Researchers confirm association between higher blood urate levels and slower disease progression in Parkinson's patients. The study suggests that elevated urate levels may have a protective influence on brain cells, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital are leading teams to develop stem-cell-based models of cardiovascular and blood disorders. The NHLBI grants will support the development of regenerative therapies for heart failure and other disorders.
Jack W. Szostak's Nobel Prize-winning discovery of telomerase has revealed a crucial link between chromosome maintenance and cellular senescence. His work also laid the foundation for understanding the molecular origins of life and aging processes in humans.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that older adults with insufficient vitamin D levels are more likely to die from heart disease. The research analyzed data from over 3,400 participants and found that those with low vitamin D levels were three times more likely to die from heart disease.
A new computed-tomography-based protocol can identify coronary artery narrowing and myocardial ischemia simultaneously, improving diagnostic accuracy for clinically significant coronary artery disease. The study's results compare favorably to SPECT stress imaging and cardiac catheterization, with lower radiation doses.
A study by MassGeneral Hospital for Children reveals that newborn seizures often do not produce visible convulsions due to the brain's immature response to GABA. Treatment with a new medication, bumetanide, successfully suppressed seizure activity in both cortical and subcortical regions.
Biomarker levels strongly predict bypass surgery outcome and identify patients at risk of complications. Current diagnostic standards may need reconsideration due to low sensitivity.
A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has developed a new way to culture liver cells for drug toxicity screening, using a high-oxygen environment and serum-free medium. This method significantly improves the function of cultured liver cells, enabling them to predict the clearance rates of drugs with high accuracy.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found diverse research efforts in academic medical centers, with some unfunded researchers facing challenges. The report highlights the need for policy changes to shape the research enterprise and improve funding efficiency.
Researchers found warfarin therapy reduces ischemic stroke risk but increases intracranial bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Benefits of treatment are greatest for patients over 85 years old and those with multiple risk factors for stroke.
Regular postdiagnosis aspirin use may reduce the risk of dying from colorectal cancer, with a nearly 30% lower risk seen in patients taking aspirin at least twice a week. The benefit is strongest among patients with COX-2-positive tumors.
A new study found that denosumab significantly increased bone density at all monitored sites and reduced new vertebral fractures by 62% in men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. The treatment also showed improvements in bone density at the radius, one of the bones in the forearm.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered an unexpected reservoir of immune cells called monocytes in the spleen, which are essential for recovery of cardiac tissue after a heart attack. The study found that these monocytes released from the spleen directly travel to the injured heart and participate in wound healing.
A new general anesthetic called MOC-etomidate has been developed that maintains blood pressure stability while avoiding prolonged adrenal gland suppression. Animal studies verify its effectiveness in inducing anesthesia without adverse effects on blood pressure or adrenal activity.
A $15 million NIH grant will support a five-year research consortium at Massachusetts General Hospital to study how the hepatitis C virus evades the immune system. The project aims to improve understanding of liver cell involvement in HCV infection and develop new treatments for chronic viral infections.
A study suggests starting antiretroviral therapy at higher CD4 thresholds can prevent significant clinical benefits and save lives in resource-limited settings. The model predicts nearly 76,000 deaths and 66,000 opportunistic infections over five years with earlier treatment initiation.
Researchers at MGH identified a chromosomal abnormality that leads to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The mutation affects hematopoietic stem cells and can lead to years-later cancer development.
Research team finds that women's immune system activates more strongly in response to HIV-1, leading to higher levels of CD8+ T cell activation and faster disease progression. The study suggests that targeting this pathway may lead to new treatment strategies.
A new medical treatment using bevacizumab has successfully improved hearing and alleviated symptoms in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The study shrank characteristic tumors, including vestibular schwannomas on the balance and hearing nerves.
A recent study supports multiple genetic contributions to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, explaining at least a third of the risk of inheriting these diseases. The research found common genetic variants associated with both conditions.
A study of biomarkers found that measuring known biomarkers slightly improves the ability to predict future heart attacks or strokes in healthy individuals. However, this improvement is not significant enough to change preventive therapies. The study suggests that new technologies may lead to personalized cardiovascular risk prediction.
A prolonged PR interval on an electrocardiogram may indicate a higher risk of atrial fibrillation and the need for a pacemaker. Studies suggest that middle-aged to older adults with this finding are more likely to experience serious heart rhythm disturbances and premature death.
A new clinical trial has begun at Massachusetts General Hospital to expand restorative neurotechnology research for patients with paralysis. The trial aims to harness brain signals to control assistive devices, such as computers and prosthetic limbs, for people with spinal cord injuries, ALS, or limb loss.
Researchers found that certain genetic mutations known to extend the lifespan of C. elegans roundworms induce somatic cells to express genes allowing reproductive germline cells' immortality. This discovery may lead to therapies protective against age-related decline in other tissues.
