- Researchers Identify Gene That Helps Cancer Cells Spread Throughout the Body | The glutathione S-transferase Gstt1 drives survival and dissemination in metastases https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/gene-helps-cancer-cells-spread-through-body 4 comments science
- Mass General Cancer Center Researchers Identify Gene That Helps Cancer Cells Spread Throughout the Body https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/gene-helps-cancer-cells-spread-through-body 10 comments technology
- Statin therapy may prevent cancer by blocking inflammatory protein - In analyses of health records of more than 200 million people, pitavastatin was linked to a significantly reduced risk of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In mice, pitavastatin suppressed skin and pancreatic cancers. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/statins-chronic-inflammatory-cancer 2 comments science
- High school students who use alcohol, cannabis or nicotine are at higher risk for mental health disorders. Using any of these three substances was linked to psychiatric symptoms, including suicidal thoughts, symptoms of anxiety, psychotic experiences and attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/high-school-students-using-alcohol-cannabis-or-nicotine-at-higher-risk-for-suicidal-thoughts#:~:text=BOSTON%20%E2%80%93%20High%20school%20students%20who,by%20researchers%20at%20Massachusetts%20General 433 comments science
- New research indicates that the eating disorder anorexia nervosa is associated with being an early riser, unlike many other disorders that tend to be evening-based such as depression, binge eating disorder and schizophrenia. The study also revealed a link between anorexia nervosa and insomnia risk. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-reveals-new-link-between-anorexa-early-rising 14 comments science
- Researchers have identified a potential mechanism by which tobacco smoking drives a type of white blood cell known as monocytes to the lung where they can increase the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-finds-link-between-smoking-and-immune-cells-that-invade-the-lung 9 comments science
- Mass General-Developed Brain Care Score (BCS) is a Scientifically Validated Way to Assess Current Health Habits and Risk to Future Brain Health https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/mass-general-develops-brain-care-score 4 comments health
- Research reveals how sleep disruption can exacerbate pain in mice: analyses of metabolites showed that the level of N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) and cannabinoid receptor 1, decreased as a result of sleep deprivation https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/research-reveals-how-sleep-disruption-can-exacerbate-pain 3 comments science
- Opioid analgesic fentanyl may cause autism-like behavior in young mice https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/opioid-analgesic-fentanyl-may-cause-autism-like-behavior-in-young-mice 4 comments science
- A large study on 371,463 (with an average age of 57 years) have found that the risk of cardiovascular disease linked to light alcohol consumption was modest but rose exponentially with higher intake, even at intake levels currently endorsed as “low risk.” https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/Large-study-challenges-the-theory-that-light-alcohol-consumption-benefits-heart-health 316 comments science
- A new study shows that using cannabis products to treat pain, anxiety and depression failed to improve these symptoms while doubling the risk of developing the addictive symptoms of cannabis use disorder https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/Marijuana-for-medical-use-may-result-in-rapid-onset-of-cannabis-use-disorder 1639 comments science
- Lower, more frequent doses of nanomedicines may enhance cancer treatment: combining nanomedicines with metronomic scheduling can lead to a powerful attack against hard-to-treat tumors. These two strategies give drugs a better chance of reaching cancer cells and targeting them effectively https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/Lower-more-frequent-doses-nanomedicines-cancer-treatment 3 comments science
- Lower, more frequent doses of nanomedicines may enhance cancer treatment https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/Lower-more-frequent-doses-nanomedicines-cancer-treatment 2 comments science
- Researchers have found a noninvasive brain imaging procedure to be an objective and reliable way to identify individuals whose performance has been impaired by THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The procedure could have significant implications for improving highway and workplace safety. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/method-to-determine-impairment-from-cannabis-intoxication 23 comments science
- Investigators have developed a targeted contrast agent that can detect blood clots in the hearts of patients with atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat. The strategy could be used to find clots in other parts of the body as well, such as in vessels that, when blocked, can lead to stroke. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/Noninvasive-imaging-strategy-detects-dangerous-blood-clots-in-the-body 9 comments science
- Diet may affect risk and severity of COVID-19 https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/diet-may-affect-risk-and-severity-of-covid19 23 comments science
- Body mass index as a risk factor for diabetes varies throughout the world. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/Body-mass-index-as-a-risk-factor-for-diabetes-varies-throughout-the-world 11 comments science
- Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk for addiction to opioids and ultraviolet rays. Human health records and studies of lab mice suggest that vitamin D levels influence the desire for opioids and sun-seeking behavior. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-increase-risk-for-addiction-to-opioids-and-ultraviolet-rays 12 comments science
- Pregnant women show robust immune response to the new mRNA COVID vaccines, pass antibodies to newborns. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/pregnant-women-show-robust-immune-response-to-covid-vaccines-pass-antibodies-to-newborns 3 comments science
- In the most comprehensive study of COVID-19 pediatric patients to date, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Mass General Hospital for Children (MGHfC) researchers provide critical data showing that children play a larger role in the community spread of COVID-19 than previously thought https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/massachusetts-general-hospital-researchers-show-children-are-silent-spreaders-of-virus-that-causes-covid-19 9 comments science
