Scientists at Boston Children’s Hospital, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Boston University have developed a computer algorithm to test stem cells, a breakthrough that has allowed scientists to regrow part of a colon in a mouse. George Daley, professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Boston Children’s Hospital, is quoted.
People in their 70s and beyond seem to need less sleep than they did when they were younger. New research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center may finally explain why: They have lost sleep-promoting brain cells. Clifford Saper, the James Jackson Putnam Professor of Neurology and head of the Department of Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, led the team of researchers.
Sex and relationships are always tricky terrains for college students. Those arriving this year are finding schools awash in complaints and headlines about sexual assault and responding with programs aimed at changing campus culture. William Pollack, associate clinical professor of psychology at Cambrdige Health Alliance, is quoted.
Should people in need of a kidney transplant be allowed to pay someone to donate one of theirs? Francis Delmonico, clinical professor of surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, is a co-author of this opinion piece.
Fear of Ebola is causing U.S. hospitals to take precautions that, paradoxically, might backfire, increasing the risk to those caring for a patient with the deadly disease, researchers warned. Michael Klompas, associate professor of population medicine, is the lead author of the paper.
Hummingbirds evolved to prefer nectar when other birds lack the ability to perceive sweetness. Stephen Liberles, HMS associate professor of cell biology, is quoted.
What do our genetic contradictions mean? Do they play an important role in our biology? At this point, just about every genome scientist has a slightly different take. One surprising theory suggests that DNA diversity might be good for you. It’s a feature, not a bug. Christopher A. Walsh, Bullard Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital, is quoted.
In its first few years, national data shows Medicare Part D did help elderly Medicare beneficiaries make modest progress—they were better able to afford their medications and seniors were less likely to stop taking them for financial reasons. Those trends, however, took a U-turn in 2009. Jeanne Madden, instructor in population medicine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, is featured.
