes. The approach helps reduce off-target effects and improves editing safety and efficiency, enabling customized enzymes for new therapeutic targets.
Researchers investigated how brains process language during real-life conversations, employing AI to analyze neural activity and linguistic features. They found that speaking and listening engage widespread networks of brain areas in the frontal and temporal lobes, with highly specific patterns changing depending on words and context.
Researchers found basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have an immune-excluded phenotype with minimal HLA-I expression, even in early development. A stem-like quiescent program suppressed APM genes, which could be reversed to enable BCC immunotherapy.