Health
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Women who follow Mediterranean diet live longer
Large study shows benefits against cancer, cardiovascular mortality, also identifies likely biological drivers of better health
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Harvard-led study IDs statin that may block pathway to some cancers
Cholesterol-lowering drug suppresses chronic inflammation that creates dangerous cascade
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New Alzheimer’s study suggests genetic cause of specific form of disease
Findings eventually could pave way to earlier diagnosis, treatment, and affect search for new therapies
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Had a bad experience meditating? You’re not alone.
Altered states of consciousness through yoga, mindfulness more common than thought and mostly beneficial, study finds — though clinicians ill-equipped to help those who struggle
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Rethinking life-support decisions
Of the survivors within one study group, more than 40% recovered at least some independence.
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What to do about mental health crisis among Black males
Symposium examines thorny, multifaceted dilemma from systemic racism in policing, healthcare to stigma attached to psychotherapy in community
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Years after cancer treatment, sleepless nights
Researchers found that 51 percent of cancer survivors surveyed experienced sleep disturbances.
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In a war zone, COVID isn’t the only health problem
A Chan School panel details need for broader health campaigns that also include various vaccines in conflict areas.
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When COVID robbed children of their friendships, learning suffered
Relationships with peers, teachers, and counselors protect mental health and boost learning, experts say.
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Why are you yelling?
When we are yelling, what’s behind all that noise?
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New thinking on aspirin and colorectal cancer needs dose of nuance, expert says
The Gazette spoke with Andrew Chan, director of cancer epidemiology at the Mass. General Cancer Center, about the new thinking around aspirin.
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Viewing climate change as a human health problem
Renee Salas, an ER doctor and assistant professor of medicine, addressed questions about a new climate and health report from The Lancet.
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This is your body on carbs, in real time
By studying how cells from healthy normal weight and overweight participants broke down carbohydrates in real time, researchers have found clues about what triggers metabolic distress.
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Behind ‘Dopesick,’ anger and hope
The new Hulu series is based on the bestselling book “Dopesick” by Beth Macy, a journalist and former Nieman Fellow.
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Fetal sex a factor in COVID-19 immune response, study says
A new study finds that placentas of male and female fetuses respond very differently when a mother is infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy.
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Every step counts
Using an eight-year span within the Framingham Heart Study, researchers are able to pinpoint how many extra steps or how many fewer minutes of sitting are needed to achieve improved cardiorespiratory fitness.
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Children could be dangerous carriers of virus
A new study confirms that children can carry high viral loads of SARS-Co-V-2, making them possible spreaders of current and emerging variants.
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Tracing med student’s progress through notes on cancer patient
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Suzanne Koven traces her progress as a medical student through her notes on one cancer patient.
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Beating colorectal cancer’s immunotherapy resistance
Now, new research led by investigators at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Geneva provides insights on why some types of colorectal cancer don’t respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and offers a strategy to overcome their resistance.
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Did we really gain weight during the pandemic?
Looking at data from 15 million patients, researchers found that 39 percent had gained weight.
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The peril of 5 percent
The delta variant’s increased infectiousness, coupled with remaining pools of unvaccinated people and those whose immunity has waned, are enough to drive a winter COVID-19 surge even in highly vaccinated parts of the country, a Harvard infectious diseases expert said.
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Epidemiologist predicts likely decline in U.S. COVID cases, deaths
William Hanage predicts a likely decline in U.S. COVID cases, depending on vaccination rates, control tactics, and the absence of variants.
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Rising alcohol use among older adults
Alcohol use in older adults has been trending upward over the years, particularly among women.
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FDA panel member cheered by Pfizer news on COVID vaccine in kids
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been shown to be safe in school-age children, a potentially key development in the fight to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.
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Diet may affect risk and severity of COVID-19
Massachusetts General Hospital study links healthy plant-based foods with lower risks of getting of COVID-19 and of having severe disease after infection.
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Don’t let delta disrupt learning, expert says
Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiologist and director of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, says COVID vaccines for children should not be rushed and a return to in-person learning can still be navigated.
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When the U.S. health care system met the comic book
James Sturm used his skills as a comic book artist, and the help of several Harvard undergrads, to create a comic book that breaks down the health care industry.
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Cut sugar to save lives, researchers urge
A new health and economic model clearly shows why it’s imperative that food manufacturers reduce the amount of added sugar in their products.
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Michael Pollan digs deeper into drugs
In his new book, Michael Pollan provides a contextual backdrop to how we think about and use drugs.
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Is delta unstoppable?
Despite its ability to transmit more easily and puncture vaccine defenses, the delta variant is no superbug. It is vulnerable to masking, distancing, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions, lessons from delta outbreaks overseas show.
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Toward better medicine
A catalyzing gift will establish The Ivan and Francesca Berkowitz Family Living Laboratory Collaboration at Harvard Medical School and Clalit Research Institute, supporting precision medicine efforts through data science, clinical research, and training.
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Parental smoking during childhood linked to RA
A new study found a potential direct link between exposure to parental smoking during childhood and increased risk of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis later in life.
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Shining new light on vitamin D and cancer
Consuming higher amounts of vitamin D — mainly from dietary sources — may help protect against developing young-onset colorectal cancer or precancerous colon polyps, according to the first study to show such an association.
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Prognosis: Grim
A surge in COVID-19–related deaths in the U.S. could exceed the peak seen in early 2021, according to experts.
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Link between wildfires and COVID cases established
Researchers have found strong evidence of an association between exposure to fine particulate air pollution from 2020 wildfires in the U.S. and increased risk of COVID-19 cases and deaths in three western states, for up to four weeks after the exposure.
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COVID’s future: From pandemic to endemic?
Immunologist Yonatan Grad explains what has been learned from COVID-19 and how to apply the lessons moving forward.