Researchers found that SIRT7 maintains balance on X chromosome, protecting females from DNA damage and promoting healthy aging. In females with missing SIRT7, the active X chromosome becomes overly active, disrupting gene regulation and leading to poorer health and shorter lifespans.
Research found hormonal contraceptive use lowers cardiovascular risk in most women, but not those with PTSD. The study analyzed healthcare records of 31,824 women and suggests clinicians consider stress-related psychiatric disorders when discussing hormonal contraceptives.
Researchers identified Wnt7b as a determinant of resistance to immune checkpoint blockers in glioblastoma and developed a combination therapy with WNT974 that sensitizes GBM to anti-PD1 therapy, improving anti-tumor immunity. This approach offers a promising new therapeutic avenue for glioblastoma patients.
Researchers used human stem cell-derived kidney organoids to test the safety of gene editing delivered by AAV, a common tool in clinical trials. The study found that AAV2 caused significant harm to kidney cells through the NFκB pathway, but an existing drug was able to prevent this damage without interfering with gene delivery.
Two reviews by Drs Komaroff and Dantzer highlight the biological problems causing long-lasting symptoms in Long COVID and ME/CFS, including inflammation, energy production issues, and immune system dysregulation. These conditions are grouped under post-acute infection syndromes, which may be treated with targeted therapies.
Researchers discovered that ApoE3 Christchurch interacts with tau and supports Wnt signaling, two key mechanisms that help prevent Alzheimer's-related damage. This finding opens the door to new treatment strategies, including therapies inspired by the variant's protective effects.
Researchers at Mass General Hospital discovered that humans are born with a genetic predisposition to develop IgG antibodies to peanut proteins. These findings have significant implications for the treatment and prevention of food allergies.
The study found disordered kidney metabolism contributes to DM1 symptoms, including muscle weakness and impaired energy use. The kidney is identified as a site of underlying cell dysfunction contributing to the disease.
The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial has evaluated four treatment regimens for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease, using a common research setup. The trial showed promising trends in other outcome measures and biomarkers, informing the design of future phase 3 trials.
The fellowship aims to develop clinical expertise, leadership skills, and effective systems of care for treating substance use disorders. Dr. Sarah Kler will receive comprehensive training in delivering high-quality addiction care, joining a highly competitive program with a focus on reducing stigma.
Researchers discovered dasatinib inhibits growth of molecular subgroup EPN and activates anti-tumor immune responses. Treatment with dasatinib induced complete regression in 78% of animals, supporting clinical evaluation.
A new portable MRI machine, augmented with machine learning tools, matches conventional MRI in measuring brain characteristics relevant to Alzheimer's disease. The study has the potential to expand neuroimaging in settings with limited MRI access and streamline care for AD patients.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham developed an algorithm to assess the accuracy of 3D models of Alzheimer's disease, identifying crucial shared pathways and confirming the model's potential for accelerating drug discovery. The study found that a clinical p38 MAPK inhibitor is highly effective at reducing AD pathology in a dish.
Researchers found that weekend warrior and regular physical activity patterns were associated with substantially lower risks of over 200 diseases. Weekend warrior activity was found to be just as effective at decreasing risk as more evenly distributed exercise activity.
A new study finds that making cytisine available immediately could lead to approximately 71,000 more people quitting smoking over one year and maintaining long-term abstinence. This would produce over 500,000 additional life-years. A delay in approval by the FDA may result in reduced population-level gains of up to 10,000 life-years.
A recent study published in Gastro Hep Advances found that statin use was associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The research, conducted using data from the All of Us Research Program, suggests that lipophilic statins may be an effective strategy for chemoprevention in HCC. Patients with indications for stati...
A new blood-based assay has been developed to detect IDH1.R132H-mutant gliomas with a high sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 88.7%. This minimally invasive test can monitor disease progression and response to treatment without the need for a biopsy.
A recent survey-based study found that physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital who completed climate change-focused educational modules showed significant improvements in their knowledge and attitudes towards the topic. The majority of participants believed that education on climate change's health effects was important and welcom...
A nationwide survey found trust in physicians and hospitals decreased during the pandemic, with lower trust associated with lower vaccination rates. The study suggests strategies are needed to rebuild trust to achieve public health priorities.
A machine learning algorithm was trained to predict individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND) by analyzing their brain structure. The algorithm achieved significant above-chance accuracy in classifying FND participants against healthy controls and psychiatric samples, highlighting the importance of considering both brain ...
A study analyzing national data reveals that SGM adults are more likely to avoid healthcare due to perceived differences in identity with their clinicians. The study highlights the importance of diversifying the healthcare workforce and preventing discrimination against SGM patients.
Researchers found that anxiety disorders and depression significantly elevate the risk of incident DVT. Stress-related neural mechanisms may increase DVT risk through heightened activation of stress pathways.
A recent study found that female surgical residents are more likely to experience obstetric complications, postpartum depression, and burnout compared to their male counterparts. The research highlights the need for improved support in family planning aspects of healthcare work.
A new study found that an intervention involving automated appointment scheduling and reminder messages can increase primary care visits by 19 percentage points and improve screening tests and services. This low-cost intervention may help bridge the gap in postpartum care for individuals with chronic health conditions.
