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Mass General Brigham


Study identifies blood biomarkers to predict risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers identified six blood biomarkers associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These biomarkers improved the ability to predict arterial inflammation, an indicator of cardiovascular risk, compared to standard clinical indices.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 28, 2024

Study from 50 top scientists including Spaulding Rehabilitation researcher describes five cutting-edge advances in biomedical engineering and their applications in medicine

A consortium of 50 renowned researchers from 34 prestigious universities identifies five primary medical challenges that can be addressed with advanced biomedical engineering approaches, aiming to improve human health. The paper outlines a roadmap for groundbreaking research and funding to achieve technological and medical breakthroughs.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 27, 2024

Researchers use deep brain stimulation to map therapeutic targets for four brain disorders

A new study from Mass General Brigham used deep brain stimulation to identify specific brain circuits associated with different disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and obsessive compulsive disorder. The researchers were able to apply these findings to fine-tune DBS treatments and demonstrate preliminary improved results in three cases.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 22, 2024

Mass General Brigham study highlights varied risk of persistent COVID-19 infection among immunocompromised patients

Researchers found that patients with severe immunosuppression, such as those with hematologic malignancies or organ transplants, were most likely to have chronic, prolonged infections. In contrast, patients with mild immunosuppression had similar viral shedding dynamics to non-immunocompromised participants.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 24, 2024

Third major study finds evidence that daily multivitamin supplements improve memory and slow cognitive aging in older adults

A meta-analysis of 5,000 participants found that daily multivitamins showed benefits for memory and global cognition. The study suggests that taking a daily multivitamin can help prevent memory loss and slow down cognitive aging by the equivalent of two years compared to placebo.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2024

Generative artificial intelligence models effectively highlight social determinants of health in doctors’ notes

Researchers developed AI models that can extract information on social determinants of health from clinicians' notes, identifying 93.8% of patients with adverse social factors. The models were less prone to bias than generalist models, offering a potential solution to address health disparities.

SourceMass General Brigham·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 11, 2024

Study finds preconception stress may affect health of women undergoing fertility treatment

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that women who experienced more preconception stress had higher blood sugar levels during pregnancy, a predictor of current and long-term cardiovascular health. The study also discovered that socioeconomic status was associated with preconception stress and blood glucose levels.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·TypeObservational study·DateJan 4, 2024

Exercise-induced Pgc-1α expression inhibits fat accumulation in aged skeletal muscles

A new study found that exercise-induced Pgc-1α expression inhibits fat accumulation in aged skeletal muscles. The researchers identified Pgc-1α as a key player in FAP regulation and suggested that its upregulation leads to increased mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, inhibiting FAP fat accumulation.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2023

Mass General Brigham researchers develop ‘potent and specific’ compounds to curb cancer growth

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a new class of proteasome inhibitors that specifically target the β2 active site in cancer cells. The newly synthesized compounds effectively inhibit multiple myeloma cell growth and show promise for reducing therapeutic resistance and side effects when combined with existing drugs.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2023

Cocoa extract supplement found to have benefits for cognition among older adults with lower diet quality

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that taking cocoa extract supplements containing 500 mg of flavanols daily may improve cognitive function in older adults with lower habitual diet quality. In contrast, participants with healthy dietary patterns showed no cognitive benefits.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 7, 2023

Fourth dose of COVID vaccine boosts protection in patients with rheumatic disease

A new study suggests that a fourth dose of the mRNA vaccine significantly reduces risk of infection and severe COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The study found a 41% reduction in risk for infection and 65% reduction for admission/death compared to those who did not receive a fourth dose.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 15, 2023

Researchers develop gel to deliver cancer drugs for solid tumors

A team of researchers developed a gel delivery system that overcomes challenges in intratumoral therapy. The gel contains an imaging agent and can hold a high concentration of drug for slow release. In preclinical models, the treatment induced tumor regression and improved survival in immunotherapy-resistant colon and breast cancer.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

Researchers identify the mutations that drive resistance to PI3K inhibitors in breast cancer that can be overcome by next generation agents

Mutations in the PIK3CA gene lead to elevated production of the PI3Ka protein, found in approximately 40% of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. Next-generation PI3Kalpha inhibitors targeting a different region of the mutant protein show promise in overcoming resistance.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

Researchers develop innovative technique for distinguishing tumor from normal tissue

A team of researchers has developed a new visualization tool combining high-speed cameras and fluorescent injection to distinguish tumor tissue from normal tissue across cancer types. The technique, known as fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging, achieved an accuracy of over 97% in distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy tissue.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Antibody therapy inspired by patient case reduced tau tangles in a preclinical model of Alzheimer’s disease

A team of researchers from Mass General Brigham has developed a monoclonal antibody that reduces abnormal tau proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease in a preclinical model. The therapy, inspired by a genetic variant that provides resistance against the disease, offers an alternative approach to existing treatments.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

Cognitive behavioral therapy eases how fibromyalgia pain is experienced by the brain

A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduces fibromyalgia pain by decreasing pain-catastrophizing, a negative response that amplifies pain. CBT participants showed reduced connectivity between brain regions associated with self-awareness and emotional processing.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 20, 2023

Educational attainment protects against a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found that individuals with a genetic mutation linked to early-onset Alzheimer's disease had slower cognitive decline if they had higher education levels. The study also revealed that the APOE e4 mutation, which significantly increases risk for sporadic Alzheimer's disease, was less detrimental to cognitive function in thos...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2023

Study finds women who consumed sugar sweetened beverage daily had higher risk of developing liver cancer and chronic liver disease

A study published in JAMA found that consuming sugar sweetened beverages daily increased the risk of developing liver cancer and chronic liver disease by 85% and 68%, respectively. Researchers analyzed data from over 98,000 postmenopausal women and found a significant association between sugary drink consumption and liver health outcomes.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateAug 8, 2023

Identification of genetic drivers for esophageal cancer creates new opportunity for screening, treatment

Researchers discovered that nine percent of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients harbor cancer-predisposing gene mutations, which may trigger progression from Barrett's esophagus. This finding supports the idea that genetic testing can help risk-stratify EAC patients and potentially accelerate development of new treatments.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalGastroenterology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2023

Plant-based food packages linked to reduced BMI in children

A new study by Mass General Brigham found an association between increasing receipt of plant-based food packages and decreased BMI in children. The research suggests that providing healthy foods can help prevent childhood obesity, especially among families dealing with food insecurity.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 22, 2023