Researchers at Tufts University reduced breast cancer metastasis to bone by 77 percent and overall frequency of metastasis by 36 percent in a study using an experimental agent to inhibit ROCK, a protein found to be over-expressed in metastatic breast cancer.
A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older patients with dementia are diagnosed with flu less frequently, have shorter hospital stays, but a higher rate of death. The study highlights the need for refined guidelines on flu immunization and treatment in this vulnerable population.
Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) has received four NIH supplemental grant awards, totaling $1.73 million, to expand its community engagement program, improve BPD predictors, search for Lyme disease persistence, and develop a pilot project mechanism.
The Great Diseases curriculum, funded by a $1.35 million NIH grant, introduces current global health threats through laboratory learning, multimedia, and case-based studies to 11th and 12th graders in three Boston high schools. The program aims to teach students how to think like scientists and generate interest in biotechnology careers.
Reijmers is investigating the proteins involved in long-term memory storage, with potential applications in treating diseases like Alzheimer's. His research aims to understand the mechanisms of memory and apply them to various fields, including addiction, epilepsy, and spinal cord regeneration.
Researchers found that STAT3 inhibits the growth and self-renewal of glioblastoma stem cells, suggesting a promising target for cancer therapy. The study demonstrates the potential of STAT3 inhibitors to stop tumor formation and offers a new approach to treating this devastating brain cancer.
Researchers at Tufts University have created skin-like tissues using human embryonic stem cells, which can be used to treat oral and skin conditions. The breakthrough uses three-dimensional tissue engineering techniques to mimic the growth environment of human skin.
Researchers at Tufts University developed a tissue regeneration application that maintains complete root coverage after three years with minimal pain and recovery time. This innovative approach uses platelet concentrate gel instead of traditional grafting methods, resulting in improved esthetics and patient satisfaction.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may delay AMD progression, with higher intake reducing risk. Early stages benefited from DHA, while advanced stages were protected by combination of nutrients.
Researchers found that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, suppresses angiogenic activity in mice fed high-fat diets, leading to reduced fat tissue growth and lower blood cholesterol levels. The study suggests potential benefits for preventing fat tissue growth in humans.
A study led by Akiko Hata of Tufts University School of Medicine found that the heart protein FHL2 regulates blood vessel maintenance. FHL2 inhibits the genes necessary for vascular smooth muscle cells to transition between a resting and proliferative state.
Researchers discovered how a SUMO protein guides an enzyme complex to alter chromatin structure and regulate gene expression. The interaction between SUMO and the enzyme complex prevents aberrant gene expression, which is common in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Regular moderate consumption of beer or wine may have protective effects on bone, while heavy drinking contributes to bone loss. Moderate alcohol intake was associated with greater bone mineral density in men and post-menopausal women.
A randomized, double-blind study found ustekinumab to be effective in treating moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis, with significant improvements in pain and stiffness. The treatment showed sustained benefits up to 36 weeks after initial dosing.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that a mother's enriched environment during her youth can significantly impact her child's learning disorder severity. This effect, known as transgenerational inheritance, was observed even when the offspring were raised by non-enriched foster mothers.
A new study uncovers 11 gene variants associated with three blood lipids measured to determine cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers believe that these variants could lead to precise dietary recommendations for individuals at risk, such as carriers of certain gene variants who may benefit from low-cholesterol or Mediterranean diets.
Researchers from Tufts University advocate for the use of systematic reviews in nutrition research, emphasizing the need for objectivity and transparency. They provide examples illustrating the approach's flexibility in addressing unique challenges posed by nutrition-related topics.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that US-born black adults are more likely to have asthma, with 30% diagnosed compared to 11% of those born outside the US. The study also found higher asthma rates among children born in the US.
A three-year study found that vitamin K supplementation improved insulin resistance in elderly men, while worsening it in women and those not given supplements. Vitamin K may help regulate glucose metabolism by storing in fat tissue.
Researchers identified associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and altered blood folate, homocysteine, and DNA uracil concentrations in Puerto Rican adults. These findings suggest that SNPs may increase the risk for cancer by causing DNA breakage.
A new study published in PNAS found that a B-vitamin deficiency can cause vascular cognitive impairment in mice. The research, conducted by researchers at Tufts University, used an experimental model to examine the effects of dietary B-vitamin deficiency on metabolic, cognitive, and microvascular changes.
A new study reveals a link between obesity predisposition and defective dopamine signaling in the brain's reward system. The mesolimbic system, which secretes dopamine, is found to have lower baseline levels and reduced stimulated release in obesity-prone rats.
A $2.5 million NIH grant will fund a study of four communities, including Boston's Chinatown and Somerville, to examine the health effects of pollution exposure in neighborhoods adjacent to major highways. The study aims to better define the most serious impacts of highway pollution on local residents.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine identify adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) as a central organizer of neuronal cholinergic synapse assembly. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms directing synapse formation, potentially shedding new insights into learning and memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schi...
