http://www.massgeneral.org/ Subscribe to news releases covering breaking news and recent headlines at Massachusetts General Hospital en-gb Copyright © Massachusets General Hospital 2008 Developer Fusion RSS Feed Generator v1.0 Bart Mburu Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:19:38 GMT 20 MassGeneralNewsReleaseshttp://feedburner.google.com http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1183 People tackling the daunting task of trying to quit smoking could find help through a novel approach being tested at MGH. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1182 A survey of patients had who experienced some sort of adverse event during their hospitalization found that, although caregivers discussed the event with patients less than half the time, those patients to whom the adverse event had been disclosed rated the quality of their care higher than did patients whose caregivers did not address the problem. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1181 Depression and other emotional symptoms in survivors of torture and other traumatic experiences may be exacerbated by the effects of head injuries, according to a study from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, based at Massachusetts General Hospital. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1180 While more than half the academic life science researchers responding to a 2007 survey indicated having some relationship with industrial entities, the prevalence of such relationships – particularly direct funding for research studies – appears to be dropping. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1179 Intensive lifestyle changes aimed at modest weight loss reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent compared with placebo in people at high risk for the disease, researchers conclude based on 10 years of data. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1178 More than half the internists responding to a survey indicated they rarely or never discussed sexual problems with their patients who had survived cancer. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1177 A report from a team of Massachusetts General Hospital physicians calls into question the longstanding belief that pulmonary embolism – the life-threatening blockage of a major blood vessel in the lungs – is caused in trauma patients by a blood clot traveling from vessels deep within the legs or lower torso. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1176 A team of Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and collaborators at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has taken a giant step toward the possibility of using human stem cells to repair damaged hearts. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1175 By examining data from a 20-year-old clinical trial, a research team based at the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Harvard School of Public Health, has found evidence supporting the findings of their 2008 study – that elevated levels of the antioxidant urate may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1173 Two teams led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers, also members of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, are among 18 groups receiving National Heart Lung and Blood Institute grants for the development of stem-cell based tools and treatments to understand and treat cardiovascular and blood disorders. The Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium will consist of nine research hubs, each involving multidiscplinary teams from two academic medical centers. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1174 In one of the first studies of its kind, an international team of researchers has uncovered a single-letter change in the genetic code that is associated with autism. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1172 Prestigious prize honors Mass General scientist for role in discovery of telomerase, enzyme that protects chromosome tips Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1170 A new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Denver and Massachusetts General Hospital shows vitamin D plays a vital role in reducing the risk of death associated with older age. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1169 The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital today will announce a multifaceted initiative aimed at helping veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq who are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1167 A team of researchers led by Massachusetts General Hospital radiologists has developed a computed-tomography-based protocol that identifies both narrowing of coronary arteries and areas of myocardial ischemia - restricted blood flow to heart muscle tissue - giving a better indication of clinically significant coronary artery disease. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1171 The Red Sox great is officially partnering his David Ortiz Children’s Fund with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to serve critically ill children in New England and the northeast. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1166 A study led by MassGeneral Hospital for Children investigators is providing new insight into the mechanism of neonatal seizures, which have features very different from seizures in older children and adults. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1165 Levels of a biomarker used in the diagnosis of heart attacks are almost universally elevated in patients who have undergone coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) and, when markedly elevated, powerfully predict the risk of complications. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1168 Scientists have deciphered a key molecular circuit that enables the body to distinguish viruses from bacteria and other microbes, providing a deep view of how immune cells in mammals fend off different pathogens. The research offers a practical approach for unraveling the circuits that underpin other important biological systems. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1164 A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers has developed an innovative way to culture liver cells for drug toxicity screening. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1162 Warfarin therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation - the most common type of significant heart rhythm disorder - appears to be most beneficial for the oldest patients, those who have had a prior stroke and for patients with multiple risk factors for stroke. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1163 A study from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Health Policy gives the first detailed look at the types of research currently being conducted within U.S. academic medical centers - medical schools and their affiliated hospitals. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1161 The blood thinner warfarin can prevent strokes in most individuals with abnormal heart rhythms but may have the opposite effect in kidney disease patients on dialysis, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1160 Twitter, the increasingly popular social networking tool that was at first merely a convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family, is emerging as a potentially valuable means of real-time, health care communication. