Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine suggest improvements to the release process and treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (MOUD) who are transitioning from jail to the community. The study identifies three critical areas for improvement: bridge doses, better communication, and phone access.
A new study found that higher red meat consumption is linked to a 22% increased risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults, with gut bacterial metabolites like TMAO playing a key role. The study also suggests that traditional ASCVD risk pathways like blood cholesterol and blood pressure may be less important than previously thought.
Scientists at Tufts University found that varicella zoster virus (VZV) may activate herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), leading to inflammation and accumulation of Alzheimer's associated proteins in the brain. This suggests a new pathway to Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals which bird species are driving the global spread of avian influenza, identifying ducks and geese as super-spreaders. The research also highlights the crucial role of gulls in transmitting the virus over long distances, with their ability to fly over oceans playing a significant role in its rapid spread.
Astrocytes, comprising nearly half of all brain cells, have been found to perform an electrically active function that influences neurotransmitter release and brain disease pathology. This discovery opens new avenues for neuroscience research and potential treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
A recent study published in Nature Microbiology found that chlorine water treatment does not disrupt the normal population of beneficial bacteria in children's developing gut microbiomes. The study suggests that chlorination can actually help reduce disease incidence and limit antibiotic use while keeping microbiomes healthy.
Scientists have identified a potential new test for diagnosing Lyme disease by detecting autoantibodies to phospholipids. This approach could help clinicians diagnose the disease sooner and determine efficacy of treatments. The researchers' discovery has the potential to identify patients with persistent symptoms after treatment, makin...
Research from Tufts University scientists finds that opioid exposure in mothers can lead to metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes in their sons. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that even short-term use of opioids before pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the health of future generations.
Scientists at Tufts University create nanoparticles that carry genetic instructions to specifically target the lungs, reducing tumors in a preclinical model of a rare genetic lung disease. The breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options for patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
A study by Tufts researchers found that telehealth appointments can be effective when augmenting in-person health-care visits, particularly for patients with chronic kidney disease. However, people of color were largely dissatisfied with telehealth due to concerns about care quality and lack of accessibility features.
Researchers at Tufts University successfully regrow a functional, nearly complete limb on adult frogs using a five-drug cocktail and silicone wearable bioreactor dome. The treatment sets in motion an 18-month period of growth restoring a fully functional leg.
A computer model developed by Tufts University researchers mirrors the spread of misinformation in real life. The model takes into account pre-existing beliefs, which can influence how individuals accept new information, and provides insight into strategies to counter misinformation.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that manipulating voltage patterns in tumor cells can significantly reduce tumor cell invasion and metastasis in animal models. Using FDA-approved ion channel blockers, they were able to normalize cell voltages, decrease tumor growth, and limit the spread of cancer cells.
A deep-learning model called D-SCRIPT predicts protein-protein interactions from primary amino acid sequences with high accuracy. The model enables the detection of functional subnetworks and can be applied to many species, including those with rare or lacking PPI data.
A team led by David Kaplan at Tufts University aims to produce an alternative food source using cell-grown meat, driving efforts to enhance food sustainability and nutrition. The five-year project will combine interdisciplinary teams to evaluate consumer acceptance, environmental impact, and economic viability.
A new filtering technology inspired by biology can separate fluoride from chloride ions with twice the selectivity, potentially preventing waterborne diseases like fluorosis. The technology also has potential applications in industrial processes such as chemical production and mining.
A new study by Tufts University researchers identifies a high risk of forced labor in US fruits and vegetables, with most food-country combinations coded as high risk. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers, farmers, and food companies to address systemic issues in food supply chains.
A new study found that ultraprocessed foods have become a major source of calories for children and teens, increasing from 61% to 67% between 1999 and 2018. This shift is concerning due to the negative health effects associated with these foods, such as obesity and diabetes.
Researchers created a catalyst with 100% selectivity in producing propylene, a key precursor to plastics and fabric manufacturing. The single-atom alloy catalysts are more efficient, run reactions under milder conditions, and require less energy to produce.
Researchers created metamaterials using low-cost inkjet printing with potential implications for telecommunications, GPS, and medical devices. The materials can be electrically tuned to adjust their properties, enabling the design of unconventional mirrors, lenses, and filters.
Researchers at Tufts University created a strong adhesive by mimicking the molecular bonding tricks used by sea creatures. The glue achieves 2.4 MPa of strength when resisting shear forces, outperforming most existing commercial adhesives.
Researchers have identified the gene responsible for a male European corn borer moth's preference for its female counterpart's pheromone. The discovery provides insights into the evolution of mating signals and could help predict the spread of resistance to genetically modified insecticides, offering potential benefits for pest control.
Scientists have identified a specific region of the bird brain linked to stuttering patterns, using zebra finches as a model system. A simple pharmacological treatment can stimulate rapid firing in this area, inducing stuttering-like patterns that resemble human speech dysfunctions.
Tufts University researchers develop a silk-based leather material with similar texture and flexibility to real leather, using sustainable sources and environmentally friendly chemical processes. The material can be printed into various patterns and textures and is biodegradable.
Researchers created living organisms that self-assemble, move faster, and demonstrate recordable memory. These 'Xenobots' can work together in groups, heal themselves, and perform tasks like garbage collection.
A new study reveals that regional water scarcity has far-reaching impacts on the global economy, with changes in global demand affecting river basins worldwide. The research found positive and negative economic outcomes in every region considered, depending on factors like water supply and agricultural production.