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found that watching a video of a patient with advanced dementia can help elderly patients plan for end-of-life care. Participants who watched the video were more likely to choose comfort care and felt it was helpful in their decision-making process.
A new study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that few women with family histories of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer are discussing genetic testing with their physicians. Most high-risk women are unaware of the available test or have not discussed it with their clinician.
Researchers developed software to analyze brain images, identifying anatomic differences in three regions: hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and supramarginal gyrus. This allows for accurate diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy.
Patients and physicians found virtual visits similar to face-to-face visits on most measures, including time spent with the physician and overall satisfaction. The study suggests that virtual visits could be a viable option for chronic conditions and acute issues.
Researchers found that providing rats with nest-building materials significantly improved wound healing and altered gene expression in the brain, leading to faster healing rates and reduced stress effects. The study suggests a novel approach to improving physical health through environmental stimulation.
A global research collaboration has identified eight DNA regions associated with blood pressure and hypertension, six of which have never been linked to the condition before. The study found that genetic variants in these regions may hold promise for new treatments or even prevention.
A simple bedside test developed by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers accurately distinguishes neuropathic pain from other types of chronic back pain. The Standardized Evaluation of Pain (StEP) assessment is a low-tech approach that outperforms existing screening tests and even MR imaging in identifying underlying pain mechanisms.
A team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital has found evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids, leading to faster recovery of hepatocyte activity. The study reveals that proline, a building block of collagen, plays a key role in this process.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered a strategy to remove abnormal huntingtin protein from brain cells, accelerating its breakdown and removal through normal cellular processes. This finding could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders like Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.
The study found that treatment with cediranib reduced edema and improved survival in mice with glioblastoma tumors. Mice receiving the drug lived significantly longer than controls, despite continued tumor growth.
Graduates of the Program in Clinical Effectiveness have successfully obtained grant funding, published research, and gained promotions. Factors associated with success include being a generalist, publishing coursework projects, and attending the program at age 40 or less.
A new study found that many academic institutions lack clear policies covering IRB members' industrial relationships, leading to inconsistent reporting and handling of conflicts. The study suggests that more consistent policies and accountability are needed to ensure the integrity and safety of medical research.
Researchers identified 14 gene variants associated with prolonged QT interval, a known risk factor for sudden cardiac death. Individuals with the top genotype scores were found to have a higher risk of prolonged QT intervals and increased mortality.
A study found nearly 100 genes that support the replication of HCV and show that blocking several of them can suppress viral replication in cultured cells. Targeting these human genes could provide an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic HCV infection.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that both Latino and non-Latino women are more likely to accept HPV vaccination for themselves and their children than previously reported. The main motivator for these women is the prevention of cancer, with no association between vaccine acceptance and income or education level.
Research reveals that amyloid plaques may increase astrocyte activity throughout the brain, affecting neuronal function and potentially offering new therapeutic targets. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to demonstrate synchronized calcium wave transmission across astrocytes in plaque-bearing mice.
Researchers identified a novel gene, FUS/TLS, associated with inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the fourth gene implicated in familial forms of the disease. Mutations in this gene lead to abnormal protein deposits in motor neurons and are linked to varying inheritance patterns and severity.
A large-scale study suggests that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of respiratory infections, such as colds and flu. Individuals with chronic respiratory disorders, like asthma and emphysema, are particularly susceptible to these infections.
Researchers have identified two common gene variants associated with increased blood pressure levels, which may lead to new therapies. The study, published in Nature Genetics, found that these variants affect proteins involved in cardiovascular response to stress, influencing blood pressure levels.
A large international study identified nine genetic regions linked to increased risk of early-onset myocardial infarction. The study analyzed data from 26,000 individuals in 10 countries and found significant associations with common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine genetic regions.
The Ragon Institute aims to unlock the mysteries of the immune system to find new ways of preventing and curing human disease. Its initial focus will be on identifying effective immune responses in HIV-infected individuals and designing strategies to induce those responses.
A new mathematical model of physiological regulation of body weight suggests several steady states to which an animal's weight tends to gravitate, rather than a single set point. The model combines aspects of two competing theories and accounts for leptin resistance, suggesting new strategies for weight loss.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that adults who recognize the dangers of third-hand smoke are more likely to ban smoking in their homes. The study also showed that increasing awareness of how third-hand smoke harms children's health can encourage home smoking bans.
Researchers have created a comprehensive catalogue of tissue-specific pathologies underlying hundreds of inherited diseases, including breast cancer, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and autism. The catalogue, available online, could help physicians and researchers develop new treatments for these conditions.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study suggests that US emergency departments are unlikely to meet projected needs with current board-certified emergency physician workforce. The study found that even with idealized projections, it would take over a decade to staff all emergency departments with certified physicians.
A recent study led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that hormone therapy for prostate cancer does not appear to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. However, other adverse effects such as diabetes and heart disease still exist, necessitating careful treatment strategies.