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered how cell surface receptors cooperate to generate immune responses, revealing the importance of integrin VLA-4 in facilitating signal transmission. This understanding is crucial for developing interventions to enhance or inhibit immune responses, particularly in autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that Smad proteins control the processing of a subset of microRNA, including miR-21. This discovery reveals a new role of Smad proteins in regulating microRNA processing, which is a contributing factor in cardiovascular disorders and cancer.
The new Clinician's Guide incorporates the World Health Organization's absolute fracture prediction algorithm (FRAX), increasing the identification of patients at risk for osteoporosis. The guide now applies to men over 50 and post-menopausal non-Caucasian women, including African-Americans, Asians, and Latinas.
Researchers develop model predicting disease outbreaks based on weather patterns and climate variability. The study shows an association between high temperature and daily incidence of cryptosporidiosis in Massachusetts, highlighting the need for better understanding of how climate affects disease spread.
A new study highlights the critical need for veterinarians in New England, where the region's economy relies on veterinary medicine worth $3.3 billion. The study reveals a shortage of up to 658 veterinarians by 2014 and notes that food animal veterinians will retire at nearly twice the rate of their companion animal colleagues.
Researchers at Tufts University identified groups with inadequate vitamin B6 status, including women of reproductive age and smokers. The study found a significant link between oral contraceptive use and low plasma pyridoxal 5'- phosphate levels.
The study reveals that three specific inhibitors of necroptosis, a form of necrotic death, target and inhibit RIP1 kinase, a protein that can direct cells into necrosis. This finding presents a novel avenue for drug development to prevent extensive tissue damage in diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has received a $200,000 Rockefeller Foundation grant to assess veterinary health services in Indonesia and enhance the country's capacity to prevent and control infectious diseases shared by animals and people. The grant will support the expansion of a nationwide community-...
Researchers at Tufts University found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical for mediating satiety in adult mice. Mice with deleted BDNF genes ate more and became heavier, highlighting the protein's role in energy balance.
The Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults prioritizes nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, with a focus on fiber-rich options. Regular physical activity is also emphasized to reduce chronic disease risk and improve quality of life.
Researchers found that high blood folate levels can increase homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency, worsening symptoms. This study suggests that excessive folate may compromise the body's ability to use vitamin B12 effectively.
A recent study of 213 elderly adults found that adherence to moderate exercise improved their physical function. Participants who exercised for 150 minutes or more per week showed greater improvements in walking speed, strength, flexibility, and balance.
A virtual simulation model called Pathogen Simulation (PathSim) was developed to study the progression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in humans. The researchers used PathSim to simulate EBV infection and observe its impact on the immune system, finding critical switch points that determine disease progression.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that daily zinc intake can help reduce pneumonia risk in nursing home residents, especially those with low serum zinc concentrations. Participants with normal serum zinc levels had a 50% lower risk of developing pneumonia and reduced mortality rates by 39%.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that limiting refined carbohydrates can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Participants who consumed more refined carbohydrates were 17% more likely to develop blinding AMD than those who consumed less.
Researchers at Tufts University found that glycemic index values can vary significantly among individuals and even within the same person, with individual values ranging from 44 to 132. The study's findings highlight the need for more precise understanding of how glycemic index relates to chronic disease risk in diverse populations.
Heldwein's research aims to understand how herpesviruses enter host cells using structural and biophysical approaches. Her work has identified the shape of one protein that allows viruses to gain entry into cells.
Researchers at Tufts University developed mathematical models to accurately assess seasonality in six diseases, enabling more precise forecasting of outbreaks. The study found that certain diseases peak one month after the temperature peak, likely due to close person-to-person contact and different routes of transmission.
Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks may be associated with insulin resistance, but not 100 percent fruit juice. Study participants who consumed two or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had significantly higher fasting blood levels of insulin.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that the CodY protein regulates the genes controlling C. difficile toxin production, which kills human intestinal cells by causing them to burst open. This understanding opens the door for developing a drug that can prevent hospital patients from falling ill.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified a specific population of glial cells required for controlling circadian behavior in Drosophila, suggesting an autonomous glial mechanism drives circadian rhythms. The study's findings have broad implications for understanding diseases affected by altered biological timing mechanisms.
Developing B cells produce the antibody-altering protein AID, which directs and strengthens their response to disease pathogens. This discovery may offer new research directions for understanding autoimmunity and other diseases.
A study at Tufts University found that cravings don't go away during dieting and are linked to types of foods craved. Participants who lost more body weight were less likely to give in to their cravings, suggesting that allowing oneself to have crave foods can be key to successful weight control.
Researchers found that consuming diets with a higher glycemic index increased the risk of developing advanced AMD, with severity linked to dietary glycemic index. The study suggests improving dietary carbohydrate quality through simple alterations may help prevent AMD progression.
Researchers found that increased body fat in elderly adults is associated with lower levels of vitamin D, regardless of sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is critical for maintaining bone health and low levels can increase the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.
A study published in Clinical Chemistry found that genetic variations in the APOA2 gene are associated with dietary preferences, particularly for fat, protein, and carbohydrate. Individuals with a certain genotype were more likely to consume higher amounts of fat, calories, and be obese compared to those with other genotypes.