The Office of Communications and External Relations at Harvard Medical School can help reporters locate expert sources for stories, find information about faculty research or clinical work, arrange interviews, and verify faculty members' titles.

U.S. birth weights on the decline
Jan. 21, 2010 - A study that analyzed data from 36,827,828 U.S. babies born at full-term between 1990 and 2005 has found that birth weights decreased by up to 79 grams (2.78 ounces) during that time frame. The decreases could not be explained by changes in maternal or neonatal characteristics or trends in obstetric care practices such as cesarean sections or induced delivery. continue reading >

Scientists discover natural flu-fighting protein in human cells
Dec. 17, 2009 - Researchers have identified a small family of flu-fighting proteins that somehow increases natural resistance to viral infection. The proteins block most virus particles from infecting the cell at the earliest stage in the virus lifecycle. continue reading >

Study reveals why certain drug combinations backfire
Nov. 12, 2009 - Researchers have discovered why certain combinations of drugs are actually less effective together than one of the drugs alone. Specifically, antibiotic drugs that block DNA replication work poorly with drugs that block protein synthesis. continue reading >

Researchers identify promising therapeutic target for central nervous system injuries
Oct. 15, 2009 - Following a central nervous system injury, scar tissue releases molecules that keep neurons from passing, so they cannot restore motor and sensory function. Researchers have identified where these inhibitory molecules bind to the surface of neurons, exposing a novel therapeutic target. continue reading >

Costs of expanding healthcare coverage partly offset by future Medicare savings
Oct. 5, 2009 - The costs of universal coverage are partly offset by later savings in Medicare. New research found that individuals who lacked health insurance at some point between the ages of 51 and 64 cost Medicare more than those who had continuous coverage in the years prior to Medicare eligibility. On average, those who were previously uninsured cost Medicare an additional $1,000 annually per person when compared with those who had been consistently covered. Had they been insured they would have likely cost Medicare less. continue reading >

Message from HMS Dean Flier: Professor shares 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
(Includes video)
Oct. 5, 2009 - Today we are honored by the thrilling news that Jack Szostak, HMS professor of Genetics at Massachusetts General Hospital, has received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider, for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. continue reading >

Ophthalmologist receives Alpert Prize for preventing blindness in diabetic patients
(Includes video)
Sept. 29, 2009 - Lloyd M. Aiello, an HMS clinical professor of ophthalmology at Joslin Diabetes Center's Beetham Eye Institute, will receive the 2008/2009 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize. continue reading >