Health
-
Falls put older adults at increased risk of Alzheimer’s
Researchers found dementia more frequently diagnosed within one year of a fall, compared to other types of injuries
-
‘Weekend warriors’ can cut risk of 264 diseases
Concentrated routines just as effective as regular weekly exercise in protecting against heart, digestive conditions as well as neurological illnesses
-
Drug-free nasal spray blocks, neutralizes viruses, bacteria
In preclinical studies, spray offered nearly 100% protection from respiratory infections by COVID-19, influenza, viruses, and pneumonia-causing bacteria
-
Using AI to repurpose existing drugs for treatment of rare diseases
Identifies possible therapies for thousands of diseases, including ones with no current treatments
-
Suicide among female doctors gets a closer look
Epidemiologist discusses research, shrinking gap between rates of male, female physicians, what can be done
-
To assess a smoker’s lung cancer risk, think years — not packs
Far more cases get caught when screening guidelines consider duration of habit regardless of intensity, study finds — especially among Black patients
-
Being good for goodness’ sake — and your own
A Harvard Chan School study associated high moral character with lower depression risk as well as potential cardio benefits.
-
Diabetes drugs may reduce cardiovascular deaths
Drugs originally developed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes were found to reduce cardiovascular deaths and heart failure events among patients.
-
Using AI as a pandemic crystal ball
MGH, Broad researchers develop Big Data tool that can predict which COVID variants will likely become dominant.
-
Racial discrimination during COVID led to rise in depression
Those who experienced discrimination early in the pandemic had increased odds of moderate to severe depression and suicidal ideation, compared to those who reported no discrimination.
-
Surgeries fail to return to pre-pandemic levels
Reductions in surgical procedures precipitated by SARS-CoV-2 have not fully returned to their pre-pandemic levels, resulting in severe backlogs and deferred surgeries.
-
New hope for easing stigma and isolation of hearing loss
Audiologist says FDA green light for over-the-counter devices has potential to drive down cost, increase access and innovation.
-
Polio is back in the spotlight
News reports about polio’s return worry parents. An expert explains the two types of poliovirus and the importance of herd immunity.
-
Turns out you likely don’t need vitamin D supplements for strong bones
Major study by Harvard professor upends idea large doses are needed by otherwise healthy older adults.
-
Integrity may be good for your health
Study links ‘strong moral character’ traits with reduced risk for depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease.
-
How America’s ageism hurts, shortens lives of elderly
Becca Levy ‘92, Ph.D. ’95 examines hidden stereotypes of aging, their insidious effects in excerpt from her new book
-
Taking second look at daily multivitamins
“Most people would be better off just drinking a full glass of water and skipping the vitamin,” says Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
-
The brain that defied Alzheimer’s
The brain of a woman with a family history of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease who lived dementia-free into her 70s is providing researchers with important information about the pathobiology of Alzheimer’s dementia and possible ways to prevent or treat it.
-
Gorge today, sweat tomorrow? That’s not how it works.
Researcher I-Min Lee outlines fresh data showing that you can’t outrun a bad diet.
-
Eating fish linked to skin cancer risk
In a new study researchers determined that people who eat about 2.6 servings of fish per week have a higher risk for the skin cancer melanoma.
-
Can music improve our health and quality of life?
New research shows the use of music interventions — listening to music, singing, and music therapy — can create significant improvements in mental health, and smaller improvements in physical health-related quality of life.
-
Breast milk tied to better outcomes for preemies
A 7-year study shows benefits in academic achievement and other neurodevelopmental measures.
-
Spirituality linked with better health outcomes, patient care
Spirituality should be incorporated into care for both serious illness and overall health, according to a study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
-
Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers can predict post-op delirium
Researchers have found a way to predict if an Alzheimer’s patient will develop postoperative delirium, a common complication in older patients.
-
Drivers who are frustrated, distracted, mad — and somewhat rusty
Traffic stats show that roadway deaths spiked during the pandemic. Can it be that we were not only distracted and frustrated, but also out of practice?
-
Coffee is good for you, probably
A recent study says you may not need to drink coffee without sugar to gain the health benefits. HMS’ Christina Wee discusses the state of science on coffee’s attributes as a health drink.
-
Thunderstorm asthma
A new study reports an increase in cases of “thunderstorm asthma,” putting allergy and asthma sufferers on alert.
-
Psychologist for back pain?
Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Studies suggest best treatment combines physical, behavioral therapy.
-
Sifting the damage of pandemic-era drinking
As studies signal serious health consequences, specialists scramble to treat acute cases and reinforce limits that define moderate use.
-
Optimism lengthens life, study finds
Women who reported a positive outlook were likelier to live past 90, regardless of race or ethnicity.
-
Fight, flight, or freeze: how our bodies respond to doomscrolling
Experts examine how our bodies respond to doomscrolling.
-
New tool models evolution of opioid crisis
To help combat the opioid crisis, researchers have developed a tool, known as SOURCE, which taps national data on opioids to track stages of use and misuse, including use initiation, treatment, relapse, and death by overdose.
-
Poverty linked to worse outcomes in pediatric cancer
Race, ethnicity, poverty linked to worse outcomes in children treated for high-risk neuroblastoma, according to new study.
-
Longevity starts when we’re young
A new study shows that health and habits as children and teens affect not only health as adults, but lifespan.
-
Don’t let latest COVID surge overshadow progress, says Hanage
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Professor William Hanage explains how to stay on guard against subvariants, noting role of protective measures in transition to new pandemic phase.
-
Researchers find sleep benefit in higher dose of melatonin
In a small study of healthy adults aged 55 and older, 5 mg of melatonin increased total sleep time compared to a placebo.