Researchers at Tufts University created light-activated composite devices that execute precise movements and form complex shapes without wires or energy. The technology enables self-aligning solar cells, soft robots and other smart systems responsive to illumination.
A comprehensive review reveals the benefits of firefly tourism, including economic and social gains, but also highlights threats to local firefly populations. The authors urge site managers, tour guides, and tourists to adopt tailored conservation practices and promote eco-friendly behavior to protect these charismatic creatures.
Researchers at Tufts University use lipid nanoparticles to deliver CRISPR machinery specifically to the liver, reducing blood cholesterol levels by up to 57% in mice. The treatment may provide a long-term solution for high cholesterol, which affects over 29 million Americans.
Researchers at Tufts University have created flexible thread-based sensors that can measure movement of the neck, providing data on direction, angle of rotation, and degree of displacement. The technology has potential implications for tracking health and performance, with applications in athletic performance, worker fatigue, physical ...
A multidisciplinary team of health researchers found that exposure to discrimination increases the risk of developing anxiety and related disorders, even after accounting for genetic risks. The study suggests that alleviating discrimination can improve mental health.
A novel, inexpensive chlorine dispensing device has been developed to improve tap water safety in regions with limited financial resources and infrastructure. The device, which requires no electricity or moving parts, releases measured quantities of chlorine into the water before it exits the tap.
Researchers at Tufts University found that bacteria in cheese can sense and respond to compounds produced by fungi, enhancing the growth of some species over others. This discovery provides a model for understanding and modifying other microbiomes, such as soil or the gastrointestinal tract.
A $100M program will utilize a large consortium of wildlife and human disease experts to reduce the risk of zoonotic viral spillover and spread. The program aims to enhance capacity in Africa and Asia to identify and respond to spillover events.
Researchers at Tufts University found that warning witnesses about the threat of misinformation can significantly reduce its negative impact on memory. The study revealed that warnings can protect memory from misleading information by influencing reconstructive processes during memory retrieval.
A flexible electronic sensing patch can be sewn into clothing to analyze sweat for multiple health markers, including electrolytes and metabolites. The device enables real-time tracking of physiological responses during exercise or daily activities, with potential applications in diagnosing and monitoring chronic health conditions.
Biomedical engineers at Tufts University created nanoparticles that incorporate neurotransmitters to deliver therapeutic drugs and gene editing proteins across the blood-brain barrier. The innovation could overcome current limitations in delivering therapeutics into the central nervous system.
Researchers at Tufts University developed biomaterial-based inks that respond to chemicals released from the body or environment, providing a detailed map of human response or exposure. The technology can detect a wide range of biological conditions and molecules, potentially tracking air quality and environmental monitoring.
Developing frog embryos damaged by nicotine exposure can be repaired with ionoceuticals that restore bioelectric patterns, leading to normal anatomy and gene expression. The discovery offers a roadmap for exploration of therapeutic drugs that could help repair birth defects in humans.
A new imaging method detects metabolic and structural changes in cervical epithelial cells using intrinsic fluorescence, enabling early-stage bedside diagnosis. This non-invasive approach opens up a routine monitoring strategy for patients at high risk of cervical cancer.
A 3D brain-like tissue model has demonstrated a possible causal relationship between sporadic Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex virus I infection. The model allowed researchers to observe the formation of amyloid plaques, neuronal loss, and neuroinflammation in response to HSV-1 infection.
Researchers at Tufts University developed a microfluidic chip that mimics hypoxic conditions following a heart attack, allowing for observation of cardiac cell behavior. The device provides information on the electrophysiological effects of ischemia and could be applied to future drug development.
A recent study by Tufts University found that federally protected lands in the US significantly reduced habitat loss and protected endangered species. Compared to private lands, protected federal lands lost only 3.6% of their habitat over a 30-year period.
A Tufts University-led team discovered that embryonic brain signals direct the migration of immune cells to infection sites, significantly improving embryo survival rates. Without a brain, embryos are more susceptible to bacterial infections and succumb quickly.
A Tufts University team won a grand prize in the NSF Idea Machine Competition with their project 'From Thinking to Inventing,' focusing on what machines can invent and how. They aim to create resilient robots that can creatively solve problems, addressing pressing issues like climate change and wealth inequality.
A recent study by a team of biologists at Tufts University has found that fireflies are threatened by habitat loss, light pollution, and pesticide use. The researchers surveyed experts worldwide to identify the most significant threats to firefly survival, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these insects.
Scientists have identified a molecular mechanism that could reverse the genetic defect responsible for Friedreich's ataxia by enhancing a natural process that contracts repetitive DNA sequences in living tissue. This contraction occurs during DNA replication and is triggered by the formation of an unusual triple-helical DNA structure.
Researchers developed a novel fabrication method for silk to create solid forms with tunable properties, including strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. The method involves heat molding silk into bulk parts with added bioactive molecules.
Scientists develop optogenetic approach to control glucose levels in diabetic mice, achieving improved tolerance and regulation of glucose without pharmacological intervention. The light-switchable cells can produce more than two- to three-fold the typical level of insulin in response to glucose levels.
A team of Tufts University-led researchers found that adding the iron-carrying protein myoglobin improves the growth, texture and color of bovine muscle grown from cells in culture. Myoglobin was also shown to promote cell proliferation and differentiation, leading to a rich meat-like color.