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1159 The National Institutes of Health has renewed for five years - and $18.1 million - the funding for the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (Harvard CFAR). Harvard is one of only 20 NIH CFAR sites in the U.S. and first received the designation in 2004. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1157 Twice-yearly treatment with denosumab, a new targeted therapy to stop bone loss, increased bone density and prevented spinal fractures in men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1158 Regular use of aspirin after colorectal cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of cancer death, report investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1156 Mass. General researchers discovered an unexpected reservoir of the immune cells called monocytes in the spleen and showed that these cells are essential to recovery of cardiac tissue in an animal heart attack model. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1155 Near-normal control of glucose beginning as soon as possible after diagnosis would greatly improve the long-term prognosis of type 1 diabetes, concludes a study published in the July 27, 2009, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, which updates information about the clinical course of type 1 diabetes. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1153 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1154 Mass. General investigator Joseph Tucker, MD, is among recipients of NIH Early Career Scientist fellowships. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1152 A research consortium based at Massachusetts General Hospital has been awarded $15 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to investigate how the hepatitis C virus resists suppression and clearance by the immune system. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1151 Early initiation of lifesaving antiretroviral therapies should be the standard of care for all HIV-infected patients, even those in countries with limited medical and financial resources, according to a study led by researchers at MGH and the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1150 A Massachusetts General Hospital-based research team has identified how a chromosomal abnormality known to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia – the most common cancer in children – initiates the disease process. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1149 A research team based at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard has found a gender-based difference in the response of a first-line immune cell to HIV that may explain why the infection usually progresses faster in women than in men with the same viral loads. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1148 Treatment with the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab improved hearing and alleviated other symptoms in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The study by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) represents the first report of a successful NF2 treatment not involving surgery or radiation. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1146 An international research consortium has discovered that many common genetic variants contribute to a person’s risk of schizophrenia and are also involved in bipolar disorder. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1147 Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified the earliest master human heart stem cell from human embryonic stem cells - ISL1+ progenitors - that give rise to a family of cells that form the essential portions of the human heart. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1144 Measurement of known biomarkers of cardiovascular disease slightly improves the ability to predict future heart attack or stroke in healthy individuals, but not enough to change preventive therapies. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1145 A new study finds that a particular strain of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease may be more virulent, leading to increased inflammation in joints that persists after antibiotic treatment. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1142 A report in Cancer Research highlights a new biomarker that may be useful in identifying patients with recurrent glioblastoma who would respond better to antiangiogenesis therapy. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1140 A common electrocardiogram finding that has largely been considered insignificant may actually signal an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, the future need for a permanent pacemaker and an increased risk for premature death. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1141 Patients admitted to hospital with coronary artery disease are twice as likely to quit smoking after receiving intensive smoking cessation support compared to minimal support. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1143 As many as half of all men taking the antidepressant medication paroxetine (trade names Seroxat, Paxil) may have increased sperm DNA fragmentation — a predictor of compromised fertility. The study also found that the changes are reversible with normal levels of sperm returning after discontinuation of the drug. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1139 Scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have initiated the BrainGate2 pilot clinical trial to expand restorative neurotechnology research for some patients with paralysis. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1137 MGH researchers have found that certain genetic mutations known to extend the lifespan of the C. elegans roundworm induce 'mortal' somatic cells to express some of the genes that allow the 'immortality' of reproductive germline cells. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1136 Joren C. Madsen, MD, D.Phil, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Transplant Center, was inducted president of the American Society of Transplantation during the 2009 American Transplant Congress. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1135 A new study uncovers a gene expression signature that reliably identifies cancer cells whose survival is dependent on a common signaling pathway, even when the cells contain multiple other genetic abnormalities. The study from MGH Cancer Center researchers identifies critical molecular vulnerabilities, thereby revealing promising therapeutic targets for a common and notoriously treatment resistant cancer. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1134 Viewing a video showing a patient with advanced dementia interacting with family and caregivers may help elderly patients plan for end-of-life care, according to a study led by MGH researchers. Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1133 Alzheimer’s disease researcher Rudolph Tanzi, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital adds another distinction to his scientific career when he joins Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and other rock celebrities in a designer menswear photo shoot as a “Rock Star of Science” in the June issue of GQ Magazine. Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1131 Analyzing MRI studies of the brain with software developed at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Mass. General Hospital may allow diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and of mild cognitive impairment, a lesser form of dementia that precedes the development of Alzheimer's by several years. Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1132 Although a test for gene mutations known to significantly increase the risk of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer has been available for more than a decade, a new study finds that few women with family histories of these cancers are even discussing genetic testing with their physicians or other health care providers. Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1130 New estimates of the likelihood that a latent case of tuberculosis will become active have resulted in a roughly 50 percent increase over previous estimates of the number of people needed to be screened to prevent an active infection. Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1129 Overall prognosis for gallbladder cancer appears to be improving, although many patients still have incurable disease and poor survival rates. Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1128 Someday, even doctor visits could be among the conveniences offered via the Internet. In a comparison of desktop videoconferencing to conventional face-to-face general medical evaluations, patients found virtual visits similar to face-to-face visits on most measures. This study suggests that both patients and physicians could benefit if virtual visits were used as an alternative method of accessing primary care services. Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1126 Improving the environment in which rats are reared can significantly strengthen the physiological process of wound healing, according to a report in the open-access journal PLoS ONE. MGH researchers found that giving rats living in isolation the opportunity to build nests led to faster and more complete healing of burn injuries. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1125 Scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), as part of a major international research collaboration, have associated common variants in eight regions of DNA with blood pressure levels in human patients. Six of the identified regions have not previously been implicated in blood pressure regulation. Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1124 High-quality videoconferencing can increase patient access to stroke specialists; and a transient ischemic attack, once known as a “mini” or “warning” stroke, should be treated with the same urgency as a full-blown stroke, according to two separate statements published today in Stroke. Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1123 Researchers at the University of Minnesota and Massachusetts General Hospital have used a genome engineering tool they developed to make a model crop plant herbicide-resistant without significant changes to its DNA. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1122 Diffusion weighted MR can accurately identify benign from malignant pelvic lymph nodes in patients with gynecologic malignancy, according to an MGH study. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1121 A simple and inexpensive method of assessing pain, developed by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers, is better than currently used techniques for distinguishing neuropathic pain – pain caused by damage to the nervous system – from other types of chronic back pain. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1120 A team of researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine has found the first evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, rather than by known protein signaling agents such as growth factors or cytokines. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1119 A new study has identified a potential strategy for removing the abnormal protein that causes Huntington’s disease from brain cells, which could slow the progression of the devastating neurological disorder. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1117 The beneficial effects of anti-angiogenesis drugs in the treatment of the deadly brain tumors called glioblastomas appear to result primarily from reduction of edema – the swelling of brain tissue – and not from any direct anti-tumor effect. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1118 Results of the study from a collaborative team led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh suggest that parasitic infection could reduce the immune response to cholera, which may compromise the effectiveness of cholera vaccines. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1127 Two MGH investigators – Bradley E. Bernstein, MD, PhD, and Konrad Hochedlinger, PhD – are among 50 receipients of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist Awards. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1115 Graduates of the Program in Clinical Effectiveness, which has trained almost 1,900 physicians to be clinical investigators since 1986, have achieved significant success in receiving grant support from the National Institutes of Health and other funders, along with other accomplishments considered key to establishing a research career. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1116 At a time of heightened concern about conflicts of interest posed by relationships between academic medical researchers and commercial firms, a new study finds that a significant number of academic institutions do not have clear policies covering the industrial relationships of members of Institutional Review Boards, committees charged with ensuring that clinical studies uphold patient rights and follow ethical guidelines. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1111 A new study has identified several common genetic variants related to a risk factor for sudden cardiac death. The report receiving early online release in the journal Nature Genetics identifies variants in genes, some known and some newly discovered, that influence the QT interval measured on the electrocardiogram (EKG) performed routinely in doctors’ offices. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1113 The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the selection of David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P. as the Obama Administration’s choice for National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1114 A groundbreaking partnership between the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa will establish an international research center focused on the worldwide effort to control the devastating co-epidemic of tuberculosis and HIV. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1112 Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers are investigating a new way to block reproduction of the hepatitis C virus – targeting not the virus itself but the human genes the virus exploits in its life cycle. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1108 Most women responding to a survey conducted at MGH clinics indicated they would be willing to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus and to have their daughters and even sons vaccinated in order to prevent cancer in their children. The report also found that Latino women are just as likely, if not more so, to accept HPV vaccine as non-Latinos. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1107 A new study finds that patients who are connected to a specific primary care physician are more likely to receive guideline-consistent care than those who are connected to a practice but not a physician. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1105 The impact of the amyloid plaques that appear in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease may extend beyond the deposits’ effects on neurons– the cells that transmit electrochemical signals throughout the nervous system. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1106 A collaborative research effort spanning nearly a decade between researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and King’s College London has identified a novel gene for inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1104 HIV is evolving rapidly to escape the human immune system, an international study has shown. The findings demonstrate the challenge of developing an HIV vaccine that keeps pace with the changing nature of the virus. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1103 Vitamin D may be an important way to arm the immune system against disorders like the common cold, report investigators from the University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Children’s Hospital Boston. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1109 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1102 A new study has identified the first common gene variants associated with an increased incidence of hypertension – a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1101 Some patients who suffer a stroke as a result of a blockage in an artery in the brain may benefit from a clot-busting drug nine or more hours after the onset of symptoms. Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1100 The largest study ever completed of genetic factors associated with heart attacks has identified nine genetic regions - three not previously described - that appear to increase the risk for early-onset myocardial infarction. Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1099 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1098 The MGH Cancer Center has added pencil-beam scanning to the radiation therapy modalities offered at the hospital’s Burr Proton Therapy Center. Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1097 Online support communities appear to offer both a valuable educational resource and a source of psychological and social support for individuals with psoriasis, according to a report from the Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare System. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1095 A new mathematical model of the physiological regulation of body weight suggests a potential mechanism underlying the difficulty of losing weight, one that includes aspects of two competing hypotheses of weight regulation. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1096 A group of hospitals in eight cities around the globe has successfully demonstrated that the use of a simple surgical checklist during major operations can lower the incidence of deaths and complications by more than one third. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1093 Mass. General researchers and the colleagues add to understanding of the role of the protein COX2 in pain associated with inflammation. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1091 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1089 An international research team has compiled the first catalogue of tissue-specific pathologies underlying hundreds of inherited diseases. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1082 The number of physicians with board certification in emergency medicine is unlikely to meet the staffing needs of U.S. emergency departments in the foreseeable future, if ever; according to a study from a research team based at Massachusetts General Hospital Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1083 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1086 Treating prostate cancer patients with drugs that block hormonal activity does not appear to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to a study led by MGH researchers Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1088 In the first detailed analysis of deaths during expeditions to the summit of Mt. Everest, a research team led by MGH investigators has conducted found that most deaths occur during descents from the summit in the so-called “death zone” above 8,000 meters and identified factors associated with a greater risk of death. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1090 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1084 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1087 MGH investigators have found a subpopulation of hematopoietic stem cells, the source of all blood and immune system cells, that reproduce much more slowly than previously anticipated. Use of these slow-cycling cells may improve the outcome of stem-cell transplants for the treatment of leukemia and other bone-marrow-based diseases. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1077 MGH scientists have used a novel, hand-operated robotic device and functional MRI to track the rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients, showing that the brain can continue to regain function even six months or more after a stroke. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1075 A team of cancer researchers from several Boston academic medical centers has discovered a potential treatment for tumors driven by mutations in the K-Ras gene, which have resisted previous targeted therapy approaches. Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1076 Scientists have created a new mouse model that may help researchers explain how a rare disease causes otherwise supple soft tissue and joints to turn into bone. Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1074 Lining the upper portion of the small intestine with an impermeable sleeve led to both weight loss and restoration of normal glucose metabolism in an animal model of obesity-induced diabetes. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1073 Screening for a panel of gene variants associated with the risk for type 2 diabetes can identify adults at risk for the disorder but is not significantly better than assessment based on traditional risk factors. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1072 For the first time researchers are getting a detailed look at the interior of human coronary arteries, using an optical imaging technique developed at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1080 MGH researchers have found that tiny membrane-covered sacs released from glioblastoma cells contain molecules that may help guide treatment of the deadly brain tumor. Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1070 For the first time researchers have shown that a commonly used anesthetic can produce changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of living mammals, confirming previous laboratory studies. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1069 A collaborative study led by investigators from MGH is giving what may be the first look at how interactions between genes underlie a key symptom of schizophrenia, impaired working memory. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1068 The largest such study ever published finds that, while about 40 percent of women surveyed report having sexual problems, only 12 percent indicate that those issues are a source of significant personal distress Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1067 The first family-based genome-wide association study in Alzheimer’s disease has identified the sites of four novel genes that may significantly influence risk for the most common late-onset form of the devastating neurological disorder. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1066 The diabetes medication metformin may be associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies in the October 27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1065 Young people with ADHD are not only at increased risk of starting to smoke cigarettes, they also tend to become more seriously addicted to tobacco and more vulnerable to environmental factors such as having friends or parents who smoke. Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1064 MGH researchers have used gene therapy to restore useful vision to mice with degeneration of the light-sensing retinal rods and cones, a common cause of human blindness. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1063 A brain imaging study carried out at MGH reveals abnormalities in the cerebral cortex – the outer surface of the brain – of cocaine addicts that appear to correlate with dysfunction in areas responsible for attention and for reward-based decision-making. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1062 MGH researchers have found that treatment with stimulant drugs does not increase and appears to significantly decrease the risk that girls with ADHD will begin smoking cigarettes or using alcohol or drugs. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1060 Since 1989, Thomson Reuters has developed a list of likely winners in medicine, chemistry, physics, and economics. Those chosen are named Thomson Reuters Scientific Laureates. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1061 In response to new concerns about a study supporting the use of CT screening to detect early-stage lung cancer in smokers and other people at risk, the Editor-in-Chief of "The Oncologist" has called for an independent audit of the research data. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1059 MGH researchers report that women with vulvar carcinoma whose tumors have extra copies of the EGFR gene are at increased risk of dying from their cancer, information that could indentify patients who should be treated with targeted therapy drugs. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1058 MGH researchers are investigating a new approach to gene therapy for brain tumors – delivering a cancer-fighting gene to normal brain tissue around the tumor to keep it from spreading. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1057 A significant percentage of resident physicians report that patient handoffs – transfer of responsibility for a hospitalized patient from one resident to another – contributed to incidents in which harm was done to patients. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1054 The National Institutes of Health announced today that it has increased its support of high-impact research with 2008 NIH Director's Pioneer and New Innovator Awards to 47 scientists, many of whom are in the early stages of their careers. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1055 Treatment with Alzheimer’s disease drugs can significantly slow the rate at which the disorder advances, and therapy with two different classes of drugs is even better at helping patients maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1056 Treating cancer patients with proton therapy instead of standard photon radiation decreases the risk of developing a secondary cancer by two-fold Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1053 Cathy E. Minehan, managing director of Arlington Advisory Partners, today was named chair of the Massachusetts General Hospital Board of Trustees, succeeding Edward P. Lawrence, Esq. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1052 There may be no such thing as a 'safe' tan based on ultraviolet (UV) radiation, according to a series of papers published in the October issue of Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1051 An online personal health record system that allowed people with diabetes to check their lab results and get guidance about medication proved to be of only limited use in improving their health outcomes, researchers found. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1050 MGH investigator Gary Ruvkun, PhD, is one of three co-recipients of the 2008 Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. The scientists are being honored for discovering that tiny molecules of RNA can control the activity of critical genes in animals and plants. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1049 Two investigators who helped to uncover a previously unsuspected world of tiny RNA molecules will be recognized next month by Massachusetts General Hospital with its highest award for research. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1048 Someday doctors may be able to use a blood test to confirm within minutes, instead of hours, if a patient is having a heart attack, allowing more rapid treatment that could limit damage to heart muscle. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1047 As antiviral treatment for HIV infection allows patients to live longer, many will be confronted with additional health challenges. A new study shows for the first time that one of these may be significantly increased risk of bone fractures. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1046 In experiments using blood cells from human patients with diabetes and other autoimmune disorders, MGH researchers have confirmed the mechanism behind a potential new therapy for type 1 diabetes Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1044 MGH investigators have found that infusions of a particular bone marrow stem cell appeared to protect gastrointestinal tissue from autoimmune attack in a mouse model. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1042 Brachytherapy, also called seed implants, may be a more beneficial treatment than surgery or external beam radiation therapy for overweight or obese prostate cancer patients. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1043 The Prostate Cancer Foundation today announced 19 Young Investigators Awards for 2008. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1045 In the first study of its kind, researchers find both patients and physicians react positively to real-time, virtual check-ups using videoconferencing technology. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1041 The largest genetic analysis of its kind to date for bipolar disorder has implicated machinery involved in the balance of sodium and calcium in brain cells. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1038 Harvard Stem Cell Institute researcher George Q. Daley, has with HSCI colleagues Chad Cowan and Konrad Hochedlinger of Massachusetts General Hospital produced a robust new collection of disease-specific stem cell lines, all of which were developed using the new induced pluripotent stem cell technique. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1036 A team of MGH researchers has used brain imaging, genetics and experimental psychology techniques to identify a connection between brain reward circuitry, a behavioral measurement of preference and a gene variant that appears to influence both. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1037 A new study suggests that monitoring levels of a hormone called fibroblast growth factor 23 may provide information crucial to the treatment of patients with kidney failure. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1034 Low-dose growth hormone treatment reduced abdominal fat deposits and improved blood pressure and triglyceride levels but also appeared to increase blood sugar levels in a group of patients with HIV lipodystrophy. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1035 The, Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure (CEASE) program aims to teach pediatricians to help parents quit smoking and establish and enforce no-smoking rules in the home and car. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1039 MGH today announced plans to greatly expand its HIV/AIDS clinical and research efforts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – often considered the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic – and establish a state-of-the-art academic and research facility in Uganda. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1032 Using an advanced imaging technique that reveals how brain cells are functioning, researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease have found that levels of intracellular calcium are significantly elevated in neurons close to plaques in the brains of an Alzheimer’s mouse model. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1033 A multinational group of investigators has discovered that people suffering from schizophrenia are far more likely to carry rare chromosomal structural changes of all types, particularly those that have the potential to alter gene function. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1031 A multi-institutional team led by MGH investigators has developed a powerful new tool for genomic research and medicine – a robust method for generating synthetic enzymes that can target particular DNA sequences for inactivation or repair. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1030 When individuals infected with HIV become infected with a second strain of the virus, the two viral strains can exchange genetic information, creating a third, recombinant strain of the virus. Now a study from the Partners AIDS Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital shows that how and where viral strains swap DNA may be determined by the immune response against the original infecting strain. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1028 A study by a group of Massachusetts researchers finds that surveying patients about their experiences can add important information to hospital efforts to improve patient safety. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1029 Research has implicated a half-dozen new genes in autism and strongly supports the idea that autism stems from disruptions in the brain's ability to form new connections in response to experience. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1020 An MGH-developed, microchip-based device that detects and analyzes tumor cells in the bloodstream can be used to determine the genetic signature of lung tumors, facilitating targeted therapies and monitoring genetic changes that occur during therapy. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1019 A new study finds that eliciting the relaxation response – a physiologic state of deep rest – influences the activation patterns of genes associated with the body’s response to stress. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1027 People who suffer from severe depression following a heart attack might be more likely to experience cardiac complications while hospitalized, according to a new study. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1040 CIMIT is pleased to announce that six bright and promising medical professionals have been named recipients of the Young Clinician Award for 2008. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1018 An international consortium of Crohn’s disease researchers has combined data from three independent studies to identify 21 new genetic variants associated with the inflammatory bowel disorder, bringing the total number of risk factors to 32. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1026 Antiretroviral medications have dramatically reduced the overall death rate among patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but those same patients may now face an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1025 Despite the promises it offers health care and quality improvement, only a small minority of U.S. physicians have embraced electronic health records (EHR) as a routine part of practice, says a study in the June 19 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1024 Researchers from MGH have found a way to predict which teenage female athletes will stop menstruating, an important risk factor for bone thinning, according to a preliminary study. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1023 Screening for lung cancer with computed tomography (CT) may help reduce lung cancer deaths in current and former smokers, but it won't protect them from other causes of death associated with smoking. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1022 An MGH research team has found that the sort of very simple membrane that may have been present on primitive cells can easily allow small molecules – including the building blocks of RNA and DNA – to pass thorough. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1017 An MGH study - the largest and first controlled such investigation - supports previous reports that adolescents with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for smoking and substance abuse. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1021 New findings from research conducted by Harvard-affiliated scientists are providing important clues into how genes work to impair various aspects of attention, memory and perception -- the behaviors associated with many psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT