Two molecularly targeted drugs that have already been shown to improve outcomes in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer will be tested in early-stage lung cancer in a new clinical trial that will be spearheaded at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Geoffrey Oxnard, assistant professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is quoted.
Armed with powerful new genetic tools and a penchant for tinkering, synthetic biologists have built a new menagerie. Insofar as a common theme unites these diverse creations, it is the transformation of biology into an engineering discipline. Pamela Silver, Adams Professor of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, and George Church, Winthrop Professor of Genetcs, are quoted.
Two doctors discuss the decline of the physical exam and the role of physical touch between doctor and patient in the digital age. Susanne Koven, assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Carol Bates, assistant dean for faculty affairs and associate professor of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, are featured.
In the interest of fostering widespread adoption of successful health care ideas, the Forum, a joint collaboration between Harvard Business School and Harvard Medical School has launched the Health Acceleration Challenge, a competition meant to identify and promote proven innovations.
Hospitals nationwide are hustling to prepare for the first traveler from West Africa who arrives in the emergency room with symptoms of infection with the Ebola virus. Michael V. Callahan, instructor in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, is quoted.
Boston-area researchers, responding to ambassadors from Ebola-stricken nations who are frustrated with a slow international response, are looking for ways they can help West Africa as the region grapples with the deadly outbreak. Michael VanRooyen, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is quoted.
People who eat the least salt may be hurting their hearts, according to a study causing controversy because some of its findings clash with public-health efforts to lower sodium consumption. Elliott Antman, associate dean for clinical and translational research at HMS and professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is quoted.
As attitudes toward marijuana soften, and science slowly teases out the drug’s possible benefits for concussions and other injuries, the NFL is reaching a critical point in navigating its tenuous relationship with what is recognized as the analgesic of choice for many of its players. Lester Grinspoon, associate professor of psychiatry, emeritus, is quoted.
Wal-Mart’s newest effort to make a play in the booming health clinic space comes after the big-box retailer has fallen far behind its rivals. And this time, Wal-Mart is shaking up its approach with a new model that’s getting some attention in the health-care world. A study by Ateev Mehrotra, associate professor of health care policy, is cited.
After Angelina Jolie revealed that she carried a breast cancer gene mutation last year, the number of women seeking genetic screening for breast cancer has surged – what some oncologists have referred to as the “Angelina Jolie” effect. Huma Rana, instructor in medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is quoted.