- Study of more than 100 modifiable factors for depression identifies social connection as the strongest protective factor. Reducing sedentary activities such as TV watching and daytime napping could also help lower the risk of depression. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-of-more-than-100-modifiable-factors-for-depression-identifies-social-connection-as-the-strongest-protective-factor 75 comments science
- Black and Hispanic pregnant women with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) are significantly less likely to receive or use medication to treat OUD than white pregnant women, finds new study. Medications like methadone and buprenorphine are associated with better outcomes for mothers and infants. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-finds-overwhelming-disparities-in-prescriptions-oud-medicine-pregnancy 13 comments science
- Works of support to Massachusetts General Hospital staff from Bobby Orr. Also appropriate for all medical staff worldwide. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/coronavirus/bobby-orr-covid-19 6 comments hockey
- Brain inflammation in veterans with Gulf War illness. About 30 percent of soldiers who fought in the 1991 Gulf War suffer from GWI. Veterans with GWI display a range of symptoms, including fatigue, chronic pain and cognitive problems such as memory loss. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/new-study-offers-the-first-evidence-of-brain-inflammation-in-veterans-with-gulf-war-illness 13 comments science
- A new study has showed that labeling food choices in a hospital cafeteria with simple “traffic-light” symbols indicating their relative health value was associated with a reduction in calories purchased by employees, and that the dietary changes were sustained over two years. https://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=2419 728 comments science
- Insufficient sleep increases production of inflammatory white blood cells known to be major contributors to atherosclerosis, finds a new Nature study, where sleep-deprived mice developed larger arterial plaques and higher levels of inflammatory cells in their blood vessels. https://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=2358 3 comments science
- A remarkable recent increase in the diagnosis of vocal-cord cancer in young adults who are non-smokers appears to be the result of infection with strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) that also cause cervical cancer and other malignancies, suggests a new study. https://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=2354 74 comments science
- A new double-blind, placebo-controlled trial identifies effective ketamine doses (two subanesthetic dosage levels) for treatment-resistant depression, which were more effective than an active placebo in reducing depression symptoms over a three-day period. https://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=2305 5 comments science
- Eczema drug restores hair growth in patient with longstanding alopecia - The 13-year-old patient hadn't grown scalp hair since the age of 2, in the first report of hair regrowth with dupilumab published in JAMA Dermatology. https://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=2304 5 comments science
- Statement regarding Loris Karius From Dr. Ross Zafonte and Lenore Herget, PT, DPT Mass General Hospital https://www.massgeneral.org/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=6792 69 comments soccer
- Mass. General team reports first complete remission of brain tumor to CAR T-cells in a patient participating in clinical trial of novel immune-system-based cancer therapy. When the tumor came back, tumor-targeting immune cells appeared to spontaneously reactivate leading to another remission. http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=2142 4 comments science
- Insufficient sleep in early childhood may lead to cognitive, behavioral problems in later years http://www.massgeneral.org/news/pressrelease.aspx?id=2072 55 comments science
- Aspartame, a commonly used artificial sugar replacement in soft drinks, may prevent weight loss: A new study using multiple methods found adding aspartame to a high fat diet caused more weight gain in mice by affecting enzyme activity in the gut http://www.massgeneral.org/news/pressrelease.aspx?id=2016 3 comments science
- Vitamin D supplements and winter-related eczema in children: A study conducted in more than 100 Mongolian schoolchildren found that daily treatment with a vitamin D supplement significantly reduced the symptoms of winter-related atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1746 3 comments science
- Neurobiological basis of human-pet relationship: fMRI identifies differences in response of mothers' brains when viewing images of their child and their dog, although common network of brain regions was involved in emotion, reward, affiliation, visual processing and social cognition for both cases http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx 3 comments cogsci
- Neurobiological basis of human-pet relationship: fMRI identifies differences in response of mothers' brains when viewing images of their child and their dog, although common network of brain regions was involved in emotion, reward, affiliation, visual processing and social cognition for both cases http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1747 3 comments science
- Long-term study supports detrimental effects of television viewing on sleep in young children: A study following more than 1,800 children from ages 6 months to nearly 8 years found a small but consistent association between increased television viewing and shorter sleep duration http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1694 3 comments science
- Extended treatment with the smoking cessation drug varenicline (Chantix) significantly improved the ability of individuals with serious mental illness to maintain abstinence from tobacco after a standard 12-week course of treatment, the first randomized, controlled trial shows http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1661 7 comments science
- A phase I clinical trial has confirmed that use of a generic vaccine to raise levels of an immune system modulator can cause the death of autoimmune cells targeting the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas and temporarily restore insulin secretion in human patients with type 1 diabetes http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1495 6 comments science
- Tiny magnetic coils modulate neural activity, may be safer for deep-brain implants http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1478 3 comments science