A systematic review found only two pediatric uses of medical cannabis to be supported by existing studies: reducing seizures and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The research highlights the need for more comprehensive studies to understand the effectiveness and risks of medical cannabis in children and adolescents.
Patients with advanced cancer who experience high levels of physical and psychological symptoms have longer hospital stays and higher risk of unplanned readmissions. Researchers found that symptom management is crucial for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Scientists have characterized a new class of drugs that precisely block the production of toxic forms of beta-amyloid, a primary driver of Alzheimer's disease. Treatment with these gamma-secretase modulators reduces levels of amyloid-beta 42 in animal models and cellular systems.
Early dysregulation of cellular energy metabolism appears characteristic of chronic hepatitis C infection. Gene expression patterns in HCV-specific CD8 T cells differentiate between chronic and resolving HCV infections, offering potential avenues for predicting disease outcome and intervening before failure.
A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has successfully created functional small intestine segments using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The segments were able to absorb nutrients and transfer glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream when transplanted into rats. This breakthrough could potentially provide a ...
A study found that patients with recorded penicillin allergy were more likely to develop surgical site infections, but only if they received alternative antibiotics. The risk was 50% higher in these patients, highlighting the need for reevaluation of penicillin allergy testing guidelines.
A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has made a technological advancement toward accelerating the discovery of drug targets for obesity, type II diabetes and other metabolic diseases. They utilized rodent gastric bypass models, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and an array of bioinformatics tools to begin unravelin...
A team of scientists has identified a protein called TOX that drives the initiation and growth of an aggressive form of leukemia. TOX is expressed in 95 percent of human T-ALL cases and required for cancer's growth and persistence, offering new targeted treatment approaches.
A study found that counties with poor public health were more likely to shift towards Republican candidate Trump in the 2016 election. These counties had higher teen birth rates, lower healthcare resources and more rural populations than those supporting Democratic candidates.
A Massachusetts General Hospital analysis shows that achieving the treatment targets of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy by 2020 would prevent hundreds of thousands of new infections and deaths. Meeting NHAS goals would also demonstrate excellent value, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $68,900 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).
A Massachusetts General Hospital study suggests that participating in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) can lower annual health care costs by $1,400 per person. SNAP provides a monthly benefit to purchase certain food products and has been found to reduce food insecurity.
A recent study led by Massachusetts General Hospital estimates that nearly 10% of people with HIV currently in care in the US will die from lung cancer. Quitting smoking is crucial for reducing the risk of lung cancer and other diseases among people with HIV.
Researchers identified a potential strategy to improve anti-angiogenesis therapy efficacy by targeting an immunosuppressive pathway in colorectal cancer. Blocking the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway with an FDA-approved drug, AMD3100, enhanced treatment effects and alleviated immune suppression.
A recent study found 60 gene variants that affect hemoglobin A1c levels, including one variant unique to African Americans. This variant can reduce the accuracy of A1c blood testing, increasing the risk of underdiagnosis in a population already disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes.
A Massachusetts law restricting ORV use to 14-year-olds led to significant reductions in emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The study found ORV-related ED visits dropped 50% among children aged 10-13, while hospitalizations decreased by 41% for all children under 17.
A 33% cutback in U.S. foreign aid for HIV treatment and prevention programs in South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire would result in devastating health and economic consequences, including over 500,000 additional cases of HIV and 1.6 million more deaths in the next decade. The study suggests that such cuts would produce proportionally greater...
A new study estimates the numbers of children born annually with Down syndrome and the prevalence of the condition in each of the nine US states. The study found that live birth prevalence ranged from 1 in 729 to 1 in 1,256 across the states, while elective termination reduced the number of births by an average of 39%.
Researchers found that losartan reduced mitral valve scarring and stiffening in an animal model of heart attack. The study supports a new approach to treating heart valve disease, aiming to prevent disease progression at an early stage.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified structural brain differences in individuals with severe FND symptoms, particularly reduced insula volume and increased amygdala volume. The study aims to advance understanding of FND pathophysiology and develop better treatments for this debilitating condition.
Researchers report a remarkable treatment response in a patient with recurrent diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), where CAR T-cell therapy induced complete remission of a brain metastasis. The treatment also showed spontaneous re-expansion of CAR T-cells after a subcutaneous tumor recurrence, leading to further research into the me...
Adult survivors of childhood cancer are more likely to experience financial burden from out-of-pocket healthcare costs, leading to behaviors that may harm their health. Survivors with higher costs were more likely to skip treatments, postpone medical care, and worry about accessing healthcare.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients used significantly fewer opioid tablets than prescribed after inguinal hernia surgery, with 60% relying on nonopioid medications. The results suggest a need to reassess prescribing practices and consider patient experiences to determine optimal medication amounts.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that deficits in the sense of smell are common among patients with serious kidney disease and correlate with poor nutrition. A proof-of-concept trial of a potential treatment for these olfactory deficits showed promising results.
A year-long trial confirms tocilizumab reduces both symptoms and steroid doses in patients with giant cell arteritis. The therapy offers a potential alternative to traditional steroid treatment, which can have serious side effects.
A randomized trial found that incorporating 12-step program elements into adolescent substance-use disorder treatment resulted in significantly reduced substance-related consequences. Participants in the integrated program also reported higher rates of 12-step meeting attendance, associated with longer periods of continuous abstinence.
