BU study: Racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality wider than reported
(Boston University School of Medicine) More than a year into the pandemic, the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minorities in the US has been well documented. But a new study by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) reveals that previous research has underestimated the true extent of racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths--as well as the extent to which structural racism contributes to these deaths. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - May 18, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
New research will allow convenient investigation of human innate immune response to viral infections
(Boston University School of Medicine) Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) report the formation of human cells containing a green fluorescent protein or GFP (one of the most important proteins in biology and fluorescence imaging) genetically fused with two interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), namely Viperin and ISG15. This new creation makes these cells highly valuable reagents for reporting innate immune responses to viral infections, including those caused by coronaviruses. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 18, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Researchers identify genes responsible for loss of lung function
(Boston University School of Medicine) Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a panel of genes that are active in smokers and ex-smokers who experience faster loss of lung function over time. They believe these genes could be useful to predict which people are most at risk for smoking-related decline in lung function. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - May 11, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Elizabeth Hutton, MD, receives Stanley L. Robbins Award for Excellence in Teaching
(Boston University School of Medicine) Elizabeth Hutton, MD, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics, has been recognized with Boston University School of Medicine's (BUSM) highest teaching honor, the Stanley L. Robbins Award for Excellence in Teaching. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 7, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
People with familial longevity show better cognitive aging
(Boston University School of Medicine) If you come from a family where people routinely live well into old age, you will likely have better cognitive function (the ability to clearly think, learn and remember) than peers from families where people die younger. Researchers affiliated with the Long Life Family Study (LLFS) recently broadened that finding in a paper published in Gerontology, suggesting that people who belong to long-lived families also show slower cognitive decline over time. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - May 4, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor suppresses immunity to oral cancer through immune checkpoint regulation
(Boston University School of Medicine) A new Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) study has identified for the first time how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an environmental chemical receptor, drives immunosuppression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)--and that its removal from malignant cells can result in tumor rejection. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - May 4, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Without commuter traffic, pandemic-era drivers are speeding up, increasing noise pollution
(Boston University) When millions of Americans began working from home, city traffic halted. Although the air became cleaner, researchers discovered that sound levels increased in nature conservation areas due to cars driving faster. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 4, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
St. Elizabeth's switches affiliation to BU from Tufts
The Brighton hospital will become a teaching hospital of Boston University, switching its existing medical affiliation away from Tufts University. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care News Headlines)
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care News Headlines - May 3, 2021 Category: Health Management Authors: Jessica Bartlett Source Type: news
Researchers describe rare case of heart rhythm problem in newborn with Turner syndrome
(Boston University School of Medicine) Doctors treating babies born with Turner syndrome need to look for heart rhythm abnormalities, in addition to the usual heart problems of high blood pressure or left-sided structural heart defects, according to Meena Bolourchi, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 30, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Northern forest fires could accelerate climate change
(Boston University) New research shows that the global models used to project how Earth's climate will change in the future underestimate the impact of forest fires and drying climate on forests' ability to capture and store atmospheric carbon. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - April 29, 2021 Category: Biology Source Type: news
Majority of US faculty help students with mental health issues--but few are trained for it
(Boston University) Nationwide survey, led by BU researcher Dr. Sarah Lipson, indicates colleges and universities need to invest in more resources for faculty " gatekeepers " of mental health. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 26, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
New study provides insight in identifying, treating lung cancer at early stages
(Boston University School of Medicine) Lung carcinomas are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and worldwide. Lung squamous cell carcinomas (non-small cell lung cancers that arise in the bronchi of the lungs and make up approximately 30 percent of all lung cancers) are poorly understood, particularly with respect to the cell type and signals that contribute to disease onset. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - April 26, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Majority of US faculty help students with mental health issues -- but few are trained for it
(Boston University) Nationwide survey, led by BU researcher Dr. Sarah Lipson, indicates colleges and universities need to invest in more resources for faculty " gatekeepers " of mental health. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - April 26, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Comprehensive NICU discharge planning essential for at-home readiness
(Boston University School of Medicine) Being a parent of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) infant does not come with its own playbook of instructions. Preparing to care for a medically needy infant requires the mastery of technical skills, knowledge, emotional comfort and confidence. After confirming that an infant is medically ready for discharge, the quality of NICU discharge training/teaching is the strongest predictor of discharge readiness. A new study reinforces the importance of discharge preparation and transition to home planning. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 23, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Researchers identify potential subtype of PTSD
(Boston University School of Medicine) A major obstacle in understanding and treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is its clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. In order to better treat the condition and address this barrier, the field has become increasingly interested in identifying subtypes of PTSD based on dysfunction in neural networks alongside cognitive impairments that may underlie the development and maintenance of symptoms. VA and BU researchers have now found a marker of PTSD in brain regions associated with emotional regulation. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 21, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
