A genetic study in mice reveals that TB bacteria can survive in vaccinated or previously infected hosts by switching strategies and relying on different genes. The research could lead to the creation of treatments given alongside vaccines to help the immune system root out TB when it tries to hide.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine found that p97 protein mutations can cause organelle miscommunication, leading to the accumulation of molecules on mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contacts. This miscommunication can modulate membrane rigidity and impact interorganelle interactions.
A new study finds that different definitions of whole-grain foods yield varying results on American consumers' intake, highlighting the need for a standardized consensus. While overall consumption has increased, it remains below recommended levels, with discrepancies among racial/ethnic groups and across institutions.
A new study from researchers at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy found that coalitions working to combat childhood obesity are more effective when members form close relationships with people in different organizations, learn new information rapidly, and share that knowledge with others. This can lead ...
A collaborative effort aims to lower rates of obesity and diabetes by increasing access to locally produced fruits and vegetables in the Mississippi Delta. The $6.6 million NIH grant will fund community-based programs to expand local production and consumption of healthy foods, targeting high-risk areas with high rates of these diseases.
Expanding medically tailored meal programs nationwide could help prevent 1.6 million hospitalizations annually, saving $13.6 billion in healthcare costs. These programs provide nutritionally customized meals for patients with serious illnesses, supporting improved health outcomes and reduced stress levels.
A study of global dietary patterns found that diets globally are not much healthier today than they were thirty years ago. Despite modest gains, there is a significant variation in dietary quality among countries, with some nations like Vietnam and Iran showing improved healthy eating habits.
Researchers found a strong association between high ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer risk in men, particularly those consuming processed meats. In contrast, no link was found for women, suggesting potential sex differences in the relationship between diet and cancer risk.
Studies suggest a link between Fusobacterium nucleatum and Alzheimer's disease, with the bacteria generating systemic inflammation and exacerbating symptoms. Targeting the bacteria could slow periodontal disease progression and potentially slow Alzheimer's progression as well.
A recent study published in eNeuro found that alcohol can change the pattern of activity in the basolateral amygdala, potentially leading to a better understanding of how the brain switches between negative emotions like anxiety and fear. The researchers also identified specific receptors involved in this process, which may lead to pot...
A study by Tufts researchers found that only 6.8% of US adults had optimal levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, adiposity, and cardiovascular disease in 2017-2018. The prevalence of these conditions worsened significantly between 1999 and 2018, with large disparities across sex, age, race, ethnicity, and education levels.
A global study found that retail food prices for diverse food groups increased in tandem with COVID-19 case counts across the globe. The cost of groceries rose significantly above pre-pandemic levels, especially in countries with higher case counts.
Research by Robert Sege and Allison Stephens found that emergency department visits, abusive head trauma admissions, and child welfare reports decreased during the pandemic. The authors attribute this decline to increased support for families, including financial assistance, paid parental leave, and other social factors.
The HNRCA will collect data from a cohort of 2,000 people to develop algorithms predicting individual responses to diet and nutrition. The goal is to create personalized nutrition recommendations based on factors like genetics, metabolism, and environment.
A new review finds that climate change impacts coffee production, with higher altitudes associated with better flavor and aroma. Current adaptation strategies show promise, but innovative solutions are needed to support bean growth at all elevations.
A scientific team at Tufts University developed a new tool to guide consumers and policymakers towards healthier choices. The Food Compass system scores foods from 1 (least healthy) to 100 (most healthy), providing a nuanced approach to promoting healthy food choices.
A new study maps opioid-related incidents and discards to identify high-risk neighborhoods and support targeted interventions. The research team used GIS data to highlight areas with the highest concentrations of discarded syringes and fatal overdoses.
Researchers found that brexanolone, a neuroactive steroid, alters brain oscillations in the basolateral amygdala, leading to long-lasting antidepressant effects. The study suggests that changing oscillations may be a new strategy for drug therapies.
Middle- to older-aged adults who eat at least three servings of whole grains daily have smaller increases in waist size, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels over time. Whole grains may protect against heart disease by reducing these risk factors.
A new study found that Americans generally consume poor-quality food from restaurants, grocery stores, and other sources, except at school. However, significant improvements were observed in the nutritional quality of school meals over a 16-year period, particularly among low-income, Black, and Latinx children.
A new approach is needed to tackle diet-related diseases and disparities in nutrition quality, experts argue. The US should prioritize 'nutrition security' over 'food security', emphasizing access to healthy, nourishing food for all, to effectively address modern health challenges.
A modeling study suggests that pre-existing conditions like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure contribute to most COVID-19 hospitalizations. The study found that improving cardiometabolic health through lifestyle changes could reduce hospitalizations and health care strains.
A recent study published in Circulation reveals that immune cells can activate inflammation in the heart by modifying proteins, leading to structural changes and cardiac dysfunction. The researchers have identified a potential target for new treatments, an agent that binds to specific molecules altering cardiac proteins.
A genetic mutation in the Gga3 gene may be more common among African Americans with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, leading to a 'traffic jam' of enzymes in axons. This discovery provides a possible strategy for early diagnosis and targeted treatments, as well as potential biomarkers for detection.
A study by Tufts University researchers estimates that some but not all US metro areas could grow all the food they need locally, based on population, geography, and diet. The modeling study suggests that reducing animal products in the diet can increase the potential to produce sufficient food for a metro area.
