A new study finds that adolescents with frequent suicidal thoughts are at risk for a range of psychological and social issues, including depression, anxiety, attention disorders, and more. Pediatricians can use screening tools to identify teens who need help, regardless of whether they will attempt suicide.
A recent study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy results in higher and more lasting antibody levels in infants. After two months, 98% of vaccinated infants had detectable IgG antibodies, while only 8% of uninfected mothers' babies did.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that the value of long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention is comparable to generic oral alternatives. The study found that CAB-LA's superiority over oral PrEP among high-risk individuals would not justify a large price difference.
A study published in Nature Communications found that racial and ethnic minorities in the US were up to three times more likely to be unsure or unwilling to get vaccinated compared to whites. Despite lower willingness, minority populations faced unequal access to vaccines in the US due to a fragmented distribution system.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a safe and effective strategy to treat glioblastoma using short bursts of radiation therapy and nanoparticle-based immunotherapy. The combined approach suppresses tumor growth, induces anti-tumor immunity, and prolongs survival in animal models.
A randomized controlled trial found that late eating, associated with high melatonin levels, impairs blood sugar control through a defect in insulin secretion. Participants with the genetic variant in the MTNR1B gene had higher blood sugar levels, highlighting the importance of considering genetics in food timing recommendations.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that 20% of teens and young adults seeking treatment for addiction had elevated social impairment scores, indicating previously unrecognized autistic traits. These individuals were more likely to experience stimulant and opioid use disorders.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that individuals with depressive symptoms are more likely to believe false statements about COVID-19 vaccines. Those who endorsed misinformation were also less likely to be vaccinated and reported higher levels of vaccine resistance.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that female physicians ask and answer fewer questions than their male counterparts in large classes, using more deferential language. This may lead to gender biases in grading, disproportionately disadvantaging women.
Researchers have identified nine new factors involved in DNA repair, a critical process for human cell health. The findings can help develop new cancer drugs and improve existing therapies.
The Massachusetts General Hospital team implemented three strategies to increase access and address concerns of immigrant patients, including offering patient education in multiple languages and integrating medical interpreters into virtual visits. These efforts aim to reduce disparities and improve care for all patients.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has identified biological markers that can predict treatment responses in COVID-19 patients. The model reveals differences in patient characteristics and response to therapy, enabling clinicians to provide optimal care for diverse patients.
Researchers have detected the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the blood and placentas of women who experienced stillbirths and serious pregnancy complications. The study found that the virus was widely disseminated, causing severe inflammation of the placenta and leading to stillbirths.
A new study found that certain brain wave patterns during sleep can be used to diagnose dementia and other cognitive impairments. The study identified parameters for automated detection methods, which were linked to fluid intelligence and declined during early stages of dementia.
Patients with skin-related side effects from immune checkpoint inhibitors tend to live longer, with a 22-50% decrease in mortality. These findings suggest that skin toxicities can be an indicator of treatment efficacy and may help identify patients who are more likely to benefit from their current immunotherapy regimen.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a portable brain imaging procedure using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect acute impairment from THC intoxication. The technique shows promise in distinguishing between impairment and mild intoxication, with accuracy confirmed by machine learning models.
A booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is required to provide immunity against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, according to a study. The traditional dosing regimens of COVID-19 vaccines available in the US do not produce antibodies capable of recognizing and neutralizing the Omicron variant.
A recent study published in Stroke found that the Woven Endobridge (WEB) device is safe and effective in treating brain aneurysms, with adequate occlusion occurring in 85.7% of cases. The device also showed low rates of blood clot-related complications and no re-ruptures after treatment.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that over 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act's passage, many physicians still don't understand their legal obligations to provide accessible care. The lack of knowledge raises concerns about healthcare quality and equity.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that inhibiting the OR5B21 gene significantly decreased breast cancer metastasis to the brain, bones and lung. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic targets to prevent or delay breast cancer's spread.
A clinical trial of 18,353 adults found no benefit of omega-3 supplements in preventing depression. The study, led by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, tested the effect of daily vitamin D and/or omega-3 supplements on depression risk over a median of 5.3 years.
A new study projects that increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic will result in 8,000 additional deaths from liver disease and 18,700 cases of liver failure by 2040. The researchers estimated a one-year increase in consumption to cause 100 additional deaths and 2,800 cases of liver failure by 2023.
The study found that two doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines produced higher antibody concentrations than a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with levels more than 10 times higher for recovered COVID-19 patients. The analysis also showed that the Moderna vaccine had the lowest risk for breakthrough infections.
Researchers found that the risk of developing asthma in infants depends on a complex interplay among the infecting virus, airway microbial composition and function, and the infant's immune response. Infants with distinct metatranscriptome profiles had unique risks of developing asthma by age five.
A predictive model based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy can detect lung cancer from alterations in blood metabolites, allowing for early-stage screening and potentially improving survival rates. The study screened tens of thousands of blood specimens and found accurate predictions using values from prior-to-diagnosis blood samples.
