According to a new study, most African Americans and the general public support banning menthol in cigarettes, with 83% of African American smokers using these products. The study found that support for the ban was highest among African Americans under 24 years old (71.2%) and those with less than a high school diploma (64.7%).
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Southern California found that states with increased high-speed internet access saw larger increases in prescription drug abuse admissions. The analysis suggests that easy online availability of controlled drugs may contribute to the soaring abuse levels.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that mild obesity, measured by body mass index, was associated with longer survival rates among ALS patients. Patients who were mildly obese outlived those of normal weight, underweight, or even overweight.
Researchers at the Ragon Institute identified variations in peptide stability that alter targeting of infected cells by CD8 T cells. The study found that specific mutations can reduce peptide stability, impairing immune response and increasing HIV resistance.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital finds that siblings of individuals with both ADHD and emotional reactivity have a significantly greater risk of having both conditions. This suggests that heritable factors influence how we control our emotions, and that ADHD can impact emotional expression beyond classic symptoms.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that mindfulness meditation enhances regulation of alpha rhythms, which 'turn down the volume' on distracting information. This improvement allows practitioners to better process new facts and regulate pain perception.
A three-year study found no link between severe obesity and depressive symptoms among adolescents, but did identify a possible greater vulnerability among white teens. The study suggests that clinicians should be vigilant about assessing for depression in this group, regardless of weight status.
A study found that individuals with amyloid plaques and no cognitive impairment exhibited similar brain structure changes to those with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers aim to identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent the development of dementia.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brown University found that seizures begin with diverse neuronal activity, rather than synchronized activity. The researchers observed pre-seizure changes in neuronal activity and detected changes before seizures began in most patients.
Researchers identified two previously unreported resistance mechanisms and found that resistance-conferring mutations can disappear after treatment is discontinued. Repeat biopsies provide critical information for guiding treatment decisions.
Researchers found that levels of five amino acids, including isoleucine and leucine, can signal future disease risk and indicate candidates for preventive measures. The study used metabolite measurements to identify individuals at elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A mathematical model based on current knowledge of the disease predicts that without intervention, 779,000 new cases and 11,000 deaths would result from the epidemic. The model also simulates the effects of increased access to clean water, vaccination, and antibiotic treatment, which could prevent up to 170,000 cases and 3,400 deaths.
Elevated p21 protein levels in natural HIV controllers effectively suppress key viral life cycle steps. This ability is associated with increased p21 expression and may be linked to shared mechanisms of immune defense against cancer and HIV.
Researchers found that higher baseline levels of a novel inflammatory marker sTNFR-2 predicted increased risk of developing colorectal tumors. The reduced risk of colorectal cancer associated with aspirin or NSAIDs was primarily seen among participants with high sTNFR-2 levels.
A new court-ordered mental health screening program led to a significant increase in children being identified as behaviorally and emotionally at risk. The number of screens completed and referrals for mental health evaluations also increased, highlighting the importance of routine screening in identifying childhood psychosocial issues.
Researchers discovered 13 novel genetic variants linked to coronary artery disease, including seven related to LDL cholesterol and hypertension. The findings shed light on previously unknown mechanisms increasing heart disease risk.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that alpha brain rhythm persists during sleep and signifies vulnerability to external stimuli. The findings could lead to more precise approaches to inducing and supporting sleep, with potential applications in real-time tracking of sleep states.
Researchers have developed a protective strategy that shields primate ovaries from damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Pretreatment with the FDA-approved drug FTY720 preserves fertility in female rhesus monkeys, allowing successful pregnancies and healthy offspring.
Researchers identified a new role for focal adhesion kinase in producing vascular leakiness in lung tissue, increasing expression of E-selectin and attracting cancer cells. Blocking FAK activity reduced both vascular permeability and metastatic cell adhesion.
Researchers have found that tumor microvesicles contain segments of tumor DNA, including retrotransposons, which can transfer between cells. This discovery may help understand tumor progression and monitor treatment response.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that homeless people who don't get enough to eat have a higher risk of being hospitalized. Nearly half of hungry homeless adults had been hospitalized in the preceding year.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that low doses of losartan improved the effectiveness of two nanotherapeutic approaches against several types of cancer. Losartan normalized the abnormal extracellular matrix of tumors, allowing for better delivery and efficacy of therapies.
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers developed nanoparticles containing keratinocyte growth factor that accelerate wound healing in diabetic mice. The fusion protein retained wound-healing properties and efficiently delivered growth factors to deeper tissues.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that CT scans significantly improved physicians' confidence in their diagnosis, changing treatment plans for almost half of patients with abdominal pain. This resulted in reduced probable hospital admissions by 20% and lower overall costs.
A 12-week mindfulness meditation program shows measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, self-awareness, empathy, and stress. Increased grey-matter density was observed in areas important for learning and memory, as well as structures linked to compassion and introspection.
A nationwide trial is evaluating the real-world advantages and disadvantages of quetiapine, a widely prescribed second generation antipsychotic mood stabilizing medication, compared to lithium, the gold standard mood stabilizer. The study aims to uncover differences in risks of adverse effects, costs, and adherence to treatment.
