In the largest genetic study of height-related genes to date, scientists involved in the GIANT consortium (Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits) identified 423 genetic regions connected to height — which could explain as much as 60 percent of that genetic component. Joel Hirschhorn, Concordia Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, led the consortium.
A new simulation test for nurses, with the goal of translating instinctive decisions into specific explanations for certain actions, may help train and advise health care workers. Neel Shah, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is co-leader of the project.
Jonathan Reisman, instructor in medicine Massachusetts General Hospital, authored this opinion piece about the similarities in identifying both mushrooms and diseases.
The emergence this week of the first Ebola case in the United States — and the mistakes made by a Texas hospital that led to a delayed diagnosis — prompted Boston hospitals and primary care practices to review their emergency plans over the past two days and strengthen weak spots. Benjamin Kruskal, instructor in population medicine at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates; and Paul Biddinger, assistant professor of surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, are quoted.
The vast database, which was required under the new health care law, is likely to be closely scrutinized by researchers, insurers, consumer advocates and others. Aaron Kesselheim, associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is quoted.