A study comprehensively evaluated occurrence patterns of immune-related adverse events, including those affecting single organs and multiple organs. Researchers found that most events tend to co-occur and identified seven patient clusters with different development patterns, which were associated with improved or worsened survival outc...
Research found that smoking decreases life expectancy of HIV patients by 3-6 years, but smoking cessation can regain up to 5 years. Integrating tobacco cessation interventions into HIV care could substantially improve life expectancy for this population.
A new immune cell therapy has been shown to delay ALS onset and extend survival in mice, as well as reduce inflammation in an individual with the disease. In a phase I clinical trial, the therapy is now set to be tested on humans.
Researchers have identified a link between tissue shrinkage and blood vessel stretching that contributes to intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns. Altering the activity of certain salt and water transporters may prevent this condition.
A large-scale study of over 50,000 individuals found that carriers of the gut microbe Blastocystis have better cardiovascular health and decreased body fat. Higher levels of Blastocystis were linked to improved blood sugar and lipid profiles, suggesting a potential positive impact on cardiometabolic health.
A survey of pediatric bariatric surgeons found significant variation in the use of weight loss medications, particularly GLP-1As, in young patients. Most respondents prescribe GLP-1As for patients considering MBS, but preoperative and postoperative practices vary widely.
A recent study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that clinical decision support software can prevent up to 95% of medication errors in the operating room. The software provides evidence-based information to clinicians at the point-of-care to enhance decision-making and prevent errors.
Researchers found that expression of Gstt1 enables cancer cells to change their environment, allowing them to grow in new locations. The discovery could lead to new strategies for treating metastatic cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer.
A new study reveals that zebrafish have a unique ability to remove scar tissue after an injury, allowing their hearts to regenerate and fully regrow. Researchers found that the type of collagen cross-linking in zebrafish is different from mammals, making it potentially reversible. The discovery points to a new target for reversing scar...
Testing immune cells in the placenta may reveal when maternal immune activation negatively affects fetal brain development and lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. Placental macrophages have been found to share transcriptional profiles with fetal brain microglia, suggesting a potential biomarker for fetal brain health.
A randomized trial found that stepped palliative care, which adjusts the intensity of care based on patient-reported quality of life, is a non-inferior alternative to traditional early palliative care. The study included 507 patients with advanced lung cancer and showed improved patient outcomes without increasing healthcare costs.
Researchers found that statins, specifically pitavastatin, can suppress inflammation in the skin and pancreas by blocking interleukin-33 production. This inhibition reduces the risk of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
The BCG vaccine has been shown to provide continuous protection for nearly two years against severe COVID-19 disease and other infectious diseases in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The study found a significant efficacy of 54.3% over the full 34 months of the US COVID-19 pandemic.
Research finds that altered states of consciousness associated with yoga, meditation, and other practices are common among the general population. While many people report positive outcomes, some experience negative well-being and even substantial suffering.
A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital used a new drug to save the life of a patient with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP), a rare disorder characterized by uncontrolled clotting. The drug, recombinant ADAMTS13, reversed the disease process in a patient with an extremely severe form of iTTP.
A clinical trial shows that cytisinicline can help people quit vaping by reducing the likelihood of relapse and improving behavioral support. The study found that participants taking cytisinicline were more than twice as likely to abstain from vaping for weeks 9-12 compared to those receiving a placebo.
Researchers mapped a subcortical brain network that integrates arousal and awareness in human consciousness. The study used high-resolution scans to visualize brain connections at submillimeter spatial resolution, revealing a
Researchers found structural, functional, and neuroimmune brain alterations associated with higher blast exposure, impacting health-related quality of life. The frontal lobe's rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) was particularly sensitive to blast waves.
Researchers found that accelerated aging biology in the placenta contributes to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare form of pregnancy-related heart failure. The study identifies underlying aging-related biology contributing to maternal heart failure and provides evidence from both patients and animal models.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that physical activity lowers cardiovascular disease risk by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain. Participants who met physical activity recommendations had a 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not.
A new AI model can accurately screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in postpartum women, offering a potential solution for early intervention and preventing progression of the disorder. The study collected narrative accounts from 1,295 women and showed the model's superiority in identifying PTSD cases.
A computer program has been developed to aid in diagnosing mpox through electronic medical records, identifying patients at risk and prioritizing testing. The tool showed promising results, identifying nearly all cases of diagnosed mpox during the study period.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that adults hospitalized for alcohol-related reasons who received a prescription for an alcohol use disorder medication at discharge had a lower risk of returning to the hospital within 30 days. This includes reduced emergency room visits and readmissions, with patients having an 18% ...
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital successfully repurposed approved drugs to improve drug delivery to tuberculosis bacteria, promoting anti-bacterial host responses and improving health outcomes. The study found that combining bevacizumab and losartan enhanced TB drug delivery and reduced bacterial burden in rabbits with TB.
Researchers found that low-dose aspirin reduced liver fat content by 10.2% compared to placebo in a phase 2 trial of 80 adults with MASLD. Aspirin also improved markers of liver health, suggesting potential benefits for patients with this condition.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered a network of immune cells, called stem-immunity hubs, that are associated with a favorable response to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. The presence of these hubs can serve as a biomarker to predict response to treatment.