The Massachusetts General Hospital team, led by J. Keith Joung, is developing more sensitive methods of measuring and controlling on-target gene-editing activity and detecting off-target mutations induced by CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that fMRI and EEG can identify covert consciousness in ICU patients, allowing families to make informed decisions about care. The tests detected activity in higher-order cortex areas of the brain, which could have implications for patient recovery.
Researchers developed an antibiotic-releasing polymer that successfully eliminated two types of prosthetic infection in animal models. This material could lead to single-procedure treatments, reducing patient inconvenience and complication risk.
A Massachusetts General Hospital research team found that anti-angiogenic drugs induce a microenvironment that suppresses immune systems actions, allowing tumors to grow. Developing a potential strategy to overcome this mechanism, the researchers identified CX3CL1 as an attractive target for immunotherapy.
Researchers have found that lymph node metastases are not always the source of cancer's spread to other organs, and instead, distant metastases can originate directly from the primary tumor. In most cases (65%), both lymph node and distant metastases originated from the same cell type in the primary tumor, indicating independent origins.
A comprehensive program led to significant improvements in obesity-related measures among children cared for at a Massachusetts community health center. The Mass. Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) program included specialized training, electronic support tools, and environmental changes.
A research team has identified rare mutations in two genes, NRXN1 and CNTN6, that increase the risk of Tourette syndrome. The study found an overall increase in large, rare copy-number variants in TS patients, with each variant primarily occurring in just one individual.
A team of investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience overactivation in subcortical brain structures when viewing eye contact, leading to an aversion to direct gaze. This finding supports the hypothesis of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling n...
Researchers have developed a way to increase pigmentation in human skin without the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A new class of small-molecule inhibitors has been found to activate the pigmentation pathway, inducing significant darkening similar to UV-induced tanning.
The report identifies five essential domains for successfully addressing disparities: knowing who to involve, shaping organizational culture, creating urgency and a vision, engaging the organization and audience, and harnessing the power of a collaborative network. These strategies were developed by participants in the Massachusetts Ge...
A study analyzing PROMISE trial data found that CT angiography better predicts future cardiovascular events than functional testing, especially in identifying nonobstructive coronary artery disease. This improvement in risk prediction enables a more informed choice of testing for patients with stable chest pain.
A new study presents data from an FDA-approved clinical trial testing the generic vaccine BCG to reverse advanced type 1 diabetes. The findings suggest that BCG may induce a permanent increase in expression of genes that restore beneficial regulatory T cells (Tregs) preventing autoimmune attacks on the body's own tissue.
A new study found that two interventions, one providing enhanced primary care and the other coaching, improved BMI and parents' sense of empowerment. Both programs also increased parents' confidence in addressing their child's weight problem.
Shigella uses multiple mechanisms to resist bile salts in the small intestine, including antibiotic resistance and increased virulence gene expression. The formation of protective biofilms allows the bacteria to survive transit through the small intestine and infect tissues in the colon.
A phase 2 clinical trial of scyllo-inositol found the treatment to be safe and tolerable in young adults with Down syndrome. The study suggests further investigation into its potential for treating Alzheimer's disease in this population.
Researchers found that radiation therapy can improve the delivery of cancer nanomedicines up to 600% by attracting macrophages to tumor blood vessels, leading to increased nanoparticle uptake. This combination strategy shows promise for enhanced treatment efficacy and could be tested in clinical trials quickly.
A 12-week tai chi program significantly reduced depression symptoms in Chinese Americans. The study found sustained improvement at 24 weeks, with the group receiving tai chi showing greater reduction in symptoms compared to control groups.
A recent study led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers has identified a novel mechanism behind the resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer metastases to treatment. The study found that overexpression of the HER3 gene contributes to this resistance, and combining anti-HER2 and anti-HER3 therapies can slow tumor growth.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered how a potential treatment for Huntington disease produces its effects, but found impaired NRF2-mediated activity in neural stem cells from HD patients. This limits the therapeutic potential of NRF2 signaling.
Generic hepatitis C drugs available in India offer significant cost savings by increasing life expectancy by more than eight years and reducing lifetime health care costs by over $1,300 per person. The payback period for the upfront costs of DAA drugs is under 5 years for advanced-stage patients.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that a diverse gut microbiome can predict treatment response for IBD patients. The study suggests that early changes in the microbial population can identify patients likely to achieve and maintain remission.
A study found that 53% of eligible US travelers not receiving the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine during pre-travel consultations. Lack of concern about disease risk was the most common reason for non-vaccination. The research team recommends ways to increase vaccination rates among travelers.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a surprising mechanism for resistance to immune checkpoint blockade, where macrophages rapidly remove drugs from T cells. The study suggests that targeting macrophages could improve treatment efficacy in patients.
A study found that the DASH diet reduced gout incidence in men with similar dietary patterns, while a Western diet increased risk. The diet's emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products may help lower uric acid levels and reduce cardiovascular problems.
Researchers found that breathing 11% oxygen can eliminate neurologic damage in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome, but treatment needs to be continuous. The study reveals promising results, with hypoxia therapy reversing brain lesions and symptoms in animals close to the end stages of the disease.