A group of Boston-area postdoctoral students formed a collaboration called the Future of Research (FOR), and recently convened a symposium by the same name. The symposium brought together over 200 early-career scientists to share their concerns about the future of biomedical research and the need for national discussion about reforms of that enterprise. Marc Kirschner, John Franklin Enders University Professor of Systems Biology and head of the Department of Systems Biology, is mentioned. Jessica Polka, research fellow in systems biology, is a co-leader of FOR.
Changing how doctors communicate during shift changes in hospitals reduced the risk of adverse events in patients by 30 percent, a new study found. Amy Starmer, lecturer on pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, led the research.
The sex organs of animals are some of evolution’s most diverse handiwork. And yet up until now, scientists haven’t understood exactly how they evolved and take shape at the earliest stages of development. In a recent study, researchers have begun to unravel how genitals form. Patrick Tschopp, research fellow in genetics, is first author of the research. Clifford Tabin, George Jacob and Jacqueline Hazel Leder Professor of Genetics and head of the Department of Genetics, is senior author.
Researchers may have figured out why different species develop different kinds of genitalia. In snakes and reptiles, the genitals grow to mimic leg buds—producing twin organs. In humans, the genitals grow to mimic a tail bud—so the penis ends up as a single structure. Clifford Tabin, George Jacob and Jacqueline Hazel Leder Professor of Genetics and head of the Department of Genetics, led the research. Patrick Tschopp, research fellow in genetics, is the study’s first author.
Recently, brain cancer patient Brittany Maynard decided to end her life with pills prescribed by her doctor in Oregon—one of three states that have “death with dignity” laws—but doctors, medical ethicists and patient rights activists in the Boston area remain divided over whether doctors should actively participate in patient deaths. Marcia Angell, senior lecturer in social medicine, Lachlan Forrow, associate professor of medicine and director of ethics programs and palliative care programs at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Lisa Lehmann, associate professor of medicine and head of the Center for Bioethics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, are quoted.
University Benefits Committee members Michael Chernew, Leonard D. Schaeffer Professor of Health Care Policy; Barbara J. McNeil, Ridley Watts Professor of Health Care Policy; and Joseph Newhouse, John D. MacArthur Professor of Health Policy and Management at Harvard University, co-authored this opinon peice about the process and the thinking behind the recommendations to change Harvard University’s health benefits.
A group at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital are testing a novel way to track the virus in real time, and are calling on sniffly and sneezing New Englanders for help. Rumi Chunara, instructor in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, is the chief researcher behind the flu crowdsourcing website GoViral.
Steve Schlozman, assistant professor of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, authored this opinion piece about the impact of systematic stress placed on teenagers.
Angelo Volandes, assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, participated in an interview about aggressive interventions at the end of life.
