ThriveLink has been selected as the winner of the inaugural Kraft Prize, a $100,000 national prize dedicated to transforming health outcomes in communities. The organization's telephonic AI enrollment solution empowers families to verbally complete and submit applications for safety-net programs.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham developed a bespoke CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing enzyme to correct the genetic error causing multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome, a rare condition associated with stroke and death in childhood. The therapy extended survival four-fold in mouse models of MSMDS.
A new liquid biopsy tool, HPV-DeepSeek, can identify HPV-associated head and neck cancer in asymptomatic individuals up to 10 years before diagnosis. The test uses whole-genome sequencing to detect microscopic fragments of HPV DNA in the blood.
Researchers found that neutrophil protein Relmy pokes holes in heart cells, promoting dangerous heart rhythms and cell death. The study suggests targeting immune cells may help prevent sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias.
Researchers found that older adults who eat breakfast and dinner at later times are more likely to experience physical and mental health issues, such as depression and oral health problems. Consistent meal schedules may help promote healthy aging and longevity.
Researchers analyzed data from over 90,000 patients with heart failure and obesity to show that GLP-1 medications can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure and all-cause mortality. The study found a greater than 40% reduction in these outcomes compared to a placebo group.
Researchers found that women with high hsCRP levels had a significantly increased lifetime risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and major cardiovascular events. Statin therapy can help reduce risk among these individuals by 38%.
A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that the law significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs, but high burden medical spending remained unchanged. The findings suggest that additional policy efforts are needed to reduce healthcare-related financial burden, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
A recent study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that adults with a history of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries are at a higher risk of developing malignant brain tumors. The study evaluated data from over 75,000 people and discovered a significant association between TBI and increased tumor development.
Researchers identified a key metric, acoustic emission dose, to adjust ultrasound power and open the blood-brain barrier for delivering drugs in patients with high-grade gliomas. This allows for reliable treatment of brain cancer by bypassing the protective blood-brain barrier.
Researchers found that a Mediterranean-style diet helps reduce dementia risk and slow cognitive decline in people with high genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. The diet has been shown to broadly influence key metabolic pathways, suggesting it could be an effective strategy for reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Researchers found tamoxifen encourages uterine cell growth and increases risk of secondary uterine cancer in breast cancer patients. The study suggests that blocking the PIK3 pathway could reduce this risk and potentially save lives.
A simulation study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that intensive blood pressure control is cost-effective, even with typical levels of measurement error. The study suggests that targeting systolic blood pressure below 120mmHg prevents more cardiovascular events than lower targets.
Researchers found the treatment to be safe in all 29 children, with no serious adverse events. The device showed striking reductions in sleep apnea events, with over 95% of children achieving an OAHI reduction of more than 50%. This study provides hope for parents and offers implications for FDA approval and future trials.
A multi-institutional team has proposed updates to national guidelines to remove race-based assessments from lung function testing. The authors highlight the need for a more equitable evaluation system, warning against overreliance on objective cutoff-based criteria. Several healthcare systems have already shifted to race-neutral refer...
A new study by Mass General Brigham found that states with flavored e-cigarette ban policies experienced a significant decline in e-cigarette use among young adults and adults, but a slower decrease in cigarette smoking rates. This mixed impact raises concerns about the unintended consequences of flavor bans.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found larazotide effective in treating children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious condition. The oral drug strengthened intestinal barriers to limit SARS-CoV-2 viral particle entry, resolving symptoms and improving recovery.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries with poor-prognosis cancers found that outpatient palliative care visits doubled, mostly driven by advanced practice clinicians. However, a minority of decedents received any specialty palliative care, and access remained low for older adults, those with lower incomes, and those living in nonmetropolit...
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that glipizide, a commonly used type 2 diabetes medication, is associated with a 13% increase in cardiovascular risk compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The study analyzed data from nearly 50,000 patients and found that glipizide was linked to higher rates of heart ...
A new study by Mass General Brigham found that over 35% of responses from large language models contained stigmatizing language related to alcohol- and substance use-related conditions. However, targeted prompts can reduce this language substantially. The authors recommend using patient-centered language to build trust with patients.
Researchers developed an AI model that accurately differentiates patients with various neurodegenerative disorders using 3D brain imaging data. The model achieved high accuracy, particularly for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, by focusing on subcortical brain structures.
Researchers discovered polyglycine aggregates recruit tRNA ligase complex, causing misprocessed tRNAs and leading to neurodegeneration. The study provides a new mechanism for understanding GGC repeat disorders and potentially therapeutic targets.
The study found that USPSTF guidelines identified 89% of participants as being at moderate or high risk for PE, but only 37% of those at moderate risk were receiving recommended aspirin prophylaxis. This suggests a gap in connecting risk identification to preventative care.
A new study by Mass General Brigham investigators identified an ancient immune pathway that is activated in patients with acute chest syndrome (ACS) and serves as a key driver of the disease. Blocking this pathway with clinically approved drugs alleviated disease severity in preclinical models.
Researchers identified a protective RNA molecule that regulates autophagic flux and protects against cellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in kidney cells. Boosting this tRNA-Asp-GTC-3'tDR increases kidney protection with less scarring, inflammation, and injury.
Researchers have discovered a high representation of genes associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in RNA cargo within extracellular vesicles. The study provides a roadmap for integrating EV transcript profiling with genetic approaches, which could inform the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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.