A study published in Science reveals that satellite repeats, previously thought to be inactive, are actively expressed in many types of epithelial cancers. This discovery may lead to the development of a new cancer biomarker for early detection and improved understanding of tumor behavior.
Massachusetts General Hospital has entered into a collaborative agreement with Veridex LLC to develop novel technologies for capturing and characterizing circulating tumor cells. The goal is to create non-invasive methods for cancer detection and early diagnosis.
A review article brings together neuroscience and sleep medicine to understand the biological mechanisms underlying general anesthesia. The authors highlight differences between general anesthesia and states similar to sleep and coma, while also exploring how anesthetic agents interact with brain circuits.
A study published in Pediatrics found that newborns with low vitamin D levels are at increased risk of developing respiratory infections and wheezing during early childhood. The research suggests that vitamin D is crucial to the immune system, particularly in preventing acute respiratory infections.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that the amygdala's volume is positively correlated with social network size and complexity in adult humans. This link was observed across age groups and genders, suggesting a possible role for the amygdala in regulating human social behavior.
Shinya Yamanaka and Rudolf Jaenisch receive the prestigious award for their groundbreaking work on induced pluripotent stem cells, revolutionizing regenerative medicine. The MGH recognizes their contributions to unlocking new treatments for human diseases.
A new approach called context-dependent assembly enables the rapid generation of powerful zinc-finger nucleases, which can efficiently correct gene mutations in humans. This innovation allows researchers to design ZFNs for specific genes with ease, overcoming limitations of previous methods.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital finds that circulating tumor cells prepare a hospitable environment for tumor growth by bringing along noncancerous cells, facilitating metastasis. The presence of these supporting cells is crucial for the initial growth and survival of tumors at a new site.
A culturally sensitive treatment model significantly improves depression recognition among Chinese immigrants, nearly sevenfold. The model addresses misconceptions and stigma through a collaborative care approach.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University can predict the risk of anemia in individuals. The model reflects how red blood cells change in size and hemoglobin content during their four-month lifespan, allowing for early detection of iron-deficiency anemia.
A new study found that romiplostim, a drug mimicking the effects of thrombopoietin, is more effective than standard care in treating immune thrombocytopenia. The treatment significantly improved platelet levels and reduced the need for splenectomy in patients, enhancing their quality of life.
A new survey finds that physician-industry relationships are still prevalent, with most physicians maintaining such relationships. The study suggests a significant association between these relationships and the use of more expensive drugs.
Research reveals that tiny variants in a protein called HLA-B are associated with immune system's ability to control HIV infection. The study identifies five amino acid sites critical to the protein's function, providing insights into the genetic basis of natural immunity.
A recent study found that 46% of US travelers to resource-limited countries did not seek health advice or vaccinations before departure. This highlights the need for better education and resources on public health risks associated with global travel.
A study published in Academic Medicine found that NIH's stricter ethics rules have reduced industrial relationships without affecting research productivity. However, respondents reported both positive and negative effects of the conflict-of-interest policies, with many feeling the rules are too restrictive and impeding the NIH's scient...
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that the Medicare Part D program's payment system creates perverse incentives for insurance companies to raise premiums in the low-income market. This results in millions of patients being reassigned to different drug plans, causing them financial and logistical hardship.
A clinical trial found that daily doses of crizotinib shrank tumors in over half of patients with ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer, and suppressed growth in another one-third. The treatment has been shown to significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for these patients.
A new study found that an intestinal enzyme helps maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, potentially preventing serious health issues. The enzyme, IAP, blocks toxic molecules on pathogenic bacteria and restores beneficial E. coli strains after antibiotic treatment.
A study published in Genes & Development found that blocking the action of an enzyme called PDE-4D3 leads to a significant increase in melanin production. This could lead to a novel way of protecting the skin from cancer-causing UV radiation, without the need for sunless tanning or indoor tanning.
A redesigned microchip-based device, HB-Chip, captures more than 90% of cancer cells from blood samples, improving upon the original CTC-Chip. The new device also identifies previously unseen clusters of tumor cells, providing valuable insights into metastasis and targeted cancer therapies.
Researchers identified 18 new gene sites associated with overall obesity and 13 that affect fat distribution, providing insights into the underlying biology of obesity susceptibility. The studies, involving nearly a quarter of a million participants, confirm that genetics play a significant role in individual differences in weight gain.
Researchers found persistent racial, gender, and insurance-coverage based differences in triage categorization and cardiac testing among emergency room patients. African American and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive immediate care or basic cardiac testing procedures, such as ECGs.
Primary care physicians' rankings on common quality measures appear to be associated with patient characteristics, such as socioeconomic status and insurance coverage. Adjusting rankings based on these factors significantly changed the quality rankings for many physicians.
A team of scientists developed a new microfluidic tool to quickly and accurately isolate neutrophils from small blood samples, enabling researchers to study the immune system's response to traumatic injury. The device revealed complex gene expression patterns that shifted during the recovery process.