A study published in Journal of Biological Rhythms found that antibody levels are higher when healthcare workers received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in the afternoon. The study suggests that circadian rhythms may play a role in regulating immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination.
Women with breast implants after mastectomy are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease due to chemotherapy and radiation. Inaccuracies in cardiac imaging studies, such as echocardiography and nuclear tests, have been reported in some cases.
A team of researchers used deep learning to analyze cardiac images and identified genetic variations linked to aortic size. The findings may lead to the development of a polygenic score to identify individuals at high risk of aneurysm, as well as new drug targets for aortic enlargement.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a method to detect early signs of tumor cell death using MRI and AI, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of cancer treatment. This approach has shown promise in detecting treatment-responsive regions in mouse brain tumors and healthy human brains.
An international study has revealed that COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV are similar to those in the general population, but vary significantly across geographic regions. The overall vaccination rate was found to be 55%, with higher rates in high-income countries and lower rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Jpx RNA regulates CTCF anchor site selection and formation of chromosome loops, determining gene expression. This discovery may lead to new treatments for diseases influenced by chromatin looping.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that teriflunomide reduced new or enlarged lesions in children with multiple sclerosis, suggesting potential benefits. However, the medication did not delay time to the next clinical relapse.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have uncovered important details about Shigella's translocon, a pore that injects bacterial proteins into infected cells. The findings may help develop an effective strategy to block this critical component of infection and prevent diseases like dysentery.
A new clinical trial by Massachusetts General Hospital shows that combining low-dose radiation with nivolumab and ipilimumab improved responses in patients with resistant colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Researchers found that tumors with higher expression of viral sequences like HERV-K were more likely to respond.
A recent study published in Circulation found that patients receiving a combination of antiplatelet drugs for many months (up to 2.5 years) after stent procedures may not receive the full benefit of treatment. The researchers compared characteristics of 8,864 patients from an older trial to 568,540 contemporary patients and determined ...
Researchers at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard have developed a new anti-malarial antibody that provides significant protection against malaria, outperforming existing best-in-class antibodies. The breakthrough could lead to improved distribution of monoclonal antibodies in endemic countries.
A study published in Brain Pathology found elevated levels of tau protein in the brains of people with ALS who carry a mutation in the C9orf72 gene. The researchers also identified new genetic mutations in the tau gene and discovered that the ratio of different forms of tau protein may be an indicator of disease progression.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed an AI-based method to predict atrial fibrillation risk based on electrocardiogram data. The method was highly predictive, especially in subsets of individuals with prior heart failure or stroke, and could serve as a pre-screening tool for patients at risk.
Researchers have identified a second person living with HIV who appears to have rid themselves of the virus, with no intact HIV genomes found in over 1.19 billion blood cells and 500 million tissue cells sequenced. This finding may represent a sterilizing cure for people with HIV who cannot achieve this on their own.
A large study of collegiate athletes reveals persistent COVID-19 symptoms are rare, but exertional chest pain warrants further clinical evaluation. The study used the Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes and found low prevalence of exertional symptoms upon return to exercise.
A large group of patients with diverse cancer types received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, showing modestly impaired immune responses. Booster vaccine doses enhanced immunity in most patients.
Researchers found a link between the width of growth marks on baby teeth and exposure to early-life adversity, including maternal stress and anxiety. The study's results could lead to the development of a tool to identify children at risk for mental health disorders, allowing for preventive treatments.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that reducing abnormal tau can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in ALS. By targeting tau with a specific degrader, the study suggests a promising new treatment strategy for this degenerative disease.
While medical specialty boards have complied with a mandate for parental, caregiver, and medical leave, policies vary and need greater clarity to support trainees. The availability of family, caregiver, and medical leave is essential for the next generation of physicians.
A decision-support tool aided healthcare workers in distinguishing COVID-19 vaccination symptoms from actual infections, preserving the workforce during a surge. The study found that providing this guidance helped curb the spread of COVID-19 and reduced missed workdays.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers has identified specific drugs that can selectively block the polarization of M2-type macrophages, which exacerbate diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration. The findings suggest that these drugs could be repurposed for new therapies to influence disease outcomes.
A new contrast agent has been developed to detect and image blood clots noninvasively, using a targeted approach to find clots anywhere in the body. The agent was tested in patients with atrial fibrillation and showed promising results.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the transcription factor Sp7 and its target gene osteocrin play a crucial role in osteocyte dendrite formation. Deletion of Sp7 causes severe defects in dendrites, but activating osteocrin can reverse these defects in mice.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that prioritizing prompt procurement, distribution, and vaccination pace can maximize public health benefits and economic efficiency. Meeting vaccination targets of 67% or 80% of the population can significantly reduce infections and deaths while minimizing healthcare costs.
A new study identifies three functional subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in lung cancer, which correspond to patients' treatment responses. These subtypes have distinct biological functions and therapeutic implications, suggesting that CAFs could serve as a key to enhancing personalized treatment for lung cancer patients.