A study led by researchers at Tufts University found that many consumers cannot accurately identify the amount of whole grains in products. The results show that consumers are more likely to choose products with misleading labels, which can lead to poorer health outcomes.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that estrogen can have a disruptive effect on glucose metabolism in females, but not males, when a specific protein is absent. The study identified a key protein in the brain that mediates these effects and provides insight into the differences between men and women in their risk of diabetes.
A new technology dubbed MorphEUS enables rapid screening of drug candidates against Mycobcterium tuberculosis (M. tb), the bacterium that causes TB. It uses high throughput imaging and machine learning to uncover patterns in how antibacterials kill, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment development.
A high-level group of experts recommends strengthening federal nutrition research with improved coordination and investment to accelerate discoveries and reduce diet-related diseases. The new approach aims to generate critical science to rapidly treat and prevent diet-related diseases, improving public health and population resilience.
A new study found that older adults with low vitamin K levels had a higher risk of death over 13 years compared to those with adequate vitamin K levels. The research suggests that vitamin K may have protective health benefits as we age, particularly in reducing the risk of death.
A new study estimates that a national calorie menu labeling law will prevent tens of thousands of new heart disease and type 2 diabetes cases over five years. The law is expected to produce $10-14 billion in healthcare cost savings and another $3-5 billion in societal cost savings.
A study of 2,800 people aged 50 and older found that low intake of flavonoid-rich foods was linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Consuming more berries, apples, and tea may help prevent the condition, with even small amounts providing benefits.
A national study found that most American children and adolescents still have poorly quality diets, with significant disparities based on socioeconomic status. Despite improvements in sugary beverage consumption and whole grain intake, kids' diets are still lacking in essential nutrients.
A new study found that middle-aged and older adults who consumed sugary beverages daily had a higher risk of developing abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to those who rarely drank them. The study suggests that limiting sugary drink intake may help maintain healthier blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that most American adults consume meals of poor nutritional quality when dining out, with disparities affecting certain groups. The researchers recommend improving the nutritional quality of restaurant meals and reducing health disparities to promote healthier eating.
A five-year case study at a Boston family medicine clinic shows medical facilities can help physicians treat chronic pain while deterring opioid misuse. The study introduced new systems, structures, and staff support to create collaborative, interdisciplinary care.
The EAT-Lancet diet, aimed at improving human and planetary health, is unaffordable for millions due to high food prices. The study estimates that daily costs exceed household income in many low-income countries.
Maintaining weight loss for three years is associated with more favorable heart disease, stroke, and diabetes risk factors compared to regaining weight. Weight regain was found to be detrimental to cardiometabolic health, reversing the benefits seen from initial weight loss.
A new study found that a virtual reality platform can facilitate interprofessional education in palliative care, improving student attitudes towards other healthcare professionals. Students reported increased empathy and interest in continuing IPE training after the experience.
A recent study found that American adults consume too many low-quality carbohydrates and more saturated fat than recommended. Despite some improvements, older people and those with lower income or educational attainment continue to face greater hurdles in adopting healthier dietary habits.
Researchers identified differences in gut microbiome composition between physically high-functioning and low-functioning older adults. The study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a role in maintaining muscle strength in older adults, with mice colonized with fecal samples from high-functioning individuals showing increased grip st...
A new study found that Slug promotes breast stem cell health by repairing DNA damage, and its deficiency is linked to increased DNA damage and decreased stem cell activity in both young and aged breast tissue. This suggests that Slug functions as a safeguard against age-related decline of breast stem cell function.
A recent study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences found that low levels of circulating vitamin K are associated with an increased risk of mobility limitation and disability in older adults. The study, conducted on a sample of 635 men and 688 women aged 70-79 years old, used biomarkers of vitamin K status to evalu...
A new study estimates that 5.2% of invasive cancer cases in the US are related to poor diet, with colorectal cancer and mouth, pharynx, and larynx being the most affected. The study found that low whole grain intake was associated with the largest number and proportion of new cancer cases.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that a drug mimicking the ketogenic diet can improve brain function in mice after TBI and prevent the development of epileptic activity. This new approach could potentially be used to treat post-traumatic epilepsy and restore normal synaptic communication in the brain.
A new study estimates that the FDA's added sugar labeling policy could prevent nearly 1 million cases of cardiometabolic disease, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes, over a 20-year period. The label is expected to save $31 billion in net healthcare costs and $61.9 billion in societal costs.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that adequate intake of certain nutrients from food sources is associated with a reduced risk of death and cancer. However, excess calcium intake from supplements was linked to an increased risk of cancer death. The researchers suggest that nutrients from foods may have beneficial ...
Researchers at Tufts University have successfully grown and maintained olfactory stem cells in culture, which can then be used to restore tissue in the nose. The discovery raises hope that future therapies could be developed to restore the sense of smell in individuals where it has been damaged by injury or degeneration.
A new study by Tufts University researchers finds that healthy food prescriptions in Medicare and Medicaid could prevent millions of cardiovascular disease cases and diabetes cases, while reducing healthcare utilization and costs. The programs would be highly cost-effective, with incremental costs of less than $50,000 per quality-adjus...
A study from Tufts University found that cardiovascular disease hospitalization rates rose precipitously after Hurricane Katrina's landfall, lasting more than a month. The increase was higher among the older black population compared to the older white population.